Access Canberra’s crackdown on the local building industry has resulted in inspectors assessing almost 800 projects in the past 12 months with the number to increase in the year ahead.
Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Gordon Ramsay said the industry had been clearly put on notice that the Government would not tolerate building work not of a high standard.
“Buying, building or renovating a property is one of life’s biggest investments, and our community can rightly expect that the building work is of a high standard and built to stand the test of time,” Mr Ramsay said.
“I’ve made it clear that there is no place in the ACT for those in the industry who cut corners, deliver poor quality or non-compliant work, flout necessary approvals or do not rectify issues that might emerge.”
He said that since 1 July 2018, Access Canberra building inspectors had undertaken 793 building inspections and assessments as well as an additional 24,282 electrical; 3,139 solar; 817 plumbing; 1,779 gas and 3,241 drainage checks.
“I expect that the number of building inspections will increase this coming financial year with eight new rapid response officers,” Mr Ramsay said.
“This is good news for our community as it means more boots on the ground and an active presence on building sites to support compliance.”
He said there had been a number of high profile enforcement actions taken in the past 12 months such as stopping of work on a major site in Bruce as relevant approvals were not in place, and 17 stop-work notices in Gungahlin.
“This ongoing enforcement activity, combined with enhanced information for industry and the community, the implementation of reforms such as builder licence exams … will continue to support improvements in building quality in the ACT,” the Minister said.
