The only legitimate building codes are where building can adversely affect the neighbours. In a rural setting and where all neighbours are in agreement, there is hardly a case for any limitations, certainly not regarding the materials and dimensions of dwellings.

That said, IF the residents wish to enjoy the benefit of fire-fighting services, THEN they may need to make some compromises. Otherwise they should be left on their own and not complain when the next fire comes and takes their homes.

The federal government doesn't have the power to do this! Because neither local government nor building codes are mentioned in the constitution.
thinkabit,
So, doesn't that tell you some drastic changes are well overdue ? As long as people who get handsomely paid by us taxpayers, we can & must demand action & competence in return.
Stop hiding under legislative umbrellas & get a move-on ! We're paying you more than enough, pull your finger out !

The federal gov is NOT responsible for building codes.
thinkabit,
Then stop asking them to do "something' ! I think the Fed Govt should stop beating around the Bush & order portable housing at once. Imagine the economic boost to industry at no more cost than dozens of enquiries by people who wouldn't know what common sense consists of anyway.
They do it for overseas aid so why not do it here without delay ?
Get moving Govt !

In his typical anonymous gutless fashion Is Mise tries to label the hard working Greens Mayor of Glen Innes Severn Council Carol Sparks as being a communists. Obviously upset with the failure of the Nazi style members of the Shooters and Hooters Party to win support in local council elections, Is Mise resorts to unsubstantiated claims about a woman who has served her community well for over 25 years.

Now I tell you Issy, GROW UP!

individual: you say, "Then stop asking them to do "something' !"

But I'm not asking them to do something, YOU are!

You're the one that didn't understand that the fed gov doesn't have the power to change the building codes.

You're the one after learning that they couldn't change the building codes has started demanding that they mandatorily be given the power (which by the way would require a nation wide referendum to change the constitution).

As for myself I've never asked them (the fed gov) to do anything and I don't think that should have that power anyway.

For me it is perfectly sensible that the States be responsible for building codes since building codes by their nature have a large component of geographical dependency. For example, a house in Cairns North Queensland has very different requirements and expected performance outcomes than one in Hobart, Tasmania.

Also it appears fair to me that the types of buildings (in terms of their intended use- eg: high density dwellings v's heavy industry factories) and also style (in terms of looks) that may be built in any give area should be accountable to the local people that live there. Since they are the ones that have to put-up with seeing/hearing/smelling them.

So overall, for me at least, it is natural that the building codes and development approvals should be managed at a smaller scale than the whole continent. In other words, the States/Local Councils are better placed to have this responsibility.

But what I don't understand is why you think the federal government should have this responsibility.

But what I don't understand is why you think the federal government should have this responsibility.
thinkabit,
simply because we have an emergency situation which requires asap action. As I said earlier, get the portable home factories of each State into top gear right now & the feds should provide 1000 & the relevant States the rest. They wouldn't be that slow if it was Tax the fire victims owed.
A small Levy collected form the generous salaries of Bureaucrats on over 150 Grand/year of say 1% would not hurt anyone either to pay for transport costs. A Disaster Lottery too would go a long way towards a speedy economic recovery. Constitution aside, it just needs some people higher up to kick red tape out of the way & get things moving. It's the whole Nation that's affected so get the whole Nation behind it.
It's not just the Govts responsibility, it's every Aust Citizen's because every Citizen will benefit from the outcome !