BSA TO ESTABLISH REBUILDING COORDINATION CENTRE

The Queensland Building Services Authority will open a Mackay Rebuilding Coordination Centre on Monday to help residents rebuild flood damaged homes, Housing Minister Robert Schwarten announced today.

“An eight member taskforce, comprising staff from the BSA’s offices in Mackay and Brisbane, will staff the coordination centre from Monday helping streamline the rebuilding process by co-ordinating builders to undertake repairs.

“It will be a 'one stop shop' for anyone needing assistance with rebuilding or repairing their flood damaged homes.

“Builders and tradespeople available to assist with repair work will be able to register their services with the MRCC and home owners can visit the MRCC to seek independent insurance advice.”

Mr Schwarten said the BSA had a proven track record in helping rebuild communities after natural disasters.

“The BSA played an integral role in helping rebuild Innisfail after Cyclone Larry and its General Manager, Ian Jennings, will be in Mackay from tomorrow working with other government agencies in helping get this community back on its feet,” he said.

Mr Schwarten warned homeowners affected by recent flooding to be on their guard against unlicensed building contractors.

He said unlicensed contracting, particularly after a natural disaster, was a major concern.

“After any form of natural disaster in which homes are damaged consumers will be approached by people offering building services,” Mr Schwarten said.

“Some of these people will be unlicensed and they may attempt to take advantage of those who have come to grief.

“Because dealing with such people may expose you to poor workmanship, the BSA recommends residents be very cautious before engaging anyone to work on your home.”

Mr Schwarten said victims of unlicensed operators may find their insurer will not indemnify them for the cost of the unlicensed building work, which is why the BSA urges home owners to only engage BSA-licensed tradesmen.

“The BSA recommend the use of a licensed contractor even for small jobs because the licence indicates that the contractor has met certain minimum standards which will result in the consumer getting a better job done,” he said.

“Under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991, all builders, building designers and trade contractors must be licensed to carry out building work.

“All building work performed in Queensland must either be carried out by a licensed contractor or by an owner builder. Queensland has the most rigorous regulatory framework of any state, designed to provide the best possible protection for our consumers.”

To obtain a BSA licence, certain financial, experience, technical and managerial standards have to be met. BSA is responsible for assessing licence applications, issuing licenses, and ensuring that licensees continue to meet the required standards.

“Building work around the home valued at more than $1100 requires a BSA licence. This applies to a range of trades including painting,” he said.

“When you use a BSA-licensed contractor for construction of a home or major alterations or extensions, you are protected under BSA’s Statutory Home Warranty Scheme, which provides protection against non-completion of the work covered by the contract; defective construction and subsidence or settlement of the building.”

Members of the public wanting to check if a contractor holds a BSA licence can conduct a free on-line licence search on BSA’s website at www.bsa.qld.gov.au or call BSA’s Customer Contact Centre on 1300 272 272 and have a search performed for you.

BSA also publishes a “Disaster Recovery Kit” which provides useful information for people affected by natural disasters. This can be downloaded from the Consumers section of BSA’s website.

BSA’s Mackay office is at 25 River Street, Mackay, phone 1300 272 272.


Media contact: Minister’s office: (07) 3237 1832
BSA Media: (07) 3404 3027