Issue 20 – September 2010
Accountability in the building industry is a key message promoted by the Construction Strategy Group (CSG) comprised of high level executives actively engaged in the sector.
The Chairman of the CSG, Mr Richard Aitken, Chairman of engineering consultancy, Beca Group Ltd, said that the extent of defective housing in the 1980s and 1990s highlighted a breakdown in quality performance.
'It is essential that all sectors in the industry, through builders, architects and designers to engineers, sub-contractors, developers, and material suppliers, recognise the part that they have to play in lifting standards.
'This means taking responsibility and accountability for the work we do in line with performance obligations entered into with customers and clients.'
When website www.constructionstrategygroup.org.nz (www.constructionstrategygroup.org.nz) was launched on 27 August 2010, Aitken said that members of the CSG were committed to lifting standards across the board.
'This industry is responsible for some five per cent of GDP.
'Inherent in its business performance is a multiplier employment ripple through the economy when new homes and commercial buildings are being built at steadily increasing rates.
'A 10 to 20 per cent lift in new home construction above today's recessionary levels will spark hundreds of much needed new jobs.
'To get there we need better economic conditions and confidence in the industry's ability to perform to promised levels. We aim to see that accountability is embraced and ingrained across the sector.'
Summarised from a Construction Strategy Group media release 27 August 2010.
Note: In May 2010 Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson welcomed the construction industry's move to establish a high-level strategy group, Construction Strategy Group, to address industry-wide issues.
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