Waiting, waiting, waiting ...
Still waiting on solicitors before we can get things moving. Doesn't help that he only works three days a week.
In the meantime, I got the fee proposal from the engineer I mentioned a couple of posts back, but it didn't include everything I asked for. We want a preliminary report on sewerage and stormwater to lodge with the DA application and will then get the full designs done once we have DA and lodge the operational works application. They also haven't quoted on preparing tender documents and and preparation of the operational works application or contract administration. I wanted to get them to quote on these things and then decide whether they are worth doing ourselves. On the one hand, I don't have the experience, so it may even be cheaper paying them to do this stuff rather than mucking it up and costing money in delays, but on the other hand, it would be good experience if I do find I like the development thing and want to do some more in the future. Does anyone know how hard it is to learn how to prepare and lodge IDAS forms or prepare tender documents? Anyway, I rang on Friday and but the engineer was busy and didn't return my call, so I am waiting on that too.
I also got in touch with Ergon and they sent an application form for network connection services. However, the application needs a copy of the council approval notice, which of course we don't yet have, but I was wanting some info from them to help in deciding on the lot layouts, which we need before putting our application into council, so I'm in a bit of a catch 22. Anyway, I rang the phone number on the form, which is just an answering machine, so I still waiting for them to return that call too.
Basically, there are three power poles currently along the street, which would fall about 8 m from the boundaries of our original layout (option 1). I had the thought of changing the layout a little so the lots coincide with the poles (option 2). I then had the idea that we could maybe even squeeze an extra block out of the subdivision if I steal some more land back off mum's block (option 3). We would run into the problem with the power poles again, but I reckon that the extra block should net an extra $100k or so after the extra costs, so it is well worth considering. This would put the power poles smack bang in the middle of three of the lots. Shifting them may get tricky, as they service the houses over the road. Also not sure whether council will require underground power to the lots, or whether overhead power will be okay with it being an infill development. Overhead power would still require two extra poles anyway, plus the poles couldn't be away from the boundaries as the wire can't encroach on a neighbouring lot. Mum is warming to the idea of the smaller lot for the relocated house, but may need to get council approval to have the garage (to be built) closer than the usually required 6 m setback from the front boundary. Mum's preferred location for the garage in from the Scott Street side to minimise driveway area and have it close to the kitchen. She saw a draughtsperson yesterday who said that council generally won't give approval for a closer setback if the garage can be located elsewhere on the property, so she went in to council to get their opinion, but the guy she needed to see wasn't there, so she is waiting for him to get back to her.
If anything, I guess this development business sure requires a lot of patience!!
Still waiting on solicitors before we can get things moving. Doesn't help that he only works three days a week.
In the meantime, I got the fee proposal from the engineer I mentioned a couple of posts back, but it didn't include everything I asked for. We want a preliminary report on sewerage and stormwater to lodge with the DA application and will then get the full designs done once we have DA and lodge the operational works application. They also haven't quoted on preparing tender documents and and preparation of the operational works application or contract administration. I wanted to get them to quote on these things and then decide whether they are worth doing ourselves. On the one hand, I don't have the experience, so it may even be cheaper paying them to do this stuff rather than mucking it up and costing money in delays, but on the other hand, it would be good experience if I do find I like the development thing and want to do some more in the future. Does anyone know how hard it is to learn how to prepare and lodge IDAS forms or prepare tender documents? Anyway, I rang on Friday and but the engineer was busy and didn't return my call, so I am waiting on that too.
I also got in touch with Ergon and they sent an application form for network connection services. However, the application needs a copy of the council approval notice, which of course we don't yet have, but I was wanting some info from them to help in deciding on the lot layouts, which we need before putting our application into council, so I'm in a bit of a catch 22. Anyway, I rang the phone number on the form, which is just an answering machine, so I still waiting for them to return that call too.
Basically, there are three power poles currently along the street, which would fall about 8 m from the boundaries of our original layout (option 1). I had the thought of changing the layout a little so the lots coincide with the poles (option 2). I then had the idea that we could maybe even squeeze an extra block out of the subdivision if I steal some more land back off mum's block (option 3). We would run into the problem with the power poles again, but I reckon that the extra block should net an extra $100k or so after the extra costs, so it is well worth considering. This would put the power poles smack bang in the middle of three of the lots. Shifting them may get tricky, as they service the houses over the road. Also not sure whether council will require underground power to the lots, or whether overhead power will be okay with it being an infill development. Overhead power would still require two extra poles anyway, plus the poles couldn't be away from the boundaries as the wire can't encroach on a neighbouring lot. Mum is warming to the idea of the smaller lot for the relocated house, but may need to get council approval to have the garage (to be built) closer than the usually required 6 m setback from the front boundary. Mum's preferred location for the garage in from the Scott Street side to minimise driveway area and have it close to the kitchen. She saw a draughtsperson yesterday who said that council generally won't give approval for a closer setback if the garage can be located elsewhere on the property, so she went in to council to get their opinion, but the guy she needed to see wasn't there, so she is waiting for him to get back to her.
If anything, I guess this development business sure requires a lot of patience!!