State government to chase builders through under new cladding legislation
Up to 500 buildings laced with dangerous combustible cladding are set to be repaired over the coming years, as a new bill is introduced to allow the state government to hold dodgy builders accountable.
VIC News
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Dodgy builders would be pursued through the courts to cover the cost of removing dangerous cladding under new laws to be introduced by the Andrews Government.
A bill to be tabled in parliament today will give the state government the power to launch legal action in cases where it has to pay for the cost of fixing buildings with combustible material.
It is expected it will take up to five years to complete the scheme which will target up to 500 buildings.
Damages paid out from the court cases will then go back into the $600 million cladding rectification program.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said money for the program was already being spent.
“Cladding Safety Victoria is up and going at the moment, and they are dealing with the first tranche of 15 buildings,” he said.
“We would expect at full capacity they’ll be doing about 100 a year.
“We’re saving owners the time, hassle and expense of chasing dodgy builders through the courts.
“These apartment owners find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own. They shouldn’t have to deal with the cost and stress that court action can mean — so we’re pursuing wrongdoers on their behalf.”
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The legislation also introduces a new building permit levy which will deliver half of the funds needed for the rectification program.
“We expect to collect that $300 million through the levy over the next three to four years, and that is supplemented by the 300 million that we’ve got in the budget,” Mr Wynne said.
In February, consultants were asked to foot most of the compensation bill for the 2014 Lacrosse Tower fire in Docklands.