Description.

When your block falls away and the R-Codes say ‘no,’ it can feel like your dream home is off the table. At this Sorrento site, Forge Planning secured approval for a contemporary two-storey family home on a highly constrained block, navigating a 3-metre natural fall, significant retaining requirements, and overlooking risks.

The proposal required a major R-Code variation for retaining walls, more than double the allowable height, yet was approved with minimal conditions. Detailed topography analysis, streetscape justification, and a council-ready planning report demonstrated the retaining solution wasn’t just compliant, it was the only appropriate design response for this site.”

Features.

R-Code Variation, Justified

Performance-based justification secured approval for retaining walls exceeding deemed-to-comply height provisions.

Overlooking Managed, Design Preserved

Targeted screening and refinements addressed privacy concerns without compromising the architect's original design intent.

Direct Council Liaison

Forge prepared the Development Application and planning report, liaising directly with the City of Joondalup to streamline assessment.

Site Layout

A 3-metre natural fall across the site meant the retaining strategy wasn’t optional, it was the entire planning challenge. The response had to satisfy the R-Codes, the neighbours, and the architect’s design all at once.

Approved Without Redesign

The topography-first response enabled the retaining variation to be approved without condition, and without any redesign, preserving the architect's original vision intact.

Retaining Without Bulk

Retaining walls were positioned strategically along side boundaries and rear outdoor living areas, achieving full usability, including alfresco and future pool readiness, while minimising visual bulk through setbacks, planter boxes and material variation.

Working With the Fall

Floor levels step subtly to follow existing contours, enabling a liveable internal layout while avoiding excessive excavation or visually intrusive earthworks.

Sorrento Coastal Dwelling – R-Code Retaining Approval

Michael Clare

Sorrento, WA

2

538.23m²

R2