Newsletter to all of our valued clients
December 2005
As we see anoth
er year pass by before our eyes we all get another year younger, with the constant stream of Regulation changes and this year was no exception.
I thought I would just take the opportunity to highlight the major changes that affect us all, which you may or may not be aware of.
BUILDING CODE OF AUSTRALIA 2005
- Detailed requirements for all wire balustrades. This has meant an end to our typical standard detail (that has served us for the past ten years) as it does not comply with the new Regulations. NOTE: Designers now need to specifically detail the balustrade to demonstrate compliance with the new Regulations.
- Specific requirements for waterproofing wet areas which now replace a lot of previous practices i.e. water stops at doorways, membranes to entire floor area and wall/floor junctions etc.
- Energy rating for new homes now 5star plus solar hot water service or water tank. A twelve month exemption for timber floors exists for a 4star plus solar hot water service or water tank.
VICTORIA BUILDING (INTERIM) REGULATIONS 2005
- Deletion of the $5,000 rule for Building Permit exemptions. Which means very few structures are exempt from a Building Permit (see Building Commission website for further information www.buildingcommission.com.au).
- Registration of owner builders with the Building Commission for all domestic building works over $12,000.
BUILDERS NOTE: If your contract is only to lockup and/or only part of the building works, the owner will need to apply for registration (if the commercial value of their works exceeds $12,000) to complete the works prior to the issue of a Building Permit. - All building sites, in addition to the Building Permit and one set of approved plans being on site for the duration of construction, requires signage on the allotment in a position accessible to the public, displaying registration numbers and contact details of the Builder and Building Surveyor and the number of the relevant Building Permit and date of issue of the Permit. Interestingly the Regulations have a maximum 10 penalty units for each of these units if not complied with.
TOWN PLANNING
- Across the State of Victoria where a Heritage Overlay triggers the need for a Town Planning Permit the Town Planning process will not consider any aspect of Rescode. NOTE: Designers need to ensure compliance with Rescode or also apply for dispensations through the relevant Municipal Building Surveyor in parallel with the Town Planning application.
- In general terms there are many overlays in each Municipality that are not the same and many of which may trigger the need for a Town Planning Permit but may not deal with Rescode or parts of Rescode. To ensure there is no unnecessary delays in the Building Permit process designers/developers need to thoroughly assess planning controls, keeping in mind they are constantly changing.