Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Mar 03, 2010 8:22 pm Hello, I had a very interesting conversation today with my council, and now I'm confusing myself in trying to interpret what we discussed (Silly me) Anyway I asked whether it was ok to place a 12m2 shed at the rear of my house. It is a very small area already. Just briefly the council said that the open space in the back must be not less than 25% of the total block size. In my case, the block size is 345m2, and my rear yard is only 85m2, therefore already at 25%. What I didn't make clear was that we wanted to put a free standing 'stratco' type shed, and not a permanent type shed attached to the house (ie out of bricks). I have a slight feeling this 25% rule applies to permanent structures attached to a home. Is someone able to clear up this law, because I don't think I will be sleeping tonight unless I know that I can have my little tool shed at the back. Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 3Mar 03, 2010 11:28 pm The little shed counts There are a number of reasons why the councils have laws like this. Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 6Mar 04, 2010 11:45 pm It has to do with a number of factors that vary from council to council. One is the fortification of properties. Commonly seen by bikie gangs when they have an entire roof structure covering the entire property and surveillance can not be conducted. Also roof structures have a higher surface run off so the storm water systems would have been designed to handle a certain amount of directly plumbed run off. (not such an issue in west coastal WA) It also allows a buffer for entertainment areas between neighbours. Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 7Mar 05, 2010 12:05 am Fu Manchu It has to do with a number of factors that vary from council to council. One is the fortification of properties. Commonly seen by bikie gangs when they have an entire roof structure covering the entire property and surveillance can not be conducted. If this is a reason, why then aren't pergolas considered to be not allowed under the same circumstances? Fu Manchu Also roof structures have a higher surface run off so the storm water systems would have been designed to handle a certain amount of directly plumbed run off. (not such an issue in west coastal WA) That shouldn't make any difference? There isn't any more water on your property when it rains just because there is a shed or other property such as pergola. The same amount of water is applied over the same area, so hydraullically it should be conservative anyway whether its plumbed into a storm water pipe or not. Fu Manchu It also allows a buffer for entertainment areas between neighbours. should this not be at the discretion of the home owner? Would love to see the minutes of some of those planning meetings... Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 8Mar 05, 2010 12:31 am It's just a range of reasons. With regard to the water, yes the whole area receives the same water but in places where storm water plumbing is used (not soak wells like here in the west) Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 9Mar 05, 2010 12:35 am Quote: If this is a reason, why then aren't pergolas considered to be not allowed under the same circumstances? Fire can also be another reason. It was discussed with my council. Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 10Mar 05, 2010 8:19 am Quote: Fu Manchu wrote: It also allows a buffer for entertainment areas between neighbours. should this not be at the discretion of the home owner? Except that what the home owner does also affects their neighbours so the rules are there for the fairness of everyone - in some cases this requires compromise or one owner doesnt get exactly what they want but thats the reality of liveing in community - if you live in the middle of nowhere by yourself I couldnt care less what you build on your property - but if you are my next door neighbour I dont want a structure that over shadows my garden or light to my windows. Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 11Mar 05, 2010 4:08 pm OK I just spoke with a local council and the above reasons I posted are valid minor reasons however the main reason is due to having open space. It is purely environmental. Fresh air and open space. Fire also plays a serious part on the laws presence. Interestingly shade sails still classify as open space even for small cottage blocks. The representative said they have all sorts of angry folks who own little cottage blocks and have to have tiny bits of useless space just because it must remain open. That is just how it is. Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 12Mar 05, 2010 4:51 pm Fu Manchu OK I just spoke with a local council and the above reasons I posted are valid minor reasons however the main reason is due to having open space. It is purely environmental. Fresh air and open space. Fire also plays a serious part on the laws presence. Interestingly shade sails still classify as open space even for small cottage blocks. The representative said they have all sorts of angry folks who own little cottage blocks and have to have tiny bits of useless space just because it must remain open. That is just how it is. All new developments must also have a certain amount of open space planned into the design in the form of parks, wetlands, bush reserves etc. I think it's a good thing. And Helyn is exactly right about the things we do impacting on neighbours. We dont live in a vacuum. Well, we couldn't, could we? ....Because there's no air in a vacuum.... Re: 25% of total land space to open space (ex front yard) 13Mar 05, 2010 4:52 pm Wait....why is this topic in the kitchen forum? there should be ss cable so you can pull up bore pump for service 1 3131 Cupcake.girl This really depends on your local council. Each one has different definitions and ways to calculate contributions. This is called a contribution… 1 3576 can someone with more experience give me their insight? land is pretty much flat its pretty much at the top of a hill. left and right neighbours are flat in line with my… 0 7445 |