The Building Defects Crisis – Not just a Sydney problem?

Mecca Events in conjunction with Swaab Lawyers and APEX Diagnostic Engineers are hosting CPD Briefings in Brisbane and Gold Coast on the major issue of Building Defects in the Australian Construction industry.

The Building Defects Series is specifically designed for Architects, Builders, Designers, Engineers, Certifiers and other Property Professionals

Since building inspectors in NSW uncovered defects at the Opal and Mascot Towers in Sydney earlier this year, the extent of building defects problem in that State has been described as “bigger than the cladding crisis”.  Victoria also has its own serious issues that are not limited to cladding and flammable buildings. 

Queensland is not immune from the problem. A Griffin - Deakin Study (reported on ABC 4 Corners last year) found that since the year 2000, 143,704 new apartments were built in Queensland. Of the buildings built between 2007 and 2017 it found that 73% had defects.

In response the Queensland Government has taken steps to halt the process of building faults which include "chain of responsibility laws" that obliges players along the construction chain to report unsafe situations and avoid use of non-conforming materials.  More recently, it placed a ban on the use of combustible cladding.

But has enough been done and what problems are we likely to encounter in 2020? Lack of regulation and a tendency for cutting corners and breaking specifications to save time and money has resulted in a problem that is reaching plague proportions. 

Can we learn from our past mistakes to ensure that they are not repeated on future ones?  Should Queensland be introducing a Design and Building Practitioners Bill along the lines of NSW.

How should Queensland architects, builders and engineers respond in the face of increased public and Government scrutiny? What changes should you make now and in the future to your working practices?

Guests will learn

• What is your Duty of Care and how is "negligence" interpreted by the courts?

• Key clauses under the National Construction Code re building defects

• Who's responsible for rectification of defects and repairs - common v private property

• How can you ensure that your design is compliant, requires low maintenance and is safe?

• How can Value Management increase maintenance through the use of lower quality (but compliant and fit for purpose) materials, fixtures and techniques.

• Lessons to be learned from the NSW and Victorian experiences - should the Queensland Government be adopting a similar legislative approach?

Formal CPD Presentation

Places are strictly limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Cost to attend is $80 per person plus GST. The price includes canapés, detailed presentation notes and a CPD certificate. 

Bookings can be made for groups of 10 for $695.00 plus GST.

Helen Kowal

Helen's legal career has spanned over 25 years in gen­er­al prac­tice. For the past decade she has spe­cialised in build­ing, con­struc­tion, stra­ta and prop­er­ty. She has worked for many own­ers cor­po­ra­tions, devel­op­ers and builders in all facets of build­ing and con­struc­tion law in all jurisdictions.

Jonathan McCray

Jonathan is a client focused, experienced Chartered Professional Engineer with tertiary qualifications in materials engineering. He is experienced in delivering full life-cycle facade and remedial projects – investigate, model, diagnose, design, specify, tender, evaluate, superintend.

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