When you've spent years enforcing the law in remote Western Australia, dealing with reality TV drama might seem like a walk in the park.
But for police officers Britt and Taz, their stint on The Block has proven that sometimes the rules aren't applied equally—and viewers aren't having a bar of it.
The controversy erupted during Landscaping Week when the site manager told the couple their shed wine bar was 'non-compliant,' despite earlier approving their plans.
What started as a building regulation dispute has since exposed deeper issues about fairness, bullying, and how reality TV can amplify workplace conflicts that many of us recognise from our own lives.
The couple caught in the crosshairs
Britt and Taz aren't your typical reality TV contestants. These 30-year-old police officers from Newman—a mining town 12 hours north of Perth—are married with two young children, Carter (4) and Myla (2).
Taz is a proud Aboriginal man from the Tharawal/Dharawal People and former WAFL footballer who wants to show young Indigenous kids that anything is possible.
Their troubles began when they transformed their shed into what they called a 'speakeasy' wine bar. According to The Block rules, a bar or 'speakeasy' in the shed would be 'illegal,' despite Britt claiming they had finalised the design and planning before the build.
'What the hell. Like we sacrificed three months of our lives to be here.'
The site manager, Aiden, delivered the crushing news: 'The basic bit is, for us to finish these builds and get an occupancy permit [and] for you to be able to sell it at auction, we currently don't have our surveyors' approval for this room as it is, so we've got to change it.'
When building rules become weapons
What makes this particularly galling for viewers is that fellow Western Australian Han was openly unhappy that Britt and Taz initially got away with their shed build. The other contestants argued that the couple shouldn't have been allowed to present what they called an 'illegal' room because it couldn't be a habitable space for more than an hour.
But here's where it gets murky. Yahoo Lifestyle found that VicSmart defines a 'habitable room' as 'a room designed and used for normal everyday activities' - which doesn't include specialised spaces 'occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods.'
The building regulation confusion
- Habitable rooms must be suitable for 'normal everyday activities'
- Examples include bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and studies
- Bathrooms, laundries, pantries, and 'specialised spaces' don't count
- The one-hour rule appears to be a Block-specific interpretation
The problem? Other teams had gyms, art studios, golf simulators, and pool rooms in their sheds. As one confused viewer pointed out: 'I would spend more than an hour in a gym... why could they get away with that?'
More than just bricks and mortar
What viewers witnessed wasn't just about building regulations. The drama kicked off when Britt and Taz returned from their winners' night away and were blindsided with a body corporate meeting they didn't know had been called, spearheaded by Sonny and Alicia with support from Han and Can and Robby and Mat.
Source: @theblock / Tiktok.
The teams had dinner without Taz and Britt and hatched a plan to hold the meeting, making it particularly nasty viewing as the couple arrived at their work site to discover that the other teams had been conspiring against them. Emma refused to attend the meeting because she didn't agree with the body corporate idea.
What happened behind the scenes
The body corporate meeting wasn't just about the shed. Britt and Taz had been penalised for working ahead on their deck subframe, but because steel installation meant no one could work anyway, other teams felt the punishment was inadequate and demanded further penalties.
The encounter was later described by Britt as 'one of the worst days of her life.' For a police officer who deals with genuinely dangerous situations daily, that's saying something.
Viewers see right through it
Over on The Block's Instagram page, fans have shown they're firmly on Team Taz and Britt, sharing negative sentiments about Alicia and Sonny, with many saying they might stop watching due to the drama.
In a popular post on The Block's online forum, one user wrote that the 'cattiness has lost me tonight,' asking: 'After all of these years, do the producers not understand that we don't want to see grown adults behaving like that?'
The couple's professional training shines through in how they've handled the situation. Many viewers praised their composure, linking it to their professional training and the need to protect careers beyond reality TV, noting that pushing back harder would only have escalated a no-win situation.
The double standards that don't stack up
What's particularly frustrating viewers is the apparent inconsistency. Robby and Mat's wine cellar—complete with a drinking bench where judges sat and ate food—received a perfect score the previous week. 'You try to get everything ticked off, and it was, and then for them now to say 'Oh, actually',' Taz said during the heated discussion with site management.
One viewer summed up the frustration: 'Any of the activities carried out in all the houses' sheds would take longer than 40 minutes, so they all better strip them out.'
