Building body failure detailed
Print
Victoria’s building watchdog, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), has failed consumers.
An independent review by Weir Legal and Consulting (PDF) found that the VBA, which oversees over 65,000 building professionals, has severely fallen short in protecting consumers from defective building works.
The review, commissioned by VBA’s CEO and Commissioner, Anna Cronin, examined seven longstanding, complex complaints, uncovering a series of regulatory failures and cultural issues that resulted in substantial financial, emotional, and physical distress for affected consumers.
The review found that the VBA failed to identify and address practitioner breaches effectively, with complaints frequently lost, delayed, or mishandled.
Inadequate technical inspections and poor follow-up were common, while investigations often remained incomplete even after years.
The VBA’s narrow focus on specific complaints, rather than addressing broader breaches, contributed to ineffective enforcement and poor consumer outcomes.
As the report states; “If the regulator does not have the capability and culture to identify what practitioners are doing wrong, the chances of holding them to account are very slim”.
The findings highlighted the severe impact on consumers, who endured financial losses, legal battles, and deteriorating mental health.
In one case, a couple paid for alternative accommodation five years after signing a construction contract, as major defects and disputes remained unresolved.
The report noted; “Every aspect of their lives has been negatively impacted”, with financial and emotional support also extended to family and friends of complainants.
In response, the VBA says it is overhauling its structure, implementing a new complaint management system, a centralised Inspectorate, and a team for complex case management.
Cronin, appointed as the sole Commissioner in 2024, said these changes aim to transform the VBA into a “trusted regulator”.
“I sincerely apologise to those who’ve been let down – we can and will do better,” she said.
The Victorian government reportedly plans to replace the VBA with a new regulatory body that will have broader powers, integrating regulation, insurance, and dispute resolution.
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny described the move as crucial to improving accountability and consumer protection.
The review made 20 reform recommendations, including stronger oversight, enhanced regulatory powers, and an improved dispute resolution system. It called for a builders’ code of conduct and better resources for building surveyors to enforce compliance.