Property Development

Public Open Space: When developing two units may be better than three…

31 August 2010

Every now and again, we assess a potential development site as being equally suitable to be subdivided into 2 large dwellings or 3 small dwellings.
All things being equal, a three unit development should be more profitable than two.
Unfortunately, not all things are equal…

Read the full article →

Restrictive Covenant: Is your development over before it even begins?

24 August 2010

We love what we do – but there’s one task we don’t look forward to: informing a client that their very impressive large block cannot developed.
There are many factors that might add constraints to a development, but there’s one factor that stops a development dead in its tracks – before it even begins.
And unfortunately, this [...]

Read the full article →

Sustainable Architecture Pillar 7: Materials

6 July 2010

When it comes to building materials for your new home, there are now more sustainable products to choose from than ever before.
But did you know that you can actually make an even bigger difference for the environment than merely selecting enviro-friendly products?

Read the full article →

How to win at VCAT

27 May 2010

A client recently approached us with a problem.
His proposed Dual Occupancy drawn up by another firm was refused its Planning Permit by local authority, Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
He asked us if we could help him at VCAT to overturn the Council decision and gain his Planning Permit.
We ended up securing his Planning Permit – WITHOUT [...]

Read the full article →

Dual occupancy home designs: Don’t short change yourself!

13 May 2010

We recently investigated whether a client site in Melbourne’s north-east could support two units.
We suprised our client by obtaining pre-planning support from Council for not two units, but three!
Here’s how…

Read the full article →

How to get a Planning Permit: Don’t design for VCAT

4 May 2010

Conventional wisdom amongst property developers attempting to secure a Planning Permit in Victoria is: “Design for VCAT”.
We’d like to suggest some unconventional wisdom: “Don’t design for VCAT”.
Here’s why …

Read the full article →

Planning Permit Victoria: How to get a “Yes” from Council

28 April 2010

Recently a client approached us to test the waters for a potential 6-unit development in Banyule Council.
What we ended up proposing to Banyule Council fell short of the “300 m2 per lot rule of thumb” and had no precedent for this type of project along the entire street.
Yet Council Town Planners were delighted with our [...]

Read the full article →

Melbourne House Prices: What the media aren’t telling you

30 March 2010

You may have heard that over the long term, property prices tend to double every 7-10 years.
This is based on the assumption that property, on average, grows by 10% per year.
As evidenced in the graph above, courtesy of RPData, this seems to be proving true in the Melbourne property market.
Or is it?

Read the full article →

Building Envelope: How three townhouses can become two

23 February 2010

So you’ve heard about the “300 m2 per lot” rule of thumb used by planners for potential developments.
You factored this in as you purchased your 900 m2 block of land.
You’re sure to get a Planning Permit for three townhouses, right?

Read the full article →

What is the minimum size of land to subdivide in Victoria?

16 February 2010

Welcome – you’ve just discovered one of our most popular posts!
If you got here because you are researching the possibility of subdividing your property, you may also be interested in these articles:

Subdividing land in Victoria: The 5 tests your property must pass
Dual Occupancy Subdivision: A tale of two developments

Alternatively, if you are ready to [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries