A Guide to the New - Building Commission

Where the builder is an owner-builder, all mandatory inspections must be certified by
an appropriately registered person. In most cases this will require independent
checking, except where an owner builder is otherwise qualified to do the inspections.
Building Information - s128
Permit authorities will be required to keep records of all building related information.
Permit authorities must keep a register of permits, building approval certificates and
orders made by the permit authority. This must be kept in a manner that is
prescribed by the Building Commission.
A permit authority must amend the register to reflect any changes to a building
permit, a demolition permit, an occupancy permit, a building approval certificate or a
building order.
Public Access to Register of Permits - s128/129
The register of permits, certificates and building orders must be available for
inspection by members of the public during normal office hours. The register is an
open and free resource.
Access to Building Records - s130/131
The permit authority must make available copies of building records, such as a
building permit, demolition permit, occupancy permit, building approval certificate or
building order. Copies of these are restricted and a prescribed fee will be charged to
supply the document(s).
Access to these documents requires that the person formally apply and that they are
an ‗interested person‘. An ‗interested person‘ is defined as an owner of the building
to which the building records relate, or someone with written consent from the owner.
Also other interested parties as set out in regulations.
Providing Information to the Building Commissioner - s132
The Building Commission is required to submit an annual report under the Building
Act. Permit authorities are thus required to give the Building Commissioner the
necessary information from their records so that the annual report on the status of
the built environment in Western Australia can be compiled. This requirement
extends to requests from the Building Commissioner for matters that come under the
Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration Act 2011. This may
include issues such as monitoring developments relating to the regulation of building
services in the State, administering the collection of the levy, advising the Minister or
providing information, education and/or training on building standards.
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