Property Information Request Form

Burdekin Shire Council (Ayr, Home Hill and surrounds) uses one form, BLD-FRM-0004, for its property searches. The current file is the 2026-2027 edition, effective 1 July 2026. A rate certificate draws on council's land record of owner, valuation and rates levied and paid (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154). Buyers order one because overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95). Planning and development certificates are made under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016, with content prescribed by schedule 23 of the Planning Regulation 2017. Council's Property and Rating Information Searches Fact Sheet explains what each search includes.

When you need it

• You are buying property in the Burdekin and need a rate certificate (financial only) or a rate certificate and property search before settlement.
• You want a special water meter reading so water consumption can be apportioned at settlement.
• You need a limited, standard or full planning and development certificate for a lot.
• You need the building and plumbing approvals, final inspections and recorded defects for a residential (Class 1 and 10a) or commercial (Class 2 to 9) building.

1. 1

   Applicant details

   Give your name, postal address, email, telephone, fax, contact person, settlement date and reference, and tick whether the certificate should be posted or emailed. These fields are required.

2. 2

   Property and owner details

   Enter the vendor as shown in council's records, the purchaser, the lot(s) on plan(s) (only the titles you need), the property address as on the rates notice, the nature of the property (vacant, dwelling, shop and so on) and any business premises name. Also required.

3. 3

   Select the searches

   Tick from rating and property searches (per property), planning and development certificates (per lot) and building and plumbing records searches (per lot, residential or commercial). Confirm there is a water connection before ordering a special meter reading.

4. 4

   Payment authority

   Tick account or credit card. For credit card, give a contact name and number; customer service will call you to take payment.

• Address all communications to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 974, Ayr QLD 4807, or email enquiries@burdekin.qld.gov.au. Council's office is at 145 Young Street, Ayr.
• Applications must include the fees to be complete. Council says an incorrectly completed form will be returned without further processing.
• Turnaround printed on the form: 7 working days for a financial-only rate certificate and a special meter reading, 10 for a rate certificate and property search and for building and plumbing records, and 5, 10 and 30 working days for limited, standard and full planning certificates.
• Fees are on the form and in council's fees and charges. Check the current schedule before lodging.

• Building and plumbing records searches need proof of ownership, such as a letter from the owner or a copy of the signed contract of sale, according to council's fact sheet.
• A lot is any parcel that can be sold separately. For building and plumbing searches, a building spanning two lots is treated as one lot.
• The rate and property search includes requisitions or defects on file for engineering, water, wastewater, trade waste and environmental health, but no inspection of the property.
• Council reads water meters twice a year (October/November and April/May), so a special reading gives a more current figure at settlement.