Property Search Application

Buyers' solicitors and conveyancers use council searches to check a property before settlement. Overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95), so the buyer needs to know what is owing. A Queensland council must keep a land record of each parcel of rateable land, showing the owner, valuation and the rates and charges levied, paid and overdue (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154), and the public may inspect it for a reasonable fee set by the council (s 155). Planning and development certificates are a separate statutory product under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016. Balonne's form covers both, plus building administration, food business and personal appearance services searches. The current file is headed 2026/2027, although its web address still says 25-26.

When you need it

• You are buying a property in the Balonne Shire (St George, Dirranbandi, Thallon, Hebel and surrounds) and need the rates position before settlement.
• You want a special water meter reading so water usage can be adjusted at settlement.
• You need council's record of building approvals and any statutory notices (stop work, show cause), or a limited, standard or full planning and development certificate.
• You are buying a food business or a personal appearance services business and want council's records and an onsite compliance inspection.

1. 1

   Applicant and transaction details

   Give the applicant's full name and address, the date, settlement date, your reference, phone and email, and the vendor and purchaser names.

2. 2

   Property details

   Enter the property legal description (lot and plan), the property location and, for a business, the business or premises name. Use one form per property.

3. 3

   Tick the searches

   Finance and Administration: rates search (allow up to 5 business days), urgent rates search (up to 2 business days) or special water meter reading. Planning and Development: building administration search, limited, standard or full planning and development certificate, food business search, personal appearance services search.

4. 4

   Total and payment

   Add up the fees for the searches ticked and choose how to pay: a cheque enclosed with the application, or a card payment by phone to council on 07 4620 8888.

• Council's rates page says to submit the completed form and the fee at Council's office or by email to council@balonne.qld.gov.au.
• Cheques can be mailed to council with the form. Card payments are taken over the phone on 07 4620 8888.
• Timeframes run from receipt of the application. The form's notes give 5 business days for a rates search (2 for urgent), 5 for a building administration search and a limited certificate, 10 for a standard certificate and 10 for food business and personal appearance services searches, which include an onsite compliance inspection.
• Fees are printed on the form and change each financial year. Check the current form before paying.

• A rates search here is an inspection of electronic records only. It reports the current registered owner, the half-yearly rates outstanding or paid and the State land valuation.
• Page 1 of the form says to allow 10 business days for a full planning and development certificate, but the notes on page 2 say 30. Section 265 of the Planning Act 2016 gives council 30 business days for a full certificate, so plan on that.
• Council searches do not cover everything. The form refers vegetation covenant and contaminated land enquiries to the State departments named on it.
• Council's disclaimer says it accepts no liability for purchasers failing to request the appropriate searches, so decide with your conveyancer what you need.