Environmental offsets

An environmental offset is where we ask an applicant for compensation for the environmental impacts of their development. This compensation may include the planting of trees to replace removed vegetation, or a financial contribution to help revegetate other land. For details, go to Schedule 6.9 City Plan Environmental offsets policy.

Types of environmental offsets

There are generally 2 types of environmental offsets:

  • financial settlement option
  • ecological restoration of an approved area.

Environmental offsets that are delivered through ecological restoration can include:

  • direct planting
  • weed control
  • natural regeneration
  • revegetation
  • maintenance activities.

How to apply for an environmental offset

There are a range of environmental offset applications you can apply for depending on development activities.

The application forms depend on:

  • type of environmental offset
  • timing of environmental offset
  • whether the environmental offset is staged
  • requesting recalculation of environmental offset
  • changes to development approval requiring change to environmental offset.

You must submit completed State government forms as part of your application to us. The State government forms you complete will accompany the relevant Council Environmental Offset application form.

By email

Step 1.Gather your documents

You must complete and supply the following supporting documentation with your application:

  • All applications require the State Government form EOD1 Notice of Election and other relevant State Government forms specific to delivery, timing and staging.
  • The Council Environmental Offset application form relevant to your application (listed in the section below)

Prepare your documents in the correct format:

  • forms – combined as one single PDF
  • supporting documents – combined as one single PDF
  • plans – combined as one single PDF
  • specialist reports - combined as one single PDF
  • the required fee - refer to the Register of fees & charges for more details

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download and complete the relevant Council application form(s)

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Email to: dart@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Council environmental offset application forms

Environmental offset application

Use this form to apply for an environmental offset when you have received a condition from the City requiring you to do so.

Environmental offset application(PDF, 475KB)

Early arrangement application

Use this form to apply for an Early Arrangement Agreement with Council before you have received your conditions of development approval.

Application for early arrangement(PDF, 209KB)

Application for advanced offset

This is an application to identify and begin restoration of an offset-receiving site before any application has been made to the City.

Application for advanced offset(PDF, 192KB)

Application to amend an agreed delivery arrangement / early arrangement

This is an application to amend an early arrangement agreement, should the area of impact change between the signing of the agreement and the development permit being issued. This application form is also used where a minor change application results in changes to the impact area after an agreed delivery arrangement has been signed.

Application to amend an agreed delivery arrangement / early arrangement(PDF, 520KB)

Application to recalculate / refund / credit financial settlement offset amount

This is an application to recalculate, refund or credit a financial settlement offset amount when changes have occurred to an applicant's offset impact area (e.g. through a minor change application). This application is also used to recalculate the financial settlement amount to account for changes in the consumer price index (CPI), if the agreed settlement amount has not been paid within 18 months of the commencement date of the signed agreement.

Application to recalculate / refund / credit financial settlement offset amount(PDF, 268KB)

Environmental offset – agreed delivery arrangements

As part of the process for delivering an environmental offset, the City of Gold Coast and the proponent must enter into an Agreed Delivery Arrangement (signed by both parties). The Environmental offset – agreed delivery arrangements application is a standardised document for each scenario such as financial contribution and proponent-driven arrangements. These documents must not be amended beyond the fillable portions.

Agreed delivery arrangement – financial settlement offset – no staged delivery(PDF, 318KB)
Agreed delivery arrangement – financial settlement offset – staged delivery(PDF, 259KB)

Agreed delivery arrangement – proponent-driven offset – no staged delivery(PDF, 258KB)
Agreed delivery arrangement – proponent-driven offset – staged delivery(PDF, 172KB)

Agreed delivery arrangement – combination – staged delivery(PDF, 289KB)
Agreed delivery arrangement – combination – no staged delivery(PDF, 211KB)

Environment offset – early arrangements

As part of the process for an early arrangement, the City of Gold Coast and the proponent must enter into an Early Arrangement (signed by both parties). The Environmental offset – early arrangements application is a standardised document for each scenario such as financial contribution and proponent-driven arrangements. These documents must not be amended beyond the fillable portions.

Environment offset – deeds of amendment

When amendments are required to Agreed Delivery Arrangements or Early Arrangements, the City of Gold Coast and the proponent must enter into Deeds of Amendment (signed by both parties). The Environmental offset – deed of amendment application is a standardised document for each scenario such as financial contribution and proponent-driven arrangements for both Agreed Delivery Arrangements and Early Arrangements. These documents must not be amended beyond the fillable portions.

Deed of amendment – agreed delivery arrangement – financial settlement offset(PDF, 228KB)
Deed of amendment – agreed delivery arrangement – proponent-driven offset(PDF, 249KB)

Deed of amendment – agreed delivery arrangement – combination(PDF, 246KB)
Deed of amendment – early arrangement – financial settlement offset(PDF, 253KB)

Deed of amendment – early arrangement – proponent-driven offset(PDF, 244KB)
Deed of amendment – early arrangement – combination(PDF, 245KB)