Project Location and Date: Youngs Siding, Albany, Western Australia | 2023
Client: Steve and Jayne Wood
Services: Town Planning, Subdivision Application, Advocacy with DPLH
The Project Brief:
Steve and Jayne Wood approached us with a challenging request: they wanted to remain on their farm, a property they had called home for over 15 years, while easing their financial burden. We recommended a homestead lot subdivision, enabling them to sell a portion of their land while retaining their homestead.
While we were progressing their subdivision application, the City of Albany introduced Local Planning Scheme No. 2 (LPS), which limited homestead subdivisions to specific zones—excluding the Woods’ property. This unexpected obstacle required a proactive response to safeguard their application.
Our Involvement:
We prepared a detailed submission to the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage (DPLH), challenging the restrictive zoning changes under the new scheme. After careful review, DPLH supported our submission, allowing the application to proceed to assessment. However, the process faced further hurdles.
DPLH raised concerns about compliance with bushfire management codes, and initial solutions to address these risks were rejected by both DPLH and the City of Albany. Collaborating with an external bushfire consultant and Harley Dykstra’s Project Management Consultant, Travis Dykstra, we explored multiple alternatives, finally proposing a creative solution involving access via a neighbouring property. This third approach gained approval from DPLH, securing the subdivision’s progression.
Our team played a pivotal role in guiding this complex project to success by:
Developing and submitting the homestead lot subdivision application.
Responding to new zoning constraints with a detailed and persuasive submission to DPLH.
Collaborating with bushfire planning experts to address risk concerns and propose alternative solutions.
Persistently liaising with DPLH and the City of Albany to ensure the subdivision's approval.
This process, spanning over 12 months, required innovative problem-solving and ongoing communication with stakeholders.
Subdivision Project Outcomes:
The successful approval of the homestead lot subdivision has enabled Steve and Jayne Wood to remain on their cherished property while meeting their financial objectives. This outcome was particularly rewarding, given the project’s complexity and the numerous challenges faced along the way.
Harley Dykstra’s commitment to innovative town planning and client advocacy ensured the Woods could continue living in their home, demonstrating our ability to deliver tailored solutions for unique client needs across Western Australia.
To read our Client Testimonial from this project, click here.
To find out more about Subdivision Approvals, click here.
