Master Landscapers of South Australia (MLSA) CEO Chris Wiltshire highlights a new discussion paper on licencing and suggests landscapers should give it consideration.
The South Australian Government’s Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has released a discussion paper seeking industry opinion on regulating building inspectors.
Reading the tea leaves, the proposal to have building inspection become a licenced trade will receive strong support from the construction sector and, as a result, will likely be adopted. On the face of it, the licencing proposal seems irrelevant for landscapers. However, the Australian Standard that governs building inspections (AS 4349) refers to assessments of buildings (inclusive of outbuildings like sheds) and other structures like retaining walls, paving and fencing. Furthermore, the proposal targets inspectors who assess both Class 1 (dwellings) and Class 10 (outbuilding) structures. Regulating inspectors is a move in the right direction that has the full support of Master Landscapers South Australia (MLSA), ensuring standards are met and punishments provided if such professionals step out of line.
Credibility
Importantly, there will be an onus on inspectors to have some form of skill and/ or qualification to administer an assessment. Should CBS adopt the proposal as it stands, any person who visits a project to perform an audit (or analysis) on Class 10 structures will need to prove their credentials. Adopting this change has the potential to stamp out flagrant building reports, providing better assurances for those who have performed the work and more accuracy on the information given to consumers.
MLSA expects the proposal will be brought into law before the end of 2026.
2025 Awards of Excellence
MLSA would like to congratulate all entrants and winners in the 2025 Awards of Excellence. There was an array of projects that showcased the talent we have in South Australia, and a special congratulations goes to Desert Flower Landscaping for receiving the Judges Choice Award.
Visit landscapesa.com.au to see all the winners.