NSW safety authorities are conducting a sweep of residential building sites. 

NSW Fair Trading and SafeWork NSW are visiting the State’s Central West to conduct inspections of residential building worksites.

The focus of inspectors will include looking for non-compliant building work, licensing and safety in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange.

They are also checking plumbing, gas and electrical tradespeople have a valid licence to conduct the work and apprentices are being supervised.

“These inspections help ensure people in regional areas have access to safe and compliant dwellings,” Department of Customer Service director for building and construction Matthew Whitton says.

"The community should have confidence developers and builders are being held to account on key elements such as waterproofing, structure and fire safety that can cause huge headaches financially and emotionally for homeowners down the track.

“NSW Fair Trading can issue a range of orders on residential apartment projects under construction, including the power to require work to stop.”

Inspectors are also planning audits of electrical businesses to check they have submitted the Certificate of Compliance for electrical work (CCEW) under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 and associated regulation.

SafeWork NSW inspectors are also part of the program to ensure work health and safety compliance on construction sites, particularly around key risks such as voids and scaffolding.

There have been significant reforms to the building and construction industry that have improved the design and construction of apartment buildings in NSW.

These included the introduction of the Design and Building Practitioners Act and the Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT), a five-star system to rate builders and developers.

As part of ongoing efforts to increase confidence in the state’s building industry, the NSW Government has commenced public consultations on proposed changes to building sector legislation and its regulatory framework.