Surf Coast Approves Single Dwelling Permit Application!

A recent town planning approval along the Great Ocean Road in Aireys Inlet demonstrates the importance of carefully responding to coastal planning controls when designing a single dwelling in a highly sensitive landscape setting.
The site, located within the Surf Coast Shire, required a planning permit due to a combination of planning scheme overlays that apply to coastal and environmentally sensitive areas. These controls typically relate to neighbourhood character, landscape impact, vegetation protection, and the visual sensitivity of development when viewed from surrounding areas.
Our role as both town planners and designers was to prepare a proposal that responded appropriately to these constraints while still achieving the client’s brief for a functional and contemporary single dwelling. From the outset, the design approach focused on reducing visual bulk, working with the natural slope of the land, and ensuring the dwelling sat comfortably within the surrounding coastal environment.
Careful attention was given to building siting, setbacks, and material selection to ensure the proposal aligned with the character expectations of Aireys Inlet and the broader Great Ocean Road precinct. The objective was to achieve a design that felt integrated rather than imposed on the landscape.
We managed the full town planning application process with Surf Coast Shire, addressing relevant planning considerations and responding to Council feedback during assessment.
The application was ultimately approved, allowing the single dwelling to proceed as proposed.
This outcome highlights the value of combining town planning and design expertise, particularly in coastal locations where environmental and landscape considerations play a central role in decision-making.