Building Site Code of Practice

Building Site Code of Practice aims to:

• reduce the negative impacts of building and construction on our local community
• protect the environment
• ensure safer building sites 

The Code reinforces a number of existing laws, including the Environmental Protection Act, Domestic Animals Act, and our General Local Laws.

Compliance with the Code of Practice

We expect all builders and developers operating within the City of Whittlesea to comply with our Code of Practice throughout the building process.

The penalties for breaching the Code of Practice range from an on-the-spot fine of $1000 to prosecution in Court, which may result in fines up to $10,000.

Issues covered in the Code

The Code includes regulation information on the following issues:

Animal control

A dog taken onto a building site must be controlled, registered and not create a noise nuisance.

Damage to footpaths, vehicle crossovers and nature strips

Building materials should not be placed on the nature strip, footpath or road – they must be contained on site.

The builder is responsible for protecting Council assets from damage until building work are completed and the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Builders are no longer required to have the wooden crossover protection over the crossover during construction works, effective 1 February 2023.

Builders and contractors must not drive vehicles over footpaths to gain access to properties.

Within 7 days of receiving the building permit, builders must notify us of any existing damage to footpaths, kerbs, vehicle crossovers and nature strips. For more information, see Asset Protection. 

Damage to trees

Trees, both on the site and on the nature strip, must be protected from damage.

Dial Before You Dig

Before you dig, you must find out the location of any underground lines, cables and substations, including gas, electricity, water and telecommunications to ensure safety.

If you don’t, and you cause damage to these resources, you may have to cover the costs. 

Melbourne One Call provides free information on the location of underground assets. Phone Melbourne One Call on 1100.

Drains

Before starting work, sand bags or hay bales must be used to surround drains and the perimeter of sloping land. This will prevent sand and soil from being washed off site, entering stormwater drains and polluting local creeks and rivers.

Litter, materials and waste

All litter and building waste must be secured in a skip or a cage with a lid - to prevent it from blowing away. It must be emptied during, and at the end of, construction.

Noise restrictions for new home building sites

See Noise restrictions.

Property identification

Allocated property numbers must be clearly displayed no further than half a metre inside the front boundary line. The number must be on a contrasting background and be easily read at all times from the road. This will assist in the easy identification of the property by delivery drivers and emergency vehicles.

From 2005, building sites must have details of the building permit displayed on site. The details required are:

• builder's registration number
• builder's contact details
• building surveyor's name and registration number
• building surveyor's contact details
• building permit number
• building permit issue date

Sanitary facilities

A working toilet and running water must be provided on all building sites.

Securing loads

When transporting waste from the building site, ensure loads on utilities, trailers and trucks are secured and covered, to prevent soil and litter blowing from vehicles.

Temporary fencing

Builders should use temporary perimeter fencing to enclose a building site. This will:

• restrict access
• prevent litter and building materials from being blown off site
• act as a deterrent to theft

We highly recommend using temporary fencing, however, it is not compulsory in the City of Whittlesea. 

Download the Code