Building Policy in SA
Building work is a form of development. No development - including building work - can be undertaken in South Australia without an appropriate Development Approval being obtained from the relevant authority after an application and assessment process (see the Development Applications section). The relevant authority in most cases is usually the local council.
The framework for development assessment and for building rules and standards in South Australia is provided by the Development Act 1993 and associated Development Regulations 1993.
Building Rules
The main technical documents which are 'called up' under the Act and the Regulations are the Building Code of Australia and the South Australian Housing Code.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is the national technical document which sets the standards for building work. Planning SA's Building Policy branch must review the technical standards and provisions within the BCA to ensure compliance with South Australian conditions.
The Building Policy branch produces the SA Housing Code as a 'deemed to satisfy' document of the BCA, and provides advice on Australian Standards and other codes for national accreditation of products and systems.
To assist the building industry, the branch is also involved in the development and review of Minister's Specifications, which are called up under the Development Act for issues that require specific attention in SA. Building Advisory Notices are also regularly issued to assist in the interpretation of building legislation and to inform building practitioners of proposed changes to legislation and other building control matters.
Liaison with the construction industry through conferences, regional meetings, forums and the provision of information through professional journals (including BIAS Magazine) ensures that the building industry, local government and the wider community are aware of issues being dealt with by the branch.
