Guidelines to assist in preparing an application addressing State Development Assessment Provisions
The purpose of these guidelines is to assist applicants in preparing development applications that impact on fisheries resources and to provide assistance in responding to performance outcomes of the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP) codes.
For further information on development applications and SDAP, please refer to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning website.
The use of these guidelines alone do not guarantee compliance with all the planning and environmental management requirements associated with impacts to fisheries resources. These guidelines provide advice that only applies to a development application under the Planning Act 2016 for
- the removal, destruction or damage of a marine plant
- constructing or raising a waterway barrier
- a material change of use for aquaculture
For development applications involving work that is completely or partly within a declared Fish Habitat Area, please see the Department of Environment and Science website.
These guidelines will be reviewed periodically. To provide feedback on any of the SDAP guidelines on this page please complete the feedback table (DOCX, 20.3KB) and email planningassessment@daf.qld.gov.au.
SDAP Guidelines
Removal, destruction or damage of marine plants – State Code 11
Marine plants are protected and provide important habitat for Queensland’s fish, including the provision of shelter, food and nursery areas for many fish species. Effective protection and management of marine plants will assist in sustaining Queensland’s fish stocks for recreational, commercial and traditional fisheries.
SDAP Guideline 11 - Marine plants (PDF, 681.4KB)
Aquaculture – State Code 17
Aquaculture refers to the cultivation of live fisheries resources for sale other than in circumstances prescribed under a regulation.
SDAP Guideline 17 – Aquaculture (PDF, 547.3KB)
Construction or raising of waterway barrier works – State Code 18
Waterway barrier works1 may inhibit the free movement of fish along waterways and onto floodplains, injure fish or affect fish health and habitat. Fish passage is an essential requirement for the survival and productivity of many species of Queensland fish. Reducing fish’s access to habitat reduces fisheries productivity. Some species must move into different habitats for breeding or rearing of young, or to access critical habitats for food and protection.
Thousands of instream structures such as dams and culverts have been built on waterways throughout Queensland. The loss of access to habitat has caused the decline in distribution of native fish populations. It is therefore essential that the development of new, or raising of existing waterway barriers, in addition to maintenance of existing structures, are designed, constructed, maintained and operated to provide adequate fish passage.
SDAP Guideline 18 – Waterway barrier works (PDF, 954KB)
1 To determine whether your proposed work is considered a waterway barrier work, refer to DAF factsheets: What is a waterway barrier work? and What is not a waterway barrier work?
