Building Commission NSW and SafeWork NSW will visit the Hunter Region over the next few days to blitz construction sites and engage with community, the construction industry, as well as local government as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening building standards across regional NSW.
The Hunter has been chosen for Building Commission NSW's first major campaign of 2026 due to its active construction industry, which has around 700 active construction sites serviced by more than an estimated 17,000 licence holders operating in the region.
The three-day trip, from 16-18 March, will see Building Commission NSW inspectors and the NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard, visit Singleton and areas of Maitland and Newcastle.
During the campaign, Building Commission NSW inspectors will visit apartment buildings and freestanding homes to address defective work and ensure signage and insurance is in place.
SafeWork NSW inspectors will also join inspections, focussing on preventing falls from heights and falling objects, and ensuring the safe operation of plant, machinery and equipment.
A compliance blitz conducted by SafeWork NSW last year which targeted construction sites in the Hunter Region saw inspectors visit 13 sites, resulting in 17 improvement notices, nine prohibition notices and three penalty notices totalling $13,500.
Inspectors will also be ensuring work is carried out with appropriate high risk work licences in place and engaging industry about psychological health and safety.
As part of the visit to the Hunter, Building Commission NSW will also take part in local government and community meetings and speak with local high school and TAFE NSW students.
Meetings will be held with Singleton, Upper Hunter Shire and Muswellbrook Shire councils while community pop up events will occur in Maitland and Charlestown.
These events give locals and industry a chance to speak with Building Commission NSW staff regarding building or legislative queries they may have, ensuring greater education community wide.
While Building Commission NSW have toured regional TAFE campuses before, this will be the first time the agency will visit local high schools.
Building Commission NSW will visit Hunter Trade College and Rutherford Technology High School where students can hear from lived experiences from staff, importance of compliance and knowledge and how the regulator can help foster and support future careers.
Staff and the Building Commissioner will also take part in an industry event at the University of Newcastle.
This campaign will give Building Commission NSW a clearer understanding of local trends and pain points, helping to shape policy and initiatives both in the region and across the state.
Last year, Building Commission NSW visited over 850 sites in regional NSW, including an inspection blitz in the Hunter Region in October.
During this blitz, Building Commission NSW Inspectors visited 41 sites, where they issued 22 Penalty Infringement Notices, nine Written Direction Notices and 13 Rectification Orders.
