Blog Post

Nambour Office – Refurbishment

  • By Website Team Technicians
  • 29 Oct, 2018

Over the past six weeks our Nambour office has undergone a face lift with new painting, signage, window tinting and interior blinds and the final result speaks for itself.

We would like to thank and recommend the following local companies who provided great professional service. Those companies are Steve Brady Painting, AMS Sign Services, Nambour KR blinds & Awnings and Briteway Windown Tinting

By Yellow SEO 08 Apr, 2022

The benefits of using a reputable town planner adept with the Sunshine Coast council’s planning scheme can have a significant economic impact on your development application by streamlining the process.

From your initial consultation, a Town Planner will be able to assess your development or idea knowing what types of applications the local council are currently accepting or rejecting. The bank of experience and knowledge they have from similar residential, commercial, retail, industrial or other projects to yours that have previously been approved means they can identify any potential issues early and advise the best and most efficient way to alleviate the problems. This in turn, allows you to together make educated decisions, manage expectations and proactively take the steps needed to present an application that meets the Sunshine Coast council’s information requirements.

Whether you are doing a boundary realignment, large scale subdivision or going for a material change of use or operational works approval, the value of engaging a town planner early is further extended by the networks and relationships they have fostered in the local community, with other service professionals and at council. Simply being able to access a trusted network of local experts through your Town Planner gives you a step up immediately. An established and tested working relationship comes with the advantage of proficiencies in communication, and when they know each other’s needs and how they work, greater efficiencies (and therefore costs) can be realised.

Development proposals on the Sunshine Coast don’t need to be complicated if you have the right town planner working for you. Murray & Associates’ Director and Principal Town Planner, Blake Bell, and his team have a reputation of being able to deliver value by saving excessive costs and timely delays. Each new project benefits from the knowledge and expertise built upon by their extensive past projects in a variety of sectors.

Murray & Associates have two town planning offices in the Sunshine Coast centrally located at Maroochydore and Nambour, with the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Noosa, Gympie and Moreton Bay regions also covered with our Gympie and Caboolture offices. Let us contact you today to get started!

By Website Team Technicians 04 Feb, 2022

With the massive increase in property movement and prices in Queensland since 2020, the pressure on potential buyers in the market to get in quick with an offer or risk missing out, is evident more so than ever.

Purchasing any property comes with financial risks and a rollercoaster of emotions. Obtaining and understanding as much information as you can about the house and land on a property through an up-to-date property survey, can reassure you with the details to protect your significant investment.

While there may not be enough time to commission a property land survey before making an offer, instructing your lawyer to draw up your contract subject to a pre-purchase Survey Report (as you would with a building and pest inspection), may be the best decision you can make.


What will an Identification Survey give you?

  • Confirmation the parcel of land you are purchasing matches what is on the contract and title. If it doesn’t corelate, the survey report could be used as a credible tool to assist you potentially renegotiating the purchase price
  • Existing boundaries defined, corners identified and the position of improvements close to the boundary determined ie. making sure you and your neighbours’ driveway, garage, sheds or potentially part of the house isn’t on the wrong side of the boundary line. Once you’re in, you can also replace fencing or confidently plan renovations, extensions or a new pool to make the home your own.
  •  Information on your legal rights in relation to easements, encroachments, covenants and encumbrances which may affect land usability and access, or existing restrictions, claims or liabilities.
  • Knowledge of existing regulations and the zoning classification of the property. This helps you plan, especially if the purchase is for investment purposes and your intention is to subdivide or change the use the property for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.


 What are the risks of not getting a land survey before you buy?

  • Not getting the prescribed land area that you paid for
  • Possible future disputes with the neighbours over fencing and structural encroachments
  • Not being able to do what you want to do with the land or planned upgrades
  • Unexpected future expenditure and time for rectification of issues, including demolition, compliance to a work order and legal fees

There is no requirement to get a survey prior to purchasing a property and there may be no consequences if you do not. Ultimately, as the buyer, you need to decide if the cost justifies the potential issues that may arise after you make the purchase, and possibly consider difficulties with subsequent buyers who may decide to carry out a survey report, even if you do not.


What type of land survey do I need prior to purchasing a property?

An Identification Survey and a Contour/Detail Survey are the most common land surveys to help you detect potential issues prior to purchasing a property. The identification is performed by a Surveyor registered with the Queensland Board of Surveyors. Unfortunately, existing fence lines and old pegs cannot always be trusted as accurate boundary markers.

An Identification Survey , also known as a boundary survey, is used to determine the position of the property boundaries and improvements for the property you are purchasing. The location of structures such as buildings, fences, driveways and retaining walls on the land are picked up in relation to the boundaries, easements and encroachments listed on the title.

A Contour and Detail Survey involves surveying the position of features, such as buildings, services and trees, etc, while taking levels over the site to determine the slope of the land. A detail survey is commonly used by engineers and architects to design new improvements, such as houses and driveways. The survey may show possible problems caused by drainage and steep sites influencing potential future council approvals.


