The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) welcomes the NSW Government response to the Legislative Council Public Accountability Committee’s inquiry report into Regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes.

NECA is heartened that several recommendations of the Committee have already been adopted by the government, while others have received in-principle support. However, there are other matters the government response does not fully address, and NECA will continue to advocate for measures relating to the electrical contracting sector (and safety in the construction industry generally) are adopted.

Proper oversight of the construction industry by government – on matters of compliant building products, appropriate licensing and regulation standards, and through simple and efficient compliance regimes – is critical to the success of the industry and to the health and safety of contractors, property owners, and their assets.

Oliver Judd, Executive Director and NECA spokesperson said:

“The NSW Government’s response to the report delivers progress toward the standards we would like to see implemented across the construction sector, but there’s still work to be done.

“As the peak body for the electrical and communications contracting sector in Australia, NECA is well placed to take a lead role in supporting the government to work with industry in addressing key recommendations and build confidence in the NSW building and construction sector.

“NECA welcomes the government’s early action to ensure the Office of the Building Commissioner is appropriately resourced, with a clear outline of the powers of the Commissioner and his workplan made publicly available.

“NECA is pleased the government has acted to clarify the meaning of a ‘defect’ to give greater certainty to homeowners and to contractors, and that it has moved to mandate online lodgement of all documents relating to construction projects through the NSW Planning Portal to ensure a single point of access.

“While the government says it supports NECA’s recommendation to establish a statutory industry advisory committee to guide the Building Commission, and has noted NECA’s call to not proceed with the Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019 until draft regulations are developed in consultation with stakeholders and scrutinised by Parliament, these are yet to occur.

“NECA looks forward to continuing to work closely with government to address and resolve issues faced by the building and construction sector.”

A copy of NECA’s submission to the Committee’s inquiry into the Regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes is available here.

ENDS