What Is a Town Planner?

A Town Planner is a qualified professional who interprets state and local planning requirements to help you determine what you can build on your site. They guide you through Queensland’s planning system and help ensure your proposed works meet the relevant zoning and land use regulations.



Town Planners are particularly helpful where overlays, constraints, or special conditions may apply — such as flood zones, small lot codes, or character overlays.

What Does a Town Planner Do?

Your Town Planner will complete works according to your agreed scope of works.


Typically, a Town Planner will:

  • Review your site and proposed build against the local planning scheme
  • Provide an Initial Assessment that outlines key planning issues, constraints, or conditions to consider
  • Prepare your Lodgement Preparation documentation for submission to the relevant assessment authority (You can choose to lodge this yourself, or ask your Town Planner to do it on your behalf)
  • Help you manage any Requests for Information (RFIs) or clarifications during the assessment process.

Tip: Be Clear About Lodgement Responsibility

Make sure it’s clear upfront whether your Town Planner will lodge your application on your behalf, or whether you’ll be doing this yourself. Some planners include lodgement in their fee — others leave it to the owner builder. If you’re unsure, ask them to confirm their role in the lodgement step before you accept their quote.

What Makes a Good Town Planner?

A strong Town Planner will usually have:

  • Experience with your local council or certifier
  • Up-to-date knowledge of planning controls and zoning
  • Clear, written advice and documentation
  • Transparent pricing with agreed deliverables
  • A track record of helping similar builds secure approvals


If your site is complex, choose someone with strong communication skills and council relationships.

Before You Begin: What You’ll Need Ready

To request quotes for your Initial Assessment and Lodgement Preparation, you’ll need:

  • Your site address and title details
  • Preliminary concept plans or sketches (if available)
  • Details about any existing approvals or restrictions



Once you’ve accepted a quote, be ready to share updated drawings, reports, or consultant details if your planner requests them.

Average Timeframe

For this task, Pros typically provide quotes within 3–5 business days.

When Can I Expect Quotes?

Timeframes often vary based on demand and the type of Pro you're engaging (e.g. a plumber). If additional communication or clarification is needed is needed, the quoting process may take longer.

 

Don't be alarmed if you don't receive quotes or communication from any Build Buddy Pros straight away. Some work is more complex and the Pro may need time to comprehend your documents or scope of work. Depending on the job, there may even be some work required by the Pro before they are able to quote (e.g. a site visit might be required).

 

If the average timeframe indicated here has passed, and you have not received any messages or quotes, please feel free to contact the Build Buddy Expert Guidance and Support team for an update on quoting for this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is a Town Planner required for all builds?

    Not always. If your project complies with accepted development provisions, you may not need a formal assessment. But if overlays, lot size restrictions, or code variations apply, a Town Planner can help you understand your obligations and reduce delays.

  • What’s included in the Initial Assessment?

    A review of your proposed development against local planning regulations. This includes any zoning constraints, referral triggers, or likely assessment pathways. It also outlines risks to consider before you lodge.

How to Complete this Task?

STEP 1

Review and Adjust the Scope of Works

Timeframes may vary based on demand and the type of Pro you're engaging (e.g., a plumber). If additional communication or clarification is needed, the quoting process may take longer.

STEP 2

Confirm Required Documents Are Uploaded

Check that the following required document(s) are uploaded for this task. These are essential to proceed:

STEP 3

Update the Quality Assurance Checklist

Go to the Quality Assurance tab in this task and review the checklist. Edit any details to suit your project requirements. Being clear and upfront helps set expectations with the Pro. Updating the checklist before requesting quotes ensures everyone is aligned.

STEP 4

Request Quotes

Click the orange ‘Request Quotes’ button to start the quoting process.

STEP 5

Review the Quotes

Once you receive quotes:

  • Review each one carefully, including the payment schedule and any special terms
  • Download attached quote documents for detailed review
  • Check each Pro’s profile and read past client reviews

STEP 6

Communicate with the Pro

If needed, message or call the Pro to clarify details or negotiate terms.

STEP 7

Accept a Quote

Choose the quote that best suits your needs. Once you accept a quote, any other pending quotes will be automatically declined. An agreement will automatically be generated.

STEP 8

Complete the Tasks In Your App

New tasks will appear to guide you through this job — follow each step carefully. Make sure to use the Quality Assurance Checklist, and refer to your contract and final Scope of Works whenever needed.

NEED HELP?

Reach Out to Your Build Buddy Pro

If you have any questions or need a hand, your Build Buddy Pro is your best first contact. They’re a licensed expert in their field and can understand the ins and outs of your project. You can message them via the platform, or you can call them directly.


If you have already contacted your Build Buddy Pro and still need further assistance, the Build Buddy Expert Guidance and Support team are here to help. They will be able to guide you on your next steps or help you find answers to any questions you may have.