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Master Builders suggest ways to improve Canberra’s building standards

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CANBERRA’S Master Builders Association has released a six point plan to boost building quality in the ACT.

“With the release of the Master Builders’ Building Quality Policy Canberra’s builders have reinforced their commitment to a high quality built environment that meets and exceeds the expectations of building owners, occupiers and the community,” Executive Director of Master Builders ACT Kirk Coningham said.

“Urban infill means medium density construction will be an increasing part of the industry here.

“More so than ever before this demands that we stay ahead of new building trends, technologies, techniques and products.

“This includes learning quickly from our mistakes. We’ve made a close study of the defects in some of Canberra’s multi-unit developments, including the high cost of rectification to consumers and contractors. This policy will help our Master Builders get the right result the first time.

“Getting the regulatory balance right will also be essential and Master Builders looks forward to engaging with the ACT Government to advance our Building Quality Policy recommendations,” Kirk said.

Master Builders’ six point building quality plan calls for:

    1. ACT Government to establish a Building Regulatory Advisory Committee (BRAC) to ensure that industry can work closely and constructively with regulators and that the expertise of Canberra’s best building practitioners is put to work.

    2. Implement mandatory targeted professional development training for builders and contractors to ensure they have the necessary skills to deliver the best quality outcomes in an industry experiencing a wave of new technology, products, techniques and trends.

    3. ACT Government to establish a peer review panel for class 2 buildings over two stories (multi-unit developments) leveraging existing industry skills to address issues.

    4. Implement annual training seminars for Master Builders’ members and open to other industry practitioners to boost business management skills and mentoring.

    5. Develop and rollout of a quality control ‘app’ to enhance builders’ document management, compliance, checking and record keeping.

    6. ACT Government to establish a review of the current building certification and inspection system based on Master Builders response to the ACT Government’s Building Quality Report 2010.

“We are absolutely determined that Master Builders will continue to be the premier marque of quality for building and construction in the ACT. The Building Quality Policy is a key platform in Master Builders’ commitment to quality built outcomes for the Canberra community,” Kirk Coningham said.

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One Response to Master Builders suggest ways to improve Canberra’s building standards

Ian McLeod says: 5 May 2015 at 7:08 am

What about ending the lottery system and ability to tie land purchases to dodgy builders? Wouldn’t consumer choice over builders be a far better way to reward the best builders end encourage higher standards?

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