Tag: quantity surveyor reports

Embarking on a construction project can be daunting, with numerous factors to consider and potential challenges to overcome. In such situations, having a building quantity surveyor by your side can make all the difference. These professionals can help guide the construction process, offering invaluable assistance and expertise at every stage. From helping you set realistic budgets to ensuring compliance with regulations and overseeing financial aspects, a building quantity surveyor is an essential partner in the construction journey.

Determining Budget in the Preliminary Design Stage

Determining the budget in the preliminary design stage is crucial for managing cash flow and ensuring the smooth progression of construction projects. Various factors, including contractor availability, interest rate fluctuations, adverse weather conditions, and material price fluctuations, can impact project timelines and budgets. To mitigate these risks, accurate construction cost reports are essential. Engaging a qualified building quantity surveyor helps to navigate the complexities of construction projects, minimising the risk of budget overruns and delays.

These professionals prepare comprehensive cost reports before project commencement, providing ongoing updates as necessary. By inspecting development plans and consulting industry standards like the Australian Cost Management Manuals, quantity surveyors calculate development costs accurately. They consider factors such as main elemental costs (e.g., superstructure, substructure) and sub-elemental costs (e.g., windows, air conditioning), providing detailed insights into project expenses. Through this process, stakeholders gain a clear understanding of expenditure distribution, enabling them to manage finances effectively throughout the project lifecycle.

DA & Section 94 Reports

If you’re a developer gearing up for a project with an estimated cost of $500,000 or more, local council regulations may require you to provide Section 94 contributions. These payments facilitate the provision of new services and public amenities to accommodate the needs of the community impacted by your development. Section 94 reports, also known as cost summary reports, play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with council levies under Section 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. These reports meticulously detail all construction project costs, ensuring accurate calculation of required contributions. Working with experienced quantity surveyors is essential to navigate this process efficiently and accurately.

A building quantity surveyor acts as a neutral, independent party, ensuring adherence to council standards and minimising the risk of undervaluing or overpaying contributions.

Financial Planning

Before proceeding with your development project, securing finance is a crucial step, and obtaining a bank prefunding report is essential for this process. These reports provide banks with a comprehensive overview of your project’s costs, potential return on investment, and your ability to repay the loan. Working with experienced quantity surveyors ensures that these reports are thorough and accurate, meeting the stringent requirements of major Australian lenders such as Westpac, CBA, and NAB.

Bank prefunding reports involve detailed assessments of your chosen builder, comparisons with benchmarked data, and the presentation of fixed-price building contracts. Additionally, for larger developments, evidence of pre-sales may be necessary. Following finance approval, lenders may request ongoing updates on project progress, including progress drawdown reports and cash flow statements. Engaging reputable quantity surveyors mitigates risks associated with unreliable builders, ensuring a smooth project execution. These professionals consider various factors such as site size, zoning regulations, concept drawings, builder’s track record, material and labour costs, project feasibility, timelines, and overall project viability to provide comprehensive reports that meet all financing requirements.

Construction Phase

During the construction phase, progress drawdown reports are vital documents in the payment process for projects. These reports provide project financiers with the assurance that milestones have been achieved, facilitating the release of funds for ongoing work. Conducted with thorough attention to detail, these reports involve comprehensive site inspections to verify milestone completion and compliance with relevant regulations and standards. By closely monitoring project progress and identifying any deviations from budget or design, drawdown reports help ensure projects remain on track and financially viable.

A qualified building quantity surveyor can ensure all aspects of the project are appropriately documented. The process typically includes evaluating progress claims, confirming design compliance, checking insurance coverage, and validating other necessary certifications and permits. Such detailed reports not only provide transparency but also contribute to the successful management and execution of construction projects.

Why choose a building quantity surveyor?

In the world of construction, making the right choice when selecting a contractor can make all the difference in the success of your project. Engaging a building quantity surveyor from Section 94 ensures that your project has an experienced professional on your side throughout the entire construction process.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.

Section 94 contributions are an important part of financing community infrastructure in Australia. However, navigating the complexities of these levies can be challenging, especially when it comes to determining the appropriate payments in a timely manner, without it leading to project delays. This is where the expertise of a Sydney quantity surveyor can come into play.

Understanding Section 94

Section 94 levies are fees charged by local councils in NSW to fund community infrastructure projects such as roads, public transport, stormwater, and other infrastructure. These levies are calculated based on the development’s impact on the local community and the cost of providing the necessary infrastructure. Understanding the calculation process is crucial for developers and planners to ensure that they are paying the correct Section 94 contribution total.

