Building Commission NSW to visit Mid North Coast and connect with local tradies
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Photo by Mikael Blomkvist
Building Commission NSW will head to Port Macquarie later this month, offering local tradespeople a free seminar focused on compliance, licensing, and industry updates — while inspectors simultaneously conduct worksite audits across the region.
The seminar, scheduled for 28 July at Panthers Port Macquarie (Rushcutter Room 1, 1 Bay Street), will cover all aspects of the construction industry, including building, plumbing, and electrical trades. Topics on the agenda include licensing requirements, supervision of apprentices, amendments to legislation, building and product-related issues, and updates on recent disciplinary decisions.
NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard said the event was designed to give regional tradespeople direct access to expert guidance at a critical time for the industry.
“Tradespeople in the regions are the backbone of their local areas and it’s vital they have direct access to the latest information and expert guidance,” Sherrard said.
“These seminars are a great chance for tradespeople on the Mid North Coast to hear firsthand from some of the most knowledgeable minds in the business, ask questions and stay up to date with what’s happening in the industry.”
The Port Macquarie event is part of a broader regional push by Building Commission NSW, which has already hosted seminars in Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour, Queanbeyan, and Dubbo this year. A visit to Wagga Wagga is planned for next month.
Sherrard said the seminars were open to all tradespeople, with a particular benefit for those earlier in their careers.
“This is especially a great opportunity for apprentices to head down and learn a thing or two from some of the most experienced minds in the industry,” he said.
“We’re encouraging all tradespeople in the region to come along, get informed, and be part of raising the bar across the industry.”
Tradespeople can register their attendance via the Building Commission NSW website.
Inspectors back on the Mid North Coast
Alongside the seminar, Building Commission inspectors will conduct compliance inspections at worksites across the region, checking that building standards are being upheld and addressing any defective work identified.
The inspections follow a previous blitz conducted in August last year, when inspectors visited 41 sites across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, issuing 22 fines and 13 Rectification Orders requiring operators to remedy identified issues.
The majority of fines were issued for non-compliant site signage, with several additional infringements handed down for unlicensed work. The most common defects identified were non-compliant masonry work, including problems with control joints and bricks overhanging concrete slabs.
One positive finding from last year’s inspection blitz was that no incorrect damp-proof course installations were detected — a notable result given their importance to building integrity. Damp-proof courses prevent moisture from entering structures; without them, water can penetrate a building, causing internal damage, mould growth, and long-term structural deterioration.
Building Commission NSW was established as the dedicated building regulator in 2023, with a mandate to raise industry standards, pursue enforcement action, and rebuild confidence in the sector. The regional seminar and inspection program reflect that focus, combining direct industry engagement with on-the-ground compliance activity.
Full details of last year’s Hunter and Mid North Coast inspection results are available on the Building Commission NSW website. Tradespeople wanting to attend the 28 July seminar can RSVP at nsw.gov.au.