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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 22 May 2009 ACCREDITATION OF BUILDING CERTIFIERS - MORE TIME FOR COUNCILS In response to issues raised by local councils, Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today said that training and accreditation of council building certifiers will not start before July 2009. It is the role of a certifier to issue construction certificates, allowing building work to start on everything from suburban homes to major construction sites after the work has been given development approval. Certifiers also check building work is in line with plans approved by a local council, and have the power to allow plans to be built under a “checklist style” complying development system, rather than a longer, more complicated development application process. “Both private and council certifiers will be increasingly used in the planning system, particularly for the approval of houses under the NSW Housing Code,” Ms Keneally said. “The Housing Code allows people to get approval for house plans within ten days, as opposed to going through the development application process which takes, on average, 75 days. “During several meetings and a public exhibition process, The Local Government and Shires Association told me they need more time to discuss the role of council certifiers. “In response, the Building Professionals Board will be given more time to consult with councils about that role.” Ms Keneally said the additional time would allow for further feedback from councils and other industry stakeholders to be sought and considered. “Councils are central to the work which the NSW Government is doing to build a better, more efficient planning system. We need to work to a timetable which is realistic for all involved,” Ms Keneally said. “I’d like to thank councils and planning professionals for their continued work with the NSW Government to build the best planning system in Australia.”
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