Building under qlder on small lot

Hi all

I am new to this thread, so if I have asked the same question as umpteen others than I apologise. I am trying to find out more about the process I need to undergo in order to raise and restump a character listed qlder in a demolition control precinct that is on a small lot. The house is right up against one border and only 60 cm from the other border, but I have been given some information that I find confusing.

Basically, the question I want to ask members is: do they know if I can build under the house up to the same borders (ie, following the existing footprint) or do I have to comply with the small lot code under the house. A town planner told me that I might have to comply with the 1993 code which means that I would have to achieve compliance by taking off one side verandah so that the house is 1.5 metres from one side boundary. This just doesn't make sense to me (plus it would be rather inconvenient as an ensuite bathroom and our laundry are built in to sections of the side verandah) as it would totally ruin the streetscape and character of the house. I'm not sure how we would even comply with all of the codes that our house is impacted by as they seem to contradict each other at times....

Can we get a relaxation if we have the support of our neighbours to build the slab out to the borders of the house as they are on the top level? We only want to lift the house about 50 cm, clean up all the old bits and pieces and level it out downstairs, put in new stumps, a concrete slab, and better drainage. In the long term we might want to repeat the floor plan that is upstairs by having the L shaped verandah downstairs, some bedrooms etc.

Oh, and the block faces due north, and we are on the side of a steepish hill so that the house is high at the front, low at the back and also sloping down a hill from right to left if viewd from the street.

Any advice would be very greatly appreciated!
Regards
Rose


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