[+] Chandler Extends Term as NSW Building Commissioner

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler has confirmed he has extended his term in the role for another year, while signalling a “pivot” to focus on “calling the customers back”. Initially appointed for a two-year term, Chandler has already had a one-year extension in the job—with this second extension he will now stay on until September 2023. Speaking at a Property Council NSW event in Parramatta, Chandler said that “I really was set on going fishing on September 30. And then I heard that a whole bunch of these guys, over here in this corner, had already ordered champagne for a party on October 1. “And I thought wouldn't it be fun to give them a reason to put the champagne back in the cabinet.” Consumer protections and consumer confidence have always been at the core of his office’s work, Chandler says , but it’s now time to take that message to the public. “What we haven't been doing in the past two years is we haven't been talking to the customers. [The sector has] had a fabulous conversation with ourselves, but the people who are going to buy your product don't know.” Chandler pointed to excerpts from an early version of a report due to be released in May, surveying consumer confidence and attitudes towards the development sector among 1000 NSW residents. That report will show market affordability is the top driver of low consumer confidence. However, distrust of developers, apartment construction quality, and negative media stories are also significant worries. Speaking to The Urban Developer , Chandler said that he is ready and willing to support the developers who have thrived through the reform process, and are producing quality work. “What I’m doing is helping developers get their message out. I’m saying ‘I’m happy to stand side by side with you’, and saying ‘for the right developers, the customers should come back’.” ▲ Chandler says he will use his extra year in the job to get the message out to the public that his office is straightening up the industry. “What I want to do is acknowledge the progress that the developers who want to be part of the future have made. The majority of developers and builders have been acknowledged by consumers as being worthy to deal with,” Chandler says. “There's a shrinking number of players who are still in the naughty corner. They need to change, or find another place to do business. And it won’t be NSW.” Chandler points to developer ratings as an important tool in communicating with buyers and building confidence. Equifax has produced the first rating system in NSW , with other ratings agencies likely to follow. “I’ll see you in the display village soon, if you’ve got your transcript,” Chandler told the Property Council audience. While his priorities have shifted now that the reform process he helms has progressed to a point of bearing results, Chandler will remain the tough cop on the beat. “The development industry is getting the fact that this legislation is serious. It's got teeth and it's going to turn the dial,” Chandler said. “Our data assets are the second largest, outside the Defence department, in New South Wales. If you think we don't know how to find you, if you are a bad player, we do.” “We know now who's providing the money on every single job. We know whether it's good money or dirty money. Almost anything that you can think of as a question, we’ve probably got the answer to it. “So the regulator will land on the bad guys.” New legislation on the way Also due in coming months are several pieces of legislation for industry consultation, including a Building Bill (to establish clear competency and accountability for all design and building practitioners) and the creation of a Building Compliance Enforcement Act (to supersede the RAB Act). That legislative work will also establish a holistic fire safety system, bringing all requirements for fire safety under a single framework. The Design and Building Practitioners Act will also be expanded to incorporate class 3 (hotels and accommodation facilities) and class 9c (aged care) buildings, while Chandler intends to begin work on a comprehensive regulatory framework for pre-fabricated and modular buildings and building parts. “Prefabrication is going to be a big part of our future, given that a lot of work is progressively moving off site,” Chandler says. “I don’t want you to have in your mind that prefabrication looks like dongas or ugly little sheds. Prefabrication is a very, very sophisticated part of our business. “And I think one of the things we'll speak [about] in the next few months: how do we design for manufacture? DFMA? I think that's a big issue.” You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. Click here to learn more.

[+] Chandler Extends Term as NSW Building Commissioner

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