OK - Time for an quick update.  We haven't quite got a slab down or frame up but we are getting there!!
Firstly - We have Council Approval - yay!!!  Took some effort and repeated attempts to satisfy their every whim , but we finally got there.
Our builder has advised us that we should start on or before October 31st. 
There has been some movement at site - We now have a tap..it's a start!