Making Better Use of your Land

Ok, I live on a postage stamp block of land in one of the new estates in Melbournes south east. I have a typical new home - single storey, three small bedrooms, an open kichen / dining / living area coz the builders were too cheap to put in more internal walls, and a backyard that you can't kick a footy around in.

I WANT MORE ROOM

So the way I figure it, I have three options.

1. Buy my neighbour's place, 'renovate' both houses and turn them into one big super house. That is expensive and will require council approval.

2. Build up, add a second and third level. That will also be expensive, will require council approval, and it won't do anything about the backyard.

So! My only alternative is to build DOWN, the way they do in Coober Pedy

My house is on a slab base so the way I figure it if I dig a tunnel straight down about ten meters into the bedrock (hopefully there is bedrock underneath my clay soil) and then excavate horizontally, I might be able to get myself a pool room and a home theatre and an heated indoor swimming pool and maybe even some dungeons to keep my sex slaves and hydroponic plants.

I am not familiar with the laws relating to land ownership. Can I dig 'across and under' into my neighbours land? I'ld like to be able to have a nice big banquet hall for formal occasions and my postage stamp won't cut it.

I guess I'll have to research stuff like what sort of rock lies under the house and so on and figure out how to reinforce it so the thing doesn't collapse in on itself. (I am pretty sure my insurance policy excludes acts of idiocy)

Has anyone made underground bunkers, tunnels or things of that nature? Anyone from Coober Pedy or White Cliffs here that can offer some advice? I'd like to know if this project is feasible, and what sort of machinery I will need to cut through the rock.


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