Town Planning in Victoria
We deal with Council so you don’t have to. We help navigate the planning permit process as smoothly and quickly as possible.
We help home owners, builders and architects make informed decisions from concept design through to approval.
In Victoria, the Planning & Environment Act 1987 and local Planning Scheme sets out the requirements for land use and development in Victoria. Often sites are affected by a complex set of planning controls that require expert interpretation to enable considered judgements to be made about the preferred development on land and process for approval and when to comply or push the envelope.
We love helping clients understand what they can and can’t do with their land and make the best decisions for their family. We’d love to help you, so please get in touch to see how we can help you get closer to your development dreams.
Looking for expert Town Planning advice?
DO YOU HAVE LAND AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN & CAN’T DEVELOP?
We can help you reach the best outcomes. Our experienced Town Planners will help you understand your options (including navigating Council red tape), so you will be empowered to make the best decisions for you and your family.
WE CAN HELP YOU…
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Assess your site
We review your site context, planning controls and neighbourhood character to help you understand what you can and can’t do.
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Guide your design
Council planning regulations will influence your design. We help clarify the expectations so you can design with confidence.
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Take care of it for you
We deal with Council so you don’t have to. We guide your Planning Permit application through the process as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Want personalised advice?
Book a FREE 20 min chat to see how we can help you decide how to proceed with your development plans.
HELLO.
We love helping people like you get the information you need on the Town Planning requirements and approval process to help you make great development decisions for you and your family.
We would love to chat with about how we can help with your personal project or help support your clients as a preferred partner.
We offer a highly personalised approach to navigating the Planning Permit process in Victoria which focusses on helping you realise your development dreams in a way that suits your circumstances.
Town Planning Services:
Preliminary Planning and Development Advice Letter for development, subdivisions + land rezoning
Preparation of Town Planning Reports for Planning Permit applications to Council
Management of Planning Permit application process through to decision stage
Dispute resolution, advocacy and negotiation
Full service preferred partner options for volume builders and architects/designers - we take care of your clients planning needs and provide regular support to your sales, design and building teams proving a seamless experience
Submit an Enquiry now
Let us know your situation by answering our key questions and we will be in touch to see how we can help you get the clarity you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
“I can highly recommend Urbankind. The approach is at all times responsive, diligent and professional making the process as smooth and simple as it can be”
Peter Walker, Walker Home Design
Still wondering how we can help?
These Case Studies demonstrate common problems we solve for our clients. Developing land can be an overwhelming process but it doesn’t have to be with the right team in place.
As well as managing the Town Planning Permit process we provide expert planning advice at the Due Diligence stage giving you peace of mind that you have the information you need to decide how best to realise your investment goals.
At times there are other legislative requirements that are not immediately apparent in the typical land searches or to a less experienced planner.
This case study highlights the importance of seeking professional advice early to avoid over valuing property based on an assumption you can achieve your desired outcome.
Approval pathways can be very different for the different development on the same land
01 CASE STUDY - IT ALWAYS PAYS TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCED TOWN PLANNER ADVISING WHEN INVESTING FOR YOUR IDEAL DEVELOPMENT
We saved a valued client from investing $1 million on a site that he couldn’t realise his dream of subdividing into 3 to provide houses for his children.
Dulan had put in an offer on a property in the West of Melbourne and was locked in a bidding war quickly escalating over $1 million . Having had no clear advice from the local Council confirming whether or not he could realise his ideal development plan for the site he contacted us to confirm his hesitations.
We had secured his Planning Permit for his holiday house the previous year so were thrilled to be able to help him again and set to investigate the situation.
Our initial strategic review suggested there might be a statutory buffer to the electricity infrastructure adjacent to the property as there was no development at all along this side of the housing estate despite the lot sizes being generous and providing ample room for additional houses to be developed. This is unusual so was the first red flag for investigation. As suspected, the site was affected by an electricity easement in favour of the local Energy provider and whilst the restriction was registered on the Title the prohibition of development within the easement was not outlined. In less than 24 hours we were able to confirm that this site was not going to be able to realise his dream and he successful withdrew his offer and saved himself from overvaluing the site and being stuck with land that would not meet his investment criteria.
“Thanks Claire, once again I really do appreciate what you did for us and rest assured we will be using you for any future investment deals.”
“Thanks Claire, having the Planning Permit taken care of meant my wife and I could focus on decisions on the extra bedroom versus extending the parents retreat.
We were amazed to have our permit approved in less than 4 months…almost unheard of in Anglesea.”
02 CASE STUDY - IT’S ALWAYS A SMOOTHER AND QUICKER PERMIT APPROVAL PROCESS WITH A GOOD TOWN PLANNER
We took the stress out of the town planning planning process for a busy School Principal to get his family in their holiday home sooner and we secured their Planning Permit in record time!
Danny had found his dream holiday home design, secured the perfect site in Anglesea and was excited for it to be built….until he found out he needed a Planning Permit. He started looking into it and was feeling overwhelmed by the complex set of planning overlays affecting the site and not sure where to start with the application process and didn’t have the time or headspace to take this on himself, luckily his builder, Hotondo Homes in Torquay recommended he contact us, as preferred partners we love helping get their clients in their homes sooner.
We helped secure his Planning Permit in record time for him by providing comprehensive Preliminary Planning Advice to inform the development of his Concept Plans, so they could design with confidence knowing the expectations from Council. Interpreting the requirements of the Approved Development Plan and Design Guidelines for the site, Neighbourhood Character Overlay, Design and Development Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlay and Bushfire Management Overlay helped ensure the design was compliant with the requirements.
Our experience securing Planning Permits on the Surf Coast helps us provide clear advice on how Council are resolving conflicts between the requirements of the multiple Planning Overlays that apply to the site.
Meet the team
Claire Baker
Founder + Director
Adam Cheyne
Director
Follow us for tips on making your planning journey easier.
