The Environmental, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) is inviting public feedback on the implementation of a new scheme to register professional engineers who come to the ACT to work.
The scheme, which would initially apply to civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and fire safety engineers, would require them to register with the Territory so local businesses and the public could have confidence that the engineers they engage had the necessary qualifications and experience to provide engineering services.
Opening consultation on the proposed scheme, the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, Rebecca Vassarotti said the scheme would give people confidence the engineers they engaged were professional.
“It is vital that Canberrans know that their projects are being scoped, designed, and delivered safely, to budget, and on time, by qualified professionals,” Ms Vassarotti said.
“The scheme is supported by professional engineers’ associations and will bring the ACT into line with other Australian States and Territories,” she said.
“Initially, it is proposed that the scheme will apply to five engineering disciplines —civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and fire safety engineering—but may later be expanded.”
Ms Vassarotti said implementing an engineer registration scheme would provide a nationally consistent approach to the registration of certain categories of building practitioners, including engineers, which was a key recommendation in the 2018 Building Confidence Report.
“We want to hear from the community and individual engineers on elements of the scheme, such as eligibility criteria and implementation, so we can make sure the scheme achieves its objectives,” the Minister said.
She said that following the consultation which will be open until 20 September, the scheme is to be finalised with legislation to be prepared and presented to the Legislative Assembly later this year.
Further information on the Professional Engineer Registration Scheme, including how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
