Termites

Under the Building Regulations councils can designate areas in which buildings are likely to be subject to attack by termites. Any new building work in a designated area, except for minor structures, must include special measures to resist termite attack.

The former Prahran and Malvern councils had no areas considered as subject to infestation by termites. With the council amalgamation of 1994, building inspectors from each district concluded that Stonnington could continue that status on the basis that there was little known termite activity.

As a result of the introduction of the private building surveyor option across Victoria in 1994 Council no longer inspects every building project and does not have the same ability to monitor termite activity that it used to. Alternative sources of updated information are therefore necessary to be aware of any change in levels of termite activity in order to periodically consider whether or not to designate any areas.

General reports of termite activity across Victoria were released in 2005 by the CSIRO and Building Commission in 2006. Both reports are not, however, regarded as providing reliable/verifiable rates of termite attack. Of the rates that are provided, termite attacks in Stonnington appear low and the reports do not provide evidence that there are areas in the municipal district in which buildings are likely* to be subject to attack by termites. No areas are therefore declared in Stonnington.

*According to legal advice the word 'likely' is defined as meaning "probably or apparently going or destined ( to do , be etc) likely to happen."

This is not to say that termites do not cause damage to structures in the district or that there is not some risk. The information on this page is to provide some common sense advice to residents and owners.

Identifying and reporting termite activity

CSIRO Report on Termites