Thursday, 2 May 2019

Council building inspectors

In reply to Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (20 March 2019)

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Resources):

Victoria continues to lead other states in its commitment to dealing with systemic factors which led to cladding risks. The government is implementing the Taskforce’s recommendations, which include consideration of improvements to the current private surveyor model. There are a range of ideas for dealing with this complex issue which will require ongoing commitment and careful analysis.

The government has recognised that there is a lack of clarity about the regulatory responsibilities of state and local government particularly in relation to building works where a private building surveyor has been appointed. This issue was identified by the Victorian Cladding Taskforce established by the government very shortly after the tragic Grenfell disaster in July 2017, which delivered recommendations through its Interim Report in November 2017.

In considering these issues, we must remember that building system challenges are nation-wide and require a national response. In April last year, the Minister for Planning welcomed Professor Peter Shergold AC and Ms Bronwyn Weir’s final report to the Building Ministers’ Forum assessing the broader compliance and enforcement problems within the building and construction systems across Australia. The report emphasised the need to comprehensively address any potential conflicts of interest arising from the system that is in place and ensure greater regulatory oversight of the inspection regime adopted by jurisdictions.

In relation to development in activity centres, in September 2018 the Minister for Planning released findings of the Activity Centre Pilot Program and amended Practice Notes relating to the application of mandatory height controls in activity centres by councils. This updated guidance will assist the assessment of future planning scheme amendments proposing building height controls in activity centres.