Removal of COVID Emergency Management 24hr operations exception

The following is an extract from a letter received from the Honourable Steven Miles MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure.

You will recall that in April 2022, the Honourable Steven Miles MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure, extended the applicable event period under the Planning Act 2016 and the Economic Development Act 2012 for the COVID-19 emergency to 24 June 2022.

The applicable event provisions have assisted businesses such as supermarkets, warehouses and transport depots to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to meet the wave of unprecedented consumer demand experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The easing of restrictions across Queensland and Australia has seen the initial uncertain phase of the pandemic pass, and consumer demand return to normal levels, to the extent that supply chains are no longer dependent on the appliable event exemptions to meet consumer demand.

As a result, I am writing to advise you that the COVID-19 emergency applicable event period will end on 24 June 2022.

If you have adapted your operations during the applicable event period, you are encouraged to ensure that your business continues to operate in accordance with conditions of your most recent development approval after 24 June 2022. Where permanent changes to your operations are desirable, you should commence discussions with your local government to determine whether these changes might be acceptable and whether an application is required.

If you require any further information, please contact Ms Kate Heckelmann, Manager, Policy and Statutory Planning in the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, by telephone on (07) 3452 7662 or by email at kate.heckelmann@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au, who will be pleased to assist.