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Notice of Commencement, Appointment of Principal Certifier

Complete a notice of commencement for subdivision works to notify Council of when you intend to commence civil works. What is a Principal Certifier.

Notice of Commencement

Complete a notice of commencement of subdivision works application form, lodge with Council notifying when you intend to commence works.  Please notify Council of your intended commencement date of works, provide at least 48 hours / 2 business days prior to commencement of any works.

This can be done by completing the Notice of Commencement Subdivision / Civil Works and lodging the form with Council.

What is a Principal Certifier?

A Principal Certifier can be either a private accredited certifier or the Bega Valley Shire Council. The Principal Certifier ensures development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans, specifications and conditions listed in the development consent or Complying Development Certificate, and certifies that the construction is in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and the Environmental Planning & Assessment (EP&A) Act 1979.

Principal Certifier Agreement - Subdivision Works


It is up to whoever is building or developing to decide whether to use Council or a private accredited certifier. Once chosen the Principal Certifying Authority must remain the same throughout the construction process.

Please note though that a Principal Certifying Authority is not formally appointed until after a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate has been issued.

Even though a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate is issued by either Council or a private certifier it is not until the certificate has been issued that a Principal Certifying Authority is appointed.

This means that if Council issues a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate then a private certifier may still be appointed as the Principal Certifying Authority and vice versa.

A Principal Certifying Authority plays an integral role in the construction process, overseeing the project from the start of work through to the completion of the building, conducting inspections at each required stage. It is in the interests of all owners to sight the inspection results regardless of whether you use Council or an accredited certifier.

A Principal Certifying Authority is required:

  • To oversee the entire construction process from start to finish.
  • To certify that all the conditions required by the development consent, engineering and technical standards are complied with.
  • Certify at each stage of inspection that the work is being carried out according to the development consent.
  • Promptly advise the applicant, after each relevant inspection, of any outstanding work.
  • Issue the Certificate of Completion engineering works?

If you choose a private accredited certifier as your Principal Certifying Authority, you are required to notify Council in writing of who this is at least two days before work starts.  For more information on certifiers please go to the Building Professionals Board web site.

To nominate Council as your Principal Certifying Authority lodge via the NSW Planning Portal.

If you want to change to a private certifier after the Construction Certificate is issued, you will have to notify Council in writing at least two days before work starts as stated in the notice of commencement.

Private certifiers cannot give authority to, or certify:

  • Subdivisions, Plumbing and Drainage works
    You need to obtain approval from Council under Section 68 of the Local Government Act if you propose to carry out any of the following works:
    • Stormwater drainage works (On-site Stormwater Detention OSD)
  • Additional approvals:
    As well as a Construction Certification you may need to gain additional approval for other work such as connecting to Council’s stormwater drainage, water and sewerage services or building a driveway. These additional approvals under Section 68 of the Local Government Act can only be authorised by Council. Work that will require additional approval is also listed in Council’s Application Guidelines. These include:
    • Stormwater drainage works

 

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