Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged home and property owners affected by bushfires to protect themselves and their family during rebuilding works by using a licensed contractor.
The Premier announced in Parliament today the Queensland Building and Construction Commission had established the Bushfire Rebuild Register, listing local licensed contractors ready to carry out repairs to fire damaged properties.
The Bushfire Rebuild Register can be found at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/ where homeowners can search for qualified local, licensed contractors to do whatever work is required.
“Since this bushfire event started there have been 1570 bushfire incidents across the state and 25 Emergency Alert campaigns issued,” the Premier said.
“Our emergency services, volunteers, rangers, Roadtek, QBuild, just to name a few have done an outstanding effort and while homes have been destroyed, there’s been no loss of life.
“We’ve been working to make sure everyone is safe, and they have a secure place to stay. 58 Queenslanders have been offered support through our emergency housing accommodation program.
“We know people are keen to start rebuilding work as soon as possible but unsafe or unlicensed building work could create other problems in the future.
“We will help get communities back on their feet by supporting local tradies to be engaged directly in rebuilding their own neighbourhood.
“I’d urge licensed contractors to sign up to the Bushfire Rebuild Register if they’re able to provide assistance to people needing to rebuild.
“We’re making sure that local licensed tradies are given the opportunity to take on this important work.”
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said by using the register, homeowners could get piece of mind their work was being done by a qualified local tradie.
“Every registered contractor on the Bushfire Rebuild Register has been vetted to ensure they hold the appropriate qualifications for the work they are listed to perform,” Mr de Brenni said.
“On their website, homeowners can also find QBCC-approved contracts, as well as receive security and protection through the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.”
Mr de Brenni said that even when a fire appears to be out, dangerous hazards are often still present, such as asbestos fibres in ashes, damaged electrical wires, smouldering coals, leaking gas and structural faults.
“Even though the immediate fire threat may be passing, exposure to asbestos can still be a very dangerous threat,” he said.
“QBCC officers will continue to be at the disaster recovery centres in Stanthorpe, Canungra and Peregian Beach to provide information and assistance to the public.”
Affected home owners should check the information available on the websites of the QBCC, QGOV and Workplace Health and Safety. If anyone is concerned about any safety issue, they’re urged to contact Workplace Health and Safety.
A free licence search facility on the QBCC website shows what type of work a licensee can do, as well as a full history of the licence.
