The QBCC will host a free seminar in Toowoomba this afternoon to highlight common building defects

It’s one of the most common building defects seen by Queensland Building and Construction Commission inspectors around the state. Now they’re hosting a free seminar about the issue.

The state’s building regulator is rolling out free seminars across Queensland, including one

in Toowoomba, to help upskill tradies on one of the most frequently seen building defects.

Amid a building boom, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission is

joining with industry experts to deliver the events on internal linings and plasterboard

defects, which consistently feature in the top 10 defects seen by QBCC inspectors.

Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni said the QBCC will provide free

information sessions for Toowoomba tradies, especially those small businesses in self-certifying categories 1 and 2, to make sure that they have the tools they need to benefit

from this building boom.

“QBCC Tradie Tours are filling up fast and I’d encourage tradies to book now and secure

themselves a ticket however a spot will be made for every single licensee who needs

assistance,” he said.

“The Queensland Parliament has given the QBCC stronger powers to help it oversee and

enforce compliance with the financial framework to protect both homeowners and tradies,

and is working with industry to promote awareness and understanding of the reforms.

“Already, Minimum Financial Requirement reporting has seen $1.2 billion of working capital

injected into the Queensland Building and Construction industry last year,” Mr de Brenni

said.

Following on from each plasterboard seminar at each of the statewide locations, the QBCC

will also be helping licensees lodge their compulsory annual financial reporting.

QBCC Commissioner Brett Bassett said the seminars would provide an overview of the

reporting process and tips on avoiding common mistakes when lodging financial reports.

“The seminars will explain financial reporting for licensees in self-certifying categories 1

and 2, who are required to lodge their information by March 31,” Mr Bassett said.

“The requirement of annual financial reporting is designed to help ensure the financial

sustainability of the industry.

“These requirements are designed to reduce financial failure, liquidations and bankruptcy

within the industry, and ensure that people are paid for their work.”

QBCC figures for 2018 showed 279 contractor insolvencies in Queensland, which translated

to about three contractor insolvencies per 1,000 licences.

In 2019, 221 insolvencies equated to about two-and-a-half insolvencies per 1000 licences,

and in 2020, the 95 contractor insolvencies comprised roughly one contractor insolvency per

1000 licences.

The QBCC 2019-2020 Annual Report said there were 5,715 licensees in the Toowoomba

region.

Meanwhile, QBCC data for October-December 2020 shows zero insolvency in the

Toowoomba region during that period.

The Tradie Tour seminar is in Toowoomba on March 2 at the City Golf Club from 4pm to 7.45pm.

To register attendance visit the Events page on the QBCC website.