NEV Building & Landscape Standards - Stage 2 Recommendations - FAQs

Question	Answer
Where on the NEV communication systems can we find maps of the Stage 2 subdivision that includes measurements, size of easements? or distances from borders we are allowed to build, etc	A package of documents for each Lot is being created and the setbacks will soon be finalised. Currently the Stage 2 docs are here https://wiki.nararaecovillage.com/display/BIMIT/Stage+2+-+Documents
What is Hill Thalis?	Hill Thalis were the architects who created the Stage 1 master plan guidelines for the village including the road network, the Lot layout, setbacks, common gardens and car parking. https://files.nararaecovillage.com/index.php/s/a8EwGSgyd5ffERP
What if timber is in short supply? Steel frame may be the only alternative	Steel may also be in short supply and costs may rise. 2nd hand timbers could be collected, or even hardward used.
What is 'articulation', and provide examples	Articulation is a 90 degree change in the wall. A wall has an articulation when one room has a wall pushed out in front of another room wall, instead of there being a long straight wall at the front.
If we are an east west lot, can we make our own decision about which side is our front and which is our back?	The front usually is that towards the road, but the council has approved other intrepretations in Stage 1. As long as there is access to a door near the road, or via the side, especially for emergency vehicle access.
Can these facts be put into a simple printable PDF document?	There is a Word document underway, with the differences to Stage 1 and made into a pdf.
Are all these improvements going to push building a home even more expensive for us all?	There is only a 1/2 star increase from the external start rating being adopted, whereas Stage 1 had a 1 star increase. For a project home, the capital cost of 1/2 star increase is around $1,000, but this is recouped with lower energy fees to remain comfortable, and a higher resale value. The heatwave improvement saves lives as climate change increases the risk of heat stress.
Would it be possible to have some showcases (likely online) from members who have built well using thermal performance measures? eg almost passive housing?	We will start regular building meetings with expert talks and member examples in the New Year, building a library of designs, materials, and those providing services.
What is BASIX?	BASIX stands for the Building Sustainability Index and all NSW homes need to pass this standard. www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/basix
Who is responsible for the house monitoring?	The Research Group will monitor houses for research tht may improve the NatHERS and BASIX standards.
WHAT IS BRP?	See Abbreviations at the end
Is there a minimum size rain water tank?	No. You may require one if you can't get the 40 points in the BASIX water section. Items which help include low flow taps, showers and toilets; grey water systems; and native gardens. If necessary, you may need a water tank, and 10,000L is common. They can be above ground, underground (e.g. under a deck or the house - can give thermal mass) or disguised below garden beds. The Renew association has a program to estimate the size of water tank, called tankulator https://renew.org.au/resources/tankulator/
Are underground water tanks permitted?	Yes. If they are exposed they count towards the impervious area which is the site coverage, although an exemption was given for 15m2 in Stage 2 to encourage more members to put tanks in
The common garden setback is 2m plus 1m on the western side of one lot in Stage 2. If you add a measurement to the eave rather than the wall that is another metre so with both east and west easements that reduces lot width by about 4m. Doesn't that make a collaborative design of primary and secondary dwelling almost impossible?	The eave setback and common garden issue for North-South blocks are under review.
Any idea when all the roads and infrastructure will be finished?	End of 2022 or Q1 2023
What is the purpose for the large frontal set back?	To maintain the streetscape with existing houses in Central Coast. This is under review given our 3m setback in Stage 1
I have a long street frontage 33m - will council require a setback of 4.5 m on the whole 33m? (I will thus lose over 100m of building space..?)	It is measured as an average across the block
If there is an easement on one side of the block for vehicle access, does a setback still apply?	No
Is the "average" across one block or across the whole of stage 2?	One block
The table in the presentation lists front set back for all lots as 3m. Is it 3 or 4.5?	This is under review - Hill Thalis promoted 3m in Stage 1, but the council could want 4.5m
What about for Duplex on a long block with the street frontage narrow. Does one have to be behind the other?	No, but it may be difficult to have 2 side by side. Perhaps the rear one could extend out to the East orr West behind the front one.
What about garages?	Garages are discouraged because we are trying to minimise the number of cars, and members are encouraged to socialise with each other rather than never see each other by driving into their houses directly. Carports are recommended to be subordinate to the house (e.g. underneath possibly with "wheel strip" driveway). We are reviewing the council requirement for garages in Dual Occupancies.
How would we get all the water and energy standards in a main house, secondary dwelling and tiny house, where the secondary dwelling and tiny house are self contained and the main dwelling is a cohousing dwelling. What I mean is that there will be several toilets and showers one shared kitchen and one other kitchen in the secondary dwelling. (I know that we can only have one kitchen in the main dwelling) I am not sure about the tiny house kitchen. Just would like your thoughts on cohousing on a regular lot	The tiny house rules are proposed in the proposal. For the Primary and Secondary dwellings, they both need to comply with the Buidling Standards for one of the approval pathways (7.5 stars with heatwave cooling load conditions or passive house), and pass the design and as-built scoresheets. An example was shown of the Barret house, and Graham spoke to some of the affordable features which gave this a good star rating.

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