If you’re planning a build in Tasmania, it is helpful to gain a strong understanding of what is required and when for the project to become a reality. Pre-construction permits are required for many types of construction in Tasmania and are the first thing you’ll want to know. They often involve different documentation and experts to satisfy regulatory checks, so the permit required will determine the process for approval and construction for your build.
Building and Planning Permits
You or your building designer may have completed preliminary checks with the relevant council to learn which permits your project will need.
Planning permits – are required where the scope of the project requires review for compliance with the planning scheme and its visual impact and amenity. In this instance, you will need both planning and building approval. If a planning application is assessed as meeting all the requirements of the planning scheme, it can be deemed ‘No Permit Required’ (NPR); it is up to council to determine if this applies.
You can engage a building surveyor early in the design phase to assess the project and determine which permits will be required.
Obtaining planning or building approval can take time and a substantial amount of preparation, so it’s important to work with experienced consultants who can guide you through the process as painlessly as possible read more about permits here
Building permits – are focused solely on the building and its safety according to the relevant guidelines. A building permit requires the submission of detailed documentation of the design and supporting data to be reviewed by a surveyor and the local council.
Pre-construction documentation
Once you know the pre-construction permit process requirements for your project, you can source the right experts to prepare the documentation to submit for approval. Based on the council’s requirements, your project may require:
- Building design
- Energy efficiency assessment
- Structural engineering
- Civil engineering
- BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) report
- Soil assessments (site classification and wastewater design)
- Hazard assessments
- Heritage works approval or exemption
Each of these reports takes time to prepare and usually benefits from liaison between consultants. It can be efficient to work with those within the same consultancy or who have worked together before. Efficiencies are also possible if a consultancy uses BIM (Building Information Modelling) to bring all of these disciplines together to integrate every data point and find issues early. Read more about how BIM improves building processes here).
Download our guide on who’s who in the pre-construction process (a great resource for builders and homeowners) – DOWNLOAD HERE
CLC Assessment
The building surveyor is the checkpoint for your build, assessing each stage for compliance. Therefore, it helps to have the best understanding possible of what a building surveyor needs from the designer, engineer, builder or owner to progress a project from a concept to gaining the essential CLC to complete the building permit application.
The documentation list for the surveyor may include*:
- Form 2 Application for CLC
- Planning permit or planning exemption confirmation
- Design drawings by a Tasmanian licenced designer
- Form 35 Certificate of Responsible Designer
- Certificate of Title
- Engineering drawings and Form 35
- Form 55 Certificate – Engineers Design Endorsement
- Bushfire (BAL and BHMP) if applicable
- Energy efficiency report with Form 55
- Site classification with Form 55
- Onsite wastewater treatment system design with Form 55 (if applicable)
*this list isn’t exhaustive and should be used as a guide
Once your building surveyor is satisfied your proposed building work meets regulations, they’ll issue you with a Ceritficate of Likely Compliance that can then complete your building permit application.
When can you commence construction?
The pre-construction permit processes and documentation are essential. Every builder and client needs to efficiently complete that phase to begin construction. There’s one last step before that occurs.
Your building surveyor will send a Start Work Notification (SWN) application to the builder once the building permit is issued. Once they sign the SWN and the surveyor has checked the licence of the builder to carry out the work, the SWN is authorised and the build can commence.
Getting through the concept and pre-construction permit phase with diligence and attention to detail lays a solid framework for every build. It can seem overwhelming and complex, which it often is for large developments, complex designs or on land with overlays or features. However, it’s a critical step to achieving a build that is fit for purpose for its occupants and the environment it is located in.
Working with pre-construction experts is the best way to minimise the complexity, keep timelines realistic and streamline documentation and application processes.
Understand when and how all the experts work together by downloading our guide below.
