Comcare is taking steps to sharpen its regulatory focus on major infrastructure projects and has established a specialist team of inspectors to deal with issues that may arise.
Head of the Agency’s Regulatory Operations Group, Justin Napier said there were already a number of major projects under way within Comcare’s diverse jurisdiction, identifying underground rail infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne as examples.
“A number of Commonwealth-funded developments, including Snowy Hydro 2.0, Western Sydney International Airport and the Inland Rail project, are in their early stages,” Mr Napier said.
“The new team of inspectors has experience in construction and engineering and is working nationally to proactively monitor high-risk activities and safety systems on major projects.”
He said it was important to Comcare that it strengthen its oversight of this often high-risk work.
“The specialist Major Infrastructure Projects team will provide enhanced oversight and prevention-led interaction at large infrastructure and other complex construction projects,” Mr Napier said.
“This involves a risk-based approach — understanding how a project’s risk profile changes over time and focusing on high-consequence hazards throughout the life of the development.”
He said the team, based in Sydney and Melbourne, had an initial staffing of five inspectors who would travel interstate to undertake regulatory activity where required.
“Resourcing of the unit will be reviewed regularly,” Mr Napier said.
