PROTECTION WORK / VICTORIA
Understand the protection-work process, who is responsible and what to prepare when proposed building work may affect adjoining property.
Discuss your projectUNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENT
Protection work is work required to protect adjoining property from damage associated with proposed building work. It may involve support to neighbouring foundations, shoring or overhead protection.
The relevant building surveyor determines whether protection work is required. Provide clear plans and information about nearby buildings and proposed excavation so the requirement can be assessed.
This page explains the Victorian process. For a project in NSW, contact our NSW certification team about the requirements applying to your site.
THE PROCESS
A guide to the usual sequence. The formal notices, responses and project circumstances determine the next action.
SURVEYOR
The relevant building surveyor considers the proposed building work and adjoining property, and determines whether protection work is needed.
OWNER / AGENT
Where required, the owner or their agent prepares the proposal and serves the protection-work notice with the necessary supporting information.
RESPONSE & ASSESSMENT
The adjoining owner can agree, disagree or request further information. The surveyor assesses the proposal; further determinations or appeal processes may be needed.
PRE-START
Resolve the required process and approvals. Arrange the required insurance and agreed condition record before protection work starts, and confirm the relevant permit and commencement requirements.
A CLOSER LOOK AT STEP 03
Read and respond to the notice within the applicable timeframe. The response affects the next procedural step.
Required determinations or appeals, permits, insurance and the agreed condition record must be addressed. Agreement alone does not authorise work.
This diagram shows response options, not every statutory scenario. Failure to respond has legal consequences; do not treat silence as a response strategy.
WHO DOES WHAT
The owner and their appointed advisers organise the proposal, notices and supporting design information. The owner is responsible for the required protection-work insurance; a copy must be provided to the adjoining owner before protection work begins.
Make insurance arrangements early. The project’s usual insurance should not be assumed to satisfy the protection-work requirements.
When appointed as the relevant building surveyor, we assess the requirement and the appropriateness of the proposed protection work, explain assessment information needed and perform the applicable statutory functions.
An adjoining owner’s agreement does not replace the surveyor’s assessment. In this role, we remain impartial and do not act as either owner’s advocate or prepare the protection-work design.
START THE CONVERSATION
Send the information you have, and identify anything still being prepared. Use the property address in your email subject.
The project address, owner and applicant contacts, proposed work, estimated cost of works and any existing iPermit reference.
Site plans, setbacks, levels, sections and available information about neighbouring structures. Identify the parts of the proposal that may affect adjoining property.
Available engineering, excavation details, proposed construction sequence and any protection-work proposal prepared by the project’s designers.
Any notices already served, responses, evidence of service and relevant correspondence. Identify outstanding insurance or property-condition documentation and your intended timing.
RELATED FORMS
Open the existing forms and statement below. Our team can confirm the documents and supporting material needed for your circumstances.
For requesting adjoining owner contact details from council.
For the owner’s notice about the proposed protection work.
For the adjoining owner’s response.
The accompanying approved statement listed in Resources.
USEFUL ANSWERS
The relevant building surveyor determines this from the proposed work and site circumstances. Raise the issue early and provide the available boundary and neighbouring-building information.
Agreement alone is not a start authorisation. The surveyor still assesses the proposal, and the required permit, insurance and other pre-start arrangements must be in place.
The condition record documents the adjoining property’s existing condition, including relevant defects. If your proposal also requires boundary identification, tell us what survey information is available so the two purposes are kept clear.
When we are the relevant building surveyor, our role is statutory and impartial. We can explain that role and the assessment process. Seek independent advice if you need representation or advice on your individual rights.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
