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Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Old Apr 21st 2006, 7:12 am
  #1  
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Default Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Well, it's a consideration!

Having wasted 2 months on an architect who did absolutely nothing, we have had our plans drawn up by a very competent and hands-on draftsman - they are being finished this week.

I called into the council offices this morning on an unrelated matter to find that on Wednesday a new thick Development Control Plan came into effect, which effectively makes the house plans null and void.

The last Plan was published in December last - the next in July.

Some of the new requirements are that any garage must not be attached to the house, must be at the back of the property etc etc.

The mind boggles! Half of their requirements insist on things which are forbidden by the new BASIX rules from the State government.....

If we scrap $2500 worth of drawings now and start again there is a good chance that in July it will again be outlawed.

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of NSW, you folk thinking of coming out here.

I wouldn't mind so much except that our standards are so much higher than 99% of the housing here - even that being built as we speak. They have no concept of energy efficiency, for example: double glazing is virtually unheard of. One of the new concepts is sarking the roof!

Christ - I've turned into Arkon, and all since 10am.....
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 7:45 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by Wol
Well, it's a consideration!

Having wasted 2 months on an architect who did absolutely nothing, we have had our plans drawn up by a very competent and hands-on draftsman - they are being finished this week.

I called into the council offices this morning on an unrelated matter to find that on Wednesday a new thick Development Control Plan came into effect, which effectively makes the house plans null and void.

The last Plan was published in December last - the next in July.

Some of the new requirements are that any garage must not be attached to the house, must be at the back of the property etc etc.

The mind boggles! Half of their requirements insist on things which are forbidden by the new BASIX rules from the State government.....

If we scrap $2500 worth of drawings now and start again there is a good chance that in July it will again be outlawed.

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of NSW, you folk thinking of coming out here.

I wouldn't mind so much except that our standards are so much higher than 99% of the housing here - even that being built as we speak. They have no concept of energy efficiency, for example: double glazing is virtually unheard of. One of the new concepts is sarking the roof!

Christ - I've turned into Arkon, and all since 10am.....
So its not 'cos of TEsco's or the BNP then ?

Shame that , I feel your pain, but architect should've been the guy to get fixed he would've known these things.
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 7:50 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by Wol
Well, it's a consideration!

Having wasted 2 months on an architect who did absolutely nothing, we have had our plans drawn up by a very competent and hands-on draftsman - they are being finished this week.

I called into the council offices this morning on an unrelated matter to find that on Wednesday a new thick Development Control Plan came into effect, which effectively makes the house plans null and void.

The last Plan was published in December last - the next in July.

Some of the new requirements are that any garage must not be attached to the house, must be at the back of the property etc etc.

The mind boggles! Half of their requirements insist on things which are forbidden by the new BASIX rules from the State government.....

If we scrap $2500 worth of drawings now and start again there is a good chance that in July it will again be outlawed.

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of NSW, you folk thinking of coming out here.

I wouldn't mind so much except that our standards are so much higher than 99% of the housing here - even that being built as we speak. They have no concept of energy efficiency, for example: double glazing is virtually unheard of. One of the new concepts is sarking the roof!

Christ - I've turned into Arkon, and all since 10am.....
What's sarking the roof?
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 8:18 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by Wol
Well, it's a consideration!

Having wasted 2 months on an architect who did absolutely nothing, we have had our plans drawn up by a very competent and hands-on draftsman - they are being finished this week.

I called into the council offices this morning on an unrelated matter to find that on Wednesday a new thick Development Control Plan came into effect, which effectively makes the house plans null and void.

The last Plan was published in December last - the next in July.

Some of the new requirements are that any garage must not be attached to the house, must be at the back of the property etc etc.

The mind boggles! Half of their requirements insist on things which are forbidden by the new BASIX rules from the State government.....

If we scrap $2500 worth of drawings now and start again there is a good chance that in July it will again be outlawed.

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of NSW, you folk thinking of coming out here.

I wouldn't mind so much except that our standards are so much higher than 99% of the housing here - even that being built as we speak. They have no concept of energy efficiency, for example: double glazing is virtually unheard of. One of the new concepts is sarking the roof!

Christ - I've turned into Arkon, and all since 10am.....
Nightmare mate , but i wouldn't let it beat you ,Didn't your architect know about these changes before they came out ?
Building your own place will never run smoothly , just look how stressful it is just buying one that is ready built !!!
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 8:19 am
  #5  
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by spalen
So its not 'cos of TEsco's or the BNP then ?

Shame that , I feel your pain, but architect should've been the guy to get fixed he would've known these things.
But the rules only started two days ago, and weren't published until yesterday! The architect has sat on her butt for nearly two months with nothing to show for it.

It's called "laid back" lifestyle.....
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 8:21 am
  #6  
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by mumomonty
What's sarking the roof?
It's a rocket-science sort of thing: lining under the tiles so that any leaks run down and away into the gutters instead of into the bedroom.

Been around since - oh, probably the middle ages. New to NSW though!
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 8:26 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by Wol
It's a rocket-science sort of thing: lining under the tiles so that any leaks run down and away into the gutters instead of into the bedroom.

Been around since - oh, probably the middle ages. New to NSW though!
Surely the draftsman should have known as well though
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 8:44 am
  #8  
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

I think we're on a different wavelength here!

My comments re. sarking etc are nothing to do with these 2day old rules, which involve "planning" and stop you for example building an attached garage.

