BMF announces the appointment of experts to examine building compliance and enforcement problems

The Building Ministers' Forum (BMF) announced on August 29, 2017 the appointment of two experts to lead an examination into compliance and enforcement problems in the Australian construction sector. 

Professor Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir will assess issues affecting the implementation of the National Construction Code (NCC). 

Professor Shergold is the Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, and in 2014 led an independent review of government processes for the development and implementation of large public programmes and projects. 

Bronywn Weir is a partner at Maddocks law firm and a legal expert in building and construction. 

"This is a very encouraging move to address the compliance and enforcement problems in the Australian building industry," said Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) CEO Scott Williams. 

"As a nation we have invested heavily into nationally consistent standards, codes and education, but we still have non-compliant building outcomes. Compliance is one of the biggest challenges the industry faces." 

"The Association continues to advocate that products, people and enforcement are the three essential pillars needed to achieve quality outcomes in fire protection. Ms Weir and Professor Shergold's work will be a significant step towards helping understand the challenges the industry faces and making necessary recommendations that will lead to better quality and more compliant buildings outcomes, and we look forward to supporting them."

 Image sourced from Flickr cc: Nicolas Nova