Ms SACILOTTO - 2006-10-19
Whilst building activity in the Northern Territory continues at record high levels, I understand some builders have missed the cut-off date of 13 June 2006 to be considered for registration under the transitional provisions of the Building Act. Will the minister update the House on what has been done to assist these builders?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, representing the CBD area of Darwin, the member for Port Darwin can see the cranes on the skyline. It is incredible to see the boom that we are undergoing at the moment. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics release shows that there is an overall increase of 18% in building activity, amounting to about $166m. In particular, residential building has increased by 22.5% to $95m; and there is a further $282m of building works to be commenced. This is despite comments by some in the media that the new building industry reforms are putting a brake on building activity.
Provisions relating to registration of builders, particularly of existing residential builders, under transitional provisions commenced on 14 December 2005. Under the transitional provisions, builders had six months in which to apply for registration under the special transitional provisions of the Building Act. The cut-off date for their registration was 13 June 2006. From 3 July, all new residential building work can only be undertaken by residential builders. This is a very welcome change to what was previously a very unregulated industry affecting a lot of mums and dads out there in the suburbs putting their investment into home building that fell over. This is about ensuring that the investors of the Territory get value for their dollar. The associated provisions dealing with mandatory contracts, inspections and enhanced certification requirements also apply from that July date.
However, since then there have been a lot of inquiries about the transitional provisions in terms of registration, with some people claiming to have missed that transitional period. I congratulate my predecessor, the member for Johnston, because he consulted with industry and the Building Practitioners Board, and considered the issue of a short amnesty to capture those people claiming to be builders who, despite a lot of public and industry consultation at the time, claimed they missed the previous amnesty period.
An amnesty period has now commenced. It started on 21 September and will close on 20 November 2006. This is the last chance for people who claim to be builders to apply under the transitional provisions. I urge all people who consider themselves to be in this category of builders but who have not applied for registration to take advantage of this very reasonable amnesty and lodge their application before 20 November this year.
There will be no further amnesty periods. We need a building industry that provides certainty for home owners. The industry itself has called for the type of registration regulation that this government has entered into after significant consultation with both the construction industry and the community more broadly. It is the last amnesty chance. I urge all people who consider themselves builders who fall under this category to submit their application if they have not already done so.
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, representing the CBD area of Darwin, the member for Port Darwin can see the cranes on the skyline. It is incredible to see the boom that we are undergoing at the moment. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics release shows that there is an overall increase of 18% in building activity, amounting to about $166m. In particular, residential building has increased by 22.5% to $95m; and there is a further $282m of building works to be commenced. This is despite comments by some in the media that the new building industry reforms are putting a brake on building activity.
Provisions relating to registration of builders, particularly of existing residential builders, under transitional provisions commenced on 14 December 2005. Under the transitional provisions, builders had six months in which to apply for registration under the special transitional provisions of the Building Act. The cut-off date for their registration was 13 June 2006. From 3 July, all new residential building work can only be undertaken by residential builders. This is a very welcome change to what was previously a very unregulated industry affecting a lot of mums and dads out there in the suburbs putting their investment into home building that fell over. This is about ensuring that the investors of the Territory get value for their dollar. The associated provisions dealing with mandatory contracts, inspections and enhanced certification requirements also apply from that July date.
However, since then there have been a lot of inquiries about the transitional provisions in terms of registration, with some people claiming to have missed that transitional period. I congratulate my predecessor, the member for Johnston, because he consulted with industry and the Building Practitioners Board, and considered the issue of a short amnesty to capture those people claiming to be builders who, despite a lot of public and industry consultation at the time, claimed they missed the previous amnesty period.
An amnesty period has now commenced. It started on 21 September and will close on 20 November 2006. This is the last chance for people who claim to be builders to apply under the transitional provisions. I urge all people who consider themselves to be in this category of builders but who have not applied for registration to take advantage of this very reasonable amnesty and lodge their application before 20 November this year.
There will be no further amnesty periods. We need a building industry that provides certainty for home owners. The industry itself has called for the type of registration regulation that this government has entered into after significant consultation with both the construction industry and the community more broadly. It is the last amnesty chance. I urge all people who consider themselves builders who fall under this category to submit their application if they have not already done so.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016