Building Commission visits Hunter on compliance blitz

THE Hunter has been chosen for Building Commission NSW’s first major campaign of 2026.

The three-day trip, from 16-18 March, saw Building Commission NSW inspectors and the NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard, visit Singleton and areas of Maitland and Newcastle.

“This is a great opportunity for Building Commission NSW to connect with community and better understand building issues those in the Hunter are experiencing, and how we can help,” Mr Sherrard said.

“With the Hunter expected to experience considerable population growth over the next 20 years, it’s more important than ever to ensure we have a robust and capable building industry that can support new and established residents.

“Regional NSW has been a major focus for Building Commission NSW over the past couple of years and that will remain a priority in 2026.”

During the campaign, Building Commission NSW inspectors visited apartment buildings and freestanding homes to address defective work and ensure signage and insurance is in place.

SafeWork NSW inspectors also joined inspections, focussing on preventing falls from heights and falling objects, and ensuring the safe operation of plant, machinery and equipment.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said, “While we are seeing improvements in worksite safety, we are keen to continue ensuring construction workers can stay safe and healthy on the job.

“This week’s site visits in the Hunter region are part of SafeWork NSW’s regular program of proactive compliance across the state.

“SafeWork NSW’s proactive visits to construction sites play an important role in reducing the number of serious incidents by preventing harm, strengthening compliance and sharing practical safety tools.”

A compliance blitz conducted by SafeWork NSW last year which targeted construction sites in the Hunter region saw inspectors visit 13 sites, resulting in 17 improvement notices, nine prohibition notices and three penalty notices totalling $13,500.

Inspectors will also be ensuring work is carried out with appropriate high‑risk work licences in place and engaging industry about psychological health and safety.

As part of the visit to the Hunter, Building Commission NSW will also take part in local government and community meetings and speak with local high school and TAFE NSW students.

Meetings will be held with Singleton, Upper Hunter Shire and Muswellbrook Shire councils while community pop up events will occur in Maitland and Charlestown.

While Building Commission NSW have toured regional TAFE campuses before, this will be the first time the agency will visit local high schools.

Building Commission NSW will visit Hunter Trade College and Rutherford Technology High School where students can hear from lived experiences from staff, importance of compliance and knowledge and how the regulator can help foster and support future careers.

Staff and the Building Commissioner will also take part in an industry event at the University of Newcastle.

Last year, Building Commission NSW visited over 850 sites in regional NSW, including an inspection blitz in the Hunter region in October.

During this blitz, Building Commission NSW Inspectors visited 41 sites, where they issued 22 Penalty Infringement Notices, nine Written Direction Notices and 13 Rectification Orders.