Demolition Permit
Demolition work means to demolish or dismantle a building/structure or part of a building/structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, but does not include:
- the dismantling of formwork, falsework, scaffolding or other structures designed or used to provide support, access or containment during construction work; or
- the removal of power, light or telecommunication poles.
Do I need a demolition permit?
Yes, a Demolition Permit is required prior to the removing or taking down of any buildings that are not exempt by section 10 of the Building Act 2011 and regulation 42 of the Building Regulations 2012.
How long does it take to get a Demolition Permit?
Under the Building Act 2011, the City has ten (10) business days to assess and make a determination on a Demolition Permit application.
It is important to ensure that at the time of lodging your application, all relevant documentation has been provided.
Should further information be required by the City in order to assess the application, the applicant has up to 21 calendar days to provide the additional information. If the requested information is not received within the stipulated 21 days, the City may refuse the application unless an extension of time to provide the information has been requested and granted.
How long until my permit expires?
A Demolition Permit is generally valid for two years from the date on which it was granted.
If more time is required to complete the demolition works, you can apply for an extension of time of up to a further six months by making a formal application and paying the prescribed fee.
What happens when I have completed my demolition works?
The nominated demolition contractor on the Demolition Permit must submit a Notice of Completion BA7 form to the City within seven days of completing the prescribed demolition works.
NOTE: Failure to submit a BA7 form to the City may lead to a fine of $10,000 being imposed under section 33 of the Building Act 2011.
Submitting A Demolition Permit Application
To submit an application for demolition, you will need to include the following information in your application:
- A completed BA5 Demolition Permit Application form
- Owner's details and signature(s);
- Full demolition cost;
- Demolition contractor's details and signature;
- Applicant's details (if different from demolition contractor).
- Building Construction Industry Training Fund (BCITF) levy payment
- Copy of the payment receipt - if BCITF levy has been paid directly to the Construction Training Fund via their online portal; or
- Payable with Demolition Permit application fee.
- Site plan, minimum scale 1:200 showing:
- Location of structure(s) to be demolished;
- Location of structure(s) to remain on the property (if partial demolition);
- Location of any septic tanks and leach drains (if applicable).
- Proof of disconnection of utilities (electricity, gas, water, etc.)
- Written confirmation from the contractor disconnecting the service (i.e. electrician, plumber, service provider) - the contractor should be able to provide the relevant completion certificate.
NOTE: your demolition permit may be delayed if these documents are not provided with your application.
- Proof of rodent baiting
- A Rodent Baiting Certificate from a licensed pest control operator that states the date, type, areas treated and amounts of rodenticide used
NOTE: The use of first generation anticoagulant rodenticides is strongly recommended to reduce secondary poisoning occurring in non-target animals such as native birds of prey.
Dust Suppression On Demolition Sites
Dust from demolition sites can result in complaints from neighbouring residents.
In instances where dust nuisance emanating from a demolition site is substantiated, the City's authorised officers can issue either written or verbal directions to a responsible person or the demolition company on the appropriate means of dust suppression.
Authorities To Notify For Demolition Works
- Water Corporation - Phone: 13 13 85
- Western Power - Phone: 13 10 87
- Alinta Energy - Phone: 13 13 58
- WorkSafe - Phone: 1300 307 877
- Heritage Council of WA (State Heritage Office) - Phone: (08) 6551 8002
Rodenticides
Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are fast becoming one of the biggest killers of native birds of prey and other predatory wildlife that feed on live or dead poisoned prey. SGARs also have a higher risk of severe poisoning for pets and other non-target wildlife.
The City strongly encourages the use of first generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) to reduce secondary poisoning in non-target wildlife.
Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)
Image courtesy of: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetles attack a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches. Establishment of this pest in WA may have significant impact on amenity trees, native vegetation, and the fruit and nut tree industries.
The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is currently responding to detections of PSHB. The first detection was made in East Fremantle in August 2021 when a member of the public reported symptoms of dieback and dead branches in their maple tree.
A Quarantine Area is currently in place across 17 local government areas to prevent further spread of the pest and allow for urgent surveillance activities and the areas include:
- Cambridge
- Canning
- Claremont
- Cockburn
- Cottesloe
- East Fremantle
- Fremantle
- Melville
- Mosman Park
- Nedlands
- Peppermint Grove
- Perth
- South Perth
- Stirling
- Subiaco
- Victoria Park
- Vincent
It is important for people living or working in the Quarantine Area to be aware of the restrictions on the movement of wood and plant material from their properties as they could act as hosts and potentially spread the borer.
Quarantine Area (QA) Requirements
- Movement of wood and plant material within the QA is permitted.
- Wood must be chipped to pieces that are less than 2.5cm in diameter before leaving the QA.
- Living plants with woody stems greater than 2cm in diameter must not leave the QA.
- Machinery used to handle green waste must be cleaned of wood material prior to leaving the QA.
- A permit from DPIRD is required if these conditions are unable to be met.
The polyphagous shot-hole borer does not affect grass, so lawn clippings can be disposed of as normal.
What Plants Are Affected?
PSHB causes serious damage to many types of types. Reproductive hosts are susceptible trees in which the beetle establishes galleries and reproduce. The host list is extensive with over 100 reproductive hosts, including:
- Maple
- Oak
- Plane
- Coral tree
- Avocado
- Willows
- Acacia
- Castor oil
PSHB particularly loves to hide in the box elder maple. DPIRD is asking people who have a box elder maple on their property or street to report the location of these trees so that DPIRD can check if they are infested with PSHB.
What To Look For
Image courtesy of: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
The adult beetles and their larvae can be hard to spot as they spend most of their lives inside a tree. PSHB are very small - about the size of sesame seed. However, there are several signs that indicate the borer could be present including:
- Multiple entrance holes on the trunk or branches that are up to 2mm or the size of the tip on a ballpoint pen.
- Frass (powdery substance) extruding from the tree and crystalline foam which look like sugar volcanoes exuding from the entry holes.
- Thick resin or sap on the tree's branches or trunk - this can sometimes push the beetle out of the gallery.
- Dark brown to black staining of the wood around entrance holes.
- Wilting and dying branches and eventually tree death. Symptoms usually start in the upper canopy.
Spring and autumn are when the beetle is most visible.
Report Sightings
Residents and people working in the affected areas are encouraged to check their trees for signs of borer damage and wilting.
If you see any signs of the polyphagous shot-hole borer in trees or plant material, keep the material on your property and report it immediately to DPIRD:
More Information about PSHB
Visit the DPIRD website to get more information about the polyphagous shot-hole borer.
More information
This information is intended as a guide only. The City disclaims any liability for damages sustained by a person acting on the basis of this information.
For more information, please contact the City's Building services team on (08) 9273 6000 or via email at mail@vincent.wa.gov.au.