This section deals with multi-storey buildings which are owned by a local authority situated in their own functional area, and clarifies that a certificate will have to be obtained in the same way for multi-storey buildings in general. If a local authority own a multi-storey building situated in some other local authority's functional area, they will be treated in the same way as any other owner.
This section is included because the requirement to have a certificate prepared under section 3 only arises when the owner receives a notification under section 2. It makes no sense to require a local authority to notify themselves of their requirements, and section 6 in effect imposes the duty of obtaining a certificate without a notice being served in any case where the local authority own a building in their functional area.
Another question may be asked: will a local authority be treated differently from any other owner? I think that is what the Senator would like to know. Under the Bill, the local authority will be treated in exactly the same way as every other owner with the single exception that they will not have notified themselves that a certificate is required. That would be unnecessary. The local authorities will have to get certificates signed by a competent person, as indicated in the legislation, for any of the specified buildings they own in their own functional areas, just like any other owner. That explains the position. They must get a certificate from a competent person.
