Reforming the Northern Territory’s building legislation to ensure confidence in the construction industry is moving into its next phase, which includes consideration of the role of a Building Commissioner to oversee the industry.
Building licensing, regulation and dispute resolution processes are currently administered by three separate Government departments.
A consultant will be appointed to make recommendations to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics on current governance and oversight arrangements and to propose a model suitable for the Northern Territory’s context.
This project, including the possibility of the role of a Building Commissioner, continues the vital work of building reform in the Northern Territory.
Previous improvements in the reform of the Territory’s building legislation include increasing penalty provisions and independent third party review of structural designs for significant complex buildings, as well as progress towards the introduction of commercial builder licensing and mandatory continuing professional development for building practitioners.
More reforms to licensing, regulation and dispute resolution, and determining whether that is best administered by a Building Commissioner or an alternate model, will streamline processes and improve protections for Territorians.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:
“For our building industry to be robust and delivering for Territorians, effective licensing and regulation of building practitioners is critical.
“The systems we have in place need to be responsive and deal effectively with any conduct that is unsatisfactory for the benefit of all Territorians.
“As part of the review we will examine whether an administrative model overseen by a Building Commissioner would improve governance and efficiency outcomes for all licensing, regulation and dispute resolution processes in the building industry.”
Quotes attributable to Master Builders Chief Executive Officer, Ben Carter:
“This review is a positive step that can take us closer to a licensing and regulatory ecosystem that will provide confidence and certainty for consumers, clients, builders and the other parties in the building supply chain.
“A fit for purpose framework of building industry reforms will underpin trust in the Territory’s built environment.
“The industry looks forward to constructively contributing to the review.”
Northern Territory Government