What this means for everyday renovators
For those of us who've tackled our own home improvements, this controversy highlights how complex and sometimes contradictory building regulations can be. The fact that plans were initially approved then later deemed non-compliant will resonate with anyone who's dealt with council permits.
Did you know?
What does this mean for you?
If you're planning shed renovations:
- Always get written approval for any changes to use—Understand the difference between habitable and non-habitable spaces—Check with your local council about specific requirements—Consider hiring a building consultant for complex projects
The aftermath reveals character
Now that filming has wrapped, Taz says they're 'all civil' and 'all adults,' denying there's ongoing beef: 'Gone are the previous years where people just absolutely hated each other and wouldn't be in the same room as each other, but it's none of that this year.'
However, recent reports suggest tensions remain, with insiders describing 'the most awkward walk-off since a MAFS dinner party' when Britt and Taz reportedly blanked Alicia and Sonny during a reunion in Daylesford, with one crew member describing the vibe as 'so tense you could cut it with a spirit level.'
What's most impressive is how the couple has responded to online trolling of their fellow contestants. 'We absolutely do not condone any comments from trolls,' Taz told Yahoo! Lifestyle. 'We deal with mental health on a daily basis with our work, and cyberbullying and trolling... just absolutely takes a toll and deteriorates people, so we do not condone any of that.'
The real building blocks of character
While we'll have to wait to see how Britt and Taz resolve their shed situation, this controversy has revealed something more valuable than any wine bar could offer—genuine character under pressure. As Taz noted, unlike some of their 'fiery co-stars,' he and Britt 'did not have one argument' throughout their 12 weeks filming in Daylesford.
For viewers who've grown tired of manufactured reality TV drama, watching two professionals handle unfair treatment with dignity while still standing their ground offers a refreshing change. Sometimes the best renovation isn't to a building—it's to our faith that decent people can rise above petty conflicts.
What do you think about the building regulation confusion? Have you ever faced similar issues with council approvals for your own home projects? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Original Article
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/the-...illegal-move-doesnt-make-sense-214650323.html
The Block Fans Divided Over Britt And Taz's Shed AKA Speakeasy: 'Rules Are Rules'
Cited text: While Landscaping Week is an exciting time for The Block cast, it unfortunately kicked off on a bad foot for Western Australia duo Britt and Taz after...
Excerpt: The controversy erupted during Landscaping Week when the site manager told the couple their shed wine bar was 'non-compliant,' despite earlier approving their plans.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-divided-britt-tazz-shed/
The Block Fans Divided Over Britt And Taz's Shed AKA Speakeasy: 'Rules Are Rules'
Cited text: Before they could kick off with landscaping on Tuesday night, Britt and Taz were told that their shed was not compliant, despite Britt claiming that t...
Excerpt: The controversy erupted during Landscaping Week when the site manager told the couple their shed wine bar was 'non-compliant,' despite earlier approving their plans.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-divided-britt-tazz-shed/
Our police force couple, Britt and Taz join The Block in 2025
Cited text: As police officers serving a mining town 12 hours north of Perth, Britt and Taz are no strangers to tough jobs.
Excerpt: Britt and Taz aren't your typical reality TV contestants. These 30-year-old police officers from Newman—a mining town 12 hours north of Perth—are married with two young children, Carter (4) and Myla (2).
https://www.theblockshop.com.au/blog/the-block-2025-meet-britt-and-taz/
Our police force couple, Britt and Taz join The Block in 2025
Cited text: Married for three years, together for nearly a decade, and raising two adorable kids (Carter, 4, and Myla, 2), Britt and Taz are as solid as it gets.
Excerpt: Britt and Taz aren't your typical reality TV contestants. These 30-year-old police officers from Newman—a mining town 12 hours north of Perth—are married with two young children, Carter (4) and Myla (2).
https://www.theblockshop.com.au/blog/the-block-2025-meet-britt-and-taz/
Our police force couple, Britt and Taz join The Block in 2025
Cited text: Taz is a proud Aboriginal man from the Tharawal/Dharawal People and a former WAFL footballer who wants to show young Indigenous kids around Australia ...
