Revolutionising Homelessness with Sustainable Innovation Homelessness is a global crisis, and traditional construction—slow, expensive, and resource-heavy—cannot keep up. We need a solution that intersects sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and human dignity. The answer lies in our waste streams: repurposing scrap timber and GluBoard™  (a durable, laminated recycled cardboard) to create rapid, scalable housing. The Opportunity: Adaptive Reuse Construction sites generate tons

The best duplex mum could get. The two sons will live next door! Best Duplex Site with North facing backyard, few vegetation and wide site North side boundary and trees on nature strip as well as in and off site Front of property faces

Important Buyer Notice Some residential properties in Victoria are affected by single dwelling restrictive covenants . These covenants may legally restrict development to one dwelling, regardless of zoning or planning controls. A property affected by a covenant may: Not be able to be subdivided Not support dual occupancy or townhouses Require costly legal or planning action to remove restrictions What Buyers Should Do Before Purchase Before relying on development potential, b

Single Dwelling Covenants in Victoria – What They Mean and How They Can Be Removed Introduction Single dwelling covenants are a common and often misunderstood constraint affecting residential land in Victoria. They frequently arise in older subdivisions and can prevent subdivision or multi-dwelling development, even where zoning and planning controls would otherwise support increased density. This article explains what a single dwelling covenant is, who benefits from it, the

Try the VicFirst Interactive Feasibility tool for your Dual occupancy or Townhouse Project! Contact Swarup for a Detailed Feasibility and Quick Building Estimate before drawings are completed shown below.

Gehry's Bilbao Doshi's office/studio Doshi and Gehry: Two Pritzker Laureates, 95 Years of Architectural Purpose A Shared Belief in Architecture as a Human Act Few architects have lived as fully in their work as Balkrishna V. Doshi and Frank Gehry. Gehry, whose Guggenheim Bilbao defined the architecture of its era and continues to inspire today, passed away on December 5th. Both reached the remarkable age of 95, leaving behind bodies of work that have reshaped how we think abo

Maximise Your Moonee Ponds Property: Dual Occupancy & Duplex Opportunities with Moonee Valley Council Explore dual occupancy and duplex options in Moonee Ponds. Learn about suburb architecture, Moonee Valley Council rules, and how to unlock property potential with modern planning reforms. Moonee Ponds is an inner‑city suburb of Melbourne — about 7 km north‑west of the CBD — within the local government area of Moonee Valley City Council. With a population of around 16,224 (202

Fast-track your dual occupancy permit while ensuring your site meets all VC 288 and Clause 55 standards. Not every site will qualify, but the right one can save you weeks of waiting. Discover if your site qualifies for a VicSmart dual occupancy permit. We will check zoning, property title for any restrictive covenant, proposed setbacks, solar access, and Clause 55 compliance to fast-track your project.

Orientation, Super Wall Cladding, Energy Payback & Planning-Ready ESD Explained Super Sustainable Home Design in Victoria Client Brief: A Truly Sustainable Duplex for Long-Term Family Living A client approached us seeking a super sustainable duplex house design for her family that would be comfortable, efficient, and resilient for decades to come. In response, we proposed a double-storey home with four bedrooms, carefully planned zoned living areas, and primary living spaces

Understand the VicSmart pathway for two dwellings on a single lot Section 1: What is VicSmart? VicSmart is a simplified, fast-track planning permit process in Victoria. Key benefits: 10 business day decision timeframe No public notification required Limited discretion, reducing uncertainty Designed for low-risk developments like dual occupancies and certain two-lot subdivisions. Section 2: Who Can Apply? Sites in the following zones: GRZ, NRZ, RGZ, HCTZ, MUZ, TZ Proposal trig

Swarup Dutta — 250+ Permits Managed | Expert Planning & Design for Dual Occupancy and Residential Developments.

Duplex cost chart vs revenue chart Our off-market realty partners are presenting a superb duplex site opportunity in Bentleigh East—right in the coveted McKinnon School Zone . We completed a high-level feasibility, and the numbers are compelling: projected profit exceeds $400K . This rare off-market site is ideal for investors, downsizers, developers, or owner-occupiers seeking premium living in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held suburbs. A Modern Duplex Concept Designed fo

The new low-rise policy already makes redevelopment harder with mandatory tree canopy requirements. But when you add the Garden Area rules on top, the impact becomes even more severe. Developers are not just losing flexibility. They’re losing entire dwellings . A Real Project Example: 1056sqm Site → Lost One Whole Unit On one of our recent projects— a 1056sqm lot —the combined effect of: 20% tree canopy , and Garden Area  requirements resulted in the loss of one full townhou

10 to 20% of the site is devoted to tree canopies! The new low-rise policy has landed and buried inside it is a table most people will skip over—but developers can’t afford to. Table B2-7.1  now controls canopy requirements for small-scale residential developments like dual occupancies and townhouses. Here’s the headline requirement: Canopy Cover Requirement Sites 1000 sqm or less: 10% of site area Sites over 1000 sqm: 20% of site area On paper this looks harmless. In practic

These lots have North facing backyards and 3metre wide driveways Looking to unlock the hidden potential of your backyard? Dual occupancy subdivisions are one of the smartest ways to build property wealth. Whether you sell one or both dwellings or live in one while renting out the other, a dual occupancy project lets you generate passive income  and maximise your land’s value. I transformed my first home into a dual occupancy site, and the profits helped me invest in a second

Why a Development Compass? Every development journey needs clear direction: Will it stack up? Will it get approved? Will it build efficiently? At AU Architecture, we provide the structure that takes your development from concept to construction  — reducing risk and increasing return. No stress. No conflicting advice. No endless council delays. Duplex town planning approval Backyard dual occupancy Feasibility – Test the Numbers First We believe in setting your project up for s

In Victoria, planning permit delays are becoming one of the most significant risks to subdivision feasibility. Time doesn’t appear on plans or project spreadsheets — but it’s often the difference between a profitable development and one that simply doesn’t stack up. This is particularly relevant for projects requiring Subdivision and early Feasibility  review. Council Workload and Resourcing Are Major Causes of Delay Local government planning departments are experiencing: •

Victorian Planning Permit Workflow Why Do Victorian Planning Permits Take So Long? In Victoria, planning permit approvals now average around 140 days. When objections or complex referrals are involved, the timeline can extend beyond 300 days. In many cases, that means 10–12 months before construction can even commence. These delays have a direct impact on development feasibility, yield and project viability. Why Planning Takes Longer Today Council Workload and Resourcing • Co

The 2 Subdivision Killers Every Property Developer Must Know

Childcare Cost distribution chart CONSTRUCTION COST PLAN Childcare Centre – 130 Places (3 Levels, Victoria) Total GFA:  ~2,298 sqm Car Park:  29 spaces Site Area:  1,766 sqm 🔹 ELEMENTAL COST BREAKDOWN (2025 ESTIMATE) Element Description Unit Rate (AUD/sqm) Area / Quantity Cost (AUD) % of Total 1. Substructure Footings, ground slab, retaining walls $350 780 sqm footprint $273,000 6.2% 2. Superstructure Frame (concrete & steel), upper floor slabs $600 1,518 sqm upper floors $9