UDIA NSW welcomes the report handed down by the NSW Legislative Council's Public Accountability and Works Committee (PAWC) as part of its Review into the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020, and the associated draft government bills.

UDIA NSW appeared before the Committee on 11 August 2025 to provide evidence and practical recommendations to improve the legislative framework governing building regulation in NSW.

The final report adopts several of UDIA NSW's long-standing advocacy positions and represents a strong outcome for the industry.

The Committee was highly critical of the consultation process, finding that industry had not been given sufficient opportunity to review the reforms in full. It agreed that as a matter of urgency, the Government consult on the draft regulations that will accompany the bill.

 “This report validates industry's view that genuine consultation cannot occur when most of the operational detail of the draft Single Building Bill will sit in regulations that no one has seen,” UDIA NSW CEO Stuart Ayres said.

“The Committee's recommendation to improve transparency and release the full regulatory package is a constructive step forward.”

A major win for the sector is the Committee's support for UDIA's proposal that a mandatory dispute resolution framework be embedded in legislation rather than left to regulation or administrative policy.  The Committee also recognised the need for a dedicated, well-resourced unit within the Building Commission to administer the process and ensure timely, consistent outcomes.

“Court should always be the last option but sadly, too often it's the first option when there is a building dispute.,” Mr Ayres said.

“Mandatory dispute resolution though the Building Commission is a win for everyone, expediting decisions and saving all parties incurring unnecessary legal fees through lengthy and lengthy court processes.”

The Committee also recommended progress toward a nationally consistent registration framework for building practitioners; a reform consistent with UDIA NSW's long-held position on improving national harmonisation and workforce mobility.

The report reflects UDIA NSW's advocacy around the transition from the building bond to latent defects insurance and decennial liability insurance, calling for clearer guidance and engagement with industry before implementation.

It further acknowledged issues raised by UDIA NSW regarding the Pafburn decision, noting that its implications for the construction liability framework warrant further examination.

UDIA NSW looks forward to continuing to work closely with the NSW Government as it considers the Committee's findings and finalises the reform package. The next phase, particularly the development of the regulations, will be critical to ensure these reforms provide a framework that is workable for industry and continue to restore confidence in apartment delivery across NSW.