Terms and Conditions — PlanningLaws.com

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of PlanningLaws.com (the “Site”). By accessing, browsing, or using this Site, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use this Site.

1. About This Site

PlanningLaws.com is an educational resource providing plain‑English guides and general information about Queensland planning rules, Gold Coast City Council requirements, and the City Plan 2016. The Site is owned and operated by Shaun Flynn.

PlanningLaws.com does not provide professional legal, planning, architectural, drafting, or design services. The Site may refer users to independent third‑party professionals, including DA Refusal Help QLD, but these professionals are not employees, contractors, or representatives of PlanningLaws.com or Shaun Flynn.

This Site is designed for homeowners, property owners, and individuals seeking to understand planning compliance and Development Application (DA) processes in Queensland and the Gold Coast.

2. Disclaimer of Professional Advice

The information on PlanningLaws.com is general information only. It is NOT:

legal advice
professional planning advice
architectural or design advice
formal council correspondence or representation
a substitute for consulting a qualified professional

Every situation is unique. Planning rules may apply differently depending on your zone, overlays, location, and circumstances. You should not rely solely on this Site to make decisions about your Development Application.

Before making any formal decisions, responding to council, or lodging an appeal, you must consult a qualified:

planning consultant or planner
lawyer specialising in planning law
licensed architect or draftsman
surveyor (for boundary and overlay matters)

3. Accuracy of Information

We make every effort to ensure the information on this Site is accurate and current. However:

planning rules and council policies change
the City Plan 2016 and Planning Act 2016 may be amended
Gold Coast City Council may issue new guidelines

We cannot guarantee that all information is accurate or up‑to‑date. Always verify current requirements directly with Gold Coast City Council.

If any conflict exists between this Site and official council information, the council’s information takes precedence.

4. No Guarantee of Outcomes

This Site provides general information only. We do not:

guarantee DA approval
guarantee compliance after following our guides
guarantee council responses
guarantee appeal outcomes
accept responsibility for DA results

Every DA is assessed independently by Gold Coast City Council. We cannot influence, control, or predict council decisions.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on this Site, including text, guides, diagrams, and design, is owned by Shaun Flynn, or licensed to PlanningLaws.com. This includes:

articles and guides
plain‑English explanations
site design and layout
all written materials

You may:

read and use the information for personal, non‑commercial purposes
print guides for your own reference
share links to the Site

You may not:

reproduce or republish content without permission
use content for commercial purposes
copy large sections of text without attribution
scrape or download content systematically
use content to create competing services

6. User Conduct

By using this Site, you agree not to:

use the Site for unlawful purposes
harass or defame others
post spam or malicious content
attempt unauthorised access
disrupt Site functionality
post false or misleading information
violate applicable laws

We may restrict access to users who violate these terms.

7. Third‑Party Links and Content

This Site may contain links to external websites, including Gold Coast City Council and Queensland Government resources. These links are provided for convenience only.

We are not responsible for:

accuracy of external content
changes to external websites
losses or damages resulting from external links

External websites are governed by their own terms.

8. Referral Fees and Affiliate Relationships

PlanningLaws.com may receive a referral fee from independent town planners or consultants if a user engages their services following a recommendation from this Site.

This means:

referral fees may be paid to us
you do not pay extra because of this
we recommend professionals we believe provide quality service
referral arrangements do not influence our general planning information
you are not obligated to use any recommended professional

Referral arrangements do not create any professional relationship between users and PlanningLaws.com, Shaun Flynn, or Aaron.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, this Site is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind.

We are not liable for:

loss, damage, or injury from using this Site
DA refusals or council decisions
redesign, appeal, or professional service costs
loss of time or money
indirect or consequential damages
reliance on Site information
outcomes from referrals to third‑party professionals

Your use of this Site is entirely at your own risk.

10. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless PlanningLaws.com, Shaun Flynn, Aaron, and any independent third‑party professionals referred through this Site from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

your use of this Site
your reliance on information provided on this Site
any actions or decisions you make regarding your Development Application
any outcomes, refusals, delays, or compliance actions related to your project
your engagement with any third‑party planner, consultant, or professional
any breach of these Terms and Conditions
any misuse or misinterpretation of Site content

11. Privacy

We collect minimal personal information. Any information you provide is:

used only to answer your questions
kept confidential
not shared without permission (except for referrals)
stored securely

See our full Privacy Policy for details.

12. Cookies and Tracking

This Site uses cookies and analytics tools to improve user experience. These tools may collect:

IP address
pages visited
time spent on Site
browser information

You can disable cookies in your browser settings.

13. Contact Information and Services

If you contact us, you acknowledge that:

conversations are confidential
contacting us does not create a professional relationship
we do not provide legal representation or formal appeals support
any professional services are provided only by independent third‑party consultants
we may receive referral fees if you engage a recommended professional

See our Contact page for more information.

14. Changes to This Site and Terms

We may update this Site and these Terms at any time without notice. Continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of updated terms.

15. Termination of Access

We may restrict or terminate access if you:

violate these terms
use the Site unlawfully
disrupt Site functionality
post abusive content

16. Severability

If any part of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts continue in full force.

17. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of Queensland courts.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, form the entire agreement between you and PlanningLaws.com.

19. Contact for Terms Questions

For questions about these Terms, contact:

Shaun Flynn PlanningLaws.com Email: [insert your email]

20. Copyright

21. Last Updated

These Terms and Conditions were last updated: 20/08/2026

By using this Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

Contact — DA Refusal Help QLD

For general information or referral to a qualified town planner, contact:

Aaron — Client Liaison, DA Refusal Help QLD
Phone: 0477 767 423
Email: aaronbox193@gmail.com

This website provides general planning information only and is not legal, planning or design advice; homeowners, builders, owner‑builders and developers should seek qualified professional assistance for any decisions relating to their Development Application or building project.