Blog - Change of Plan

August 01, 2018

Government Tightens Control on Warehouse Uses

Posted at 00:38h in Planning Controls, Planning Policy

Earlier this year the State Government revised the definition of a Warehouse use within all planning schemes. This revision has sought to clarify what is and isn't included within the definition of Warehouse, but it may leave some businesses in the lurch. The amendment was part...

June 07, 2018

Metropolitan Planning Levy

Posted at 02:06h in Planning Process

Recently I was discussing the common Council Contributions that apply to multiple dwelling applications. One fee that also applies to some development applications is the Metropolitan Planning Levy. This fee is a little different to the others as it is required to be paid to...

May 17, 2018

What Are The Common Council Contributions For Developments?

Posted at 23:56h in Planning Process

As part of any feasibility or due dilligence, people often ask me what Council fees or contributions will they need to pay when developing multiple dwellings? A lot of the fees are specific to the site or project, but I will run through the common...

May 17, 2018

Garden Area Requirements are Mandatory

Posted at 16:17h in Planning Controls

People often ask me about the new Garden Area Requirements, and what the implications for their development will be. The new Garden Area Requirements were discussed by me when they were first introduced last year in this blog post. They have recently been amended so...

April 24, 2018

Removing a Restrictive Covenant

Posted at 10:52h in Planning Process, VCAT

Don't be caught out by a covenant over your land title. A planning permit can't be approved if it is contrary to a restrictive covenant on the title. If there is a covenant it will need to varied or removed before the proposal can be...