Public Service certifiers are to return to the ACT construction industry in a bid to help restore confidence in the Territory’s building sector.
Announced by the Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Gordon Ramsay the Government certifiers will give consumers the opportunity to make better judgements about who they trust to approve building work as well as encourage developers to do the right thing and not cut corners.
“This team of public sector certifiers will sit alongside the Government’s licencing scheme for property developers and break the link between developers and building certifiers,” Mr Ramsay said.
“We have seen too many cases where property developers have forced other parts of the industry to cut on costs and influence process, only to eventually wind up projects and leave owners with the bill for their dodgy work,” he said.
“Buying a house or apartment is the most significant investment in most people’s lives and I want to ensure that people can have confidence in the build quality of their home.”
Mr Ramsay said Canberrans should not have to chase non-existent companies for building defects when the culprit is able to wind up one company and continue to operate in the community.
He said the new team of certifiers would help clean up the industry and ensure Canberra had the highest quality buildings.
He said the public certifiers would operate on a fee for service basis and may be required for certain types of development.
