“Minister for Fair Trading Victor Dominello has announced that the government will restructure the process of certification in NSW,” said Chris Johnson, CEO of property development group Urban Taskforce.
“A crucial change is to make certifiers more independent by stopping the process where a developer chooses their own certifier.”
Other changes include the greater use of data in the certifying process to improve transparency and conformance, the enhancement of certifier accreditation, and heightened fire safety certifications through specialist inspections and tighter controls.
While these changes may take some time to be fully implemented, Urban Taskforce has expressed support for the new rules, believing that it “will lead to a more professional independent process.”
“It is important that communities have confidence in the decision making and approval process for new buildings from approval of development applications right through to the final approval for a building through an Occupation Certificate,” said Johnson.
“The Urban Taskforce is keen to be involved in further discussion with the NSW Government on changes to the certification process. It is important that professional certifiers are supported by the government and that a balance between improving certification and not introducing too much red tape is maintained.”
