Cowboy developers face up to 5 years jail with Building Act reform

COWBOY developers who illegally demolish buildings will face up to five years in jail for flouting building laws in Victoria.

COWBOY developers who illegally demolish buildings will face up to five years in jail for flouting building laws in Victoria.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne warned “this behaviour is just not on’’ when he unveiled the proposed changes to the Building Act on 3AW this morning.

The move comes after a brazen operator bulldozed the Corkman Irish pub in Carlton despite not obtaining the appropriate permits.

The demolition also occurred despite a heritage overlay on the building facade and there was asbestos found at the site.

“There has been wilful behaviour by a cowboy developers like this who essentially snub their nose at planning and building laws,’’ Mr Wynne said.

The laws will not be retrospective but Mr Wynne said it will stop rogue operators from flouting the laws in the future

The Carlton incident is still under investigation by Worksafe, the City of Melbourne and the EPA.

A VCAT case against the developer is ongoing and if the tribunal rules in favour of the government and council, an enforcement order would require a rebuild in line with the design, scale and layout of the demolished building.

Originally published as Cowboy developers face up to 5 years jail with Building Act reform