Building services

Council's Building Services unit delivers a range of functions including:

• Discretionary assessments under the provisions of the Building Act 1975, Queensland Development Code MP 1.1 and MP 1.2 and Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009.  These include siting of buildings and structures on residential allotments.
• Building information service, with extracts from Council's records, including:
• • Copies of Certificates of Classification (for commercial buildings)
  • Building Permit searches
  • Date and original cost of building construction
  • Copies of building plans
  • Building notices
• Provision of building statistics to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and to Council.
• Enforcement functions under provisions of Building Act 1975 and Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

Building certification

Council provides a certification service to approve all residential building work on residential allotments within the Cairns local government area.  Certification assessment enables the public to gain building approval and ensures construction complies with the following legislative requirements:

• Building Act 1975
• Building Regulations 2006
• Building Code of Australia
• Australian Standards
• Queensland Development Code

Boundary and dividing fences

The Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act 2011 (commenced on 1 November 2011) contains new laws on fences.  It relates to constructing and repairing fences (including any structure, ditch, embankment, hedge or similar vegetation barrier) that divide adjoining land. It aims to help you obtain a contribution from your neighbour. 

• Visit the Queensland Legislation website for more information.
• The Queensland Department of Justice & Attorney General website provides more information about dividing fences. It also has a guide with a suggested plan of action which may be helpful in avoiding conflict with your neighbours about fencing and trees.

Pool fencing

The standard for fencing around a swimming pool is contained in the Australian Standards:

• AS1926.1 -2007 Swimming Pool Safety Part 1: Fencing for swimming pools
• AS1926.2 -1995 Swimming Pool Safety Part 2: Location of fencing for private swimming pools
• MP3.4 - Queensland Development Code 

Swimming pools

For all information regarding swimming pool enclosures visit the Queensland Government Pool Safety website.

Should you require any further information please email buildingservices@cairns.qld.gov.au