Plan sealing

You must lodge a plan of subdivision (survey plan) with us for approval before the plan can be registered with the Titles Office, Department of Resources. A newly-created lot cannot be built on until the approved plan of subdivision is registered with the Titles Office.

For a plan of subdivision to be sealed (approved), the development/application must:

  • Meet the conditions of the relevant development approval. For clarification around specific conditions of your development approval please use the Compliance Report to assist in achieving compliance.
  • Comply with any applicable Infrastructure Agreement.
  • Be properly made, refer to section 3 of the Plan Sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB).
  • Be properly lodged.
  • Be up to date with any outstanding property rates and water charges, infrastructure charges, bonds or inspections.
  • Be lodged with the correct signed working legal documents (e.g. Easement, Covenant, Transfer or Community Management Statements). We recommend you seek legal advice in relation to preparation of legal documents; or from the Department of Resources.

All outstanding property rates, water rates and infrastructure charges must be paid before applying.

Getting started

Generally, the qualified surveyor who draws up the plan of subdivision (survey plan) will submit the application to us on the owner's behalf. All correspondence about the application will be sent to the applicant. The applicant is required to advise assessment officers in writing if other parties are to be included in any correspondence.

As part of your development approval conditions, you may have to register the following documents with the Titles Office along with your plan of subdivision:

  • easements, especially where Council owned infrastructure (stormwater, water or sewerage) is, or proposed to be located on private property
  • land transfer requests
  • covenants regarding land use and/or construction including preservation of vegetation, native animals or any cultural significance relating to the lot.

Plan sealing process

1. Plan sealing application

An application for approval of a subdivision plan is submitted with all required supporting documentation and conditions of approval. Use the Plan Sealing Application Kit(PDF, 299KB) to help you complete the application.

2. Application assessment

After an initial assessment of your application, you will receive either a Subdivision Acceptance Notice or a Subdivision Incomplete Request Notice.

  • A Subdivision Acceptance Notice confirms assessment has begun and you will receive a response within 20 business days of lodgement.
  • A Subdivision Incomplete Request Notice lists outstanding items that are required before we can assess your application.

For an application that receives a Subdivision Incomplete Request Notice, if the application has not achieved compliance by the 20th business day, we will issue a Subdivision Compliance Notice outlining the outstanding issues and place the application on hold.

3. Approval

A Subdivision Approval Notice will be issued once all plan sealing requirements have been met. Council will also endorse all submitted Titles Registry documents at this point.

4. Register your endorsed/approved plan of subdivision with the Department of Resources

You have 6 months from the date of Council approval to lodge the plan and relevant documents to the Titles Registry Office, Department of Resources. If you do not lodge your application with the Department of Resources within 6 months, then Council approval lapses. You will be required to resubmit your application to us with new lodgement fees including all up to date rates, water and infrastructure charges.

How to apply

Use this form to lodge a plan sealing application. Refer to the Plan sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB) to help you complete the application. Incomplete applications cannot be assessed.

Applications can be lodged online, in person or by mail. Email lodgement is not accepted.

Properly made applications will be assessed within 20 business days.

Fees

Fees apply and must be paid at time of lodgement. An application is not considered 'lodged' unless fees are paid. For online applications, fees are automatically calculated. For hardcopy applications, refer to our Register of fees & charges for details.

Payment methods:

  • credit card (for all users)
  • a tax invoice (for those logged in on their My Account), or
  • a Business Partner account (for those logged in to their Business Partner account).

If you do not have a Business Partner account, we recommend you create a My Account.

Online

Step 1.Download the Plan sealing application kit

Read all the information in the Plan sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB). You will need to sign a declaration as part of the application.

Step 2.Gather your documents

You will need to submit the following supporting information with your application:

  • completed compliance list
  • completed Department of Resources forms and original legal documents for transfers, easements, covenants involving Council of the City of Gold Coast and Community Management Statements
  • fee payment.

Step 3.Complete and submit our online form

Submit a plan sealing application

You can use this online form even if you need to submit hard copies of some documents. Submit these documents over the counter at any of our customer service centres or mail them to:

Chief Executive Officer
City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GOLD COAST MC 9726

Please include a cover letter quoting the related plan sealing application number provided.

In person

Step 1.Download the Plan sealing application kit

Read all the information in the Plan sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB). You will need to sign a declaration as part of the application.

Step 2.Gather your documents

You will need to submit the following supporting information with your application:

  • completed compliance list
  • completed Department of Resources forms and original legal documents for transfers, easements, covenants involving Council of the City of Gold Coast and Community Management Statements
  • fee payment.

Step 3.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Plan sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB)

Step 4.Visit one of our customer service centres

Submit your application and pay at one of our customer service centres Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm

By mail

Step 1.Download the Plan sealing application kit

Read all the information in the Plan sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB). You will need to sign a declaration as part of the application.

Step 2.Gather your documents

You will need to submit the following supporting information with your application:

  • completed compliance list
  • completed Department of Resources forms and original legal documents for transfers, easements, covenants involving Council of the City of Gold Coast and Community Management Statements
  • fee payment.

Step 3.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Plan sealing application kit(PDF, 299KB)

Step 4.Send us your completed application form and payment

Post to:

Chief Executive Officer
City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042 GCMC QLD 9726

Glossary

Building Format Plan (BFP)

A survey plan that defines a subdivision of a building using the structural elements; floors, walls and ceilings, and may include common property, or private open space, e.g. a private courtyard. Building Format Plans (BFP) are formerly known as a Building Units Plan (BUP) and do not require a Reconfiguring a Lot (ROL) development approval.

Standard Format Plan (SFP)

A survey plan that shows the subdivision of land. The plan is used to create individual lots and common property. The boundaries of lots are defined by dimensions and bearings, using horizontal planes and references to pegs/posts in the ground. Includes building and private open space on an allotment and has common property. Standard Format Plans (SFP) formerly included Group Titles Plans (GTP) and require a Reconfiguring a Lot (ROL) development approval.

Volumetric Format Plan (VFP)

A volumetric format plan (VFP) defines lots by three dimensionally located points; height, length and width and are fully defined by bounding surfaces (e.g. a cube). The lots may be above, below or partly above and partly below ground level. A VFP may divide a lot or lots and/or common property on a standard, building or volumetric format plan of subdivision.

Community Management Statement (CMS)

A CMS is required for a survey plan that includes common property and where a community title will be created (e.g. standard format or building format plan). The CMS is a document which identifies scheme land and complies with the requirements of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997. The document describes the scheme and any future development. It contains the By-laws, an "Interest Schedule" (previously Lot Entitlement) and a Contribution Schedule and discloses and defines any service agreement to the scheme for example management, care taking, letting, etc.

Properly made

A plan of subdivision application must be filled out with the correct information and in the correct format. A plan sealing application kit (if used) must have the correct information listed in section 2 and contain the applicant's declaration in section 2a or 2b. Additionally the application must be accompanied with the relevant supporting information and payment of the application fee must be made.