Outcome
Refusal overturned, permit granted
Frankston City Council and Melbourne Water rejected the initial permit due to concerns about:
- Flood risk under the Special Building Overlay (SBO) (source).
- Inadequate flood mitigation measures, including floor levels and drainage impacts.
- Potential obstruction of floodwaters due to filling and construction.
How Property Change Assisted with the VCAT Appeal & Consent Orders
After the refusal, Property Change Town Planners, played a key role in securing the permit through VCAT and consent orders by:
- Addressing SBO & Flood Risk Concerns
- Discussed the matter with flooding experts.
- Ensured open space retention to maintain flood storage capacity.
- Limited land filling to prevent water flow obstruction.
- Securing Approval via VCAT & Consent Orders
- Provided flood studies and expert reports to support compliance.
- Negotiated compromises through consent orders to satisfy Melbourne Water & Council concerns.
- Demonstrated that modifications aligned with Frankston Planning Scheme & SBO regulations.
Outcome
Thanks to these expert reports, VCAT overturned the refusal, granting the permit while ensuring flood resilience. This case highlights how proactive modifications and expert planning advice can lead to successful permit approvals despite initial refusal.