Download As of the 1st March 2006 amendments were introduced into The

SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
As of the 1st March 2006 amendments were introduced into The Queensland Development Code to
include Sustainable Building Practices.
These amendments involve the introduction of:
 Green-Efficient Hot Water systems (i.e. solar, gas or electric heat pump water heaters)
 AAA Rated Shower Heads in reticulated town water (also required for renovations)
 Dual flush toilets. 6 and 3 litre flush (also required for renovations)
 Water Pressure limiting devices to restrict maximum water pressure to no more than
500 kilopascals (where the water pressure at the house exceeds 500 kilopascals)
 Energy-Efficient lighting (i.e. Fluorescent or Compact Fluorescent to be used to
illuminate at least 40% of internal floor space)
All building work requiring a Plumbing Approval will have the Plumbing systems assessed by the Local
Authority.
The lighting element of the new amendments will require an Electrical Plan to be
submitted as part of the Building Approval.
As of the 1st of January 2008 additional provisions were implemented.
Renovations undertaken to existing class 1 and 2 buildings/ sole occupancy units where both
a plumbing application (on any aspect of plumbing work) and a building approval are
required will trigger the retrospective requirement for both AAA shower roses and dual flush
toilets with 6 and 3 litre flush to all existing toilets in the building/ sole occupancy unit.
WET AREAS
On the 1st May 2004 the new BCA 2004 introduced new requirements for WET AREAS
The BCA now references the revised Australian Standard — A.S. 3740-2004 — Waterproofing of Wet Areas within
Residential Buildings.
We recommend that you enquire as to whether your Waterproofing Contractor is aware of the many amendments to
the Standard to ensure that your building complies with all regulations.
Some of these amendments include: -Areas that are to be Water Proof / Water Resistant, the Installation of
Flashings, Hob Construction, etc.
Some of the Major Implications of this new legislation are: 1.
The Wall / Floor Junction of the entire room are to be waterproofed for all floor construction
methods.
2.
The entire floor of a wet area, if built using timber floors (including particle board flooring), is to
be waterproofed including the Wall / Floor Junction.
3.
The flashing for the Wall / Floor junction is to continue through the doorway opening.
Please be aware that ALL waterproofing must be installed by a BSA licensed applicator and a
certificate of installation signed by the licensed applicator will be required to obtain Final
Building Approval.
Please find attached a link to the BSA’s information brochure on waterproofing simply cut and paste into the
address bar of your explorer browser.
http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/Home/BuildersContractors/TechInfo/Waterproofing.htm
SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING SWIMMING POOL AND SPA DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS.
Requirements under the Standard Building Regulations 1993 and the Building Act 1975.For all
swimming pools and spas approved for construction after October 2003.
1. Pool owners must ensure that a compliant fence is in place and has been inspected and approved by the
Building Certifier before the pool / spa has been filled with water,
2. Pool owners must display a warning sign at the front of their property advising that a new pool / spa is
under construction,
3. Pool owners must display a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) sign in a prominent position within
the enclosure, (these are available for a fee from the Queensland Ambulance Service)
For any further information regarding any of this information please visit the QLD
government website — www.poolfencing.q1d.gov.au
INSPECTIONS DURING
CONSTRUCTION
As of the 14th November 2003 new legislation was introduced regarding INSPECTIONS during
construction.
The new legislation requires that we have to be advised of all inspections i.e. footings and slabs,
even if we approve your engineer to inspect.
IF YOU DO NOT ADVISE US OF INSPECTION WE MUST REPORT YOU TO THE BSA.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WISH TO DO.
The option is still available for Engineers to inspect foundations etc; however there are now strict
requirements on the protocol by which we can allow engineers to inspect.
The difficult and confusing part of this legislation is that now an engineer just looking at the
structural elements is no longer sufficient as Section 87 D of the Regulations now approves a
guideline which has been prepared by government which lists the items which must be
inspected.
The other elements required to be assessed WILL require us to visit the site or the engaging of other
consultants i.e. land surveyors.