Fair Trading has taken another step towards reforming NSW’s building and construction industry, releasing a discussion paper setting out proposed new laws in depth.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson said the community and industry now had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed reforms to deliver greater transparency, accountability and quality of work in the building and construction sector.
“The legislation will implement many of the recommendations from the Lambert and Shergold-Weir reports into the building industry, and now we want to hear from industry and the wider community,” Mr Anderson said.
He said four key reforms were to be implemented including buildings to be designed and constructed to plans that fully comply with the Building Code of Australia; all building practitioners, including building designers, architects and engineers, to be registered; a new industry-wide principle of duty of care, enabling home owners to seek compensation if a building practitioner has been negligent; and the appointment of a Building Commissioner to regulate all aspects of the NSW building industry.
“We are committed to getting these important reforms right and ensuring they are developed in close consultation with the industry and community,” Mr Anderson said.
“The appointment of the Building Commissioner is expected to be finalised in coming weeks.”
He said the consultation period would be open until 23 July.
The 36-page Discussion Paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
