The Building Commissioner Tony Arnel has welcomed the findings of a Victorian Auditor-General’s Office review of Victoria’s building permit system, which examined the roles of the Building Commission and local government.

“Victoria’s building control system is highly regarded nationally, and these findings will help the Commission and local councils to further strengthen it,” Arnel said.

“This report reinforces the work that is already under way within the Commission and in partnership with local government to ensure that the system has Victorians’ confidence and delivers safe and compliant buildings.”

Major reform projects under way include a new audit program, which will see councils’ files scrutinised every two years, and streamlining of investigative processes.

Arnel said the Commission accepted the Auditor-General’s findings that there was room for improvement and would examine the report in detail to ensure that this occurred.

“However, we believe that on any practical measure, Victoria’s building system is performing efficiently and effectively in delivering safety, liveability and sustainability.

“There is no evidence that buildings are at risk of falling down or causing sickness or injury due to the quality of the building permit system and surveys continue to show high levels of satisfaction among building owners.”

The Building Commission announced its revamped auditing program of Registered Building Practitioners at the annual conference of the Victorian and Tasmanian chapters of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) in October.

“The risk-based auditing program focuses on Municipal and Private Building Surveyors and will ensure councils are audited in a two year cycle using best practice and a risk-based approach in line with the objectives of the Building Act 1993,” Mr Arnel said.

“The audit program also includes targeted, or ‘hot spot’, audits and new building surveyor registration audits for the Building Practitioners Board.”

Arnel said the Victoria’s building permit system was considered progressive as it continued to regularly update and improve regulations.

“Victoria’s building permit system is performing efficiently and effectively in delivering safety, liveability and sustainability, but, of course, there is always room for improvement.”

Architecture & Design Team

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