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CRC for Construction Innovation CRC Project to review benefits of reduced
building regulation. Construct : the magazine for chartered building professionals.
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C o n s t r u c t A r t i c l e
Title: ..CRC Project to review benefits of reduced building regulation Section: ... Page: ………
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The Cooperative Research Centre in Construction Innovation (CRC) was established to foster innovation in the construction industry, and to provide a positive contribution to government policy. Three recently released research reports into the construction industry have argued that improved consistency in the regulatory environment could lead to improvements in productivity performance for the construction industry, and that research into this area was a high priority.
In August 2005 the CRC approach the Australian Institute of Building (AIB) to seek the Institute’s advice on avenues to enhancing the mutual recognition of builders licences between the states of Australia, in association with Builder's Licensing Australasia. At a meeting held at the Institute’s head office in Canberra Mr Troy Williams, AIB’s General Manager, detailed the work both nationally and at state level, the latter being undertaken through AIB Chapters.
The CRC was also briefed on the work of the National Building Professionals Register (NBPR) managed by AIB.
The project being undertaken by the CRC has three related aspects including an overarching review that will analyse the complex regulatory environment that three levels of government impose on industry. This review will identify the similarities and differences of content between the various policies and regulations at national and state levels. The research will also articulate the rationale for the policy and regulatory framework currently in existence.
The CRC will undertake a detailed analysis of the policy implications of completed and current CRC research projects, and how application of this research could result in improvements to the policy and regulatory environment.
THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER
In considering the benefits from reducing layers of bureaucracy the CRC will analyse specific policy areas in which a unified approach across all levels of government would
provide a benefit to the construction industry. These case studies explore the regulatory relationships between jurisdictions, and identify barriers and enablers for coherent policymaking and productivity gains. Case studies areas include:
a. Training and capability for the construction industry;
b. Occupational health and safety;
c. eBusiness
d. Procurement (including supply chain, risk mitigation, tendering, and contractual arrangements);
e. Environmental sustainability (examining water)
Research results will be disseminated to industry through reports, executive summaries, and case studies; as well as through seminars and conferences.
The long term goals are to improve construction industry performance by promoting consistency in the regulatory environment, and better uptake of construction
innovation into policy development. Improved consistency in the regulatory and policy environment should result in improved performance of firms within the construction industry and promote a more productive and adaptive construction industry overall.
The CRC states that stakeholders will gain from the development of a macromodelof the institutional regulatory framework affecting construction. Government will benefit as it serves three roles, these being clients, constructors and regulators. Benefits to industry are believed to include productivity gains and reduced compliance costs from a streamlined regulatory environment.
The CRC has stressed the importance of consulting representative organisations, including AIB, in order to gain advice from building professionals, communicate outcomes of the research, and achieve the project objectives.
