Demolition
Before you plan any demolition work in the City of Belmont, it is important to identify whether you will need development approval and/or a demolition permit.
Any adult person can complete demolition works of a single storey dwelling or associated
outbuildings (such as sheds and patios) as long as you have the relevant approvals issued by the City of Belmont.
All other proposed demolition works must be applied for and completed by a licensed demolition contractor. This includes:
- Residential units
- Two-storey dwellings
- Commercial/industrial structures
If your property contains more than 10 square metres of asbestos material, this will need to be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist.
You and your chosen demolition contractor will need to have appropriate insurances in place before demolition work begins – and all work will need to be carried out in accordance with the conditions of the demolition permit and Worksafe practices.
When is development approval required?
You will need to apply for development approval if your proposed demolition works are:
- Located in a place that has been entered in the Register of Places under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990;
- The subject of an order under Part 6 of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990;
- Included on the Heritage List under Clause 7.1 of the Local Planning Scheme No. 15;
- Located within a heritage area designated under the Local Planning Scheme No. 15.
How to apply for development approval
To apply for development approval, you will need to:
What is the development approval process?
How do I know what has been approved for my property?
You can lodge your application:
- Online using the City’s Planning and Building Online Application portal;
- In person at the City of Belmont, 215 Wright Street, Cloverdale;
- By mail to City of Belmont, Locked Bag 379, Cloverdale WA 6985.
Visit the Planning and Building Online Application portal
When is a demolition permit required?
You will need to apply for a demolition permit for all proposed demolition works for buildings over
40 square metres in area.
How to apply for a building permit
To apply for a demolition permit, you will need to:
- Complete and submit Form BA5 Application for Demolition Permit;
- A copy of receipt of payment from the Construction Training Fund for the Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Levy if the estimated value of the works exceeds $20,000;
- Provide supporting documentation, including:
- A copy of a site plan showing the location and size of all existing buildings and those proposed to be demolished;
- Electrical disconnection confirmation;
- Gas disconnection confirmation;
- Plumber’s disconnection confirmation (cut and seal certificate);
- Evidence of adequate rat baiting (i.e. pest controller certificate, bait receipts.)
- Pay the Building Services Levy.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) if you are making an application for a Demolition Permit during the 2020-2021 financial year, the City is waiving this application fee, but the Building Services Levy is still applicable.
You can lodge your application:
- Online using the City’s Planning and Building Online Application portal;
- In person at the City of Belmont, 215 Wright Street, Cloverdale;
- By mail to City of Belmont, Locked Bag 379, Cloverdale WA 6985.
Visit the Planning and Building Online Application portal
Rodent baiting inspections
Before baiting, the building to be demolished needs to be vacated. Baits must be placed in every room of the buildings including roof spaces, under elevated floors and in external structures such as garages must also be baited. You can do this yourself or hire a licensed pest controller to carry out the baiting and issue a certificate.
Asbestos removal
Please remember that asbestos can be extremely dangerous.
Any adult may remove up to 10sqm of asbestos roofing, cladding, fencing etc. in accordance with Worksafe practices, which include:
- Separate materials containing asbestos from other materials;
- Wrap the asbestos in heavy duty plastic, tape it securely and clearly label it 'CAUTION ASBESTOS';
You will need to dispose of asbestos at an approved waste site.
For amounts of asbestos greater than 10sqm, a licensed contractor will need to remove the asbestos, as per
The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, The Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992, and The Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)].
An in-situ asbestos cement corrugated fence is not generally considered dangerous, unless it is severely damaged or interfered with. It cannot be dug out and reused. You do not need to remove an asbestos fence, however if removed the work is required to be carried out in accordance with Worksafe Practices & Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992 and the Dividing Fences Act 1961.
Find out more about asbestos removal in the City of Belmont
Other considerations before demolition
Before you complete any demolition works, you will need to consider a number of matters.
Dividing fences
Any damage or removal of a dividing fence during demolition works is a civil matter, so you will need to resolve this with your neighbours and demolition contractor.
Security fencing
Worksafe legislation requires that a security fence be positioned around the demolition site for the duration of the works.
Dust
You or your demolition contractor will need to make sure dust is controlled during demolition in line with the City’s
Consolidated Local Law 2020. Where there is potential for dust to impact on adjoining properties you are required to notify the owners or occupiers of the adjoining properties, 48 hours in advance of your proposed works.
Noise
Reasonable noise is permitted between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday, and no work is permitted on Sundays or public holidays, as per the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
Damage to road reserves
You will be held responsible for any damage to infrastructure during your demolition works. The road reserve includes the road, kerb, crossover, footpath, verge furniture and any street trees. Specification requirements can be obtained from the City’s Infrastructure Services team.
Residential rubbish bins
When a Demolition Permit is issued, rubbish bins will be removed from your site and you can request new bins at the practical completion of your new dwelling/s.
Bulk bins
Bulk bin orders become void when a demolition permit is issued, so it is best to order bulk bins before you lodge your demolition application.
Please note that City bulk bins are for the disposal of general household and garden waste and cannot be used for the disposal of building or demolition material.
Swimming pools and bores
If a swimming pool or bore needs to be removed to make way for a development or subdivision clearance, it is important to do this in a way which will not impact any future development:
- A swimming pool needs to be fully removed, backfilled in layers with clean sand, and compacted in accordance with Australian Standard 3798-2007 - Guidelines on Earthwork for Commercial and Residential Developments;
- Removal of a bore is not always economical, so in some instances it may be more practical to remove the top 2 to 3 liners, cap and concrete over, and then backfill and compact in layers with clean sand.
A Compaction Certificate is required when removing a swimming pool or bore. The certificate, issued by a Structural or Geotechnical Engineer, should certify removal of your swimming pool or bore, and any required remedial works undertaken. You will also need a statement on suitability of earthworks to accept applied future loads (for your proposed development).
Notice of Completion
You or your demolition contractor will need to submit a
Notice of Completion form (BA7) to the City of Belmont within 7 days of the date of demolition completion.
Septic tanks, soakwells and leach drains
Septic tanks must have all liquid waste pumped out (decommissioned) by a licensed contractor before being removed. All associated pipe work will need to be removed too.
Onsite effluent disposal systems and septic tanks need to be decommissioned in
accordance with Health Regulations 1974 T
reatment of Sewerage and Disposal of Effluent
and Liquid Waste. You will need a pump out receipt from a licensed liquid waste contractor is as
proof of decommissioning.
Disposal systems or septic tanks are to be fully removed then backfilled in layers with clean sand, in accordance with building legislation.
After demolition, you will need written proof of the removal of all effluent disposal systems or septic tanks is required, by either:
- Certification (on company letterhead) from your chosen demolition contractor or licensed plumber stating that septic tanks, including all tanks, pipes and associated drainage systems (soakwells or leach drains), and any stormwater disposal systems, have been decommissioned, removed from site, and backfilled with clean fill;
- A completed Property Owner Statutory Declaration for Removal of Septic Tanks & Associated Apparatus Form which you have signed and had signed and witnessed by a public notary. (A Justice of the Peace service is available at the City’s Civic Centre on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11am to 1pm).
Useful links
To learn more about the practices and regulations which apply to demolition, you might like to explore these links.
For more information, please email
building@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone the City’s Building Services team on 9477 7425.