Building Commission NSW has launched today, marking an expansion in the State Government’s efforts to enforce quality and standards control in the construction industry.  

The move will see Building Commission NSW branch off from the Fair Trading department to provide a standalone regulator for the safe and durable construction of buildings. It is headed by Building Commissioner David Chandler.  

The NSW Government recently introduced new laws to boost the Building Commission’s powers to regulate poor industry practices, including allowing the Building Commissioner to enter any free-standing home or apartment for inspection purposes.   

NSW Premier Chris Minns also announced an additional $24 million investment in the regulator, which will see its staff rise from 40 to 400.   

“In recent years we’ve heard horror stories about defects in apartment buildings but we’re turning the tide with Building Commission NSW.   

“The Building Commissioner has made a start restoring integrity, now we’ve given him the powers and resources he needs to get on with the job.”  

The State Government also marked the first building, the Parq Apartments in Bexley, to be covered by its Decennial Liability Insurance, which covers for serious defects for a decade.