Building restrictions
I am very excited about Russell Island. If we buy a block of land, is there a time limit as to when and what you have to build? I'm asking because my husband and I are currently living in USA and will be returning home in 4 years. We would like to buy a block of land, now, but wait and build when we return. We think buying an existing home and renting it out could be too troublesome, with not being in the same country to keep an eye on the property. We will retire when we get back, so the peace and tranquility of island living is great for us. Are they many sandflies, or only in the summer months near the waters edge?
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amandaw29
Hi Veronica. Try Mat Richardson Builders. Great quality, reputable trustworthy builder. http://www.matrichardsonbuilder.com.au
2yrs+
markw20
buildersbrisbane.com
I design custom homes and have a range of plans, one stop shop from design, approvals and build.
I design custom homes and have a range of plans, one stop shop from design, approvals and build.
Oct 13, 2019
kirstyw12
Markw20 hi, just bought a block of land on Lamb Island. Would be interested in talking design/build with you, what is your email pls.
Oct 13, 2019
christine-vendittic
Ive lived on russell many years ago planing on buying house allready built next year owning it outright carnt wait to return
Oct 11, 2020
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fredj2
Hi Ajones where would you be able to get information on queensland building
laws if find the redland city council site to be quite difficult to navigate for that information. frames
laws if find the redland city council site to be quite difficult to navigate for that information. frames
2yrs+
markw20
Hi Fredj2, I'm a Builder, what would you like to know specifically. If you have a block of land, I offer a free land evaluation report. It will give you a report on the infrastructure available, the overlays applicable and the aprox size of house you can build allowing for an onsite sewerage system. Once you have been given a BA, Building Approval it has a life span of 2 years, but can be extended for an additional fee.
Oct 14, 2019
craigd2
Mark W20, Hi Craig here I'm currently looking at an option to rent to buy a block which has a bus and van on it already. I'm not allowed to live in these unless I am building a house myself is that the case? I was hoping with help from friends and family to build myself but my back is gone and I am 45 and unfit due to the injury. It would be a dream come true if I could make this happen, it has a power pole and been surveyed, I'm just a battler and looking for any advice I can get on what constitutes a liveable dwelling on Russell Island.
Regards Craig
Regards Craig
Apr 12, 2020
kareno13
Unfortunately you can not build whatever you want on Russell Island. If you just go by the QLD building Laws you will be sadly mistaken when you come to plan submission with RCC. Each Council has over riding laws and in the case of the Moreton Bay Southern Islands governed by Redlands Council they have other regulations you should be aware of. As for Koala this is an interesting issue it is known that the last sighting of Koala was over 40 years ago. So why are we paying fees? The size of land does not determine the size of house you are able to build. The size of house including number of bedrooms/WC and more importantly the number of people able to inhabit your house on a full time basis is determined on the soil test and therefore what septic system and size of run off is required. Our 500m2 block can only have a 1bed 1bath 2 people living in the premises. The septic run off is over 60m2 then you need to take in the allowances from boundary, house, driveways or and other structures it takes up a lot of your land. Then it comes to the size of house you can build. The cost for AES Eco system is $7k to install by licensed plumber and $4.5k for unit. Do not talk to RCC about Green Toilets, it is not in their vocabulary. So we can only build a 1 x1 great, so tiny house is an option thats a great option for us as a retired couple ...
