Council Approval Service for a
Duplex
Call Us Today
1300 008 138
How Can We Help?
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Why Is A Dual occupancy Better Than A Granny Flat?
Five things you need to know from our CEO Colin Fragar
We help property owners turn their dual occupancy dreams into a reality by assisting them to get council approval. Founded in 1996, we employ ex–local government staff to give your development application the best possible chance. We know town planning law back to front and eat complexity for breakfast.
The dream you have for your dual occupancy is close; only thing is that dual occupancies (or adjustments to an existing one) will bring scrutiny from council – considerations such as whether the site is within a bushfire prone area, vehicular access and car parking, limitations to size of the dual occupancy, privacy issues and whether the dual occupancy can be strata subdivided, will be closely looked at.
Your first step is to give us a call on 1300 008 138 to establish whether you need council approval or if there is an easier avenue.
Do you need council approval?
When you give us a call, we will listen to your ambitions for your dual occupancy and will ask you questions to help us better understand the direction you want to head.
As the NSW planning system is complex and can be frustrating for property owners, our first step will be to see if there is a way we can fast-track the paperwork through a simplified application process. If a development application is found to be needed, we will provide you with the answers you need to make an informed decision to move forward.
The first step is to engage us to do an initial consultation (known as a preliminary planning assessment). This consultation will provide an expert opinion on whether council approval is needed and, if so, what the best avenue to maximise the chances of success is.
What People Say About Working With Us
So how does the process work?
Our proven 5-step process to achieving council approval for a dual occupancy is designed to enhance your success. Each step is designed to leverage our 40 years’ experience in dealing with council so that you can achieve council approval as quickly as possible.
Your Steps to Development Approval
Step 1 Free 15 min Consultation
Step 2 Preliminary Planning Assessment
Step 3 Pre-Lodgement & Concept
Step 4 Development Application
Step 5 Lodgement
Step 6 Post Lodgement
Step 7 Determination
What council rules do I need to comply with?
Some things to consider
We consult to many property owners. Some of the themes we see coming through in terms of local government compliance for a dual occupancy are:
1. Privacy – You have fantastic ideas for a dual occupancy, however your difficult neighbour has put in an objection to your proposal because it will overlook their back yard. Did you know that you can be given opportunity to address the objections received by council to your dual occupancy proposal before council makes a decision on the DA? But how do you go about addressing those objections on planning grounds?
2. Defining your development – Did you know your plan for dual occupancy is very similar to a secondary dwelling, but with differences? It may be that your site would be better developed as a secondary dwelling? How do you know the difference and what is council likely to support? What may seem like very minor details in your business plans could make the difference in the type of approval required.
3. Bushfire prone land – What do you do if your site is located within a bushfire prone area? Did you know that this may introduce other agencies into the assessment process, such as the NSW Rural Fire Service? What would you need to do to satisfy the requirement of the NSW Rural Fire Service?
4. Limitations to floor area – Your dual occupancy slightly exceeds the amount of floor area permitted under the council rules. This is because you have a smaller site area than other sites in the district. How to you address this non compliance with the council in order to get a favourable outcome? This is something you will need elaborate upon in the development application to show that exceeding the floor area for the dual occupancy will not have detrimental issues on neighbour amenity.
Every 4.5 days we achieve council approval for our clients.
We know what council is looking for… because we used to be employees of council!
What Experience Do We Have?
Here’s a sample of dual occupancies we have helped achieve council approval for:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t I organise the approval myself?
We fast-track your council approval process, saving you the time hassle and stress of doing it yourself. NSW has the most complicated planning system in Australia. In business, time is money. Get your dual occupancy running the way you want it as quickly as possible. We’ll leave the workout to you; leave the development approval to us.
Can I start trading without local government consent?
What many don’t realise is that when you don’t comply with town planning law, you’re actually breaking the law. We’ve come to the rescue of people faced with a $3,000 per day fine under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act NSW.
As a property owner, you need business certainty before investing in the fit-out and promotion of your dual occupancy. Don’t risk being closed down by council. Call us and engage us to do a preliminary assessment of your proposal.
How much does it cost?
