BCA 2010 - ABCB - Australian Building Codes Board

CHAirMAN’S ADDrESS
Mr graham huxley AM
Welcome to the Autumn 2010 edition
of the Australian Building Regulation
Bulletin.
On reflection, 2009 was a busy year
highlighted by the development of
enhanced energy efficiency measures
for the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
as agreed by Governments, a new
national bushfire standard for residential
buildings and on-going engagement
about important life safety issues arising
from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal
Commission’s work.
The Building Ministers’ Forum met in
November 2009 to consider several
matters impacting on the building
regulation reform agenda. This
included consideration of the National
Construction Code (NCC) which was
subsequently referred to COAG. At its
meeting on 7 December COAG agreed
to integrate the Plumbing Code of
Australia and the Building Code of
Australia into a single document which
will address areas of inconsistency and
overlap between the two codes. This
will enable the development of a more
consolidated and integrated national
construction code.
Looking to the year ahead, we expect
to have our hands full once again in
2010. In addition to assisting with the
development of the NCC, the ABCB
will be responding further to the Royal
Commission on Bushfires, including the
development of a national standard for
the design and construction of bushfire
shelters for personal use.
Government is considering its response
to the House of Representatives
Standing Committee on Legal and
Constitutional Affairs report on the
Draft Disability (Access to Premises
– Buildings) Standards and the
ABCB remains ready to respond to
Government direction on this important
issue.
As foreshadowed earlier, BCA 2010
contains increased energy efficiency
stringency levels for all buildings,
including 6 star requirements for
houses. Some States and Territories may
not be adopting these changes in BCA
2010, so it would be best to check the
status of these new measures in your
jurisdiction with your local Building
Control Administration (see page 31 in
this Edition).
With the new provisions for energy
efficiency bushfires, swimming pool
safety barriers and other amendments
relating to life safety, the new look BCA
2010 contains quite a few changes. I
encourage you to attend our National
BCA Seminar Series, commencing in
March, where you will be informed of
these changes. Further information
on the Seminars can be found in this
edition, or on our website at
www.abcb.gov.au
Graham Huxley AM
Chairman
2 • Australian Building Regulation Bulletin