The calculation of Section 94 contributions roughly translates to about 1% of the proposed development cost for projects estimated to cost over $500,000. Previously, this was capped at a total contribution of $30,000 for ‘greenfield’ (undeveloped) areas, and $20,000 for infill areas, for each dwelling or residential lot authorised to be created, however, this was recently changed for some developments.

Hiring a Sydney Quantity Surveyor

A quantity surveyor in Sydney can help developers and planners navigate the complexities of Section 94 levies. Quantity surveyors are experts in the construction industry and have experience in calculating the cost of infrastructure and building projects. They are usually hired at the beginning of a project to estimate the cost of development and provide the developer with a report on where money will be spent. After the builder and developer receive a cost estimate for their project, a Sydney quantity surveyor can use this information to calculate what Section 94 contributions will be required. Hiring an independent expert to provide cost-estimating services means that estimation will be accurate, and developers will not be overcharged for Section 94 contributions.

Communicating with Local Councils

Developers and planners should engage with local councils early in the development process to understand the requirements for Section 94 contributions, as these may differ depending on the development context. Local councils may have different requirements for Section 94 levies, especially in greenfield lots and areas that require establishment.

Engaging with Industry Experts

Another expert tip for developers and planners to navigate the complexities of Section 94 levies is to engage with industry experts. Architects, engineers, and town planners can provide valuable insight into the impact of development on the local community and the necessary infrastructure requirements. By engaging with industry experts early in the development process, developers and planners can ensure that their development plans align with the council’s requirements and understand whether their business will require significant contribution requirements. Industry experts such as a quantity surveyor in Sydney can also assist in providing accurate cost estimates for infrastructure projects and help developers and planners swiftly process Section 94 contribution totals to get on with the job promptly.

Providing Accurate Information

Providing accurate information is crucial for developers and planners to navigate the complexities of Section 94 contributions. Local councils require developers and planners to provide detailed information about their development, including the number of dwellings, the size of the development, and the estimated cost of the project. Incorrect information and poor regulatory compliance can lead to significant extended delays in projects getting the green light to go ahead. This can ultimately lead to cost blowouts and decreased project feasibility.

Do you need a quantity surveyor in Sydney?

While Section 94 contributions are an important way to finance local community infrastructure, there is no point in letting them lead to withheld development due to tedious or incorrectly detailed Section 94 reports. Speak to an expert today to ensure correct and appropriate Section 94 contributions occur for any new projects in a timely manner. At Section 94, our team of highly qualified quantity surveyors can help organise all the required and recommended quantity surveyor reports for your development.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.

What is a quantity surveyor?

Quantity surveyors estimate and monitor the cost of construction projects, ensuring they are being completed on budget and schedule. Becoming a registered quantity surveyor requires tertiary education in a Bachelor of Construction Management or equivalent. In addition to two years of supervised practical experience in the relevant construction industry. From here you must be accredited by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS). Throughout the construction process, there are a variety of quantity surveyor reports that can be written. These reports assess the ongoing cost and budget of a project, ensuring that money is being spent appropriately and wisely. Surveyors can make these assessments from a position of expertise given their industry knowledge in the cost of materials, labour, etc.

Tax Depreciation Schedules

Quantity Surveyors are also ATO-qualified professionals. Their specialisation in building and construction allows them to write reports called ‘tax depreciation schedules’. This quantity surveyor report assesses the cost of property construction in more extensive detail than achievable by a regular accountant. Quantity Surveyors can further assess the built structure for depreciating assets such as appliances, building materials, various house systems, etc. This allows investors and builders to achieve the greatest amount of depreciation deductions on their tax bills as legally possible.

Section 94 reports

Developers building projects with an estimated development cost of greater than $500,000 may be required to produce section 94 contributions. Usually, a large-scale project requires updated or new infrastructure to be implemented by the council to meet the demands of the build. This could include roads, footpaths, pipes, lights, signs, power lines, and other connective infrastructure, usually achieved using taxpayer money. To help cover the cost of these public amenities, a levy known as a Section 94 contribution is required. A quantity surveyor report can help assess the Section 94 costs to ensure your project is upholding the council standards and paying the correct amount.

