Subdivisions & Planning: Watch This Before You Build or Subdivide – Benedict McCarthy | HBP
GUEST
Building or subdividing in Western Australia can feel overwhelming. Planning approvals, building approvals, council policies, R-Codes, neighbour sign-offs, subdivisions, strata titles… it’s a lot. In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we’re joined by Benedict McCarthy from Planning Horizons, a town planner with over 25 years of experience working across local government, construction, and private consultancy.
Chapters
01:05 – Ben McCarthy’s background in planning & construction
02:42 – Planning vs building approval explained simply
04:43 – Why every council is different (and why it matters)
05:50 – The danger of missing one line in a policy
07:06 – Informal council rules nobody tells you about
08:49 – Deemed-to-comply vs performance-based planning
10:17 – How planners justify variations successfully
11:42 – When you can skip planning altogether
12:43 – Why planning delays builds by months
13:51 – When planning is worth it for your own home
15:13 – How far is too far when pushing council rules
17:52 – Why neighbours matter more than you think
19:42 – How council assesses planning applications
21:37 – When applications go to full council
22:55 – SAT explained: mediation vs tribunal
24:25 – When SAT is worth it (and when it isn’t)
26:04 – Real example: boundary walls & policy contradictions
28:38 – Why precedent means nothing anymore
31:37 – How to avoid planning entirely with smarter design
33:16 – Neighbour consent (BA20) explained
35:59 – Introduction to subdivisions in WA
36:39 – Green title vs survey strata vs strata
39:09 – When strata actually makes sense
40:54 – Subdivision layout options explained
41:26 – First questions to ask before subdividing
42:35 – Minimum access widths & driveway rules
44:03 – Why surveys are critical before you start
45:19 – R-Code densities explained simply
47:00 – Subdivision approval process step-by-step
49:22 – Why subdivision approvals add real value
50:47 – The real cost of services & infrastructure
52:05 – Why subdivisions take 6–12 months
54:16 – Retain or demolish? What makes more sense
55:21 – Capital gains tax traps to avoid
56:46 – Side-by-side vs rear battle-axe lots
58:01 – Why verge trees can kill developments
01:02:41 – Driveway, drainage & infrastructure pitfalls
01:05:16 – Why expert advice saves money long term
01:06:01 – Due diligence tips before buying
01:07:01 – The $10k question
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