Development Application... Approved!!

It's been a while since our last post, but we blame Viktoria...she started in a new role at her workplace which has occupied most of her brain, leaving very little to do other things (like update this blog) with.
However... the good news is that yes, we have Development Approval!
Naturally (as we have discovered with many things on this journey), this wasn't a simple, straight-forward process.
Within a week of submitting the Development Application, we received a letter from Huon Valley Council requesting further information.
To quote from their letter, Council requested:

"An amended site plan that shows the dimensions of the available sight distance from the vehicular access point in accordance with Clause 5.1.2. Please note that where available site distance is restricted by variable horizontal or vertical road alignment or vegetation the dimensions provided should be supported by photographic or contour information."

Given that our one neighbour who would actually pass by our driveway isn't really 'high traffic', and we could probably hear them coming, Council's request was a little perplexing.
A plaintiff cry-out to Neal-the-Architect assured us that this was frustratingly normal. Donning his cape and superhero outfit, Neal went out to the site that afternoon to take the photos and resubmit the amended drawings.


Looking north from the access point



Looking southwest from the access point (car is 44.0 metres away)

Within the week, we had that magical piece of paper from Council which said that our application was approved.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we can start building... first we have to get Building approval from the Council as well.
To get one of those we need to:

1. submit detailed construction plans to an accredited building surveyor who will issue a Certificate of Likely Compliance

The Certificate of Likely Compliance indicates that the proposed work:

• is likely to comply with the Act, Regulations and the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
• has adequate fire protection measures put in place
• is capable of receiving adequate light and ventilation
• is properly provided with sanitary facilities
• provides for the safety of users inside buildings
• Meets all requirements of the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) (if required)

    2.  the detailed plans include:

• site plan
• floor plan
• elevations
• frame plan
• footings / piers / slab plan
• sections
• bracing
• plumbing and drainage plan
• internal
• external
• stormwater
• water tank location

    3. the footing and roofing plans need to be designed / stamped and certified by an engineer
    4. and there needs to be an Energy Assessment
    5. and because we are not on town water, we need a Special Pluming Permit

Viktoria and the Android need to coordinate their collective brains to finalise the wish list of fittings & fixtures for both the interior and exterior so that the detailed plans can be finalised (who knew there were so many toilets from which to choose?).
That requires a separate entry ...
But, because nothing goes smoothly, before any of the above can happen, we need to first get confirmation from Council that we won't be held personally accountable for the cost of upgrading the road to comply with the new building code (bushfire regulations).
That cost would simply be beyond us. If we don't get clarification, we may be in the position that we have built, but cannot get Occupancy Certification until we pay for the road to be fixed. And we don't have that kind of money (in any dimension or universe). Which would mean we would have to sell and try to start our lives again somewhere else...
So once again, we have left this in the hands of Neal-the-Architect, with the hope that we can continue on our journey, and not have to reconsider which direction we are heading.
As it is Armistice Day tomorrow, we will buy some poppies to support the returned soldiers, and try to keep things in perspective.
V&A