Building standards inquiry: certifiers under scrutiny after Mascot Tower fiasco
Building certifiers have hit back at what they say are misguided attempts to target them in the wake of the Mascot Towers and Opal Tower scandals.
State politicians last week announced a parliamentary inquiry into building standards after the cracking and evacuation of the Mascot and Olympic Park unit blocks.
The upper house public accountability committee will examine the role of private certifiers, consumer protection and other issues.
Public submissions will be accepted until July 28 and hearings held in August.
However the facts showed private certifiers were not responsible for the Mascot or Opal situations, the director of a Sydney certifier said.
Building Certificates Australia director Robin Howard obtained the occupation certificate for Mascot Towers.
The former Botany Bay Council issued the certificate in 2008, which effectively said the complex was of good standard and people could safely live there.
While engineers are still to identify what caused Mascot Towers’ problems, the council’s involvement means a private certifier cannot be blamed.
Mr Howard also noted the government report on Opal Tower’s failings did not blame the certifiers.
The authors did however recommend independent engineers certify major projects as part of their recommendations.
Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig said the government should seriously consider returning to councils the sole responsibility for building approvals and stop private certifiers’ involvement.
He said council certifiers were independent, while private ones were paid by developers.
Mr Howard said private certifiers had become the scapegoat for the state government’s failings.
The government in 1998 allowed private certifiers to issue approvals due to complaints about council officials taking too long.
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