Search or Inspection Request Form

Central Highlands Regional Council (Emerald, Blackwater, Springsure, Capella and surrounds) uses one form for most property searches. Rates searches draw on council's land record for the property (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154); buyers need them because overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95). Planning and development certificates are issued under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016, which gives council 5, 10 and 30 business days for limited, standard and full certificates. The form also covers building approval record searches, building approval compliance inspections, engineering searches (flood, water and sewerage location) and applications for a certificate of classification for older commercial or industrial buildings.

When you need it

• You are buying in the Central Highlands and need a rates search, with or without a water meter reading, before settlement.
• You need a limited, standard or full planning and development certificate, or a development compliance certificate.
• You want council's building approval records for the property, or a building approval compliance inspection (including a swimming pool compliance inspection).
• You need a flood search (Emerald only) or water and sewerage location information.

1. 1

   Applicant details

   Give the applicant's name, postal address, contact name, telephone, email and your reference.

2. 2

   Property details

   Enter the street number, street and town, the lot and registered plan, vendor, purchaser and settlement date. Tick whether council should provide the rates balance to the vendor's solicitor, and whether the buyer is a new resident.

3. 3

   1. Rates searches

   Tick a rates search without or with a water meter reading (5 working days), a water meter reading only (special read), a copy of the prior financial year rate notice, or a land record search for name and address records.

4. 4

   2 to 5. Other searches

   Tick any planning and development certificate (limited, standard, or full for a vacant or built site) or development compliance certificate; building approval record searches or compliance inspections; engineering searches; or a certificate of classification application for a commercial or industrial building with no certificate.

• Email the completed form to enquiries@chrc.qld.gov.au, as council's building page asks. Council's office is at 65 Egerton Street, Emerald.
• To pay by credit card, contact council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 242 686.
• Applications received after 2 pm are treated as received the next day.
• Fees are printed on the form for 2026/2027. Check the current version before paying.

• Planning and development certificates are not available for land in the Blackwater/East Priority Development Area. The form says to contact council's Development and Planning unit about those properties.
• For a building or structure built before 30 April 1998, or a change of classification, the form points to the State's Form 13 application for a certificate of classification.
• Copies of approved building and plumbing plans need council's separate plans request form, not this one.
• An urgent building records search without inspection is guaranteed within 2 working days.