Collaborative national approach to improving building safety standards

Building ministers from across the country have established a national response to restricting the use of non-conforming building products.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni lauded the landmark decision as one that will uphold confidence in Queensland’s building industry. 

“For the first time we have a national approach to non-conforming building products,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Australia has arguably some of the best building standards in the world, and nowhere is this more apparent than right here in Queensland.

“At the Building Minister’s forum on the Gold Coast, the Commonwealth, State and territory ministers agreed to work co-operatively, to implement a suite of measures that will address safety issues associated with high risk building products.

“Improving the regulatory framework to enhance the powers of building regulators to respond to instances of non-conforming building products.

“Developing education strategies to better inform consumers will be introduced and building industry participants will share greater responsibilities in the safe use of building products.”

The Victorian Building Authority conducted a sample audit of a small number of buildings, which found that non confirming product use is widespread, but in almost every case, it is identified at the certification stage and rectified.

“The Victorian Building Authority’s findings informed the forum’s outcomes, but in almost all cases the problem is found at the point of building certification,” he said.

“We already have strong checks and balances in place to catch non-conforming building material via the building certification process here in Queensland, however it is creating unnecessary costs and uncertainty for building developers.

“I urge builders to safeguard their projects by using Australian made products that meet Australian standards.

“Further work will continue with the Australian Building Codes Board to review the National Construction Code related to high risk building products.

“The Palaszczuk Government is ensuring confidence is upheld in the building industry and Australia continues its great record of building some of the safest buildings in the world.”

ENDS

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