Town Planning

Private practice town planning firms are largely based on urban planning firms that had some grass-roots involvement with the local council, and after serving their time, have gone out on their own to provide services to the public.

Most private planners have absolutely no "Building Design" experience or background, and rely solely on their ability to interpret the council planning scheme wording, which is often fine.

We believe that the design outcome is just as important, and when we design a building or renovation, we automatically make sure that it will comply with the planning regulations, and advise where it might trigger assessment, and of course, whether it can be approved.

Often I am called to a project where another designer has provided drawings that simply cannot be built under the planning scheme, and the home owner is left with useless plans.

Every project needs to work in synergy with the surrounds, comply with a myriad of regulations, and of course meet its intended purpose, which in most cases involves looking good, being economical to build and providing the best resale value either now or in the future.

If your planner is not a "Designer", your design outcome might not satisfy all of these requirements.

Town Planners have a valid place on bigger projects, where they work in a team environment with Designers, Engineers, Project Managers and other professionals. For smaller projects, they are not your only option.

Owen Batchelor (principal Designer), has been working with SEQ councils since 1987, and was involved in early industry consultation for the new Brisbane Cityplan prior to inception in 2000, and several industry review meetings since.

We have been preparing, lodging and managing all of our own Development Approvals for well over a decade and have had great success.

... Character assessments and small lots.

... Multi-unit dwellings and apartments.

... Commercial and Industrial (even brothels)

... Demolition of Queenslanders (not so popular)

East Coast Building Design also provides this service to other designers, and makes a point of working through design options early in the process, helping the designer to put forward a more professional outcome to their customers.

Partnerships between designers is just as rewarding as working with our own clients, and we often end up being much cheaper than the specialist planners we directly compete with.

Why pay more, when you don't need to?

Give us a call, and see how we can help you!

Basic Character Assessments start from as low as $1500 and where advertising signs are required, we provide those ourselves as well.