What is the difference between the Plan of Subdivision and the Disclosure Plan for land lots?
In the context of a masterplanned land estate in Australia, the Plan of Subdivision and the Disclosure Plan serve different purposes and are used at different stages of the land sale and registration process.
Key Differences: Plan of Subdivision vs Disclosure Plan
| Feature | Plan of Subdivision | Disclosure Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Legally creates the new lots and roads; allows for title registration | Provides an early outline of the land layout before registration |
| Status | Final, legally registered with Land Registry | Preliminary, attached to the contract at the time of sale |
| Legal Weight | Legally binding and used to register land titles | Not legally binding, but must be materially accurate |
| When Used | After registration – defines official boundaries and titles | During pre-sale of unregistered land |
| Shows | Lot boundaries, dimensions, easements, roads, public open space, lot numbers | Proposed lot layout, dimensions, road access, services (subject to change) |
| Provided By | Surveyor, submitted to Titles Office (e.g., NSW LRS, QLD Titles Registry) | Developer or project team for disclosure purposes under legislation |
| Used For | Land registration | Conveyancing, settlements, buyer awareness, legal compliance especially in QLD. |
Example in Practice (Queensland):
- Disclosure Plan is required under the Land Sales Act 1984 when selling unregistered land. It’s included in the contract and outlines proposed lot details.
- Later, the Plan of Subdivision (Survey Plan) is lodged with the Titles Office to formally register each lot.
Summary:
- The Disclosure Plan is a preview of what the land lot will look like, used to support the sale.
- The Plan of Subdivision is the official, registered document that defines the land and enables title creation and settlement.