Industry group out to stop rot

By ANNE GIBSON

The 18,000 new houses next year will be leak-proof if a sharp-shooting industry group has any say.

The formation of the Construction Industry Council was announced yesterday by industry leader John Pfahlert, its inaugural chairman.

He said the umbrella organisation had been set up to "seek and destroy" factors that had led to the rotting-homes crisis.

It had arisen out of the Construction Liaison Group, a pan-industry organisation formed 10 years ago as an informal discussion forum for a range of trade and professional organisations.

The council was set up on Thursday and its first task was to solve the leaky-building issue, Pfahlert said.

"Our aim is to rebuild consumer confidence in the industry as a whole and to represent the interests of the industry in developing standards and procedures that will ensure there is no repeat of today's situation," Pfahlert said.

The council's members include the Master Builders Federation, Institute of Architects, Building Industry Federation (representing suppliers), Certified Builders Association, Building Research Association and the Contractors Federation.

Fifteen other institutes and trade bodies are also involved.

The aim is to have a group that represents the entire building and construction business.

Pfahlert plans a two-pronged attack on leaky buildings: to work with the Government and local authorities to address problems identified by owners of leaky homes and apartments and to establish quality procedures in the industry to ensure the problem does not continue.

* If you have information about leaking buildings,
email the Herald or fax (09) 373-6421.

Further reading
Feature: Leaky buildings

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