Build Aware is a new program launched by Victorian Building Authority (VBA), WorkSafe Victoria, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). The program aims to ensure practitioners understand their obligations to comply with building, construction, environment, plumbing and OH&S legislation.

Bendigo was selected as the first destination for the program due to its strong construction base and leading regional Centre with Geelong and Surf Coast visited last week due to significant growth. Other regional centres will be visited in the near future.

EPA Chief Executive Officer Nial Finegan, said Build Aware was a multi-agency first for the state’s major regulators.

“By pooling resources the agencies are expanding the number of available eyes. Each agency has been given information to help spot issues affecting other agencies and will be able to sound the alert on potential non-compliant sites,” he said.

“We will be cracking down on the illegal disposal of construction and demolition waste. This program continues our work in educating and supporting the construction sector with regards to their environmental obligations in a proactive way. If you’re generating, transporting or receiving construction and demolition waste, make sure you manage it responsibly by using only licensed or permitted facilities.”

Build Aware will work with the building sector to provide on-the-spot advice on any compliance questions and will also conduct desktop review of permits to determine potential non-compliances.

Regulators will continue their normal inspections throughout the year and will work with building practitioners to provide lessons learned from the program.