Recently, both the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) announced a new regime of inspections. The VBA proactive Building inspection program is designed to assess building sites and building works for compliance with the Act, Regulations and Code through an engagement and inspection process. You may wish to consult our previous advice on this matter, available here.

As part of this process, the VBA inspects various elements of the building works and, depending on the class of build and stage of build, any or all of the following elements, but not limited to, are inspected:

Building Permit data – pre populated from building permit data held by the VBA and cross checked on site.

Initial site safety observations – include traffic, working from heights, electrical and excavation risks

Documentation and Site signage – approved plans

Public Protection – people and assets

Protection works – documentation, excavation, fill, party walls

Siting – Part 4 of the Building Regs, setbacks, overlooking, overshadowing, fencing, building heights

Fire separation – Separation walls, ceilings, penetrations

Plumbing works – Class of work and plumbers details – below ground/rough in/roofing

Members should contact the legal department on (03) 9411 4548 if they have any questions or wish to seek advice on any of these issues.