Buying a development site without thorough due diligence is one of the most expensive mistakes an investor can make. This comprehensive checklist covers every due diligence step required for Melbourne development sites in 2026, from zoning checks through to development feasibility modelling.
Phase 1 — Desktop Due Diligence (Before Making an Offer)
| Check | Source | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Zone and overlays | Vicplan / council planning maps | Zone type, heritage, flood, vegetation overlays |
| Title search | Land Titles Office | Encumbrances, easements, covenants, caveats |
| Planning permit history | Council PIMS | Previous permits, refusals, conditions |
| Comparable sales | Domain, CoreLogic | Recent sales of similar developed products nearby |
| Development feasibility | Your quantity surveyor | Cost vs end value, development margin |
Phase 2 — Physical Due Diligence (After Signing Subject to Due Diligence)
- Site survey — confirm actual lot dimensions and boundaries
- Soil test — identify soil type and any contamination indicators
- Services location — gas, water, sewer, electrical and NBN connections and capacity
- Contamination report (Phase 1 Environmental) — essential for former industrial or commercial land
- Arborist report — if significant trees are present
- Flood and drainage check — confirm flood overlay status and drainage capacity
Phase 3 — Planning Assessment
- Town planner feasibility review — confirm your development concept is approvable
- Pre-application council meeting — available in most Melbourne councils
- Heritage consultant review — if any heritage overlay applies
- Infrastructure contributions estimate — check council’s development contributions plan
Development Feasibility Model
Before committing to any development site, model the full feasibility: land cost + construction cost + holding costs + finance costs + selling costs vs projected end value. A minimum 20% development margin is typically required to justify the risk. GeeVee’s development feasibility tool helps you model this. Join the Collings Off-Market Portal free today.
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