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.....