Excerpt: Taz is a proud Aboriginal man from the Tharawal/Dharawal People and former WAFL footballer who wants to show young Indigenous kids that anything is possible.
https://www.theblockshop.com.au/blog/the-block-2025-meet-britt-and-taz/
The Block Fans Divided Over Britt And Taz's Shed AKA Speakeasy: 'Rules Are Rules'
Cited text: However, a bar — or “speakeasy” as Britt and Taz have called it — in the shed would be “illegal”, per The Block rules. Before they could kick off with...
Excerpt: According to The Block rules, a bar or 'speakeasy' in the shed would be 'illegal,' despite Britt claiming they had finalised the design and planning before the build.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-divided-britt-tazz-shed/
The Block Fans Divided Over Britt And Taz's Shed AKA Speakeasy: 'Rules Are Rules'
Cited text: If there’s one thing we do know about the controversial “speakeasy”, fellow Western Australian Han was not happy that Britt and Taz initially got away...
Excerpt: What makes this particularly galling for viewers is that fellow Western Australian Han was openly unhappy that Britt and Taz initially got away with their shed build.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-divided-britt-tazz-shed/
The Block Fans Divided Over Britt And Taz's Shed AKA Speakeasy: 'Rules Are Rules'
Cited text: The Block fanbase has been lit up with online debates and blame games after Britt and Taz‘s shed/wine cellar/bar was deemed non-compliant in Tuesday n...
Excerpt: As one confused viewer pointed out: 'I would spend more than an hour in a gym... why could they get away with that?'
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-divided-britt-tazz-shed/
Are Britt and Taz being unfairly targeted on THE BLOCK? - TV Blackbox
Cited text: The drama kicked off the moment Britt and Taz returned from their winners’ night away. Instead of easing back into work, they were blindsided with a b...
Excerpt: What viewers witnessed wasn't just about building regulations.
https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2025/10/01/are-britt-and-taz-being-unfairly-targeted-on-the-block/
What did Britt and Taz do on The Block? Let's talk about it.
Cited text: But then things took a more sinister turn when the teams had dinner without Taz and Britt and hatched a plan to hold a body corporate meeting.
Excerpt: The teams had dinner without Taz and Britt and hatched a plan to hold the meeting, making it particularly nasty viewing as the couple arrived at their work site to discover that the other teams had been conspiring against them.
https://www.mamamia.com.au/the-block-britt-taz-opinion/
What did Britt and Taz do on The Block? Let's talk about it.
Cited text: It's all rather baffling stuff and it was nasty viewing, especially as Taz and Britt arrived at their work site to discover that the other teams have ...
Excerpt: The teams had dinner without Taz and Britt and hatched a plan to hold the meeting, making it particularly nasty viewing as the couple arrived at their work site to discover that the other teams had been conspiring against them.
https://www.mamamia.com.au/the-block-britt-taz-opinion/
What did Britt and Taz do on The Block? Let's talk about it.
Cited text: Well, minus Emma, who didn't agree with the body corporate idea so refused to attend the meeting.
Excerpt: Emma refused to attend the meeting because she didn't agree with the body corporate idea.
https://www.mamamia.com.au/the-block-britt-taz-opinion/
What did Britt and Taz do on The Block? Let's talk about it.
Cited text: The awkward encounter was later described by Britt as one of 'the worst days of her life'.
Excerpt: The encounter was later described by Britt as 'one of the worst days of her life.'
https://www.mamamia.com.au/the-block-britt-taz-opinion/
What did Britt and Taz do on The Block? Let's talk about it.
Cited text: Over on The Block's Instagram page, fans have shown they were on Team Taz and Britt while sharing negative sentiments about Alicia and Sonny — includi...
Excerpt: Over on The Block's Instagram page, fans have shown they're firmly on Team Taz and Britt, sharing negative sentiments about Alicia and Sonny, with many saying they might stop watching due to the drama.
https://www.mamamia.com.au/the-block-britt-taz-opinion/
What did Britt and Taz do on The Block? Let's talk about it.
Cited text: In a popular post on The Block's subreddit, one user wrote that the 'cattiness has lost me tonight,' referring to the group ganging up on Taz and Brit...
