OK where to I begin......(It's a long post but I gotta get it out....)
Yesterday I had the worst day so far with the build. We have had some pretty low days when you look back on my posts - voluntary administration, salesmen and their lies - but I think yesterday topped all that.
We had the dreaded call from the Drainage/Stormwater Engineer.
Now if you are reading this and have built before, you know where this is going, and it's not pleasant.
Yes, we had the dreaded "I think you need a Onsite detention pit/underground 20,000 litre rainwater tank" conversation. For those of you who don't know, basically it means the cost of a car goes into the ground. Yep we were told we'd be lucky to get out of it for $20k.
Needless to say I was hysterical. I think it was a lot of things that got me to breaking point, and this just tipped me over the edge.
I spent the day trying to understand drainage - had a crash course from the Engineer. We are on the high side of the street, in an upsloping block. The issue we had is that the council calculate hard vs soft surfaces, roof area and so on, based on your block and house size. As we are a battleaxe, the battleaxe handle is included in the calculation, and it is a (proposed) concrete driveway (based on council requirements!).
I spoke with the town planner who approved the DA/S96, and he advised that's the rules, but find out the calculations with the Engineer and speak with the Drainage Engineers at council. I left a message for our Engineer to say the above.
When he called late afternoon, he had proactively spoken with Council, and had gained approval to not include the battleaxe in calculations.
Success! No OSD for us!
Ha ha today it's not that easy. Our builder uses a private certifier for the construction certificate, so the council engineer can not just approve it for us - it doesn't actually go past his desk.
So where are we at now - not out of the clear. I'm waiting to see if the Engineer can convince who he spoke with at council to put it in writing, so the private certifier will approve.
Now you understand the rollercoaster of our build.
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You've gotta be kidding, belinda !!!!!!!!! OMG, my heart goes out to you. I don't know what to say! 'Hang in there' just doesn't cut it this time. I'm sure you'd hang anyone at this point, who would even suggest it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm barracking for you nevertheless *blows a kiss*
*kisses* back
ReplyDeleteI wish I was kidding :(
B x x x
OMG Belinda! These drainage stormwater crap is so ridiculous, if the council wants such sophisticated drainage, they should pay for it or at least give us poor home owners rebates!!!
ReplyDeleteHang in there Belinda, looks like it could turn out a little better. But what on earth are you doing with a 20000L water tank, you can sell water for profit!
Keep us updated, good luck!
Here Here Jim! Darn councils are using us to compensate the lack of modern drainage systems. Argh.
ReplyDeleteYes will hang in there - Thanks Jim!
I have no words for this.
ReplyDelete!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Bel
ReplyDeleteNot sure why, I can't seem to add a comment on your blog and hope this one adds, but anyway, hang in there and hope it will be sorted out soon.