THE lack of submissions to the Gunning Committee of Inquiry into the Building Disputes Tribunal was a vote of confidence in building standards and dispute resolution processes, according to the Master Builders Association of WA.
MBA director Michael McLean said the inquiry received less than 20 submissions about the conduct of the tribunal and Builders Registration Board.
“Given that more than 22,000 dwelling starts and around $750 million worth of renovations occurred in 1999-2000 in WA, the level of complaint about faulty work is remarkably small,” Mr McLean said.
“Figures indicate that only two or three in every 100 building starts result in an order to pay or remedy being issued by the Builders Registration Board.”
Mr McLean said most complaints were resolved during construction.
In its submission to the Gunning Inquiry the MBA supported the continuation of the builders registration and dispute settlement procedures.
“The existence of a statutory board overseeing building matters increases public confidence in our industry and provides some protection against unscrupulous practices or exploitation of the public,” Mr McLean said.
“Although the BRB and its disputes tribunal is not perfect, most of the current problems can be fixed through adequate funding.
“It is extraordinary, for example, that owner-builders are not required to pay a fee in return for the services they derive from the Building Disputes Tribunal – which places an additional and unfair burden on registered builders to fund the whole system.”