I write in relation to the article "Woolies site delay" (Leader, April 3).
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I would like to clarify the facts relating to a statement in the article regarding the role of the private certifier. I am a private certifier but not the private certifier for the development that the article relates to.
A statement in the article reads as follows: "The private certifier is responsible for supervising all construction works and for approving the completion of the building."
All certifiers both private and council are governed by the Building Professionals Act. This act individually accredits certifiers to undertake their work, and among other things strictly outlines what is considered a conflict of interest for a certifier.
Under section 66 of the act a certifier may not be involved in the design or construction of a development. Thus a certifier cannot be involved in supervising any construction work or be involved with any aspect of the design of the work.
A certifier's primary function is to issue approvals for construction to proceed and subsequently issue the approval to occupy the building.
The certifier's key role is to ensure compliance with the Building Code of Australia and the applicable development consent. Individual parts of the building are designed/installed by specialists who then provide a certificate confirming that the work complies with the relevant Australian standard.
The media and public appear to misunderstand the role of the certifier. The certifier is not a designer of buildings nor a manager of construction and does not undertake a quality control role.
A visit to the Building Professional Board's website can verify the above and give further information on the subject.
Andrew Rys, Oatley
Planning laws unease
It is significant that the Beatles' tour to Australia 50 years ago is to be acknowledged by the Fabulous Beatle Boys (Leader, April 3).
On May 22, 2013, I had the opportunity to visit the Beatles Museum in Liverpool, England.
It was a wonderful museum, and one could never not be moved by seeing John Lennon's piano, guitar, and to read the words of Imagine.
Mid-2013 there were huge community concerns over the NSW government's planning legislation.
On July 18, 2013, Leader photographer John Veage lined up myself, Gill Whan, Glynn Pulling and Leesha Payor in Abbey Road style on Bellevue Street, Kogarah.
This effective and clever photograph was published by the Leader on July 25, 2013.
Its "Beatle-style focus" certainly drew close attention to the article [relating] to the proposed planning legislation; this legislation still remains in question.
Anne Field, Kogarah
