SCA (NSW) is partnering once again with UNSW’s City Futures to support valuable research, led by Professor Bill Randolph with Dr Hazel Easthope, this time into building defects. The aim of the research is to develop findings that will be used to understand the cause of defects, their extent and seek changes to planning and development policy.
The type of policy changes sought would need to result in significant economic and social benefits including more effective construction regulation, improved building quality and safety, lower costs and stress for owners, more resilient urban communities and better urban planning outcomes.
SCA (NSW) President Chris Duggan said one of the major issues for strata managers with new developments was dealing with defects.
“The recent building boom has provided much needed housing which in turn is fuelling an economy in NSW that’s going gangbusters and that’s great, but there is no such thing as a building without defects,” he said.
As the peak body for the NSW strata sector, SCA (NSW) is in the unique position to be able to support this research and will be lead partner with City Futures on this project.
“Members will directly benefit from a Tool Kit that will be developed to help navigate the increasingly complex issue of defects,” Chris explained.
“As lead partner for this ground-breaking research, we wanted to deliver practical and effective tools to our members to best equip them to address the complexities of defects.”
SCA (NSW) has a long and very valued association with both Professor Randolph and Dr Easthope. This collaboration has been over the past 12 years and has provided both City Futures and SCA (NSW) members with excellent resources, information and insights. These are then used to inform policy, debate and bring positive legislative change that benefits those living and working in the strata sector in NSW.
“We are excited about the prospect of this research and the outcomes it will deliver and for the outcomes for members and owners,” Chris concluded.