What do I need Council approval for?

• The construction of the following requires a building license:
  1. dwelling or dwelling addition;
  2. commercial building;
  3. patio or pergola;
  4. swimming pool (above and below ground) and outdoor spa;
  5. front fence in the residential area located in the front setback that is greater than 1200mm in height;
  6. fences that do not compy with Council's local laws;
  7. retaining walls greater than 500mm in height;
  8. gazebo;
  9. garage; and
  10. outbuilding (sheds) exceeding 10m² in area
      
      
• A building license must also be issued prior to undertaking alterations to a commercial building, structural modifications, internal fit-out over $12,000 in value and changes to an existing shop-front.
  
  
• Planning approval is required prior to undertaking development (see item 6).
  
  
• Stallholders permit is required for persons wishing to conduct a food stall, cake stall, sausage sizzle, sell raffle tickets or run a petition on a Council thoroughfare or public place.
  
  
• Permit is required for persons wishing to place advertising signage and/or display merchandise or other items on a Council thoroughfare or public place.
  
  
• Outdoor eating facility approval is required by persons wishing to operate an alfresco dining facility on a Council thoroughfare or public place.
  
  
• Traders permit is required by persons wishing to trade on a Council thoroughfare or public place.

What plans and forms do I need to submit with a building licence application?

• Shire of Merredin Building Licence Application form. ALL relevant sections of the form must be completed.
  
  
• All plans to be in ink and drawn using a straight edge rule.
  
  
• Three copies of a site plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1:200
  
  
• Three copies of working drawings of the dwelling drawn to a scale of not less than 1:100, which should include:
  • Floor plan of every story
  • Elevations (view of every face of building)
  • Al least one sectional drawing

• Standard of submitted plans – plans for single residential dwellings, or extensions to such of value in excess of $20,000 must be drawn to AT LEAST a draftsperson standard. Hand-drawn plans will generally not be accepted for single residential dwelling buildings.
  
  
• Engineering Details - two copies of engineer design footing details or details certified to be in accordance with Australian Standard (AS) 2870 - Residential Slabs and Footings – Construction. Engineer certification may also be required where the design of the dwelling/building incorporates large trusses, large rooms which require strutted beams, bulkheads, corner windows and/or large openings.
  
  
• Materials - two copies of specifications with a completed addendum indicating the types of materials proposed to be used.
  
  
• Termite Treatment - submissions to the Shire of Merredin for the construction of new dwellings or additions must be accompanied by a certified Termite Treatment System in accordance with AS3660.
  
  
• Home Indemnity Insurance – an original copy of the Home Indemnity Insurance certificate is required when making an application for a Dwelling or Dwelling Addition exceeding $20,000 estimated construction value. Owner/Builders have special conditions regarding Home Indemnity Insurance which are identified on the Owner/Builder Statutory Declaration.
  
  
• Owner/Builder - owner/s wishing to construct a dwelling or dwelling addition as Owner/Builder exceeding $12,000 in estimated construction value must register with the Builders Registration Board and pay the application fee of a $126.00. To do this ALL owners must complete separate Statutory Declarations with an appropriate witness. For additional information regarding Owner/Builder please contact the Builders Registration Board on 9476 1200.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency – all new dwellings and habitable additions to existing dwellings must comply with Part 3.12 of the Building Code of Australia 2006. A check sheet is available from the building surveyor to assist in the compliance with the requirements for Zone 4.
  
  
• For commercial buildings details relating to fire safety, fire fighting equipment, smoke detection, access and egress, exit signage, external wall and firewall construction etc must be included in the application.

What does an application for a building licence cost?

Residential building Class 1 (dwellings) and Class 10 (outbuildings, patios, carports, swimming pools etc) application fees for 2010/2011

Commercial building Class 2 - 9 application fees for 2010/2011

All applicable fees should be paid upon submission of the application for building license

Owner/Builders undertaking works in excess of $20,000 in value must obtain an "Owner/Builders License" from the Builders Registration Board of WA (BRB) prior to submitting their application to the Shire of Merredin. A fees of $126.00 is charged by the BRB for the 2010/2011 year.

How do I dispose of asbestos?

• The Shire of Merredin maintains an asbestos disposal area at its landfill site, the Merredin Landfill and Resource Recovery Site located on Chandler-Merredin Road in Merredin.
  
  
• The site is approximately five (5) kilometres along Chandler Road, to the north east of the Merredin townsite
  
  

More Information

What is the largest size shed I can build in a Townsite within the Shire of Merredin?

• The Shire of Merredin has a policy 8.24 (refer to Policy Manual under the News & Public Documents section of this website) relating to the maximum size of outbuildings within the residential zone of its townsites
  
  
• The applicable table can be seen below:

What do I need to do to install a swimming pool?

