plan

Ph: 0439 465 441

Testimonials

Approval despite objection

“It sounds like we are heading towards a fantastic result” “Thanks again Helen on assisting us hitting a major milestone – DA approval.”

Central Coast waterfront [...]

"Thank you so much for your work. ... You have been a blessing to us and we could not have done this without you. ... [We] ... have always believed in finding the most skilled specialists for each project, and through [a local real estate agent] we found you. You led us along this journey, told us how to connect and who to connect to and through listening to your advice we reached our goal today ..."

Subdivision after a refusal

“I never thought we’d get it approved, but you persisted with both the staff and Councillors and we got there. Thank you.” The land was immediately sold at a big profit with the Development Consent!

Sydney-based investor facing [...]

"Thank you, wise counsel"

Hawkesbury client proposing [...]

Great result!!!! Well done!!!

New Central Coast Corporate [...]

"I am so glad we spoke. I feel we are now in safe hands for a difficult project."

Property protection

“Helen, this is fantastic thank you. Please do submit to Council, and I would be delighted if you would continue to monitor the situation.”

Sydney acreage buyers

"Your guidance about where to look, and what to look for, really crystallised our thinking. We are very happy with the waterfront 30 acres we have just bought."

Central Coast subdivider

"Thanks Helen for the information. You are certainly organised."

Central Coast client with [...]

"Excellent thanks very much Helen!"

Satisfactory resolution

“May I take this opportunity to thank you for involvement in this complicated matter which is now at a conclusion. There is no doubt that your assistance has been of immense help.”

Experienced multi-region [...]

"... You have patiently and skillfully sent info on the Central Coast Property issues for years, thank you.

You provide a great service to the area .... and for free!"

Central Coast client (lapsing [...]

"I can't thank you enough for the huge effort you personally put into achieving the successful outcome in the last two weeks. It was stressful for me but from the first time I spoke with you I knew I was in the most capable of hands. Your professionalism and never say die attitude is a very calming influence on your clients and I look forward to referring other people to your consultancy."

Central Coast developer ($6m [...]

"Thank you Helen for your efficiency: you promised the short-notice reports by c.o.b. today and they arrived during the morning, full of information."

Apparent breach by a [...]

"Once again I can’t thank you enough for your interest in this situation. It is certainly very distressing (and could have become very expensive)."

Central Coast client

Consummate professional

Central Coast activist for [...]

"Once again a well structured Newsletter and important for pulling urban planners and public interest groups together."

Application for a relocated [...]

"Thanks."

Building a portfolio

“You gave me strategic advice that I hadn’t heard in any of the investment seminars I’d paid good money for. It was well worth while having a couple of planning sessions with you.”

Central Coast acreage owner

“You have done it! ... (Council) said you hit the nail on the head.” (‘Challenging’ neighbours... Threatened Council breach action to cease.)

Subscriber

"A phenomenal job done with this newsletter, and right up to date with the Federal Budget."

Experienced multi-region [...]

"Great work …[on] this [>$6m] project; it is much appreciated and I look forward to working with you further"

Central Coast Business

"Many thanks for lodging the S4.55 application in such a short time frame and I am very impressed with your explanation in the letter which covers everything.

The 2 piece of good news is all because of you and thanks again for your assistance."

Long-term Central Coast [...]

Would you stand for the Board?

Central Coast landowner with [...]

"I really appreciate your support and level-headed translation of my concerns into a clear, formal and factual presentation …"

Central Coast Client (retail [...]

I trust you.

Pre-purchase uncertainty [...]

"you've overachieved, we can buy it now" "you have been an amazing help."

Architect for off-grid house [...]

Architect for off-grid house at Lower Portland

You have done a great job.

A builder and separately an [...]

"We love the way the newsletter keeps us informed"

Privacy protection

“You did a fine job for us and we are most grateful to you for your efforts. We would happily recommend you to other interested parties.”

Contribution requested for [...]

"Thanks so much Helen. You're a champion."

Another satisfied client [...]

"thank you very much Helen for meeting with us in Sydney and for all the great work you’ve done so far. You’ve put us in a strong negotiating position with our neighbour."

