THE West Australian State Government has moved a step closer to removing layers of red tape and outdated legislation with the establishment of a Building Commission.
WA Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts said the Building Commission of Western Australia would simplify administration by consolidating building regulation into a single entity.
“The building and construction industry is at full stretch supporting WA’s booming economy. Multi-layered regulation by several different Government agencies only serves to slow down processes and add inefficiency to what should be a straightforward part of building.
“The Building Commission will deliver more efficient and consistent registration of architects, builders, building surveyors, painters, plumbers and contracts adjudicators by supporting each registration board with a single administrative base. The commission will also manage building and technical standards as well as determining the skills and experience needed for registration of practitioners,” she added.
The Building Commission of Western Australia will combine the Building Industry Development directorate of the Department of Housing and Works, building industry functions from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Builders Registration Board and the Painters Registration Board. The Plumbers Licensing Board will also be considered for inclusion within the commission.
As a first step, the Builders Registration Act, Painters Registration Act and the Home Building Contracts Act, which have until now been administered by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, will be moved to the Housing and Works portfolio.
The Builders Registration Board and the Painters Registration Board will continue to operate as normal pending the next step of the Building Commission formation process.
Roberts said the building and construction industry will have a single source for information on standards, contracts and payment disputes with a greater capacity for research and development in the building industry.
“Rather than have to deal with a range of departments, boards and registries, consumers will also have a one-stop shop for information and complaints that has broad coverage and the ability to deal equally with design, construction and contract issues,” she added.
Master Builders Association director Michael McLean said by consolidating a range of regulatory processes that were spread across various agencies into a one-stop-shop, and adding to that services to consumers as well as research and development, the commission will be able to take a lead role for the construction industry in WA.
Australian Property Journal
