Last week the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal handed down its ruling on the 2014 Lacrosse apartment building fire in a landmark decision for the architecture profession and the broader building and construction sector. The Australian Institute of Architects is thoroughly examining the substantial findings of the case in close consultation with experts across multiple disciplines, including legal, to provide members with considered information to ensure the ongoing safety of our communities.

The Lacrosse fire has been a catalyst for important reviews into building regulation in Australia, prompting multiple examinations into the safety of our buildings around the country. The Shergold-Weir report, Building Confidence, identified serious failures and outlined 24 recommendations for better regulation and improved compliance with the National Construction Code. The Institute fully supports the implementation of all 24 recommendations and will continue to advocate for their adoption in a nationally consistent way.

The safety of our communities and the buildings they occupy is the responsibility of all and the Institute is dedicated to ensuring our regulatory environment and the practitioners that operate within it deliver on their responsibility. You can read the full VCAT decision here.

We will continue to update you on the impacts for the profession and in the meantime, we have made our Online CPD course on inappropriate external cladding use and the subsequent amendments to Volume One of the National Construction Code available complimentary for all members. Members will have received an email on Friday 1 March with the link to the complimentary course.

Acumen Practice Notes contain further information on non-complying building products. Login using your member number and password.

For detailed information about compliance and conformity assessment, you can refer to the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council Guide to Procurement of Construction Products.

We understand this ruling may cause feelings of uncertainty and concern among members and we encourage you to seek peer-to-peer and professional support during this time should you need.

Clare Cousins,
National President

View our media statement on the VCAT ruling here.