Industry News

EDITION 32, FEBRUARY 2013

AUSTRALIAN STANDARD:

WIND LOADS FOR HOUSING Standards Australia has published ‗AS 4055 – 2012 Wind loads for housing’. The standard will be referenced in the National Construction Code 2013 edition. The standard is a fundamental technical document for Australia‘s building and construction industry. The standard specifies wind speed classes for determining wind loads of buildings. The wind speed classes are for use in the design and construction of housing, and for manufacturing of residential building products. The document aims to improve the modelling of topographic effects. Topography determines the effect of wind on a house because of its location on a hill, ridge or escarpment and considers its height and slope. The determination of wind speed classes, and the identification of topographic effects, are fundamental to design and construction of housing which is resilient to extreme weather events. The development of the revised edition commenced with a joint meeting of both relevant committees to ensure that the document was compatible with the AS/NZS 1170.2 structural actions standard.The standard was prepared by the technical committee to supersede AS 4055—2006. The following organisations are represented on the committee:

• Australian Building Codes Board • Australian Window Association • Concrete Masonry Association of Australia • Cyclone Testing Station • Engineers Australia • Forest and Wood Products Australia • Housing Industry Association • Master Builders Association • Roofing Tile Association of Australia • Think Brick Australia

AS 4055 – 2012 Wind loads for housing is available for purchase through SAI Global www.saiglobal.com/shop or by visiting www.standards.org.au

Window barriers in new buildings

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has made proposed changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) to reduce the risk to the community, and particular to children, of falls on stairs, from windows and over balustrades in new buildings. The NCC 2013 will contain the requirements for window barriers for openable windows in early childhood centres and bedrooms in residential buildings (ie. Houses, apartments, hotels and the like), where the floor beneath the window is more than two (2) metres above the surface beneath. The NCC 2013 will take effect from 1 May 2013. The NCC changes will apply to new buildings and require the window to be fitted either with a device to restrict the window opening, or a suitable screen, so a 125 mm sphere cannot pass through. The device or screen can have a child resistant release mechanism (eg a key lock) which can enable the device or screen to be removed, unlocked or overridden, so for example the window can be cleaned. A barrier is not required for windows 1.7 m or more above the floor.

Stormwater and Sewerage Design Plans Design plans for Sewer and Stormwater network extensions must be prepared in accordance with Wagga Wagga City Council‘s ―Engineering Guidelines for Subdivisions and Developments‖. Information regarding this publication can be obtained by contacting Council‘s Subdivisions Section on 1300 292 442. Note: Stormwater and sewerage design plans are only required for non residential type applications.

Pipe Work Details and Layout Pipe work details and layouts should detail pipe and pit sizing and should include the following:

A scale bar and be of a standard scale such as 1:100, 1:200 or 1:500

Name of designer or draftsperson and contact details

Drawing number and date, eg plan number 1 of 2009

Amendment drawing number and date (where relevant)

A table of amendments and descriptions of each amendment

North point

All easements on the land Note: Stormwater and sewerage plans are only required for non residential type applications.

NSW is facing its most dangerous bush fire threat in 12 years. As the state swelters through a record breaking heatwave, your role in providing up to date bush fire protection to development in bush fire prone areas is a most important one. Ensure your skills and knowledge is up to date in applying the Complying Development provisions By request this course will now be held in Wagga Wagga Identifying Complying Development in Bush Fire Prone Areas - 14 CPD Points A 2-day skills gap Short Course (includes a field trip) Wagga Wagga - Wednesday/Thursday 27 & 28 February 2013 For further details and to register go to the following link: http://aibs.worldsecuresystems.com/events/nsw_act_events This Short Course will benefit Building Surveyors, Town Planners, Architects and Bushfire Control personnel involved in assessment of Complying Development in Bush Fire Prone Areas. The course will cover:

Introduction to bushfire provisions in the Planning System.

Housing and Rural House Codes and requirements of certifiers and audits.

Planning for Bush Fire Protection - the role of Complying Development.

Appendix 3, addendum C implications for certifiers.

Implementing the Complying Development provisions. Presenter: Grahame Douglas has worked with the NSW Rural Fire Service in the area of community safety for 15 years and was responsible for developing the 2002 legislative provisions and policy relating to bush fire risk management planning, development control for bushfire prone areas, environmental impact of hazard reduction activities. He previously participated in a number of sub-committees working on the review of AS3959 Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas on behalf of AFAC. He coordinated the review of Planning for Bush Fire Protection which was completed in 2006. He has been appointed to the University of Western Sydney on a half-time conjoint appointment in the Graduate Diploma in Bush Fire Design program whilst retaining a role with the RFS for the last 4 years. He continues to be involved in the planning provisions for NSW and in addition to his other work is currently undertaking a PhD in bushfire research. Contact – Shelley Melville Administration/Membership Officer Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) NSW/ACT Suite 6, 2 East Street, Five Dock NSW 2046 Phone: +61 2 9712 8822 Fax: +61 2 9712 8811 Email: nsw.members@aibs.com.au Web: www.aibs.com.au

COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT

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BUSHFIRE PRONE LAND

A Planning Proposal to rezone land at Gumly Gumly, Wagga Wagga from RU1 Primary Production to B6 Enterprise Corridor for the purposes of a business/industrial precinct with limited retailing activity was placed on public exhibition on 17 December 2012 and submissions are being accepted until 5pm on Friday 8 February 2013.

