Building Approval
Council or Building Certifier Approval is arguably the most stressful item to complete in any project. Lets us help you to manage the building certification for you.
Applying for a development application or a complying development certificate
A) Development Application (DA)
Council, or other building professionals such as a town planner or accredited certifier, will advise if you need to lodge a DA. In almost all cases council issues the development consent, though a State agency may do occasionally. Accredited certifiers cannot assess DAs.
B) Complying Development Certificate (CDC)
A complying development certificate is an alternative to a DA and only available for routine work classed as complying development under council’s planning controls or a State planning policy. A complying development certificate is issued if a proposed development complies with relevant planning controls and building controls under the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Accredited certifiers and councils can issue complying development certificates. The certificate must be obtained before any building work commences, including site works such as demolition and excavation. You should enter into a contract with the builder and obtain home warranty insurance before work commences.
C) Construction Certificate (CC)
If you have development consent after submitting a DA to council, you need a construction certificate before you can start building work. If you have a complying development certificate, you do not need a construction certificate. A construction certificate confirms building plans comply with the BCA, are ‘not inconsistent’ with the development consent, and comply with relevant conditions of the development consent. Accredited certifiers and councils can issue construction certificates. A construction certificate (or complying development certificate) must be obtained before building work commences. Without one, you cannot obtain an occupation certificate at the completion of building work.