Blog
Updates, new features, and news from Close Enough.
Zones vs Overlays: The 10‑Minute Explanation
What each control does, and why both matter
Zones and overlays are both planning controls, but they do different jobs. Zones set the broad use and development rules for land. Overlays sit on top to…
How to Compare Two Melbourne Addresses (Without Suburb Rankings)
A simple, repeatable method for renters and buyers
Comparing two addresses is usually a mix of gut feel, short inspections, and half-remembered notes. A simple, repeatable method makes it clearer and more…
What "Livability" Means at an Address Level in Melbourne
Why fit matters more than suburb averages
If you are looking in Melbourne, you will hear a lot about "liveable suburbs." The problem is that suburb averages hide the street-level differences that…
Why Commute Time Beats Distance (and How to Estimate It)
A time‑based way to compare addresses, not suburb averages
When people say an address is “close,” they usually mean distance. But your day is shaped by time, not kilometres. The same distance can mean very different…
How to Use VicPlan to Get a Planning Property Report
A practical walkthrough for zones, overlays, and planning links
If you are checking an address in Victoria, the quickest official starting point is the VicPlan map. It lets you search an address, see zones and overlays, and…
How to Read the Report Overview
At-a-glance signals and the quick stats page
The overview page is designed to answer one question fast: what should I look at next? It highlights the strongest signals from the report and flags the areas…
How to Read Planning Overlays Without Panic
What overlays do and do not mean for an address
Planning overlays can feel intimidating, but they are not a verdict on an area. They are simply rules and constraints that apply to a specific address or zone.