Inquiry: Building quality a high priority


Released 10/04/2019

Every Canberran expects to live in a safe and sustainable home and investors expect to have certainty around the quality and longevity of their investment in ACT buildings.

That is why the ACT Government is taking strong action to improve building quality to get the best outcomes for Canberrans.

The Government recognises that as our city grows, we need to ensure that building work that is occurring around the city complies with both ACT and national building standards.

As part of this work, Minister for Building Quality Improvement Gordon Ramsay today welcomed the start of public hearings for the Legislative Assembly’s inquiry into building quality.

“When I was appointed as Minister for Building Quality I undertook to listen to industry and consumers about how we could build better homes for all stakeholders across the Territory,” Minister Ramsay said.

“Prior to my appointment as Minister for Building Quality Improvement, the Government agreed to hold an inquiry into building quality into the ACT to encourage transparency and inform debate about the next steps forward to improve building quality in Canberra.”

“Once the committee delivers its final report, the Government will consider their recommendations in relation to our already comprehensive reform agenda.”

“Whilst the committee is some way off delivering its final report, the Government is on track with a clear path and program for improving the quality of ACT buildings throughout this parliamentary term.”

A total of 28 of the 43 building agreed building regulatory reforms will be delivered by end of June this year.

This will include new documentation guidelines for building approval applications, and codes of practice for builders and building certifiers.

The depth and breadth of these reforms is substantial and the Government will continue to develop these reforms to ensure the ACT has the highest quality buildings.

In the meantime, we will continue to ensure that our regulatory systems are rigorous and we will continue to stamp out dodgy building works in the ACT.

To find out more on how the government is addressing building quality, please visit: www.planning.act.gov.au

A breakdown of regulatory and enforcement measures are attached.

- Statement ends -

Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases

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