Building industry asked for input on new regulations

1.00pm

Associate Commerce Minister John Tamihere today released a discussion document on building industry licensing.

The licensing system is one measure included in the Building Bill currently being considered by Parliament.

The bill provides for more regulation of building work, introduces warranties, establishes a licensing regime for the building sector and sets higher standards for building.

If passed it will, from 2009, be compulsory for "restricted work", such as building a high deck or removing a structural wall, to be carried out or supervised by certified people.

Mr Tamihere said detail of how the licensing regime would work was still to be established and consultation with the industry was crucial in getting it right.

He told the sector this was its key chance to have a say.

"Your input is essential to making sure the licensing regime is sensible and workable and results in us all having buildings that are designed and built right first time."

The Government set out to overhaul the building sector after it was hit by the "leaky homes" crisis, which exposed shoddy material and workmanship in many modern buildings.

- NZPA