Master Builders supports introduction of Building Bill 2016
16 March 2016
MBT welcomes the introduction of the Building Bill into Parliament today.
This key piece of legislation almost completes the government’s building legislative reform process.
Mr Kerschbaum, MBT’s Executive Director said, “MBT is confident that the reforms will provide a simpler framework for residential builders to operate within. One of the key benefits of the new legislation is the introduction of a notifiable work category. This category will allow some projects which currently require building and plumbing permits, to go through a simplified, quicker approval process which will ultimately save clients’ money and time. Critically the new process will still provide checks and balances so that consumers are still protected.”
Mr Kerschbaum continued “Overall the level of consultation on the draft Bills has been excellent and industry is comfortable that these Bills will deliver the reforms that it has been seeking over the last five years or so. After more than 10 years in operation the current Building Act has served its purpose. There is a need for a new Act that addresses the changes that have occurred in the past decade and is more relevant to today’s industry.”
Mr Kerschbaum concluded “MBT believes that this Bill will address some of the inconsistencies and shortcomings of the current Act. For instance, office fit-outs are required to go through a full building permit process before work can commence. This is an absurd outcome and a waste of everyone’s time. A basic fit-out should go through a simplified process, not the same one that MYER has to follow.”
For further comment contact Michael Kerschbaum (w) 6210 2000 or (m) 0438 343 810
