Shade permits draw flak

Shade sails and solar panels will soon require building permits from a Kimberley council in a move described as "bureaucracy gone mad".

Even the humble shade sails on DIY store shelves that can be put up over the weekend with a couple of friends will now require paperwork and a fee paid to the Shire of Broome.

The changes mean residents looking to cut carbon footprints by turning to the sun for energy will also need building permits to install solar panels on top of their houses or on the ground.

New regulations do not make provision for the council to give exemptions to minor building works, including shade and sail structures and solar panels.

They are defined as needing a licence under the Building Control Act 2012. Previously, shade sails less than 50 square metres did not require planning or building permits.

Shire president Graeme Campbell said he believed the requirements would become self-regulating and people would do the right thing as public safety was paramount in a cyclone-prone region.

"I can see the logic but I can also see that if someone wants to put a five-metre square shade sail over a fish pond in the backyard, it is taking it a bit far," he said. "We live in a cyclonic area and if structures are put up that don't reflect the correct engineering requirement in the event of a blow, these could present as serious safety concerns to residents."

Mr Campbell said the same principle applied to solar panels.

"If structures are put up that don't reflect the correct engineering requirements they could become hazardous in high winds," he said.

"Wouldn't you want proper engineering in fixing them to a roof or the ground? Realistically, while this may be seen as just another imposition on a home owner or builder, I do see some merits."

Council acting chief executive Andre Schonfeldt said the Shire's new planning policy still exempted shade sails erected on a residential house from requiring planning approval.

"We would advise anyone proposing to erect shade sails on their homes to get in touch with the Shire of Broome to find out exactly how the law applies to them," he said.

A draft amendment to the local planning policy is out for public comment for 21 days.

Failure to obtain a building permit for a shade sail is an offence and the maximum penalty is $100,000.

The council may also serve a notice on the owner or builder to remove the shade structure.

Permanent Roebuck Bay Caravan park resident Ted Plunkett installed shade sails to his annexe when the less than fifty square metres allowance rule was in force with council.

"This State Government stuff is ridiculous - it's bureaucracy gone mad," he said.

"When a cyclone comes, you take your shade sails down.

"To think that people now need engineering reports and a building licence for a bit of shade is nonsense."

_ *BUILDING REQUIREMENTS * _

·Fee

·Full site plan to a minimum scale of 1:200;

·Plan to show location of shade sail in relation to property boundaries and existing property buildings;

·Structural details of all materials and fixings and heights to be shown on plan;

·Professional engineer must certify the structure can withstand cyclonic winds.