Project Location and Date: Byford, Western Australia | 2021
Client: Western Corporate
Services: Town Planning, Licensed Surveying, Engineering Surveying, Project Management
The Project Brief:
The Wungong Private Fields project involved the subdivision of a site situated in a challenging location bordered by a meat processing facility and a poultry farm. The subdivision design had to carefully consider the environmental and operational impacts of these adjoining land uses. Approval for the subdivision was originally granted in 2016, with a four-year validity period, plus a two year extension applied to the approval under State Government Covid-19 Legislation. When Harley Dykstra introduced the project to the developer, the approval was nearing its expiry date and it was clear that due to zoning and policy changes, a new subdivision approval (which achieved the same lot yield), would not be approved. The project needed to be completed within the extended timeframe of the current approval.
It was essential to negotiate with state planning authorities and local government to ensure all conditions were satisfied while adhering to strict deadlines. Supply chain delays in a post pandemic economic environment, along with water management, civil engineering and Western Power approval delays all added to the timing pressures of this project. Additionally, environmental constraints such as setbacks from Wungong Brook and bushfire management plans further complicated the project.
Our Involvement:
Harley Dykstra played a pivotal role in the success of the Wungong Private Fields subdivision, providing comprehensive services in town planning, surveying, and project management. Despite the adjoining environmental constraints (meat processing facility, poultry farm, Wungong Brook and the railway line), Harley Dykstra secured a positive subdivision approval.
Our team took responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the WAPC approval, including satisfying all the conditions of approval, obtaining clearances from the relevant agencies and finally endorsement of the Deposited Plan.
There were a number of factors working against the timely delivery of the project including: lengthy Urban Water Management Plan and Civil Approval processes, civil and material supply constraints in a post pandemic environment, and Western Power design approval and energisation delays. Early engagement with DPLH, Western Power and the Local Authority was key to having a clear understanding of the path forward with these timing constraints and ultimately this enabled us to lodge a Deposited Plan and Endorsement request with DPLH prior to the date of the expiry of the Subdivision Approval.
Due to the availability of materials, a bridge crossing the Wungong Brook was unable to be completed prior to Practical Completion. As such, an expert bushfire consultant (Daniel Panickar), had to be engaged to demonstrate to the Shire that an interim solution could be provided to facilitate the release of the lots, until such time as the bridge was constructed.
As part of the bridge design, Harley Dykstra provided key survey inputs to locate existing trees within the brook and identify the optimal location to construct the bridge, one which minimised the impact of the vegetation.
The bridge is now completed and provides a second way out in case of a bushfire, but also serves as an attractive pedestrian crossing for the locals.
During the implementation process, Harley Dykstra was able to achieve a further subdivision approval over one of the larger lots within the original WAPC approval.
This new approval required demonstration that a variation to setbacks stipulated under the new Government Sewerage Policy were acceptable. Detailed site testing and analysis was required, however, much to the appreciation of the client, this setback variation was approved and another lot was able to be created.
Wungong Private Fields - Project to Date:
Wungong Private Fields has achieved significant progress. The road reserves have now completed their 12-month maintenance period and the estate is completely sold out. New buyers are developing their lots and the estate is starting to be built out.
Despite the complex challenges posed by zoning changes, environmental constraints, and bushfire management requirements, Harley Dykstra’s meticulous planning and project management have ensured the subdivision has moved forward successfully. The project demanded that critical deadlines be achieved and they were, allowing lots to be released for sale.
Harley Dykstra remains committed to delivering high-quality town planning, surveying, and project management services even for challenging projects across Western Australia.
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