Victorian Government appoints CSV CEO and proposes new apartment designs
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Aug 5, 2019
Victorian Government appoints CSV CEO and proposes new apartment designs
The Victorian Government has welcomed Dan O'Brien as the new CEO of Cladding Safety Victoria and is set to introduce new design standards for the outside of apartment buildings, to ensure new developments are built to a "high-quality, and improve the look and feel of local neighbourhoods."
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DepositphotosThe proposed changes will affect landscaping, external walls, vehicle access, site servicing, wind effects and the management of building construction impacts.
The Victorian Government program tackling high-risk cladding has appointed Dan O’Brien as its Chief Executive Officer.
Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) was established by the Labor Government to oversee a $600 million program of rectification works on hundreds of buildings across Victoria found to have high-risk cladding.
Mr O’Brien will lead the agency as it manages the funding and works with owners corporations from start to finish to make sure buildings are safe and compliant with all regulations.
The establishment of a dedicated cladding agency was a key recommendation of the Victorian Cladding Taskforce, which has worked with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) to conduct a global cladding audit of buildings.
Mr O’Brien has experience in the public and private sector. Most recently as Chief Executive of Incolink – delivering services to Victoria’s building and construction industry.
He’s also held executive roles at the National Australia Bank and Medibank Private, and senior roles in both the Victorian and Federal governments – including Chief Executive of Regional Development Victoria and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Regional Development, Arts and Sports (Federal).
He was also Chief of Staff to former Victorian Premier John Brumby and is currently a Director of VicTrack and the Brodies Law Foundation.
Mr O’Brien will report to Victorian Building Association Chairman Dr Owen Donald when he starts in the role this month.
Victorian Minister for Planning Richard Wynne. Source: Richard Wynne Facebook page.
Victorian Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said Mr O’Brien is a highly experienced chief executive and has the proven skills to lead CSV as it carries out vital work to make Victorian buildings safe.
The Victorian Government is also set to introduce new design standards for the outside of apartment buildings, to ensure new developments are built to a "high-quality, and improve the look and feel of local neighbourhoods."
In 2017, the Labor Government introduced the Building Better Apartment design standards to ensure apartments have adequate daylight, storage, ventilation, acoustic performance, energy and waste efficiency.
The proposed changes will affect landscaping, external walls, vehicle access, site servicing, wind effects and the management of building construction impacts.
“As more and more people choose apartment living, we need to ensure these buildings are high-quality and ready for twenty-first-century challenges such as climate change and our growing population growth," said Victoria Acting Minister for Planning, Lily D’Ambrosio.
Related reading: Property Council of Australia backs the appointment of NSW Building Commissioner
The new standards are designed to lower the cost of maintenance, replacement and repair, through the use of better-quality materials, while also making sure the building’s construction matches the design proposed in both glossy brochures and the planning permit application.
Until recently, most apartment developments have been built in inner Melbourne, where there are established planning practices around the exterior of buildings.
As more apartment developments are built in the outer suburbs and regional cities, there is a greater need to ensure streets and neighbourhoods are well-built and accommodate the needs of residents and visitors.
Victoria Acting Minister for Planning, Lily D’Ambrosio. Source: Victorian Government.
Over the past six months, the feedback has been sought on the performance of the current apartment design standards, including one-on-one conversations with industry peak bodies and local government.
Community consultation on the Building Better Apartments design standards is now open at engage.vic.gov.au/ building-better-apartments-in-neighbourhoods.
“Our buildings and public spaces are a defining feature of our city – it’s vital that we get the planning right now to make sure it stays that way,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
Related reading: Building Ministers adopt Shergold Weir building standards
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