Pre-Purchase Advice
Prior to purchasing or leasing a property we can provide planning advice to assist you with your decision making. This can include a basic desktop review of the site and applicable Planning Scheme Provisions or a site inspection and more detailed advice depending on your needs.
Town Planning Advice
Discover the potential of your land with our planning advice offering a comprehensive review of current and pending Planning Scheme provisions and analysis of the opportunities and constraints.
Planning Permit Applications
The core of our business is representing clients through the Council planning process. This process is often complex and our team is highly skilled and able to manage the process in order to maximise your chance of success. We are happy to assist you with your project at any stage of the application process, however we highly recommend that you consider appointing our office as early as possible to provide preliminary advice to the project team and assist with the development of the plans prior to making the application as we can often develop strategies or provide advice that can maximise the potential and save you time and money.
VCAT Advocacy
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) is a necessary part of the Victorian Planning system that allows appeals to be lodged by applicants or objectors. We offer a full VCAT service including preparing and lodgement of applications, service of notice of applications and amending plans Council and objectors and representation at hearings including Practice Day Hearings, Compulsory Conferences and Merits Hearings. If a matter is considered to be more complex, we can assist with the appointing and briefing of expert witnesses and a Solicitor of Barrister if it is deemed that this level of representation is appropriate and would maximise your chances of success in a more complex planning matter.
Building Dispensations
Variations to the Siting Requirements of the Building Regulations 2018 (Part 5) are common when seeking to build or extend a home. This can include seeking to reduce setbacks from the street or adjoining property boundaries, increasing site coverage and constructing a high front fence. Whilst variations are part of the building permit process rather than the planning permit process, as the decision guidelines to be considered by the Municipal Building Surveyor when making a decision on an application match those in the planning process. We are highly experienced and handle large numbers of these applications, particularly within Bayside City Council where there more onerous restrictions on development.
Mediation
Meetings with objectors can be challenging, however with the right aptitude and willingness to participate in this important part of the town planning process, we find that we can minimise objector concerns and often secure the withdrawal of objections which can save you significant time and reduce your risks.