Government crackdown on local building sector


Released 25/06/2019

The ACT Government has continued its crackdown on dodgy developers and builders with increased levels of enforcement and compliance activity on building sites around the Territory.

Minister for Building Quality Improvement Gordon Ramsay said industry has been clearly put on notice that the Government would not tolerate building work that was not of a high standard – and neither would the community.

“Buying, building or renovating a property is one of life’s biggest investments, and our community can rightly expect that the building work is of a high standard and built to stand the test of time,” Minister Ramsay said.

“I’ve made it clear that there is no place in the ACT for those in the industry who cut corners, deliver poor quality or non-compliant work, flout necessary approvals or do not rectify issues that might emerge.”

Minister Ramsay said that since 1 July 2018 Access Canberra building inspectors had undertaken 793 building inspections and assessments as well as additional 24,282 electrical; 3139 solar; 817 plumbing; 1779 gas and 3241 drainage checks.

“I expect that the number of building inspections will increase this coming financial year with eight new rapid response officers funded in the ACT Budget expected to boost capacity for another 1000 building inspections,” he said.

“This is good news for our community as it means more boots on the ground and an active presence on building sites to support compliance.”

Minister Ramsay said there had been a number of high profile enforcement actions taken in the last 12 months such as the stopping of work on a major site in Bruce as relevant approvals were not in place and 17 stop work notices in Gungahlin.

Total enforcement activity since 1 July 2018:

Action

Number

What this means

Rectification Orders

3

This is a direction to a contractor to fix a building quality issue

Stop Work Notices

28

Works must stop on a building site unless authorised by the Registrar

Direction To Undertake Building Work

10

The owner of a building is ordered to fix an issue

Demerit Points for Construction Licensees

181

Demerit points are issued against the licence of a construction practitioner for non-compliant activity

Controlled Activity Orders

7

Orders which require development approval to be sought or the demolition of unapproved building works

“This ongoing enforcement activity, combined with enhanced information for industry and the community, the implementation of reforms such as builder licence exams and the $8.9 million investment in the ACT Budget will continue to support improvements in building quality in the ACT.”

- Statement ends -

Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Anton Gallacher

(02) 6205 3795

0422 574 108

anton.gallacher@act.gov.au


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