Ross Heatley Planning and Development Services
Engaging with a variety of clients ranging from International conglomerates through to providing advice for small business and domestic parties on planning issues.
Many people have never needed a town planner – and may never need one again. But if a planner is necessary, you need skill, integrity, in-depth knowledge and tenacity.
Commercial Projects
Ross Heatley will assist developers with input to their feasibility studies to ensure the development is scoped to the right product and the right market.
Ross will then liaise with client and all consultants and convene a pre-lodgement meeting with Council and relevant government agencies to ensure the development proposal is consistent with policies and, where some novel element is proposed, to ensure the merit of the proposal is clearly understood.
Ross will then prepare and submit the application; respond to any information request from Council or other agencies; liaise with Council through their assessment; and provide written report to the client on the approval and any conditions attached to it.
Ross will, if necessary, act as expert witness in Court should the need for an appeal to the Court arise.
Private Developments
Many of Ross’ clients are dabbling in the town planning sphere for the first time – and often only once.
These can be clients wishing to subdivide their land, build a granny flat, operate a small business or similar small scale enterprises which require planning approval.
Ross will explain the requirements of the relevant regulation, and assist the client in obtaining all relevant approvals.
Show Cause Responses
Receiving a ‘show cause’ notice can be quite a shock for some people (they often have a large $$$ figure at the bottom!).
Essentially a ‘show cause’ notice is advice that Council perceives that a breach of a planning regulation has been made.
Ross will assist in determining if a breach has occurred and will advise the appropriate response. Sometimes a modification of the activity will be required. Often an application for a development approval will be necessary.
Ross will ensure the client receives the best possible advice so as to avoid any penalty.
Master Planning
Ross Heatley has led multi-disciplinary teams in the Middle East, Asia and Australia on large scale master planning exercises.
Ross is able to assess the needs of the project, source appropriate consultants and provide advice to clients on costs, personnel, schedules and staging points.
In Abu Dhabi, Ross led a team in designing the new Central Business District for the city even as it was quickly emerging from the sea – via dredge.
On the Gold Coast, Australia, Ross convinced the client to build a canal from the river estuary four kilometres distant to the site utilising developer credit from benefited landowners adjacent. In this way, the client was able to massively increase the value and attraction of the development as it was now waterfront property with boating access.
The ability to see advantage where others see problem is what Ross brings to a large project. That and proven experience.