As part of the Building Permit process, the Council must be notified when the authorised building work is ready for inspection at specified mandatory stages. It is the responsibility of the owner; builder or the person carrying out the works, as the case may be, to ensure approval of the inspection is granted BEFORE PROCEEDING.
Where the municipal building surveyor has been engaged to administer the building permit, inspections can be booked by phone on (03) 5494 1200.
Alternatively, inspections may be pre-arranged in writing or emailed to Loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au , attention to the Municipal Building Surveyor. A minimum of 48 hrs. notice is required when booking inspections.
Council's Municipal Building Surveyor my not be available at all times. Whilst, Council will endeavour to have a second person available for inspections this may not always be the case. As such our attention to booking an inspection as early as possible will enable alternative arrangements, if possible, to be made.
Generally, Council would prefer to carry out inspections in the afternoons, however where time critical such as pouring concrete, if early contact is made Council will endeavour to provide inspections at other times. Stages of construction at which time inspection is required include:
1. Concrete floor slabs
(a) Pre-slab – Trenches and form work prior to placement of water proof membrane.
(b) Pre-pour – Final preparation and placement of all reinforcement, bar chairs and formwork prior to pouring concrete.
2. Foundations
a) Strip footings – When strip footings are excavated and cleaned out, level pegs and steps positioned and reinforcement in place and tied.
b) Stump holes - When all stump holes are excavated and cleaned out prior to placement of any sole plates or concrete.
c) Pad footings - When all pad footings are excavated and cleaned out and if required, reinforcement is in place and tied, if required prior to placement of any concrete.
3. Structural concrete
Preparation of any column, wall panel, suspended slab or the like when all the form works is completed and steel reinforcement is in place and tied and any anchors, lugs or fixing bolts are placed.
4. Framing
When timber or steel frame buildings are erected, or the roof frame on a solid brick or concrete building are fully completed. No structural member, including bracing is to be covered prior to the inspection.
NOTE: Where sheet flooring is to be used with minimum clearances, please arrange an inspection of the sub-floor framework prior to placing the floor sheeting.
5. Final inspection
At the completion of all building works and prior to occupation and/or use of the building or part of building.
6. Number of inspections
The required number of inspections for a project will vary according to the nature of the project and will be indicated on your building permit must be called for and approved. Failure to do so may result in the need for excavation of footings or removal of cladding to facilitate inspections.
Please note that an additional fee will be incurred for re-inspection following:
- Failure to be ready at appointed time
- Failure to gain approval for mandatory inspection
- Additional inspections requested.