Building Commission NSW has inspected more than 100 building sites from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads as part of a blitz operation aimed at lifting construction standards in the home building industry.
Operation Broadwater saw inspectors visit Casuarina, Coffs Harbour, Corindi Beach, Cudgen, Cumbalum, Goonellabah, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Moonee Beach, Mullumbimby, Southwest Rocks, Terranora, Toormina, Tweed Heads South, Valla Beach, Woolgoolga and Yamba with a focus on compliance with licensing and signage rules, specialist plumbing and electrical work.
The Commission says that while most builders welcomed inspectors onto site and exhibited high standards of work, the visits saw 35 fines and 40 Written Direction Notices (WDNs) issued for a range of non-compliance issues. This included 23 fines issued for unlicensed work and contracting, as well as another five penalties for incorrect display of signage.
A further five fines were issued for non-compliant plumbing in heat pump installations, and two fines were also issued for non-compliant electrical work on heat pump installations.
“While most tradespeople were doing the right thing, unlicensed work and electrical compliance remain an issue that Building Commission NSW continues to see throughout the state,” said NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard.
“I want to re-iterate to the industry, especially on the Mid North and North Coast, that we take a strong regulatory approach to these issues because they can pose serious risks to homeowners.
“Building Commission NSW will continue to undertake proactive inspections and engagement across the state to support a fair, compliant and safe residential construction industry in NSW.”
The main issues covered by WDNs issued by inspectors were for missing Safety Data Sheets for battery systems (26), inadequate main switch labelling (16) and insufficient signage detailing battery system voltage and currents (11).
Since it was established as the dedicated regulator in 2023, Building Commission NSW has prioritised proactive, targeted enforcement action around issues like these to protect homeowners and raise industry standards.
“It’s fantastic to see the North Coast community engaging with Building Commission NSW to deliver high-quality homes in the region,” said Minister for Building, Anoulack Chanthivong.
“Operation Broadwater is one of the biggest compliance campaigns Building Commission NSW has conducted this year, demonstrating the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to lifting standards across the building industry.
“We set up Building Commission NSW in 2023 to do exactly this kind of work – and there has never been a more important time to support local practitioners in their work to build a better NSW.”
Alongside inspections, Building Commission NSW delivered targeted industry seminars in Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads, engaging local tradespeople and contractors.
The seminars focused on licensing and supervision requirements, Home Building Compensation Fund obligations and recent changes to regulatory requirements.
The Commission has further industry seminars planned for this year, visiting Queanbeyan, Dubbo, Bathurst, Port Macquarie / Forster, Albury and back to Tweed Heads / Coffs Harbour.
