This information sheet provides an overview of regulatory requirements for the safe removal of asbestos-containing material (ACM) in each State and Territory, including the type of licence required and the types of unlicensed removal work allowed
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This information sheet provides an overview of the basic requirements for the safe removal of asbestos-containing material (ACM) that is permitted to be removed by unlicensed persons.
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Under new interim building regulations introduced on 11 November 2009 through the Building Regulations 2006, building surveyors will be unable to issue building permits for bushfire shelters unless the shelter carries some form of accreditation.
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Following the recent bushfires the government has moved to introduce higher building standards in bushfire prone areas Victoria.
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All Australian states require all electrical work to be preformed by a licensed electrician and to comply with AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring Rules. This includes removing and re-installing a socket outlet. However, all states offer restricted licence classes to trades other than electricians
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A set of new coastal planning controls has now come into force via an amendment to all planning schemes in Victoria and the release of the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008. These changes now provide a degree of certainty for the Victorian development industry operating in coastal locations.
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Building owners or building surveyors sometimes want to end their appointment arrangement or a situation may arise where the building surveyor cannot carry out his or her functions and duties under the Building Act 1993. If this situation arises, it is important to know the correct procedure to terminate the appointment of a private building surveyor.
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The Victorian Building Regulations 2006 deadline for enhanced fire safety measures in certain buildings and the production of annual reports relating to the maintenance of essential safety measures expires on 14 June 2009. The regulation applies to Class 3 buildings that are shared accommodation buildings, for example a boarding house or backpackers residence, that were constructed by, or for which a building permit was granted before, 1 July 2003 will require an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the building.
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Does the company or partnership that you trade under have at least one director or partner registered in the appropriate category with the Building Practitioners Board?
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Builders are often asked to provide a construction price for plans and specifications prepared by another person. It is important to remember that these plans may not be totally accurate in relation to construction details and/or material selection – no one is perfect.
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HIA is receiving a high volume of enquiries about foundation problems, highlighting the need for builders to make sure their geotechnical engineer has professional indemnity insurance. There are several things you should check when obtaining a site classification from a geotechnical engineer.
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The Victorian Building Act 1993 is currently subject to a review with changes being proposed through the Building Amendment Bill. There are four key areas addressed in the Bill - Building Surveyors, Owner – builders, Responsibilities of Directors and Partners of building companies, and the Building Practitioners Board.
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The Victorian Plumbing Regulations 1998 were revoked on 24 November 2008 by the 2008 Plumbing Regulations. The new regulations contain new provisions and updated references to plumbing standards and now reference the Plumbing Code of Australia.
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A building permit for building work can be issued after the commencement of a new regulation, such as a change to the BCA, without the need to comply with a new regulation if the applicant can show that the design was at a certain stage already.
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Prior to building in a Bushfire Area, there are a number of factors you need to consider when applying for the relevant council and government permits. In order to comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA), the category of risk needs to be identified first and then the design needs to comply with relevant BCA and Australian Standards.
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