Pre-Purchase Property Survey Cost in Queensland

The cost of a pre-purchase property survey depends on a number of factors including the location, size, shape and accessibility of the land size, together with the density of vegetation on the parcel, existing surveys and the availability of records, and survey marks in the area. These factors determine how long a survey will take, which in turn, influences the cost of the survey.

Murray & Associates offer obligation free initial discussions and can provide accurate quotes in relation to your specific property purchase consideration. When reputation and quality service from a professional surveyor matters most, choose the team that have been the leaders proudly serving Queensland homeowners for over 75 years.

Contact us today for a quote or for more information on our land surveying services.

By Website Team Technicians 05 Jul, 2021

The Directors of Murray & Associates take great pleasure in announcing the promotion of Town Planners Patrick Barnes and Chris Page to Associates.

Patrick started in the Caboolture office four years ago, whilst Chris joined the Sunshine Coast team in Sept 2019, currently splitting his time between Maroochydore, Nambour and Gympie.

Director and Principal Town Planner, Blake Bell, says the promotion to Associate for Pat and Chris is well deserved, "It's recognition for their commitment to their profession, consultancy expertise and service delivery to our clients." The value of Chris and Patrick's extensive experience and involvement in a vast array of residential, commercial, rural and industrial projects across Queensland is a huge asset for the firm. Their approach to the projects they work on, the relationships they build with clients and development of junior staff embodies the ethos of the company, which is also celebrating 75 years in business this year.

Chris and Patrick now join the Associates ranks at Murray & Associates with Cadastral Surveyor, Kyle Kenna.

Please join us in congratulating our newest Associates, Patrick and Chris.

By Nik Migale 19 Apr, 2021
Have you decided you need a Town Planner for your next development application but don’t know who to turn to and how to pick the right one? This guide gives you practical tips and resources to help you gain the advantage of working with the best Sunshine Coast Town Planning Consultant.

1. Experience & Volume
When it comes to experience and expertise, the number of successful applications lodged by a Town Planner and their consultancy speaks volumes. A planning consultant’s experience comes into play with their ability to efficiently develop strategies, provide practical advice to you (without the jargon) and submit concise reports and applications to ensure the best outcome. As a developer or landowner, the best outcome for you is always going to be getting an approval from local council the first time, thus avoiding delays and increasing costs.

Whether you are reconfiguring a lot by way of subdivision, doing a boundary realignment, operational works, lease application or a Material Change of Use (MCU) for example, each project will benefit from the knowledge and expertise built upon by extensive past developments and the applications of your Town Planner.

Look for a Town or Urban Planner with vast experience that aligns with your development proposal, taking into account the industry sector (residential, commercial, retail, industrial, energy or resources), site location, complexity and size of the project. This information is readily available to search on Sunshine Coast Council’s Development.i. website or you could speak to others in your industry or neighbourhood for a referral.

2. Up to date, Local knowledge
Town Planning experts make it their business to stay informed and on top of the complex, ever changing local and state planning legislation and regulations. The risk of missing an important step in the process or misinterpreting information can lead to costly and timely delays or rejections. Identifying the development potential, the best strategic approach for you and possible constraints specific to the assessment requirements is best done by a professional Town Planner who knows the local system inside and out.

The experienced Town Planning Consultants at Murray & Associates are experts in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 , Noosa Plan 2020 , and other relevant regional council planning schemes, including the Gympie Regional Council Planning Scheme and MBRC Planning Scheme. Understanding the intricate detail of the council’s town plan, being able to mitigate the risks involved and draw on the experience and skill of being awarded one of the highest volumes of development approvals on the Sunshine Coast, means they are also in the best position to challenge and negotiate conditions on your behalf to achieve the desired results…which is what we all want in the end!

3. Collaborative Effort
A Town Planner is your biggest advocate to ensure appropriate outcomes are realised from development approvals, but there are several other stakeholders that are involved in the process. Interested parties include other property service providers like engineers, architects and builders, as well as council, utility providers and authorities. A good Town Planner will liaise on your behalf with all relevant professionals and facilitate communication and the transfer of important information between them to keep your project progressing.
Significant value can be placed on engaging a Town Planner early to allow you to tap into their extensive network of skilled professionals. Again, a local, highly experienced Town Planner is the one most likely to have the established relationships and strong reputation that will get you ahead of the game.

Making the Call
The best way to know if the Town & Urban Planner you are considering is a good fit for you and your project, is to request a meeting. Researching all the above elements is important, but to maximise the likely success of your project, you and your Town Planner need to be able to communicate easily and build a relationship based on trust and a solid understanding of your needs and goals – if it isn’t going to work, you will probably get a feel for this from your initial meeting.

Creating individualised service with targeted outcomes is what Murray & Associates strive for with every engagement, regardless of project size or a client’s past development experience. Our Sunshine Coast specialist Town Planners are available for an obligation-free discussion over the phone or in person at our locations in Maroochydore or Nambour, as well as our offices in Gympie and Caboolture. Contact us today on 07 5441 2188 or let us know your details and a Town Planning Consultant will get in touch.
By Website Team Technicians 11 Feb, 2021

Surveying Assistant, Lawson Smith, has been nominated as a finalist in a local community award for his volunteer work at Sunshine Butterflies. When he was not working at Murray & Associates, Lawson volunteered two days per week every holidays in his final year of school. Sunshine Butterflies is a charity and recreational disability support service that specialises in supporting families and individuals, as well as educating the younger generation about disability, acceptance and inclusion. Our company association with Sunshine Butterflies started a few years ago during the construction of their facilities with the donation our professional surveying works.

