The department coordinates the review of laws and codes affecting the building and development industries, and local governments in Queensland.

• The department is undertaking a review of its existing regulation to identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary and excessive legislative requirements, and streamline administrative and procurement processes. Read about the department’s abridged regulatory simplification plan.
• The Sustainable Planning and Other Legislation Amendment (SPOLA) Bill 2011 was introduced into Parliament on 11 October 2011. The legislation is aimed at cutting red tape and making sustainable planning easier and simpler.

Recently reviewed

• The Local Government Act 2009 is easy to read, removes prescription and recognises the diversity of local governments across Queensland. It applies to all local governments – urban rural, remote, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island councils. Find out more about the local government legislation review.
• On 1 January 2008 local government in Queensland commenced the most comprehensive review and consolidation of local laws in its history. This review builds on the successful review undertaken between 1994 and 1999 following the introduction of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act), where the number of local laws was reduced by 47 per cent. Read more about the local laws review.
• On 2 October 2009, new model local laws for Queensland councils were released. The department reviewed the previous 21 model local laws, reducing them to 7. The new models are current, consistent with state legislation and flexible for future regulatory requirements of local governments. These new laws comply with the Local Government Act 2009 and will be available for adoption by local governments as local laws on commencement of that Act. Read more about the model local law review.
• After parliamentary debate in September 2009, the Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 (SPA) was passed on 16 September as legislation. The Sustainable Planning Act 2009, which replaces the Integrated Planning Act 1997, commenced on 18 December 2009.