Developer costs/ feasibility studies

Developers can carry a significant amount of monetary risk on a project. If all the budget details of a project are not assessed appropriately, it may lead to a hefty financial loss. Large-scale construction projects require detailed and thorough cost estimation assessments organised by a quantity surveyor to ensure that the building budget lines up. These feasibility studies can show where the project is overspending or hasn’t considered an additional cost. Having this detail early in the project allows for a significantly reduced risk overall and lets the developer recognise where they have wriggle room if an unexpected cost occurs.

Progress Claim/ Draw-down reports

Financiers of a large-scale construction project will periodically release funds for the construction process. However, to ensure that money is being spent wisely they will often require a quantity surveyor report. This is typically a drawdown report. Quantity surveyor reports assess the progress of the build, where the money is being spent, and where milestones have been met. The report helps financiers and developers identify savings, cost overruns, project issues, and changes from the original design or concept. Draw-downs can help identify and spotlight any potential problems early before they become significant and costly.

Bank Prefunding Reports

If you plan on completing a construction project, chances are it will require a loan of some kind from the bank. Before obtaining the finances, your bank will often require a pre-funding report detailing your project. A quantity surveyor can complete this project accurately with a fast turnaround time. The bank uses the pre-funding report to help interpret the development cost. From here, they calculate the potential return on investment and assess your ability to repay the loan. By getting a quantity surveyor report, the chosen lender will have increased confidence in the quality of your project and the accuracy of the financial cost. This leads to the loan more likely being approved and work can start promptly.

Do you need Quantity Surveyor Reports for your development?

At Section 94, our team of highly qualified quantity surveyors can help organise all the required and recommended quantity surveyor reports for your development. Whether it involves tax depreciation schedules, cost estimates, progress claims, timeline organisation, or Section 94 contributions. There is no point wasting time and money on your development, organise a quantity surveyor report today.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.

When building new developments, a growing consideration for builders, tenants, owners, and investors is the building’s sustainability. Australia has developed a rating system that incorporates a variety of metrics to assess and compare the environmental impact of new developments. Sustainable buildings may cost more upfront for developers. However, this can be reflected in the price for buyers and tenants. This is due to long-term savings on costs such as heating, electricity, and water. But how does Australia’s building sustainability system work? What is the process to get a building certified as sustainable? If you are aiming to build sustainable developments, you may require a quantity surveyor report to assess the environmental impact of the building or undergo cost estimating at the start of the building process.

Rating Systems

The first step in understanding how Australia’s building sustainability rating system works is to look at the different rating systems in use. The most common rating systems in Australia are the Green Star rating system and the NABERS rating system. Vehicle fuel efficiency and appliance energy efficiency also use similar systems and metrics. Architects, builders, property owners, and government agencies make informed decisions when constructing, renovating, or developing a building based on these ratings.

Green Star Rating Systems:

The Green Star rating system is a voluntary rating system that assesses the environmental design and performance of a building. It considers factors such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, health and well-being, and indoor environment quality. The Green Building Council of Australia administers a rating system that is based on a 1–6-star scale, with 6 stars being the highest rating achievable. The legal requirements for new building developments mean they must have a 3-star (average) environmental rating or higher to ensure acceptable environmental quality for owners and occupiers (acceptable insulation etc.)

However, buildings can choose to satisfy certain optional criteria to achieve a higher rating. These criteria include the use of renewable energy sources, the reuse of materials, and the use of green building materials. A 4-star rated building must be “either net zero carbon in operations or a higher performer in energy, water, and health-related issues.” Meanwhile, a 6-star rated building is “highly efficient, fully powered by renewables, addresses a significant number of environmental and social issues and contributes to the community.” Green Star also offers rating systems for homes, however, these follow different criteria.

NABERS Rating System

NABERS is also a voluntary rating system, designed specifically to assess the energy efficiency of commercial buildings, not detached homes. This includes sites such as offices, hotels, shopping centres, hospitals, aged care facilities, and high-density buildings. The rating system is based around 6 stars, administered by the National Australian Built Environment Rating System, a government organisation. There are 5 categories within the rating system: – Energy, Water, Carbon Neutral, Waste, and Indoor environment. Since the implementation of the system 20 years ago. NABERS customers have ‘saved an average of 30-40% on their energy over 10 years.’ A significant reduction in cost over time. Using higher quality products to construct the buildings also means less depreciation over time and the buildings can last further into the future.