Excerpt: In a popular post on The Block's subreddit, one user wrote that the 'cattiness has lost me tonight,' asking: 'After all of these years, do the producers not understand that we don't want to see grown adults behaving like that?'
https://www.mamamia.com.au/the-block-britt-taz-opinion/
Are Britt and Taz being unfairly targeted on THE BLOCK? - TV Blackbox
Cited text: Many praised their composure, linking it to their professional training and the need to protect careers beyond reality TV. Pushing back harder, some s...
Excerpt: Many viewers praised their composure, linking it to their professional training and the need to protect careers beyond reality TV, noting that pushing back harder would only have escalated a no-win situation.
https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2025/10/01/are-britt-and-taz-being-unfairly-targeted-on-the-block/
The Block Fans Divided Over Britt And Taz's Shed AKA Speakeasy: 'Rules Are Rules'
Cited text: God forbid we want a cheeky bev in the shed. (Image source: 9Now / The Block) ... “You try to get everything ticked off, and it was, and then for them...
Excerpt: 'You try to get everything ticked off, and it was, and then for them now to say 'Oh, actually',' Taz said during the heated discussion with site management.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-divided-britt-tazz-shed/
The Block's Britt & Taz Spill On Their Current Friendship Status With Sonny & Alicia
Cited text: “We’re all civil. We’re all adults,” Taz told the publication before denying that there was any beef between them and their Block competitors. “Gone a...
Excerpt: Now that filming has wrapped, Taz says they're 'all civil' and 'all adults,' denying there's ongoing beef: 'Gone are the previous years where people just absolutely hated each other and wouldn't be in the same room as each other, but it's…
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-taz-britt-sonny-alicia-friendship/
There's An 'Awkward Walk-Off' On The Block This Week & It Sounds Pretty Damn Intense
Cited text: In what insiders are calling “the most awkward walk-off since a MAFS dinner party”, WA cops Britt and Taz straight-up blanked Alicia and Sonny and the...
Excerpt: recent reports suggest tensions remain, with insiders describing 'the most awkward walk-off since a MAFS dinner party' when Britt and Taz reportedly blanked Alicia and Sonny during a reunion in Daylesford, with one crew member describing…
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-britt-taz-sonny-alicia-walk-off/
There's An 'Awkward Walk-Off' On The Block This Week & It Sounds Pretty Damn Intense
Cited text: Instead of a polite chat, Britt and Taz reportedly turned their backs and walked off without a word. One crew member described the vibe as “so tense y...
Excerpt: recent reports suggest tensions remain, with insiders describing 'the most awkward walk-off since a MAFS dinner party' when Britt and Taz reportedly blanked Alicia and Sonny during a reunion in Daylesford, with one crew member describing…
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-britt-taz-sonny-alicia-walk-off/
The Block Fans Are Heated Over *That* Sonny & Alicia Vs Britt & Taz Confrontation
Cited text: “We absolutely do not condone any comments from trolls and stuff like that,” Taz told Yahoo!
Excerpt: 'We absolutely do not condone any comments from trolls,' Taz told Yahoo! Lifestyle.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-react-sonny-alicia-britt-taz-confrontation/
The Block Fans Are Heated Over *That* Sonny & Alicia Vs Britt & Taz Confrontation
Cited text: “We deal with mental health on a daily basis with our work, and cyberbullying and trolling is one of the very, very big excesses on mental health. “It...
Excerpt: 'We absolutely do not condone any comments from trolls,' Taz told Yahoo! Lifestyle.
https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/the-block-fans-react-sonny-alicia-britt-taz-confrontation/
The Block's Britt and Taz reveal 'sickening' detail from filming reality show: 'Tough'
Cited text: While The Block is known for putting couples’ relationships to the test, with Han and Can and Sonny and Alicia often clashing with one another, Britt ...
Excerpt: As Taz noted, unlike some of their 'fiery co-stars,' he and Britt 'did not have one argument' throughout their 12 weeks filming in Daylesford.
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/the-...rom-filming-reality-show-tough-190039921.html
The Block's Britt and Taz reveal 'sickening' detail from filming reality show: 'Tough'
Cited text: So I learned that I could drop it really, really quickly, and I have continued that post-The Block.” · Taz adds that, unlike their fiery co-stars, he ...
Excerpt: As Taz noted, unlike some of their 'fiery co-stars,' he and Britt 'did not have one argument' throughout their 12 weeks filming in Daylesford.
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/the-...rom-filming-reality-show-tough-190039921.html
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