Understanding the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act

Understanding the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act


Online

Omnia (Durback Jaggers Block), Kings Cross, NSW.
Image courtesy of John Gollings. Copyright © 2011-24 John Gollings Photography. All rights reserved.


The NSW DBP Act was introduced in 2021 to provide a framework for legislative and regulatory action to improve initially the quality of Class 2 residential buildings.

Designers and building practitioners are working to understand the regulatory framework they need to comply with as it rolls out to include other building classifications

This webinar brings together a group of experienced “design and building practitioners” to explore how to best navigate the requirements of the Act looking at the positives of the much needed reform and some of the unintended consequences.

Our expert panel will discuss:

  • Who and what does the Act affect and how is the Act being administered and the mechanics and policing of registration?
  • How able has industry been to evolve to comply with the Act and how has the process of doing building work been impacted?
  • What contractual changes have been required to cover the issues of compliance with the Act? Is it working yet? How is industry handling the changes required?
  • How could the scheme be improved to deliver on its objectives and mission?

The Q and A  Session with our Audience will cover questions such as:

  • What qualifies as maintenance?
  • Does window replacement require a regulated design?
  • When are bathroom and kitchen fit outs caught up in regulated design?
  • How has the Act affected certification and certifiers?
  • What’s happening to the .pdf drawings lodged via the planning portal?
  • What are the provisions for updates to registered design?


OUR SPEAKERS


Helen Kowal, Partner, Swaab Lawyers

Helen has a legal career which has spanned over 27 years in general practice. For the past 14 years, she has specialised in building, construction, property, and strata. Helen has worked for many owners’ corporations, developers, and builders in every facet of building and construction law within all jurisdictions.
Over the past few years, in her practice, Helen has been involved in various matters regarding the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Design and Building Practitioner Regulations 2021 and the new obligations impacting building practitioners, design practitioners and engineers particularly in the remedial space after 1 July 2021. In particular, Helen is working closely with remedial building practitioners, remedial industry bodies and the NSW Government as to the implications of the legislation on the remedial sector.

Peter Carl, Director, Capital Project Control

Peter brings a holistic approach to the planning and delivery of property solutions with extensive skills developed in strategy, briefing, development and management of construction projects during his 40 years in the industry. His broad property, building and development experience has been acquired through roles as Client, Consultant and Contractor, in Australia (29 years) and formerly the UK and Europe (11 years).
Peter has extensive project experience across a broad spectrum of sectors, from University and Education environments to Aged Care / Seniors / Student Residential, Industrial, Process, Health, and Leisure sectors, encompassing new build, adaptation, and replacement as well as large scale remedial and renewal. Peter has owned and operated the consultancy business Capital Project Control, based in Sydney since 1998.


His personal interest is in delivery innovation and in cooperative solutions, through the formation of strong project relationships and a clear contractual understanding.  Providing a comprehensive project management ethos, Peter offers the capacity to manage any and every aspect of the development process and understands intuitively the risk and quality requisites of the industry.


Geoff Hanmer, Arina Architects

Geoff is an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at the University of Adelaide, and Honorary Professional Fellow at UTS and the Managing Director of Arina, an architectural consultancy. ARINA has run design competitions for many Australian universities (including UNSW) and statutory authorities, including the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority. Geoff is a registered architect and writes on construction and buildings both contemporary and historical. He has taught and researched construction at UTS and UNSW for over 20 years.


Anthony Whipps, Business Group Leader, Building Engineering, GHD.  

Anthony manages a Business Group comprising Structural Engineering, MEP, Fire Engineering, Fire Protection, Security and Communications.  His Group is primarily involved in transport infrastructure, complex industrial and defence.
 
In addition, Anthony is also the Service Line leader for Building Services with the APAC region, which includes GHD offices in East Asia, the pacific, NZ and Australia.  This role primarily involves ensuring that the technical capability of the Building Engineers is evolving in line with the Market and Technology.  The role also involves developing strategic hires and business planning