Had a minor drama last week...Somebody complained to
DERM (the Department of Environment and Resource Management) about the tree-clearing we've done... They rang Benji and were pretty aggressive with him, saying we were in breach of the land clearing laws.
Panic stations - Had we done something illegal???!!!
When Benji called me to tell me I was pretty upset because it has been my job to do all the work relating to this... and I thought I'd had everything spot on...
- I had the approval letter from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency);
- I had the approval letter from DERM; and
- I had the verbal OK by council to clear a "reasonable amount" to allow access for soil tests and survey (because without these we can't get proper house design plans, and without house design plans we can't submit an application for a building approval).
So what was the problem with
DERM?!
Basically the council had nothing on record about their conversations with me, and part of the requirements in the
DERM approval letter was to have had "consultation with the local council". So when
DERM got the complaint and subsequently called council to ask about us, council had no record that we'd ever had permission from them verbal or otherwise. (Note: the
DERM letter did not actually specify that we needed written approval - so we were still
ok... weren't we?!?!)
So that's when
DERM rang Benji with guns blazing! The guy was pretty angry:
Benji: "Ah, um, well my partner has all the paperwork at home so I don't have it in front of me..."
DERM guy: "You don't NEED the paperwork! I AM TELLING you that you are in breach of the legislation!!"
yadda yadda yadda...
However, when we discussed it all again with the local council (the local guy was really lovely, thank god!) they were happy that we
had had these verbal discussions and were happy to clear it all up with
DERM. Moreover council is happy to put it all
in writing. (I guess they could also see how much effort we'd put into regarding getting approval from all the various departments, especially in relation to the Grass Trees and everything, and could see we weren't out to trash the place.)
Needless to say we're taking the council up on getting it all in writing! And our new rule is to get EVERYTHING in writing from now on!
So crisis averted! (And we've decided to get copies of all these approval letters, laminate them and tie them to a tree on our block, so if anyone else is thinking of complaining it can save them and the department the time and hassle!!!)
Next phase is the actual design process...We've found a local builder/designer,
Scott Bennie (who has his own architects), whose focus is on sustainability and use of environmentally friendly building materials and techniques. We've seen some of his work and I've met him and spoken to him a few times - It definitely sounds like he's on the same page as Benji and I and he's got some great ideas too...like using stone and timber from our block (may as well use what we've had to clear!) and positioning the house to maximise thermal efficiency etc etc.
He has all our ideas and "wish list" type stuff and we're just waiting on his first rough draught of a plan. It feels like things are just starting to come together!!!
