Unauthorised Building Works

Building Approval Certificate Information
(Unauthorised Building Work)

Unauthorised building work may include work commenced without a building licence, or which is not built in compliance with, or is a departure from the approved plans and specifications.

Previously local governments could only prosecute and serve notices on building owners and builders to pull down or alter unauthorised buildings. Owners could appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal, which caused considerable administrative burden on the Department of Justice, local governments and members of the public.

Building Approval Certificate

We are now able to issue a ‘building approval certificate’ to the owner in relation to unauthorised building work where adequate plans and specifications have been lodged and it has demonstrated that the building work complies with relevant building standards. Providing an approval of this nature retrospectively allows the Shire to be satisfied that a building is safe, complies with all requirements, and is included in the building records.

The owner of unauthorised building work may make an application to the Shire for a ‘Building Approval Certificate’ using the prescribed ‘Building Approval Certificate Application’ (see link below)

Building Approval Certificate Application

The application is required to be completed and submitted with relevant documentation, with application fees paid.

Fees

Class 1 or 10 Structures:
 
0.7% of 10/11 of the estimated current value of the unauthorized building work as determined by the local government, but not less than $170.

Class 2 to 9:

0.4% of 10/11 of the estimated current value of the unauthorized building work as determined by the local government, but not less than $170.

How do I know if a building has the necessary approval?

If you are concerned that a building on your property or a property you are considering to buy does not have the necessary approval, you are advised to contact the Shire Building Department to carry out a search of Shire records for all building approvals issued to that property. This search will confirm which structures have been granted building approval.

In order to gain this information however, you must be the current owner of the land or have consent in writing from the current owner. There is also a charge to obtain this information. Please contact the Shire Building Department for more information.