Lawson’s nomination comes with full support of the charity “Lawson is a wonderful role model for our young adults at Sunshine Butterflies and within the local community, showing generosity, polite and a positive attitude with all that he does. Sunshine Butterflies is so grateful for Lawson and all his efforts he has truly made a difference in the lives of individuals living with a disability within our community”. Well done Lawson and best of luck with the award for Young Community Member of the Year to be announced at the end of the month.

For more information on Sunshine Butterflies, visit their website here , and if you want to help us support Lawson, you can vote here  before 21 February 2021.

By Website Team Technicians 11 Aug, 2020
Noosa Plan 2020 was gazetted and came into effect on 31 July 2020. The new scheme, which replaces the Noosa Plan 2006, serves as a blueprint for the region's primary policy and future directional document to manage development - including new or changing land uses, subdivision, building works, landscaping and clearing of vegetation and all forms of engineering works. Noosa Plan 2020 is the culmination of several years of consultation, engagement and review with the community and state agencies.


Making a Superseded Planning Scheme Request
The Planning Act 2016 allows a request to be made to Council to apply a superseded planning scheme to the carrying out of a development or have a development proposal assessed under the provisions of the superseded planning scheme, being Noosa Plan 2006. Applicants have one year from the commencement of Noosa Plan 2020.

A superseded planning scheme request enables a person to find out the local government's position before taking further action, such as lodging a development application or carrying out development.

Council will have 30 days to decide upon a request being made, and 5 days to notify you of that decision. If the Decision Notice approves the request, a planning approval may or may not be required depending on the development proposal and whether it required planning approval under the superseded Noosa Plan 2006.

The Senior Town Planners of Murray & Associates are able interpret your specific circumstances to the Noosa Plan 2020 and lodge a request on your behalf. Should you wish to know your opportunities for development and further information, please contact our office on 5441 2188.
By Website Team Technicians 25 Mar, 2020

I wanted to reassure you that it is ‘business as usual’ for Murray & Associates. There is no change to the reliability and timeliness of our service.

We’re actively following the advice from the Australian Government, the Department of Health and WHO and we will adjust our position as necessary to ensure a safe environment and minimise the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Our main priority at Murray & Associates is to ensure the health and safety of both our clients, visitors and team members. We will continue to assist with all your project needs via office landline, mobile and email as we try to maintain social distancing safe practices. Our field staff are still providing surveying services within the restrictions and measures implemented to mitigate associated risks as a result of the virus.

Our offices will continue to be open 8:30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, until otherwise directed by government.

Please contact us on 07 5441 2188 if you have any questions.

By Website Team Technicians 30 Jan, 2020
Murray & Associates QLD Pty Ltd is pleased to announce that it has been authorised to undertake the survey monitoring of Seqwater referable dams. This monitoring will assist Seqwater with its assessments that form part of the obligations to meet the Queensland Dam Safety Guidelines.
The monitoring will involve comprehensive risk assessments and high accuracy terrestrial surveying to deliver meaningful and valuable data on dam performance. Murray & Associates QLD Pty Ltd has been providing monitoring and performance data for some of the referable dams for more than a decade and look forward to the opportunity to continue this important service delivery.
By Website Team Technicians 28 Jan, 2020

Nambour CBD is set to be the heart of the Sunshine Coast’s live music scene. The Sunshine Coast Council has approved the Planning Scheme 2014 (Qualified State Interest Amendment) and Planning Scheme Policy (Amendment) No.21  on 15 January 2020, designating part of Nambour’s activity centre as a special entertainment precinct. The amendments to noise and planning laws change how entertainment venues are regulated, including live music venues, restaurants, bars and micro-breweries across Nambour and Maroochydore CBD’s.

With the head office of Murray & Associates on Nambour’s Currie Street, we’re excited to see a new CBD evolve and bring with it a fresh vibrancy.

If you have any questions about how the amendments may impact your business or residence, give us a call and we will happily discuss it with you.

A full copy of the amendment can be viewed and downloaded from Council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/planningscheme.

By Website Team Technicians 21 Jan, 2020

There wouldn't be many people in Australia unaffected or untouched by the current fire season. From evacuations, property destruction, changed travel and holiday plans or witnessing the heartbreaking images of our unique bushland and wildlife being destroyed, there has been little respite these last few months.

One of our employees, Patrick, has seen it all having just returned from service after helping fight the fires in New South Wales as part of a strike team sent from the Queensland Fire & Emergency Service. The team at Murray & Associates would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone doing their bit on the frontline to help protect our people, property, flora and fauna.

The team at Murray & Associates have proudly donated to the bushfire appeal and if you haven’t already done so too, you can make a contribution to the Rural Fire Service here

Stay safe everyone!

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