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Last Updated: Thursday, 13 June 2024 08:47

Subdivisions creating one or more additional lots will require a development permit from Council. However, rural land throughout the region is highly fragmented. In order to reduce the amount of further fragmentation, Council requires that every resulting lot from a subdivision must be a minimum of 100ha (250 acres) or 200ha (500 acres) within the different Rural Zone precincts.

Prohibited rural subdivisions

The South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP) Shaping SEQ applies to some Rural regions in Toowoomba, starting at our eastern local government boundary with Lockyer Valley Regional Council, to Geham in the north, out to Kingsthorpe, Wellcamp and Athol in the west, and down to East Greenmount in the south. If you are on Rural land within these areas, it is likely that you are in the SEQRP “Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area” where any subdivisions under 100ha are prohibited development. In these instances Council cannot accept an application for subdivision for assessment. The State Government has Regional Planning Maps associated with this plan that outlines whether your lot is included in this plan. 

Subdividing land for a family member

Council doesn’t have any exceptions or exemptions for ‘family’ subdivisions. Regardless of the future purpose of your land, all subdivisions need to meet the same minimum lot sizes as described above.

Family subdivisions have resulted in widespread fragmentation of rural land and loss of land to rural production, as well as increased demand on local government infrastructure services. Read more about the Queensland Government’s research on family subdivisions in the Shaping SEQ Background Paper 1: Grow.

If you would like to build a second house on your land for a family member, please visit Can I build one or more houses on a rural block?

Rural subdivisions

If you are proposing a subdivision that meets Council’s minimum lot sizes of 100ha or 200ha, please visit how do I apply for subdivision approval for further information on making an application to Council.

Related documents

Development - Reconfiguring a lot information sheet INFO 036 (for print)

Further assistance

For further information please phone Council’s Technical Advice Officers on 131 872, or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.