G'day All

After two-years of part-time employment as a local government (cadet) planner, and nearly three-years of hard slog out of a four-year course (see: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/planning/bachelor.html), I have decided that it is time to 'return some of the surplus'.

What does that mean? It means that I am offering a FREE (statutory) planning advice service to anyone implementing a genuine permaculture project.

My area of 'expertise' is, naturally, statutory planning within my home state of Victoria (Australia), however I have read extensively from other states (of Australia) and I am quite comfortable with interpretating their respective statutory requirements. So, should you need a hand with understanding the 'local code' (particularly from the unique perspective that we permaculturalists hold), then I would be only too happy to offer you my 'unqualified' advice.

And yes, people from distant lands are most welcome to take up my offer - I'll have a crack at interpretating any (freely available) planning code/scheme/regulation that exists upon this planet! Unfortunately, I only have one language (the one you are currently reading), so it is best if you can tender all requests in English - Australian, even better .

Of course (and this goes for everyone), because you will be paying me nothing for my 'services', and in the event that I should offer you advice that is contrary to a legally-binding interpretation of your 'local code', then I expect that you will not try to sue (instigate legal proceedings against) me for any damages you may incur. My legal advice is rather solid, and suggests that if you should wish to sue for incorrect information given and received 'in good faith', then you will most likely get nothing - not that I have a lot to give :lol: .

Anyway, now that we have the nasty legal stuff out of the way (and assuaged any worries my lawyer friend may have), allow me to continue to set out what's on offer...

Essentially, my services will suit people who are in the process of developing a permaculture project - of any scale - and who feel that they may need advice as to whether the proposed development will meet/not meet local council/governing body requirements, and who for whatever reason, are unable to source this advice either from their local governing body, or a private planning consultant. People faced with financial difficulties are most welcome to apply, and will go to the front of the line.

Critical to the service on offer, is my solid commitment to 100% confidentiality. Your business will always remain your business, and wild horses could not ever drag from me your personal details to give to a third party. Seriously, this is a very critical matter as you will have to provide me with EXACT property details if you expect EXACTING advice in return. Likewise, you will have to provide me with the EXACT detail of what it is you are proposing to develop/use on your particular property. In this regard, it is always good planning (not too mention a legal requirement in most parts of the world!) to ensure that the property at which you propose a use/development is actually yours, or at least you have the authority of the owner of the said property to undertake the said use/development :rolleyes: .

So, more legal stuff, but best to be up front about these things from the very beginning...

OK, so if you do wish to take up my offer, this is what I need:

*Exact property (allotment) description (location)
*Property size (acres/hectares)
*A BRIEF outline of your intended use/development

I don't know if anyone else is offering this kind of 'pro bono' (?) service, so I have no idea of what the demand might be - if any!

So, after having read all the above, I am sure many of you must by now be asking "What's in it for him?"

The answer, experience. Nothing more, nothing less (well, maybe a little bit of good karma).

OK, so over to you. Any general questions/comments, please use this forum and maybe we can help others at the same time.

Personal questions, please feel free to use my PM/email.

Cheerio, Mark.