Comprehensive Report Reveals Major Failures by Victoria’s Building Regulator in Protecting Homeowners
Article Source 1 min read
The Review
A critical independent review conducted by Weir Legal and Consulting has revealed the continual failures within the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), highlighting its inability to protect homeowners from defective and incomplete construction.
The review analysed seven “complex” or “historical” complaint cases involving 75 homes, many of which remain unfinished.
The report said the regulator's failings included:
Complaints being duplicated, delayed, lost or ignored for months
No or very few technical inspections
VBA staff telling some complainants they should provide their own expert reports for the VBA to review
A tendency by the VBA to focus investigations only on the practitioners and issues identified by complainants, with other issues left aside
Complainants being referred to other agencies
The report also emphasised concerns with treatment of complainants, with some internal VBA documents referring to complainants as “emotional” or “stirring up trouble”.
A New Watchdog
In response the Government has announced it will replace the VBA with a new, more powerful watchdog with greater powers to oversee the building industry.
The new body will combine regulation, insurance and dispute resolution into a single agency.
The new agency may incorporate the 20 recommendations listed in the report aimed at improving complaint-handling and take firmer action against poor conduct from building practitioners.
VBA Response
The VBA CEO Anna Cronin issued a public apology, acknowledging the organisations failure, admitting that the regulator was not meeting expectations of the government or the broader community.
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