Leaky Homes Review Welcome

Media Release from the Wood Processors’ Association

Leaky Homes Review Welcome

26 February 2009

The Wood Processors’ Association (WPA) has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson, that he intends researching the extent of the lingering leaky homes problem.

Peter Bodeker, the WPA’s chief executive, said it was pleasing the minister was wanting to get to grips with the problem and develop a comprehensive approach to resolve the issue for affected homeowners.

“While we believe this is mostly a historical problem, tens of thousands of homeowners are estimated to need repairs, and a consistent and fair approach by central Government to help address the issue is what’s now needed.

“This is a problem from the past that still needs some final resolution.”

Mr Williamson has approached local mayors and is initiating research in order to get an accurate assessment of the size of the problem.

The design issues that originally led to the leaky homes problems had now been addressed, Mr Bodeker said. New homes were no longer being built with the suspect cladding and design features that were believed to have been responsible.

The building code had since been amended to ensure the problems were not repeated and local council building inspectors were both knowledgeable and extremely vigilant in ensuring that relevant building standards were fully complied with.

“Although the industry and consumers can be confident home builders won’t be repeating the mistakes of the past, those mistakes still needed putting right, with many homeowners facing large repair costs.”

ENDS

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