VBA Mail is a quarterly newsletter that provides industry and consumers with an overview of the VBA's latest compliance and enforcement, audit and inspections, licensing and registration, industry education and research activity.
It's sent to all Victorian building and plumbing practitioners, engineers, industry bodies and subscribers.
Welcome to the third edition of the VBA Mail for 2024.
This newsletter is one of many educational resources the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) offers industry and consumers. I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the information outlined here to stay up to date with everything that's happening at the VBA and across our industry.
The New VBA
It has been a busy quarter at the VBA, as we continue to roll out reforms and strengthen our compliance and enforcement program, to improve consumer outcomes.
The new Statutory State Building Surveyor, Steven Baxas, started in August and brings with him a depth of experience.
The Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 came into force on 1 February 2024, establishing the State Building Surveyor as a statutory appointment with a range of functions and powers to strengthen the role's status and effectiveness. The redefining of this role will enable Steven to provide more direct oversight, not just of the building surveying profession, but to building and plumbing practitioners alike.
I'm excited to announce that the VBA will soon recognise the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) accreditation and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) membership as a Chartered Building Control Surveyor (Member or Fellow) when assessing applications for registration as a building surveyor. It's important to clarify that this will not automatically translate to VBA registration.
This will support a streamlined assessment of an applicant's qualifications and experience and is one of the ways we are reducing the barriers to entry for building surveyors, without compromising consumer protections.
We continue to act against those that cause harm to building industry consumers by using our powers to their fullest. We have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to how we deal with rogue practitioners and are focused on removing bad actors from the industry.
After an extensive investigation that revealed more than 100 breaches of building laws, we immediately suspended builder Waleed Khumra and banned him and his company, Diamond Builders, from entering into any new building projects, with cumulative fines totalling more than $200,000.
Our latest Compliance and Enforcement Activity can be found on the VBA website.
The new VBA is starting to make a difference to those we serve. We are working hard to deliver significant improvements to practitioners, industry and consumers.
VBA Industry Conference
In August, more than 180 practitioners turned out in Geelong for the first of five VBA Industry Conference events being held across Victoria. I want to thank all those who took part and who contributed to an enjoyable and productive day.
The Conference series is about bringing together prominent VBA and industry leaders to discuss emerging trends and regulatory approaches impacting the building and plumbing industries.
Our next stop is Ballarat on 14 October, at Federation University, Mt Helen. I encourage all building practitioners in and around the Central Highlands to book their spot today. Unfortunately, the plumbing sessions in Ballarat has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. I encourage any plumbers who were interesting in attending that session to book their spot at the Melbourne event (7 November), where you will be given priority.
Visit the VBA website for more details about the VBA Industry Conference.
VBA relocating to 242 Exhibition Street
To meet the growing needs of the industry and the VBA, I'm excited to announce that next month the VBA will move to its new office at 242 Exhibition Street.
As we continue our crucial role in advising and supporting the Victorian State Government in building reforms and implementation of the Housing Statement, closer proximity to government will complement the important public service we provide.
Details of how to find us will be published on our website soon.
Anna Cronin
Chief Executive Officer
Victorian Building Authority
This section spotlights compliance and enforcement actions undertaken by the VBA.
Our goal is to keep practitioners and the public informed about the measures we are taking to improve building and plumbing safety and to protect consumers.
Recent VBA compliance and enforcement activity:
- VBA suspends Waleed Khumra of Diamond Builders following complex investigation
- Aycon Constructions fined record $250,000 following VBA investigation
- VBA collects $2 million in fines from bad builders and plumbers
- Plumbing boss forced to change business model following VBA investigation
Learn more by visiting our Compliance and Enforcement Activity web page.
In this edition...
Latest Compliance and Enforcement Report published
The VBA's Compliance and Enforcement Report gives industry, practitioners and the community an insight into our activities.
From January to June of 2024, the VBA issued more than $682,000 in penalties, completed 386 investigations and closed 1,736 complaints.
VBA inspections blitz on water ingress on balconies
The VBA is focused on promoting the safety and compliance of Victoria's building industry, with a clear priority to protect consumers from significant risks. As part of our targeted, harms-based approach, the VBA will be conducting a focused inspection blitz on water ingress on balconies.
Protect your build – A guide for building or renovating your home in Victoria
Building or renovating your home is a significant project. In this guide you will find key information and steps to help you navigate the process.
Compliance certificates cannot be withheld for non-payment
A compliance certificate must be lodged with the VBA and issued to the person who requested the plumbing work within five working days of the work being completed. Licensed plumbers are reminded that a compliance certificate cannot be withheld because money is owed to them.
Solar Victoria's free renewable homes construction training has commenced
Solar Victoria is delivering free training on the design and construction of energy efficient 7-star rated and all-electric homes, as part of the renewable homes construction training program.
Unsafe excavation found during drain inspection
At a recent drain inspection in Box Hill, the VBA found an unsafe excavation, without any shield, shoring or appropriate measures. After the VBA made the practitioner aware of the unsafe excavation and their obligations when carrying out deep excavation works, they implemented measures to make the excavation safe.
Importance of maintaining roofs, balconies and drainage systems
The proper upkeep of roofs, balconies, terraces, verandas, awnings and their associated drainage systems is essential in preventing water ingress, which can lead to significant structural damage, costly repairs and potential health risks.
Hot water heat pump installation guidance
Well-designed and professionally installed hot water heat pump systems are safe, run efficiently and are cheaper in the long run. If you're licensed to install heat pumps, we encourage you to visit our guidance page on the safe and compliant installation of these systems.
Webinars
Upcoming webinars
Upcoming webinars can be found on the VBA website and below:
- 24 October - Water ingress in buildings: Balconies, roofs, and drainage (Research insights)
- 14 November - Plumbing: Mechanical Services (Common Industry Enquiries)
Webinar recordings
Recordings of previous plumbing and building webinars can be found on the VBA website. One recent webinar can be found below:
