Builders across Port Macquarie, Forster and Nelson Bay have been hit with $14,850 in fines after building inspectors descended on more than 120 construction sites in a compliance blitz last month.
The Minns Labor Government says it remains focused on improving building standards, with Building Commission NSW’s most recent inspection blitz targeting sites across Port Macquarie and New England. More than 150 site inspections were completed across both regions during the July visits, resulting in 25 fines with a combined value of $17,600.
Visits to regional areas are an important part of the regulator’s work, combining compliance inspections with educational campaigns to lift standards, support local tradespeople and better protect consumers.
Building Commission NSW carried out 123 general compliance inspections at Class 1 residential sites across Forster, Nelson Bay and Port Macquarie in July, resulting in 21 fines and 21 further cautions.
Most fines were handed out for unlicensed residential building work, failing to display proper signage on development consent work, licensees failing to supervise contractors, and unauthorised plumbing or drainage work. The cautions mostly related to missing site signage and unlicensed work.
While the number of fines was similar to two earlier visits to the Mid North Coast in 2025, inspectors covered around 50 more sites this time around, and no Written Direction Notices or Building Rectification Orders were needed, unlike last year’s visits.
Building Commission NSW also ran an educational trade seminar in Port Macquarie, drawing around 50 local tradespeople.
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said Port Macquarie’s rapid growth made the crackdown critical for local families.
“Our North Coast communities like Port Macquarie are growing rapidly, and local families investing their hard-earned money into building a home deserve absolute peace of mind,” Ms Saffin said.
“They deserve to know that every dollar they spend is buying a structurally sound and high-quality home.
“We know the vast majority of tradies are doing the right thing, and compliance blitzes like this one show why proactive enforcement is so critical.
“We want to protect local home buyers and ensure our regional construction industry remains safe and fair for everyone which is why we are cracking down on unlicensed work and poor standards now.”
Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said the results showed the value of the regulator’s regional visits.
“It’s fantastic to see the Port Macquarie and North England communities engaging with Building Commission NSW to deliver high-quality homes in the region,” Mr Chanthivong said.
NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard said the inspections gave residents confidence, wherever they were buying.
“Whether they’re buying a home in Sydney or the regions, residents deserve the confidence of knowing they can move in from day one without worrying about defects that shouldn’t be there,” Mr Sherrard said.
“Where non-compliant work is detected, our inspectors will be issuing fines and orders to ensure these problems are rectified.”
Since establishing Building Commission NSW as the dedicated regulator in 2023, the NSW Government has prioritised raising standards and boosting confidence across the home building industry, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader plan to build more high-quality homes for the people of NSW.
Further inspections will be conducted across the region before the end of the year, giving locals confidence that new homes are being built safely and to the highest quality.
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