We get it, the thought of subdividing can be daunting, with questions that spring to mind, do I have enough space, what happens to my existing house, what do I need to do, my neighbour did it so why can’t we?

So in this piece, we want to strip the Victorian subdivision process back and simplify the steps of what is required to get started, allowing you and your family to start the conversation, as to whether this is a potential option for you.

Here are the initial steps we undertake when a client asks us these questions, and today we share our high-level approach with you.

Review the Planning and Title controls

We do this by reviewing the site-specific zoning and overlay control, ensuring we refer to any schedules of these controls to determine if a subdivision is possible.

We also undertake a review of any strategic documents, such as the Local Housing Policy to understand the strategic needs and justification for subdividing on your site.

Within this process we also refer to the land title, to determine if there are any easements, covenants or restrictions that may impact the ability to subdivide.

Assess your site and Proposal

We can do this one of two ways. Initially, we undertake a desktop review, assessing our up-to-date aerial mapping, and review your site in context to the surrounding area. If we require a more detailed understanding we undertake a site visit and understand the current challenges and opportunities on the ground to inform a potential proposal

During this stage, you may also decide that you may want to design your own home or property on the proposed lot/s and we can undertake an assessment to advise of the feasibility of such a proposal.

Get you in contact with a surveyor, drafter or Architect

If our initial review determines a subdivision is an opportunity we will help you get in contact with a land surveyor, or designer to help draw up some potential options. This stage is critical and can inform a go or no-go approach, as we seek to determine potential lot sizes, access, impacts on neighbours and a range of matters to provide a recommendation as to how to best proceed.

We get started on your planning approval

So if we get through these initial steps, and you have a plan or concept of subdivision, the Urbankind team can help with your planning approval through your local government. Within this process, we undertake an assessment of your proposal against the site, surroundings and neighbourhood characteristics, address key planning assessment controls such as Clause 56 and see your proposal through to decision.

If you are proposing to obtain approval for a dwelling on the newly formed lot, we can also assist with this, and in most cases concurrently seek both approval for the subdivision and the new dwelling at the same time.

So what’s next?

Once you get your planning permit, your licenced land surveyor will lodge your application to the Titles Office and register the plan of subdivision. This stage can be quite legal and has a number of implications for each of the lots you propose, and recommend you also engage a conveyancer or a legal representative to support your final lodgement of the plan of subdivision at this stage.

We hope this summary helps shape your discussions with family, colleagues or friends, on how to get started on the planning process to subdivide your property. Please reach out or book a time with our team if you have any questions or want to take us up on our 20-minute free advice we offer all new clients.

Making sense of the Victorian Subivision Process