NT could soon have commissioner to stamp out dodgy builders

Territory Labor wants to appoint a building commissioner to streamline the sector, but says whoever gets the role should be at arm’s length of government.

The Territory’s building industry could be in for another shake-up with the government considering appointing a building commissioner.

The process will begin with an independent consultant who is expected to report back to government by the end of the year.

Master Builders NT supports appointing a building commissioner to streamline the sector and to bring building licensing, regulation and dispute resolution under the one umbrella.

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said the move was prompted in part by 18 homes built in Bellamack a decade ago under an NT government scheme that left buyers with rusty, defective, uncoded houses.

Damage and dilapidation at homes in Bellamack, Palmerston. Picture: Matt Cunningham

“That is part of the whole equation,” she said.

“We have had incidents where we’ve had defective homes and as minister I have been cleaning up quite substantial messes.

“The large majority of builders do the right thing but we have been tidying up some things behind some of the homes in the Northern Territory.

“As a minister working on building reform it’s become apparent the pathways at times are convoluted and not as clear as they should be.

“You go to one agency to register, another agency around regulation and enforcement and if there’s a dispute you’re going to another agency.”

Ms Lawler said it was crucial for the consultant to be independent and at arm’s length of government.

“We’re making sure it’s done independently so I don’t want somebody in the agencies leading that work, I want it to be fresh eyes.”

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler.

More than half the 18 homes completed under the government’s 2012 affordable housing scheme in Bellamack have since been destroyed.

Residents in others are still waiting for resolution to longstanding issues around the homes.

“You would have a commissioner who’s in an educative role talking to industry and providing education around what we need to see around changes to the national construction code,” Ms Lawler said.

“Going on what happens in other states they could look at enforcement, regulations and if we get to that stage we may need to look at some of the schemes in place at the moment that can be part of the work of the commissioner.”

The Bellamack homes were built as part of a Northern Territory Government affordable housing scheme. Matt Cunningham

Master Builders NT chief executive Ben Carter said the industry supported a strong regulatory regimen.

“The government’s review is a positive move that has the potential to take us closer to achieving this outcome,” he said.

“There must be ample opportunity for industry and other key stakeholders to contribute to what must an independent and expert review process.

“The number one priority must be the appointment of an independent Building Commissioner to oversee the rollout and future evolution of new building regulations.

“As we are seeing in other jurisdictions, an independent Commissioner is proving vital to implementing reforms and shaping a culture that will provide the community with confidence in the buildings that are an integral part of our everyday life.”

The NT government has increased penalties and independent third-party reviews of structural designs and moved towards commercial builder licensing.

Originally published as NT could soon have commissioner to stamp out dodgy builders