Building Information

Posted 2nd July, 2012 by Development and Environment Team

Builders Forum
To further aid relations between Council and practitioners, Council conducts an annual Builders Forum. This is a two-way exchange of information, whereby staff and local trades people discuss changes, improvements and new developments in the industry as well as any recent internal policy changes. Typically conducted in July or August, this has proven to be a valuable event for all parties.

Inspections (PCA agreement)
One of Council’s main building roles is the carrying out of Critical Stage Inspections. This service is offered to developers in accordance with the requirements detailed in Council’s Principal Certifying Authority Service Agreement (PCA Agreement). This document details the contractual arrangements between Council and the applicant. see here:

View Principal Certifying Authority Service Agreement (pdf 141kb)

Prior to works commencing on site, all applicants are required to ensure all "Prior to commencement" conditions are met. This includes required preliminary works and submission of the required "Notice of Commencement" form:

Notice of Commencement/Appointment of PCA Form

Council requires 24 hours notice to book an inspection and this can be done by contacting Council’s customer service officer on (02) 6941 2518 or by email.

Council fees for services such as inspections and approvals are detailed in the current adopted Fees and Charges Schedule. A fee calculator is located here

Download the Application Fees Calculator

At the completion of domestic residential development the installation of smoke alarms shall be certified by the licensed installer as compliant with the Australian Standard and the relevant provisions of the Building Code of Australia.

Council has prepared a standard installation Certificate which may be used for this purpose.

Regulatory role
Council’s building department also continues to have a traditional regulatory role in enforcing provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 and other development related legislation. These include storm-water problems, development related difficulties, earthworks and retaining complaints among others.

Council actively encourages property owners to communicate one-to-one and discuss difficulties of this sort personally. It is accepted though, that this is not always possible and in this instance concerns of this nature should be forwarded to Council’s customer service officer on (02) 6941 2518 or by email.

BASIX
"BASIX Certificate" The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is a web-based planning tool designed to assess the potential performance of residential buildings against a range of sustainability indices.

A BASIX Certificate identifies the sustainability features required to be incorporated in the building design. These features may include sustainable design elements such as recycled water, rainwater tanks, 3 star-rated showerheads and taps, native landscaping, heat pumps or solar water heaters, gas space heaters, roof eaves/awnings and wall/ceiling insulation.

You need a BASIX Certificate in Tumut Shire when BASIX applies to the type of development for which you require approval.

Commencement dates and details of types of development are at: www.basix.nsw.gov.au

As at 01 July 2007, the following types of development require a BASIX Certificate:

The applicant is required to submit the BASIX Certificate with the Development Application or Complying Development Certificate application. The plans and specifications must also identify the BASIX commitments which will be checked by the certifier during construction.

Where submitted plans or specifications are inconsistent with the relevant BASIX Certificate, Council shall require applicants to submit consistent applications before progressing the assessment process, either by amending plans / specifications or by submitting a new BASIX Certificate with commitments that match the rest of the application.

Applicants can generate the BASIX Certificate only on the NSW Department of Planning' BASIX website: www.basix.nsw.gov.au.

For more information, phone the BASIX Help Line on 1300 650 908.

Development Application Lodgement Checklist

The minimum lodgement requirements for a Development Application and associated Construction Certificate are listed in Council’s lodgement checklists. These checklists may accessed here:

1. Residential Dwellings/Additions and Alterations
2. Residential Outbuildings/minor structures
3. Commercial/Industrial/Multi-residential development

(Note: this lodgement checklist is subject to change.)

Building Certificates - 149BSection 149 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 provides for the issuing of ‘Building Certificates’.

A 149 Building Certificate operates to prevent Council, for a period of 7 years from the date of issue of the certificate:

1. from making an order under this Act or the Local Government Act 1993 requiring the building to be repaired, demolished, altered, added to or rebuilt, and
2. from taking proceedings in relation to any encroachment by the building onto land vested in or under the control of the council,  in relation to matters arising only from the deterioration of the building as a result solely of fair wear and tear.

It should be noted that Building Certificates are not equivalent to pre-purchase building inspection reports and may or may not make comment as to the condition of the building or compliance with current building codes and standards. Potential purchasers are encouraged to obtain their own independent advice in this regard.

Permission must be obtained from the owner of the property to carry out the inspection.

Council Officers will not carry out an inspection unattended.

The cost of a Building Certificate is charged at the current rate as per Council’s adopted Fees and Charges Schedule. (Commercial premises are calculated based on the area of the building.)

Download the Fees and charges 2012-2013 for current fee schedule.