[no bill text published] Investigation Powers for the Director of Building Work
Lands and Planning Legislation Amendment (Red Tape Reduction) Bill 2026
Assembly
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Director can investigate any matter regarding building work compliance; this includes the conduct of building practitioners.
The Director can force people under investigation to produce documents; the Director may then inspect or copy these documents.
Information given to the Director or an auditor cannot be used as evidence in criminal court; this excludes offences against the Building Act 1993.
Building certifiers face fines of up to 85 penalty units for amending building permits that would result in non-compliance with the Act.
Building practitioners must answer questions and provide information during investigations; failure to cooperate may lead to an inquiry by the Practitioners Board.
Building certifiers must send copies of permits and decisions to reporting authorities and the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service within 7 days; failure to do so carries a fine of 40 penalty units.
Planning Act authorised officers are protected from civil or criminal liability for acts done in good faith.
Topics
building inspections building permits building practitioners building standards fire safety housing