What Is ‘Prohibited Development’ Under the Planning Act?

What Is Prohibited Development?

Prohibited development is development that cannot be approved under any circumstances. It is defined in the Planning Regulation and local planning schemes.

Carrying out prohibited development is a serious offence.

Examples

• Certain uses in environmental protection zones

• Development in areas with strict biodiversity overlays

• High‑impact industry in residential zones

• Development expressly prohibited by the planning scheme

  
  

Why It Matters

Unlike assessable development, you cannot “fix” prohibited development with a retrospective application. Councils typically require:

• cessation of the use

• removal of structures

• rehabilitation of the site