The thing most people know about Busselton is the jetty, at almost 2km it is the second longest wooden piled jetty in the world.

Other than a tourist attraction, and a recreational adventure for locals, the jetty is a symbol of tenacity as members of the community fought to save it from destruction caused by Cyclone Alby, followed by dwindling funding. Almost 150 years after construction commenced, after a long process of rebuilding and repair it was opened in 2011.

This same tenacity is something we need as architects and building designers, as we face the challenges of planning in the City of Busselton. The planning officers and building surveyors are very helpful in providing guidelines and information to clients, but it can be a frustrating process to get a planning approval.

As an architect and building conservationist in Ireland I was often faced with challenging planning issues, however I would persevere until I found a way and was often successful where others were not. As the population of Busselton grows and land values increase, the demand of R30 zoned sites for subdividing will increase.

It is important that your architect or building designer recognises the restrictions of budget, planning and procedure when commencing your design. If site constraints and planning issues are discussed early on in the design of the project, an architectural resolution will be achieved instead of a construction solution.

Whether you are starting from scratch or adding on, I can help you with your planning, design and architectural details to ensure you achieve the best value from your property, your desired lifestyle and your dream space!