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This section provides information on the issuing of commercial licences for caravan parks and camping grounds.

What does Council licence?

A licence is required for a caravan park, relocatable-home park and camping grounds, both temporary and permanent.
If you are living in a temporary home for either of the following purposes, please visit our Temporary Homes page for further information and permit requirements.

  • Temporarily living in a caravan, tent etc. on your own block of land while building (and building approval for the permanent house must be already approved with Council)
  • Temporarily living in a caravan, tent etc. due to exceptional circumstances (e.g looking after a terminally ill relative)

Caravan Park

  • 'Caravan Park' is a premises for caravans or relocatable-homes that is used for permanent residential accommodation.
  • Includes the use of camping areas and cabins for overnight and holiday accommodation where they are provided within the caravan park.
  • Also includes any amenity buildings, recreation and entertainment facilities, manager's office and residence, shops and storage facilities for the occupants of the caravan park.

Camping Ground

  • 'Camping Ground' is a premises which primarily involves the setting up and use of tents, camper vehicles and caravans for temporary (holiday or recreational) residential accommodation.
  • Also includes any associated amenity buildings.

Prior to applying for a licence with Ipswich City Council, you must ensure you have the appropriate approvals in place for your business. For information on any approvals you might need, including development, planning and design approvals, and to apply for the licence, follow the stages below.

Stage One: Approvals needed prior to licencing

Before applying for a licence, you must ensure you obtain all relevant approvals. A licence does not constitute approval for any other aspects of your operation.

Prior to starting any business you must check with Council's Planning and Regulatory Services to ensure that the land/property where the business is based is suitable for your intended use.

If your business involves new or altered structures, you may also require building and/or plumbing approval.

Visit Ipswich Planning, contact by email or phone (07) 3810 6888.

Development Approval

Council’s Planning Scheme guides how land can be used and developed, including the suitability of a location for a business or different business types.

Caravan Park or Camping Ground businesses may need planning approval for these activities:

  • starting a business
  • changing the type of activity/business being offered at the property
  • re-establishing a business that was abandoned
  • changing the scale or intensity of an existing business (e.g. increasing the number caravan or camping sites)
  • carrying out building work
  • carrying out plumbing or drainage work

To find out if you need to submit a development application for a caravan park or camping ground business, you can:

Building Approval

Building approval may be required for work that could include:

  • construction of new building
  • fitting out a new building
  • installing new facilities
  • refurbishing of an existing building, facility, office or caravan/camp site

All building work is assessed against the building assessment provisions (including, but not limited to, the National Construction Code and the Queensland Development Code) which set the minimum requirements for building structure, fire safety, access and egress, health and amenity, and energy efficiency.

To find out if you need building approval, you can:

Plumbing Approval

Caravan park and camping grounds may need plumbing and drainage approval for the following activities:

  • installation of any plumbing work
  • water quality, reticulation and/or drainage systems to be installed
  • sanitation, washing, laundry, cooking and recreation facilities with plumbing requirements
  • use of non-reticulated water supply (tank water).

Plumbing and drainage work should be conducted by a licensed plumber. Contact Council or Queensland Urban Utilities for more information.

Stage Two: Assessment and Building Fit-out

Once you have satisfied any development, building and plumbing approvals, you must seek design approval and commence building fit-out.

Step 1 – Design assessment

  • Plans will need to be drawn up and submitted with your assessment.
  • Complete the Design Assessment Application Form.
  • Ensure you include with your assessment application:
    • a copy of the layout plan showing the location of the buildings, facilities, caravan, camper vehicle and/or camping sites and relocatable homes
    • a copy of the site plan, drawn to scale not less than 1:100 and showing the premises location, waste storage, car parking, staff and public toilet facilities, internal boundaries of existing or proposed buildings, fixtures or facilities, and adjacent land uses
    • a copy of the floor plan, drawn to scale not less than 1:50, showing details of the layout of equipment, fixtures and fittings in a bird’s eye view (looking down on the property)
    • a copy of sectional elevations, drawn to scale not less than 1:50, showing a side on view of the walls of the premises and indicate the height of structures, benches, fixtures, fittings and equipment
  • A design application fee applies. For details view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘Caravan Parks and Camping Ground Licencing’.
  • Submit your application:
    • Email: plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au (pdf format of form and plan/s only)
    • Post: PO Box 191, Ipswich Qld 4305
    • In person: Ground Floor, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich.

Step 2 – Building fit-out

  • Fit out your premises in accordance with the approval given by Council.
  • Please read both the approved plans and approval conditions carefully when you receive them and carry out your fit-out including any changes that may be required.
  • A final inspection will be conducted to ensure the premises has been constructed in accordance with the approval. The premises must pass this inspection for the licence to be issued. If additional inspections are required then further inspection fees apply. For details view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘Caravan Parks and Camping Ground Licencing’.
  • About 10 days prior to completing the fit-out of the premises, start your application for a Caravan Parks and Camping Ground Licence.

Stage Three: Applying for a Licence

  • Complete the General Licence Application Form.
  • Ensure you include with your licence application:
    • Details of water quality, reticulation and drainage
    • Details of the facilities for sanitation, washing, laundry, cooking and recreation facilities for campers
    • Name and address of the of the proposed resident manager of the caravan park
    • Written agreement from the proposed resident manager accepting the responsibilities as the resident manager of the caravan park
    • An application and first year licence fee applies. For details view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘Caravan Parks and Camping Ground Licencing’.
  • Submit your application:
    • Email: plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au (pdf format of form and qualifications only)
    • Post: PO Box 191, Ipswich Qld 4305
    • In person: Ground Floor, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich.

How is your application managed?

Council will assess and respond to your assessment and application within 30 business days from the date of submission. If you require development approval, this assessment will not commence until you have notified council of the development approval.

Once your application has been assessed and if approved, you will be issued a licence. It will be emailed or mailed to you and you must display the licence, or a copy of the licence, at each related business so that it is easily visible to a person as they enter the premises.

Licence renewal, amendment, replacement or transfer

Licence renewal

Licence must be renewed each financial year. Council will send out a renewal notice approximately 4 weeks prior to renewal each year. A new licence will be mailed to you and you will need to ensure this is displayed.

Amendment to current licence

If you wish to update your personal or contact details on your business licence, please complete the amendment to licence or permit section of the General Licence Application Form.

Replacement licence

If you require a copy of your licence, please contact the Customer Service Centre on (07) 3810 6666.

Transfer of Licence

If you wish to transfer the licence to a third party (e.g sale of business), please complete the transfer of existing licence section of the General Licence Application Form.