Red tape is the pits.

So many projects get unnecessarily held up or abandoned because they end up bound up in red tape.

Not to worry, today we’ve got our trusty scissors at the ready. This is the pair that we reserve purely for red tape so they don’t end up blunt and useless. The kids have strict instructions: ‘do NOT use these scissors for cutting paper or plastic bottles, dolls’ hair or sticks.’

Here’s what you need to do to cut through red tape:

Do your homework

You really need to know what you’re getting into when you’re dealing with bureaucracy. So do your homework. Check out the website for your local planning and building department and download any relevant documents, read and understand them. Look at the neighbourhood around your property to understand what’s been allowed in the past. Take photos to start building your evidence of what exists in the area and what your site looks like now. Collecting all this information in the beginning gives you the opportunity to start with a strong understanding, so you don’t miss something down the track.

Keep the council in the loop

A lot of planning crises can be avoided by simply chatting to a planner before starting your project. You can organise a preplanning meeting to discuss what you’re thinking and to see if council would give in principle support to this proposal. Of course, this chat is not binding and you may find that your project is ultimately held up, but you’ll have a clearer idea of what the possibilities are by taking this initial step. Similarly, if you need to change something after you’ve received permission, keep the authority informed and ask them what the ramifications of this would be. A small change might not require much paper work, but depending on your situation it may create a snowball effect which creates a much larger issue than you were imagining. It’s better to be upfront and understand your options rather than finding out once it’s too late.

Tick the boxes

It really can be this easy. If a form asks for specific information, provide it. If you’re unsure if you’ve satisfied a condition, ask. The uninitiated can fill out a form incorrectly and not finding out until months later when they get rejected. Take your time to understand what’s required and give the authority what they need to make their decision.

Get experts involved

Sometimes it saves money and time to go directly to the experts in situations you’re not familiar with. Not to toot our own horn, but an architect can help with planning and building issues, but it’s typically best to work together from the beginning. There are also planning consultants and even builders advocates who can help you navigate the unfamiliar terrain. Don’t be afraid to get an expert on-board.

Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself

If, even after going through all this things still manage to go pear shaped, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. If you’re confident you’ve done everything correctly and your your proposal is reasonable and your application is rejected, consider your options and don’t be afraid to take your case to a higher level like the administrative tribunal or equivalent in your state or territory. Sometimes even great projects don’t make it through the red tape unscathed, but they’re still worth fighting for.

Cut through?

Of course it’s difficult to give specific advice in these cases, but if you have a project that you’re fearful will end up mummified in red tape, get in touch and hopefully we can bring out those trusty scissors!