NT government to undertake major building industry reform program, releases slew of discussion papers

NEW laws to protect Territorians against shonky builders are being constructed, with the government revealing a slew of proposed reforms

NEW laws to protect Territorians against shonky builders are being constructed, with the government revealing a slew of proposed reforms.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said the government’s building reform discussion papers, released on Thursday, will protect Territorians against poor workmanship and ensure compensation pathways are strengthened.

The government hopes to make the “first tranche” of reforms, built on the back of a national construction industry compliance and oversight inquiry from 2017, law by the end of the year.

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Proposed changes include increasing fines for offending builders, introducing registration for commercial builders and putting in place third-party reviews of the structural design of complex buildings.

The government has also proposed growing its capacity to undertake physical building audits and establishing a framework for ongoing professional development for those in the industry.

Master Builders NT's Dave Malone, M+J Builders owner Michael "Mick" Buckley, and Minister Eva Lawler at a construction site in Stuart Park discussing new building reforms. Picture: Mitch Drescher/ NT Govt

At the moment, commercial builders in the NT do not have to be registered to construct apartment buildings taller than three-storeys, with recent revelations of transfer slab failures and other defects highlighting the NT’s building compliance shortcomings.

Consultation on the reforms will go for a month.

Ms Lawler said the government is also considering increasing the civil penalties for disciplinary action taken against shonky builders by the Building Practitioners Board.

The Minister also said she was open to bringing in a construction oversight body with more teeth.

“Once we start this work … I think we will need to look at some of the governance structures (that exist),” she said.

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“At the moment … finding a solution or making sure that you actually can get a fix or an upgrade to your building is a bit confusing.”

Master Builders NT boss Dave Malone said it had been 20 years since the NT last reformed its building laws and the industry body was “supportive” of the government’s agenda.

Michael Buckley, owner of award-winning Territory company M+J Builders, said the reforms were a “no-brainer” if they worked to protect the consumer and the builder’s reputation.