Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) staff are visiting homeowners this week, providing flood recovery advice and urging them to only use licensed tradespeople for their important building work.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says it is understandable that affected owners want to start work as soon as possible but it is equally important that they ensure the work is done correctly, legally and to all appropriate standards.

"I know that owners urgently want their homes repaired but if the work isn’t done properly the first time, it could potentially create further problems down the track," Ms Levy says.

"It’s also important that owners speak to their insurer before attempting or authorising any building work, including emergency repairs, as unauthorised work may not be covered by an
insurance policy."

The QBCC website features a 'Find a Local Contractor' search function to help those owners who need to locate and contact qualified, licensed local tradespeople.

Owners are also encouraged to use contracts to help safeguard all parties in case of potential future disputes. Contracts are available to download for free from the QBCC website. 

"When the important rebuilding work starts in flood-affected areas, the QBCC will be there to check licences and inspect work, to protect owners and ensure a level playing field for licensed contractors," Ms Levy says.

QBCC Commissioner Richard Cassidy said there was a range of information and resources online for people and businesses affected by floods or seeking flooding assistance.

“Events like this have a huge impact on the community and we're here to help,” he said.

“We encourage anyone affected by the floods to take extra steps to stay safe during the clean-up and know there are a number of helpful guides and tips on how to start the clean-up, and how to do it safely.

“There is a flood cleaning checklist which looks at where to start with general cleaning as well as what to do with cavity walls, concrete floors, plaster board and fixtures and fittings, to name a few.

“A floods health and safety checklist looks at initial post-flood safety and awareness around electricity and gas supply, as well as strip-out and clean procedures for insulation, water damaged furniture, carpets and any other absorbent items.”

Mr Cassidy said it was important people followed these simple steps to stop any further damage to their properties, as well as keep them and their families safe.

“We know this can be an emotional time and having these checklists on hand helps take the guess work out of what needs to be done next,” he said.

Further fact sheets and checklists are available on the QBCC website.

If you don’t have internet access, please phone QBCC on 13 93 33.

The Council were asked to endorse the following at the meeting:

• If independent members should be included on the 2022 Panel.
• Decide on subcommittee representatives and number of representatives from the Council required.
• The proposed candidate attributes for Panel nominees.
• The proposed approach to seek expressions of interest for the Panel.
• The Panel Committee Booklet.
• The Letter of offer to new nominees.

The proposed candidate attributes are:

• current knowledge and experience in the service trades industry, including plumbing, drainage, gas, fire protection and/or mechanical services and should have the relevant associated licence
• the ability to be an effective member of a team and have exemplary communication skills.
• connections to broader industry and community networks, to share experience wider than their own.
• represent the voice of their relevant industry sector.

Nominees must also consent to a criminal history and probity checks and provide details of any potential conflicts of interest.

The advertisement for the STLAP panel nomination process will be from 7 March to 18 March 2022, as an open merit, expression of interest to members of the service trades industry, including stakeholder representatives and individual representatives.

Many homes in both areas suffered flood damage and needed repairs after the waters receded. Regardless of whether the damage needed minor or major repair work, the QBCC was involved to ensure building standards were upheld, giving residents peace of mind.

After Inglewood flooded late last year staff from the QBCC Toowoomba office were quickly on hand at the Inglewood Recovery Hub to centre to reassure residence and provide information and guidance about compliant and safe building work. Tiffany Barber and Kaitlyn Healy (pictured below) gave residents information about licence registers and advice on mould awareness, asbestos management and the impacts of flood waters on plumbing.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth also caused major flooding on the Fraser Coast earlier this year, resulting in many homes and buildings needing significant and ongoing repairs. A team from the QBCC was put together to support recovery efforts and provide help and information about flood-related home repairs and rebuilding.  

The major building and construction related concerns people were looking for following the floods included information on repairs to damaged plasterboard, timber and timber homes and using plumbing and water in flood and cyclone-affected areas.

