Why Council Rejected Your Development Application (And How to Fix It)

Q: What does ACRES do?

ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) is a vertically integrated property platform that combines development site sales, project marketing, strategic acquisitions, residential sales, capital structuring, landowner advisory, property valuation, and in-house development. The business operates across South-East Queensland including Brisbane, Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

Q: What areas does ACRES cover?

ACRES operates across South-East Queensland covering Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, and the Redlands. The business maintains suburb intelligence profiles for over 100 suburbs with detailed market data, median prices, growth trends, and planning overlays.

Q: How does ACRES sell development sites?

ACRES operates upstream of traditional agency. The acquisitions team identifies sites through door knocking, data analysis, and referral networks. Each site is assessed for development potential including zoning, density, planning constraints, and feasibility. Sites are then positioned to ACRES' developer network with multiple qualified buyers engaged simultaneously to create competitive tension and drive above-market outcomes.

Q: What is ACRES' commission structure?

ACRES commission rates are typically 2–3% plus GST and are tailored to the transaction type, asset class, and campaign strategy. Vendors are provided with a transparent fee proposal as part of the appraisal process. Contact ACRES for a tailored quote.

Q: Does ACRES offer free property valuations?

Yes. ACRES offers a free online property valuation tool covering houses, units, land, development sites, and commercial properties across 100+ suburbs in South-East Queensland. The tool provides estimated value ranges based on property type, location, block size, and zoning. For development sites, the tool assesses potential for 1 to 7+ lot subdivisions.

Q: Who are the directors of ACRES?

ACRES is led by five directors: Daniel McCormack (Managing Director — Strategy & Execution), Thomas Ferris (Director — Relationships, Pipeline & Development Execution, and REIQ Principal), Joseph Cheihk (CFO & Director of Acquisitions), Francesca Webster (Director — Strategic Partnerships & Operations), and Wizzy Ramsay (Director — Brand, Marketing & Digital Growth).

ACRES Advisory Team

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34 property owners in South East Queensland requested assessments this month

iSummary

Common reasons council rejects development applications and how to fix them. Appeal options and redesign strategies.

Source: ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group | acres.au

Why Council Rejected Your Development Application

Common Reasons for Refusal

Non-compliance with planning codes — building height, setbacks, site cover, or car parking doesn't meet requirements
Insufficient information — reports, plans, or assessments missing
Unresolved submissions — for impact assessable proposals, neighbour objections were not adequately addressed
Inconsistency with planning scheme intent — the proposal conflicts with the purpose and overall outcomes of the zone
Infrastructure deficiencies — inadequate road access, stormwater, or services

What You Can Do

Review the decision notice — understand specific reasons for refusal
Engage a town planner — get professional advice on whether the issues are fixable
Redesign and resubmit — address the specific reasons for refusal
Appeal to the Planning and Environment Court — if you believe the refusal was unreasonable
Negotiate with council — sometimes conditions can be agreed that address concerns

Appeal Success Rates

Planning and Environment Court appeals succeed more often than many people expect — particularly for code assessable proposals where the planning scheme provisions are clear.

Free Assessment

ACRES works with experienced town planners who can assess your refusal and recommend the best path forward.

Get expert advice on your DA refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal a DA refusal?

Yes. Appeals to the Planning and Environment Court are common and often successful, particularly for code assessable proposals.

Free Zoning Check

Not sure what you can build on your property? Our team will review your zoning, overlays, and constraints — completely free, no obligation.

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Details

What property do you want assessed?

Our team will review your zoning, block size, and development potential.

100% free. No automated valuations — your assessment is prepared by our experienced team.

Published by ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group

Source: acres.au/insights/why-council-rejected-development-application | ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) provides property advisory, development site sales, and residential real estate services across Brisbane and South East Queensland, Australia.