The Journal
Notes from
the site.
Field-tested writing on the regulations, materials and decisions that shape custom homes, townhouses and commercial builds across Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast.
Articles
Notes on building in Victoria.
Regulation & compliance· 7 min readBuilding in Victoria in 2026: VBA registration, NCC 2022 and the 7-star NatHERS shift
A practical guide for homeowners and developers to the regulations that now shape every new build in Victoria — from builder registration to the 7-star energy floor.
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SDA / NDIS housing· 8 min readSpecialist Disability Accommodation in Victoria: design categories, funding and build timelines
How SDA works in Victoria — Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support — and what investors and families should know before breaking ground.
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Custom homes & developments· 7 min readBuilding on the Bellarine and Surf Coast: costs, council approvals and BAL bushfire ratings
What a realistic per-square-metre budget looks like in 2026, how Surf Coast and Greater Geelong planning differ, and why BAL ratings change the build before the slab is poured.
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Materials & trends· 6 min readMaterials that last on the Victorian coast: passive design, thermal mass and salt-air-resistant finishes
The Victorian coastal climate is unforgiving on cheap specifications. A look at the materials, detailing and passive design choices that still look right ten years in.
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