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Public Buildings

Public buildings are places where people come together for example, for meetings, sports, learning, or events, these buildings must meet health and safety rules. This page explains what approvals, checks, and forms you need if you want to build, change, or use a public building in the City of Kwinana.

What is a public building?

A public building is a place where people come together. This can be for community events, learning, religion, sport, business, or entertainment. The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 explains what counts as a public building.

Examples include:

  • Sports clubrooms
  • Gyms and fitness centres
  • Churches or places of worship
  • Indoor sports centres or stadiums
  • Private schools and training centres
  • Entertainment venues
  • Taverns, bars and clubs

Public buildings can also be other places like tents, galleries, platforms, or enclosures where people gather often or sometimes.

These buildings must be approved and checked by the City of Kwinana’s Environmental Health Services team.

There are rules for how public buildings must be built, used and maintained. These rules help keep people safe. They are set by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911, the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992, and the National Construction Code. Public buildings must meet minimum safety standards for fire, electricity, and emergency exits.

Public Building Rules and Approvals

Building or changing a public building

If you want to build, extend or make changes to a public building, you must:

  • Apply for any needed Building and Planning approvals, and
  • Submit an application to construct, extend or alter a public building (Public Buildings Form 1)through our online portal, Kwinana Connect (under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications').

You don’t need to submit this form if you are already submitting a building permit application.

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 building a public building

Before a new public building can be used, you must get a Certificate of Approval from the City of Kwinana’s Environmental Health Services team. This certificate says what the building can be used for and how many people are allowed inside at one time.

An Environmental Health Officer will inspect the building before the certificate is given.

To apply, complete Public Buildings Form 2 online through  Kwinana Connect under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications'.

If any electrical work was done, you must also submit a Application - Certificate of Electrical Compliance (Public buildings Form 5) to the Environmental Health Services team before your Certificate of Approval can be issued or updated.

Changing a public building

If a building starts being used as a public building, the same steps must be followed as if it were a new public building. This includes completing the required forms and having the building inspected before it can be used.

If you are changing or adding to an existing public building, you must:

  • Apply for any needed Building or Planning approvals, and
  • Submit a Public Buildings Form 3 online through Kwinana Connect under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications'.

An inspection is needed before the City can issue a new Certificate of Approval.

Further information

For more information, visit the Western Australian Department of Health Events and Public Buildings(opens in new window) 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”).

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