
The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 was introduced by the NSW Government to reform the building and construction industry. The primary goal of this legislation is to enhance building safety and quality while restoring consumer confidence in the sector.
In recent years, media coverage has highlighted numerous cases of buildings with serious defects, rendering them unsafe for occupancy. This legislation seeks to eliminate unqualified designers, builders, and certifiers, ensuring that only competent professionals operate within the industry.
Under the Act, “regulated designs” must be prepared for specific building classifications outlined in the National Construction Code. These include Class 2, 3, and 9C buildings, which accommodate multiple occupants, such as apartment complexes, boarding houses, hotels, and hospitals.
At Council Approval Group, our Senior Architect, Giuseppe Calabrese, is a Registered Design Practitioner – Architect. This accreditation allows us to design all building classes while complying with government standards. Obtaining this registration requires a rigorous assessment process, including intensive study, testing, and expert review. Additionally, ongoing professional development is mandatory to maintain certification.
The government mandates certain buildings to be designed and declared by registered practitioners; without this, your building could risk compliance
Non-compliant designs are likely to be not accepted or refused by the Council and will require time for revision.
Practitioners not registered may not carry liability insurance, leaving you vulnerable to fines and legal disputes.
Choosing the right Architect for your Development Application is a crucial first step to ensuring you don’t waste precious time and money on designs that will not meet new regulations. Many architects and drafters don’t understand the council rules, which can lead to significant risks and challenges. Our Architect works alongside our Town Planners to ensure that your project is more likely to succeed.
Council Approval Group has an in-house, highly professional architecture and drafting team led by award-winning Architect Giuseppe Calabrese (NSW Reg #8079). Guiseppe is a fully registered and accredited Registered Design Practitioner (qualified to certify Class 2, 3 and 9C buildings) ensuring designs adhere to the New Building Code of Australia. He is an internationally acclaimed architect and award-winning designer.
Having previously worked for both boutique and major firms in Sydney, he has a wide range of experience across multiple project types.