Request 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. Mareeba's one-page form covers a standard rates search, a water meter reading, limited, standard and full planning and development certificates (with separate full certificate fees for vacant and developed sites) and environmental health record searches or inspections for licensed premises. 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.

When you need it

• You are buying or selling property in the Mareeba shire and need a rates search before settlement.
• You need a water meter reading for settlement adjustments. Council asks you to contact it to confirm before you submit this request.
• You need a limited, standard or full planning and development certificate for the property.
• You are buying a licensed business, such as a food premises, and need an environmental health record search or inspection.

1. 1

   Applicant details

   Give the business name, contact person, your file reference, phone numbers, postal address and email address.

2. 2

   Property details

   Enter the property address, lot and plan, vendor and purchaser names and the settlement date.

3. 3

   Search details

   Tick each search you want. The fee for each is printed beside it. The property number and certificate number columns are for office use.

4. 4

   Environmental searches

   For either environmental health search, an Authorisation for Release of Information form must also be completed and sent with the request.

• Send the completed form to Mareeba Shire Council at 65 Rankin Street or PO Box 154, Mareeba QLD 4880, or by email to info@msc.qld.gov.au. The form does not say how fees are paid, so call council on 1300 308 461 to arrange payment.
• Fees are printed on the 2026/2027 form. Check that you have the current version before you lodge.
• The form does not print turnaround times. Planning and development certificates are due within 5, 10 or 30 business days under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016.

• This form does not include building or plumbing record searches. Council's building page says to order a building record search or building file search through council, or call 1300 308 461.
• Confirm the water meter reading with council before you submit it, as the form asks.
• Use the full lot and plan description. It is the most reliable way for council to identify the right property.