Builders or owner-builders have responsibility for maintaining a safe site while construction is occurring.

Safety

General safety required for construction can be found on the ACT WorkCover web site and in the ACT Building and Construction Industry Safety Handbook.

Noise

Maintenance, repairs and building work must only occur within certain hours and on certain days and must not exceed certain noise levels. For more information read about noise in residential areas from the Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water.

Water, soil and pollution

Builders need to ensure the soil on the building site does not enter the stormwater system and pollute waterways. For more information read about stormwater pollution in residential areas and Preventing pollution from residential building sites from the Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water.

Trees

Significant trees as identified in the building plans must be protected. For more information read about tree protection legislation from the Department of Territory and Municipal Services

Building work and lease boundaries

Demolition and building work must only occur on the property for which it has been approved. If you are in doubt about work encroaching on your property or other aspects of building work on neighbouring properties, contact us. If you are concerned that someone has not complied with their lease or their development approval, you can make a complaint or make an application for an order.

Nature strips and footpaths

The Department of Territory and Municipal Services must give written approval to store or place items on nature strips and to place items across nature strips or footpaths. Street trees must not be pruned or removed. Vehicles and trailers must not be parked on nature strips. Foliage must not obstruct pedestrian access to footpaths or the nature strip 1.2m from the back of the kerb. For more information read about nature strips from the Department of Territory and Municipal Services.

Rubbish

Rubbish bins must be provided on site and used. If they are not, a rectification order may be issued. Inquiries about rotting garbage, vermin and stagnant water can be made to the Health Protection Service.

Asbestos

Houses, workplaces and public buildings built before 1988 are likely to have some materials that contain asbestos. Demolition, construction, repair and other building work can damage and disturb asbestos, which poses a health risk. Information on people’s responsibilities and ways to manage these materials are outlined on the ACT Government’s asbestos web site.