Building Approval Process

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Council's Building Department is here to ensure your building work is safe, functional and abides by State and National legislative requirements including the Building Act 1975 and the Planning Act 2016. 

Please note that it is important to obtain the necessary Planning Approval prior to obtaining your Building Approval.

Will I require Building Works Approval?

Do I require a Building Approval 

Most building and renovation work of a structural nature will require a Building Approval, which must be obtained prior to commencing work.  A Building Approval certifies that the proposed building or structure complies with the relevant regulations.  The following are examples of works that would require a Building Works approval:

  • construction of a new building
  • additions to a building
  • demolitions
  • repair work
  • tenancy fit-outs 
  • underpinning 
  • fencing over two metres in height
  • swimming pools etc. 

Lodging a Building Application

Council offers two methods for lodging a building application:

Lodging by email

 To lodge a Building Application with Council by email, you must forward the following items to info@wdrc.qld.gov.au

  • Appropriate application forms; and
  • Relevant plans of the building work. 

Once the application has been received by Council, you will be contacted to arrange payment of the applicable application fee.  

Lodging in person 

To lodge a Building Application in person, visit one of Council's Customer Contact Centres within the Region and chat to a team member of the Building Department.  The following items will be required to lodge an application: 

  • appropriate application forms;
  • relevant plans of the building work;  and
  • payment of the applicable application fee. 

Who Can Issue a Building Approval?

An application for Building Works can be assessed by a Private Building Certifier, who must then lodge the Approval with Council for our records.  Alternatively, anyone can submit a Building Application (for residential work only) to Council for assessment. 

A Building Application submitted to Council must be accompanied by the appropriate application forms, plans of the Building Work and the relevant application fee. See our Fees and Charges or contact Council to find out the required application fee. 

Reclassification

A building or structure is "classified" in accordance with the purpose for which it is designed, constructed or adapted to be used.  As such, to use a building for a purpose other than what it is currently classified as, it is necessary to have the building reclassified. 

A common example of this is to change a shed (which is classed as a 10a Building) to a house (which is classed as a 1a Building).  To reclassify a building, regardless of whether there is Building Work required or not, it is necessary to apply for a Building Approval for a Change of Classification. 

Building Certification

After you obtain approval, the Building Work must be inspected during stages of construction and certified upon completion.  Council provides a full Building Certification service for the inspection and certification of all Class 1 and 10 buildings, including: 

  • Residential units.

  • Dwellings.

  • Alterations and additions. 

  • Sheds.

  • Swimming pools.

 Swimming Pools and Swimming Pool Fencing

A Building Approval is required for swimming pools and associated swimming pool fencing.  All swimming pools in Queensland are required to meet State Government standards for swimming pool barriers, gates and accesses.  It is the responsibility of all swimming pool owners to ensure their pool complies with these standards and to obtain a Swimming Pool Safety Certificate.  Council provides an inspection service for the issue of Swimming Pool Safety Certificates. 

Find out more from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website.  

Swimming Pool Fact Sheet for Residential Dwellings(PDF, 106KB)

Boundary Relaxation

When proposing building works, the building's or structure's setback distance from the property boundary is a relevant consideration of Council's assessment. In the instance the proposed building works do not comply with the setback identified by the acceptable outcome of the relevant Zone Code, Council requires that the building works be assessed against the performance criteria of the Western Downs Planning Scheme incorporating Amendment 1 (ie: Building Works assessable against the Planning Scheme application).  

To determine if your building works proposal requires a boundary relaxation approval, contact Council or a Private Building Certifier.  

Common Structures

Shipping Containers

People commonly purchase or hire a container to use on their land for storage purposes on either a temporary or permanent basis.  If you intend to place a shipping container on your property for more than 30 days, you will need to obtain Building Approval through a Building Certifier (Council or Private).  For more information, see the Shipping Containers Factsheet(PDF, 541KB).

Rainwater Tanks

Rainwater tanks require Building Approval where one or more of the following apply: 

  • the diameter of the rainwater tank exceeds 3.5m; 

  • the overall height of the tank exceeds 2.4m; 

  • the base is greater than 5m in length; 

  • a supporting structure, such as a tank stand, is required and the overall height exceeds 2.4m; 

  • the tank is associated with a new building (eg  construction of a new house);  and 

  • the tank is over/near Council infrastructure and on a base with continuing footings (ie  concrete tank). 

Please note that any water overflow from a rainwater tank must be discharged to the lawful point of discharge.  

 

Building Fact Sheets

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