Quantity Surveyor Reports

Australia requires a quantity surveyor to assess all buildings for sustainability ratings. They assess the materials, design, construction, cost, and quality of the project and provide a comprehensive report on the energy efficiency of the building. This report will include an analysis of the building’s energy systems and components, including heating and cooling, lighting, ventilation, and hot water systems, alongside recommendations on how to improve the energy efficiency further. Quantity Surveyor Reports are also utilised prior to building construction to assess community impact and cost estimation for the sustainable features.

Disclosure and Transparency within Quantity Surveyor Reports

In order to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the rating system, Australia requires that all buildings be rated under a uniform system and that the ratings be disclosed to the public. This means that any person can access the rating of a building, as well as the quantity surveyor’s report. Quantity surveyor reports are then audited by a public agency such as NABERS to ensure accuracy in the data displayed, and that buildings aren’t receiving bias or unfair ratings to skew results.

Do you need a Quantity Surveyor Report for your development?

At Section 94, our team of highly qualified quantity surveyors can help organise all the required and recommended quantity surveyor reports for your developments. Whether it involves tax depreciation schedules, cost estimates, progress claims, timeline organisation, or Section 94 contributions. There is no point wasting time and money on your development, organise a quantity surveyor report today.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.

The 2021 census reported that the Greater Sydney region is now home to 5.23 million people, a rapid increase from the 4 million recorded in 2011. Therefore, public infrastructure has required significant investment over the last decade. These projects aim to accommodate the current growth and provide support for future development. Two of the largest and most significant projects in Sydney include WestConnex & the Sydney Metro Rail. They provide a prime opportunity for developers, who can capitalise on the modified zoning and increased density of the surrounding land to bring additional value to the region. However, increased development leads to competitive contracts, delays, and extended budgets for projects. Developers can liaise with a Sydney quantity surveyor to organise reports for all new projects to save time and money and help set up tax depreciation schedules for builds. Ensuring your business or organisation is spending money appropriately and effectively.

WestConnex

WestConnex involves the construction and upgrade of a series of motorway systems connecting the inner city and CBD area of Sydney to areas of the Western suburbs, whilst bypassing the inner west. The roads are mostly underground and cover a length of 33km. The project business case described the capability of the system to ‘enable an extra 45000 road trips per weekday,’ however, WestConnex has been criticized for its capability to reduce traffic congestion. Primary benefits of WestConnex include the smooth transport of truck freight bypassing the inner suburbs, and the removal of large vehicles on residential roads.

From a real estate development perspective, freeways don’t provide a great opportunity to increase density in a surrounding area, as more development will inevitably lead to more traffic. However, they can provide an opportunity for increased commercial and some industrial development within areas close to freeway exits due to the easy transport of good long distances along the freeway. Trucks and logistic vehicles will have improved transport and delivery to and from the CBD and inner suburbs to more key locations in the western suburbs.

The first two motorways in the series – the M4 / M4 East, and the M8 motorway were completed and opened to the public in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Meanwhile, the remaining tunnels (stage 3) are expected to open in 2023. This involves a tunnel linking the M4 & M8 as well as a new ‘Rozelle interchange’ with connections to the Anzac Bridge.

Metro Rail Project

Sydney Metro describes itself as ‘Australia’s biggest public transport project.’ It is a mass rapid transit project, with automated, driverless trains running on a ‘turn up and go’ timetable across 113km of metro rail track. 4 lines have been completed or are under construction, with more proposals slated for future development. The 4 lines will have a total of 46 stations.

The first Stage – Metro NorthWest finished construction in 2019 and connects Tallawong to Chatswood station. The next stage, City & southwest, will connect the existing Northwest line from Chatswood to the Central station in Sydney CBD, and out to Bankstown. Sydney Metro West will connect Central station to the Parramatta CBD as a part of Sydney’s ‘metropolis of three cities’ plan. The final stage will connect the new Western Sydney International Airport to St Mary’s station.

Given the integration to the existing Sydney rail and PT network, the new metro rail project will provide extensive opportunities for the real estate and private sectors to build transit-oriented development. Increased transit capacity to key locations in and from these areas will mean more opportunities for mid-high-density developments and subdivisions of land. Areas within walking distance of train stations have historically led to higher land values and provided good business opportunities for the commercial sector.

Inflation setbacks and Sydney Quantity Surveyors

Due to inflation pressures, the increased cost of construction materials as well as a variety of other setbacks and factors throughout 2020, large infrastructure projects such as these often exceed their original budget estimates. To compensate for the increased costs, governments will need to increase tax base revenue to make the business case viable. As mentioned, this usually includes modifying zoning laws to allow for higher-density builds and allowing the private sector to build projects that increase the land value surrounding the project. This generates more profit, leading to more tax. Private sector project managers can utilise a Sydney quantity surveyor to help with tax depreciation and organise cost analysis to ensure their project remains on time and on budget.

