Building Commission NSW has conducted a building compliance blitz in the Tweed in an effort to crack down on unlicenced construction work, non-compliant electrical work, and other compliance issues.
The blitz forms part of Building Commission NSW’s commitment to ensuring developers and contractors are meeting their obligations and are not skirting licencing and signage responsibilities.
The February operation saw inspectors visit 33 construction sites in three days, covering an 800km area from Tweed Heads to Ballina, and extending west to areas like Casino and Kyogle.
Inspectors engaged with 140 tradespersons across a range of disciplines, focusing on licence checks, supervision requirements, and specialist installations in the electrical and plumbing space.
As a result of the blitz, Building Commission NSW identified 38 offences, with the majority relating to incorrect signage (18), as well as unlicenced work and unlicenced contracting (15).
Of the 38 offences, 21 penalty infringement notices (PINs) totalling $16,320 were issued, thirteen trader education notices were issued, and four matters referred for further investigation.
Inspectors often use their discretion to provide education notices for minor infringements, which promotes compliance and prevent future offences, especially for apprentice tradespeople.
Five sites with significant safety issues were also referred to SafeWork NSW for further investigation.
Building Commission NSW is conducting a wide-ranging regional compliance campaign to ensure construction projects across NSW are completed to the highest standards by qualified individuals.
Inspectors are travelling across the state to ensure a range of sites meet the required standards and remind the industry that Building Commission NSW will hold builders to account for bad practices.
So far, the regional compliance campaign has seen more than 140 building sites inspected in the Tweed, Mid North Coast, as well as the Riverina Murray regions.
Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong:
“Building quality is one of the top priorities of the Minns Labor Government.
“Building Commission NSW is making it clear that no matter where you are in New South Wales, we’re keeping a close eye on licencing, supervision, and specialist electrical work across the state.
“This Tweed compliance blitz demonstrates our commitment to ensuring all builders and tradesmen, regardless of location, are held accountable to meet their legal obligations.
“Regional communities deserve the same level of oversight and protection as those in metropolitan areas, and Building Commission NSW will continue to inspect regional sites to ensure their compliance.”
Building Commission NSW Commissioner James Sherrard:
“The results of this compliance campaign is a reminder to the Tweed building industry that Building Commission NSW is enforcing signage, licencing, and supervision rules right across the state.
“The number of offences related to unlicenced contracting and non-compliant signage shows that there is certainly room for improvement in the Tweed region.
“Building Commission NSW will return to the Tweed in the future, to ensure the issues we identified during this blitz are addressed, and that these types of compliance issues don’t continue.”