There are several factors to consider when subdividing your site. A few of these are: covenants, zoning, overlays, planning restrictions, site conditions, site opportunities & constraints, etc. Generally, all sites may be subdivided provided there is adequate space to do so. However, if there is a single dwelling covenant registered on the title, then it restricts the number of dwellings to only 1. Nevertheless, there are methods and procedures to remove these in some cases, and we can assist you with this process. If you are unsure of any or all of these, please contact our office where one of our friendly staff will be more than happy to provide assistance.

We want to educate you during the process and expedite your project efforts so you can feel confident with every step. Smart, simple, and smooth; this is how we’ll get you from A to Z even if a few bumps are in the road.

Therefore, we have developed a ‘4 Step Process’ to help you follow your application from the initial sketch design, all the way through to construction, subdivision and registration of titles.

All it takes is 4 simple steps to bring your project to life:

New projects typically commence within the first two weeks and we aim to provide you with the initial sketch design within a week thereafter. From there, it is up to you how long it takes to have the plans finalised and submitted to the council. It can take 2 weeks or 2 months - it's really up to you. We first design the ground floor followed by the upper floor and then move on to the facade and elevations. Once each stage is approved by you, we finalise the application and submit to the council. Generally, if there are no objections or major council concerns, a permit should be issued within 6 months of submission. Although it does also depend on the council's workload, and type or complexity of the project involved. We have received permits within 2 months in some cases, but it is always case by case.

Each site presents its own opportunities and constraints. These constraints may consist of; street poles, street trees, easements, bus stops, adjoining habitable room windows, etc. Having said that, each site also has its own opportunities and may include; width and depth, driveway locations, adjoining reserves and lane ways, sufficient adjoining setbacks, no adjoining habitable room windows, great northern lighting, etc. We custom design each and every project so that all the constraints and opportunities are considered. This ensures every millimetre from each site is obtained to secure the relevant Town Planning Permit. ‘Site specific’ we always say.

Generally speaking yes, but it does come down to your individual site’s constraints and opportunities. It really is site specific and can vary greatly. Get in touch with us and we will see how we can help you and your specific project.

Council will provide an opportunity for your proposal to be revisited or reconsidered at an early assessment stage. It's at this point that council will identify any concerns they may or may not have. This is where you will have the opportunity to address these concerns by way of amendments or justification. You don't need to worry, we will speak and deal with the council on your behalf and push them where possible. We then sit down and go over the concerns together and put a plan of attack to move forward. Rest assured, we will look after your project.

ResCode is the standard in which your application will be assessed. Some of the rules ‘must’ be adhered to but there are others that ‘should’ be complied with. Each council then has their own specific requirements, and specifically to your street – so there are several rules, regulations and guidelines to work with. Obviously if you comply with all the rules and regulations then there is no reason that council should not approve your proposal. But in some instances, complying with all the rules is just not possible. For example, the front setback requirement is an average of the two adjoining properties or a minimum of 4m, but the neighbours are both setback at 2m, so we use this precedent to persuade council to approve the design. We have experience all over Melbourne & Victoria, where we have built up a wealth of precedents that may help your application.

Once the Town Planning Permit is issued, we commence the second stage (Working Drawings). This is the phase where we document the proposal to show the builder how the development is to be constructed. We gather the relevant documents and consultants on your behalf, such as the soil test, energy rating, structural engineering, civil engineering, etc. in order to obtain a Building Permit. This stage is quite simple really and generally takes 4-6 weeks – depending on complexity. We have this process streamlined with expert consultants whom we have used for many years. We have been doing this for over 20 years, so rest assured, we won’t let you down. Further information may be found in the ‘How It Works’ section of this site.

Over our 20 years of experience, we have worked with all the councils throughout Victoria. Although our favourites are:

We offer fixed price quotations with no hidden extras. Even if council requires amendments or changes, whether it happens once or ten times, fixed means fixed. This applies until either the permit is granted or the application refused. Please get in touch today so that we may review your site and offer you a fixed price quotation for your project.

Absolutely. If you wish to use your own consultants, that’s cool with us too! We welcome the chance to work with other consultants as we can all bounce ideas off each other. With our extensive experience in the industry, the chances are that we may have already worked with any consultants that you have in mind.

Of course we can. We offer free site evaluations for any site in Melbourne & Victoria. This is preferred face to face in our studio, but can also be done over the phone or via email or skype. Whatever works best for you really. We have the technology to be able to view and find all the relevant information we need, right from our studio. How times have changed!

There is a wealth of knowledge right here on our site. The ‘how it works’ section is packed with information and videos to help guide you through the process. But, please feel free to contact us directly where one of our friendly staff will be able to assist you with any concerns or queries you may have with your site, or the process involved. Get in touch today.