You can only be able to subdivide your piece of land if it passes the following essential five steps

1. Zone, Schedule & Overlay/s

You will need first of all to ascertain  which local planning state does apply to your property  and most of the times this is mostly known to eliminate some properties from the ability of being subdivided as some zones schedules and overlays are known to provide constraint to a  piece of land being subdivided. You can be able to confirm if your property qualifies by calling the town planning department of your local council.

2. Size of land

This info is usually gotten from copy plan attached to the title or essentially calculated and the minimum amount of land that is usually considered for subdivision is usually 600metres squared.

3. Building envelope

The building envelope usually refers to the actual area within the title boundaries that is legally and physically possible, the building envelope can only be affected by, the size and positioning of easements, Restrictive covenants, significant tress neighborhood amenities etc.

4. Neighborhood character strategic planning and precedent

This point usually relies on the council specific local neighborhood character and strategic policies that must be met in the first place for land subdivision to be given a go ahead. In this case the council is usually known to support property subdivision in good locations which have good access to a transport system, schools and shops .If the location of your land also has similar projects that you may want to develop then the council may give a go ahead for the land subdivision.

5. Clauses 55 and 56

This clause is usually the main of them all that will ultimately determine if you will be given the go ahead to subdivide your piece of land as it is usually the Victorian planning scheme

Clause 55 (two or more dwellings on a lot and residential building)-governing any proposed dwellings you wish to put on the site

Clause 56 Residential (subdivision).

A collection of all this  factors are usually the main determinant if land subdivision is given the go ahead as a miss in any of the five factors may result in the subdivision application being denied.

When you are planning to buy a large piece of land in Victoria, you would be certainly thinking of subdividing it. In such a case, your property will have to pass the following 5 tests: 1- Zone, Overlays and Schedule, 2- Size of the land, 3- Building Envelope, 4- Character of Neighborhood, 5- Planning Scheme

1. Zone, Overlays and Schedule

We can give you information on your property. There are subdividing constraints within some Zones, Overlays and Schedule. So, this information may be sufficient to your property from being subdivided.

2. Size of the land

Once you your subdivision application has passed from the first test, the next concern is the area of your property. The Copy of Plan along with your Title will tell you this figure. In a Residential 1 Zone, the rule-of-thumb optimal size for town planners is 300 Sq. m. Therefore, the minimum block size that has to be considered for subdivision is 600 Sq. m. So, if you are considering a land for dual occupancy development, it should be of minimum 600 Sq. m. area.

3. Building Envelope

This is the area inside the Title boundary where the construction can take place. The following factors can affect it:

1. Restrictive agreements
2. Size and position of easements
3. Crucially positioned trees
4. Nature assets
5. Structures or buildings that cannot be removed
6. Driveway issues
7. Neighbourhood amenities

4. Character of Neighbourhood

The Council could have put some Neighbourhood Character policies into place. In case your property is close to schools, shops and transports, such policies can be favourable for you. Another factor that can have a positive impact on your subdivision application is neighbourhood precedent.

5. Planning Scheme

You must consider all the above-mentioned 4 tests before creating any drawing work. Eventually, the approval for subdivision will be based upon your Council’s Planning Scheme.

Our special service on assessment of property development addresses all these aspects. We meet at the requirements for the best application possible. Contact us to get your FREE site assessment.