MINUTES
Welcome:
Branch Chairperson Stu Chapman, opened the meeting, welcoming members, new members, and guests as well as extending a special thank you to the Dunedin City Council hosting the meeting.
Attendance:
Building Compliance Solution Ltd: Chris Randell
Central Otago District Council: John Redshaw
Clickworks: Dean Stiles
Clutha District Council: Brian Stack
Consent P&I Services Ltd: Phillip Bone
Dunedin City Council: Peter Brookland, Vaughn Bennett, Paul Henderson, Ray Bremmer, Neil McLeod
Gore District Council: Trevor Glider
Guests: Gillian Bedwell, Nick Hill, Lee Webster, Barbara O'Brien
Invercargill City Council: Barry Holsted
Otago Building & House Inspections Ltd: Pete Robinson
Queenstown Lakes District Council: Jonathan Shaw
Southland District Council: Brendon Ford, Tony Osborne
Teneo Ltd: Neville Neems
Timaru District Council: Monica Hakkaart, Vicki McMillan, Jayson Ellis
University of Otago: Russell Wall
Waimate District Council: Stu Chapman, Dave McFarlane
Waitaki District Council: Roger Cook
Apologies:
Dunedin City Council: Martine Cashell-Smith
Gore District Council: Russell Paterson, Alan Farquharson, John Hunter
Queenstown Lakes District Council: Peter Meikle
BCITO: Steve McLellan
Previous Minutes
15th March 2019:
- Issues raised at the last meeting regarding minutes from 16th November meeting have been resolved.
- PS1 construction monitoring and "as per agreement with owner/developer", no progress from Clutha District Council as far as we are aware.
- Nick suggested having the minutes attached to the BOINZ agenda emails, so they are easier to access. Members present agreed this was a fantastic idea.
Moved: Peter Brookland Second: Trevor Gilder
Correspondence In/Out:
- Monica Hakkaart will be going on Maternity leave in September and this will be her last Branch meeting as Secretary. Vicki McMillan is willing to step into the role for the interim.
- A vote was taken with the members present for Vicki McMillan to take over as Branch Secretary. All members present agreed to Vicki taking over role. Thanks, were expressed to Vicki, and best wishes extended to Monica
Moved: Stu Chapman Second: Dave McFarlane Carried
General Business:
Moved: Stu Chapman Second: Barry Holsted Carried
- Trevor Gilder and Stu Chapman thanked Monica for her service in the Southern Branch Secretary role.
- It was noted the Cluster Group Specified System forms are out of date on the website. Jayson Ellis asked how members are dealing with the changes they want made to the Cluster forms. He also suggested putting changes wanted in writing to your managers and/or Neil McLeod from Dunedin City Council to ensure this is dealt with at Cluster meetings. It was confirmed the Invercargill City Council website is where people should be getting the forms for the cluster group.
- Phillip Bone asked if anyone gives consideration to warranting a fire guard around free standing fires under G5 Interior Environment. No one within meeting had ever considered this. Members present did not think the Building Code as it stands, could support requiring homeowners put in a fire guard.
- Jayson Ellis informed members of the MBIE Building Code Technical Advisory Group (BCTRAG) established to clarify/discuss potential risks within the Building Code and Building Act. All members were asked if they have any ideas/ issues to please forward them to Jayson Ellis (BOINZ representative on the BCTRAG) and copy BCA representative Neil McLeod
- BOINZ Chief Executive Nick Hill raised the following items following a request from the Chair for any other general items of interest.
-Terminology used by MBIE in their recent releases illustrates training is required for their new staff.
-The BOINZ Board has a "casual vacancy" due to a resignation and the Board will discuss the need to fill this in August.
-Conference programme for 2020 in Auckland is proposed to take place over Sunday, Monday & Tuesday rather than starting on Monday
-HR Division International Recruitment - Regulation 18 and how it works for international candidates BOINZ are bringing in.
-Review of BOINZ constitution -rumour that cabinet are likely to consider changes to the Act and this may mean BOINZ will need to await these outcomes before finalising its own review.
-Earth Building Standards review, BOINZ have supported it. It is a shame MBIE doesn't.
-Nick encouraged members to join standard committee, BOINZ are willing support members if they are interested.
-Mandatory Independent Third-Party Certification- this is vital for critical building areas and critical building products in the area. Worldwide the problems of product assurance were costly and life threatening. - Stu Chapman asked how Building Control Authorities (BCA) are dealing with non-standard and specialist inspections e.g. Straw bale houses, etc.
- MBIE is funding over 120 building standards for free download, members are happy with this, but it appears some critical standards are still missing e.g. AS/NZS 2918 Domestic solid fuel building appliances.
