QBCC reform hits the mark

Queensland is developing the nation's best building regulator with new powers and a new approach implemented at the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.

Minister for Housing and Public Works, Mick de Brenni, said strong compliance action was also one of the highlights from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s (QBCC) 2016-2017 Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today.

“The LNP set up the QBCC to fail and we are making it effective,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The Commission’s new proactive approach is clearly starting to pay dividends which is good news for both licencees and homeowners.

“Since the new Board was instated in December 2016 we have seen a real focus on maintaining standards in the industry, which is what the community expects.

“Other highlights from the last financial year include the creation of the Service Trades Council, an independent statutory authority created to provide advice to the me and the QBCC Commissioner about issues relating to, or affecting the service trades within the industry.

“It formally commenced on 4 August 2016 and was given instructions to strengthen Queensland’s plumbing and drainage, air-conditioning, fire protection and mechanical service industries.

“The Building and Tradie Assistance Register is another highlight for the industry, established to help with rebuilding efforts after Cyclone Debbie. Between 6 and 12 April 2017, 796 tradies and 448 building certifiers registered to help provide assistance for home owners affected by the cyclone.”

ENDS

Media contact: Tristan Douglas 0447 164 197

Other highlights from the QBCC’s 2016-17 Annual Report:

• In the last financial year, there were 347 investigations for non-payment of debts, which resulted in 102 licence suspensions and 39 cancellations. Other audits saw a further 101 licences suspended and 56 cancelled.
• There were another 484 financial audits which resulted in 23 licences being cancelled for not meeting the Minimum Financial Requirements Policy.
• The QBCC was involved in 43 prosecution and disciplinary cases, which resulted in fines of $416,456.
• During the last financial year, more than 4,500 compliance interviews were conducted across 1,293 Queensland work sites. This resulted in 74 cases of suspected unlicensed contracting and 17 builders caught engaging unlicensed contractors for building work.
• In the 2016-2017 financial year, there were 5,342 demerit points for offences issued, up from 1,842 the previous financial year.
• There were 85 companies and 123 individuals whose licences were cancelled for their involvement in a financial failure. There were a further 33 individuals who were permanently excluded for their involvement in a second financial failure, and 15 licences were immediately suspended due to insolvent trading or other serious risk.
• Queensland Home Warranty Scheme insurance – we processed 105,256 policies - we approved a total of $45.1 million in insurance claims which included $22.1 million for defect claims, $17 million for non-completion claims and $6 million for subsidence claims.
• Building and Construction Industry Payments Act claims: Total value of claims $110.4 million and the average value of claims was $179,935.
• Pool safety: As at 30 June 2017 there were 364,496 pools on the Pool Safety Register, an increase in 3% from previous year.
• As at 30 June 2017, 35,490 pool safety certificates were issued. 
• Complex Licensing Panel established under the Plumbing and Drainage Act to assess complex licence applications, in particular those received from immigrant plumbers, to maintain the integrity of Queensland's robust licensing system. 
• New online Notifiable Work system released in April this year to make it easier for licensees to lodge their paperwork with the QBCC.