The council approval has been a long one for us. I have heard recommendations on getting a planner, and after this process I would tend to agree, especially if you are time constricted.
For us, the timing getting pushed back was positive due to the high demand for construction in Late 2023 and also due to Dan getting a new role overseas, this would give us more time to get the details of the house correct (and more funds always helps!).
So really I started this process in March 2023 and it only just got approved in November!! That is 6 months to get a building envelope approval, next up still have to do the actual build approval!
Our shire has a timeframe to get back within 60 days, the problem being that quite often towards the end of the 60 days will get an email or call back saying one or two things that needed to be amended, wuld sometimes take me a day other times 2 weeks to amend and then the process would happen again.
These happened because:
- Firstly it took 10 weeks to design the house, This was done by us on SketchUp initial and was a big learning curve along with understanding what we wanted, room sizes, orientations and passive design. (see our review of the two design software)
- On 15th June the BAL preport started, this was a Bush fire brief ($499) and took until 2 montsh 0The Bushfire Advice took 4th of July (Just over 2 weeks)
- From here I had to redesign the house to move it slightly due to it just bordering into a high bush fire zone! Urgh,
- On the 1st of August they started on the BAL assessment and certificate, this took 1 week and received this on the 8th of August. Now can start the appl;oication for the council
- The 11th of August I submitted the council application for the building emnvelope variation. This was
So that is how it took so long, with the assistance of a planner (or someone who knew the ropes) it would most likely have taken the 60 days from getting everything in order.
Nice share!