FAQ 106 How do I go about doing a subdivision?
The process of subdividing a block of land varies greatly across the states and between the local councils that make up each state.
Each council has its own TOWN PLANNING SCHEME which defines the building densities in various areas together with the specified use of land in those areas.
The best place to find the documented town planning scheme is on the council website.
It is worth mentioning here that if you cannot locate the information that you want on the council website then pick up a phone and call the council and ask for assistance.
With most processes which you undergo, if you wish to drive each step of the process yourself, you will have to learn what each step is and how to handle it. This will come from simply asking the persons involved at each step for their input. A list of the possible steps can be found under SUBDIVISIONS CHECKLIST ( DOWNLOADS section)
The alternative approach to handing the entire process yourself is to employ someone who has the skills and training to act on your behalf for a fee. These professionals are usually Surveyors who offer a ‘turnkey’ service. They will process all of the steps required to be made for a fee in addition to the fees normally charged by the authorities.
Just google ‘Subdivision Specialist Xxxxxx’ – where xxxxxx is the area of the subdivision to locate such a professional.
Here is an example of doing a search for a subdivision specialist in NEWCASTLE:
