Renovating On The Sunshine Coast
As southerners continue to flock to Queensland in droves, it should come as no surprise that renovating on the Sunshine Coast has become more popular than ever.
It’s no secret that Queensland is currently experiencing an unprecedented interstate migration boom. The global pandemic has changed the way we work, live and play, and when compared to our southern neighbours, Queenslanders have had it relatively lax in terms of lockdowns and social distancing restrictions when compared to other major capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Of course, the weather usually helps too.
In fifty short years, the Sunshine Coast region has grown from what was once a small beachside holiday destination, into Australia’s ninth largest city. Despite being a very popular tourist hotspot that attracts over three million visitors per annum, it’s also a region that many are looking to call home in the long term. So much so, that the ten year annual average population growth rate sits at 1.66%, compared to 1.5% nationally.
Despite popular stereotypes, there’s much more to know about living on the Sunshine Coast than acai bowls and surfboards. In fact, the region has been identified as one of the most desirable places in the world to live, ranked on political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health.
While it’s the perfect destination if you’re a lover of the ocean or great outdoors, the Sunshine Coast has come leaps and bounds in terms of reinventing itself as a cosmopolitan hub that embraces the local art, dining and nightlife scenes. While the seaside hot spots of Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Noosa or Caloundra are the places to go to if you want to have a bit of a party, there’s also plenty of hinterland escapes like Maleny, the Glasshouse Mountains, Yandina and Eumundi that are a world away from the buzzing beaches.
However, the Sunshine Coast isn’t immune to the current pressures that the rest of Australia’s housing market is currently facing. Like many other cities, demand is still far outstripping supply, which is why many homeowners are turning to renovating on the Sunshine Coast as a means to bring their property vision to life. If you’re brave enough to try and conquer this yourself as a DIY renovator, it’s important to have a firm grasp on the rules and regulations before you get started.
Your Guide To Renovating On The Sunshine Coast
If you want to get your project right the first time and avoid a potentially costly disaster, it’s important to understand the basics of renovating on the Sunshine Coast before you get down to business.
Unfortunately, buying to renovate on the Sunshine Coast isn’t as simple as nabbing yourself a ‘fixer upperer’ and getting busy with a few power tools. All extensions and renovations to an existing house must comply with the Sunshine Coast Council’s building code for residential dwellings.
Sunshine Coast Council oversees development on the Coast in accordance with the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014. Under the scheme, applicants may need approval for certain developments. On 3 July 2017, the Planning Act 2016 commenced and established a new planning system in Queensland, which has in turn replaced the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.
All building work for a dwelling or extension to a dwelling requires a building approval. Obtaining building approval begins with preparing plans and details, such as:
- How the home will be built
- Technical details of construction, and
- How Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements will be met.
Private building certifiers can issue building approvals. As a part of this approval process, the certifier inspects buildings and structures during construction and at completion. This ensures the approved building plans and appropriate building standards have been met.
A certifier can:
- Access and approve plans relating to new or altered buildings
- Inspect construction work at mandatory stages
- Provide certificates of inspection to the builder following inspections
- Issue enforcement notices on building work, when necessary
- Give final inspection certification for a building.
Certifiers are responsible for all building certifying functions associated with the construction of buildings and structures up to the point that they give final inspection certification. All certifiers must be accredited through the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Certifiers are bound by a strict code of conduct and have an obligation to always act in the public interest. However, there are a number of development functions that cannot be decided by a private building certifier. Sunshine Coast Council ultimately decides on development functions relating to:
- Assessing planning matters that are subject to assessment under the planning scheme
- Exercising discretion on the siting of buildings, including front, side and rear boundary setbacks
- Giving exemptions to the installation of swimming pool fences.
If you aren’t sure whether your renovation required any assessment under the local planning scheme, be sure to get in touch with Sunshine Coast Council to double check. If not, and you could be facing a costly project with little to show for it.
Sourcing The Right Materials To Bring Your Project To Life
While your options for flooring materials are almost limitless, selecting the right type of tile for your home certainly isn’t an easy feat. With each space, comes a different preference or priority: are you chasing style, functionality, or simply want to stay within the budget?
In operation for over 25 years, at Tile Wizards we pride ourselves on getting you more – for less. We pioneered the warehouse format, and our stores are purposefully designed to make your selection easier, and ultimately offer our customers quality, price and the right advice.
Even if you are just after some honest and friendly advice – please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Tile Wizards today for a free quote. We’re able to work with you in order to bring your dream flooring solution to life.
