“It’s completely understandable that fires at the Grenfell Tower in the UK and the Lacrosse building in Victoria have highlighted the importance of a regulatory system that has the confidence of both the community and the building industry,” she said.
“As Master Builders has consistently said, the challenge is to make more effective the extensive and robust regulatory regime that ensures the safe use of building products,” Denita Wawn said.
“This is fundamentally the responsibility of government. But requires a concerted effort from all those in the building and construction supply chain,” she said.
“A National Taskforce established by Master Builders and comprised of experts from across Australia is progressing policy reforms that support quality and safety of our homes, workplaces, hospitals and other public buildings,” Denita Wawn said.
“Master Builders has been calling for a range of reforms that applies to the whole building supply chain. This includes the need for a centrally administered building product certification system with clear, accessible information and improved rigor and enforcement of the current regulations,” she said.
“Ensuring that everyone in the construction chain – manufacturers, designers, importers, wholesalers, regulators and builders – has access to clear, consistent and readily available (and reliable) information about building products will assist to reduce the incidence of them being used in a non-compliant way,” Denita Wawn said.
“Master Builders welcomes the coordinated effort being made through the Building Ministers Forum to improve regulatory settings, including its expert review of current compliance and enforcement arrangements,” she said.
“Some of the responses by government so far include draft amendments to the National Construction Code around fire safety and the online information hub established by the Australian Building Codes Board,” Denita Wawn said.
“Master Builders will continue to advocate for solutions that ensure public confidence in the safety and quality of our built environment which are consistent, fair and practical,” Denita Wawn said.
