Legislation Governing Building Work.

Building development is governed by various legislation / codes. These are detailed below. Click on the topic to access the website where available:

Sustainable Planning Act 2009 - Governs the process for assessment of a development application.

Planning Scheme - Governs the development to ensure that amenity / aesthetics of a community are maintained.

Building Act 1975

Building Regulations 2006

Queensland Development Code

Building Code of Australia - Subscription is required to access this Code, however, a copy is available at Council for viewing purposes if required.

When is a building permit required?

Info Sheet 1provides an overview of this topic. Also refer to Schedule 1 and 2 of the Building Regulations 2006.

When a building project has been completed

It is important to ensure that final inspection is conducted upon completion of the works. A Certificate is issued to verify the project has been completed in compliance with the approved plans and building regulations current at that time ( a form 21 for a Class 1 or 10 type, Form 17 for a swimming pool, and a Form 11 for a Class 2 to 9 type building project).

Cyclone affected region

Rockhampton Regional Council is located within the cyclonic region of Council and accordingly, any application for building work where the building is within km radius of the coastline is required to be designed to a cyclone rating. The drawing plans must confirm the design standard. to find out the wind rating of your property contact either your nominated Queensland - registered practising structure engineer or the authority nominated to assess the application.

Driveways

Construction and maintenance of accessfrom private properties to the roadway is the responsibility of the property owners. Council prefers standard invert, or roll-over crossings and car tracks across the footpath in accordance with standard driveway drawings.

Cross-over or bridge type crossings are not favoured unless absolutely necessary, as they need to be maintained continuously.

Earthworks and Retaining walls

If soil conditions, ground levels, excavation or filling make it necessary to protect land, buildings or structures in the neighbourhood of building work -

(a) Retaining walls must be built, or other suitable methods used, to prevent soil movement; and

(b) Drainage of the land, buildings or structures must be provided.

Drainage of buildings or land

If a building development approval permits a building or land to be drained, the drainage must be carried out in a way that protects land, buildings and structures in the neighbourhood of the building or land.

Building work over existing sanitary drainage

Building work over or adjacent to existing sanitary drainage must comply with the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation. Enquiries should be directed to the Plumbing and Drainage Compliance section of Council.

Easements

Many properties have easements running through them. Easements are sections of private property that are set aside to allow Council access to these properties to maintain pipelines, services or drainage systems.

It is not Council's responsibility to maintain the land on these easements, however Council will maintain the pipelines, services or drainage systems contained within the easement.

For further information please contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77.

Stormwater Issues

Property owners have an obligation to ensure that roof stormwater runoff from building (domestic and commercial) on their property does not cause a nuicance to adjoining properties.  Council's intervention powers are limited to resolve such issues and this information sheet outlines the role and responsibilities of Council and the property owner.

Temporary Homes

Each application is assessed on it's merits based on the information provided and in accordance with the relevant local law. Assessment  is based on the type of structure, facilities available to ensure the health and wellbeing of the occupants, amenity and aesthetics of the structure in relation to the area.