A renewed sense of urgency is required to address the recent spate of severe defects in Sydney apartment complexes and restore shaken consumer confidence in the building sector. 

Engineers Australia and the wider engineering profession is owning its part in these serious issues that intersect all sectors and stakeholders in the industry—and that the way forward demands a cooperative solution. 

It is well known in the industry that we are leading the initiative for a registration scheme for engineers in every state and territory and constant improvements to the professional standards code for all engineers and are working closely with business, government and industry to that end.

Specifically for NSW, we are actively supporting the NSW Government with its reform agenda. Like many involved in these reforms we continue to push for stronger registration and high standards right across the building industry, of which engineering is one part. We have contributed to this at the highest level—including policy and stakeholder briefings and meetings, as well as at the working level, with development of several practice guides.

The successful delivery of this work demands a cooperative solution. We are a significant player in that solution, driven by the New South Wales Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, and industry and sector specialists, thought leaders, peak bodies (including the Owners Corporation Network, Insurance Council of Australia and Consult Australia) and other membership organisations. We are working together to deliver a building sector reform agenda—and will continue to do so.

Our aim is to enshrine reforms that ensure better compliance with the National Construction Code, underpinned by higher quality design documentation and restore community confidence in the building sector.