Public amenities

Standards
Compliance requirements for embellishments
Note:
- Where Australian Standards or part thereof have been adopted by legislation, they are a legal requirement.
- This list may not be exhaustive. Please refer to the relevant authority websites for updated information and current document distribution dates. These documents are subject to amendments from time to time.
Legislation
Refer Legislation for guidance.
Australian Standards/industry guidelines
National Construction Code (NCC)
The embellishment shall be developed in accordance with the NCC (current edition):
- Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volumes 1 and 2
- Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) Volume 3.
- Building Regulation 2006, the BCA (current edition) and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.
- Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards), apply to public buildings of the type covered by the building classifications within the BCA, and only to new buildings and existing buildings that undergo refurbishment or extension, where a building or construction approval is required.
- Queensland Development Code.
- Building Certification System and Termite Management Standards.
Safety in design (SiD)
Include Safety in Design (SiD) principles to eliminate, or if not reasonably practical, minimise risks to health and safety throughout the design, construction and life of the embellishment.
See Legislation – Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for additional safety guidance.
Australian standards
Public amenities must comply with all current and relevant Australian Standards, including, but not limited to:
- materials and finishes
- electrical
- plumbing/drainage
- wind loading.
Designing for shade
- Creating Shade at Public Facilities: Policy and Guidelines for Local Government Edition 2 - prepared by Australian Institute of Environmental Health. Technical resource containing guidelines about ‘essential’ and ‘preferred’ quantities of shade at public facilities.
Designing for access and inclusion
- AS 1428 (Set) – Design for access and mobility. Design requirements for new building work to provide access for people with disabilities. This Standard is referenced in legislation.
Designing for safety (CPTED)
- Queensland Government – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) – Guidelines for Queensland, 2021. Provides guidelines about designing a safe environment to assist in the prevention of the opportunity for crime.
Erosion and sediment control
- Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control (BPESC) documents - IECA Australasia. Erosion and sediment control documents by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).
- Queensland Acid Sulfate Soil Technical Manual: Soil Management Guidelines. Technical and procedural advice to avoid environmental harm and to assist in achieving best practice environmental management (BPEM).
- Procedural guide (Environmental Protection Act 1994) - Releases to waters. Best practice guide to achieve water quality objectives and management goals:
- from building sites and small construction sites less than 2500 m2
- from land development sites and construction sites greater than 2500 m2.
Trees
- AS 4970:2025 – Protection of trees on development sites. Provides guidance on the principles for protecting trees on land subject to development.
- AS 2303:2018 – Tree stock for landscape use. Specifies the criteria for the assessment of above-ground and below-ground characteristics of tree stock that are to be supplied for landscape use.
- AS 4373:2007 – Pruning of amenity trees. Specifies methods for pruning trees and gives guidance on correct and uniform practices.
Approvals/authorised person
Assessable development
- All public amenity buildings require building approval from a private building certifier.
QBCC licensed builder
In Queensland, individuals and companies must hold a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) license to carry out:
- Any building work valued over the QBCC amount (includes all labour and material costs regardless of who supplies the materials).
Certification
In addition to the standard information listed above, at practical completion, the contractor must supply technical specifications for each item in the amenity and including, but not limited to:
- Structural certification by a registered professional engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) is required for all amenity.
- All inspections, final approvals and documentation must be certified by a suitably qualified engineer detailing:
- That the design, construction and installation of the amenity has been undertaken to the manufacturers specifications in compliance with:
- Australian Standards
- All other relevant statutory requirements codes, regulations and standards.
- That the design, construction and installation of the amenity has been undertaken to the manufacturers specifications in compliance with:
Coastal management district
- Ensure appropriate environmental approvals are obtained and the conditions observed where any building work is proposed in the Coastal Management District.
- Consult with Queensland Government Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) – State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) for application forms, guidelines and information sheets.
Electrical/underground services and shelter lighting
- Electrical infrastructure and shelter lighting is to be installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
See LIM Electrical for further guidance.
Other
- Ensure all relevant approvals are obtained from the appropriate governing bodies and all conditions are observed.
- Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) approval is required for works near state controlled roads. This applies to any part of the road reserve including pathways, kerb and channelling, nature strip and traffic island.
Council additional requirements
Corporate documents
- Refer Overview of corporate documents for guidance.
Corporate liaison
Developer delivered assets
- Council (Development Services) – all works associated with any development application.
Council delivered assets
- Council (Parks and Gardens) – recreation parks, amenity reserves, linear parks, landscape corridors, sports grounds and recreation trails enquiries relating to asset management, business planning and direction.
- Council (Environmental Operations) – recreation trails, foreshore infrastructure, environment reserves, constructed waterbodies and wetlands.
- Council (Design and Placemaking Services) – recreation parks, amenity reserves, linear parks, landscape corridors, sports grounds, specific purpose (sports), recreation trails and streetscape/centres enquiries relating to design.
- Council (Transport Network Management) – technical and design solutions to facilitate ongoing management and safe operations of road and assets. Water management and drainage solutions. Plus street lighting and electrical infrastructure.
- Council (Asset Management) – council buildings and facilities, including public amenities (toilet blocks).
This component is currently in development