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 first seek advice about a building’s replacement value from the VSBA before taking any demolition action. To do this, schools can email sams@education.vic.gov.au.
• Schools may use their own resources to demolish or partially demolish the building if:
  • the building was school-funded
  • the replacement value is less than $100,000 (including GST)
  • it only contains spaces which are not included in the Facility Area Schedule (FAS).
• Schools must seek endorsement from their regional Provision and Planning Manager, and approval from the VSBA before demolishing or partially demolishing:
  • any building that contains spaces which are included in the FAS for the purposes of calculating enrolment capacity and Student Resource Package (SRP) funding
  • any department-funded building that contains spaces which are not included in the FAS
  • any school-funded building that contains spaces which are not included in the FAS, where the replacement value is $100,000 or more (including GST).
• Endorsement for demolition is done through a Demolitions application form (DOCX)(opens in a new window), which the school’s Senior Provision and Planning Officer (SPPO) can assist with.
• After receiving VSBA approval or confirming the school has the authority to dispose of school buildings, school councils may enter demolition contracts valued at $150,000 (including GST) or less, as specified in the Procuring Low-Value Construction Works or Services policy.
• Schools must follow the approval process set out in the School-Funded Capital Projects policy for demolition work valued over $150,000 (including GST).
• Schools can apply for demolition funding if the building is being removed to assist their excess space strategy. Schools can seek advice from their regional Provision and Planning Manager or email the VSBA at vsba.demolitions@education.vic.gov.au.
• At practical completion of school-led demolition works, schools must review and complete the steps found in the Capital works – disposals/demolition section of the School asset drawing changes checklist (PDF) (staff login required)(opens in a new window).

Details

Principals are responsible for planning and delivering safe and sustainable learning environments. This may include demolishing or partially demolishing buildings that are in poor condition or no longer required.

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 it was funded by the department or the school, which is outlined below.

Process for demolitions requests

Determining the value of the building

• Schools must first seek advice about the replacement value of a building by emailing sams@education.vic.gov.au prior to taking any demolition action, regardless of whether the building was funded by the department or by the school.
• The email must describe the demolition or truncation work the school is seeking to undertake and must include a marked-up school (SAMS) 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) (staff login required)(opens in a new window).
• Once schools know the value of the building, they must then seek endorsement from their regional Provision and Planning Manager and approval from the VSBA before demolishing or partially demolishing:
  • any building that contains spaces which are included in the FAS for the purposes of calculating enrolment capacity and SRP funding
  • any department-funded building that contains spaces which are not included in the FAS
  • any school-funded building that contains spaces which are not included in the FAS, where the replacement value is $100,000 or more (including GST).
• Schools must complete a Demolitions application form. Details of this are provided below.
• If the building was school-funded, the replacement value is less than $100,000 (including GST) and it only contains spaces which are not included in the FAS, schools may use their own resources to demolish or partially demolish the building.
• In these cases, schools must contact their regional office (refer to the contacts heading below) prior to demolishment to:
  • confirm the cost of demolition is less than $150,000 (if greater, the school will need to follow the School-funded Capital Projects policy process)
  • update the SAMS plan in PRISM
  • confirm the building does not contain spaces which are included in the FAS.

Demolition application

• Schools must obtain endorsement via their regional Provision and Planning Manager before demolishing or partially demolishing any department-funded buildings or school-funded buildings that contain spaces which are included in the FAS for the purposes of calculating enrolment capacity and SRP funding.
• For school-funded buildings that contain spaces which are not included in the FAS, approval must be obtained for buildings with a replacement value of $100,000 or more (including GST).
• To obtain approval, schools must complete a Demolitions application form (DOCX)(opens in a new window). This must be sent to their regional SPPO for review and further assessment.
• Schools must ensure the following documents are available on AIMS for their SPPO (or send them via email)
  • SAMS plan
  • latest Div5 asbestos Report
  • Rolling Faculties Evaluation (RFE) Report
  • masterplan (if available).
• Schools can contact their SPPO for assistance to complete the Demolitions application form. In some cases, the SPPO can complete the application on behalf of the school.
• Once the application form has been completed, the SPPO will submit it to the regional Provision and Planning Manager (refer to the contacts heading below), along with a justification for the proposed demolition, which is based on the school's forecasted enrolment growth, masterplan (if one exists), current enrolments, financial position, buildings condition rating outlined in the RFE report and any other relevant professionals' reports.
• The application must be endorsed by the regional Provision and Planning Manager, before it is sent to the VSBA for final approval.
• Schools will be notified of the outcome of their application via email.

Procurement of demolition works

After receiving approval from the VSBA that the school has authority to dispose of a school building, school councils may enter into demolition contracts valued at $150,000 (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 $150,000 (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, as outlined in the School-Funded Capital Projects policy.

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 school-led demolition works, schools must review and complete the steps found in the Capital works – disposals/demolition section of the School asset drawing changes checklist (PDF) (staff login required)(opens in a new window) at the time of practical completion.

Asbestos

Schools must follow the Asbestos Management policy if:

• asbestos is known or suspected
• parts of the building are inaccessible and were not reviewed as part of a Division 5 audit, or
• asbestos was found during demolition.

For more information, refer to the Asbestos Management policy.

VSBA Demolition Program

The VSBA’s Demolition Program removes dilapidated buildings identified as excess space prior to and separate from capital works projects. The program is not intended to supplement school-funded capital projects. Schools can apply for the program irrespective of the funding they have, if the building(s) they are seeking to have demolished, has been identified as excess space.

Schools can contact their regional SPPO for preliminary discussions about accessing the VSBA Demolition Program and their eligibility. The demolition of excess spaces buildings is evaluated and triaged based on the buildings condition assessment report, forecasted local demand and demographic data. This is reviewed by the regional office and the VSBA.

If eligible, with the assistance of the SPPO, schools will need to complete a Demolitions application form. If approved, work will commence when funding is available.

Definitions

Department-funded buildings
Buildings that were originally funded by the department.

Facility Area Schedules
Indicate the spaces required for a school to deliver its curriculum to a certain number of students.

School-funded buildings
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

Schools may email the VSBA via vsba.demolitions@education.vic.gov.au for advice on demolition projects.

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to the Resources tab.

Resources

• School asset drawing changes checklist (PDF) (staff login required)(opens in a new window) – schools must use this document to review and complete the steps under the school-led disposals section
• Demolitions application form (DOCX)(opens in a new window)