Certified Applications

A Certified Application has all the certification of the building standards (BCA & Australian Standards) completed prior to the application being lodged with the Shire. A signed Certificate of Design Compliance must be lodged with the application as evidence that the required certification has been undertaken by a Registered Building Surveyor. This certification must be provided by a Private Building Surveyor.

Certified Building Permit Application Form

Uncertified Application

An Uncertified Application can be submitted for Class 1 (dwellings) and Class 10 (outbuildings, patios, pools etc). The Certification process has not been undertaken when the Building Permit application is submitted and the Shire will have the plans and specifications assessed by a qualified Building Surveyor as a part of the process, issue the Certificate of Design Compliance if the plans comply with the building standards and then issue the Building Permit.

If information is missing from the application for a Building Permit, the Permit Authority will provide the applicant at least 21 days to provide the necessary information. If the information is not received within a reasonable time, the Permit Authority may refuse the application. In that case, the Permit Authority keeps the fees and the applicant will need to reapply.

Uncertified Building Permit Application Form

Guide to lodge an Uncertified application

Notice of Completion

The Builder is required to send a Notice of Completion to the Shire within 7 days of completing the building project. A standard form for this is available from the Building Commission's website. The Building Regulations 2012 provides for a penalty if the Builder fails to send the notice within the 7 days.

Fees

The Shire recommends that you visit the Building Commission website and access the detailed information provided for further advice.

Should you wish to discuss any of the above further, please contact Allan Ramsay Building and Health Surveyor on (+61) 0419 952 043  or email allanramsay@bigpond.com c or visit the Building Commission website.

Making an Application

There are two ways to apply for a Building Permit for new building work.

A Certified Application (application form BA1) must include a Certificate of Design Compliance (form BA3) from a Registered Building Surveyor confirming that the design complies with the National Construction Code and other statutory requirements. The Certificate of Design Compliance must reference plans and specifications that demonstrate compliance, which must also be provided in the application.

An Uncertified Application (application form BA2) requires the Local Government, as the permit authority, to assess the proposal and issue the Certificate of Design Compliance in conjunction with the Building Permit. Under the Act an Uncertified Application can only be made for class 1a and class 10 buildings.

Both application types must include 1 copy each of the application form, the Certificate of Design Compliance (if applicable) and any referenced or required documents. The Shire will only accept complete applications with the documents and application fee paid at submission. The Shire provides checklists and information sheets to guide in the preparation of an application. Applications that are incomplete cannot be assessed, resulting in delays in the overall approval process, and may be refused.

Determining an Application

Applications are assessed for compliance with the Building Act 2011, which requires compliance with the National Construction Code, planning requirements and other relevant legislation. When the Building Surveyor is satisfied that the proposal complies with the relevant requirements a Building Permit is issued.

The Shire must determine a Certified Application within ten business days of submission unless amendments or additional information is requested. For an Uncertified Application, the Shire must assess the proposal and determine the application within twenty-five business days unless amendments or additional information are requested. Information must be provided within twenty-one days of a written request to avoid refusal, unless other arrangements are made with Allan Ramsay Building and Health Surveyor.

A Building Permit is issued with conditions to the approval. These conditions must be carefully read and understood prior to commencing work, and must be adhered to for the life of the work or the building.

Duration of Building Permits

A Building Permit is valid for two years from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated on the permit. If the work cannot be completed within two years the Shire may consider a written request for an extension, provided that significant works have commenced on site.

Appealing Against a Decision

If an application is refused due to non-compliance and the applicant is aggrieve by the decision, they are provided an avenue to appeal the decision through the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). For more information about the appeal process, please refer to the State Administrative Tribunal website

How do I know ?

The Shire is required to maintain records of all Building Approvals, and a property owner may apply for a search of the Shire’s records to obtain copies of any Building Approvals on their property. Please NOTE: the Shire of Westonia has a number of building that have existed prior to the legislative requirement for Building Approvals and some plans may not be available. Building plans could then be used to confirm if each building has been built in accordance with a relevant approval.

If you are considering purchasing a property it is recommended that you request a plan search from the property owner to confirm all buildings are approved prior to settlement. If an offer has been made and accepted for the purchase, the purchaser may apply for a plan search by providing the Shire with a copy of the offer and acceptance.

What if i find that a building is unauthorised?

The Act provides an avenue to obtain retrospective approval for an Unauthorised Building by way of an application to the Permit Authority.

For Unauthorised work relating to a class 1a or class 10 building, an application may be lodged for a Building Approval Certificate (application form BA13). This includes residential work, such as unauthorised alterations to a dwelling, and minor structures, such as patios, sheds, swimming pools and spas. For Unauthorised work relating to commercial buildings, approval may be sought by an application of occupancy permit (application form BA11).

Both application types must include a Certificate of Building Compliance (form BA18) from a Registered Building Surveyor confirming that the building complies with the National Construction Code and other requirements under the Act. The application must also include 2 copies of any plans and specifications referenced in the certificate that demonstrate compliance and the certified state of the building. An application for Building Approval Certificate or Occupancy Permit must be determined within 10 business days.

What are the Requirements?

The NCC and AS3959 (Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas) provide a variety of building solutions intended to reduce the risk of ignition due to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact. These requirements apply to lots in designated bushfire prone areas depending on the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) of the lot.

What is a BAL ?

A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) provides design criteria for a building in a bushfire prone area. The BAL is assigned based on the risk and level of bushfire exposure, and may vary from site to site within a subdivision. To identify what requirements need to be met for a lot, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment must be undertaken.

When is a BAL Assessment Required?

A BAL assessment is required when a building is proposed in a designated bushfire prone area. To help identify if an assessment is required the State Government has provided a mapping system outlining designated bushfire prone areas across Western Australia. These maps are available through the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.

For more information
For more information about bushfire prone areas, refer to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website. You can also find more information about the Bushfire policy framework through the Western Australian Planning Commission and the Building Commission of WA