Background
The use of combustible cladding on buildings is a safety concern for Queenslanders.
In response to heightened community concerns over the risks posed to building occupants and responding emergency personnel, the Queensland Government introduced changes to the Building Regulation 2006, which commenced 1 October 2018.
These changes require owners of particular buildings to undertake an assessment of the material used on the external walls of their building using the combustible cladding checklist (Checklist).
The Checklist process is designed to identify which buildings are affected by combustible cladding and whether cladding rectification work is likely to be required to achieve an acceptable level of safety. The deadline for building owners to submit the Checklist without penalty closed on 3 May 2021.
Building owners are responsible for ensuring the safety of occupants. Owners of buildings which meet the criteria for the Safer Buildings Program were required to register their building and complete the Checklist by 3 May 2021. Failure to do so is an offence and may result in regulatory action, including monetary penalties and prosecution in the Magistrate's court.
Building Regulation 2021
On 1 September 2021 the Department of Energy and Public Works remade the Building Regulation 2006 to ensure the regulation remains current, efficient, and effective.
- provides necessary transitional arrangements that continue obligations for private building owners which strengthen fire safety for building occupants
- maintains existing obligations such as record keeping, display of affected building notices, and the QBCC's ability to replace a checklist
- enables a person to be prosecuted for an offence under the expired combustible cladding provisions.
Building owners should continue to refer to Building Regulation 2006 for their obligations.