Few could argue that the New South Wales construction and development industry desperately needed an overhaul given the damage to its reputation during the past few years.

Building defects have been in the spotlight after multiple tower evacuations, prompting industry watchdogs and the government to look at how to make developers more accountable for their work. 

In fact, research found at least one in four apartment blocks in Sydney between 2007 and 2017 had one or more defects, including cracking, fire safety concerns such as shoddy cladding, or water ingress and flooding issues.