News

Building Commission launches Build for Life

The Building Commission has launched the Build for Life website and Build for Life design template in response to a growing potential market for homes that are able to adapt to our changing needs.  These resources support the Victorian government's commitment to improving accessibility in housing.

2008 Communications Survey - WIN an iPhone

For your chance to win an iPhone fill out the Building Commission's 2008 Communications Survey. Entries close 31 January 2009.

Tips to make homes safe as houses

Sometimes lack of maintenance and or a failure to meet regulatory requirements puts the adage "safe as houses" to the test. For home safety tips click here.

Financial boost for plumbers and trades who help households save energy - from 1 January 2009

Organisations who help households use less energy at home will soon be eligible to receive financial energy saver incentives.In its first three years, the Energy Saver Incentive will lead to actions that will save 8.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas - the environmental equivalent of making around 675,000 households carbon neutral for a year.  For more information for on how to participate in the Energy Saver Incentive please visit  http://energysaverincentive.com.au.

Regulation 710 compliance - what you need to know

There is a requirement that by 14 June 2009 shared accommodation buildings constructed before 1 July 2003 must have a fire sprinkler system installed. Specifically, regulation 710 of the Building Regulations 2006 requires that a Class 3 building that is a shared accommodation building constructed or for which a building permit was issued before 1 July 2003, must have a fire sprinkler system installed prior to 14 June 2009. Industry guidelines on regulation 710 and frequently asked questions are available.

Save Water - Target 155

Our dams are still low and we need to save water. The Victorian Government is asking everyone in Melbourne to use no more than 155 litres of water per day.

Building permit application process made easy

The Building Commission has worked with Small Business Victoria (SBV) to make it much simpler and easier for businesses to apply for building permits and permit variations.  Using new forms, you can now apply online and use a range of features to save time and money.  

The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2008 - CPI Increase

The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2008 have been made and come into operation on 24 November 2008. They amend the Building Regulations 2006 to allow a CPI increase of 3.0 per cent to most regulated fees in the building industry. The attached table includes the new fees.

BCA 2009 Information Seminars

BAF Consulting on behalf of Australian Building Codes Board invites you to register for the information seminars. BCA 2009 is scheduled to come into operation on 1 May 2009.  Seminars to explain the new provisions will be conducted in Melbourne on 19 and 20 March 2009. If you work in the building and construction industry then you should attend an information seminar as BCA 2009 takes effect on 1 May 2009.

ABCB Building Australia's Future 2009 conference - Call for Papers

The ABCB is calling for papers for their biennial Building Australia's Future conference to be held on the Gold Coast from 20 - 23 September 2009. The conference will be a combined Referred and Non-refereed industry conference and as such papers are being sought from both industry and academia. Anyone interested in presenting a paper should refer to the following weblink: www.abcb.gov.au/go/training/bafpapers. Further information on the conference can also be found at www.abcb.gov.au.

Amended 'Owner-builder Application Kit' now available

The new  Owner-builder application kit  is now available.  You can also download the owner-builder - Certificate of consent application checklist,  which contains the new fee information and a handy checklist to ensure you include all necessary paperwork with your application. To order a hardcopy simply download and fill out the Free Publications list and fax it to 03 9285 6464.