• A building license is required prior to the installation of a swimming pool within the townsites of the Shire of Merredin
  
  
• Prior to the filling with water of a private swimming pool an inspection of the barriers (gates, fences, walls etc) must be undertaken by the building surveyor
  
  
• An annual inspection fee will be included on the rates notice of a property on which a swimming pool is installed
  
  
• The Shire of Merredin is required by law to inspect all private swimming pools in its jurisdiction at least once every four years

What do I need to know about fencing around swimming pools?

Any pool with a water depth of 300mm (30cm) or capable of holding more than 300mm of water is required by law to have an approved fence erected to protect children from drowning. As at 2015 any pool must be fenced separate to the dwelling and may use boundary fencing providing the height of the boundary fence is 1800mm and if cross braced the distance between the top of the bottom cord and the top of the top cord are more than 900mm

There are some exemptions for above ground pools (the larger types) and spa pools and this must be assessed on site. The following information below answers the most common questions.

Q.  Does my portable wading pool require a barrier?

A.  No.  If the portable wading pool is not more than 300mm deep or is not capable of holding more than 300mm of water it does not fit the definition of a swimming pool under the Act.  However, these remain a danger to young children if water is not emptied immediately after use or adult supervision is not directly provided when the child is within the area in which the wading pool is situated.  

As soon as the depth exceeds 300mm or the pool can hold more than 300mm of water a barrier compliant to the Legislation will need to be installed, please contact the Shire to assist.

Q.  Does my above ground pool and/or spa pool require a barrier?

A. Yes.  Unless the walls of the pool or spa pool are not less than 1200mm high and no climbable objects appear on the outside of the pool then a barrier is not required.  For above ground type pools and spa pools the filtration, pumps and entry ladders will generally require a barrier and gate even though the height and outside surface of the pool walls may comply.

Q. What is the definition of a spa pool?

A. Spa pools can, by definition, include jacuzzis and outdoor hot tubs, however this does not include spa baths that are normally emptied after each use.

Q. I have recently purchased a cover for both my swimming and spa pool. Is this sufficient to comply with the barrier requirements? 

A. No. Placing a cover over a swimming or spa pool does not meet the barrier requirements under the Regulations. When the cover is off there is no barrier. Your statutory obligations are to provide a compliant barrier to restrict access to the swimming or spa pool area by young children at all times.

Q.  What is my Local Government’s role in relation to swimming pool barriers?

A.  Under the Act the State Government requires your Local Government to enforce barrier Legislation provided for domestic swimming or spa pools.  Your Local Government is responsible for ensuring that when a new swimming or spa pool is installed that the appropriate barrier is installed prior to the structure being filled with more than 300mm of water. 

Further, Local Governments are required to inspect swimming or spa pool barriers for compliance to the Legislation at least once in every 4 year period.  This requirement has been in place since 1992.  Your Local Government is also responsible for the issuing of infringements or legal proceedings if a barrier is found to be non-compliant. Local Governments have no power to grant exemptions or provide time for compliance. If inspections show non conformity the local government is required to implement legal action. However the rights of natural justice apply and generally a brief window of two or three days is given to comply.

Local Governments can provide a key role is assisting pool owners to select the most appropriate barrier location and design based on the features of the pool/spa prior to its installation.  This advice can assist you to ensure wrong placement or design to not become costly because of modification works, infringements issued or a child’s life is lost.

Q. What are the penalties for not installing or maintaining a barrier for swimming or spa pools?

A.  Local Government is empowered to issue infringements or penalties for non-compliance.  It is the responsibility of the owner/occupier to ensure that a compliant barrier is maintained in a functional condition at all times.

• Upon inspection a Local Government may impose a penalty of $750 [Regulation 50(1)] without first issuing a defect/compliance notice.
• A pool owner/occupier who fails to comply with a defects/compliance notice risks the commencement of legal proceedings in which a maximum penalty of $5,000 can be issued by the Magistrate.

Further information is available by contacting the Executive Manager Development Services of the Shire of Merredin or by visiting the Building Commission of WA website.

Does the Shire of Merredin have any fencing local laws?

Fencing in the Shire of Merredin is governed by Local Law No. 7 - Fencing. A copy of this local law can be downloaded from this website.

The Shire of Merredin does not administer the Dividing Fence Act 1961. Information on the Act can be obtained by contacting the Building Commission on 1300 720 715, email dividingfences@bc.wa.gov.au or by clicking on the before link.

How do I find out the town planning zone of property within the Shire of Merredin?

Further information regarding town planning zonings can be obtained from the Manager of Development Services

How do I obtain permission to subdivide or amalgamate my land?

The West Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is the authority that administers the subdivision and amalgamation of land. The Shire of Merredin is not the statutory authority responsible for this

When assessing any application, the WAPC will formally refer such to the Shire of Merredin for comment and assessment against the provisions of Council's town planning legislation