City of Melbourne Building Regulatory Requirements

Below is an extract of the regulatory requirements outlined in various documents by the City of Melbourne (See their web site and links provided) This is not an inclusive list and readers should undertake all necessary research in determining the what provisions may apply or not apply to any project within the city of Melbourne.

This  is guide only. Information is subject to change

Link: https://eservices.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ePathway/Production/Web/Applications/ApplicationTypes.aspx 

City of Melbourne Main web site: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

 

MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL

ACTIVITIES LOCAL LAW 2009

Title

1.1 This Local Law is called the “Activities Local Law 2009”.

What are the objectives of this Local Law?

1.2 The objectives of this Local Law are to:

(a) promote a physical and social environment free from hazards to health, in

which the residents of and visitors to the municipality

can enjoy a quality of life that meets the general expectations of the community;

(b) control noise, behaviour, liquor consumption,animals, spruiking, busking,

advertising sign, works and obstructions on roads, street trading, the use of toy vehicles

and other activities;

(c) protect the use of public places and control activities in or near them;

(d) provide for safety in public place

..

Definitions

1.11 The words identified in italics throughout this Local Law are intended to have the

following meaning ...

“

Building

” includes a part of a building and the whole or any part of a structure, temporary building or structure, fence, gate, wall, pavement light, outbuilding, service installation, mast, pole and other appurtenance of a building.

Building works 

"includes works, activities, events and practices for or in connection with the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building

..

Construction Management Plan

" means a description of the proposed strategy to be implemented in relation to the building works to ensure:

(a) public amenity and safety are maintained;

..

Fencing Vacant Land

2.12 An owner or occupier of vacant land which is wholly or partially unfenced must, as soon as practicable after being directed to do so by the Councilor an Authorised Officer, fence or cause to be fenced all or that portion of the vacant land which was the subject of the Council’s or the Authorised Officer’s direction 

PART 7 - BUILDING STANDARDS

Compliance with Code

7.1 A person must comply with any obligation imposed by the Code. Compliance with the Standards

7.2 A person to whom the Standards apply must comply with any obligation imposed by the Standards

 

Types of construction permits

The City of Melbourne issues many different permits for building and construction activities including:
..

Permits for safety and amenity

• Hoardings (4.1- General Requirements)

 Hoarding screens must be constructed of closely boarded timber or plywood between 1.8m to 2.4m in height to secure a building site and form a barrier against noise, dust and debris. Chain wire and corrugated iron fences are considered unsuitable for this purpose.

Hoardings are to be designed to withstand wind loads to AS 1170.2 with counterweights as necessary to prevent overturning. In addition hoardings adjoining excavations are to be designed to withstand a lateral line load of 0.75 kN/m applied at a height of 1 metre from the base and suitably guarded by barriers to prevent vehicular impact.

Hoardings and barricades must be in good condition, free from graffiti and maintained to the satisfaction of the Council. They should be painted in a uniform colour preferably white

Construction Management Plan guidelines

The City of Melbourne requires developers and builders to carefully manage excavation, demolition and building works within its municipal boundaries.
To achieve this, builders and developers are required to submit a construction management plan that takes into account all relevant aspects of demolition or building work.
The guidelines address a range of issues to be managed onsite, including:

• public safety, amenity and site security 

All public domain protection permits such as hoardings, gantries, cranes, etc are issued by the City of Melbourne’s Construction Management Group (Site Services)
 ...

1.5 Matters for Consideration

Fencing of Site

1.5.1 The site should be secured by a fence, hoarding or other suitable barrier constructed in accordance with Public Safety and Amenity – A Code of Good Practice at Construction Sites.

1.5.2 Ensure hoardings, perimeter fencing or other site barrier systems do not allow climbing or unauthorised entry.

1.5.3 Before and during building work, all excavations must be fenced so they do not pose a danger to life or property to the satisfaction of the relevant building surveyor.

1.5.4 Hoardings, barriers and other perimeter fencing must be suitably lined to limit public viewing to designated viewing areas. This will ensure pedestrian flow is not impeded and adequate site-public interaction is accommodated. Refer to the Public Safety and Amenity – A Code of Good Practice at Construction Sites.

...

1.5.16 Developers and builders must ensure there are no tripping hazards from the hoarding or perimeter fencing on nearby footpaths. Electrical, plumbing and other services extending over footpaths must be covered over, and pedestrian and disability access facilitated by a ramp. Ramps must have a non-slip surface, a handrail, and a minimum gradient of 1:14 unless the existing topography of the street or road requires some variation to this ratio

 ..  
1.5.32 Hoardings must be designed to reduce the likelihood of unauthorised bill postings and graffiti through the use of wire mesh guards, warning notices and/or public art. Graffiti and other posters or stickers on hoardings and fencing must be removed on at least a weekly basis, or immediately if it is offensive in nature
...

1.6 Applicable legislative references, local laws, etc:

a. Building Act 1993

b. Planning and Environment Act 1987

c. Melbourne Planning Scheme

d. Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

e. Activities Local Law 1999:

i. 6.1 (Permit required for road interference)

ii. 8.1 (Notice to commence building work)

iii. 11.2 (Prohibition for vehicles remaining on street)

iv. 11.3 (Interfering with pedestrian sign)

v. 11.5 (General obstructions)