Builders raise alarm about fire testing lab closure
Australia's construction industry is warning that the planned closure of a major Sydney fire testing lab would halve the nation's fire testing capacity for building products, threatening safety, innovation and housing delivery.
Closure would halve Australia's fire testing capability for building products, impacting safety approvals nationwide.
How will the Sydney fire testing lab closure affect building product approvals and project timelines?
Affects builders and certifiers nationwide. Reduced fire testing capacity could slow product approvals, delay projects and raise compliance costs across the construction sector.
Key takeaways
- A major Sydney fire testing lab is set to close, cutting Australia's fire testing capacity by half.
- The closure threatens building product safety approvals, potentially slowing project development.
- Industry warns the loss will affect building quality, innovation and new housing delivery.
- No alternative testing facility has been flagged to absorb the lost capacity.
Related
Master Plumbers NSW calls for National Construction Code overhaul
Master Plumbers NSW wants the National Construction Code overhauled. This follows a commitment by Commonwealth, state and territory ministers to review building regulations.
Why it matters: Plumbers, and builders who work alongside them, could face changes to the code that governs their compliance and installation work. The details of any changes are not yet clear.
Regulators inspect Nambucca Valley region farms
Commonwealth and state regulators ran a coordinated operation across horticulture farms and labour hire businesses in the Nambucca Valley and Coffs Harbour regions of NSW. They checked compliance with workplace, tax, migration and safety laws and looked for phoenixing.
Why it matters: Mainly affects horticulture, not trades directly. Builders, electricians and plumbers using labour hire or subcontractors may see similar multi-agency checks on pay, tax, visa and safety compliance.
NSW passes reforms to better protect apartment owners
The NSW government has passed its fourth tranche of reforms aimed at better protecting apartment and duplex owners. The changes cover more than 1.2 million residents across the state.
Why it matters: Builders and other trades working on apartments and duplexes in NSW may face tighter obligations and closer scrutiny of their work. The full details are not in the article, so check the legislation.