Central Coast Lawyer

Thanks. Great report.

Central Coast Real Estate [...]

"Awesome."

Central Coast property owners [...]

"I appreciated your involvement. ... You came highly recommended and we realize why."

Central Coast new waterfront [...]

"We are glad to be back on track, look forward to seeing this through, and are grateful to have you on the team."

Commercial site search

“Even if it was uncomfortable news for us, you told it like it is, so we could make our own decisions about taking the risk or walking away. You saved us money by avoiding a big mistake.”

Rezone then subdivide

“You protected our interests throughout. … Tactically skilful and technically knowledgeable, and you know the system. We relied on your skills and knowledge and we’ve obtained the desired result.”

Waterfront owner

"You’re good at what you do."

New Central Coast owners of [...]

"We have total faith in your work and service."

Subdivision battle

“You kept the Council staff honest by not letting them get away with a sloppy assessment that wasn’t fair and that had errors of fact. Then you tackled the Councillors! Well done.”

Central Coast client [...]

"Helen, thanks again, you were the best thing to come out of this whole episode I really appreciate what you did for us."

Central Coast client, selling [...]

"Thank you for your knowledge, focus and clear direction: you gave us confidence to stick with the process and do what it took to achieve our sale."

(Update...) "Thank you again for your kind assistance. Yes, we settled on ... We’re relieved, because it was such a drawn out stressful experience and now we can move on."

CC resident, national [...]

"You really know what you are talking about, and I deal with many Councils for our company’s properties"

Waterfront owner seeking 2 [...]

"You really know what you are doing"

Central Coast client on [...]

"Thank you again for such prompt service and high quality work. We will definitely be in touch soon to discuss the next steps"

Former Central Coast real [...]

"GREAT newsletter again. You have so much good info in all sections of the newsletter.."

Central Coast tradesperson

"Very impressive ...." Kindest Regards

Central Coast client [...]

"You gave us a lot to think about and the background research and information was really helpful. You have a thorough knowledge of all the planning and legal requirements, and are very professional"

Central Coast business person [...]

"Thanks again for a great, concise report."

Central Coast client [...]

"A quick email of thanks for your time today. You certainly do know your stuff!"

Waterfront owners with [...]

"...we do appreciate all you have and are doing for us re this situation. It has not been an easy task for you, and your preparation for Tuesday's site meeting was great, as has been all your other work."

Central Coast client [...]

"Thank you so much Helen for bringing this to a positive conclusion. ... If you ever require a reference for your outstanding work I am very happy to provide it."

Lower Portland off-grid house [...]

Lower Portland off-grid house developer (with steep land, Flame Zone, Koalas, flooding, incorrectly claimed EEC)

Brilliant response.  Brilliant.  … solid, watertight, fair but firm.

Central Coast waterfront [...]

"Thank you for your expertise in helping us to understand the workings of the Central Coast Council and your advice on the various options open to us."

Dual Occ. Consent

“Thank you for getting us where we are today … approval. We are very appreciative of this and we know we probably wouldn’t have got there without your skill and expertise.”

Sydney client looking to buy [...]

"... Your report was very useful in defining the risks and we sought this [extra specialist] ... advice to clarify things."

Pittwater waterfront client

"I have read your report. It's fabulously forensic. Thank you.."

Client

"We like your work on our subdivision. Would you work on another one for us, elsewhere?"

Sydney/Central Coast Client

"Helen – thanks very much for your email and all your hard work. It’s a tremendous result. I agree with you that working together ... gave us much leverage!"

Contact Us

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Recent Approvals and Projects

