Buying a home
Buying a property is one of the largest investments you can make.
There are a number of council searches available to prospective homeowners in the Mackay Regional Council area.
Searches are arranged by completing a Property Search Application and paying the relevant fee.
If you are unsure about the type of search to request when purchasing a property, consult a solicitor and/or conveyancing professional.
Solicitors and conveyancers can log in via online services.
Council provides services and searches including:
Rate Certificate
Council recommends this search when purchasing any type of property within the region. Information provided on a rates certificate includes the following:
- Current registered owner and postal address details
- Property address and real property description
- Land Area and approved zoning
- Unimproved and rateable valuation
- Rates and charges levied for the rating period
- Full rates financial information, any arrears and interest outstanding on the property
- Any outstanding building or plumbing requisitions registered on the property
- Any outstanding health notices registered on the property
- Any planning or other conditions registered on the property
- If a water meter is connected to the property
Registered Proprietor
A registered proprietor search provides the following information:
- Current registered owner and postal address details
- Property address and real property description
- Land area and approved zoning
For details of adjoining property owners’, please contact council’s call centre to discuss prior to completing the registered proprietor search application.
Certificate of Classification or Certificate of Occupancy (From 1/10/2020
Certificates of Classification or Certificate of Occupancy are available for Class 2-9 buildings (Commercial / Industrial Buildings and some units), and are issued when a building is completed to the satisfaction of a Building Certifier.
If a certificate of classification has not been previously issued for Class 2-9 (Commercial / Industrial Buildings and some units) building approvals that were approved prior to April 1998, council will carry out an inspection and issue a certificate upon written request. An inspection fee is required for this service.
Building & Plumbing Records Search
A BPRS provides information about what building and plumbing approvals are recorded against a property in council’s records.
Limited Planning and Development Certificate
Information supplied in a certificate:
- Street address and real property description
- Description of any Planning Scheme provisions applying specifically to the premises, including Locality, Zone, Precinct, Sub-Precinct, Overlay(s), Notation(s) (this information also available for free from MiMAPS)
- Description of any designations applying the premises
- Statement of any infrastructure charge for the premises
Standard Planning and Development Certificate
In addition to the information supplied with a Limited Planning & Development Certificate:
- A copy of every Decision Notice or Negotiated Decision Notice for a Development Approval that has not lapsed
- details of any minor change to the Development Approval
- A copy of any agreement to which the Local Government or Concurrence Agency is a party about a condition of the Development Approval
- A copy of any Infrastructure Agreement applying to the premises to which the Local Government is a party
- A description of each proposed amendment of a Planning Scheme the Local Government has decided to proceed with under Schedule 1, Section 16, of the Local Government Act but has not been adopted
Full Planning and Development Certificate
In addition to information supplied with a Limited and Standard Planning & Development Certificate:
- If there is currently in force for the premises a Development Approval containing conditions (including conditions about the carrying out of works or the payment of money, other than under an Infrastructure Agreement) - a statement about the fulfilment or non-fulfilment of each condition, at a stated day after the day the certificate was applied for
- If there is an Infrastructure Agreement to which the Local Government is a party: (i) if there are obligations under the agreement that have not been fulfilled - details of the nature and extent of the obligations not fulfilled; and (ii) details of the giving of any security and whether any payment required to be made under the security has been made
- Advice of: (i) any prosecution for a development offence in relation to the premises of which the Local Government is aware; or (ii) proceedings for a prosecution for a development offence in relation to the premises of which the Local Government is aware
Zoning information
Zoning information can be obtained for free by accessing MiMAPS where you can find property descriptions and print maps.
If you require further information in relation to allowable uses within a zone, complete the planning advice enquiry online form, or make an appointment to see the Planning Advice team with council's Customer Service Centre.
Health (Licensed Premises) Requisition Enquiry
Contains information on the following:
- Search of council records to indicate last correspondence or current status, physical inspection not conducted
- Outstanding license fees
Health (Licensed Premises) Inspection
Contains information on the following:
- Physical inspection of premises conducted, search of council records, and compliance report issued
- Outstanding licence fees
Final inspection
If, at the time of building (for approvals issued prior to July 1998), a final inspection was either not carried out or not 'acceptable', a compliance inspection for a single permit can be requested. The purpose of this type of inspection is to determine whether the structure has been built in accordance with the approved plans. However, if the building was constructed after July 1998, please contact the Private Building Certifier who approved the building's permits and carried out the final inspection.
To request a Final Inspection for a Council approval, please complete the Application for Final Inspection Form.
Council will issue a certificate on completion of the inspection.
How to obtain your search
Search results can be posted to the address you specify on your search form, or collected from council's Customer Service Centre.
Please allow 10 working days processing time.
Urgent search
We understand that sometimes you may require your searches urgently. An urgent search can be faxed to you. Simply note this request on your search form and include the additional fax fee as indicated on the form.
One search per property
One search per single property will be provided. If more than one property is required, please provide the appropriate fees for each additional property. However, planning certificates and plumbing and building searches are one per parcel.