_Siting and Design Guidelines, Approved Building Envelopes and Memoranda of Common Provisions

Collie continues to have a significant role in the preparation and approval process for siting and design guidelines, approved building envelopes (ABE) and their associated MCP. 

The siting and design guidelines are self-explanatory but the ABE / MCP process can be complex and in all cases once approved, the ABE / MCP becomes a statutory document.  The main purpose of the ABE / MCP is to vary the dwelling siting and design parameters that would normally apply under clause 54 (planning schemes) and part 4 of the building regulations.  Some examples of such design parameter changes include increased lengths and heights of walls on boundaries, variations in allowable front and side / rear boundary setbacks of buildings and garage siting. 

The ABE is lodged for approval with the local Council and each ABE relates to a subdivision permit.  The MCP is mostly different from the ABE in name only but is required to be registered with Land Victoria and is then attached to each title for each relevant lot under the new subdivision. 

ABE / MCP are most commonly used in new growth areas where significant new development occurs.  Collie prepares such ABE / MCP for projects / clients throughout these growth areas.  The starting point for the preparation of an ABE / MCP is the plan of subdivision (supplied by the land surveyor) and engineering plans (prepared by the project consulting engineer).