Renovating

Undertaking renovations

If you are thinking of modifying or extending your unit you should be familiar with Section 6 of the Wybalena Grove Information Booklet, Unit Additions and Alterations.

Unlike many strata developments, alterations and additions to units may be permitted in Wybalena Grove. Consistent with the Rules of the Corporation and the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011, all proposed structures and external additions and alterations to units must receive Owners Corporation approval.

Of course, renovations must also comply with the ACT’s Building Act 2004.

The over-arching principle for alterations, reiterated repeatedly at general meetings of the owners corporation, is that an alteration must be consistent with the architectural aesthetics manifest in the original design.

Section 6 of the Wybalena Grove Information booklet assists unit owners and occupiers to understand those features which give Wybalena Grove its unique and desirable character. It is important for anyone undertaking alterations to be familiar with the approvals processes required before work can proceed.

Wybalena Grove was nominated to the ACT Heritage Register in 2005 and is on the Interim Heritage Place Register. Until that nomination has been dealt with by ACT Heritage, Wybalena Grove is regarded as being listed on the ACT Heritage Register. That means any modifications to houses that require a Development Application (DA) will be passed to ACT Heritage during the DA process.

The approvals process

The procedures for obtaining approval for proposed structures and alterations to units are set out in detail in Section 6 of the Wybalena Grove Information Booklet, Unit Additions and Alterations.

Generally the process is:

  • Requests for approval are submitted in writing to EC with (depending on the complexity of the project) sketch plans/diagrams showing dimensions, elevations and sections; a ground plan showing any increased footprint of the extension; a description of the materials proposed to be used; and details of associated landscape treatment.

  • The applicant submits a written statement indicating that consultation with affected neighbours has occurred. There is a neighbor consultation form for recording the views of affected neighbours.

  • Plans for alterations that also need ACT government approval must first have the seal of the Owners Corporation (OC) applied (or other evidence of OC approval) and this is applied only after the Executive Committee has considered and approved the plans.

An image showing the steeply pitched roofline of two single level units, partially screened by native plantings.