The Queensland government has announced the release of a new Queensland Housing Code, which will revise the design and siting rules for the state’s residential projects for the first time in over 15 years.
According to a media communique from the government, the new code will be accompanied by an update to the Modern Homes Standards that will make it easier and faster to build houses while maintaining accessibility and energy-efficiency standards.
The reforms – which comprise the final tranche of the state’s “Building Reg Reno” legislation overhaul – follow key recommendations from the Queensland Productivity Commission’s inquiry into construction industry productivity, reflecting feedback from builders, designers, certifiers, local governments and consumers, the government has said.
Replacing the design and siting provisions of the Queensland Development Code, the new Queensland Housing Code includes state-wide standards for detached houses and secondary dwellings, including rules for building height, setbacks, privacy, car parking, site cover and private open space.
Meanwhile, the government’s updates to the Modern Homes Standards aim to address “practical implementation challenges” identified by the construction industry, they have said. The updates include a downgrading the energy-efficiency rating requirement for homes under 50 square metres from 7- to 5-stars; downgrading the energy-efficiency rating requirement for homes with raised-floor construction, such as traditional Queenslander-style homes, from 7- to 6-stars; instead of step-free entry provisions for elevated homes, a new “ramp-ready” option, allowing a compliant ramp to be installed in future; greater flexibility in accessible bathroom design; new solutions to support compliance with step-free entry, weatherproofing and termite-management requirements; and “a final extension” of the narrow-lot exemption from liveable housing requirements until 30 September 2029.
Local governments will be able to adopt the Queensland Housing Code, which will be supported with a streamlined planning scheme amendment pathway, during a three-year transition period commencing 1 September. The Modern Homes Standards amendments are proposed to commence on 14 August.
The government believes the reforms will “reduce unnecessary red tape” while improving consistency across the state, ultimately supporting the delivery of one million homes by 2044.
“Queensland desperately needs more homes, but for too long outdated and unnecessarily complex rules has made it slower and more expensive to build,” said Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor.
“Our new Queensland Housing Code delivers modern and consistent design and siting standards, giving builders, homeowners and councils greater certainty and helping applications move through the system more efficiently.
“We’ve done the work to sensibly update the Modern Homes Standards so they maintain accessibility and energy-efficiency outcomes, but also include practical solutions that reflect Queensland’s climate, traditional housing styles and the realities of construction.
“These changes are about common sense, maintaining appropriate standards without imposing unnecessary costs or making perfectly good homes harder to build,” he said.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
