rporteous's blog

Public Hospitals in Victoria are responsible for ensuring that laws relating to fire protection, health, and general safety are observed for any premises from which the Hospital operates irrespective of whether the relevant regulatory requirements place the obligation upon the owner or occupier of those premises.

Recently I received an email summarising the ongoing debate in Victoria as to whether a 'Relevant Building Surveyor' can amend or change an Occupancy Permit...

Here are the emails (with names removed to protect the sources);

Original Message

23 June 08

To whom it may concern,

I have a regulatory query in relation to when / how the schedule of essential safety measures may be amended, specifically in relation to adoption of AS1851-2005 (or its successors).

On July 16, 2008 I had the pleasure in presenting at the Fire Protection Accociation (Vic) seminar "Essential Service Measures Update 2008" at Caulfield race course.

I remember years ago, I read the book called First Things First from Stephen Covey, in which the author talks about what are the most important things in your life... Do they get as much care, emphasis, and time as you'd like to give them?

I attended a standards meeting a couple of weeks ago and found on the table in reception new information (April 2008) about "Standards Australia's New Business Model".

According to the brochure the changes will address the following;

• Enables more strategic and forward thinking engagement for Standards Australia with industry, community and Government
• Creates a transparent Net Benefit Assessment for each Standards project proposal
• Provides multiple pathways for Standards development and gives stakeholders choice