Home Events and news August 2009

Events and news - August 2009

Call for Expressions of Interest - Board Committees

The Board is seeking expressions of interest for membership of its' Accreditation and Disciplinary Committees. The Accreditation Committee determines applications for accreditation and the Disciplinary Committee determines complaints and other investigations undertaken by the Board into the conduct of accredited certifiers. The Committees comprise Board members and external members with expertise in areas relevant to the Board's functions.

A `pool' of approximately 20 committee members will be created and drawn upon as required by the Board to address individual matters.

Further information on the Board's committees and how to apply is available here. Written submissions with a maximum length of three (3) pages, including resume, should be submitted to:

The Director

Building Professionals Board

PO Box 3720

PARRAMATTA NSW 2124 or e-mail: policy@bpb.nsw.gov.au by Friday 4 September 2009.

New General Commercial and Industrial Code and other amendments to the Codes SEPP

State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) Amendment (Commercial and Industrial) 2009 gazetted on 5 August and commencing on 7 September 2009 amends State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (the Codes SEPP) and extends the use of complying development to include change of use and internal fitting out of retail, commercial office and industrial premises under the new General Commercial and Industrial Code.

Also gazetted in the amendment is the new Housing Internal Alterations Code, which will extend applicability of the Codes SEPP to an additional 1 million dwelling lots which were previously excluded from using the General Housing Code for alterations and additions. The new Housing Internal Alterations Code allows for internal alterations to an existing dwelling house or ancillary development associated with the dwelling house, (but does not include the construction or the conversion of a basement) as complying development, where the development is permissible with consent. Under this Code the existing dwelling does not need to comply with the development standards of the General Housing Code.

The Codes SEPP amendment also introduces new commercial, industrial and housing exempt development types to the General Exempt Development Code, and clarifies the interpretation and makes amendment to some development types and standards in the General Housing Code.

Also gazetted on 5 August 2009 was an amendment to the Environment Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 to support the new General Commercial and Industrial Code, change post-determination notification for complying development certificates, and amend the requirements for s.149 (2) planning certificates. The Regulation Amendment also commences on 7 September 2009.

Further detail on the Codes SEPP and Regulation amendments including legislative links, User Guides, and Circulars are available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/housingcode and www.planning.nsw.gov.au/commercialcode

The Department of Planning is presenting free Codes implementation workshops throughout August 2009. These workshops will provide important information and practice advice for accredited certifiers and other practitioners on the amendments to the Codes SEPP and Regulation.

The workshops will primarily focus on the new General Commercial and Industrial Code, but will also detail important amendments to the Exempt Development Code, NSW Housing Code, as well as the new Housing Internal Alterations Code. The workshop will not only inform attendees of these amendments, but will also provide opportunities (throughout the workshop) to explore the practical application of key aspects of the Codes SEPP through a combination of activities and discussions.

The workshops are free but registration is required. In addition, all attendees can obtain a certificate of attendance for continuing professional development purposes.

To check workshop locations and dates and to register online please go to http://events.planning.nsw.gov.au/Public/SelectEvent.aspx