Greater protection for building owners


Released 24/10/2019

Building owners will receive better protection from dodgy builders and developers following the introduction of laws to make company directors personally liable for building defects.

“The amendments will prevent corporations from undermining the system and deliberately avoiding their regulatory obligations by winding up their company” Minister for Building Quality Improvement Gordon Ramsay said.

“There have been instances where building corporations have produced substandard buildings, and when called to account, they have closed their business to leave the cost of rectification to the building owners.

“We’re strengthening our regulatory regime, with new powers to allow rectification orders to be issued to the directors of licensed corporations, and to make directors liable for unpaid financial penalties.

“New provisions will also provide greater safeguards for the community by allowing the Construction Occupations Registrar to publish information about stop notices if necessary or desirable to protect the public.

“These changes are important for the ACT and further support the range of building regulatory reforms already introduced by the ACT Government to improve practices across the building industry.

“The ACT Government has an ongoing commitment to improve building quality so that every Canberran can live and work in safe, high quality buildings.”

Other amendments introduced in the bill are:

  • powers for building inspectors to direct builders and landowners in relation to non-compliant building work
  • provisions that allow people to enter into enforceable actions to rectify work
  • clear requirements for licensed corporations to have an effective system of management.

For more information visit: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/build-buy-renovate/home/welcome

- Statement ends -

Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Anton Gallacher

(02) 6205 3795

0422 574 108

anton.gallacher@act.gov.au


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