Demolition
Demolition of development may be carried out as exempt development if it relates to a low impact minor building or structure.
For example, if a deck or a carport meets the criteria to be built as exempt development, then it may also be demolished as exempt development. The requirements for the demolition of development are set out in these provisions in the General Exempt Development Codes .
Demolition as exempt development must be carried out in accordance with Australian Standard 2601-2001 - The demolition of structures, and must also comply with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 .
Other considerations
- If you propose to remove or prune any existing trees or vegetation, you should contact your council first to make sure you don’t need approval for this.
- Buildings constructed before 1987 may contain asbestos. Information of the removal and disposal of asbestos is available from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
- Works must be structurally adequate, installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
- Any structures that would be located on public land, or on or over a public road (including temporary structures), must have separate approval from the relevant council, or Roads and Maritime Services under the Roads Act 1993 and the Local Government Act 1993.
- Generally, exempt development cannot be carried out on:
- land that is, or on which there is, an item that is listed on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977 or that is subject to an interim heritage order under that Act (unless an exemption has been granted under section 57 of the Heritage Act 1977);
- a critical habitat of an endangered species, population or ecological community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 or the Fisheries Management Act 1994;
- a wilderness area under the Wilderness Act 1987.