Building Permits
Building permits and all mandatory building inspections are carried out to ensure that the building is being constructed in accordance with current building regulations.
Occupancy Permits
If a building permit states that an occupancy permit is required then that particular building must not be occupied by any person unless the Occupancy Permit is issued by the relevant building surveyor.
An occupancy permit will be issued once the relevant building surveyor is satisfied that the building works have been completed in accordance with the current building regulations.
Certificate of Final Inspection
If a building permit states that a final certificate is required then once the relevant building surveyor is satisfied it has been constructed in accordance with the current legislation then he/she will issue the final certificate.
Do I need a Building Permit for a swimming pool?
YES. Any excavation or structure containing water that is used primarily for swimming, wading, paddling or the like, including a bathing or wading pool or spa, is defined as a swimming pool.
A building permit must be obtained for the construction of a swimming pool including associated safety fencing. These are requirements of the Building Regulations 2006, which are designed to protect children from gaining access to the swimming pool or spa area. The requirements are designed to maximise the safety of children, especially those under the age of 5 years.
What does a Building Surveyor do with regards to a Building permit?
A building surveyor will:
- Check the plans
- Issue the building permit
- Carry out relevant inspections to make sure that the building is being built to Australian Standards
- Issue the Occupancy/Final Certificate
Does all building work require a Building Permit?
A building permit is required on all new construction, all alterations and/or repairs that are structural as well any alterations that change the use of an existing building.
What are 5 Star Energy Ratings and when do I need them?
- You can download the 5 Star Booklet here
Essential Safety Measures - What are they?
Essential Safety Measures (ESM) are fire and life safety systems installed or built into buildings to provide fire and life safety protection to a building. ESM's include such things as fire sprinklers, mechanical ventilation, smoke detectors and alarms, exit doors, fire rated construction etc.
ESM's are typically found in class 1b,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9 buildings as defined by the Building Code of Australia. The owners of these classes of buildings are required to maintain the ESM's and provide an annual statement certifying that the ESM's have been maintained at the required level and frequency required by the buildings' Occupancy permit or Certificate of Final Inspection.
Gippsland Building Approvals can undertake an inspection and written report outlining a buildings' ESM's and their required level and frequency of maintenance required under the Building Regulations 2006.
Gippsland Building Approvals History - The story so far...
Gippsland Building Approvals was founded in 1994 in Wonthaggi. It now has offices in Wonthaggi, Warragul and Traralgon. GBA is the largest building surveying and inspection practice in country Victoria. Our services are offered Victoria wide. Every year GBA issues thousands of building permits across Victoria for all building types ranging from dwellings, multi-story, , industrial, commercial and public type buildings to garages/sheds.
GBA's company director Wes Maxwell continues to have a long and successful standing in the building construction industry. Wes has made significant contributions to building regulation development in Victoria with positions on the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and Building Appeals Board, which are two statutory bodies of the Building Commission of Victoria.
Wes and the GBA team are continuously sourcing, analyzing and distributing building regulatory information in a practical and easy to understand format. This involves continuous engagement with our extensive network of industry groups and professionals to source and interpret the latest in regulations and standards to pass onto our valued clients. At GBA we meticulously endeavor to provide this service on an ongoing basis to ensure that our staff and clients remain at the forefront of any Building Code, Building Regulation and Australian Standard development.
Gippsland Building Approvals operates under a quality management system. Our management techniques allows for design innovation and practical building solutions whilst ensuring that our client objectives and statutory obligations with regard to life safety, health, amenity, cost feasibility and the environment are met.
All of GBA's technical staff are registered building practitioners with the Building Practitioners Board of Victoria. Wes strongly supports the growth and continual development of the building surveying and building inspection profession by actively sourcing and employing "student" building surveyors and inspectors, where possible.
