Building Planning Process

Unit code: NBC2001 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Online Real Time
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
Enquire

Overview

Private and municipal building surveyors carry out the statutory role of ensuring that proposed residential and commercial building projects meet relevant compliance requirements prior to issuing building permits in accordance with planning permits. This unit focuses on basic planning considerations for residential buildings in classes 1 and 10, and commercial buildings in classes 2 to 9 as defined by the National Construction Code (NCC), specifically for structures up to three storeys and no more than 2,000 square meters in floor area. It introduces students to planning and preparation required to assess planning applications, assessment of planning applications documentation, assessment of revised design plans and finalisation of planning permits.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse relevant approving authority requirements for assessing and issuing planning applications and building permits and ensure adherence to relevant administrative processes;
  2. Investigate relevant planning documentation, including drawings, for each building project and assess each application for compliance with relevant legislation, codes, regulations and local planning authority requirements;
  3. Analyse documentation supplied by at least one external consultant for each planning application, to ensure information is accurate and complete and to determine compliance of the planning applications and building permit;
  4. Assess non-compliance and propose a range of alternative solutions for client consideration; and
  5. Develop and document the final building permit for each building project, noting the specific conditions and validity of the permit.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Exercise
|
Grade: 15%
In class Exercise (Individual)
Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 20%
Tests (Individual)
Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 50%
Design project (Group)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 15%
Design project oral presentation (Group)

The in-class exercise involves in-class activities where students analyse the building planning process and interpret the national construction codes. The tests evaluate students’ comprehension of planning documents, building permits, and the national construction code, ensuring a thorough understanding of the required knowledge. In the assignment and oral presentation, students engage with a case study project that focuses on the building planning process.

The assignment and presentation include an evaluation of the contributions made by each member of the team to facilitate the assessment of students' achievement of learning outcomes.

Required reading

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings
National Construction Code Series (current ed) Volume 2 | ABCB Publications, Canberra
Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings
National Construction Code Series (current ed) Volume 1| ABCB Publications, Canberra
Energy efficiency provisions
National Construction Code (current ed) Volume 2| ABCB Publications, Canberra
Energy efficiency provisions
National Construction Code (current ed) Volume 1| ABCB Publications, Canberra

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Building Surveying
NBBS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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