Do you need a Sydney Quantity Surveyor for your development?

At Section 94, our team of highly qualified Sydney quantity surveyors can help organise all the required and recommended quantity surveyor reports for your developments. Whether it involves tax depreciation schedules, cost estimates, progress claims, timeline organisation, or Section 94 contributions. There is no point wasting time and money on your development, organise a quantity surveyor report today.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.

Transit Oriented Development has received a lot of buzz and promotion over the last couple of decades as an urban planning philosophy, but the roots of the idea go back over a hundred years. The main philosophy of Transit-Oriented-Development (TOD) involves maximising the amount of living space for residential, commercial, and leisure activities within walking distance of key public transport infrastructure – notably heavy and light rail lines. There is usually a high demand for developments within TOD-focused areas, and often they can end up becoming expensive and delayed. As with all large infrastructure projects, whether they are residential, commercial or leisure, it is advisable to organise quantity surveyor reports to ensure correct financial management and cost estimation. This will save your development a lot of money in the long run.

Walkability and TOD

TOD allows developers to produce larger, higher-density projects within proximity to rail stations. This is due to the increased demand for housing near transit, and the capacity to move people without hopefully increasing road congestion too heavily. In TOD neighbourhoods, the design philosophy suggests that people will not need to use cars often for transportation due to the easy to access public transport and a large number of facilities within walking distance. Higher-density development is usually targeted within around 500m of a station or hub, as this is a 5–10-minute walking distance. Beyond 5-10 minutes, people begin to opt for vehicular modes of transport rather than on foot. A way to extend this radius is by the introduction of adequate bike infrastructure, designing areas to make bikes a faster and more efficient mode of transportation to a location ~800m-1km away than cars after having to deal with parking.

Car-dependant urban regions & TOD as an alternative.

In higher-density areas, if everyone was to use a car for general daily mobility, the region would require wider roads to allow for the increased demand (compared to a lower-density area) to fit all the cars. However, by increasing the capacity of the road and introducing more car-friendly areas such as highways and large multi-lane roads, it would make the area less walkable and pedestrian friendly. Residents would be less inclined to walk around due to noise (until electric cars become the default), pollution, heat (radiating from the black asphalt in Summer), and safety. This would ultimately lead to more residents choosing to opt for cars as their choice of transportation, increasing traffic and requiring increased road capacity – further perpetuating the cycle. Transit-oriented development aims to provide an alternative primary mode of transportation for residents of a high-density area by providing (hopefully reliable), public transport with high capacity and reduced space.

Developer benefits

Land near train stations is usually already high value compared to its surroundings, however, the re-zoning of a region near a station or public transport hub for increased density can turbocharge the value of land in that region if the demand matches. The rezoning of premium land around train stations for higher-density, mixed-use development is great news for developers that can buy the land whilst it was previously zoned for detached single-family dwellings and increase the household capacity by introducing mid-density townhouses and units. Whilst the land itself may be relatively expensive to purchase upfront after the region becomes fully developed with increased amenities, the value of the land alone will increase dramatically. The development of a TOD region gives it the potential to be some of the highest-value lands within a significant radius. Meanwhile, the increased density of the dwellings provides additional potential revenue streams for developers rather than single-family detached units.

Quantity Surveyor Reports and Developments

In TOD areas, development is largely encouraged by governments, and work is done in partnership between the public and private sectors. However, if an area is undergoing extensive redevelopment, there may be an infrastructural masterplan organised by the government or large private stakeholders for what they would like to achieve with the space. This means that developments in these areas can be far more complex than regular residential or commercial developments and it may require far more considerations than usual. In areas undergoing extensive redevelopment, there may be periods of time where the infrastructure and capacity of the neighbourhood may be mismatched, and developments may only be allowed to occur within a specific timeframe or to a rigid timeline. To help organise this, it is advisable to organise a quantity surveyor report to adequately assess the complicated project costs and organise a suitable timeframe for development.

Organising Quantity Surveyor Reports:

At Section 94, our team of highly qualified quantity surveyors can help organise all the required and recommended quantity surveyor reports for your developments. Whether it involves cost estimates, progress claims, timeline organisation, or Section 94 contributions. As mentioned, many Transit-oriented developments are master planned and require adequate timeline structuring. There is no point wasting time and money on your development, organise a quantity surveyor report today.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.

