Decision Regulation Impact Statement– The Australian Building Codes Board
On 18 December 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the impact of proposed amendments to the National Construction Code (NCC) to require the construction of separate accessible adult change facilities (AACF) in public buildings including shopping centres and other public assembly buildings.
AACFs are sanitary facilities with additional features to assist people with more profound or complex disability who are unable to use standard accessible facilities independently. NCC 2019 will require the construction of AACFs in the following public buildings:
- new or redeveloped shopping centres with a design occupancy greater than 3,500,
- new museums, art galleries and theatres with a design occupancy greater than 1,500,
- new stadia with a design occupancy greater than 35,000,
- new indoor aquatic facilities with a main pool area perimeter exceeding 70m, and
- all new or redeveloped airports.
The Decision RIS discusses the quantitative and qualitative impact of economic and social inclusion for people with disability and their carers as a result of improved accessibility and mobility in these public buildings. The RIS also discusses how the amendments to the NCC and Premises Standards will assist Australia to meet its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and its international obligations with respect to dignity, equality and independence.
The Decision RIS has been assessed by the Office of Best Practice Regulation as compliant with the COAG RIS requirements.