- NZS 3604 missing changes made in B1/AS1. Members agreed that NZS 3604 is long overdue for an upgrade with included changes, especially now it is available for free download.
- Push for independent third-party certification from Building Control Authorities. Any comments on this please contact BOINZ.
- Members discussed Accreditation and various non-compliances, Regulation 18 compliance issues, lapsing consents, wording on websites, KPI's etc.
Regarding Compliance Schedules, Stu Chapman suggested the Cluster Group form needs reformatting
-Some Councils were finding conflicts between IANZ and MBIE.
-IANZ was asked to talk at that BOINZ Senior Building Control Officers' Forum but were prevented from attending by MBIE, which was disappointing as traditionally these sessions are informative and helpful. - Roger Cook advised he had received a telephone interview on "How to improve the relationship with BCAs and MBIE". There has been no outcome or survey release as yet.
Guest Presentation:
Chief Executive Nick Hill - Building Officials Institute of New Zealand
Topic: Nick updated and briefed members on a range of topics including:
- BOINZ - It's your Institute - We need your support to support you.
- Nick overviewed some interesting BOINZ stats. For example, the Southern Branch currently have 159 members.
- Themed meetings/ Speakers - what members put in is what members will get out. Let your Branch Executives know what you would like to see at your meetings.
- There are currently 34 Accredited Building Surveyor members supporting PrePurchase Property Inspections. There is a robust course and report audit requirement to protect those working in this field, and it is paying dividends in respect of feedback and complaint reduction.
- Lower number of training courses being run. This is due to more members engaging in the Building Surveying Diploma Level 6.
- Nick encouraged members to 'Like' the BOINZ Facebook page. Doing this will mean you get up to date news feeds directly from BOINZ National Office.
- Education= Qualification/ Upskilling= Training
- AGM 2019 - Presidents & CEO Reports
- Annual Financial Report - overview of the 2018 year.
- Nick discussed Branch meetings and how we can make meetings easier to pull together. He suggested themed meetings with 6-8 guest speakers a day. More executive members coming on board will help the Branch achieve its agenda and effective
- Personal development for BOINZ members
- Members Benefits - Education & Training, Communication, Retail Discounts, Networking, Legislation and HR Division.
- Benefits of using MYBOINZ
- Monthly Update and Straight Up have had new and improved layout/ format
- What's on at the Senior Building Control Officers Form - Wednesday 21st August - Friday 23rd August 2019. Be sure to watch out for the Monthly Update for more information.
- Minister for Building and Construction Hon. Jenny Salesa will be opening and speaking at Senior Building Control Officers Forum.
- Training - Accessibility, Applicability, Affordability - BOINZ's 3-Door approach
- BOINZ are looking at running some training through branch meetings.
- Working on competency for training different levels of competency's R1-R3 & C1-C3. This has been well supported in a recent BCA Manager survey.
- Looking at bringing technology into training to cut down on cost.
- The Restricting Access to Swimming Pools course is now available online through the BOINZ website - Early bird pricing - go have a look, it is comprehensive, and you can do it in your own time.
- Proposed Building Law Reform. Nick overviewed BOINZ submission and positions.
Questions:
Q. Is anything in place to bring the existing staff who only have level 5 Diploma up to a level 6?
A. BOINZ/ OP/ Future Skills/ Skills Org are looking into this, but currently it is not a high priority, but something will be announced in the new few months or so.
Q. What are the costs involved of training?
A. Development of courses cost significant amounts. It is noted some councils undertake internal training in areas of BOINZ courses which can't be cost effective for BCA's. BOINZ has always said the more support for its courses, the more economical for the users.
BOINZ is also developing courses in new areas of training:
- Accreditation support
- Advanced Technical Training (Beyond Acceptable Solutions)
- Product exposure
The Online Training Academy pathway will assist in ensuring these courses are delivered through various media channels to help lower training costs - but BOINZ won't compromise on quality - that's why BOINZ needs BCA support. To ensure the course content is appropriate and cost effective. There are too many cheap courses in the market that don't deliver to the required needs.
Advanced Fire course coming is covering new fire docs.
Q. Are BOINZ trying to encourage designers etc to attend training?
A. Yes. BOINZ is well aware the architectural/ designer community needs help in understanding the Building Code and thereby deliver efficiencies to all in the building chain. We have had talks with NZIA - just a matter of making it happen
Chairman Stu Chapman thanked Nick for a very informative presentation and taking the time to come down to the meeting. He then closed the meeting at 3pm.
Next Meeting:
13th September 2019 - possible site visit in Waimate, or guest speakers.
If you have any ideas for future site visits or guest speakers, please contact Stu Chapman or Vicki McMillan