The rise of working from home and hybrid office flexibility has contributed to less people travelling to CBDs for work. This has contributed to a growing re-imagination of city design and structure, accelerating the urban design theories of walkable neighbourhoods, and decentralised city design. Decentralised cities are complex due to the rapid development and increasing density of targeted suburbs and regions, and there are a lot of cost requirements. Therefore, it is important for parties involved across both the public and private sectors to receive quantity surveyor reports and accurate cost estimating services to ensure development is appropriate and sustainable.

What does decentralising a city mean?

Simply put, decentralising a city involves creating new “satellite hubs” and destinations for work and higher density living, rather than simply the CBD and immediate inner-city surrounding suburbs. This helps reduce pressure on CBD infrastructures, such as roads and transport, during peak times, and spreads people out across suburbs.

Why are cities focusing on decentralised city design?

In theory, these ideas have some benefits for all parties. The government has an increased tax base within the hub suburb, allowing it to invest in better infrastructure, including in lower-density suburbs. By creating new work destinations and reducing the distance people need to travel for work, traffic is reduced in the CBD region. Having work close-by, or from home, means reduced commute times, which leads to increased happiness and health. People within the neighbourhood have more public facilities and private businesses in their area, greatly increasing land values. Land values can be further improved by having retail, hospitality, and work easily accessible within walking distance. Local businesses and shop owners get increased customers and foot traffic from people spending more time in their local neighbourhood rather than in the CBD. Private developers can profit from building new housing and infrastructure. However, during the stages of rapid increasing development, disruptions to transport and increases in traffic can occur – especially before infrastructure is upgraded.

Increasing density

Density refers to the number of people living within a specific space. Low-density suburbs may have single-family detached houses on most/ all blocks. Mixed and mid-density suburbs may have a combination of detached houses with townhouses, apartments/ units that reach up to 3 or 4 stories, as well as more mixed-use streets that combine commercial and residential buildings. Meanwhile, high-density suburbs such as CBDs are predominantly made up of tall apartment buildings and mixed-use developments. Increasing the density of development via a subdivision is profitable for developers as they can sell multiple properties whilst only purchasing one area of land.

However, the introduction of more people to an area may put pressure on public and council facilities. Large developments require quantity surveyor reports and Section 94 contributions to address the cost of the project for private developers and council facilities. 

Examples of decentralisation in Australia

Decentralisation of cities has received support in some regions across political party divides in Victoria and NSW. Sydney aims to become ‘a metropolis of three cities,’ with a plan to balance infrastructure across three key areas, the eastern city (current CBD), central city (Parramatta), and western city (Bradfield). In Melbourne, many suburbs are being targeted for transformation into hubs, largely along key transport infrastructures such as existing train lines and the proposed suburban rail loop. Some examples are Box Hill, Clayton, Glen Waverley, and Sunshine.

Many public sector jobs have been transferred to regional hubs in Victoria, such as Geelong, Bendigo, and Ballarat to increase job stability in those areas. This in turn aims to help stimulate private investment, followed by more public infrastructure. Many people migrated from cities to regional areas and hubs over the course of the covid-19 pandemic for a change of scenery and to get the benefits of a regional lifestyle whilst working from home.

Section 94 Contributions – Quantity surveyor reports

Increasing the density of a block of land will have consequences, both good and bad, for the neighbourhood. Some of the immediate impacts will include additional pressure on public systems such as roads, schools, water, and power systems, as well as reducing the publicly available green space. This is where a Section 94 quantity surveyor report comes in. Any development where construction exceeds $500,000 must have a Section 94 contributions report undertaken by a quantity surveyor. This report details the costs of the construction project and will allow the council to request funds if the surrounding infrastructure needs improvement due to the project or development existing. 

Do you need accurate quantity surveyor reports?

If you are looking for quantity surveyor reports for your development, get in contact with our experienced team. At Section 94, we will ensure your development progresses smoothly, without inaccurate and excessive budget hurdles. There’s no point in paying excess costs and fees unnecessarily.

With over a decade of industry experience, our qualified building quantity surveyors are AIQS certified with a fast turnaround time and clear communication. Give us a call today at 0413 953 869 or email us at info@section94.com.au to discuss our quality budget services for residential and commercial builds.