My son has similar problems. An owner in his block (Sydney) wants to install a timber partition in the middle of his lounge. The partition will be screwed to the false ceiling, concrete floor and walls (all common property). It is for the purpose of separating that part of space as a nursery. It appears to us from his rough diagram to be more like an additional room – i.e. splitting the lounge into two.
The owner considers that it is an exempt development. It does not require development approval, building approval and strata plan change approval. He only seeks OC approval to install the partition because it is screwed to the common property.
Would an additional room or a dividing wall require re-approval of the strata-plan by the Council? Would it result in costly upgrades of the building to current building codes? Would it require approval from the Council or accredited certifier?
OC is not willing to bear any liabilities and costs involved. What should OC do to avoid them?