Which way is North? Plant out the wet area with native plants. Gardening with Angus has a great plant selector.

Find north. Build for the climate. Mudroom for dropping muddy boots and gardening clothes.

Lovely views towards the hills in that (drone?) photo. Assuming that you can see them at house level, I'd place the house a little to the front of the shed, and more central on the block. Not too close to the road, but not too far either because you don't want to eat into your budget on driveway.
What direction is North, and what's your climate like? Also, make a list of your absolute needs, and a second list of wants, and work from there.

See pic below with direction of North.

Just to answer some of the questions

Existing shed is a 2 bay work shop down stairs, upstairs is an open plan design with small kitchen and bed. Not bad as a bachelor pad but not really suitable for a family of 4 hence the need to build a separate house.

The upstairs area of that shed will become a jamming room with drum kit etc.

views of the hills cannot be seen at single story level, Not real keen on building multi level as i have issue with my knees and would rather avoid stairs.

The plan is to build a 4 bedroom house with -

• 2 bay car garage
• Study room
• Patio at the back
• Doing some kind of landscape at the back of the block to be viewed from back patio.
• single level.
• steel frame

Summer temps are max 29 min 21.

Winter temps are max 22 min 11

Prevailing winds are easterly

I'm considering building a pond in that wet area as I have access to some heavy machinery.

You may notice a large dirt pile, Hoping to fill in low areas in around the wet section and use top soil from what is dug out from a pond.

i would divide the block into separate fenced areas for different purposes..eg front paddock for pasture for any stock, area near existing shed for vege gardens, water tanks, garden sheds and septic drainage, new house in the centre angled for passive solar advantage and roof top solar panels, guest parking and gravelled turning area, dam across the back and space between the dam and house for mown lawn playing area and locked gate fenced off for child safety (especially visiting kids) with deep planted borders of mixed trees and shrubs to avoid too much mowing (a few sheep will mow anywhere) and create a wildlife haven but a pond/dam needs to be big enough to avoid quick evaporation and then will attract birds and frogs and we kept silver and golden perch and well worth the effort to create a feature in your lower views .. add a central island or floating island (instructions available) but make sure that there's a clear 2m wide mown walkway all around the dam, house and sheds and to and from the house for a snake free walkways and then consider a gazebo and jetty for picnics by the water...something like this but not to scale

If the block is on the outskirts of a town, or next to a zone with smaller lots (ie 1-2 acres) it might be worth building the house to one side to allow for future subdivision. Could be 20-30 years down the track but something to think about.....

For the wet area check out The Australian Native Plants Enthusiasts forum for ideas for creating a habitat for frogs etc.

if you really need to consider future sub division plan to cut off the front portion of the block and keep the best rear area for yourself as a battle axe block

I’d maybe look at building along the south side of block with the garage at western end perhaps slightly in front or level with shed, and a decent entry statement to signify main residence. Running a narrow house down block to maximise sun exposure and privacy with living at ne corner.

And entry statement could be onto a long verandah down to living space

Yes yes yes! I like Kate's thinking: Can I design it for you please: we can chat about what you like where, how big a kitchen you want, how much storage, etc etc and get it just right for you and family.... Love to assist with this.... What a fabulous place.... Cheers Margot

I’d be careful about excavating into that wet area as it could destabilise the slope above where the trees are. If the toe of that slope became saturated, which looks very possible, you could find your dam is filled with mud and part of the slope above. Creating a wetland area. Might be better as would planting some more trees at the toe of the slope (will lower the water table a bit). Work with what you have got. To create a deep enough dame with an island you have excavate a significant amount of soil as islands take up a lot of space in a dam (think iceberg and what’s below the surface). Why not create a series of garden rooms with areas to sit. I also suggest including a productive food garden with fruit trees/ shrubs and veges.

Billabong for the wet area, doesn’t really need too much excavation - just rocks & appropriate planting

Hi Mark,

Just saw your requirements and proposed site a few moments ago, seems to be a great site, congratulation on your purchase, seems to be a glorious block, and your approach in obtaining information before you build or doing any documentation will pay off in the long run.

Generally, the item that takes the most time is the design – what the house looks like, the position of the house orientation and deployment of rooms, and appropriate choice of materials. This is the greatest investment of time and money, after you have a design that you are happy with you may approach the documentation in different ways.

The design is generally generated by 3 principal steps – (some of the information you have already provided)

1. Site constraints - especially orientation, existing structures to be retained, views, etc.

• The slope on a 5-acre property is very important for – flooding, drainage – both stormwater and blackwater (sewage) if a septic tank has to be provided so this should be done by Land Surveyor or yourself if you can use a level appropriately
• Water collection for a dam position – especially if it has to be for potable water.
• Soil type - for building location to have a good bearing.
• Weather – for roof design – (You have terrific temperature variation - Hight 29 summer and 11 min winter) other issues would be prevailing wind direction, and maximum rainfall as this may impact on the design of the roof and drainage direction and storage or dissipation.

And other Site constraints like – native and/or feral animals and pests, etc. and how you are going to use the five acres - Kitchen Gardens, chickens animals, pets and which rooms will have views and which rooms must have views and which views, etc.

I would consider siting would be one of the most important decisions in this design proposal, probably site all other activities first and the house last.

1. Brief – number of rooms like bedrooms bathroom etc (Some information you have already provided)

• You mentioned issues with your knees, thus the number of steps in and out of the house would need to be minimal (if any) so drainage to avoid flooding would be an issue as the floor level may be close to the ground if using a slab. to
• Your requirements for a family of four – they might have outdoor activities and pets that may impact the design internally and external areas.
• Special interest – like cooking, storage of food f you are a long distance from town, etc

1. Budget (Some information you have already provided –(500)

Will this included site works like the dam and other specialized areas.

• Will this include the cost of driveways.
• Will the project go to tender or will it be subcontracted or self build.
• Is there power (solar power), water, and gas on the site – are they required, and do they impact the budget.

Then there is the process of initial design and revisions, followed by Town Planning Permit if required, and Working Drawings Documents for a Building Permit which is always required.

As you may be well aware this is a long process, and taking your time with it will pay dividends – you do not want to wake up day and say – “if only I took more time” or “was not so stingy in obtaining advice” I would not be in this pickle.

If you take your time and purchase adequate advice and things go wrong at the very least you cannot blame yourself and that in my opinion is a great relief.

Just drawing multiple plans without a structured process can prove difficult and non-rewarding especially in the long run.

If you feel that I can be a benefit to your project please send me an email so that we may continue the conversation and get to a design proposal. I would like to work on your project and have worked successfully on similar projects before.

If you require further information or have any concerns about the included information, contact me as soon as possible.

Regards

Michael Manias

MANIAS ASSOCIATES

BUILDING DESIGNERS

P: (03) 9347 7347

M: +61 0417 567123

W: https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/maniasassociates/__public

e: mm407p@gmail.com

Reference image collected on the web