'Expect to see me in your site shed', new building commissioner warns industry

The freshly appointed NSW Building Commissioner has warned the state's construction industry that he will be watching their moves very closely.

Construction industry expert David Chandler, who was appointed to the role by Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Thursday, said the industry had "a culture of trying to avoid accountability".

"My single message would be for people in the industry who think you might go unobserved for the very near future, expect to see me in your site shed sometime soon," Mr Chandler said.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler (centre) with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson at NSW Parliament House.Credit: Joel Carrett

Ms Berejiklian said Mr Chandler's role would involve "driving critical reforms" in the construction industry.

"David has more than 40 years' industry experience, which will be invaluable as we move to restore confidence in the building and construction industry," she said.

The reforms include legislation to be introduced to NSW Parliament later this year which will require building practitioners to be registered and will make it easier for home owners to seek compensation against negligent operators.

Mr Chandler will serve for a two-year term and will be paid an annual salary between $337,000 and $475,000.

The announcement comes after Labor leader Jodi McKay has repeatedly called on the government to fill the role and "ensure they are resourced, and ensure they have the power to be there."

But Mr Chandler said he didn't envision reforms to the industry as involving "another sea change of legislation", but rather an "exposure exercise" of the existing compliance regime.

"I don't think we need a lot of legislation. Perhaps the most important piece to me will be the right of entry and the right to call up documents," he said.

"The regulations already tell what you have to do and, if you've signed a construction contract, that contract tells you what you have to do."

But he added that the state of the construction industry, which has been under intense scrutiny amid several evacuations of defective buildings, "was not as bad as some of the media has made it out to be."

"You can be sure that what will get me out of bed every day will be to try and turn the perception of this industry around," Mr Chandler said.

Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said Mr Chandler was the "standout" candidate from a pool of 22 applicants.

"He has the breadth of knowledge and in-depth deep-dive we need to be able to get this industry back on track," Mr Anderson said.

Engineers Australia urged the new commissioner to implement the recommendations of the landmark 2018 report by former senior public servant Peter Shergold and lawyer Bronwyn Weir.

The report's recommendation included a registration system for building practitioners, including engineers, builders, plumbers, and fire safety practitioners.

“Only urgent action will restore confidence in the building and construction sector and today’s announcement is a positive sign that the NSW government is serious about reform,” chief executive Peter McIntyre said.

Mr Chandler, an adjunct professor at Western Sydney University, worked as the construction director of Parliament House in Canberra during the 1980s. He was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his services to the industry in 1989.