Major planning shift as powers return locally

Published on 14 February 2025

Planning powers will be handed back to Isaac Regional Council tomorrow, marking a pivotal shift in the region’s development landscape.

In a state first, the Queensland Parliament's Governor in Council has responded to the Council’s request to revoke the Moranbah Priority Development Area (PDA) that was put in place by the Queensland Government in 2011.

During the housing affordability crisis of the last mining boom, the State Government of the time took over as the planning authority of Blackwater and parts of Moranbah with the intention of fast-tracking housing to market. This was a controversial decision at the time, as the PDA also inadvertently fast-tracked large-scale worker’s camps and removed local council as the approval authority.

Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the revocation marks an important milestone.

“It has been a much harder process to remove the PDA from our community than it was to implement it. Over the last decade, our planning team has been working towards the revocation,” Mayor Vea Vea said.

“On behalf of Isaac, I’d like to thank the Minister for addressing this long-burning issue and allowing local people, with local knowledge, to be the masters of our own destiny again.”

Council has worked closely with Economic Development Queensland over the past 18 months to ensure the transition is seamless for the community and development stakeholders.

Transitional provisions under the Economic Development Act 2012 will apply to development applications lodged before 14 February 2025 that have not yet been decided, as well as to existing PDA development approvals.

Mayor Vea Vea said this change reflects confidence in the strength of Moranbah’s future.

“We’ll continue to work closely with developers to ensure the region’s growth remains responsive to our community’s needs,” Mayor Vea Vea said.

The Moranbah PDA was established to facilitate land development for housing and other urban projects. It includes areas within Moranbah town, including Bushlark and Grosvenor Estates, as well as a large portion of land to the west of Grosvenor Creek.

For more information about the change, call 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227) and ask to speak with a member of the Liveability and Sustainability department.

ENDS