❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Commerce regarding the absence of specific building regulations for cyclone shelters in Western Australia, highlighting potential safety risks. The Minister responds by stating that the National Construction Code and Australian Standards for wind loading address cyclone resistance.
AnsweredQoN 1380Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF COMMERCE — CYCLONE SHELTERS — BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
1380. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Minister for Commerce:
I note that last week was Repeal Week. However, I want to ask
the minister about an absence of needed regulation to ensure the safety and
wellbeing of residents in the north west.
(1) Is the
minister aware that unlike bushfire shelters, there are no specific building
requirements for cyclone shelters, welfare and evacuation centres?
(2) Is the
minister aware that buildings such as dry mess areas are commonly used as such
shelters but are not subject to any assessment as to their fitness for this
purpose?
(3) Does the
minister concede that potential catastrophic consequences may arise by using a
building in a way for which it is not designed?
OF COMMERCE — CYCLONE SHELTERS — BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
1380. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Minister for Commerce:
I note that last week was Repeal Week. However, I want to ask
the minister about an absence of needed regulation to ensure the safety and
wellbeing of residents in the north west.
(1) Is the
minister aware that unlike bushfire shelters, there are no specific building
requirements for cyclone shelters, welfare and evacuation centres?
(2) Is the
minister aware that buildings such as dry mess areas are commonly used as such
shelters but are not subject to any assessment as to their fitness for this
purpose?
(3) Does the
minister concede that potential catastrophic consequences may arise by using a
building in a way for which it is not designed?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Buildings
are required to be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements
of the National Construction Code, which address the need to withstand cyclones
by complying with the Australian Standard for wind loading.
(2) Every
proposed building in a cyclonic area must be constructed to the Australian
Standard for wind loading.
(3) Any
building that is not designed or constructed in accordance with the National
Construction Code could potentially result in tragic consequences.
question.
(1) Buildings
are required to be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements
of the National Construction Code, which address the need to withstand cyclones
by complying with the Australian Standard for wind loading.
(2) Every
proposed building in a cyclonic area must be constructed to the Australian
Standard for wind loading.
(3) Any
building that is not designed or constructed in accordance with the National
Construction Code could potentially result in tragic consequences.
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