council double speak interpreter required

[skeghead]

So further to my earlier post

Wood Heater - would you advise council? (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f78/wood-heater-advise-council-233884)

I have found the application form, but curious as to how others would read point 4?

I got my CC 6 months ago, but plans do not include a solid fuel heater.

I read that as an approval from council is not required. :roll:

Yes, I don't like talking to council directly. :no:

Thanks

Skeg

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[Bohdan]

Definitely written by a non english speaking beaurocrat. I agree that it says that you don't need a permit but I think that it really means that if the wood heater was on your building plans you don't need a separate permit. I think that you need a written responce from the council.

[Beardy]

Is your CC still in construction phase or do you have an OC?
Is the Certifier the Council or a Private Certifier?

[rwbuild]

As Beardy has said

[skeghead]

Is your CC still in construction phase or do you have an OC?
Is the Certifier the Council or a Private Certifier?

CC completed.

I have OC, council damage bond has been refunded, waste bins provided;

House was completed under a private certifier.

SH

[Beardy]

Ok, if the OC had not been issued it would of been at the Certifier’s discretion whether further approval was required but that ship has sailed.
I know you don’t want to deal with council and I try and avoid it too but to be honest, is it really worth potentially risking your brand new home’s insurance policy on a non compliant technicality?Pay a couple of hundred dollars and sleep well at night,

The main reason council has this rule in place is to protect people from themselves, I know you said you are getting it professionally installed but there are plenty who will try and make a DIY fireplace out of tin cans etc or buy a bitsa on Treegum and burn the place down and possibly kill someone in the process

Just guessing here but you will probably find that as pert of the application they will either do a final inspection for safety reasons or require evidence of a professional installation. I have never done one on its own, only as part of a new build so not sure how they play it.

[rwbuild]

Beardy is 100% correct. The council will treat you ok if you dot your I's and cross your T's but if you dont, they can be a you know what. The issue of insurance is a very real one, if you don't do it leagally then they are within their rights to deny or make a minimal payout if it goes pear shaped, I used to do a lot of insurance repair work and they can be make your life hell if anything is not cosha.

[skeghead]

Thanks for your input. I have sent off the application. I will let you know how I get on.

cheers
skeg

[riverbuilder]

councils have been sued before because the smoke from wood heaters has accentuated neighbours breathing problems and health issues. In this day and age, in our litigious society, people are always looking to blame. Also, many councils have jumped on the “greenie environmental protector” bandwagon, and they want to send a message to the ratepayers.

[skeghead]

Well I have paid the application fee, $230, now the application has to be assessed. :wink:

[skeghead]

AAMI has advised me that it is included in the home insurance policy. In that; it is not specified in their policy. It is considered as part of the building after installation. (I will probably call them again though) :wink:

[lyricnz]

I would say that the text highlighted above meant to say something like

4. Approval is not required if the details of the *application* are included in the approved construction certificate for plans and specifications.

[Sir Stinkalot]

It is poorly worded. It’s intent is that if your initial application for the house showed a wood fireplace, then a separate fireplace application is not necessary.

The fireplace application is for apply to retrofit one to an existing dwelling. Similar to swimming pools.

[skeghead]

So my application is processed as a DA. Which means council treat the installation of a wood fuel heater as important. Glad I asked you chaps and glad I applied now. :wink:

[riverbuilder]

So my application is processed as a DA. Which means council treat the installation of a wood fuel heater as important. Glad I asked you chaps and glad I applied now. :wink:
Yes correct, and you’re welcome.

[russ57]

I read the council form thus:

If the -'design and specifications for the fireplace include your details then an application is not required. Ie, the design and spec is individual to your installation, not just a photocopy of some standard spec.

Not quite sure why that would change the requirement for approval.

Submitting the form was probably the best course.

[skeghead]

job done, council approved :2tsup:

[skeghead]

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