The Permit Authority is the body within Council that provides the necessary Building and Plumbing Permits to carry out building and/or plumbing work in the municipality.
If you are planning to carry out any building work you may require a building and/or plumbing permit from the Permit Authority.
As from 1 January 2017, the State Government introduced a New Building Act. The Building Act 2016 and Building Regulations 2016.
Some building work may no longer require a permit, some work will still require a permit. You can find further information and fact sheets relating to the Determinations at the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services website.
There have also been some changes made to Owner builder requirements and further information is available via the Department of Justice website.
Before commencing any building or plumbing work, please contact the Council Building Department on 6323 3000 for further information.
State Government Fees are payable on all work over $20,000 regardless of building work category. Payment of fees are collected by Council's Permit Authority office.
There are now four categories of building work.
Category 1 – Determined by the owner
Low Risk Building work which can be done by an owner, or competent person, or licensed builder. All criteria must be met for the work to be in this category and if met, no permit is required. Details of some low risk work must be submitted to Council once the work has been completed.
Example:
Description of work: Porch-roofed and enclosed weather protection around an external doorway or veranda roofed
Limitations: to a maximum size of 9m2 and a minimum boundary setback of 900mm.
Explanatory Notes: Upon completion details are to be provided to Council.
Category 2 – Determined by a licensed builder
Low Risk Building work performed by a licensed Builder (or a competent person only where specified). All criteria must be met for the work to be in this category and if met, No permit is required. Details of some low risk work must be submitted to Council once the work has been completed.
Example:
Description of work: Shed/garage/carport –Prefabricated and engineer designed,
Limitations: erection must be by a licensed builder or a competent person (definition available) maximum size 36m2, single storey, maximum height 4.5m and if located in a bushfire-prone area it must be located a minimum of 6metres from any habitable building and if located in a medium-active or high hazard band.
Explanatory Notes: For storage purposes, including vehicle parking and details to be provided to Council after completion.
Category 3 – Determined by a licensed builder
Notifiable works can only be undertaken by a licensed builder/demolisher under the authorisation of a Building Surveyor. Owner can do the work but requires an Owner Builder Permit and will become a category 4-Building Permit work.
Building Work notifiable by a Building Surveyor to permit Authority. This will require plans and documents to be submitted to a Building Surveyor for assessment and issue of a Certificate of Likely Compliance and notified to the local Permit Authority (Council)
Example:
Description of work: Residential buildings (dwellings) including new construction
Limitations: All criteria as required by the new Act MUST be met. Contact a Building Surveyor for clarification.
Category 4 – All other work outside of category 1, 2 or 3.
Permit work can only be undertaken by a licensed builder/demolisher under the authorisation of a Building Surveyor. Owner can do the work but requires an Owner Builder Permit. Building Work which requires a Building Permit or a Demolition Permit. This is all work outside 1, 2 and 3 will require a Building Permit from Council Permit Authority.
Council does not make inspections of wood, oil or coal burning heater installations but notification of their installation is required. Notification is the responsibility of the installer. Only heaters that comply with the Australian Standard for wood heaters can be installed. If you are planning on installing a heater, you must submit the following forms to Council's Building Department:
Prior to installation - Notification of Intention to Install Appliance(PDF, 36KB)
After installation - Heating Appliance Installation Compliance Certificate(PDF, 36KB)