Key technical and regulatory matters currently confronting the building and construction industry include:

• Review of the Draft 2022 National Construction Code
• Changes required under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2021 (D & BP Act 2021)
• Other Current Technical Matters
   

Review Draft 2022 National Construction Code
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has presented the National Construction Code 2022 (NCC – formerly The Building Code of Australia) draft for review and public comment. 

The Master Builders NSW Technical Department, in conjunction with the National Master Builders office and other state and territory Master Builders Associations have formed a working group to evaluate and respond to the proposed changes. The response period is open until 17th October 2021. Details can be found here: www.abcb.gov.au 

For your information, the ABCB is a standard writing body responsible for the National Construction Code, Watermarks and Code Mark Certification Schemes, and regulatory reform in the building and construction industry. It is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, and the building and plumbing industries.

Design and Building Practitioners Act 2021 (D & BP Act 2021)
The D & BP Act 2021 was effective 1st July 2021 and aims to provide greater regulation of practitioners involved in construction of Class 2 buildings.

Under the Act, a “registered building practitioner” cannot commence construction until all “regulated designs” provided by the “registered design practitioners” are lodged on the NSW Planning Portal. The “registered building practitioner” must construct according to “regulated designs”.

Master Builders NSW Technical Department is working with industry groups to comprehensively understand the impact of the legislation and, if required, recommend changes.

As a result of the D & BP Act 2021, the Office of the NSW Building Commissioner and SafeWork NSW Inspectorate are conducting site audits comprised of quality assurance inspections.

The purpose of the audits is to verify that work is carried out in accordance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA), the relevant Australian Standards, and relevant regulated designs.
If defects in the building work are identified the audit report may include directions to the developer for rectification or a formal RAB Act Order. Information on RAB Orders and the Order Register can be found in the link below.

www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/rab-act-orders-register

Other Current Technical Matters
Other matters the Master Builders NSW Technical Department have recently responded to include:

• Clarification and interpretation of the NCC and Standards
• Obtaining fire safety certificates and completing inspections.

Master Builders NSW Technical Department
Bart Beezley Technical/Safety Officer
David Solomon Executive Officer Technical Safety and Risk.