Possibly, but only part of the suburb is. The Fitzgibbon Priority Development Area was declared in 2008 and covers 295 hectares across Fitzgibbon, Carseldine, Bald Hills, Taigum and Deagon. Only part of the suburb is inside it, so we do not guess from an address. The reliable way to check is the official PDA map published by Economic Development Queensland. Once you know which side you are on, you will know who assesses your development application. The soil test itself is the same either way.

The development approval path can differ, but the soil test does not. Inside the PDA, Economic Development Queensland assesses development applications against the Fitzgibbon PDA Development Scheme instead of Brisbane City Plan 2014. Outside it, Brisbane City Council's normal process applies. In both cases, your engineer needs an AS 2870 site classification to design the footings, and certifiers expect it shown on the drawings for reactive sites. Our field work, drilling and bearing tests included, does not change with the approval route.

Cabbage Tree Creek forms one of Fitzgibbon's boundaries, and Brisbane City Council's Cabbage Tree Creek Flood Study informs the council's flood mapping. If your lot is covered by the flood overlay, that can affect required floor levels and how the footings are designed. The flood check and the soil classification are separate pieces of information, but your engineer needs both. We suggest looking up your lot on council's flood overlay before or alongside booking the soil test, so the design brief is complete from the start.

It is possible, and the only way to know is to drill. Parts of the wider area had other uses before housing was built, and any block can contain fill placed during earlier works. Deep or uncontrolled fill can lead to a Class P result, one of the AS 2870 site classes alongside S, M, H1, H2 and E. A Class P site needs specific engineering rather than a standard footing design. We record what each borehole actually finds and report it plainly, so there are no assumptions in your classification.

Start with your site plan. The PDA has added smaller-lot housing near Carseldine station, and certifiers expect the site classification and footing system to be shown on the drawings for reactive sites. That means the investigation should cover the ground under each proposed building, not just one corner of the lot. How the boreholes and bearing tests are spread across a multi-dwelling site depends on the layout and what your engineer requires. Tight setbacks can make site access harder, so send the plans and site details when you request a quote.

Economic Development Queensland assesses development applications in the PDA. Building work itself is understood to still be certified by a private building certifier under the Building Act, but confirm this with your certifier for your project. Whoever certifies the work will expect the site classification and footing system to be shown on the drawings for reactive sites. Our report is prepared so your engineer and certifier can use it, whether your lot is inside the PDA or under Brisbane City Plan 2014.

It works the same way on both sides of the boundary. We come to your Fitzgibbon lot, drill boreholes near the proposed footing area and check bearing capacity on site. The samples go back to our NATA-accredited laboratory in Wamuran, No. 15070, for testing. From those results we assign an AS 2870 site class, from S through to E or P. You then pass the report to your engineer and certifier.