Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice

Submissions on Stage 3 of a review of our Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice closed on Sunday 6 October 2024.

The Code is based on NZS 4404:2010 and provides guidelines and minimum standards to ensure the infrastructure Council receives through the subdivision process is functional, can be operated and maintained safely, and is consistent across subdivisions and developments throughout the district.

We continue to review the current Code of Practice, and have been making amendments to the guidance within it in a staged approach. Stage 1 was completed in February 2020, followed by Stage 2 in September 2020, and then part of Stage 3 in June 2022.

What we proposed

We’re proposing over 130 changes to the QLDC Land Development and Subdivision Code, with a particular focus on stormwater management to lessen environmental effects and ensure stormwater systems built today are suitable for the future.

Changes include updates to the standard drawing set, new appendices, and specific parameters for assessing and designing for stormwater catchments, as well as additional requirements and methodologies for designing and using stormwater treatment and soakage devices.

These changes reflect the working knowledge and practical issues we encounter in the district, and work to continue aligning our Code of Practice with best practice and to ensure infrastructure meets local conditions and our community’s expectations.

Timeline of review

Stage 1 – Feb 2020 (complete): Changes were primarily clarifications, updated references, and alignment with referenced standards. These changes were considered minor as they did not result in a significant change in cost to developers.

Stage 2 – Sep 2020 (complete): Changes involved items not addressed in Stage 1, including SQEP definition changes, and changes to align with QLDC’s Roading Construction Practice Note 2020.

Stage 3 – August 2024 (underway): Proposed changes have a specific focus on amending the Stormwater section of the Code. This includes updates to the standard drawing set, new appendices, and specific parameters for assessing and designing for stormwater catchments, as well as additional requirements and methodologies for designing and using stormwater treatment and soakage devices.

Get informed on the proposed changes:

• Draft Code of Practice 2024 (all changes are identified using red text)

New appendices:

• Appendix L – Pavement Reinstatement Guide
• Appendix M – Traffic Signal Guidelines
• Appendix N – Pipe Decommissioning Method
• Southern Light Technical Specifications

Other documents:

• Appendix A - Acceptable Pipe and Fitting Materials
• Appendix B - Standard Drawings - Markups
• Appendix C - Field Testing of Pipelines
• Appendix D - Water Supply Disinfection Specification
• Appendix E - Typical Plan and Cross Section Figures from Table 3-3
• Appendix F - Irrigation System
• Appendix G - Sewer Pump Station
• Appendix H - Water Supply Pump Station Design Guidelines
• Appendix I - Street Tree Planting Guidelines
• Appendix J - Cycle Trail and Track Design Standards & Specifications
• Appendix K - Three Waters Facility Asset Identification Specification
• Low Pressure Sewer Systems - Technical Specification

Next steps:

An update was presented to Council’s Infrastructure Committee in November 2024. Due to the substantial number of submissions and the comprehensive level of detail provided in each, we've extended the review period to consider all submissions further. A final draft will now go before the Infrastructure Committee for endorsement in March 2025, then to Full Council for adoption April 2025.