  • Advice on 2 rural residential properties, both pre-purchase, to clarify permissibility of client’s objectives
  • Assist with breach notice on rural residential property, leading to DA for house renovations, plus possible demolition/rebuild
  • Advice on approvable land use in industrial building
  • Resubdivision proposal (suburban)
  • Advice when owners built 2 unapproved structures as well as approved alterations; certifier correctly would not sign off
  • Rural residential: lengthy advice re illegal conversion of structure to avoid breach notice
  • Advice on tiny home for day use at health facility
  • Witness for defendant, Land & Environment Court rural residential matter
  • Subdivision of strata plan to separate 1 Torrens Title lot
  • Advice when certifier correctly refused to sign off on an additional unapproved room and additional footprint for house
  • Assistance with breach due to 2 unapproved dwellings on rural residential property
  • Add:  assistance with rural residential owner with noise complaint and unapproved building with unapproved land use
  • Add:  town planning advice about development on adjacent residential site in bushland vs resubdivision
  • Forthcoming CDC for C-zoned property’s dual occupancy with new building and renovations of existing
  • Advice on height limitations for medium density site near Sydney airport (3 limitations apply)
  • Site report on very large suburban lot with physical constraints re subdivision and development potential
  • Site report re dual occupancy potential
  • Review of non-compliant architectural design for lakefront house replacement
  • Advice about non-compliant and unapproved rural dwellings, bushfire threat
  • Site report with advice for very narrow lot to maximise number of small homes in 1 building, via CDC
  • Site report with future DA for industrial land uses on bushfire-affected bushland lot
  • Change of use – retail with technical difficulties due to food preparation consequences (air quality and acoustics); unapproved commercial sign
  • Liaise between owner and Council over breach (encroachment of building onto Council land) negotiated so breach not acted upon
  • Pre-purchase advice to neighbour vulnerable to adjacent redevelopment
  • Rural residential landscape plan including floodplain and dam extension (DA lodged)
  • Steep highly constrained conservation property, prepare applications for off-grid residence (Consent received)
  • Consent (December) for shop
  • Site report for Deferred Matter with subdivision and other development potential
  • Opinion re relocating light industry
  • Opinion re establishment of a new home occupation (also with off-site activities, which are exempt)
  • Site report for 2:4 lot suburban subdivision
  • Submission about neighbour’s greedy house extension
  • Dual occupancy proposal for heritage house and garden
  • Advice about house extension to improve ocean views
  • Advice about “regularisation” of multiple buildings with view to achieving dual occupancy and avoidance of a demolition order
  • DA for rural residential property with horses and vexatious neighbours
  • Advice on subdivision potential for heritage-listed residence
  • 2 applications for just-purchased non-compliant shop (Council has given incomplete advice to new owner)
  • Commercial and residential partial redevelopment after highway widening affects the property
  • Proposed addition to new industrial premises – seeking approval
  • Following advice about potential to expand existing house, forthcoming DA
  • Flood-prone site for new professional rural business
  • Mixed-use rural and conservation zoned land with lots of constraints, seeking approvals
  • Development potential report to assist an injured person return home with support (rural)
  • Extend jetty with conservation objectives (and much bigger boat)
  • New dwelling on steep constrained conservation property
  • Industrial premises approval and additional application
  • Amendment to commercial operation in RU1 zone, Jilliby – Consent granted
  • Advice leading to rectification and “regularisation” of unapproved structures (2 clients)
  • Advice on process for unapproved buildings plus proposed building (bush + clearing)
  • Master site planning, mixed-zone environmental/rural bushy block
  • Rural worker’s dwelling on primary production land
  • During purchase: advice on highly-constrained large suburban lots (bushfire, flooding, species, large minimum lot size)
  • Pre-purchase advice (acreage) to match clients’ objectives (commercial and residential)
  • Multi-component rural residence and eco-tourist facility on acres
  • Pre-development advice on multi-lot subdivision potential (flood and bushfire prone, suburban)
  • Assist with breach notice (business + residential; suburban)
  • Serious breaches by unco-operative owner, advice provided
  • Waterfront owners with access and neighbour problems
  • Incomplete rural mixed-zone subdivision for sale: advice to prospective purchaser (who walked away); then advice to vendors
  • Development potential report (subdivision, multiple dwellings etc.), 2 lots, mixed zones, conservation constraints
  • Pre-purchase advice on purchase of an acreage for a specific business (recreation + accommodation)
  • Acreage rezoning potential: advice in light of postponement of Council changes
  • Pre-purchase report regarding commercial use of acreage (multi-purpose)
  • Subdivision potential (strata vs Torrens; access; retain existing dwellings) (several clients)
  • Advice about permissible but unconventional land uses on acreages (2 clients)
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