A range of incentives have been introduced to encourage the use of underutilised buildings in the City of Adelaide. The measures complement recently announced financial incentives, including the off-the-plan stamp duty concessions and the city living rate reduction offered by the City of Adelaide. The measures include:

• A new Minister’s Specification SA Upgrading health and safety in existing buildings which reduces the building performance standards from 79 under the National Construction Code to 24 across the State.
• An amendment to the Development Regulations 2008 which removes the requirement for planning consent for internal building work, including demolition, in the City of Adelaide (with the exception of heritage buildings). This is consistent with the rest of the State.
• A case management service to assist eligible applicants through the development approval process.

The regulatory amendments were announced in the Government Gazette issue 64/2017 (pages 4059 and 4112-4114). Advisory Notice 02/17 was issued in relation to upgrading access and facilities for people with a disability. This notice replaces Advisory Notice 07/12.

For more information about the incentives and regulatory changes visit the SA Planning Portal.

Interim report on aluminium composite cladding
On 6 September 2017, the Senate Inquiry into non-conforming building products released its interim report on aluminium composite cladding. The interim report can be viewed on the Senate Inquiry website.

SOG Implementation Plan
On 21 September 2017, the Senior Officers Group (SOG) established by the Building Ministers Forum (BMF) to investigate and develop a national strategic response to issues of non-conforming building products, finalised its Implementation Plan. The plan will inform the building industry and the Australian community about the ongoing work of the SOG and the actions delivered to date.

For more information about the BMF and the SOG visit the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science website.

As a result of concerns with the use of alumnium composite panels on high-rise buildings, some professional indemnity insurance providers (and underwriters) have introduced ACP based exclusions to their policies.

The exclusions relate to the assessment of developments that specify the use of aluminium composite panels and means that individuals may potentially not be adequately insured when they approve their use.

The Registration Authority urges all individuals holding a professional indemnity insurance policy to review the content of their policy, not just the schedule, to avoid being negatively impacted.

Given the exclusions being placed on new and renewed policies, the Registration Authority will be asking for the full insurance policy wording and where necessary, applying conditions of registration that reflect the limitations imposed by the insurance policy.

The Australian Building Codes Board have published their Annual Business Plan for 2017-18. Key priorities include:

• the implementation of comprehensive. measures for fire safety in high-rise buildings
• a number of initiatives linked to the National Energy Productivity Plan including quantified performance requirements, simplified DTS provisions and consideration of alternative rating systems such as NABERS and Green Star.
• revising the existing CodeMark and WaterMark building product certification schemes.

For more information and to view the 2017-18 Business Plan, visit the ABCB website.

A reminder to relevant authorities that the 3rd quarter of the 2017 7% levy return under Schedules 6 and 7 of the Development Regulations 2008 is due within 10 business days following 1 October 2017. A response should be forwarded even if there is a Nil return.

For 'Nil returns', email responses can be sent to DPTI.PDBuildingBranch@sa.gov.au

For returns requiring payment, contact Planning Services on 08 7109 7018. Please note credit card payments can only be made over the phone and cheques should be made payable to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.