Data sources & methodology

Overview

LayeredGeo Planning Maps synchronises planning overlay spatial data from QLD and NSW government ArcGIS FeatureServer services and the NSW ePlanning Portal. All data is stored in a PostGIS database and queried in real time for each address lookup. Data is updated periodically as source services refresh.

Queensland overlay sources

Planning Zone

Sourced from individual council ArcGIS FeatureServer services — Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Redland, Mackay, Townsville, Cassowary Coast, Gympie and Mount Isa. Zone classification is taken from the zone_prec_desc or equivalent field in the planning scheme dataset.

Flood

Flood overlay data is sourced from BCC, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and other councils that publish flood mapping via ArcGIS REST services. Overlay types include flood risk mapping, overland flow paths, planning scheme flood overlays, coastal and storm tide inundation, historical flood extents and site-specific flood assessment areas. Flood risk level is derived from the flood_risk attribute in source data.

Bushfire

Bushfire hazard overlay data is sourced from council ArcGIS services and the QLD state-wide bushfire prone land layer. Hazard categories (Very High, High, Medium) are derived from source attributes.

Heritage

Heritage overlay data includes local heritage places, heritage character areas, areas adjoining heritage places (from BCC and other councils) and the QLD State Heritage Register. Data is sourced from QLD Government and individual council ArcGIS services.

Noise

Transport noise corridor overlay data is sourced from council ArcGIS services including BCC, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Overlay types include road noise corridors, rail noise corridors, state-controlled road noise corridors and mandatory/voluntary acoustic treatment areas.

Vegetation

Vegetation overlay data includes significant native vegetation, waterway and wetland vegetation, urban vegetation management, council vegetation protection overlays, regulated vegetation and riparian wetland setbacks. Sourced from QLD Government and council ArcGIS services.

Environment

Environmental overlay data includes biodiversity areas, koala habitat (SEQ), ecological corridors, MSES (Matters of State Environmental Significance) and MLES (Matters of Local Environmental Significance) overlays. Sourced from QLD Government and council ArcGIS services.

New South Wales overlay sources

NSW overlay data is sourced state-wide from the NSW ePlanning Portal (mapprod3.environment.nsw.gov.au):

• Planning Zone — NSW LEP zoning layer (LAY_CLASS / LABEL fields)
• Bushfire — Bushfire prone land layer (d_Category / Category fields)
• Heritage — EPI heritage, State Heritage Register curtilage polygons
• Flood — Flood planning area layer

Spatial query method

For each address lookup, the address is geocoded to a point coordinate (WGS84 / EPSG:4326). A PostGIS ST_Intersects query identifies all overlay polygons that contain or overlap the site point. Where a lot plan identifier is available, the full parcel polygon is used for intersection rather than the centroid point.

All overlay geometry is stored in GDA94 / EPSG:4283 in the PostGIS database. Spatial indices on the geometry column ensure fast lookup for any address in QLD or NSW.

Data currency

Planning overlays are updated periodically from source services. Data currency varies by council and data type — typically monthly to quarterly for most sources. The QLD and NSW government ePlanning portals update their data on their own schedules. Planning Maps reports include the data retrieval date. Users should verify critical overlay decisions against the relevant council's official planning scheme mapping portal.

Limitations and disclaimer

Planning Maps reports are produced from government-published spatial datasets and are intended as a desktop screening tool only. Overlay boundaries are subject to change through planning instrument amendments. This report does not constitute formal planning advice. Users should verify current overlay status with the relevant council or competent authority prior to making development decisions.

Not all councils publish their planning overlay data via open ArcGIS services. Coverage may be limited in some local government areas, particularly outside major urban centres.