The Northern Territory government recently announced the introduction of third-party reviews for structural design of complex buildings. Engineers Australia supported the announcement, speaking to media about the criteria for a building to be deemed significant or complex.

Engineers Australia’s Elisha Harris told the Northern Territory News, our organisation was supportive of the new laws.

“We believe it is a positive first step in implementing the recommendations of the Building Confidence Report,” Dr Harris said.

The reform requires any proposed building of medium complexity or higher, including Class 2 buildings over three storeys, would be required to have its structural design reviewed by a qualified independent reviewer prior to being issued a building permit.

Dr Harris said the new rules only applied if a job met two or more requirements on a list of complexity requirements.

“Medium complexity buildings require review. So, a childcare centre, for instance,” she said.

Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler said, the Territory has a strong and present construction sector, who support locals and provide jobs for Territorians.

“Recommendation 17 of the National Building Confidence Report outlined each jurisdiction requires genuine independent third-party review for specified components of designs and certain types of buildings, and this implementation of the ITPR will deliver,” Lawler said.

With these reviews in place any design issues can be identified and rectified earlier in the process, resulting in increased public confidence in the building industry and its projects.

The implementation of for Independent Third-Party Reviews (ITPR) within the NT regulatory building framework is consistent with a model developed by the Australian Building Codes Board, and will be implemented by:

• a dual certification process, which will be informed by risk
• the review must be undertaken by an NT registered certifying structural engineer with certain other qualifications, and
• a building certifier must consider the ITPR before deciding on the building permit application

The Northern Territory government is also working with the industry and key players including Engineers Australia, to develop further building reforms. A new framework for continuing professional development for building practitioners, creating a new category for commercial builders registration, increasing capacity for audits and increasing Building Practitioners Board penalties are all on the cards.