Public buildings are places where people gather for civic, recreational, educational, or entertainment purposes, and must meet strict health and safety requirements. This page outlines the approvals, inspections and forms required to construct, alter or use a public building in the City.
A public building is defined by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 as a building, place, or part of a building or place where people can assemble for civic, theatrical, social, educational, business, recreational, sporting, political, religious or entertainment purposes.
Common examples of public buildings include:
- Sporting clubrooms
- Gyms and fitness centres
- Places of worship
- Indoor sports centres and stadiums
- Private educational facilities
- Training facilities
- Entertainment facilities
- Taverns, bars and clubs
Public buildings also include any building, structure, tent, gallery, enclosure, platform or other place (or part of these) in or on which numbers of people assemble on a regular or occasional basis.
Public buildings are approved and regularly inspected by the City’s Environmental Health Services team.
The construction, operation and maintenance of public buildings are subject to the requirements of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911, the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992 and the National Construction Code. Public buildings have minimum operating and maintenance standards for fire, electrical safety and emergency exits.
Constructing, extending or altering a new public building
Before constructing, extending or altering a new public building, you will need to:
- Apply for any relevant Building and Planning approvals; and
- Lodge an application to construct, extend or alter a public building (Public Buildings Form 1) online under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications' via our online portal Kwinana Connect. If a building permit is submitted, this application form is not applicable.
In some cases, there are conflicting requirements between the National Construction Code and the requirements of the Health (Public Building) Regulations 1992 (which take precedence).
After the construction of a new public building
Once constructed, a public building needs a Certificate of Approval from the City’s Environmental Health Services team before it can be used. This Certificate of Approval specifies the intended use and the maximum number of people permitted at any one time.
An Environmental Health Officer will need to undertake an inspection of the Public Building prior to the issuing of the Certificate of Approval and occupancy.
You can lodge an application of certificate of approval (Public Buildings Form 2) online under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications' via our online portal Kwinana Connect.
An Application - Certificate of Electrical Compliance (Public buildings Form 5) will need to be submitted to the City’s Environmental Health Services team after any electrical works have been completed, before a new or amended Certificate of Approval can be issued.
Changing a public building
If the use of a building is changed and it becomes a public building, the same forms will need to be completed as for the construction of a new public building. The building will also need to be inspected before a Certificate of Approval can be issued.
Where an existing public building is altered or amended in any way, you will need:
- Apply for any relevant Building and Planning approvals; and
- Lodge an application to vary a public building (Public Buildings Form 3) online under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications' via our online portal Kwinana Connect.
Further information
For more information, visit the Western Australian Department of Health Events and Public Buildings website.
Should you have further questions, please speak to an Environmental Health Officer on 9439 0475 or lodge an online request via our online portal Kwinana Connect (Select “Lodge a Request” and Select “Health Permits and Regulations”).