The Building Services Board has fined a building surveying practitioner $5,000 for misleading the City of Perth by inaccurately declaring that proposed building conversion work would comply with applicable building standards.
The Building Services Board has fined a building surveying practitioner $5,000 for misleading the City of Perth by inaccurately declaring that proposed building conversion work would comply with applicable building standards.
Paul Christopher Busby (BSP2331) signed a certificate of design compliance (CDC) in June 2023 as part of a building permit application to convert an East Perth office to an education centre, which involved a change of building classification.
Through a CDC, a building surveyor declares that proposed building work will comply with applicable building standards if construction follows approved plans and specifications.
For a proposed change of building classification, documents referenced in the CDC and accompanying the building permit application must show the whole building will comply, or already does comply, with current applicable building standards or those in place 12 months prior.
A Building and Energy investigation revealed deficiencies in Mr Busby's CDC, which only addressed some compliance issues on two levels, rather than for the whole building. Deficient areas included fire safety, structural issues and access for people with disabilities.
At its August 2025 meeting, the Board found Mr Busby's compliance declaration had the capacity to mislead the City of Perth during the building permit application process. Misleading conduct is a disciplinary matter under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011.
The Board noted Mr Busby's cooperation with the investigation and lack of prior disciplinary matters.
The City of Perth eventually issued a building permit for the project.
Building and Energy Executive Director Daniel Kearney reminded building surveyors of the standards expected under WA's Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors .
"Building surveyors have a statutory obligation to ensure compliance when certifying building designs and referring to plans and specifications," Mr Kearney said.
"This initial certification is a key part of the building permit process and can have significant impacts on construction and the subsequent safety, health and amenity of building occupants."
