Asbestos
If you are thinking about renovating, you must be aware of asbestos. It is important for home owners and renovators to be aware of how to safely manage asbestos in and around the home.
Importantly, if you suspect you have asbestos in your home, Don't cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t water blast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… Don’t dump it!
More information in relation to asbestos including how to check for it, the dangers of it and disposing of it can be found in the website links below:
Sediment And Erosion Control
Throughout building and construction activities it is important to adopt best practice soil and water management measures onsite to protect our natural environment. Exposed soils are easily washed away during rainfall events as sediment, which is a major source of pollution to local waterways. Large amounts of sediment in waterways are harmful to aquatic organisms (i.e. fish, plants), and can silt up streams and block stormwater pipes leading to increased flooding. Sediment also often transports other pollutants such as oils, heavy metals and hydrocarbons from building and construction sites into local waterways.
Adopting best practice soil and water management measures will also help to:
- improve wet weather working conditions onsite,
- reduce stockpile losses,
- reduce clean up costs; and
- ensure greater compliance with appropriate regulations including state environmental laws, thereby reducing the risk of fines and other penalties.
The Fact Sheets below outline the Tasmanian guidelines for best practice soil and water management on building and construction sites. Follow these guidelines to minimise erosion, control sediment runoff from your building or construction site, and protect our local waterways.
FACT SHEET: Soil & Water Management on Building & Construction SItes
Swimming Pools and Spas
All new domestic pool and spa safety barriers must comply with Part 3.9.3 of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume 2 'Swimming Pool Access'. The BCA is part of the National Construction Code (NCC).
A barrier must constructed around a swimming pool and must:
- extend continuously for the full length of the pool; and
- be strong and rigid enough to withstand impacts from people; and
- restrict young children accessing the pool and immediate surrounds; and
- have gates and doors:
- with latching devices which young children can't operate and
- which close and latch automatically
To get a copy of the Building Code of Australia go to www.abcb.gov.au
Australian pool safety Standards
- AS 1926.1—2012 Swimming pool safety - Safety barriers for swimming pools
- AS 1926.2—2007 Swimming pool safety - Location of safety barriers for swimming pools
- This Standard sets the construction requirements for pool fences and gates as well as doors and windows associated with pool safety barriers
Waste Water
Boundary Fence Guide
Prior to erecting a front, rear or side boundary fence, please contact the George Town Council Planning Department to determine if a planning application would be required.
The George Town Interim Planning Scheme 2013 sets out the exemptions for boundary fences. If a property owner can meet these exemptions, there is no need to obtain a planning permit. If however, the owner cannot meet the criteria, they should contact Council to discuss their proposed fence development.
A fence will generally be exempt from requiring planning approval within the residential, rural, or commercial zones if:
- The fence is a side or rear boundary fence, and does not exceed a height of 2.1m. The fence must not adjoin a road or public reserve.
- The fence is a front fence and does not exceed 1.2m
- Within the General Residential Zone, property owners may construct a 1.8m high front fence, provided that the portion of fence above 1.2m has 30% transparency to provide for mutual passive surveillance. Please contact Council to check if your property is located within the General Residential Zone.
If fences are constructed of concrete, brick or block, a building permit may be required for the development.
The Boundary Fences Act 1908 and Boundary Fences Regulations 1998 define the law in Tasmania relating to constructing and repairing fences that divide adjoining land. The Act details the obligations of adjoining land owners with regard to the building or repair of boundary fencing.
Council does not provide advice on where the property boundaries are. Refer to the Certificate of Title Folio plan, or if in doubt a land surveyor will measure out where the boundaries are.
If you would like advice on fencing disputes with your neighbours, please refer to the Act available at https://www.legislation.tas.go... or contact the Legal Advice Service on 1300 366 611 to obtain free legal advice. Council will not try and interpret the Act or help in these kinds of disputes.
Council always recommends that you make contact prior to erecting a front, rear, or side fence. Council offices can be contacted on 6382 8800, or an email sent to council@georgetown.tas.gov.au, addressed to the attention of the Planning Department.
