The new Australian Construction rules and regulations and how they impact you.
May 13, 2024
The final stages of NCC 2022 implementation.
Amidst the evolving Australian residential building and construction industry, a significant shift was introduced this month by the National Construction Code (NCC 2022) that include major changes with a renewed focus on sustainability and accessibility modifications of buildings nationwide.
As a governing body under the Australian Building Code Board, the NCC 2022 assists in guiding those involved in the building, designing, and surveying of buildings across the country ensuing the safety, sustainability and accessibility through structural integrity and energy efficiency are met accordingly for the betterment of new builds in Australia.
How the changes impact you:
The revised changes are diverse and impact various areas of construction, ranging from waterproofing to plumbing, fire safety, and building materials. The restructure that took effect by the NCC 1 May 2024, emphasise a renewed focus on enhancing energy efficiency and accessibility. The adjustments strive to create more inclusive and sustainable spaces and are aimed to protect and to meet the evolving needs, health, and safety of Australians nationwide.
The NCC procedures put in place on 1 May 2024;
Energy efficiency: A concentrated significance has been applied for energy and sustainability including the design and construction of new builds and extensions to enhance the economic impact within the home. Installation of energy efficient features including ceiling fans and hot water systems, insulation and water tanks set a goal to have all homes at a 7-star energy rating for the building shell and major appliances. These changes are considered to save on the overall running costs of the home, while also contributing to a greener and more sustainable future, a key pillar that the NCC has homed in on with the introduction of the newest regulations.
Accessibility: A focus on accessibility was another crucial aspect and incorporates wider hallways and ramped access from the car space to a minimum of one entryway, a condition that can be challenging for granny flat builds due to the need to use pre-existing access and structures.
With close to 1 million people in Queensland living with a disability, the necessity to address mobility needs was imperative. This coupled with the Australia’s aging population, prioritized the requirements to introduce minimum accessibility standards for buildings to accommodate all persons no matter what stage of life, or the challenges they face.
While navigating the reforms may seem overwhelming, expert guidance is at hand. At BCC Homes, we are here to decode the jargon and guide you through the building process. Our knowledgeable and informed team are here to help you build your dream home in an unfamiliar landscape, ensuring compliance with the latest regulations are met ensuring a smooth process from start to finish.
To start the process or to get more information, contact Krystle and Sam at sales@bcchomes.au today and let’s work together to make your dream a reality.
So, you're ready to build. Maybe it's a Granny Flat for Mum, a teenager retreat, or a smart way to boost your property value. But before the dream takes shape, there's the not-so-glamorous hurdle of building approvals. We hear this question all the time from families across the South East Queensland: "How do I get building approval quickly and without all the runaround?" We've helped countless Queensland families cut through the red tape and get their Granny Flat projects moving faster. Here are our top tips to avoid lengthy approvals and start building sooner. First things first – the aim is to qualify as a Secondary Dwelling. We'll share how you can do this below, and knowing these secrets is where you're going to save both time and money! Secondary Dwelling Code: Your Fast-Track to Approval By following a few simple rules, you'll be able to have a Private Certifier approve your Granny Flat instead of your local council. This isn't just a faster turnaround time – it can also save you thousands of dollars. Even better, if you're adding a Granny Flat for additional income, you'll start seeing a return on your investment much sooner. Why Avoid Development Applications? All councils, including the City of Gold Coast, follow a standardised development assessment process guided by the Planning Act 2016 and the Development Assessment Rules. This process involves several lengthy stages, including application, referral, information requests and then finally the decision from Council. Fortunately, the City Plan supports secondary dwellings, therefore if you have followed the requirements and provided the necessary documents, in most cases you will get approval. This is however where you'll spend months waiting and where possible, want to avoid. Our Top Tips for Qualifying Under the Secondary Dwelling Code Here's how to stay within the rules and fast-track your approval: Stay Off the Boundaries There are minimum distances that secondary dwellings must be built from your boundary lines. Knowing what these are and building within those requirements will save you significant time when it comes to approvals – and determines which approval pathway you'll need to take. Stay Under 80m² - size matters There are a few variations, but keeping your Granny Flat under 80m² on the Gold Coast will mean you'll be eligible to classify it as a Secondary Dwelling, which means faster approvals and lower costs. Note: Each council varies slightly on sizing, just contact us to find out more. Build Within the Correct Zones For most areas, your Granny Flat needs to be built within a specific distance of your main property. On the Gold Coast it's 20 metres for a rural property, or 10 metres from eave to eave on a low/medium density home, but again this can vary depending on which council area you're in. Building your Granny Flat within these requirements can again avoid delays. These requirements will be available from your local council and providing you abide by the zoning regulations; you can proceed under the Secondary Dwelling pathway. The Bottom Line If you go outside these rules, the council gets involved as your project becomes "code assessable" and a Development Application will need to be lodged. This means months of waiting and thousands in additional costs. Stay within these simple guidelines and you can obtain Secondary Dwelling Code approval via a Private Certifier – meaning no council delays, faster approvals, and money saved. The best part? We've already decoded this process for you. Ready to build your Granny Flat smarter, not harder? Contact us today and discover how our proven process can get your project approved quickly and built to the highest standards. Let us help turn your vision into reality!
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