Council Termite Zone, Termite Control And Treatment

There are an increasing amount of areas each year in Victoria that are designated Termite prone areas, which means that if you build or require a building permit even for an addition in those areas you must have a termite barrier system in place before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

In some states of Australia you must obtain a pest inspections to your property if you are selling and is part of your section 32.

There will be a time when all areas in Victoria become Termite Prone Zones, there has to be enough evidence or % of recorded termite infestations to homes in that area before the local council can justify changing all relative requirements before costing the average home an extra $500-$1000 to construct.

More than 350 species of termites have been recorded in Australia, about 30 of which achieve economic importance as pests of timber-in-service.

Log on to the Building Commissions web site to get all the latest statistics and information.

http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/749-termite-infested-areas-in-victoria.asp

Facts from CSIRO about termites

• The annual cost of repair of damage to timber-in-service caused by termites in Victoria has been estimated to be in excess of $200 million.
• It is estimated that 650,000 Australian homes have been infested by termites over the last five years.
• The cost of termite treatment and repair of the resultant damage has been estimated at $3.9 billion

Media Release

Termites a major threat to Victoria

Reference: 05/04

Subterranean termites pose a major threat to dwellings and other vital infrastructure throughout Victoria according to a report released today by CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products (CFFP) scientist, Jim Creffield.

http://www.csiro.au/news/SubterraneanTermites.html