Building Quality Inquiry

Industry must continue to lead the discussion about improving building quality, and it must also lead by example.

Another ACT Inquiry into

BUILDING QUALITY

Improving the quality of buildings and the building regulatory system has been a cornerstone of Master Builders ACT advocacy and policy for many years. Master Builders ACT released its Building Quality Policy Document in 2015, and since that time industry has led the charge for reform to the ACT building industry.

In the last decade, the ACT Government conducted a thorough review of the building regulatory environment in 2010 and again in 2015. The ACT Government’s focus on building regulatory reform started to gather some momentum two years ago when the ACT Government responded to Master Builders call to establish a Building Regulatory Advisory Committee (BRAC) to act as an advisory group to government on building regulator priorities.

However, building reforms are progressing slowly, and instead of fast-tracking reforms, the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism has resolved to hold yet another inquiry into Building Quality in the ACT.

The committee will inquire into: 1 / The certification regime for the building and construction industry. 2 / The merits of standard contracts or statutory requirements in contracts covering build quality. 3 / Industry skills accreditation and ongoing professional development. 4 / Processes and practices for the identification and rectification of defects. 5 / The cost effectiveness of current building compliance and defect rectification practices for industry, government, individuals or body corporates and the potential for the introduction of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. 6 / The role of Access Canberra. 7 / The regulatory setting or practices in other jurisdictions that could inform consideration of any of the above. 8 / Personal experiences that could inform consideration of any of the above. 9 / Any other relevant matter.

The MBA’s policy goals have been bolstered recently with the release of the final report commissioned by the Building Ministers Forum (BMF). The BMF is the group of Australian Government, State and Territory Ministers that has responsibility for building and construction matters. The report was authored by Professor Peter Shergold AC and Ms Bronwyn Weir, with assistance from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

Professor Shergold and Ms Weir’s report, ‘Building Confidence – Improving the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia’, made 24 recommendations aimed at establishing a national best practice model on (among other matters): > licensing and accreditation; > certification and inspections; > quality controls and assurance processes; and > auditing and enforcement practices.

This extract from the report’s Executive Summary provides an overview of the challenge ahead:

The goal is to have nationally consistent technical standards applying across Australia. Whilst our country has a national technical standard for buildings, our federation provides for each state and territory to have its own laws governing the implementation of the NCC.

After having examined the matters put to us, we have concluded that their nature and extent are significant and concerning.

But legislation alone will not improve building quality in the ACT. Industry must continue to lead the discussion about improving building quality, and it must also lead by example.

Of the approximately 4,000 licensed builders in the ACT, 12% are members of Master Builders ACT.

Before becoming a member of Master Builders ACT, prospective members must be nominated by two existing members, approved by their relevant sector council, and approved by the full MBA Executive Committee. Upon joining, members agree to abide by the MBA Code of Conduct, and are subject to ongoing adherence to the Code by their clients, the general public, other members, and the MBA Executive Committee. These members are leaders in our industry, and have all made a commitment to quality and excellence in the construction industry.

For building quality in the ACT to improve our industry leaders must continue to demonstrate best practice, all license holders must be held accountable to public and legislative standards, and government must continue to improve building legislation to ensure it reflects community and industry standards.