Ripley Valley Assessment Process
The Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA) covers an area of 4,680 hectares and is located approximately five kilometres south east of the Ipswich CBD and south of the Cunningham Highway. The PDA offers opportunities for further residential growth to meet the region's affordable housing needs and will potentially develop into 48,750 dwellings to house a population of 131,000 people.
The Ripley Valley PDA was declared on 8 October 2010 with Ipswich City Council (ICC) being delegated assessment powers and functions on 30 September 2013 from the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ).
How are Development Applications Assessed in the PDA?
Development applications within the Ripley Valley PDA are assessable against the Ripley Valley Development Scheme (RVDS) pursuant to the Economic Development Act 2012, instead of the Ipswich City Plan 2025. It should be noted that the RVDS may apply a provision of the repealed Ipswich Planning Scheme 2006 and the Ipswich City Plan 2025, however the RVDS prevails to the extent of any inconsistency with the repealed Ipswich Planning Scheme 2006 or the Ipswich City Plan 2025.
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has published a long list of guidelines to support the RVDS. These guidelines cover topics such as housing, development and planning. EDQ has also published practice notes that provide advice about applying the standards and requirements expressed in the RVDS and guidelines. The guidelines and practice notes can be located on EDQ’s website.
In some cases, ICC’s Desired Standards of Service (DSS) and standards are also applicable. Details on DSS for trunk infrastructure can be located in the Ipswich City Plan 2025. Refer to Ipswich City Plan 2025 Schedule 6 Parts 7, 8 & 9 and Part 10 Appendices 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 & 4 for construction standards applicable to all municipal works. Completed and signed design and construction check lists from Water by Design, including the required documents and high-resolution photographs, are to be submitted with the Post-Construction documentation submission.
The Ripley Valley PDA Development Charges and Offset Plan (DCOP) accompanies the RVDS development scheme. It identifies relevant development charges, how these charges are calculated, levied and administered, and the trunk infrastructure required to service the PDA.
For more information on assessment requirements in the Ripley Valley PDA, including the Ripley Valley Development Scheme, Development Charges and Offset Plan (DCOP) infrastructure planning, EDQ practice notes and guidelines, please visit https://www.edq.qld.gov.au/our-work/priority-development-areas-pda/ripley-valley
Who Assesses Development Applications in the PDA?
ICC, acting as the MEDQ Delegate, holds delegated authority to assess and decide development applications within the Ripley Valley (PDA). Notwithstanding, some applications are referred to EDQ for consideration of State interests in accordance with EDQ Practice Note 14 – State Interests in development assessment in PDA’s. EDQ is responsible for assessing State interests, including consultation with relevant State agencies, and for providing ICC with a consolidated response. In the Ripley Valley PDA, the most frequently identified State interest relates to impacts on the State transport network and therefore EDQ often requires input from Department of Transport and Main Roads.
ICC may also engage with other State agencies such as the Department of Education, Queensland Health and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services when proposals potentially affect DCOP infrastructure and are not addressed through EDQ’s State interest assessment.
All identified State interests and agency feedback are incorporated into the MEDQ Delegate’s Information Request and/or Decision Notice.
Application Lodgement and Fees
All Ripley Valley PDA applications are to be lodged with Ipswich City Council at plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au.
Application lodgement for Ripley Valley PDA is generally the same as for development applications under the Planning Act 2016, with the exception that Ripley Valley PDA Application/Lodgement Form (PDF, 342.3KB) and other Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) forms (as relevant) are required.
The assessment fee schedule for Ripley Valley (PDA) applications has been incorporated into Ipswich City Council's Planning and Development fees and charges. For a copy of the fees and charges, please click here.
Context Plans, Infrastructure Master Plans (IMP) and Overarching Site Strategies (OSS)
Context plans are intended to provide a logical and integrated overall land use structure for a ‘neighbourhood area’ that is consistent with the Development Scheme and PDA guidelines/practice notes which will guide future development. They can provide details on intended land uses, density requirements, community infrastructure land requirements, open space requirements, key movement networks, maximum GFA requirements for commercial uses etc. Context Plans are prepared by applicants and are required to accompany a PDA development application, generally as part of an application for a management lot RAL or early stages for a masterplan subdivision. Context plan applications supported by technical reports that demonstrate compliance with development and community requirements, facilitate the review and approval process.
As a condition of context plan endorsement or as part of the assessment process, IMPs and OSSs are required. The intent of these documents is to provide further detail in relation to key infrastructure, environment and community related requirements that will further assist the assessment of future RAL and MCU applications.
It may be necessary to amend an endorsed context plan, IMPs and OSSs where a proposal is inconsistent with the endorsed plans/documents or to reflect current planning requirements (such as updates to the DCOP). The most recent endorsed versions supersede any previous endorsed plan/document.
Applications and Approvals
Any applications lodged with and/or decided by the MEDQ Delegate are available through Development.i. Applications decided by EDQ (i.e. prior to 30 September 2013) are available through EDQ’s Current applications and approvals website.
PDA Fact Sheets
PDA Resources