The comments refer to the BASIX farcical requirements, which the architectural and building spokesmen here describe as making building almost impossible.
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 8:49 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by moneypen20
Surely the draftsman should have known as well though
Draftsmen only draw what they're told to. As an engineer, I know for a fact that the draffy is only as good as the engineer (that's why I went into management!!). Really depends on his experience. It's all down to the experts.
Planning rules are a minefield in any country, even if they leave the goalposts in the same place. Good luck, but don't give up. Try talking to the council direct? They may be able to give you a heads-up as to what's coming out in July. I would have thought that they'd rather give advice up-front than waste time on applications that aren't valid.
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 9:00 am
  #10  
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by thribble
Draftsmen only draw what they're told to. As an engineer, I know for a fact that the draffy is only as good as the engineer (that's why I went into management!!). Really depends on his experience. It's all down to the experts.
Planning rules are a minefield in any country, even if they leave the goalposts in the same place. Good luck, but don't give up. Try talking to the council direct? They may be able to give you a heads-up as to what's coming out in July. I would have thought that they'd rather give advice up-front than waste time on applications that aren't valid.
I know all that!

It's the way that more and more people are being paid to produce more and more c**p that messes up your life.

You now have to provide a "site analysis", which includes items of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and God knows what else. It's pages long. Included is an indication of True North - my architect didn't even know the difference between True and Magnetic North and thought we were being funny when we pointed out that the build orientation could be quite different!
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 9:32 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by Wol
I know all that!

It's the way that more and more people are being paid to produce more and more c**p that messes up your life.

You now have to provide a "site analysis", which includes items of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and God knows what else. It's pages long. Included is an indication of True North - my architect didn't even know the difference between True and Magnetic North and thought we were being funny when we pointed out that the build orientation could be quite different!
LOL! I know! I'm getting a lot of on-the-job training on the Aboriginal Heritage issues at the moment. It's all fascinating, but I can see it would be a pain if you were doing it on your own, not as part of a corporate thing.
It is phenominal, the amount of paperwork. I learnt the other day that everything in the ground over 50 years old is "heritage". You can even get heritage concrete, of all things (which has to be reinstated to look old if you have to dig it up). All I can suggest is that you find a really good company to handle everything - sounds like your original architect wasn't up to much.

And I wish you all the luck in the world!
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 10:03 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Thanks for the good wishes.

I heard on the TV today that the NSW government - not the federal government, which does its own thing - produces 300 new pages of legislation a week, to add to the tens of thousands already there.

It's madness: things really are going down the tubes at an increasing rate - everywhere.
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 10:09 am
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Originally Posted by Wol
It's a rocket-science sort of thing: lining under the tiles so that any leaks run down and away into the gutters instead of into the bedroom.

Been around since - oh, probably the middle ages. New to NSW though!
Get a steel roof, first hail storm tiles are farked................ mm
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Old Apr 21st 2006, 1:47 pm
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Thumbs up Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Hi, I'm a developer by trade and a Planner by profession so I know exactly how you feel. I'm still over here in the UK and work for one of the largest developers around.
In simple terms, when the planners make a decision they base it on whatever Development Control Plan is adopted at that time. However ... (there is always a however .... policies are there to be broken) ... one argument that you can always present is 'respecting the character of the area'. If all the other houses in the neighbourhood road are similar to yours you could argue that a deviation would appear incongruous. Have a look at the policies in the DC plan and you will more than likely find some that will support your house designs.
Remember that the Planning System is there to help facilitate appropriate development and its up to you to present a case to justify your scheme. The best advice I can give is make a case for your scheme based purely on the policies within the plan and you do stand a reasonable chance.

Pls feel free to PM and I'll do my best to help.

As a final thought the plans you have can probably be amended v. easily ... and, if you are going down the sustainable development' route then you should use this to your advantage.

I suggest (sorry to go on) that you look at your plans, work out how your plans comply with policy and go to meet the planners. It would be best if you approached them 'seeking advice' but, make sure that they know that you know that your scheme IS acceptable. Be prepared to compromise so work out what can be altered.

Good luck ... be confident and you will be successful. DO NOT TAKE YOUR ARCHITECT ... they are always precious. When you leave the meeting make sure that you know what will get you approval and then tell the architect to make those changes. And ... do not pay for them

Nick
www.thepocketplanner.com




Originally Posted by Wol
Well, it's a consideration!

Having wasted 2 months on an architect who did absolutely nothing, we have had our plans drawn up by a very competent and hands-on draftsman - they are being finished this week.

I called into the council offices this morning on an unrelated matter to find that on Wednesday a new thick Development Control Plan came into effect, which effectively makes the house plans null and void.

The last Plan was published in December last - the next in July.

Some of the new requirements are that any garage must not be attached to the house, must be at the back of the property etc etc.

The mind boggles! Half of their requirements insist on things which are forbidden by the new BASIX rules from the State government.....

If we scrap $2500 worth of drawings now and start again there is a good chance that in July it will again be outlawed.

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of NSW, you folk thinking of coming out here.

I wouldn't mind so much except that our standards are so much higher than 99% of the housing here - even that being built as we speak. They have no concept of energy efficiency, for example: double glazing is virtually unheard of. One of the new concepts is sarking the roof!

Christ - I've turned into Arkon, and all since 10am.....
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Old Apr 22nd 2006, 2:53 am
  #15  
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Default Re: Preparing to pack up and go back to the UK

Thanks for that. We have spent the night seething!

Until a year or two ago it was mandatory to plan for an integral garage here: now it is mandatory to have a detached one. Just who these people think they represent is beyond me. Everyone we have spoken to is in despair at the sort of things that are being insisted on.

The BASIX requirements brought in by Bob Carr (May Allah bless him appropriately) contain fundamental flaws and naive understanding of total energy and water usage sustainability and it's not made any easier by the local council requirements often being diametrically opposed to them anyway!

I have spent the morning writing a variation application which my draughtsman will put to the planners.
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