Residental Shed Addition - Coolamon

Located in the quiet village of Coolamon, this property at Lewis Street South is a 2,000 m² residential allotment zoned RU5 Village. The site accommodates an existing dwelling with ample rear yard space suited to ancillary development.

The proposal sought approval for a steel-framed residential shed designed to provide functional storage and workshop capacity while maintaining the low-scale rural character typical of the Coolamon township.

Constructed from corrugated pre-painted steel cladding with portal frame engineering, the structure includes a main 4 m × 10 m bay with dual enclosed lean-to sections extending along each side. The building form and colour palette were selected to blend with the surrounding residential fabric and reflect the utilitarian aesthetic common in regional settings.

The Challenge

The project required demonstrating that a large-scale shed, while residential in purpose, would not compromise neighbouring amenity or alter the visual character of the village streetscape.

Given the site’s proximity to existing dwellings and its visibility from Lewis Street, the proposal needed to address:

• potential overshadowing and visual bulk

• privacy and acoustic impacts

• storm water management and drainage

• compatibility with the existing residential use of the site.

PlanBE was engaged to prepare the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) and coordinate all supporting documentation to ensure a compliant and straightforward Development Application (DA) process through Coolamon Shire Council.

Planning Approach

PlanBE Planning prepared a detailed Statement of Environmental Effects in accordance with the Coolamon Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP).

Key planning considerations included:

• Land Use Compatibility: confirming that the shed was ancillary to the existing dwelling and consistent with RU5 Village zoning objectives.

• Amenity Protection: ensuring appropriate boundary setbacks, scale, and design to minimise any overshadowing or privacy impacts.

• Environmental Management: providing erosion control measures, storm water direction to water tanks, and sustainable waste disposal methods.

• Servicing and Access: confirming retention of existing driveway access, power, and communication services.

  
  

Through this approach, the proposal demonstrated full compliance with Council’s controls while reinforcing the residential and visual cohesion of the area.

Heritage and Environmental Considerations

Although not located within a heritage precinct, the proposal was assessed for its contextual response to the traditional character of Coolamon’s village setting. The low-profile roof pitch, muted finishes, and rural shed typology ensured that the new structure complemented the built form of surrounding properties.

Environmental factors were also carefully managed:

• No vegetation removal was required.

• The site is not flood or bushfire prone.

• The shed was designed as an air-leaky structure compliant with standards, providing resilience to local wind conditions (Region A0).

Additional Reports

Supporting documentation prepared and coordinated by PlanBE included:

• Engineering Drawings and Certification by Emerald Civil & Structural Engineers confirming compliance with relevant Australian Standards.

• Architectural and Site Plans detailing the shed’s layout, setbacks, and connection to existing storm water infrastructure.

• Statement of Environmental Effects addressing all statutory requirements under the LEP and DCP.

• Waste and Erosion Management Measures outlining responsible construction practices and site stabilisation.

  
  

Outcome

PlanBE’s comprehensive submission successfully demonstrated that the proposal met all relevant planning and engineering requirements, preserved neighbouring amenity, and enhanced the site’s functionality for residential use.

The development was supported by Council as a compliant and well-integrated addition to the property, reinforcing Coolamon’s established village character.

The project exemplifies PlanBE’s capacity to deliver clear, compliant, and context-sensitive documentation—ensuring even small-scale developments achieve efficient approvals and high-quality built outcomes.