60 Kennigo Street, Spring Hill – Subdivision, Project Management and Plan Sealing

The proposal wasfor a 2 into 2 subdivision, due to Council owning an Access Restriction Stripat the Grenier Street frontage of the site.  A prelodgement meeting anddiscussions were held with Council to gain in-principle support for thesubdivision to lot sizes less than the Acceptable Outcome, to gain Councilconsent for the lodgement of the application (as they were the owner of one ofthe lots) and conversion of the Access Restriction Strip to road reserve.

Approval was dulygranted, with conditions requiring earthworks, road dedications and easementsfor stormwater infrastructure.  Both adjoining properties possessedretaining walls near to the common boundaries, hence close liaison with saidneighbours was necessary during the required excavation works.

As a result of ourproject management of the works, the proposal was eligible for Council’sSealSMART fast-tracking process, with the plan being sealed by Council in only 4business days from lodgement, with no further issues requiring resolution.

An Infrastructure Designation is an opportunity to designatepremises for the development of essential infrastructure and services, quicker,at lower cost and without risk of appeal. Since the introduction of the PlanningAct 2016, private entities can request for infrastructure designation,where previously only public sector entities could request these designations.Schools, hospitals and sporting clubs can be allocated as a designation. Wherea proposed designation is considered low Impact, the Minister has the authorityto further streamline the assessment process reducing the assessment time frame.Notable benefits of a Infrastructure Designation include:

• Time Frame: Assessment time frame is generally shorter for significant projects given the higher level and principle-based assessment process.
• Cost: There is no application fee and no applicable Infrastructure charges for certain developments.
• Appeals: There are no third party appeal rights to infrastructure designation decisions (though there are no applicant appeals).
• Flexibility: Approval relates to a development envelope as opposed to a detailed plan(s), allowing the proposal more flexibility in terms of design and siting into the future.
• Approvals: No further planning approvals are required for the scope of works approved in the Infrastructure Designation. Approval to carry out building work under the Building Act 1975, and operational works approved to carry work outside of the site’s boundaries are still required.