Residential zones apply to the areas where we live – i.e. where our homes are. These zones primarily consist of houses, units and apartments. You may also find a range of existing non-residential activities such as convenience shops, medical centres or child care centres.

Residential zones may have different precincts that allow different types of residential densities, for example, the Park Residential Precinct which occurs in Highfields in unsewered areas where lower densities are typical. Precincts intended for higher densities including multiple dwellings are located near a central “node” such as a major shopping centre, employment hub, high quality park, or the University of Southern Queensland.

In the Rural Residential zone, you would expect to find residences on big blocks, usually with sealed roads and garbage collection, but not reticulated sewerage services. The intention of this zone is to maintain a semi-rural landscape, by continuing development of large residential blocks with limited infrastructure and services.  

The Rural zone is intended for a wide range of agricultural and rural uses such as cropping, grazing, horticulture and primary production activities. Generally, one house is permitted per rural lot as long as it has access to a constructed road and wastewater is appropriately treated and disposed of on-site. To discourage further fragmentation of rural land, there are minimum lot sizes for subdivision size of either 100ha or 200ha depending on the precinct. Subdivision of Rural zoned land in the South-East Queensland Regional Plan Arear is generally prohibited unless the new lot is at least 100ha. 

Centre zones are community hubs that are easy to get to and are usually located on main roads and public transport routes. These zones incorporate a mix of activities including offices, shops, restaurants, motels, cafes, government services and medical facilities. All Centre zones throughout the region include the Toowoomba City Centre, major centres in Kearneys Spring, Highfields, Pittsworth, Oakey and Wilsonton, and numerous other local centres in other suburbs and towns. All centre zones allow for existing commercial floor space to change without needing development approvals e.g. subject to meeting accepted development requirements, a shop could be reused as a café or an office.

Industry zones are the areas of land set aside for different types of industrial work at various locations, including some of the western side of Toowoomba, Charlton, Wellcamp, Millmerran, Pittsworth and Oakey and other suburbs and towns.

The Low Impact Industry Zone is for light industrial uses and warehouses that have a minimal environmental impact and are generally compatible with other nearby zones.

The Medium Impact Industry zone is generally located at least 250 metres from residential areas, to minimise the impact of noise, odour and other emissions. Retailing is usually discouraged, but outlets like garden centres or landscaping/agricultural suppliers may be permitted.

The High Impact Industry Zone is land for high impact uses that are generally located at least 500 metres away from residential areas. Almost all of the land set aside for High Impact Industry is located in Charlton-Wellcamp.

Most non-industrial uses such as retails or residential are generally not support in Industry Zones.

Township Zone

The Township zone applies in a number of mid-sized towns throughout the region. This zone allows a broad range of activities to take place, to meet the needs of the local community including commercial, residential, community, recreational and industrial, provided these activities are compatible with each other.   

Mixed Use Zone

This zone applies to land surrounding the central core of the Toowoomba City centre and encourages a range of residential and commercial activities that support the central core area. Development would be less intensive than development in the city centre.  

Extractive Industry Zone

Extractive Industry zones are areas of land where sand, gravel, quarry rock, clay and soil are extracted. It’s important to note that this does not apply to mining activities relating to coal and coal seam gas – which are regulated by the state government. 

Community Facilities Zone

This zone provides land for community activities under private or public ownership. These could include schools, higher education facilities, hospitals and government areas or other community uses.

Emerging Communities Zone

This zone applies to some land in Drayton, Glenvale, Torrington and Cotswold Hills. This zone identifies land for future urban purposes beyond the life of the current Planning Scheme.

Limited Development (Constrained Land) Zone

This zone identifies land that is significantly affected by one or more development constraints such as flooding, land contamination, defence requirements, past or future mining activities, or historical subdivisions (which are difficult to service) and buffer areas. Land in this zone has a limited potential for development.