By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A sky drone will be used as part of a building-site inspection blitz by five state regulators in Casey, Frankston and Greater Dandenong.
Victorian Building Authority, WorkSafe Victoria, Consumer Affairs Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria and Environment Protection Authority will conduct up to 150 inspections during the Build Aware campaign from 19-23 February.
They will check and instruct sites on building and construction compliance, environment protection, consumer rights and OH&S.
EPA officers will use the drone to check for mismanaged waste materials, including asbestos, bricks, concrete, timber and contaminated soil.
“Having the drone fly over the sites will greatly increase our efficiency in identifying the most at-risk sites,” EPA southern metro region manager Marleen Mathias said.
“Disposing of construction and demolition waste properly means some of it can be recycled.
“But wrongly identified or illegally dumped waste can pollute the environment and pose a public health risk.”
EPA officers will also ensure stormwater runoff is not contaminating local waterways.
Victorian Building Authority inspectors will offer on-the-spot advice to builders on legal responsibilities including fire safety regulations.
Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors will be examining domestic building contracts to ensure they include important consumer protections.
The Build Aware campaign is being promoted on social media and at consumer.vic.gov.au/buildaware.
