BCIFC Policy
In June 2004 Stonnington Council adopted a special policy as to how it and its Municipal Building Surveyor would react to complaints or questions about building work where a private building surveyor had been appointed for the related building control functions. Below are the details of the policy:
1. Purpose
To set policy as to (1) how and when Council and its Municipal Building Surveyor will administer and enforce the Building Act 1993 with relation to complaints where a private building surveyor has been appointed and is responsible to carry out functions under the Act and (2) when matters will be referred to the Building Commission and/or Building Practitioners Board for their administration and enforcement of the Building Act 1993.
2. Objective
Direction of matters/complaints to appropriate bodies; Risk management and accountability in building control; Stemming unnecessary Council liability; Consistency and transparency of Council's approach in the administration and enforcement of the Building Act; Deterrence of wayward practitioners by threat of referral to the Building Practitioners Board and/or Building Commission for disciplinary or directive actions.
3. Policy
3.1 When a complaint is received the Municipal Building Surveyor will use the Building Control Intervention Filter Criteria ('the Filter Criteria') to determine when to intervene using the powers under the Building Act. The filter uses a risk assessment matrix to classify the method of response based on the level of risk to life and property.
3.2 The filter criteria provides for a range of actions - from immediate action by the Municipal Building Surveyor to referring the complainant to the relevant building surveyor (for him or her to attend to the matter) in the case of low risks.
3.3 Serious misconduct by any building practitioner will be referred to the Building Practitioners Board or the Building Commission for supervision, direction and/or discipline.
Acknowledgement. Many thanks to the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group for its work in producing the BCIFC.