Building a luxury home on an acreage block is a dream for many Australians. These large rural properties offer a number of advantages, including privacy and a peaceful country lifestyle, unbelievably scenic views, and plenty of space for hobbies, outdoor activities or livestock. However, there are a number of things you need to consider when it comes to designing an acreage home that you wouldn’t normally have to think about when building a suburban home. Here are the most important things to keep in mind.
1. Services to the site
The first thing to consider when designing an acreage home is whether it has access to essential services like water, electricity and sewerage. If your property is not serviced by water, you will need to contact Barwon Water to explore your options; for sewerage, you will need to contact the City of Greater Geelong council to discuss options.
When it comes to power, you will need to find out if your block has access to power. If not, you can look at going off-grid instead of arranging a grid connection. However, you will need to consider your usage requirements to ensure that you install a system large enough for your needs. Every Hamlan home comes with a Bradford Solar ChargePack, including a Tesla Powerwall, as standard.
2. Bushfire regulations
Bushfires can be devastating, especially for rural properties. The greater Geelong area is not immune to bushfire risk, and all homes built between Jan Juc and Lorne must adhere to the Bushfire Management Overlay. Your property will require a bushfire management statement that needs to go through the Council. There are a number of criteria the build has to meet, such as the property needs to have a defendable space around the home, must be constructed of non-combustible materials and have a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating of 19 or higher.
3. Vehicle access
Vehicle access is particularly important, particularly when it comes to truck and trades access during construction. No one wants to deal with a bogged truck on a muddy site, so you should ensure that gates are large enough for vehicles like trucks can access the property easily, and that gravel is laid down in key areas for heavy equipment and vehicles.
4. Aesthetics
When it comes to the floorplan and exterior aesthetics of your home, there are really no limits – you can opt for a rural barn-style home or a striking modern silhouette. However, it is important to keep in mind that it may cost more to call out tradespeople to an acreage home for ongoing maintenance. It’s sensible to choose materials that require less maintenance, and design your home so that it’s easy to access areas for these purposes.
5. Orientation
One of the main reasons that people choose an acreage property is the stunning, unspoilt views – and building in the Greater Geelong area is no exception, with both country and coastal views on your doorstep. Orienting your home to make the most of the natural light or to take advantage of the best views is something you should consider from the beginning of the design process. Intelligent orientation of your home can also reduce your power usage by making the most of the northern sun, resulting in better natural light and a more comfortable temperature in your home throughout the day.
As Greater Geelong locals and the area’s pre-eminent luxury home builder, Hamlan has vast experience of ensuring that your rural escape meets your aspirations as well as all of the above factors. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
