The Building Defects Crisis – Not just a Sydney problem?
Mecca Events in conjunction with HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and APEX Diagnostic Engineers are hosting a Formal CPD Breakfast Briefing in the Melbourne CBD on the major issue of Building Defects in the Australian Construction industry.
The Building Defects Series specifically designed for Architects, Builders, Designers, Engineers and other Construction 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 has its own serious issues that are not limited to cladding and flammable buildings only.
The crisis was brought further brought into public focus only months ago when the VBA ordered an evacuation of Mordialloc apartment complex with extensive water damage and flammable cladding. In response, the Andrew's Government has launched a legal crackdown on unscrupulous builders by targeting the practice of "phoenixing" and giving the VBA tougher powers to come down hard on builders suspected of the practice.
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 Victoria be introducing a Design and Building Practitioners Bill along the lines of NSW.
How should architects & builders 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 responsibile for rectification of defects & 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.
Formal CPD Presentation
Places are strictly limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Cost to attend is $50 per person plus GST. The price includes breakfast, detailed presentation notes and a formal CPD certificate. Bookings can be made for groups of 10 for $450.00 plus GST.
Tim Graham
Tim Graham practices exclusively in the areas of strata and subdivision law, owners corporations and dispute resolution with almost 20 years’ experience. Tim also has extensive experience in domestic and commercial construction law matters, providing contractual advice and appearing in building defects claims, insurance reviews, repair & maintenance and Water Act cases in the VCAT and the Courts.
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.