Plan, Develop & Build

Building or Renovating?

Formal approval (a Building Permit) is required for any building work involving the development of new structures, alterations or extensions and changes in ground levels.

These include:

  • Residential Dwellings/Granny Flats/Alterations and Additions
  • Swimming Pools/Spas
  • Garages/Sheds/Workshops
  • Patios/Verandahs/Gazebos/Pergolas
  • Retaining Walls (over 1m in height)
  • Commercial Buildings including fit outs and refurbishments
  • Industrial Buildings

If you are unsure if you will need a Building Permit, please do not hesitate to contact the Shire Administration Office on (08) 9973 0100 and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Upon issue of a Building Permit, works must be completed within 24 months of the date of issue or other time frame as specified by the Shire. It is important to ensure sufficient time for assessment of your Building Permit.

Once a Building Permit has been issued, the following is required to be submitted to the Shire:

BA1 & BA2 Applications

  • Completion of a Building Permit Application form signed by the building and landowner
  • A copy of the Certificate of Title to verify ownership of the property
  • Certificate of Design Compliance (BA1 application)
  • Two (2) complete sets of the building plans drawn to scale and of a professional quality consisting of:
    • A site plan (minimum scale 1:200)
    • A floor plan (minimum scale 1:100)
    • Elevations (minimum scale 1:100)
    • Two (2) complete sets of standard specifications (if applicable)
    • Cross sectional
  • Payment of the respective building fees and levies

Application for Building Approval forms can be found on the Department of Commerce Website. Follow the link to Application for Building Approval forms to access these.

Dividing Fences

If you require specific information relating to the process of agreeing to, and sharing the costs of a dividing fence with your neighbor then please read the Dividing Fences webpage.

The Dividing Fences Act 1961 deals with the process of sharing the costs of building and maintaining your dividing fence with your neighbor. Other matters regarding boundaries are dealt with by other legislation, government agencies and/or the Courts.

Alternatively, you can access the complete Dividing Fences Act 1961or contact the Building Commission for further information.

Swimming Pools & Spas

The Shire is responsible for the regulation of swimming pools/spas and ensuring the minimum safety requirements and methods of achieving compliance pursuant to the Building Regulations 2012, and the relevant Australian Standards.

A Building Permit is required for a swimming pool.

When installing a swimming pool or an outdoor spa, the regulations require that a compliant isolation barrier is to be provided in the interest of safety for young children. The following is a summary of the minimum requirements for a security enclosure:

  • Fences and gates are to be free of any hand or foot holds and have a clear height of at least 1200mm
  • Pool gates are not permitted to swing towards the pool or spa
  • Pool gates must self-close and self-latch in all circumstances - minimum latch height 1500mm
  • All new pools must have complete isolation fencing between dwelling and pool

Further information regarding rules for pools and spas for owners and occupiers of properties can be found here.

Smoke Alarms

Since 1997 it has been mandatory to install smoke alarms in all new residential homes and any existing homes that have undergone significant renovations. 

New regulations require existing homes that are subject to sale, lease or hire, be fitted with smoke alarms that are connected directly to consumer mains power (hard-wired) in accordance with the Building Code of Australia.