Builders in Bendigo are overwhelmingly complying with construction and demolition laws, according to the results of a recent multi-regulator blitz on more than 120 domestic, commercial and industrial buildings as part of the launch of Build Aware.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Build Aware saw the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), WorkSafe Victoria, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) work together for the first time to increase efficiency in building inspections and provide on-the-spot advice for questions about building laws.
The aim of the program is to increase public awareness of the importance of compliance in building, plumbing, and construction, together with the roles of industry regulators. Bendigo was the first destination a due to its strong construction base.
“Build Aware is a valuable program to have available to all sectors of the building Industry to keep us up to date with current legislation's along with changes that we may not be aware of,” said Bendigo builder, Gary Threlfall. “Having people essentially check on you is an effective way to keep things maintained.”
“Overall the results were positive, with the majority of construction sites inspected having no areas of high or significant non-compliance,” said VBA Director of Enquiries and Dispute Resolution, Murray Smith. “Areas of concern were where non-compliance was identified and were either alterations or extensions to current buildings and the construction of swimming pools.”
“To hear Bendigo was overwhelmingly compliant is a great outcome for the costumers looking to build locally,” said Mr Threlfall. “It’s not hard to make your job safe for all who are involved in the construction phase, which is reflected with the positive outcome.”
Meanwhile, people living in bushfire prone areas are being reminded by the VBA to check their home insurance policy takes into account all rebuilding costs, including those associated with meeting the national building code introduced after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
Jarrod Edwards, VBA Director of Technical and Regulation, said it is vital for people to not only prepare their property for possible bushfire attack, but to double-check their insurance cover. “The last thing you need in the devastating event of losing your home in a bushfire is to discover that your insurance policy does not cover all the costs associated with rebuilding,” he said. “Following the tragic bushfires of February 2009, new building regulations were introduced nationally that require building, renovating or rebuilding works in bushfire prone areas to comply with the bushfire protection measures.”
