PROPERTY & LEASING

There are many things to consider before starting your building, such as whether your job requires a building permit or a planning permit (or both). The Building Act 1993 (the Act) and Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) legislate that all building work is subject to the issuing of a building permit, unless an exemption exists for the proposed work under the Regulations. This includes some minor alterations, demolitions and repair or maintenance work.

A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit is required or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work. If you are unsure please consult FCRM Municipal Building Surveyor whether your proposed building work requires a building permit.

• Application for Building Permit >

Fire Orders must be displayed in a suitable location near or on the rear of the main entrance door of each bedroom (for lodge style accommodation) or near or on the rear of the main entrance door of an apartment (for apartment style accommodation), be clearly marked “Fire Orders” and the plan must be correctly orientated to minimize confusion in the case of emergency. Fire Orders must explain:

1. the method of operation of all call points and the location of all call points if installed
2. the location and methods of operation of all firefighting equipment
3. the location of all exits and the assembly point at which the building occupants are to meet
4. the procedure for evacuation of the building
5. emergency services contact details such as the 000 number to be listed indicating that this is the number to call for fire, ambulance or police assistance.

• Fire Order Plan Sample Copy >
• Fire Safety Management Plan Sample Copy >
• Logo Files >

AS 3959 – Bushfire Policy for All Lease Renewals with Existing Buildings Falls Creek Resort Management (FCRM) has developed an AS 3959 - Bushfire Risk Assessment Policy which is applied as part of the New Lease process. The policy has been developed in order to provide for minimum safety maintenance and upgrade requirements on existing buildings.

AS 3959 is a thorough and wide-reaching code designed to provide adequate safety and functionality to buildings. The Standard and this policy is designed to aid building professionals in their assessment of buildings and preparation of documentation supporting the lease renewal application in relation to plans, scope of works required and specifications.

The Boards Municipal Building Surveyor is charged with the responsibility of undertaking all bushfire risk assessments throughout the Village. This assessment is used during the new lease application process to determine required building works for inclusion in the new lease.

Elements assessed during Bushfire Risk Assessments are in accordance with the FCARMB adopted Guidelines.

• FCRM Bushfire Risk Assessment Policy
• FCRM Bushfire Risk Assessment Guidelines

• FCRM Building Standards of Occupancy Policy 2020
• FCRM Building Standards of Occupancy Guidelines 2020

Falls Creek Resort Management (FCRM) is charged with the responsibility for administering leasing obligations under the Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997 and the administration and enforcement of parts 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 of the Building Act 1993. FCRM Municipal Building Surveyor can provide a number of services related to leasing obligations at a fee as outlined in the attached table.  Please contact Falls Creek Resort Management directly for further information.

Charges applicable to Lessees can be separated into three main components:

1. New Lease report requirements,
2. Major and minor development works, and
3. General building and maintenance works.

• Fee Schedule >

ESSENTIAL SAFETY MEASURES

What ESM's Are

ESM Stands for Essential Safety Measure. These are the installations and features incorporated into your building in order to keep its occupants safe, particularly in the event of an emergency. ESM's are important for keeping yourself and your customers safe, there are reporting requirements for most classes of premises.

ESM’s are established by the Building Act (Vic) 1993 and the Building Regulations (Vic) 2018 and are generally outlined in your building's Occupancy Permit and noted in your triennial Building Standards Reports.

Below is a list of Essential Safety Measures that are listed in your buildings Building Standards of Occupancy Inspection Report. Notes on how to perform and who is required to complete each item is available in the table below by clicking on the link. Please check your Building Standards Report for which items are relevant to your building. This information is also available on the Victorian Building Authority website www.vba.vic.gov.au.

• Practice note
• ESM Manual
• Template annual report
• Sample annual report
• Presentation
• Essential Safety Measures - How and Why to Maintain Your Compliance

When you need to register your pool or spa

To improve the safety of pools and spas, the Victorian regulations changed on 1 December 2019. From this date, if you own a property with a pool or spa, you’re required to register the pool/spa with FCRM by 1 November 2020.

How to register

Register your pool or outdoor spa using the Pool & Spa Registration Form. In the form, you'll need to provide the estimated date that the pool or spa was constructed, which will be reviewed by FCARMB.

Pool and spa certificate of compliance

Once your swimming pool or spa has been registered, you need to arrange an inspection of the safety barrier to determine if the barrier is compliant with the applicable barrier standard.

In addition, owners are now required to obtain and lodge a compliance certificate for the safety of their pool or spa barrier every four years by a building surveyor.

Schedule of Fees

Find out more about:

• new pool and spa registration requirements 
• pool and spa inspection and compliance 
• pool safety barriers 
• installing a new pool or spa 

For more information: vba.vic.gov.au/swimming-pools

The (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards) have been developed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) to ensure that dignified, equitable, cost-effective and reasonably achievable access to buildings is provided for people with a disability. It is important that all building practitioners and other associated parties are familiar and complying with these standards.

The attached practice note and accompanying word document provides further information on the Building Code of Australia Access requirements to ensure buildings and works to buildings are consistent with the statutory requirements and also ensuring people with a disability are able to access buildings in a dignified and equitable way.

Access to Buildings for people with a disability - Practice Note 14 from the VBA 

Building Code of Australia Access Requirements

FCARMB Building Requirements

Asbestos management for commercial property owners

If you are a commercial property owner who leases or rents, for example, a building or part of a building to a business or businesses, then you may have obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 to the extent of your management or control.

The links below provide detailed information about your responsibilities for managing asbestos:

Find and identify

Manage

Licensed asbestos removalist

Asbestos register

When asbestos is identified in a workplace, you need to create an asbestos register.

The asbestos register must be kept current and include:

• the location of the asbestos
• the likely source of asbestos that is not fixed or installed
• the type of asbestos containing material
• • whether the asbestos containing material is friable or non-friable
  • the condition of the asbestos-containing material
  • whether the asbestos-containing material is likely to sustain damage or deterioration
• details of the location and likely source of asbestos that is not fixed or installed in relation to all inaccessible areas that may contain asbestos
• so far as possible detailed information about activities likely to be carried out in the workplace that are likely to damage or disturb the asbestos.

Examples of asbestos registers can be found HERE.

More information

For more information on the risks of asbestos and how to comply with the legal duties you can visit the following websites:

Asbestos Victoria

WorkSafe

Environmental Protection Authority Victoria