Frequently asked questions
Who decides planning for Southern Thornlands?
Inside the Priority Development Area, plan-making and development assessment sit with the Minister for Economic Development Queensland / Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) under the Economic Development Act 2012. Redland City Council does not hold ordinary local-scheme plan-making or development-assessment control inside the PDA boundary. See Development & planning.
When was the Southern Thornlands PDA declared?
4 April 2025. The Priority Development Area covers approximately 890 hectares in Redland City, QLD.
Where is the Southern Thornlands PDA map?
The regulatory boundary map (Map No. PDA 23) is published by EDQ. On this site it is embedded and downloadable from Location · official PDA map and summarised on Planning. For roads and centres only, use the Google Maps area view (that is not the legal PDA boundary). You can also download the PDA boundary PDF or the EDQ original.
How many homes and people are planned (housing development capacity)?
Public material commonly cites around 8,000 homes and roughly 20,000–24,000 people over the long term. These are planning-scale figures for the development area, not near-term construction schedules or sales listings. See planned housing development notes.
Can I still lodge a development application?
Development inside the PDA is regulated by PDA instruments (currently the Interim Land Use Plan, and in future the Development Scheme once finalised). Some early-release / Precinct 1 areas may allow applications earlier than the rest of the PDA. Process and eligibility are technical — use EDQ guidance and professional advice; this site cannot assess individual proposals.
Can I still make a submission on the proposed Development Scheme?
The listed public-notification window for the proposed Development Scheme (3 August – 15 September 2026) has closed. EDQ will consider submissions under the statutory process. This site does not publish outcomes until EDQ does. Check the official Have Your Say page. Do not email this website expecting a formal planning submission to be lodged. Background: How submissions worked.
What is a Priority Development Area?
See the plain-language explainer: What is a PDA? and the PDA timeline.
What about rates and waste services?
Redland City Council generally continues rates, waste and many local services. Confirm with Council for your property.
When will schools and roads arrive?
Infrastructure is intended to be staged over many years alongside growth. Planning concepts include new schools (commonly described as two primary and one secondary) and road upgrades on key corridors. Specific opening years for individual facilities should come from official program announcements — not from third-party summaries.
Is this an official website?
No. southernthornlands.com.au is an independent community information site published by Ian Piggott / Farming Domains (ABN 66 786 225 704). It is not affiliated with EDQ, Council, or any developer. See About this guide.
How do I contact the people who run this site?
Use the contact page for site feedback only. Publisher details: About this guide.
Independence
Independent website. Not affiliated with EDQ, the Minister for Economic Development Queensland, Redland City Council, any developers, or any government agency.