by Brianna Crandall — May 13, 2011—Almost twenty years after Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act was passed, building owners and the community finally have clear guidelines on building accessibility, says the Property Council of Australia. The Council welcomes the inclusion of the Disability (Access to Premises—Buildings) Standards (the Premises Standards), which were incorporated into the Building Code of Australia as of May 1, 2011.
Property Council CEO Peter Verwer said, “We have worked closely with the disability sector to get the right balance in these regulations, and we are happy to see the Premises Standards implemented. Building owners can now be reassured that compliance with the Building Code of Australia will also protect them from complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act.”
However, the Property Council remains concerned that a number of jurisdictions are not prepared for the scheme, and advises that the necessary infrastructure be implemented as soon as possible. The Property Council has called on the state and territory governments to put clear and simple arrangements in place for building owners to make claims for exemption in order to facilitate the landmark achievement.
