The Building & Energy section of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has recently notified building & construction industry stakeholders, including building surveyors, building certifiers and building designers, of the Western Australian Government’s decision to extend the transitional provisions within the Building Regulations 2012. The extension of the transitional period will mean the 2016 edition of the National Construction Code Volume One – Amendment 1 & Two will be permitted to be applied to all new building works until 30th April 2021.
As you may be aware, the Building Regulations 2012 already provides a twelve-month transitional period in Western Australia when a new edition of the National Construction Code is adopted elsewhere in Australia (currently every 3 years). The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety have stated that the further extension of this transitional provision is “…designed to assist the building and construction industry respond during the period of uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and help support the State’s economic recovery”
The extension will put Western Australia two years behind the eastern states with regards to applicable building standards at the end of the transitional period and with consultation well and truly commenced for the next edition of the National Construction Code it is currently unclear of the impact this decision may have on future building performance.
An industry bulletin with further information will be issued by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety shortly. In the meantime, if you would like more information on the decision to extend transitional provisions or if we can be of any further assistance, please contact one of our building surveyors on 0411 548 159.
The media statement from the Western Australian government can be viewed at the below link;
Ian Curry
Building Surveyor MAIBS
