Council Hiccup

Houston we have a problem 😢

Just as we thought DA approval was around the corner, we were advised that Council had flagged a few issues with our application. I spoke to the Design and Technical Consultant at Metricon yesterday and she gave me a comprehensive rundown of the issues. It was reassuring to know that the builder is on top of it. She told me that she had already contacted the Assessment Officer at Council and discussed the issues one by one and that a response to Council will be submitted ASAP.

1. GARAGE LEVEL: The proposed finished floor level of the garage is considered excessive. Metricon disagrees with Council’s assessment. The garage level is approx. 500mm above natural ground, not 600mm as is suggested in the letter. Council allows up to 500mm of exposed fill so the reply will include an argument as to why this should not be amended.

2. PROPOSED DECK: The proposed deck to the side and rear of the house is shown on the submitted landscape plan but not on the architectural and stormwater plans. All plans must be consistent. Metricon will amend the architectural plan to show the proposed deck.

3. FRONT FENCE: The submitted landscape plan shows a 1.2m high front fence but this is not shown on the architectural plan. Metricon will amend the architectural plan to show the front fence.

4. RETAINING WALL: The landscape plan shows a retaining wall on the north/western boundary but not the return section at the rear of the dwelling. Metricon will argue that returning the retaining wall into the property is unnecessary as a batter would be sufficient.

5. FIRST FLOOR BALCONY: To reduce direct loss of privacy from rear balcony, a suitable privacy screen to a height of 1.8m will need to be provided. Metricon had already flagged this potential requirement during the design process so this was not a surprise to us.

6. NEIGHBOUR SUBMISSION: The adjoining neighbour raised concern over the bedroom window in the Master Suite. Metricon had discussed and received verbal agreement from Council that no change to the window is required as it complies with the DCP. YAY for us and go Metricon!

7. STORMWATER DRAINAGE PLANS: Council earlier identified an issue with the proposed retention pit under the front landscape. The hydraulics engineer was quick to respond to Council’s concern and submitted an amended stormwater plan. Council is currently assessing the revised plans so fingers crossed no further changes are required.

We are hopeful that the DA is still on track to be approved by the end of October. Thank god the issues identified are not significant and should be easily addressed. My advice to anyone thinking of building – do yourself a favour, avoid the lengthy council approval process and take the CDC route!