12 May 2020
The recent launch of a program of audits by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s Technical Standards Unit has been met with concern by the industry.
While Master Builders accepts the need to focus on building quality, now is not the time to be rolling out new audit initiatives for an industry facing the looming COVID-19 crisis.
We’ve already expressed our concerns about the unsuitable timing for an industry that is already under siege, as well as raising a number of issues with the questions being asked of licence holders.
In the first instance, some of the questions or information the QBCC are asking for are not indicators of building quality and some relate to matters that the head contractor is not required to request or keep a record of. This will particularly impact on smaller residential builders, who we believe will be unable to respond with the information or comply (nor are they required to by law).
It’s important to note that the Shergold Weir report recommended that each state having an audit strategy that targets project documentation, conduct of building surveyors and work of builders in managing approvals for design development, variations and product substitution. In reality, the industry needs good quality documentation from architects, engineers, consultants and manufacturers to ensure contractors at all levels have the information they need to comply with the NCC and perform as intended.
Fixing this will fix problems with poor quality building work – not who is on site on a particular day, or who is doing the work.
We have requested more information about the QBCC’s methodology for selecting contractors to be audited. We are urging the QBCC to consider the choice should be based on those who have a demonstrated history of poor workmanship or consumer complaints regarding defective building work.
We have also highlighted issues of privacy and confidentiality. We have also asked for confirmation on the protocol the QBCC has in place to protect the confidentiality of any information provided by contractors during the audit process. Information obtained must only be used by the QBCC for the purposes of ensuring quality building work and for no other purposes, and must be not provided to any person or agency outside of the QBCC.
We have also asked the QBCC to confirm how soon after an audit the contractor will be provided with an outcome.
Members who have concerns about the audit process should contact us.
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