Urban developers

Validation assessment process

You only need to undertake an on-ground assessment where you want to refine the extent of SCL. If you accept that land is SCL, you do not need to undertake an on-ground assessment.

Step 1

Is your proposed development on land shown as potential SCL on the trigger map?

Step 2

Identify which zone the land is in:

Step 3

Consult the appropriate SCL criteria.

Step 4

Are you satisfied that the trigger map is correct and do you accept that the land meets the SCL criteria?

Assessment process A

  1. Different development assessment rules apply in the protection and management areas:

    Protection area:  If the land is within a protection area, you will be required to avoid and minimise to the maximum extent possible, any temporary or permanent impacts on SCL.

    If SCL cannot be avoided, temporary development may proceed if SCL can be restored to its pre-development condition. If SCL cannot be avoided and will be permanently impacted, the development can only proceed in limited exceptional circumstances.

    Submit an exceptional circumstances application if necessary (you may wish to submit this application before you lodge your IDAS application). If your project is determined to be an 'exceptional circumstance', you will still be required to make all efforts to avoid and minimise any temporary or permanent impacts on SCL and mitigate any permanent impacts.

    Management area: If the land is within the management area, you must also accept that the land has a history of cropping.

    You will be required to avoid and minimise to the maximum extent possible, any temporary or permanent impacts on identified SCL.

    If SCL cannot be avoided, temporary development may proceed if SCL can be restored to its pre-development condition. If SCL cannot be avoided and will be permanently impacted, the development may only proceed if the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) determines that an overriding need exists for the development where it provides a public benefit and no other site is suitable for the particular purpose.

    You will still be required to mitigate any permanent impacts.

  2. Submit IDAS form 35 - Strategic cropping land

Assessment process B

  1. Conduct an on-ground assessment using the appropriate criteria and guidelines.

  2. Different development assessment rules apply in the protection and management areas:

    Protection area: If the land is within a protection area, submit Part A and C of the SCL validation form to DERM to confirm the status of the land. If DERM decides the land is SCL, you will be required to avoid and minimise to the maximum extent possible, any temporary or permanent impacts on identified SCL.

    If SCL cannot be avoided, temporary development may proceed if SCL can be restored to its pre-development condition. If SCL cannot be avoided and will be permanently impacted, the development can only proceed in limited exceptional circumstances.

    Submit an exceptional circumstances application if necessary (you may wish to submit this application before you lodge your IDAS application). If your project is determined to be an 'exceptional circumstance', you will still be required to make all efforts to avoid and minimise any temporary or permanent impacts on SCL and mitigate any permanent impacts.

    Management area: If the land is within the management area, the land will also need to be assessed for a history of cropping, unless you accept that it has a history of cropping.

    Submit Part A, B and C of the SCL validation form to DERM to confirm the status of the land. If DERM decides the land is SCL and meets the cropping history test, you will be required to avoid and minimise to the maximum extent possible, any temporary or permanent impacts on identified SCL.

    If SCL cannot be avoided, temporary development may proceed if SCL can be restored to its pre-development condition. If SCL cannot be avoided and will be permanently impacted, the development may only proceed if DERM determines that an overriding need exists for the development where it provides a public benefit and no other site is suitable for the particular purpose.

    You will still be required to mitigate any permanent impacts.

  3. Submit IDAS form 35 - Strategic cropping land

Application fees

The SCL fee structure is based on a full cost recovery model and is incorporated into the new Strategic Cropping Land Regulation 2011.

State Planning Policy

The new State Planning Policy will ensure that development assessment under local government planning schemes includes appropriate consideration of SCL.

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Temporary and permanent impacts

Impacts on SCL will be assessed as temporary or permanent.

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Mitigation arrangements

The objective of mitigation arrangements is to address the loss of agricultural productive value that occurs where a development results in permanent impacts on SCL.

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Overriding need

If SCL cannot be avoided in the management area and will be permanently impacted, the development may only proceed if there is an overriding need.

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Frequently asked questions

For more information or further clarification on a particular issue, refer to the frequently asked questions.

More information

For more information email sclenquiries@dnrm.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

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Last updated 27 February 2012

Strategic cropping land