Last week, my client GK informed me that construction would be commencing soon on a project I managed from feasibility through to planning approval. The site comprised two lots, combined to create a 1216 sqm parcel in what was then a Residential Growth Zone (RGZ). Through a carefully considered design response, we obtained approval for nine dwellings arranged around a central driveway. A Design That Worked Harder The proposal was designed to balance yield, liveability and sit

A Striking Entrance with Smart Home Technology The home creates an impressive first impression with a grand double-door entrance opening into a dramatic void. At its centre, a Venetian plaster spiral staircase provides a sculptural focal point while connecting the different levels of the residence. Smart home automation adds convenience throughout the property, allowing residents to remotely control the lighting and blinds. This integration of technology supports both everyda

VC 315 makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to introduce a series of refinements to the residential development requirements at Clauses 54, 55 and 57 to improve clarity, consistency and environmental performance across the residential codes. The amendment also makes changes to Clause 52.37 (Canopy trees) to improve the operation of the provision. Amendment VC315 – key changes by clause Clause / Provision What VC315 changes (new matters) P

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) FAQs: A Practical Design Guide for Developers Planning an SDA development but unsure what can be built, which design category applies, or what your architect needs to consider? Specialist Disability Accommodation, commonly called SDA, is housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA incorporates features intended to help residents live more independently while enabling other supports to be deliv

The new Clause 55 The New Clause 55 in One Sentence From 31 March 2025, Clause 55 of every Victorian planning scheme operates as a deemed-to-comply code for two or more dwellings (and residential buildings) up to and including three storeys in the NRZ, GRZ, RGZ, MUZ, Township and Housing Choice/Transport zones: meet the standard and the objective is met; miss it and you’re back to a merits assessment with full objection rights. How Many Standards Must You Satisfy? Under the r

What Is SDA? ​ Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is purpose-built or modified housing for NDIS participants with very high support needs. It is funded through eligible participants’ NDIS plans and must meet the NDIS SDA Design Standard before a dwelling can be enrolled. ​ Four Design Categories ​ Improved Liveability People with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment require clear layouts, improved wayfinding, visual contrast and enhanced accessibility. ​ Fully

Application lodged on Friday, 04/09/2026. Permit issued for an Industrial Building on Tuesday 08/09/2026. Industrial Building Permit Secured Despite Site Constraints. A planning permit was issued on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, for a new industrial building—just four days after the application was lodged on Friday, 4 September 2026. Although the proposal was relatively straightforward, the site presented several practical challenges that required careful planning and coordinati

BADS stands for Better Apartment Design Standards. It is Victoria’s framework for assessing the design and liveability of apartment developments. The standards address important issues such as apartment layouts, daylight, ventilation, private and communal open space, building setbacks, energy efficiency, privacy, storage, waste management and accessibility. Although the term BADS is still widely used, current apartment assessments are generally prepared against the relevant V

What Does a Subdivision Permit Require? A subdivision permit allows a property to be legally divided into separate lots. While approval is a major milestone, it is not the end of the process. The owner must still meet planning, engineering, drainage, infrastructure and legal requirements before the new titles can be created. The mixed-use project comprising a childcare centre, retail premises and residential development—each on its own proposed lot—was approved by Council. We

Every property development journey needs clear direction. Will the project be financially viable? Can it obtain planning approval? Will the design be efficient to build? Most importantly, will the finished development deliver the return you expect? At AU Architecture, we provide the structure, strategy and technical expertise needed to guide your project from initial concept through to construction and completion. Our integrated approach helps reduce development risk, avoid c

My clients engaged me to design their new home by the beach on a vacant site with several significant constraints, including flooding, a restricted development area and an existing covenant. The project reminded me of a beach house I had previously secured approval for and later owner built. That site had a creek running through it, extremely poor soil conditions and strong initial resistance from Council, which maintained that the land could not be developed. After a two-yea

Emerging Building Materials That Could Transform Construction The building industry is entering a period of material experimentation. Researchers, manufacturers and designers are developing products that are lighter, more adaptive, more energy-efficient and, in some cases, capable of responding to their surroundings. Some of these materials are already available in limited commercial applications. Others remain at the laboratory, prototype or early-market stage. Their future

Granny flat Living If your backyard is too small for a second townhouse, a granny flat may be a more practical alternative. In Victoria, a granny flat is generally called a small second dwelling. It is a self-contained residence of up to 60 square metres located on the same lot as an existing home. It must include a kitchen, bathroom and toilet. Why choose a granny flat? A conventional townhouse usually requires additional car parking and suitable vehicle access to the backya

Swarup's own dual occupancy subdivision A dual occupancy project in Victoria can be a smart way to unlock land value, create housing flexibility, or generate rental income. But success depends on choosing the right site, understanding the planning controls, and following the correct approval pathway from the start. 1. Feasibility First Before spending money on design, confirm whether the site can support two dwellings on one lot. This means checking zoning, overlays, minimum

There is no single minimum land size for a dual occupancy subdivision in Victoria, unless specified in the Council's Planning Scheme. Instead, councils assess each site based on zoning, overlays, frontage, access, private open space, and overall design feasibility. In many cases, a typical mid- to outer-ring suburban block of around 500 to 600 square metres or more offers the best chance of approval, although some smaller sites may still be suitable depending on the local pla

In high-demand suburbs, the planning constraints are often tighter—but so are the rewards. Some of the most profitable development outcomes come from sites that others overlook due to complexity. Two recent projects—one in Yarraville and another in St Kilda—demonstrate how strategic planning, design precision, and a deep understanding of Victorian planning controls can unlock exceptional outcomes. Yarraville Duplex on a Narrow Lot The first project involved a dual occupancy d

If you are considering subdividing land in Victoria, the real question is not just how much it costs — it is whether your site can be subdivided profitably and without costly surprises. The total cost can vary significantly depending on zoning, overlays, site conditions, drainage, access, location of services and council requirements, which is why a quick estimate is often misleading. For many owners, the biggest mistake is focusing only on planning fees and overlooking the l

LAND DATA Thinking about adding a second dwelling, extending your home, or starting a townhouse project in Melbourne? The planning permit process can feel confusing, but the rules have changed significantly over the past year, and those changes could affect your project timeline, cost, and approval pathway. The key question is not just what you want to build, but also where your property is located and what controls apply to the land. In Victoria, the three biggest factors ar

Finding the right property information in Victoria should be simple, fast, and reliable. That’s exactly what DuttaAi LAND DATA is built for — enter any Victorian property address and instantly access key site data, including zoning, council details, and more features to come. This new tool is designed to save time for developers, planners, architects, and property professionals who need a quick first-pass site assessment before moving into deeper due diligence. More features

Melbourne homeowners are rethinking what their land can do. As blocks get smaller and property values keep rising, the old question of whether you need a big backyard is giving way to a more practical one: can your land support a second income-producing home? For many owners across Melbourne and wider Victoria, the answer may be yes — but only if the site, planning controls, and design all line up. A well-planned dual occupancy can create rental income, improve land efficienc