The rezoning introduces a new business zone to the Wagga Wagga Local Environmental Plan. The B6 Enterprise Corridor zone is intended to be applied to land where commercial or industrial development is to be encouraged along main roads such as the Sturt Highway. The zone provides for uses such as ‗business premises‘, ‗hotel or motel accommodation‘, ‗light industries‘, ‗hardware and building supplies‘, ‗garden centres‘ and ‗warehouse and distribution centres‘. Retail activity has been limited to ensure the Enterprise Corridor does not detract from the Central Business District.

The Planning Proposal is available to view via the following website: http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/planning/strategic-planning/whats-on-exhbition/open-for-comment/exhibition-of-draft-amendment-to-wagga-wagga-local-environmental-plan-2010

Gumly Gumly Rezoning

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Please be advised that Wagga Wagga City Council issues, Subdivision Certificates in accordance with Section 109C(1)(d) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. A Subdivision Certificate certifies that:

The plan of subdivision is compliant with the requirements of the subject Development Consent. Therefore it is vital that the conditions of consent for the relevant application are read and adhered to prior to submitting a subdivision certificate application.

The steps involved in submitting a subdivision certificate are outlined in Council‘s Subdivision Certificate Preparation & Lodgement Guide which can be found on the council website (www.wagga.nsw.gov.au).

The conditions which are applicable to the vast majority of applications require the following to be submitted to council prior to the release of Subdivision Certificate:

Certificates from Gas, Electricity and Water Authorities known as: Gas Certificate of Acceptance Riverina Water Compliance Certificate Electricity notice of arrangement

Two copies of the of the final survey plan and an administration sheet An 88b instrument

Applicants are advised that Subdivision Certificates cannot be approved without the above mentioned information. Failure to lodge this information at the time of the Subdivision Certificate application will result in a delay in the processing of your application and possible refusal.

Council will be changing its practice regarding application fees for Integrated Development Applications. Currently only the Integrated Development Approval Fee of $330 (payable to the approval body) and the relevant Development Application fees (payable to Council) are being charged. Under Section 253 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, Council will now charge a processing fee of $140, in addition to the Integrated Approval fee for each approval body. Council is entitled to charge this fee to cover its cost in administering the Integrated Development Application. This fee of $140 will be added to the relevant Development Application Fees upon lodgment. A cheque (for $330) made out to each relevant Approval body will still need to be included as part of the Integrated Development Application.

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Attachment C – Statement of Environmental Effects

Council has received several Development Applications where Council‘s Attachment C – Statement of Environmental Effects document has been incorrectly included as part of the Application. Attachment C has been developed to be used only for minor residential development, including single storey dwellings, single storey residential alterations and additions, domestic outbuildings and structures, strata subdivision of existing buildings, and minor works in the Heritage Conservation Area (e.g. painting, cladding, plastering, etc). A purpose written Statement of Environmental Effects is required for every other Development Application (except for designated development) and must outline the likely environmental impacts of a proposed development, whether it is a new structure, change of land use, temporary event, or subdivision. Appendix 3 in Council‘s Development Application Preparation and Lodgment Guide outlines the various matters that need to be adequately addressed within the Statement of Environmental Effects. Please note that failure to provide the relevant Statement of Environmental Effects or the incorrect use of Attachment C will delay processing of the Development Application and may result in the application being returned to you for completion or additional information requests being forwarded to you from Council.

To ensure that industry is using the correct versions of Council‘s development guides and checklists when preparing applications to Council, it is strongly recommended that the necessary documenta-tion is downloaded as required from Council‘s Website (http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/planning/document-quicklinks) to ensure older outdated versions are not used. To ensure industry is kept up to date on the latest versions of Council‘s development guides and checklists, the correct versions as at 1 February 2013 are identified in the following table and can be viewed and downloaded at the link identified above. Please note latest updates marked “UPDATED” or “NEW”.

Update on Development Guides and Checklists

Guides Version Date

UPDATED - Development Application Preparation and

Lodgement Guide 1.7 January 2013

Construction Certificate Preparation and Lodgement Guide 1.5 June 2012

NEW - Complying Development Certificate Preparation and

Lodgement Guide 1.0 January 2013

Subdivision Certificate Preparation and Lodgement Guide 1.2 June 2010

Section 68 Preparation and Lodgement Guide 1.3 April 2012

Development Application Checklists

UPDATED - Commercial Industrial Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Demolition Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Entertainment Venue & Events Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Heritage & Conservation Area Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Residential Buildings Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Residential Alterations & Additions Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Subdivision Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Advertising & Signage Checklist 1.5 January 2013

UPDATED - Land Use or Change of Land Use Checklist 1.5 January 2013

Construction Certificate Checklists

UPDATED - Construction Certificate Checklist 1.6 January 2013

UPDATED - Complying Development Checklist 1.6 January 2013

Subdivision Certificate Checklists

Community & Strata Title Checklist 1.2 June 2010

Torrens Title Checklist 1.2 June 2010