Better Access to Building Records
From September 1 legislation will come into force that will require local councils - including Hervey Bay City Council to provide access to building records to see if proper approvals have have been obtained for work done on their property or that of neighbours.
Local Government and Planning Minister Desley Boyle said people who were looking to buy a house or who were adversely affected by their neighbour’s building work often had difficult in finding out whether the right approvals were in place.
“People have complained, for example that their neighbour’s extension looks right into their bedroom or a new shed built right against the fence blocks the sunlight.
“Up until now, local governments have had the discretion to decide who could and could not access building approval and inspection documents.
“This has led to different councils allowing different levels of access, which has caused problems for people trying to prove their neighbour’s shed or extensions shouldn’t be there.
“From September 1, councils will be required to allow people to inspect building approval documents, subject to privacy and security restrictions. Councils will be able to charge a fee equal to the cost of providing this service.”
September 4th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
what a marvel that only at election time does an opportunity arise for ratepayers to inspect the register of building approvals and learn who is behind the development projects which are causing this once fair city to become another Gold Coast resort for quick money returns , drugs and houses squashed into land blocks of 600 square metres .Hopefully this statutory right to inspect the register will remain long after the election is over.
September 4th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
I support the move that the local council provide access to building records so that persons in the city may see that proper approvals have been obtained for work done on their property or that of their neighbours .The building boom of recent years has led to many taking advantage to make renovations, often with out consultation with neighbors ,who only find out when the work is completed that a newly installed swimming pool, for example, has become a source of nuisance and noise which interferes with their ability to enjoy their own property peacefully.