New building watchdog in place

Queensland now has a new building industry regulator with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) officially replacing the Building Services Authority.  

Housing Minister Tim Mander said the creation of the QBCC was part of the Newman Government’s election commitment to grow the construction industry as one of the pillars of the Queensland economy.

“The QBCC was formed after a Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into the operations of the BSA recommended the formation of a new regulator,” Mr Mander said.

“Queensland needs a building watchdog that properly reflects the importance of the sector to the state’s economy.”

The new organisation will be run by a professional governing board that will work with a yet-to-be-named Commissioner and will be responsible for licensing contractors, dispute resolution and the Home Warranty Scheme, with internal divisions firewalled from each other to prevent any conflict of interest.

Licensees can continue to operate using their current BSA licence cards and a QBCC licence card will be issued at the next renewal date. For ease of transition, licence classes and renewal dates will not change.

The QBCC website is www.qbcc.qld.gov.au and its contact number is 1300 272 272.

Online enquiries can be made to the QBCC at info@qbcc.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 2 December 2013

Media contact: Martin Kennedy 0407 643 998