This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has called on the state government to reveal details on 400-plus high-risk buildings with flammable cladding.
LGNSW President Linda Scott told a Parliamentary inquiry into building regulations that councils welcomed the establishment of a Cladding Support Unit but warned the unit must be adequately funded so it could provide councils with expert information and solutions for affected buildings in their communities.
“The cladding unit is a start, but the NSW Government must release details of the 400-plus buildings already identified as high-risks because of dangerous cladding.
“Two years on from the Grenfell Tower combustible cladding disaster in England, which resulted in the deaths of more than 70 people, NSW residents and investors still don’t know if their building could be highly flammable.
“Crucially, councils face an uphill battle because even with the establishment of the cladding unit they must obtain highly technical fire engineering reports and expert advice, then develop specific notices and orders to fix high-risk buildings,” she added.
“What’s desperately needed is a lot more technical expertise made available to under-the-pump councils through a properly-funded Cladding Support Unit,” Scott said.
Meanwhile Scott said LGNSW had been pushing for an overhaul to building regulations since 2011.
“NSW should lead the way when it comes to building regulations and we have called on the NSW government for better laws that include a proper implementation plan, achievable timeframes, proper resources and expert industry and local government input,” she said. “It is the job of government to provide legislation that not only supports the building industry but also protects the people who want to be able to invest in the Australian dream of owning their own property without fear of living in unsafe buildings.”