until you see councils laws about building under 60m2 and the extra fees and then the chance of being held accountable for a bond up to 120% of your total build being held by council until your build is completed and aesthetically approved. You can build a shed after you have building approval and this is to be used as storage for materials etc ... not for living. You can apply for living in a caravan on site whilst building etc ... but there are many hoops to jump through on this one and you have 12 months only. You can not clear your property until building approval DA is completed. This means anything over the diameter of 15cm is to be left. Once you have building approval you can then apply for water and electricity to be connected. Now heres another whammy ... if the water and power are not on your side of the road make sure you budget for $ we know of a resident (new) charged $6700 for water connection to the block, the average is $1800. Put your own power pole in at legal height just inside your boundary and if the power is on your side of road it should be free. You then pay for your electrician to connect to the dwelling. Hope this helps a few of you to know the hidden costs of building on the islands. There is of course many more transport, lack of available trades when required ... please go in with your eyes open, dont let your dream become a nightmare
until you see councils laws about building under 60m2 and the extra fees and then the chance of being held accountable for a bond up to 120% of your total build being held by council until your build is completed and aesthetically approved. You can build a shed after you have building approval and this is to be used as storage for materials etc ... not for living. You can apply for living in a caravan on site whilst building etc ... but there are many hoops to jump through on this one and you have 12 months only. You can not clear your property until building approval DA is completed. This means anything over the diameter of 15cm is to be left. Once you have building approval you can then apply for water and electricity to be connected. Now heres another whammy ... if the water and power are not on your side of the road make sure you budget for $ we know of a resident (new) charged $6700 for water connection to the block, the average is $1800. Put your own power pole in at legal height just inside your boundary and if the power is on your side of road it should be free. You then pay for your electrician to connect to the dwelling. Hope this helps a few of you to know the hidden costs of building on the islands. There is of course many more transport, lack of available trades when required ... please go in with your eyes open, dont let your dream become a nightmare
Feb 14, 2021
eoinz
Re the above statement:
'As for Koala this is an interesting issue it is known that the last sighting of Koala was over 40 years ago'
... that is incorrect. I m reliably informed by various government entities, a Russell Island conservation group, and informed Russell Island residents that there is NO official record of any koalas EVER residing on Russell Island. Apparently the island has simply not had the appropriate type/number of old-growth food-source trees to support koalas, for at least 100 years. Any pretense by Redland Council that there are any koalas on Russell Island is absolute rubbish, and if they (or their 'developer associates') are making money out of perpetuating this utter BS, then it is nothing short of a blatantly fraudulent scam.
'As for Koala this is an interesting issue it is known that the last sighting of Koala was over 40 years ago'
... that is incorrect. I m reliably informed by various government entities, a Russell Island conservation group, and informed Russell Island residents that there is NO official record of any koalas EVER residing on Russell Island. Apparently the island has simply not had the appropriate type/number of old-growth food-source trees to support koalas, for at least 100 years. Any pretense by Redland Council that there are any koalas on Russell Island is absolute rubbish, and if they (or their 'developer associates') are making money out of perpetuating this utter BS, then it is nothing short of a blatantly fraudulent scam.
Mar 06, 2021
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I just recently bought a block of land also. Planning to build later on.
You mentioned that dealing with the Redland Council was a nightmare due to various restrictions.
Can you elaborate and share what kind of restrictions you're referring to and what you've personally experienced. I think you sharing your personal story will help a lot of people who wants to have a clearer idea of what to expect when they decide to build.
Thanks,
Mike
With one development, I had to illustrate Koala friendly fencing so Koala would be able to pass through, Koala proof fencing in part of the yard to keep a dog from mauling said Koalas, and planting offset Koala vegetation to replace that which was removed for the building are just some of the solutions for this particular overlay. However, to know exactly what needs to be done, would be better answered by first a Certifier, then if an MCU is needed a Townplanner. Hope that helps.
These building restrictions/requirements imposed by Redlands Council that you allude to based on a FALSE pretence that there are koalas living on Russell Island are utterly ludicrous. It has been common knowledge in zoology/scientific circles for decades that no koalas have resided on Russell Island for at least 100 years, and that it is quite possible that NO koalas have ever live on Russell Island. The Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science will confirm this to anyone who asks, as will the good people at [email protected] , and the learned and helpful people at Bay Islands Conservation Inc.. Thus, it is simply bizarre that Redlands Council seems to have gotten away with (if reports such as those above and elsewhere are correct) wasting hundreds of thousands (millions?) of dollars of owner-builders/developers/(etc). money by pretending that there are koalas living on the island, for decades. Redlands Council is apparently willing to be quite blatant about perpetuating this fallacy too. Have a look at this Redlands Council website, and note the (GENERIC/internet-filched) pic of a large koala framed front-and-centre on that website: http://redlandcity.net/russellisland.html . Perhaps someone (a builder/developer maybe?) can tell me, what would Redlands Council possibly be gaining from perpetuating this BS for decades in blatant defiance of the truth? Does Redlands Council somehow turn a profit from having these erroneous koala habitat overlays broadly applied over the majority of areas on Russell Island, despite the fact that no koalas have lived on Russell Island for at least 100 years, if ever? How so?