Building Commission NSW has completed its first regional inspection blitz of the year, visiting sites along the state’s South Coast to ensure electrical, plumbing and general compliance are up to scratch.
Since the establishment of Building Commission NSW as a dedicated regulator in December 2023, the Minns Labor Government has cracked down on irresponsible operators, prioritising enforcement and compliance to rebuild confidence in the building sector.
As part of its regional compliance campaign, Building Commission NSW visited both active sites and occupied homes in the Batemans Bay, Bega and Rosedale areas.
Inspectors visited 54 active construction sites to carry out both general and electrical inspections, as well as focussing on licensing. In addition, inspectors visited 62 homes to inspect solar and battery installations and another 47 homes for inspections on Hot Water Heat Pump system installations.
While compliance on the South Coast was encouraging overall, Building Commission NSW handed out 47 Written Direction Notices for electrical and plumbing issues it identified during inspections.
Building Commission NSW also issued 10 Penalty Infringement Notices, which are fast-tracked, on-the-spot fines. These were for a range of electrical, licencing and general compliance issues identified during the blitz.
Many of the fines issued during the campaign were for licensing issues, including carrying out work without the appropriate licence or subcontracting work to an unlicensed person.
Holding the correct licence is a legal requirement for builders completing residential works and helps ensure they possess the correct skills and training, as well as allowing homeowners insurance.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build stronger communities with better-quality homes across NSW. By backing qualified professionals, enforcing stronger regulations, and taking action where it matters, we’re restoring trust and confidence in the building market.
Homeowners are reminded to ensure a contractor is licenced prior to handing over any money using the NSW Government’s Verify NSW website at: https://verify.licence.nsw.gov.au
