Make a submission or comment on an application

Applications not displayed at one of the links above may not be open for public notification, or may be a code assessable application.

You can confirm the category of assessment for a development application by checking the application details on council's Development.i. 

This fact sheet (DOCX, 1.4MB) helps to explain the different types of assessment.

An impact assessment development application requires public notification. You can make a submission during the public notification period.

Public notification is made by:

• giving a notice to the owners of all adjoining land
• publishing a notice in a local newspaper, and
• placing a notice on the land.

A submission can only be lodged for an impact assessment application. Council will consider any matters raised in a 'properly made' submission during the assessment process.

A 'properly made' submission must:

• be made to the assessment manager
• be in writing
• state the name and residential or business street address of each person who made the submission (no postal box details will be accepted)
• state what aspects of the proposed development you support or oppose and why, using facts and circumstances
• be received by council during the formal public notification period.
  Hard copy submissions must be received by Council during business hours on or before the last day.  Electronic submissions must be received at or before 11.59pm on the last day of the public notification period.
• be signed by each person who made the submission, unless it is made electronically.

To submit, you can send to council by email or mail.

To help with your submission, you can use the (optional) online form or notice of submission form (DOCX, 864KB).

View submissions and check the status of a development application in Development.i.

Note: Submissions are not confidential. The State Government Planning Act 2016 requires that council publish all submissions on their website. This includes individual's details. All submissions are published, irrespective of whether they are 'properly made'.

Lodging an appeal to a council decision

Anyone who makes a 'properly made' submission on an impact assessment application can appeal against council's decision on the development application.

Council will write to submitters to let you know when the appeal period begins and ends. The submitter can only lodge an appeal within the submitter appeal period.

To lodge an appeal, a notice of appeal form must be completed and lodged with the accompanying fee to the Planning and Environment Court.

You can comment on a code assessment application. This type of application does not need public notification. There are no legal rights to appeal council's decision.

The matters raised in your comments will be considered during the assessment in accordance with the relevant legislation, including the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.

You can use this online form to make a comment on an application. You can also provide your comment by mail or email.

Note: Comments are not a legal requirement for code assessment applications. You will not receive a formal response to your comments. You can keep track of the status of the application via council's Development.i.

A submission can only be lodged for an impact assessment application. Council will consider any matters raised in a 'properly made' submission during the assessment process.

A 'properly made' submission must:

• be made to the assessment manager
• be in writing
• state the name and residential or business street address of each person who made the submission (no postal box details will be accepted)
• state what aspects of the proposed development you support or oppose and why, using facts and circumstances
• be received by council during the formal public notification period. Hard copy submissions must be received by Council during business hours on or before the last day.  Electronic submissions must be received at or before 11.59pm on the last day of the public notification period.
• be signed by each person who made the submission, unless it is made electronically.

The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) carries out the state's assessment functions. SARA may be a referral agency for development applications where the state has a jurisdiction, such as where a development gains access to a state controlled road.

If you have questions or feedback regarding the state's assessment functions you can contact your local SARA regional office.

For more information, refer to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning website.