Application for Council Searches

Lockyer Valley Regional Council (Gatton, Laidley and surrounds) uses one form for its property searches. A rates search reports from council's land record for the property (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154); buyers need it because overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95). Town planning certificates are planning and development certificates under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016, with the content prescribed in schedule 23 of the Planning Regulation 2017, as council's certificates page notes. The form also orders building and plumbing records searches, which include copies of site and floor plans where available, and environmental health records searches or compliance reports. Water and sewerage in the region are the responsibility of Queensland Urban Utilities, not council.

When you need it

• You are buying property in the Lockyer Valley and need a rates search, an urgent rates search or a counter search.
• You need a limited, standard or full town planning certificate for a lot, including an urgent limited or standard certificate.
• You want building and plumbing records for a house or commercial building, with copies of site and floor plans if council has them.
• You are buying a licensed business and need an environmental health records search or compliance report.

1. 1

   Applicant details

   Give your title, surname, given names, company name, postal address, suburb, state, postcode, phone numbers, fax, email and your reference.

2. 2

   Property details

   Enter the real property description (lot and plan), property address, owner or vendor, proposed purchaser and proposed settlement date.

3. 3

   Search type

   Tick Required against each search: rates search (5 business days), urgent rates search (1-2 days) or counter search (2 days); limited or standard town planning certificate, standard or urgent, or full certificate (30 business days minimum or quote); building and plumbing standard records search, domestic or commercial (up to 10 days); or an environmental health records search (5 days) or compliance report (10 days).

• Email the form to mailbox@lvrc.qld.gov.au, which council says is its preferred method, or lodge an Online Services application with payment.
• You can also lodge at the Gatton or Laidley customer service centres, or post to Lockyer Valley Regional Council, PO Box 82, Gatton QLD 4343. Council's rates page addresses rates searches to Attn: Rates.
• Payment is as set out in council's current fees and charges. Town planning certificate fees are per lot, and a separate request is needed for each allotment.
• Fees effective from 1 July 2026 are printed on the form. Check the current version before paying.

• For water and sewerage information, contact Queensland Urban Utilities on 13 26 57.
• Council's Flood Information Portal and its online application tracking (for applications since 2014) are free, so check them before ordering a paid search.
• Council does not hold contaminated land, easement or mine subsidence information; its certificates page points to the State registers, a title search and Queensland State Archives.