FEATURE STORY

GRANNY FLAT GAME CHANGER

More homeowners will be able to rent out their granny fl ats as the Queensland government fl ags planning changes in a bid to increase aff ordable housing.

DID YOU KNOW?

Research conducted by property data experts CoreLogic, in conjunction with Archistar, reveals that the construction of a two-bedroom granny flat, from start to a complete fi nish, will set a homeowner back around $200,000. This compares to $120,000 for a one-bedroom dwelling.

Achange to planning rules to allow Queenslanders to rent out their granny flats will increase affordable housing stocks, the state government says.

Restrictions on who can live in granny flats will be removed so secondary dwellings can be rented on the open market, according to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Legislation isn’t required to make the change and regulations could be amended immediately.

The changes will be reviewed after three years to ensure there are no unintended consequences.

Queensland Planning Minister Steven Miles says homeowners will need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fi re and building provisions so accommodation for renters is safe.

Chances are a granny flat will have many uses over the duration of its life, housing different guests and having different purposes.

It’s important to keep aesthetics in mind when designing the building.

Ideally, a granny flat should complement the main residence. Tie the two together by using similar external materials and colour palette.

Granny flats come in all shapes and sizes. You can purchase a pre-fabricated or flat-pack variety. There are also companies who can custom design a modular home that is transported and installed on site.

All granny flats must comply with the National Construction Code and any relevant local and state regulations.

Like with any substantial extension to the home, constructing a granny flat on your premises will need to meet certain criteria and undergo relevant building inspections. Talk to your local council representative.

DESIGN SNAPSHOT To save on money down the track, design the space so that it can be adapted to individual styles and tastes. Keep the colour scheme neutral. You can add pops of colour with furnishings and décor accents.

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KNOW THE RISK

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, and expert Cherie Barber says it’s important to understand the dangers of asbestos.

Are you planning to renovate? Do know that asbestos lurks in around one-third of Australian homes?

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, which aims to prevent asbestosrelated diseases by educating homeowners, renovators, DIYers and tradies about the everpresent danger of asbestoscontaining materials that remain hidden.

While the popularity of renovating continues to boom, concerns are growing that homeowners are taking avoidable risks with asbestos, jeopardising their health and the health of others when doing DIY renovations.

More than 4000 Australians die every year from asbestosrelated diseases – more than the annual national road toll, so it is vital that homeowners learn to respect the serious risks posed by asbestos mismanagement to protect their health and the health of loved ones.

Asbestos Education Committee chair and director of the national campaign, Clare

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Collins, says Asbestos Awareness Month aims to reduce the incidences of avoidable asbestos exposure by providing Australians with essential information to help save lives.

She says it’s vital homeowners, renovators and tradies heed the warnings and respect the serious dangers of asbestos because it’s not worth the risk.

Australia’s renovation queen Cherie Barber (pictured) is also passionate about spreading awareness. She lost her own grandfather to asbestos-related disease.

“Many homeowners wrongly believe that asbestoscontaining products are only found in fi bro homes made from asbestos-cement sheeting,” Ms Barber says.

“The fact is, asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that can still be found in brick,

“The fact is, asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products”

fi bro, weatherboard, clad homes, apartments or sheds built or renovated before 1990.

“Many of these products could be lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels. It was used everywhere.”

Experts say that if undisturbed, well maintained and in a stable, sealed condition, these products are considered unlikely to pose health risks.

However, if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition, and invisible fi bres are released that can be inhaled, this can lead to asbestosrelated diseases including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and benign pleural disease.

“Australia was among the highest consumers of asbestos products in the world so it’s not surprising that a broad range of these potentially hazardous products are still commonly found in at least one in three Australian homes in some form or another,” Ms Barber says.

“With the popularity of renovating continuing to rise, coupled with the current tradie shortage, we want to ensure people renovate safely.

“We don’t want people to take the ‘she’ll be right’ approach and start ripping out old floor coverings, wall and floor tiles or undertaking any work or demolition without fi rst checking to see if asbestos might be lurking in their home.

“Complacency poses the greatest risk of all so it’s vital people learn to respect asbestos as a real and present danger and learn how to manage it safely.”

EDUCATE YOURSELF Learn more about how to manage asbestos safely by visiting asbestosawareness. com.au. If your home was built or renovated prior to 1990 and you suspect it contains asbestos, before taking up tools be sure to engage a licensed asbestos assessor or occupational hygienist to inspect your property.

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