When will construction commence and be completed at Panorama Portarlington? 

Construction across the first three stages at Panorama Portarlington is now complete.  

When will the entrance at Pigdon Road be finished?  

The entrance at Pigdon Road forms part of Stage 4 and the timing of its construction will be subject to Council Approval and the construction of Stage 4.  

Why can’t title timeframes be more precise? 

Throughout our communication with purchasers, we will always provide an estimated timeframe for title registration and settlement. 

The reason we can only provide estimates (for example Q1 or late April) is due to factors beyond our control, such as weather conditions and approvals from multiple authorities.  

To provide some context, the Panorama Portarlington development team requires approval from various authorities including the City of Greater Geelong, Powercor, Barwon Water, NBN, VicRoads, and the CFA. Each authority operates on its own timeline for inspections and audits, and we can only join their queue once all civil works are complete. It's challenging to predict the exact duration of these approvals: they could take three weeks or six. 

We understand the frustration of not having a set date, but we are committed to providing our customers with regular updates and estimating completion dates to the best of our ability. 

If you find receiving estimates frustrating, please rest assured that our Conveyancer will send an email to all purchaser representatives upon lodging the Plan of Subdivision and again when the plan is registered, providing title particulars and settlement dates.

Are there design guidelines?

Yes. To ensure that our community looks beautiful and feels welcoming well into the future, there are Design Guidelines to follow when designing your new home. They will also help protect the integrity of your investment and provide you with the peace of mind that every house in your neighbourhood is built to the same high standards, while allowing everyone flexibility to express their individuality.

Can I request a copy of the DWGs (Autocad) with title lines and contours before my lot is constructed?

We don’t supply DWG (autocad) files to purchasers prior to the construction of the stage completing. Purchasers / Builders are able to utilise the dimensions as shown in the proposed Plan of Subdivision that can be found in the s32 (Contract of Sale).

The contours your builder will need are finished surface levels, which are known post-construction of the stage..

What might our Site Classification be for residential slabs and footings?

Panorama’s early geotechnical report completed before civil works, conservatively classified the land as “likely Site Class P”.  After civil works were completed, compaction testing was carried out across lots. These tests confirmed that the land has been engineered and compacted to residential standards. This means the preliminary “Class P” classification does not automatically apply to every lot. Each home builder is required to undertake an individual site classification (in line with AS 2870 – Residential Slabs and Footings) as part of the building permit process. That test determines the final classification for your lot and informs the design of your home’s footings. 

Why does my block have fall?

Most of the land lots within Panorama have a fall above 1.5m due to the site being elevated on a hill overlooking the bay. Before starting the development, we consulted with a range of builders to gather feedback on how they would prefer the lots to be graded for building. The majority expressed a preference for leaving the grading as natural as possible to provide homeowners with greater flexibility in home design.

This decision was made to accommodate builders who are experienced in and comfortable with designing and building homes on slopes, such as delivering split-level designs. This approach may not align with the requirements of volume builders, who typically have limited tolerance for slope.

We recommend you consider some of the local (Geelong, Bellarine based) home builders like GJ Gardner, Pivot Homes, or Levonix Homes. These builders are more accustomed to working with sloped lots and may have suitable designs that can accommodate the fall on your lot without requiring the extensive site works.

Does our driveway need to be installed?

Yes, driveways need to be installed prior to occupancy.

Can I buy a block and not build a house?

Our covenants require you to commence construction of a home within 36 months of the settlement date and complete construction within 54 months of the settlement date.

When do I need to commence building?

Construction of your home must commence within 36 months of the settlement date.

When do I need to complete construction?

Your home construction must be completed within 54 months of the settlement date, including the garage, driveway and retaining walls.

Can I submit my house plans to the Panorama Portarlington Design Panel (PPDP) before I settle?

Yes, you can submit your plans to the PPDP prior to settlement.

Where do I submit my house plans for approval?

Email your plans to submissions@panoramaportarlington.com.au. Check to ensure that you have included all the necessary documents.

Can I have a front fence?

As Panorama is a development based on open streetscapes reflecting the wide spaces of its surroundings, front boundary fencing is not generally permitted.

Front fencing (except for homesites facing Geelong-Portarlington Road, Batman Road and Allens Road) is to be set back 1m behind the building façade and should conform to the requirements of fence Type 4 – Steel Angled Pickets.

What type of side and rear fencing is permitted?

Fencing between homesites (side and rear), where not visible from the public realm, must be provided and should be Type 5 – ColorbondTM: Colour Basalt.

Fencing between homesites (side and rear, visible from the public realm/street), must be provided and should be Type 4 – Steel Angle Pickets:

• Restricted to start a minimum of 1m behind the front façade of the dwelling.

• Terminated by returning to meet the closest wall of the dwelling and a minimum of 1m behind the closest front wall of the dwelling, unless it is on the rear boundary of an adjoining homesite.

• A maximum height of 1.8m above natural ground level.

Do I need to have a letterbox?

It is not a legal requirement to have a letterbox. You can find more guidance on Letterboxes within the Design Guidelines.

When do I need to finish my front landscaping?

You must complete the front landscaping within 6 months of the Certificate of Occupancy being issued. You can find more guidance on Landscaping within the Design Guidelines.

What should my landscape design reflect? 

Landscaping at Panorama should complement the local Bellarine environment. 

Use plant species and materials that reflect the natural coastal setting, and design with sustainability, privacy, and the local climate in mind. 

How much of my front garden can be paved? 

No more than 40% of your front garden can be hard-paved surfaces. At least 30% should be soft, planted garden beds. 

What type of plants should I use? 

All plants must be chosen from the Panorama Plant Species List (more information can be found in the Design Guidelines). They should be hardy, drought-tolerant, and suitable for local conditions. 

Can I use artificial turf? 

No. Artificial lawns are not allowed in the front setback. Turf must be a warm-season variety. 

Do I need to plant a tree in the front yard? 

Yes. You must plant at least one tree between the front building line and the street boundary. The tree should be at least 2.0m tall at installation. It should reach a minimum mature height of 4.0m. Choose a location that won’t affect your home’s foundations, driveway, or nearby utilities. 

Can I use non-native plants in my backyard? 

Yes, but only in secluded private open spaces. However, large non-indigenous canopy trees are not permitted. 

What is required for dual frontage homesites? 

Homes on dual frontage lots must address both frontages. That means providing a landscape design for both front gardens, ensuring both sides present well and reflect Panorama’s coastal character. 

Can I sell my block before I build?

The resale of a lot prior to constructing a dwelling is prohibited without the consent of the developer.

How will I find out when my block is titled and ready to settle?

The Panorama Team will keep you up to date on construction progress and once we have received all the required approvals, we will ensure that our legal representative will advise your nominated legal representative of the proposed settlement date.