Living Image Landscape Architect
Phil's council DA plans have been approved without variations across multiple client projects in Sutherland Shire.
Multiple clients specifically flag that his knowledge of council rules (retaining wall setbacks, landscaping ratios, pool compliance) meant their DAs went through cleanly on the first submission, which is the kind of thing that saves homeowners weeks of back-and-forth. The practice is GST-registered and has been operating for close to nine years, and repeat clients appear in the sample — one reviewer notes this is their second project with Phil. If your job involves a DA, a complex site, or a design style you want matched precisely, the reviews suggest he's worth a direct conversation about scope and timeline.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (22 total)
“our submission to council was approved without any variations needed”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
Credentials & background
Sourced from 4 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Living Image Landscape Architect
Phil (Phillip) runs Living Image Landscape Architect as a landscape architecture practice focused on residential design — working through the full process from initial concept through to council-approved construction documentation and compliance certification. Where many landscapers stop at planting plans, Phil's work regularly involves technically complex submissions: retaining walls with setback calculations, pool and cabana integration, and satisfying Sutherland Council's landscaping ratio requirements for DA approvals. Customers on complicated or irregular blocks specifically mention how his knowledge of council regulations meant their submissions went through without variations, which is a meaningful time and cost saving on building projects. His design range is broad — reviews reference modern industrial alfresco spaces, Hamptons-style gardens, and pool surrounds — and he provides 3D visualisations of designs so clients can see what they're getting before anything is built. Reviews most often describe Phil as generous with his time and willing to work around council submission deadlines, including reworking briefs across multiple budget ranges without making clients feel rushed. He's a good fit for homeowners whose projects involve council approval, complex site conditions, or a specific design style they want executed precisely rather than approximated.
Best for: residential projects requiring Sutherland Council DA approval, complex sites involving retaining walls or pool integration, homeowners with a specific design style (Hamptons, industrial, modern) they want executed precisely, and projects where council compliance documentation needs to be right the first time.
Location
Often needed together
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Living Image Landscape Architect
Does Living Image Landscape Architect handle the council approval process, or just the design?+
Phil handles both — multiple reviews describe him managing projects all the way through to council approval and compliance certification, not just producing concept plans. Clients dealing with Sutherland Council specifically mention his knowledge of landscaping ratio requirements and retaining wall setbacks. One reviewer notes their DA submission was approved without any variations required. If your project needs a full DA package, that's clearly within his scope.
What kind of design styles does Phil work in?+
Reviews reference a wide range of styles including modern industrial alfresco areas, Hamptons-style gardens, and pool and cabana surrounds. Several clients mention that Phil accurately translated a specific brief rather than defaulting to a generic design, with one noting he 'nailed our brief for a Hamptons design.' He also provides 3D visualisations so you can review the design before committing to construction.
What areas does Living Image Landscape Architect service?+
The business is based in Gymea in the Sutherland Shire, and multiple reviews mention familiarity with Sutherland Council's approval requirements specifically. Reviews don't specify other council areas he works within, so if you're outside the Sutherland Shire it's worth confirming your area and council with Phil directly before proceeding.
How does Phil handle tight timelines tied to council submission deadlines?+
This comes up directly in several reviews — clients note that when council submission deadlines were immovable, Phil worked around their schedule without making it an issue. One reviewer describes having 'a tight time frame to work with given council submissions being due' and Phil accommodating it with no problems. If you have a deadline-driven project, it's worth flagging that upfront so he can factor it into scheduling.
Does Phil offer different options for different budgets?+
One reviewer specifically notes Phil 'had great ideas for all ranges of budgets,' suggesting he's willing to scope designs to different price points rather than pushing a single solution. Reviews don't go into specific pricing or fee structures, so you'd need to discuss your budget directly with him — but the feedback suggests he's receptive to working within constraints rather than proposing only top-end solutions.