As part of the ongoing planning reforms in Queensland, the State Government is establishing a single State Referral and Assessment Agency (SARA) within the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP).
From 1 July 2013, SARA will be the single State lodgement point for all development applications that trigger referral to a State agency. The exceptions are development applications for assessing building work under the Building Act 1975 and the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 (which will continue to be assessed by the state agencies administering this legislation).
SARA will provide a single point of contact for all development applications referred to the State, and it is hoped a more co-ordinated and whole of government approach to State development assessment.
In assessing applications, SARA will co-ordinate responses from relevant State agencies before issuing a decision notice or referral response. Where a development application involves multiple State referral triggers, the aim is to resolve any inconsistencies and duplication between the various State agency assessments before issuing the applicant with a single State response (separated under trigger headings where relevant). It is also hoped that SARA will result in a more efficient and timely assessment of applications by the State.
SARA will apply to development applications made from 1 July 2013. Applications made prior to the commencement of SARA will continue to be assessed under the current framework.
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