Application for Property Search

Every Queensland council must keep a land record for each parcel of rateable land, showing the owner's name and postal address, the land's description, valuation and the rates and charges levied, including any overdue amounts and interest (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154). Overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95), which is why a buyer checks the rates position before settlement. Mackay's form covers rate and water certificates, registered proprietor searches, health and environmental searches for licensed premises, limited, standard and full town planning certificates, building and plumbing record searches with copies of certificates and plans, and drainage and council asset plans. Planning and development certificates are issued under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016: a limited certificate within 5 business days, a standard within 10 and a full within 30, with the content set by schedule 23 of the Planning Regulation 2017. The form's fact sheet pages explain what each search includes.

When you need it

• You are buying a property in the Mackay region and want a rate certificate and a water certificate with a meter reading before settlement.
• You need to know what building and plumbing approvals are recorded against the property, or need copies of a Form 21 final certificate, Form 11 certificate of occupancy or building plans.
• You are buying a business with a food, health or environmentally relevant activity licence and need a health or environmental search or inspection.
• You need a limited, standard or full planning and development certificate for a lot.

1. 1

   Sections 1 and 2 - applicant and property

   Give your name, postal address, phone, email and reference, then the property address and the lot and plan.

2. 2

   Section 3 - rates and water

   Tick a rate certificate, water certificate (including meter reading) or registered proprietor search. Council suggests registering and paying for these online through its Online Services for a faster turnaround. For adjoining owners' details, call council first.

3. 3

   Sections 4 to 7 - other searches

   Tick the health, environmental, planning, building and plumbing or plan searches needed. For building copies, tick the structure (dwelling, shed, carport, pool, additions or other). Fees are per lot or per structure as shown on the form.

4. 4

   Section 9 - owner authorisation

   Searches in sections 5 to 7 (planning, building and plumbing, and plans) need the written consent of the property owner. If you act for the owner, attach written proof of your authority; council says it cannot process the application without it.

5. 5

   Section 10 - acknowledgement

   Tick both boxes accepting that fees are for retrieving records and are not refunded if the information is not available, then sign and date.

• Rates and water searches: register and pay online through council's Online Services.
• Health and environmental searches, and building and plumbing searches: email the form to council@mackay.qld.gov.au.
• Planning and development certificates: email the form to development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au. A limited certificate can also be lodged online.
• Payment: Visa or MasterCard (not American Express), cheque payable to Mackay Regional Council, or cash or EFTPOS at a customer service centre (Gordon Street Mackay, Sarina or Mirani). Postal address: PO Box 41, Mackay QLD 4740.
• Timing: the form lists the working days for each search, for example 5 days for a rate certificate and 10 days for building and plumbing records. Fees are listed on the form; check the current version before you pay.

• A building and plumbing records search lists approvals, permit numbers and final inspection dates. It does not include copies of plans or a physical inspection; those are ordered separately.
• Fees are per property, and a property means one lot on plan. Order a separate search for each lot.
• Some properties are not on reticulated water. Council suggests calling 1300 622 529 to check before ordering a water certificate.