Flammable cladding will be banned on high-rise buildings in Victoria, says planning minister

FLAMMABLE cladding will be outlawed in the bid to keep high-rise residents safe in Victoria, according to the state government.

Lacrosse Tower in Docklands where developers used flammable cladding, causing a fire which was started by a cigarette butt.

FLAMMABLE cladding will be banned on high-rise buildings in Victoria under new guidelines released today.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne announced the changes for building surveyors which will rule out the use of aluminium cladding panels with a polythene core of more than 30 per cent on all multistorey.

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The move comes after the Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 71 people.

A Docklands tower caught fire in 2014 prompting more than 400 people to be evacuated.

A huge fire engulfs the 24 story Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, Picture: Getty Images

Lacrosse Tower in Docklands where developers used flammable cladding, causing a fire which was started by a cigarette butt.

Growing concerns about the combustible building material resulted in the Victorian Cladding Taskforce being created — headed by former Premier Ted Baillieu and Deputy Premier John Thwaites — which recommended the ban be introduced.

Expanded polystyrene will also be not be allowed.

Mr Wynne has directed the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) to issue a product safety alert, and building practitioners who ignore this directive will face disciplinary action from the VBA.

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“We’re putting a stop to dangerous combustible cladding being used on Victorian buildings. This has been allowed to go on for too long and we’re ending it,’’ he said.

“The rules are clear: if builders use these dangerous flammable products, they’ll face disciplinary action from the VBA.”

“There’s nothing more important than public safety, which is why we’re cracking down on the use of dangerous materials on worksites.”

The Taskforce identified 1369 buildings as likely having aluminium cladding panels with a

polythene core or expanded polystyrene.

However 579 have not begun construction, and a further 129 are half built.

If buildings are found to be non-compliant, the VBA and Municipal Building Surveyors are issuing emergency orders, ensuring additional measures are put in place to meet the highest standards of safety.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne. Picture: Nicole Garmston