The NSW Government is boosting funding to the NSW Construction Compliance Unit in a bid to strengthen industrial relations and procurement oversight for state projects.
The move aims to protect the state’s 400,000 construction jobs and $116.6 billion infrastructure pipeline.
The NSW Government’s latest measures include boosting funding to the NSW Construction Compliance Unit (CCU) by $1.3 million a year for proactive monitoring, reporting and compliance activities; increasing unannounced site visits on NSW Government-funded infrastructure projects by the CCU; and commencing an open consultation with industry stakeholders to review the NSW Building and Construction Procurement Guidelines which regulate the conduct of building and construction work on NSW Government projects.
Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said construction union membership is under 10 per cent in Australia – a minority that can impose a damaging impact to jobs, compliance and industrial disputes in the construction industry.
“Whether it’s promoting compliance when a new tunnel is being dug or at a motorway expansion project, these measures will mitigate against the risk of delay or interruption to the state’s major infrastructure projects,” said Minister Tudehope.
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Brian Seidler, Executive Director of Master Builders Association NSW, said it was pleasing to see the NSW Government taking steps to ensure that construction sites have some protections from unlawful and coercive behaviours.
“Since at least 1982 multiple Royal Commissions and judicial enquiries have recognised that the unique nature of commercial construction means that the industry is especially vulnerable to unethical and illegal behaviour, and as such requires special measures in order to deter illegal behaviour,” Mr Seidler said.
“Greater oversight and increased funding for the NSW CCU to undertake proactive monitoring, reporting and compliance activities is welcomed.”
In response to the abolishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the federal building code of conduct, the NSW Government hopes to fill the void with these new measures.