Despite repeated state government undertakings to get tough on dodgy private certifiers it can take eight months or more for the Building Professionals Board to investigate a complaint.
Kaye Watkins first complained to the board in June last year about alleged variations to approved plans in the construction of a house next door in Newtown. She has contacted the board on more than 20 occasions without being informed if it is taking any action against the certifier.
"The fact that no one seems to be inclined to hold [the certifier, the builder and the owner] to account is, to say the least, galling," Ms Watkins said.
The board has previously disciplined the certifier on three occasions, the last time fining him $20,000 over irregularities at four developments in the Canada Bay local government area and attaching conditions to his accreditation. The fine was reduced to $7000 and the conditions watered down on appeal to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal. He has also been reported to the board by Willoughby Council in relation to unauthorised building works at Chatswood.
A spokesperson for the Department of Planning said investigations by the board were treated confidentially but proven breaches were published on its website.
"The board has contacted Ms Watkins several times about her complaint and is currently investigating her concerns," the spokesperson said. "The matter is now in its final stages and Ms Watkins will be notified of the outcome."
Last September the government announced another review of the Building Professionals Act, which governs the operations of the board, by former Treasury secretary Michael Lambert. His report is not due until the end of October.
The review follows a report by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal which found that the board had taken disciplinary action against only 1 per cent of all accredited certifiers, with only 0.1 per cent suffering more than a fine and a reprimand. No action had been taken on 72 per cent of complaints.
