Recently, I helped a home owner in Calwell with retrospective planning approvals for a large pergola. Because the pergola was constructed at the side of the house facing the secondary street front, it required a Development Application (DA). On corner blocks the area at the side of a house facing the street is also the front garden.

If you are planning a deck, pergola or similar in the front or side garden, it is important to check what planning approvals are required before starting any construction. There are far fewer DA exemptions when building in the front garden. Call me as this is something I can usually advise on over the phone for free!