http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/

FROM THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING

DATE: Thursday, March 27, 2003

VICTORIA DELIVERS BUILDING CODE FOR EAST TIMOR

The Minister for Planning, Mary Delahunty, today presented the East Timorese Government with a draft Building Code for East Timor, delivering on a commitment made by the Bracks Government in 2001.

Ms Delahunty said the Government was delighted to be playing such a vital role in the rebuilding of East Timor through the creation of a much-needed building control system.

"The development of a draft Building Code for East Timor is a project of great significance, and further recognition of the strong building control legislation that underpins Victoria's building industry," Ms Delahunty said.

Victoria's Building Commission was approached by the United Nations in 2000 to develop a building control system for East Timor. Premier, Steve Bracks, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the East Timorese administration in April 2001.

The resulting draft code is a 200-page document, which sets out the regulations for developments ranging from single dwellings to multi-storey complexes.

Ms Delahunty said a building code would:

· Assist East Timor in developing an appropriate built environment to take it through to the next century;

· Help guarantee the health and safety of the East Timorese people;

· Ensure completed buildings are durable and cost effective; and

· Provide a single point of reference for Government officials, as well as for engineers, architects, contractors, trades persons and clients.

"The successful introduction of a building control system in East Timor will not only benefit the people and economy of East Timor, but also Victoria's building industry by providing future opportunities to export materials and expertise," Ms Delahunty said.

Building Commissioner, Tony Arnel, said the draft code was a comprehensive technical construction code based on international best practice and tailored for local conditions.

The Regulation (Act) to provide building control powers will shortly be passed by the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.

The draft code was presented to East Timor's Director of Public Works, Jose Fontes, and Vicente Da Costa Pinto, the Director of Mines and President of the Timor Lorosae Planning Institute.

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