2023-11-30
The ACT Government is supporting better building quality and safety, by boosting regulation of building, electrical, gas fitting and plumbing works.
Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said it is important to continually improve the ACT’s building regulatory system for it to remain effective, respond to emerging issues, give greater choice and protection for the community and increase safety.
“The Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will be passed by the Legislative Assembly today, introduces a range of new requirements for industry professionals to meet, which will improve accountability and standards in the ACT building and construction sector,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“This includes new licensing requirements for installation of medical gas and renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar. These measures will make sure systems are installed correctly, and safely, by appropriately qualified and licensed professionals to keep the community safe.
“The Bill includes improvements to support the timely payment of contractors to ensure financial security for those working within the industry.
“Amendments to improve the quality and safety of electrical work undertaken in the ACT are also included. Electrical installations that have sat idle for six months or longer will need to be inspected, tested and passed by an inspector. In addition, electrical inspectors will have the ability to assess whether an installation is becoming unsafe and act at this point.
“The need for a regulatory framework for medical gas systems stems from two incidents in New South Wales where infants were administered nitrous oxide instead of oxygen in a hospital, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.
“This is an unfortunate series of events, and this legislation is being passed as a preventative measure in the ACT.
“We will continue to monitor and evaluate our building rules to make sure they are fit-for-purpose and are responding to new and emerging issues in the building and construction industry.”
For more information about the amendments contained in the Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Act 2023 and its commencement, visit the Build, Buy, Renovate website.