Theo Maras flags fire rules as roadblock to office tower homes
Fire safety regulations for residential buildings make plans to convert city offices into housing a problem, a prominent developer says.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fire safety regulations applicable to residential buildings should be updated so that dowdy office towers can be more easily transformed into new CBD housing, one of Adelaide’s most prominent property developers says.
Theo Maras said the plan, put forward by Treasurer Stephen Mullighan at the Advertiser’s Housing Forum, was “a very sensible way to deal with older office buildings”, and presented an attractive investment opportunity.
However, he said the current regulations such fire exit requirements were different for residential buildings and commercial buildings.
“When an office is open (plan), you can get to a fire staircase because the whole place is open,” he said.
“When you divide something up into residential apartments, depending on the layout, you may be required to put in an additional staircase or fire-isolated corridor.”
Mr Maras said the building code should be updated to consider whether those extra features were necessary, considering the advancements that have been made in firefighting and smoke detection.
“Technology has advanced sufficiently for us to review the building code when it comes to residential and update the code to match today’s technology,” he said.
Mr Mullighan said the government would examine the barriers to repurposing old buildings.
“While we will always be careful to ensure basic safety standards, like fire safety, will not be compromised, we are approaching this discussion with an open mind and will work with the industry and councils to strike a right balance,” he said.
“With every element of housing under pressure, from homelessness, to rentals, to affordable homeownership, we have committed almost $200m for more affordable housing, to ensure we provide access to safe and affordable housing.”
Loxton pair arrested as SA Police swoop in drug raid
A man and a woman faced court after various drugs for sale were allegedly found on their north eastern suburbs property on Monday.
Glam couple’s fast food fail as ATO orders wind-up
It was started in Adelaide by a glamorous couple – now the national fast food chain’s SA stores have been closed as the ATO pursues the franchisor over debts.