Farmers encouraged to discuss building permit requirements

Published on 20 March 2018

Some farm sheds previously excluded from requiring a building permit in the Horsham Rural City Council municipality will now need to conform to state and national regulations. 

In 2003, Council exempted some farm buildings from needing a building permit.

But this exemption now conflicts with the Building Code of Australia and Victorian Building Regulations. So at Monday’s Ordinary Meeting, Councillors voted to repeal this exemption.

Angela Murphy, Director Planning and Economic said the size and complexity of agricultural buildings had increased over the past 10 years and that local laws had to keep up.

“Farming practices have changed with more significant infrastructure needed to cater for onsite storage of grain or machinery,” Ms Murphy said. 

“Since the implementation of this Policy over a decade ago, the National Construction Code and Building Code of Australia has been amended, and now specifically covers farm buildings and sheds in their definitions.”

“There are now specific exemptions in the BCA to simplify the construction of farm shed and buildings. The exemptions are applied through the building permit application process. Applications for building permits are now available to be lodged online, allowing the applicant to track their permit through their own portal,” Ms Murphy said.

The changes take effect immediately.

Farmers are encouraged to discuss their plans to add infrastructure on their properties with Council’s Building officers.

“There have been examples where insurance companies have not covered damage to farm buildings which have been erected without the appropriate building approvals,” Ms Murphy said.

“We know that many farmers house valuable machinery and produce in their sheds and so it is critically important that these buildings conform to regulations.” 

Ms Murphy said the requirements would not be retrospective.