Overlays

An overlay shows unique characteristics of a property such as

  • Queensland Government interests
  • particular local circumstances relevant to development, like features to protect, valuable resources and planning matters to consider, such as flooding.

All overlays are mapped and form part of Brisbane City Plan 2014.

The purpose of overlays is to identify areas that:

  • are sensitive to the effects of development
  • constrain land or development
  • are subject to valuable resources
  • present opportunities for development.

Overlays have related overlay codes. These overlay codes can be found in Part 8 of Brisbane City Plan 2014. Overlay codes only apply to the area of a site within a mapped overlay area.

Citywide amendment - Minor amendment package O - flood overlay mapping changes

Council has updated Flood overlay mapping in City Plan for the Creek/waterway flood planning areas in the Bulimba creek catchment on 1 September 2023.

Find out more about the flood mapping changes to City Plan and how they may impact your property.

Visit the Adopted City Plan Amendments page to view amendments made to City Plan.

For more information on how flooding impacts Brisbane and how Council reduces flood risks, visit Flooding in Brisbane.

Finding out if your property is in an overlay

Overlay maps are available in Brisbane City Council's City Plan online interactive mapping.

An overlay may apply to all or part of your property. Your property may also be affected by more than one overlay. Overlays may affect the type and level of development assessment. They may also affect design requirements such as building height, landscaping or vehicle access. Most overlays have a code that lists the criteria for response in your development application. You can view the overlay codes in Part 8 of Brisbane City Plan 2014.

It is important to check your property on the interactive map. You should include relevant information relating to overlays in your development application.

Overlays and development

Overlays can affect the level of assessment for development, as well as the development requirements for a property.

The requirements of an overlay take priority where an overlay is inconsistent with a development code, zone code or neighbourhood plan code in City Plan. City Plan has more information about the hierarchy of assessment benchmarks in Part 1.5.

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Topics: brisbane city plan 2014

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