❓ The WA parliamentary question seeks data on building complaints received by DMIRS Building and Energy, including complaint numbers, staffing levels, resolution times, and interactions with local governments. The answer provides some data but notes limitations in data collection for certain aspects.
AnsweredQoN 818Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) With respect to building complaints received by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) Building and Energy, pursuant to the Building Services ( Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011) , for each year since 1 June 2017, I ask: (a) How many complaints were received; and (b) How many full-time equivalent worked to manage these complaints? (2) How many of those staff were registered building surveyors, and how many were registered building inspectors : (a) How many of the complaints involved Building and Energy registered building surveyors/inspectors completing on-site inspections? (3) How many complaints were referred to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) : (a) What was the average time, median time and longest wait time to fully resolve a complaint (from Building and Energy receipt to final decision, including those referred to SAT); (b) What was the average time to resolve all of the complaints that were referred to SAT; (c) How many of the complaints involved some action or engagement with the local government permit authorities; and (d) How many of the complaints, in part or full, could have been dealt with by local government permit authorities, but were not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 August 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Commerce
Response time
5 days
Answer
1. (a) and (b)
Year
Number of Complaints received
Number of FTE
2017/18
734
20
2018/19
669
21
2019/20
574
24
2020/21
771
26
2021/22
1003
27
2022/23 [1]
991
27
[1] As at 19 June 2023.
2. There are nine registered building inspectors and one registered painting inspector within the Complaints Branch.
Other technical officers within Building and Energy are called upon to assist where necessary. This includes 13 registered building surveyors and two qualified structural engineers.
(a) The provision of in-house building inspection services by Building and Energy commenced on 1 July 2020. Since then there have been 1064 on-site inspections carried out by Building and Energy inspectors.
3.
Year
Complaints referred to SAT
2017/18
156
2018/19
141
2019/20
142
2020/21
159
2021/22
261
2022/23
320
(a)
Year
Average (median) days to complete
– Building and Energy
Longest time to complete
– Building and Energy
2017/18
162
182
2018/19
175
242
2019/20
171
260
2020/21
162
210
2021/22
148
179
2022/23
172
192
Note : Once a complaint is referred to the SAT it is closed by Building and Energy.
(b) Information regarding the average days to resolve a matter by the SAT should be referred to the Attorney General.
(c) This information is not recorded by Building and Energy. It is not uncommon for Building an Energy to liaise with local governments in relation to building documentation such as building permits and plans.
(d) This information is not recorded by Building and Energy.
1. (a) and (b)
Year
Number of Complaints received
Number of FTE
2017/18
734
20
2018/19
669
21
2019/20
574
24
2020/21
771
26
2021/22
1003
27
2022/23 [1]
991
27
[1] As at 19 June 2023.
2. There are nine registered building inspectors and one registered painting inspector within the Complaints Branch.
Other technical officers within Building and Energy are called upon to assist where necessary. This includes 13 registered building surveyors and two qualified structural engineers.
(a) The provision of in-house building inspection services by Building and Energy commenced on 1 July 2020. Since then there have been 1064 on-site inspections carried out by Building and Energy inspectors.
3.
Year
Complaints referred to SAT
2017/18
156
2018/19
141
2019/20
142
2020/21
159
2021/22
261
2022/23
320
(a)
Year
Average (median) days to complete
– Building and Energy
Longest time to complete
– Building and Energy
2017/18
162
182
2018/19
175
242
2019/20
171
260
2020/21
162
210
2021/22
148
179
2022/23
172
192
Note : Once a complaint is referred to the SAT it is closed by Building and Energy.
(b) Information regarding the average days to resolve a matter by the SAT should be referred to the Attorney General.
(c) This information is not recorded by Building and Energy. It is not uncommon for Building an Energy to liaise with local governments in relation to building documentation such as building permits and plans.
(d) This information is not recorded by Building and Energy.
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