Built environment
Lodging houses
A lodging house is any building which makes provision for the lodging of more than 6 persons (exclusive of the family of the owner (keeper) or manager), for hire or reward. A lodging house includes serviced apartments, short term hostels such as backpackers and recreational campsites.
Lodging houses are inspected regularly for compliance with the City's Health Local Laws 1997- Lodging Houses to ensure acceptable sanitary standards, emergency provisions and pest control are being maintained.
Should you wish to open a lodging house, you must ensure you obtain the appropriate planning and building approvals, as well as completing an application to register a lodging house form.
For more information on lodging house, contact our environmental health team on 08 9432 9856 or email health@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
For information on planning and building approvals, contact our planning services team on 08 9430 9940 or email planning@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
Mould
Moulds are types of fungi that can grow on walls, timber, carpet, furniture and fabrics that are damp and usually in dark places. Moulds need moisture to grow and thrive in humid conditions. Mould can give off an odour which many people find unpleasant and can cause sneezing, asthma attacks and other respiratory illness in at-risk populations.
Moulds in the household are most commonly found in wet areas such as the bathroom because of the humidity from showers and baths. Condensation on the ceiling and walls provide a good habitat for mould to grow.
The most practical ways of controlling mould growth is by using ventilation, heat and insulation. The Department of Health's Mould – the homeowners guide to fighting mould, provides useful information on mould in the home.
If you are having trouble getting rid of mould it is advisable for you to contact a building consultant or inspector (look in the Yellow Pages) which may be able to thoroughly investigate the cause.
Public buildings
A public building is a place where persons may assemble for civic, theatrical, social, political, religious, educational, entertainment, recreational, sporting or business purposes. A public building also includes fenced off outdoor events such as music festivals.
Public buildings are inspected regularly by the City's environmental health officers to ensure compliance with the Health (Public Building) Regulations 1992. This includes checks for fire safety, emergency procedures, ease of egress for escape during an emergency, and ensuring emergency exits are not locked to prevent escape. Our officers also check on the sanitary standard of toilet facilities, bar areas and food preparation areas.
Every public building is initially assessed for maximum capacity through toilet numbers, ventilation, exit widths and floor area. A Certificate of Approval for Maximum Accommodation is then issued and this certificate must be displayed in the public building area at all times. Officers conduct routine inspections of nightclubs and pubs, and other high risk public buildings to ensure the building is not being overcrowded with patrons.
Should you wish to construct, alter or extend a public building you must apply to the City for approval. Appropriate planning and building approvals must also be obtained. Plans of the building and payment must be submitted with your application.
Some public buildings require emergency evacuation plans, for more information contact our environmental health services team on 08 9432 9856 or email health@fremantle.wa.gov.au. For information on planning and building approvals, contact our planning services team on 08 9430 9940 or email planning@fremantle.wa.gov.au
Asbestos
The City receives frequent enquiries of concern relating to removal of asbestos from neighbouring properties. Asbestos is commonly found in materials such as roofing, shingles, fencing, cladding, material on floor tiles and vinyl flooring, textured paints and pipes. In 1987, the manufacturing and use of asbestos ceased.
Asbestos fibre release occurs from natural sources, as well as occurring from extensive industrial and commercial use in the past. Inhalation of asbestos fibres in sufficient quantities may cause a number of diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer or pleural plaque. . It is important to note that materials containing asbestos are relatively harmless when left undisturbed as it is bound in a solid cement matrix. It is only when the material is damaged that it may release fibres into the air.
People removing asbestos must comply with the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992 and follow the following key points:
- use adequate personal protective equipment
- wet the area thoroughly
- do not use power tools
- dispose of asbestos correctly by wrapping it in plastic sheeting and labeling it 'CAUTION ASBESTOS'.
Over 10 square metres of bonded (non-friable) asbestos, the City recommends you to contact a licensed contractor (look at Yellow Pages).
For issues with asbestos in the work place, contact WorkSafe WA on 1300 30 78 77 or email safety@commerce.wa.gov.au.
To make a complaint about asbestos removal from a neighbouring property, contact our compliance services team here.
For more information on asbestos in the home, visit the Department of Health website.
The Department of Environment and Conservation administers and enforces the Contaminated Sites Act 2003.
In relation to land, water or a site, the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 defines 'contaminated' as:
"having a substance present in or on that land, water or site at above background concentrations that presents, or has the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value."
To access information about contaminated sites visit the department's contaminated sites database.
The contaminated sites database holds information on sites classified as:
- contaminated – remediation required
- contaminated – restricted use or
- remediated for restricted use.
The database allows searches for confirmed contaminated sites using search fields such as street name, suburb/town, local government authority (e.g. council), land title or crown land reserve number.