Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 19, 2021 3:48 pm Building on an in-fill block in Knox Council Victoria (Melbourne). It's been a year so far trying to get Council Approval (they just keep coming back with stupid things like roof colours being wrong, side fences required, must have external storage space - always one thing at a time). We finally got conditional planning approval (which apparently is not building approval and we now need to apply for that too!). We have got so many conditions it is ridiculous (I'll list my biggest issues below). Does anyone know if there is anything we can do to escalate this? Can it go to VCAT and if so what is that likely to cost us? Our building team are working on it but they are as shocked as we are. Most of the conditions read like they apply to a development of units or townhouses not our (reasonably) modest split level abode. I'm feeling so defeated - but if I walk away I'm going to be left with a block of land that I can't do anything with... 1. almost every window (all beds except master plus the family room) have to be opaque and unable to be opened up to 1.7m above FFL. So basically, there will be no opportunity for cross ventilation or decent natural light in the home. 2. The landscaping for the front home (the original home on the block before subdivision) has to be as per the landscaping plan from 2013 when the block was first subdivided - yeah right. It definitely isn't. We don't own this and have no control over it. 3. We have to have a large (4-5m) shrub between the two houses. This means there's absolutely no way we can store our camper trailer on our land. 4. We have to pay for all fencing. No option to split costs with neighbours (most fences are close to falling down and need replacing anyway). They've specified the exact number, size and type of plants we have to put into our garden - basically meaning we will have not back yard left for anything (like the kids' trampoline). I just don't know where to turn or what to do. Hope someone here has some ideas... Re: Problems with Council 2Mar 19, 2021 6:05 pm You'll find these are requirements on most small lot planning applications... nothing special there Seriously I wouldn't bother fighting city hall.. you might win... but it's going to cost a bundle not to mention a waste of time OT, the hottest items for small lot designs that Council will approve are 1. Basements 2. Rooftop gardens 3. Parapet walls courtyards 4. Retractable walls and roofs LOL don't forget the lift...Tiny house?... No way Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Problems with Council 3Mar 19, 2021 7:49 pm Whoever drew the plans and submitted it to the council should've done their homework and known about all the requirements before you did so. Points 1,2, 4 & 5 are almost exactly the same as ours and post 3 has to be somewhere in our front yard not between the two houses. Stewie Re: Problems with Council 4Mar 20, 2021 9:47 pm StructuralBIMGuy You'll find these are requirements on most small lot planning applications... nothing special there Seriously I wouldn't bother fighting city hall.. you might win... but it's going to cost a bundle not to mention a waste of time OT, the hottest items for small lot designs that Council will approve are 1. Basements 2. Rooftop gardens 3. Parapet walls courtyards 4. Retractable walls and roofs LOL don't forget the lift...Tiny house?... No way I wouldn’t call it a small lot (400m2). Take your point about not fighting “the man” though. Was just a bit frustrated at the crap situation after a year of Council messing us around. Re: Problems with Council 5Mar 20, 2021 9:51 pm Stewie D Whoever drew the plans and submitted it to the council should've done their homework and known about all the requirements before you did so. Points 1,2, 4 & 5 are almost exactly the same as ours and post 3 has to be somewhere in our front yard not between the two houses. Stewie Yeah I’m a bit annoyed they missed all this. Even more so that the certifiers they engaged (because they supposedly had experience dealing with our Council) didn’t cover any of this. I would agree with the windows if it was a two story build but these are on the lower level of our split level home (bit of a fall on the land). The risk you take when you trust people I guess. Anyway, hopefully we can work something out. Nice to know we aren’t alone! Re: Problems with Council 6Mar 21, 2021 10:30 am BanjoDan I wouldn’t call it a small lot (400m2). Take your point about not fighting “the man” though. Was just a bit frustrated at the crap situation after a year of Council messing us around. Here in WA if the Council takes it upon themselves not to see to reason for whatever the reason Then there is State administrative tribunal , though kiss 12 months and 50 grand goodbye with no guarantees Not much of an option for the Batters but its there, on the other hand if you're a punter and you stand to make millions on the development go for it, horses for courses. Unfortunately, the system is geared for those that have money. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Problems with Council 7Mar 21, 2021 1:16 pm BanjoDan Building on an in-fill block in Knox Council Victoria (Melbourne). It's been a year so far trying to get Council Approval (they just keep coming back with stupid things like roof colours being wrong, side fences required, must have external storage space - always one thing at a time). We finally got conditional planning approval (which apparently is not building approval and we now need to apply for that too!). We have got so many conditions it is ridiculous (I'll list my biggest issues below). Does anyone know if there is anything we can do to escalate this? Can it go to VCAT and if so what is that likely to cost us? Our building team are working on it but they are as shocked as we are. Most of the conditions read like they apply to a development of units or townhouses not our (reasonably) modest split level abode. I'm feeling so defeated - but if I walk away I'm going to be left with a block of land that I can't do anything with... 1. almost every window (all beds except master plus the family room) have to be opaque and unable to be opened up to 1.7m above FFL. So basically, there will be no opportunity for cross ventilation or decent natural light in the home. 2. The landscaping for the front home (the original home on the block before subdivision) has to be as per the landscaping plan from 2013 when the block was first subdivided - yeah right. It definitely isn't. We don't own this and have no control over it. 3. We have to have a large (4-5m) shrub between the two houses. This means there's absolutely no way we can store our camper trailer on our land. 4. We have to pay for all fencing. No option to split costs with neighbours (most fences are close to falling down and need replacing anyway). They've specified the exact number, size and type of plants we have to put into our garden - basically meaning we will have not back yard left for anything (like the kids' trampoline). I just don't know where to turn or what to do. Hope someone here has some ideas... Is the front home still there? Are its windows opaque? Re: Problems with Council 8Mar 21, 2021 2:22 pm StructuralBIMGuy Unfortunately, the system is geared for those that have money. Ain’t that the truth! Same Council and old mate can buy an existing home and without a few months it’s demolished and townhouses or units are going up in its place! Re: Problems with Council 9Mar 21, 2021 2:25 pm Althom Is the front home still there? Are its windows opaque? Front home is still there. Cause of the lay of the land it sits two stories above our home and of course because of its age none of its windows are opaque. Nor are any of the other homes around us. Just our tough luck for being the newest house... Re: Problems with Council 10Mar 21, 2021 2:31 pm BanjoDan Althom Is the front home still there? Are its windows opaque? Front home is still there. Cause of the lay of the land it sits two stories above our home and of course because of its age none of its windows are opaque. Nor are any of the other homes around us. Just our tough luck for being the newest house... I'd be at least asking them to explain their "logic" on that one then. Your neighbours can look out their windows but you cannot? Why not? You'll probably still have to do it but it will make some nasty little Adolf at the Council explain themselves Re: Problems with Council 11Mar 26, 2021 4:52 pm Update: Went back to Council asking if we can do screens instead (as per the building regs). Apparently Knox Council don’t accept that and will only allow obscure glazing. Boggles the mind. I wouldn’t have thought they’d be able to rule against the building regs! I am not a brick expert, but rendering would be 1 option, it would be costly to do the entire house though.... 2 6683 Hi all, has anyone been ask to do the weeds in their property while in the middle of build? We are under the impression that they are in control of the site while they… 0 2779 Have had a few issues with out recently done bathroom floor. Probably around 18 months old First there has been been a crack running through a grout line which I put… 0 2181 |