NSW Government’s Construct NSW strategy aims to restore consumer confidence by focusing on reform in 6 key areas of the building and construction industry. These include regulation, ratings, education, contracts, digital tools, and data and research. Led by the Office of the Building Commissioner (OBC), the changes will affect all building classes and stakeholders, including …
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In the wake of recent natural disasters and COVID-19, the NSW Government is committing to a plan that will see the revival of regional NSW.
A new approach to rezonings in NSW is here. Read more from es.au.
In working towards a net zero target by 2050, NSW Government has proposed an increase to BASIX standards for new residential buildings.
Following the Building Ministers’ Meeting (BMM) that took place on 30 April 2021, a consensus to include minimum accessibility provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, was reached.
Following a recent Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Inquiry (Operation Dasha), the NSW planning department is exhibiting an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) that seeks to gather public feedback on new measures to improve the planning system.
The City of Parramatta Council has proposed a new Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to consolidate and replace the existing five planning controls that provide the legal guidelines for development and land use.
The Home Building Act 1989 regulates the residential building industry and certain specialist work in New South Wales. It addresses any residential works carried out by contractors and tradespersons, including construction of a new home and renovations or alterations to an existing home or structure.
A new Housing Diversity State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing Diversity SEPP) is likely to have an adverse effect on private developers.
The introduction of the (formerly) Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code in July 2018 aimed to provide more liveable and affordable housing arrangements for growing families and empty nesters within existing neighbourhoods and streetscapes.
For new developments that require local infrastructure and services, Council may collect a developer/local infrastructure contribution to help fund the provision.
While the new process for documenting Performance Solutions is not yet mandatory, practitioners are encouraged to exercise the steps outlined in A2.2(4) from now. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has put together a guide to assist in this transition.
In a bid to boost community confidence, the NSW Government has introduced a new legislation that aims to tackle ongoing issues with the building of residential apartments.
While many recent changes to legislation in the construction and land development industries have sought to improve the economic effects of COVID-19, a significant amendment to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW) (EPA Reg) has seen the barrier to ‘physical commencement’ heightened.
Developers and landowners can breathe a sigh of relief as NSW Parliament introduces new amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) (EPA Act) that aim to alleviate time pressures in the construction industry.
Since being introduced in 2004, the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) requirements have set the ground rules for thermal comfort performance and water and energy usage within residential dwellings.
The NSW Government is seeking feedback on a new simplified Housing Code which sets out clear and simple planning rules for works that can be carried out under complying development.
NSW Fair Trading released a new guide to assist home owners and contractors if building work is in dispute.
The NSW Government has announced that the BASIX energy targets will be increased across the State in July 2017.
The General Housing Code is replaced with a new simplified Housing Code which sets out clear planning rules for complying development including one and two storey homes, renovations and extensions.
Experienced planning professionals will lead the panels, which will assess DAs that are sensitive in nature, or where there is a conflict of interest for council or developers.
In light of recent tragedies including Grenfell Tower in London and Lacrosse Building in Melbourne, the NSW Government will soon implement new laws for buildings with combustible cladding.
The NSW Government is making improvements to reinforce the building and certification system and up until 30th October 2018, you can have your say.
The National Construction Code (NCC) is an all-encompassing set of on-site construction requirements put together by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
The Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code has been deferred to allow for an independent review.
The Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 is a legislation that provides the framework for the use of land in New South Wales.
The introduction of the new Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code in July 2018 aimed to provide more liveable and affordable housing arrangements for growing families and empty nesters within existing neighbourhoods and streetscapes. It has currently been implemented across 82 council areas in NSW and there are plans for the remaining 45 to adopt …
Continue reading “The Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code (MDHC) has been deferred again”
Canterbury LEP 2012 has just been amended (Amendment No 16). Clause 4.1C has been added to the LEP requiring minimum lot sizes and lot widths for Boarding Houses in its Residential Zones.
In line with NSW Government’s plan to deliver a final Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019 by the end of the year, a draft will be open for public feedback until 16 October 2019. The Bill comes as a response to the April 2018 Building Confidence Report compiled by Professor Peter Shergold and Ms Bronwyn Weir. It …
Continue reading “Draft Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019”
Currently, builders and tradies insured under the Home Building Compensation Fund (previously known as Home Owners Warranty) are subject to a capped amount of insurance they can purchase each year, restricting the number of projects that can be taken on.
A Review of Complying Development for Inland NSW’ sets out proposed changes to the State Environment Planning (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 will apply to all residential complying development for 83 local government areas west of the Great Dividing Range.
The Department of Planning and Environment (the Department) is examining opportunities to provide
greater housing choice and better design for medium density housing across NSW.
The department of planning has launched a suite of new online tools to help modernise the planning system in NSW and make it easier for people to access planning information.
The Australian Building Ministers’ Forum agreed in principle to make the 2015 National Construction Code (NCC) and future editions freely available online, significantly contributing to reducing the burden of building regulation.
Swimming pool owners have until the 29th of October 2013 to register their swimming pool, or a minimum fine of $220 (maximum $2,200) may be imposed.
A review of the NSW planning system has taken place. This has resulted in a new planning system for NSW.
State Government in an aim to clear up grey areas and combat misuse of SEPP (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 have enforced the following changes
The proposed changes to charge for BASIX Certificates put forward in November, 2010 to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations 2000, will come into effect 1st July, 2011. A summary of these changes are as follows :
- Payment of a fee (details on ‘Fact Sheet’ below) is required from 1 July 2011 for BASIX Certificates issued for all new dwellings (new single houses, townhouses, apartments, residential flat buildings and secondary dwellings).
- Payment of a fee (details on ‘Fact Sheet’ below) is required from 1 August 2011 for BASIX Certificates issued for Alterations and Additions (of construction value $50,000 or more, and for pools of 40,000 litres or more).
What impacts does this have to you as a home owner/ developer?
You can no longer log on to www.basix.nsw.gov.au and obtain a free certificate. If you have a BASIX assessor who is producing your certificates this additional fee will be added to the standard charge out. This means if your Basix Assessor had quoted you $X prior to these changes you will now be charged:
- $X + $25 for Alterations and Additions
- $X + $50 for a new home (single dwelling)
- $X + $80 for a dual occupancy
- $X + $860 for a forty (40) unit development
Explanatory Note: Why was the fee introduced?
The Department’s Building Sustainability Index (known as BASIX) was introduced in July 2004 and has been highly effective in reducing the energy and water usage of residential development throughout NSW. It has influenced the design and construction of over 120,000 new dwellings across NSW. Each of these households is saving up to $600 per year on their energy and water bills. However, there are substantial costs involved in administering the scheme, including for the Department to update the tool to ensure it remains effective, efficient and up to date with the latest in sustainable housing technology. In short, the fee will help fund:
- Customer help, both online and to a call centre, with improved online help notes to be provided;
- The issuing of manual off-line certificates where the online tool is not appropriate – such as with heritage buildings and alternative technology solutions;
- Hosting costs for a system that processes some 1,000 applications a week;
- Required online system improvements (including to the thermal comfort index) in response to user feedback;
- Meeting Commonwealth energy and water requirements, including changes in the energy efficiency measures of the National Construction Code.
The fee will not be applied towards general development of sustainability policy or other planning functions of the Department. Importantly, the fee will also not apply to people using the system to test different scenarios, or learn about the system – only for applications that are actually lodged.
