Calibre Planning
Calibre Planning is a consultancy firm that provides town planning and development advice to a wide range of clients.
Town planning has become complicated over time, with numerous policies, overlays and zones that may apply to any particular site. Navigating these can be difficult and time consuming.
Calibre Planning has provided advice and representation to a variety of clients, including numerous councils, architects, developers and objectors. Our aim is to provide clear direction and assist clients in achieving an optimal outcome.
About Us
Calibre Planning has been operating since 2002 and was established by John Klarica. John has over 25 years of experience as a town planner and prior to starting his own firm John had worked in local government (at the City of Collingwood, City of Yarra and City of Stonnington) in a variety of planning roles.
Calibre Planning offers a wide variety of services: development assessment and report writing, planning permit applications, objections and VCAT representation, with significant experience in all manner of land use and development.
The scope of works involves a broad selection of use and development proposals, including small scale residential extensions, works in heritage overlays, commercial development, bars/restaurants, industrial development and multi-storey residential and mixed-use development.
Services
Calibre Planning offers a wide variety of services:
Property advice
Prior to making a planning application, a design requires an assessment of a development against policies as well as the site context. Calibre Planning endeavours to provide timely advice so that clients can make informed decisions.
Planning assessments and reports
A planning application must often be assessed against many policies and planning controls. Calibre Planning provides analysis, advice and planning reports on planning permit applications.
Planning permit applications
Planning permit applications can be complicated and must frequently be accompanied by comprehensive planning reports as well as development plans, landscape plans and sometimes traffic/parking assessments and ESD reports. Calibre Planning provides comprehensive planning reports and can assist in negotiating a way through to lodging a planning permit application, either to assist in lodging an application, or as the contact for the planning permit applicant and following through to the ultimate decision.
Planning permit objections
Planning permit applications often require notification of adjoining properties and may impact on the amenity of nearby residents. Calibre Planning is available to assess proposals to understand the impacts and provide advice and written objections.
VCAT representation
Calibre Planning has extensive experience in representing clients at the Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). If you’ve received a decision that you are unhappy with, one option may involve an application to VCAT. Calibre Planning is able to provide realistic advice as to the best course of action, including:
- Advice regarding appropriate changes to the design
- Negotiation with relevant parties
- Recommend and brief expert witnesses
- Representation at the VCAT hearing