FARMERS are now required to obtain building permits for farm sheds in the Horsham Rural City municipality.
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Council had previously exempted some farm buildings from needing a permit in 2003. However, the policy was in conflict with the building code of Australia and Victorian building regulations.
Councillors voted at a meeting on Monday night that its policy needed to conform to the state and national regulations.
Planning and economic director Angela Murphy said the size and complexity of agricultural buildings had increased over the past ten years and the municipality’s laws had to keep up.
“Farming practices have changed with more significant infrastructure needed to cater for onsite storage of grain or machinery,” she said.
“Since the implementation of this policy over a decade ago, the national construction code and building code of Australia has been amended, and now specifically covers farm buildings and sheds in their definitions.
“As a result of the changes in legislation, council no longer has the power to grant this exemption, this decision can only be made by the building inspector on assessment of the type, size and use of the proposed building.”
Ms Murphy said the change in policy will take effect immediately and encouraged farmers to discuss their plans to add infrastructure on their properties with council’s building officers.
“There have been examples where insurance companies have not covered damage to farm buildings, which have been erected without the appropriate building approvals,” she said.
“We know that many farmers house valuable machinery and produce in their sheds and so it is critically important that these buildings confirm to regulations.”