Page 1768 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
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in relation to the lack of transition in the ACT for new provisions. Master Plumbers Australia and the National Fire Industry Association wrote to me seeking further clarity about how new fire sprinkler provisions would be applied in the ACT, including the resolution of the interaction between the plumbing and the building systems.
That is why I delayed the introduction of the code to 1 September. When it became apparent that not all stakeholders had been adequately consulted on the decision, I asked for urgent advice from EPSDD on whether we could bring this forward for at least some less controversial or less significant amendments. As a result of listening to that further consultation with the many stakeholders involved in the industry, I have brought forward the implementation of all other provisions, with the ability to use either the 2016 or the 2019 code until 1 September on measures regarding fire sprinklers and condensation.
The sprinkler provisions, while important, include changes to practices across both building and plumbing design and installation. We want to manage any potential risks and make sure that the specifications take into account our local plumbing and our firefighting requirements. This is a matter of detail that we need to ensure is done correctly. We also have an interest in improving energy efficiency and building sealing, which can affect the management of condensation in buildings in the ACT. So we are considering further guidance for industry for situations where the risk of condensation is high.
We will work tirelessly to improve the quality of buildings across the territory. That is why we undertook a thorough review of the framework, which resulted in the comprehensive reform package. The system includes a process of stages of construction, all requiring checks and compliance with standards. It includes inspection stages and a regulatory system for oversight and enforcement and for the protection of building owners. It requires that building work is adequately supervised by a qualified and a licensed person. Our reform program is making sure that this system operates as a system and as intended.
To date we have made a series of legislative amendments giving new powers to the construction occupations registrar and increasing protections for building owners. We have introduced provisions that will help prevent licensees avoiding their obligations and starting up another licence. We have also expanded statutory warranties to all new residential buildings in the ACT, regardless of their height and scale. We have also created a public register of information about licensees so that anyone who is thinking about engaging someone to do construction work will be able to see if any actions have been taken against them in the last 10 years.
We recently introduced exams for applicants for class A and B licences to make sure that people understand the obligations of a licensee before they are granted a licence. A similar assessment for building surveyors is in development, as well as an online training course for building surveyors on the ACT regulatory system and the role and obligations of a building certifier. Completing the assessment and the course will become mandatory for new building surveyor licence applicants.
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