As residential structures mature, and more so for those where maintenance has been overlooked, strata communities might contemplate redevelopment of the entire or partial edifice to ensure adherence to safety measures and to remain contemporary and efficient in today's market. This process necessitates a thorough understanding of building and development dynamics.

Furthermore, if a neighboring structure is slated for construction or a unit owner aims to execute structural modifications, the building and development procedure becomes crucial to the life of the strata community.

Though building and development legislation varies across states and territories, the process essentially follows a uniform structure:

Local area development is guided by environmental plans – always be on the lookout for novel plans in your vicinity, as everyone is entitled to input before they're finalized; By and large, local authority development approval is mandatory for the erection, structural alteration, or demolition of any structure, including auxiliary buildings and sheds. Excavations and the painting of heritage-protected properties also necessitate approval. However, even if something doesn't need development approval, such as it doesn't affect the building's structural stability, it might still require owners' corporation approval under the by-laws;

The subdivision of surplus land also mandates

development approval; Development applications with high impact may necessitate advertising, and objections can be lodged on numerous grounds including view obstruction, overshadowing, privacy invasion, encroachments, noise pollution, potential parking issues, and altering the streetscape or neighborhood's character. If an extra floor or two are added, the setback of the new level will significantly impact the building's street-level appearance. For major works, development approvals can cost up to $200,000 as they necessitate full-scale drawings and a multitude of expert reports, and they can take anywhere between 9 to 18 months, depending on the volume of objections and the complexity of the issues. If building and development work is being carried out to conform to fire and life safety orders, interim measures may need to be adopted to ensure the safety of inhabitants and visitors during this potentially lengthy and intricate process, and

The owner's corporation must consent to any development approval application, but their approval doesn't prevent the owners from objecting to the application – a concept that can prove challenging to elucidate to your owner's corporation meeting's 'naysayers'! Navigating this complicated arena, whether as the applicant or the objector, can be simplified with the aid of adept consultants who are tuned to the unique requirements of strata communities."