NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION
CODE
585. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce:
I
refer to the McGowan government's decision to extend the provisional
use of the National Construction Code 2016 and delay the implementation
of the NCC 2019 to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic.
(1) As the
updated NCC was developed in consultation with industry and is designed to
improve productivity and safety, deliver energy savings, reduce pressure on the
electricity network and set Australia on the path towards a low-carbon future,
will the minister please explain how delaying the use of this code will benefit
the community, given that the transition began in May last year?
(2) What
consultations were undertaken to reach this decision?
(3) Does the
minister concede that delaying the code will put Western Australians at a disadvantage
due to sub-par construction codes?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the
question. The Minister for Commerce has provided the following information.
(1) The extension of the transitional provisions for
the National Construction Code is intended to assist industry during
this period of uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and to allow
industry to focus its resources on dealing with the pandemic.
(2) The decision
was guided by representations from industry stakeholders such as the Master
Builders Association and the Property Council of Australia. The Australian
Institute of Architects also requested an extension of the transitional
provisions of the National Construction Code.
(3) I am aware
that extending the transitional period will delay the full implementation of
the updates in the NCC 2019. The NCC 2016 is not sub-par, and it is open to
industry to apply either version of the NCC in response to the preferences of Western
Australian customers.