In both areas the QBCC’s skills and experience assisted by reminding property owners that if repair work or rebuilding was needed to always use a licensed contractor, and if the building work was valued over $3,300 to ensure a contract was in place for the work.

The QBCC’s social media channels also gave timely advice to people in the affected areas by advising that the QBCC website has a free search tool to help identify and contact local licensees and a variety of building contracts for free download, including a Natural Disaster Repairs Contract.

Extensive information for home owners and contractors about rebuilding after a natural disaster, including flood events, can be found all year round on the QBCC website.  

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Queensland Building and Construction Board Chair, Mr Dick Williams, said Ms Levy brings a wealth of private and public sector leadership experience to the QBCC.

Ms Levy's most recent role was as CEO of Water Infrastructure NSW.

Her previous leadership roles have included Coordinator-General of the NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment's Environment, Energy and Science Group, Deputy CEO and Head of Investor Assurance at Infrastructure NSW, and Acting Chair and CEO of the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

Ms Levy was appointed to the role following a comprehensive and rigorous Australia-wide executive search and recruitment process conducted by executive recruitment firm Luminary Partners.

"Ms Levy has significant knowledge and expertise in construction and infrastructure planning and delivery, as well as being an experienced regulator," Mr Williams said.

"She is highly regarded in government and industry circles across many sectors and is recognised for her commitment to developing industry engagement and partnerships, her deep understanding of regulated industries, and her expertise in effecting organisational change."

Mr Williams said Ms Levy's appointment comes at an important time for Queensland's building and construction industry, given current supply-chain issues and increased materials costs, compounded by labour shortages at a time of surging demand.

"The QBCC has a vital role to play in making sure that Queenslanders continue to have confidence in the building and construction industry," Mr Williams said.

"Ms Levy will focus on delivering industry certainty, as we continue our drive to be an agile, insights-driven organisation, while addressing any opportunities for potential improvements to QBCC's governance arrangements flowing from the governance review led by Mr Jim Varghese AM.

"Importantly, Ms Levy's extensive skills and experience will ensure the QBCC is an effective regulator that can be trusted by Queenslanders. 

"I look forward to working with Ms Levy, given the importance of the Queensland building and construction sector, which is worth $47 billion a year and employs over 230,000 people.

"The Queensland Building and Construction Board wishes to thank Mr Richard Cassidy for his excellent contribution as Interim CEO and Commissioner while the search for a new permanent CEO and Commissioner was conducted."

Ms Levy will commence with the QBCC on 14 February, 2022.

Minister for Public Works and Procurement, Mick de Brenni, said he had supported the board's recommendation to appoint Ms Levy after a comprehensive national search and recruitment process.

"Ms Levy takes on her new role as Commissioner at a time critical to ensuring fairness and confidence in the building industry for everyone from new home builders and renovators to the 230,000 Queenslanders that depend on it for their livelihoods," Mr de Brenni said.

Ms Anissa Levy

Ms Anissa Levy's most recent role was as the CEO of Water Infrastructure NSW, where she was responsible for the establishment of the organisation and building the capacity and capability of the water sector to plan and deliver large and complex infrastructure programs across NSW. 

Prior to this, Ms Levy led the Department of Planning Industry and Environment's Environment, Energy and Science Group as Coordinator-General, delivering significant policies, initiatives and strategies on climate change, renewable energy and energy security, environmental sustainability, waste management, biodiversity and conservation.  

As Deputy CEO and Head of Investor Assurance at Infrastructure NSW, Ms Levy oversaw the development, implementation and operation of the Infrastructure Investor Assurance Framework — a risk-based framework for the oversight of the government's ambitious infrastructure program.

As the Acting Chair and CEO of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Ms Levy committed to developing partnerships with the community, industry, government agencies and environmental groups, and initiated change to the culture of the EPA into a more customer-focused organisation.

A civil engineer by profession, Ms Levy has a strong track record of driving transformational change across organisations and teams with experience in the development, construction, infrastructure, transport, sustainability, environment, waste, energy and water sectors.