The update is that we now have our CDC approved, but in December we encountered a significant issue which nearly derailed the project and we learnt a very big lesson, that is definitely worth sharing.
To refresh everyone's memory, the site backs onto a creek, it was subdivided in the 1950's and is meant to be 150 feet (45m) deep.
It falls from front to rear and at roughly the 35m mark has a high chain wire style fence which is covered in vines and behind the fence the area between the fence and the creek is literally like the amazon jungle, totally inaccessible without a machete. This is relevant as prior to purchasing or even with the survey, no one had accessed this area for an inspection.
What we had all missed was that the original subdivision plan had the rear boundary ( ie 150 feet from the front boundary) being to the edge of the creek bank, it's completely obvious when you look at it now!
Anyway, over the last 70 years the creek bank in my portion had suffered a significant amount of erosion and we have lost approximately 8 meters of our site.
So the result/solution was:
1. We lost a month over Christmas getting specialist surveying advice and then redesigning.
2. We lost roughly 1,000mm of the ground floor - I don't think this will make a difference
3. Unfortunately we lost 8,000mm from the first floor to comply with the setback from the new boundary. So this means no balcony from the master bedroom, we lost our large rumpus and a 2nd ensuite from bed 4.
We have been working really closely with our agent making sure that we still have a saleable product, and we believe we do ( we have a major trick up our sleeves suggested by the agent for the rear yard that will make our property unique - I'll share this during construction).
The reality was that the original design was for 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms which was probably too big anyway, we are now down to 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 living areas which is still larger than most of our competition.
So now that we have the CDC approved we need to submit our stormwater plans to council for approval as we need to drain directly into the creek. The goal will be to start construction next month.
In summary, if you have have a creek behind your property, double check if your boundary is to the creek line and get your surveyor to double check that it hasn't eroded!
Anyhow, all is well that ends well.
Till next time
Simeon
Revised first floor planWe lost 8,000mm, including a rear balcony, an ensuite and my large rumpus ( have since reduced bedroom 3 and included a small rumpus)Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Revised GF PlanWe lost a bit over 1000mm so not too badLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Original Subdivsion PlanYou can see next to the blue arrow that it says 150 feet to the bankLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Excellent Start to the year indeed !!
thanks Ramesh
any update with yours?
We just finished our internals & externals selections.. wish it was done earlier (lost a month or more due to Dec-Jan..). I am hoping to conclude the paperwork by mid / end Feb for the DA !!