Approval

[The_Cat]

Hello All,

This area is a wonderful resource. But I have a problem.

I really need to construct a small observatory but local council can be a major pain. I know that the rules have been changed re: floor area and height etc. But I would like to know the experiences that others may have had dealing with local govt. if at all.

TIA and regards,

Jeremy,

[[1ponders]]

council? what council? :whistle:

Its a tool shed that the roof comes off to improve the lighting during the day. :D

[h0ughy]

I give you Council Approval Paul ;)

Jeremy, what LGA are you in? up to 10m2 is OK under a height of 2.4m generally with an offset from the boundary of 900 minimum, but other LGA's can slightly change that

[The_Cat]

Gee Whiz guys, Many thanks for the replies.

I'm in the Barossa council area and I think those figures, David, look good. Now Here's the problem: I can get by with the floor area of 10 sq. M which gives me a diameter of 3.6M but the height is a problem. I want the walls to be 1.8M and with the 3.6M dome the total height would be 3.6M - wonder if the council would notice? Its all designed - the dome is to be fabricated from aluminium welded construction - just haven't got the guts to put it up yet.

Jeremy.

[Alchemy]

Councils will vary but here the following rules apply here

Under 10 m2 floor coverage requires no permit provided it's not masonry,
Heights apply depending on distance from fence I think it's 1.8 on the fence and if a m or 2 away it's 2.4m high, if you are in suburbia the observatory will need to be setback from the front line of the existing house.

You can actually build a decent observatory with much less floorspace than 10 m2 , mine is about 5 m2 and with a bit of tinkering the whole building slides off the platform, housing the computer etc.

If you do a google search ..... Your council building exemptions ...... You should come up with the rules you need.

To a large degree it does depend on your neighbors, most houses have something that doesn't comply and unless someone complains it goes by unnoticed.

[Alchemy]

Your post Came up while I was checking my local regs

Yes I think that will be seen. It's going to draw a certain amount of attention, that does complicate things somewhat.

[Alchemy]

Here's the solution, put a sign on it saying recycled water...... Just make it look like a huge water tank :D

[The_Cat]

Hi Clive and thank you for the input - much appreciated.

Neighbours are not a problem as the closest one is about 180M away.
My little obs is doubling as a small den to escape to !!

My main problem is getting away from stray lights as every time I plan on positioning my gear the Sandy Creek School desides to over light its area or the council sets up lights that light up 25M trees at a range of 200M. BTW these lights are meant to light small car parks. I'll post the URS of some of the offending lights.

Jeremy.

Examples :

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_nmcM5hLJalE/TLg3C1jyBbI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/NRZcXl8aksk/s800/SC_School_1252.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_nmcM5hLJalE/TLg3CkpG79I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/hhW4RpvHrDQ/s800/SC_School_1251.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_nmcM5hLJalE/TLg3CgN8CJI/AAAAAAAAAJw/YZofJk0vJXQ/s800/New_Light_1249.jpg

[sasup]

that sucks, no other way to put it. Put the lights out

[Alchemy]

There's not much one can do about that kind of lighting, I had my last observatory higher up on my block, the site next door was bought, I lent them power to build, made myself friendly, showed them the observatory.... My reward was 4 floodlights pointing at the observatory. Suffice to say we don't speak anymore, ive decommissioned the observatory into a garden shed and built a new one away from his lights.
I live 64 k from melbournes CBD and unfortunately light pollution is now becoming very noticeable, it wasn't when I moved here, so the solution is to go narrow band if it's very bad. I love the Ha black and white images so there's plenty to do if you are really hemmed in by the light.
I'm just gobsmacked at why councils feel the need to light up large trees, light if it's a safety concern needs to be on the ground, I can't see people falling out of trees at night to be a great problem.

[multiweb]

That is also exactly what I was told by the Liverpool CC when I rang them.

[bartman]

Too True!!!!!!
:P
Bartman
Wish I had a backyard big enough to consider a tool shed with power friendly lighting!

[The_Cat]

I have been trying to get the lights modified in some way but the problem is the bureaucratic buck passing. Depending on the Govt. Dept. If the light is on the road its the council if it is in the car park it is the education department and if it is on the school grounds then it is the school !!

The government lighting people install the lights and fool every one into thinking that the Australian Standard has been followed. Problem is that Australian Standards set the bar very low (have you looked at your house wiring lately ?) and governments believe anything told to them if it said with enough authority.

Jeremy

[Astroman]

Hi Jeremy, Long time no see...

I had a 2.3m domed obs in my backyard for ages, wasn't much of a problem, sold it and now making a shed off the side of my current shed for the obs. Here in Paralowie the regs were the same as what Houghy said, 10m2, under 2.4m. Thats a nice size for a small garden shed..

[The_Cat]

Greetings Andrew and yes I've been out of circulation for some time - just getting life in order:) and hope it stays that way!!

That TOA-150 ? Cant lift it as I have a muscle problem (LH only) so I put it up for sale to buy a lighter 'scope. But it looks as if there are no takers so the option is to house it once and for all in an obs.

Making a 3.6M dome is no problem as my neighbor owns an engineering outfit down the road "Sandy Creek Engineering" and he will fabricate the dome - rolled alloy and welded construction.

Its Good to be back.

Jeremy

[Astroman]

Would be nice to see some construction on that dome, lucky to have someone who could do it. My obs was made from Colourbond sheet and 25mm square tubing that had been rolled to shape.. the new obs will only be big enough to swing the scope and the other shed 6x3 for control and other stuff....

Good to see you back into it.

[The_Cat]

Hi Andrew,

Will post pics as we progress - just deciding where to put the footing,

The actual construction is quite simple - the plan view is octagonal and so is the dome. The walls will be made from weather board. The 3.6M diameter (between flats) allows 0.9M radius clear space round the pier leaving an "open space of 0.9M. One of the sides carries the door with a couple of built in desks, bookshelves and cupboard built on 3 sides. Because of the cost of the gear and looking at the huge condensation problems in these observatories I got a small split cycle air-con to control the humidity, from that place on Saints Road , (new @ $400).

Jeremy.

[ChrisM]

Jeremy,

Have a look at post #26 on
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=36222

for the building permit criteria in my area, which is also on a larger block.

Take note that the dome height did not count towards the wall height.

My dome shields the lights in the valley totally.

Good luck.
Chris

[The_Cat]

Chris,

Many thanks for your input. Your post #26 is most helpful and is a great use to me. I have decided on the position of my obs and am quite confident in making it all happen. Your work (obs) is impressive.

Once again many thanks,

Jeremy.