Call our office on 1300008138 for a no-obligation discussion about the desired outcome you would like to achieve for your dual occupancy. Based on what you tell us about your proposal, we would be happy to provide a quote for what we feel your next step is.
Do you also prepare plans?
Yes, if needed. We have a dedicated team of three CAD designers plus additional architects to help turn your dual occupancy dream into a reality.
Want someone local?
Our family-run business is about connecting with clients. Our team live and work in the suburbs and towns you are in. We love ‘local’ as much as you do. It not only makes for better communities, but it also makes for better town planning and better dual occupancies.
Who Will Be Working On My Project?
Tracy Kriesel
Business Manager
With over a decade of experience in the property world, which includes working for the Australian Property Institute, Tracy has a wealth of knowledge and a love of all things property.
Max Fragar
Principal Consultant
Max, the guru and head honcho, is our principal consultant. With over 40 years experience he is regularly featured in the Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio, Domain and other media. He is a Registered Planner, Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and is one of Australia’s most experienced town planners.
John Gilbert
Director
John has over 30 years experience in the planning and building industry. This equips him with advanced insight into NSW planning legislation (the Kwi-Gon-Jinn of Town Planning)
How can we achieve council approval so quickly?
We’re the experts! We are at the forefront of our industry, and our time-honoured principles are based on 2,000+ projects. Our clients achieve council approval weeks or even months quicker than they would by just using a drafter, doing it alone, or asking the help of their cousin, because:
- We have professional relationships with staff within council.
- Professionally prepared documentation is proven to go quicker through council.
- We used to work within council, so we speak the same language.
We hire experienced ex–council staff that know the council approval inside out. We take the stress out of dealing with council so that you can get back to doing what you love.
Why We’re Trusted By Our Clients
- We employ ex-council staff
Having worked for council our team speaks the same
language as council staff. - Four decades of experience
Since the 1970’s our team has been helping people
achieve council approval. - Values
Founded on the shoulders of a father and son team, with old
fashioned values of integrity, respect & perseverance. - Local knowledge
Our consultants are based in the suburbs of Sydney
and regional NSW, so we can give you local knowledge.
- No job too small
We specialise on helping the average person on
achieving their dreams for their property or business. - We’re results driven
We get results with council. That’s why they call us the
“Council Approval Experts” - We make the path smooth
Leave the challenge of dealing with local government to the experts - We push the boundaries
By challenging the expectations of our industry we
believe we can redefine the value that we offer.
What Are The Chances Of Getting Development Approval?
We understand that knowing the probability of success with council from the beginning is important in making business decisions.
Over the last 2,000+ projects, we’ve learned a few things along the way. During the initial consultation, we will give you our opinion of the likelihood of consent so you know upfront whether it is worth you spending any time and effort in seeking consent for your dual occupancy.
Questions to ask your consultant…
- Did you once work within council? We speak the same language as council, as all of our team once worked within local government.
- How many decades of experience do you have? We are not a new start-up. We have been helping people achieve council approval for 40 years.
- What are your values? Our values of integrity, respect, and perseverance come from being founded on the shoulders of a father-and-son team.
- Do you have local knowledge? Don’t be fooled by our 1300 number. We serve the grassroots of the suburbs and towns that make up our great state of NSW.
- Are you a certified planner? Our town planners are all members of the Planning Institute of Australia, and within our team we have Certified Practicing Planners.
- Do you get results? You might have heard that we achieve council approval for someone somewhere in NSW every 4.5 days.
- How many dual occupancy approvals have your team handled? We draw on the experience of the past, having over 1400 projects on our records.
What Others Say
Feng Liang
Educator & Investor
‘Being from a non-English speaking background it was particularly important for me to find someone who took the time for me to understand the vision I had for the project.
Through every part of the process Fragar Planning is honest, keen and give good technical knowledge.’
Lisa Nicholls
Café Owner
‘I have a lot of ideas but I don’t know the rules and regulations. It is quite stressful to do it on my own and I didn’t want to waste anymore time.
Time is money. Having these guys with knowledge at their finger tips was very helpful.’
David Logue
Medical Centre Owner
‘Initially I thought I could do the DA myself. I soon worked out I needed someone with the right experience, know-how and time.
I would recommend to anyone who needs help with a new project and is out of their depth or don’t have the time.’
