How do I obtain a Building Information Certificate and when do I need one?
July 1, 2023by coronaprojects..
If you have received a Notice of Intention / Development Control Order from Council in relation to unauthorised building works or an unauthorised use, or should you wish to regularise unauthorised works of your own volition, you can submit a Building Information Certificate (BIC) to Council.
Note that a BIC can only regularise unauthorised physical works and not an unauthorised use of a space.
All applications for the use of a space, retrospective or otherwise, must be made by way of a Development Application.
The requirements for a BIC vary dependent on the scope of the unauthorised works, however, generally the following documents are required: • Site Survey. Documenting the location of the unauthorised works on site in relation to other built structures on site.
- Architectural Plans
Detailing the unauthorized works in plan, section, and elevational format for council assessment purposes. - Town Planning Report
Describing the unauthorised works in detail along with an assessment against the relevant legislation. - Certificate of Structural Adequacy
Prepared by a qualified structural engineer, to certify that the unauthorised works have been constructed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards. Should the works not comply with the relevant standards, the certificate should recommend the required rectification works. - Owners Consent
Written consent from the registered property owners. This includes consent from the Strata Manager should your property be strata managed. - Building Code of Australia (BCA) Report
Certifying that the subject unauthorised works comply with the provisions of the BCA. The report will also need to detail any required rectification works to ensure compliance. Further required documentation may be required dependent on the scope of the unauthorised works.
TIP: Specific requirements can be determined using the relevant Council’s lodgement requirements checklist, available on the council website.
Once all the relevant documentation is obtained, you are ready to lodge your BIC. It can be difficult to navigate the requirements of a BIC, especially when considering the timeframes that may be imposed by Council in any relevant Development Control Order.
The best option is to engage a town planner who is familiar with your local Council to coordinate this process can assist in ensuring a complete package is provided to Council and avoid any additional submissions or fines should no action be taken.
The Corona Projects team has more than 25 years of experience with your local council, so can not only meet your needs, but make sure your BIC application process is smoothly executed.
