Demolition

Policy

This policy explains the roles and responsibilities of schools and the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) for the demolition of school buildings.

Summary

• Schools must seek advice and approval from the VSBA via their regional provision and planning manager before truncating, removing or demolishing school or department funded buildings.
• The VSBA will assess the origin, value, and condition rating of the building(s), determine if they are surplus to school requirements and will take into consideration the cost of proposed works.
• Schools can demolish, truncate, or remove school-funded buildings valued at less than $50,000 (including GST) if the building is not classified as an entitled space for the purpose of calculating enrolment capacity and student resource package (SRP) funding.
• Schools must obtain the VSBA’s approval before truncating, removing, or demolishing any school-funded buildings valued at $50,000 or more (including GST), or any school-funded buildings classified as entitled spaces for the purpose of calculating enrolment capacity and SRP funding.
• Following completion of school-led demolition works, schools must review and complete the steps under the school-led disposals section of the School asset drawing changes checklist (PDF).

Details

Principals are responsible for planning and delivering safe and sustainable learning environments. This may include demolishing buildings that are in poor condition or surplus to school requirements.

School councils have limited delegated authority to dispose of school buildings using school resources. The extent of school council authority depends on the value of the building and whether the building was funded by the department or the school. These cases are outlined below.

Schools must seek advice about the value of a building from the VSBA prior to taking any action, regardless of whether the building was funded by the department or by the school.

To ascertain the value of a building, the school must send an email to the VSBA via sams@education.vic.gov.au The email must describe the demolition or truncation work the school is seeking to undertake, and must be include a marked-up school plan clearly identifying the building that is to be removed as specified in the school-led disposals section of the School asset drawing changes checklist (PDF).

Demolition of department-funded facilities (including relocatable buildings)

Schools must obtain VSBA approval before truncating, removing or demolishing any department-funded buildings. Schools can seek this approval by contacting their regional provision and planning manager (refer to the contacts section for regional office contact details).

If the cost exceeds the school’s ability to pay, please contact the regional office or the VSBA to discuss if support is available.

The VSBA’s Demolition Program removes dilapidated buildings identified as excess space. The program is not intended to supplement school-funded capital projects.

Demolition of school-funded facilities

Schools may use their own resources to demolish, truncate or remove school-funded buildings valued at less than $50,000 (including GST) if the building is not classified as an entitled space for the purpose of calculating enrolment capacity and student resource package (SRP) funding.

Schools must obtain the VSBA’s approval before truncating, removing or demolishing any school-funded buildings valued at $50,000 or more (including GST), or any school-funded buildings classified as entitled spaces for the purpose of calculating enrolment capacity and SRP funding. Schools can seek this approval by contacting their regional provision and planning manager (refer to the contacts section for regional office contact details).

Procurement of demolition works

After receiving VSBA approval or confirming the school has authority to dispose of school buildings, school councils may enter into demolition contracts valued at $100,000 (including GST) or less as specified in the Procuring Low-Value Construction Works or Services Policy. This figure does not include the value of the building but does include the value of demolition works and associated activities (such as removal of lead paint or asbestos).

If the contract value is estimated to exceed $100,000 (including GST), schools must not obtain tenders or quotations for any associated works or services, or commence or enter into any associated works, services or contracts, until they have sought VSBA approval to proceed. The School-Funded Capital Projects Policy describes how schools can obtain approval to enter into contracts estimated to exceed $100,000 (including GST).

Updating asset drawings

It is important that all school buildings are accurately recorded in the VSBA’s asset register. When changes to school buildings occur as a result of a school-led demolition works, schools must review and complete the steps under the school-led disposals section of the School asset drawing changes checklist (PDF) at the time of practical completion.

Definitions

Truncation
Truncation is the partial demolition of a building.

Department-funded buildings and school-funded buildings
Department-funded buildings are buildings that were originally funded by the department. School-funded buildings are buildings that were originally funded by the school.

Contacts

For questions about demolishing or removing buildings on your school site, contact the appropriate regional office.

North eastern Victoria region

Email: nevr@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 333 231

North western Victoria region

Email: nwvr@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 338 691

South eastern Victoria region

Email: sevr@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 338 738

South western Victoria region

Email: swvr@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 333 232

For general questions about this policy

Victorian School Building Authority
Email: vsba@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1800 896 950