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Several inquiries, including the 2013 independent Bruce Collins Inquiry into Insolvency in the NSW Construction Industry, have echoed this call. The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) also supported the establishment of a single building authority to improve building compliance and enforcement. The independent review of the Building Professionals Act, undertaken by Michael Lambert in 2015, called for the establishment of an Office of Building Regulation to consolidate building regulations in NSW.

The establishment of the Office of the Building Commissioner (OBC) in August 2019 marked a significant reform in NSW. The OBC has brought substantial changes to the NSW building landscape, including the Design and Building Practitioners Act (2020) and Residential Apartment Buildings Act (2020), and the establishment of NSW Government and Practice Standards for Registered Certifiers. However, the work required to reform all sectors of the industry needs to continue.

We believe that the introduction of a consolidated “Building Act” would make future reforms across planning, strata, and building

The proposed Building Commission will draw together the current fragmented approach of various Government departments and agencies. It will act as an independent centralised authority to regulate and oversee the building and construction industry in NSW. This is a much-needed reform that will not only streamline the industry but also ensure better compliance, enforcement, and overall quality of buildings.

The establishment of a Building Commission will be a big step forward in the reform of the building and construction industry in NSW. It will provide a much-needed independent regulator with the powers and resources to ensure that buildings are safe, compliant, and of high quality. We look forward to working with the NSW Government and all stakeholders to make this a reality.

Bob Black President MBA/NSW

From the Executive Director