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In Australia, renovating your home without council approval can have serious consequences. However, there are some renovations that are considered minor enough that they may fall under exempt development, which means that they don’t need any planning or building approval beforehand. When it comes to rendering your home, the standard known as AS 1530.1-1994 (Methods for Fire Tests on Building Materials, Components and Structures, Part 1: Combustibility for Materials) and the Deemed to Satisfy Provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC) must also be taken into account.

Which Works Can Be Exempt from Council Approval?

Minor works on garden sheds, decks, fences, windows, carports and the exterior of your home can often fall under exempt development. If your proposed work will have a low impact on the environment surrounding and meets the development guidelines set out by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (SEPP) or the State Policy for Exempt and Complying Development, then council approval may not be needed.

State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (SEPP)

According to the SEPP which was established in 2008, minor renovation works can be exempt from council approval if they meet the following standards:

  • It must meet the standards found in the Building Code of Australia and be structurally sound.
  • It cannot be carried out on land that is part of a wilderness area or nature reserve.
  • It must not take place on land or property that is listed on the State Heritage Register.
  • No fire safety measures are implemented or needed for the building.
  • The proposed work must be installed/carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, if applicable.
  • Must not involve the removal or pruning of a tree that requires a permit or approval

AS 1530.1-1994 (Methods for Fire Tests on Building Materials, Components and Structures, Part 1: Combustibility for Materials)

The AS 1530.1-1994 was established in 1994 and updated in 2016. It provides instructions that test the combustibility of building materials and analyses the fire hazard of certain building materials.

National Construction Code

In 2018, the National Construction Code Volume 1 was updated to prohibit the use of combustible materials and cladding on high-rise buildings. They also included guidelines for the design of external walls and surfaces to ensure that they do not contribute to the threat of fire. External walls of buildings (facades, insulation and framing) must also be made up of materials that are non-combustible, this includes all rendering materials.

In conclusion, before rendering your home, you need to ensure that it complies with certain guidelines set out by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, the AS 1530.1-1994 (Methods for Fire Tests on Building Materials, Components and Structures, Part 1: Combustibility for Materials) and the National Construction Code.

If you’re still not sure whether you need council approval before rendering your home, it’s best to contact your local council to check with them. Other things to consider include access to your property and noise restrictions.

At Sydney Cement Rendering, we take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts. We provide our customers with the highest quality rendering services. Contact us at 0402 704 984 or visit our website: https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about what we offer!