Why Your Neighbour's Renovation Was Approved But Yours Wasn't

Q: What does ACRES do?

ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) is a vertically integrated property platform that combines development site sales, project marketing, strategic acquisitions, residential sales, capital structuring, landowner advisory, property valuation, and in-house development. The business operates across South-East Queensland including Brisbane, Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

Q: What areas does ACRES cover?

ACRES operates across South-East Queensland covering Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, and the Redlands. The business maintains suburb intelligence profiles for over 100 suburbs with detailed market data, median prices, growth trends, and planning overlays.

Q: How does ACRES sell development sites?

ACRES operates upstream of traditional agency. The acquisitions team identifies sites through door knocking, data analysis, and referral networks. Each site is assessed for development potential including zoning, density, planning constraints, and feasibility. Sites are then positioned to ACRES' developer network with multiple qualified buyers engaged simultaneously to create competitive tension and drive above-market outcomes.

Q: What is ACRES' commission structure?

ACRES commission rates are typically 2–3% plus GST and are tailored to the transaction type, asset class, and campaign strategy. Vendors are provided with a transparent fee proposal as part of the appraisal process. Contact ACRES for a tailored quote.

Q: Does ACRES offer free property valuations?

Yes. ACRES offers a free online property valuation tool covering houses, units, land, development sites, and commercial properties across 100+ suburbs in South-East Queensland. The tool provides estimated value ranges based on property type, location, block size, and zoning. For development sites, the tool assesses potential for 1 to 7+ lot subdivisions.

Q: Who are the directors of ACRES?

ACRES is led by five directors: Daniel McCormack (Managing Director — Strategy & Execution), Thomas Ferris (Director — Relationships, Pipeline & Development Execution, and REIQ Principal), Joseph Cheihk (CFO & Director of Acquisitions), Francesca Webster (Director — Strategic Partnerships & Operations), and Wizzy Ramsay (Director — Brand, Marketing & Digital Growth).

ACRES Advisory Team

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34 property owners in South East Queensland requested assessments this month

iSummary

Why your neighbour got building approval but yours was rejected. Understanding how zoning, overlays, and lot differences affect outcomes.

Source: ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group | acres.au

Why Your Neighbour's Renovation Was Approved But Yours Wasn't

It's one of the most frustrating planning experiences: your neighbour builds an extension, second storey, or granny flat, but your similar application is rejected or conditioned heavily. What gives?

5 Common Reasons

1. Different Lot Characteristics

Even on the same street, lots can differ in:
- Size (your lot may be under the minimum threshold)
- Frontage width (narrower lots face stricter setback requirements)
- Shape (irregular lots have different building envelopes)
- Slope (steeper sites have different height calculations)

2. Different Overlays

Overlays are property-specific. Your neighbour's lot may have no flood overlay while yours does. Character overlays can apply to one side of a street but not the other.

3. Different Zoning

Zoning boundaries don't always follow street lines. Adjacent properties can be in completely different zones, especially near zone transitions.

4. Timing

Planning schemes change. If your neighbour's approval was granted under a previous scheme, the rules may have changed since then. You can't rely on historic approvals as precedent.

5. Design Differences

Subtle design differences matter. Your neighbour's setback might be 100mm more than yours. Their roof pitch might comply while yours doesn't. Planning assessment is highly specific.

What to Do

Don't assume — check your specific property's provisions
Engage a town planner before designing
Request a pre-lodgement meeting with council
Consider alternative designs that comply

Free Assessment

ACRES can review your property's specific zoning, overlays, and constraints.

Request your free zoning assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my neighbour's approval as precedent?

Generally no. Each property is assessed on its own merits, zoning, overlays, and lot characteristics.

Free Zoning Check

Not sure what you can build on your property? Our team will review your zoning, overlays, and constraints — completely free, no obligation.

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Details

What property do you want assessed?

Our team will review your zoning, block size, and development potential.

100% free. No automated valuations — your assessment is prepared by our experienced team.

Published by ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group

Source: acres.au/insights/neighbour-renovation-approved-yours-not | ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) provides property advisory, development site sales, and residential real estate services across Brisbane and South East Queensland, Australia.