In short
A structural engineer in Bellerive mostly works on older eastern-shore homes and new townhouse projects: cracks, wall removal, extensions and stormwater for new development. Clarence City Council, not TasWater, owns the public stormwater system, so building near its pipes needs the council's consent. Inspections start from $590 + GST and wall removal designs from $550 + GST, quoted within 1–2 business hours.
Structural engineer Bellerive: local facts
- Council
- Clarence City Council
- Typical homes
- Older weatherboard and brick homes, renovated cottages and newer townhouses and units
- Clays
- Dolerite-derived clays are documented as expansive in Hobart, including in an MRT report on a house in nearby Lindisfarne
- Council pipes
- Building on an easement or within 1 m of a public stormwater pipe needs Clarence's consent (Urban Drainage Act 2013 s13)
- Larger sites
- Adding 500 m² or more of hard surface brings the State Stormwater Strategy's water-quality targets
What do Bellerive's older homes need from a structural engineer?
Usually one of two things: an explanation of movement, or a design for opening the house up. Older weatherboard and brick homes in Bellerive, Rosny, Montagu Bay and Rose Bay show their age through cracks, sloping floors and sticking doors, and renovations often aim to open rooms up to the river outlook.
Movement first. Clays weathered from dolerite are documented as expansive in Hobart: a Mineral Resources Tasmania report on a house in nearby Lindisfarne found they had caused cracking. Ground conditions still change from lot to lot, so a Bellerive inspection checks the drainage, downpipes, trees and plumbing around the house as well as the cracks inside it.
- Cracks in brick or plaster, measured and rated to AS 2870 in a crack and foundation report from $590 + GST
- Sloping timber floors, which often trace back to stumps and bearers under a raised floor
- A general check of a house you own or are buying, in a structural inspection from $590 + GST
Can I open up a Bellerive home for the view?
In most cases, yes, with the loads carried properly. Taking out an internal wall needs a beam sized for the roof, ceiling or floor it was supporting, with posts and footings beneath. Widening openings in an external wall facing the river needs the same thinking, plus bracing, because that wall may be helping the house resist wind.
Adding a level is a bigger question: whether the existing footings, walls and frame can carry the extra weight, or what has to be strengthened first. We answer that before the design starts, then document the new structure for your builder and building surveyor with a Form 35. Wall removal designs start from $550 + GST, and extensions and second storeys are fixed-quoted. Decks for the view are covered by our deck designs.
What engineering does a Bellerive or Rosny townhouse project need?
Structural design for each building, plus a stormwater design that meets Clarence's procedure, and on larger sites the State Stormwater Strategy's water-quality targets as well. Infill projects on older lots can also run into existing council pipes.
| Stormwater item | What applies in Clarence |
|---|---|
| On-site detention | Clarence's own tank table by impervious area, with an engineer's design over 250 m² (see the table) |
| Water quality | Sites adding 500 m² or more of hard surface: 80% suspended solids, 45% phosphorus and 45% nitrogen reduction, plus 90% of litter. MUSIC modelling is accepted |
| Building near a council pipe | Consent from the council to build on an easement or within 1 m of the public system (Urban Drainage Act 2013 s13) |
| Connecting to council stormwater | The council's written consent at least 48 hours before connecting (Building Regulations 2016, reg 43) |
State Stormwater Strategy (EPA, 2010); Clarence City Council Stormwater Management Procedure (31 August 2021); Urban Drainage Act 2013; Building Regulations 2016.
Clarence, not TasWater, is responsible for the public stormwater system, so the consents come from the council. Our townhouse and unit engineering covers the structure, and our stormwater design covers detention, treatment and the connection, each fixed-quoted per project.
