Book an inspection
When undertaking building, subdivision or drainage works inspections are required by the Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) or Regulator to ensure construction meets the regulatory requirements.
To ensure that construction works are being undertaken in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and relevant standards, your development may be subject to inspections during critical stages of the development.
If you have appointed Council as the Principal Certifier (PC), we will undertake mandatory ‘critical stage’ inspections.
We do this to ensure construction works are being undertaken in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and meeting any other required standards.
How to book
Inspections may be booked over the phone via our Customer Service team on (02) 6740 2100.
Please have the following information available
- Type of inspection (refer to Consent or PCA Agreement for the inspections required)
- Address of where the inspection will take place.
- Contact name and telephone number of the relevant person.
- Application reference number
- Construction certificate number
- Development application number
- Complying development certificate number
No bookings on public holidays or weekends will be accepted.
Note:
- You do not need to be on site for the inspection to take place.
- When making your inspection request please ensure you have your application number ready.
- Your site must be completely ready at the inspection time. To avoid an additional inspection fee the appointment must be cancelled or rebooked if the site will not be ready in time.
Where are my required Critical Stage Inspections listed?
Depending on the type of approval granted for your development, your critical stage inspections will be listed within you:
- Principal Certifying Authority Agreement (PCA)
- Development Consent
- Complying Development Schedule of Conditions
Types of Critical Stage Inspections
Your list of inspections may include any or all the following:
- After excavation for, and prior to the placement of, any footings
- Prior to pouring of any in-situ reinforced concrete building element
- Prior to covering of any framework for any floor, wall, roof, or other building element.
- Mechanical ventilation ductwork prior to internal lining
- Prior to covering waterproofing in any wet areas
- Prior to covering any stormwater drainage connections
- Retaining wall with drainage in position prior to backfilling
- After building work has been completed and prior to any occupation certificate being issued in relation to the building.
- After construction of the swimming pool is completed and the barrier (where required) has been erected and before the pool is filled with water
- After building work has been completed and prior to any occupation certificate being issued in relation to the structure/building.
Additional Inspection required during construction.
In some cases, additional inspection may be required which will be specified in your Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) agreement. This will depend on the extent and types of works being undertaken, ensuring that all work is carried out to an acceptable standard.
Additional inspections/re-inspections may also be required because of non-compliant works or stages inspections where necessary.
Each additional inspection undertaken throughout the construction phases will incur the appropriate inspection fee as outlined in Council’s fees and charges.
What is a final inspection?
A final inspection is an inspection conducted once all the building works have been completed.
When booking a final inspection, you will also need to apply for an Occupation Certificate via the NSW Planning Portal. Once the final inspection has been completed and passed, an Occupation Certificate may be issued.
What is an Occupation Certificate?
An Occupation Certificate (OC) certifies that the building or nominated part of the building is suitable and safe to be occupied, in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Building Code of Australia.
An OC must be obtained from the appointed PC before a new building or part of a building (e.g. additions to a building) can be occupied and before commencing any change to a building’s use. Where Gunnedah Shire Council has been appointed as the PC, applications for OC’s should nominate Gunnedah Shire Council to issue the OC.
Before issuing a certificate, the structural adequacy, fire safety and the health, safety and amenity of future occupants of the building are considered. The PC must also ensure that relevant development consent conditions and requirements have been complied with.
Failure to obtain an OC is an offence which can result in substantial penalties or issue of notices and orders.
Principal Certifiers
Only accredited certifiers or councils can undertake the functions of a PC for a development. The roles and responsibilities of the PC are set out in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Ins important to note that applying for a Construction Certificate I not the same as appointing a PC. The certifying authority who issues the Construction Certificate does not have to be the PC. You must specifically appoint a PC via the NSW Planning Portal to undertake inspections and issue the Occupation Certificate.
It’s essential to appoint a PC before starting any building or subdivision work. The PC will need to inspect the building/subdivision works during the course of construction to ensure it meets the regulatory requirements.
Only the PC can issue the Occupation Certificate and/or Subdivision Certificate at the end of the work. Before an Occupation Certificate is issued, the PC will check the building meets the necessary approvals, is safe for occupancy and complies with its classification under the Building Code of Australia. The PC can issue Subdivision Certificates when Gunnedah Shire’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) allows.
Who can appoint a Principal Certifier
The person with the benefit of the development consent must appoint the PC. This is usually the owner of the land or someone authorised to act on their behalf. The building cannot appoint the PC unless they are the person with the benefit of the development consent. If you are appointing an accredited certifier as the PC, you must appoint an individual rather than the company the individual works at.
Pool Inspection
Pool owners and councils have a shared legal responsibility under the Swimming Pools Act 1992 to help to protect the safety of children around properties with swimming pools or spa pools.