The report on the WorkSafe Commissioner’s independent Inquiry into the Agricultural Industry has been released, with most of its recommendations supported and currently under consideration. The Commissioner has indicated his support for the majority of the recommendations, however two have been noted as they will require further work or consultation if the State Government wishes to progress them...

Building and Energy is investigating polybutylene pipe failures in some new homes Affected consumers should contact their builder in the first instance Pipe manufacturer, Iplex Australia, has announced interim remedy arrangements Western Australia’s building and plumbing regulator is investigating the cause of water leaks from burst polybutylene pipes, which have mostly occurred in homes built in...

A lack of available rental homes means it’s becoming harder and more expensive for many WA tenants to keep a roof over their heads. As Perth’s rental vacancy rate reportedly drops to 0.7 per cent and average weekly rents rise to $535, existing tenants may be asked to pay more to remain in the same property. There are strict rules surrounding how often rent increases are allowed to happen – they...

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 12 April 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 24 cents per litre (cpl)...

Willetton man managed five properties over four years without holding a licence Tenancy bonds were collected but not lodged with the Bond Administrator Unlicensed operators undermine professional standards of the industry A Willetton property manager who operated without a licence and failed to lodge eight tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator was fined a total of $18,000 by the Perth...

Certificates failed to show compliance with applicable building standards Permit authorities misled when issuing related building and occupancy permits Education order and $15,000 in total fines after another $7,000 fine in 2018 Noranda-based building surveyors have been ordered to complete further study and pay $15,000 in fines due to errors and substandard work while certifying five buildings...

Unlicensed motor vehicle dealer to pay $10,000 fine and $682 in costs 19 vehicles were sold between May 2021 and May 2022 Consumers urged to report unlicensed motor vehicle dealers A man has been fined $10,000 by the Bunbury Magistrates Court for buying and selling motor vehicles without a valid motor vehicle dealer licence. Bradley Christopher Diable was also ordered to pay costs of $682 when...

Easter is just around the corner. The Western Australian public holidays for the 2023 Easter period are: Good Friday – Friday 7 April Easter Sunday – Sunday 9 April Easter Monday – Monday 10 April Wageline will be closed across the Easter period and reopen on Tuesday 11 April. Visit the Easter 2023 public holiday entitlements page for details on the public holiday entitlements for Easter public...

1 April has become a landmark date for checking smoke alarms Activate the test button and check the alarm is not more than 10 years old Useful information and fact sheets at Building and Energy’s website WA’s building and electrical safety regulator wants home owners to look up at their smoke alarms this April Fools’ Day, the landmark date for checking the life-saving devices. Building and Energy...

The owner of the now closed Indian Garden Restaurant in North Perth, Kuldeep Jodha, has been fined $33,850 by the Industrial Magistrates Court for failing to comply with a court order to produce employment records. An industrial inspector from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety issued Mr Jodha with two notices to produce employment records in 2020 as part of a proactive...

Around $50,000 in fines, compensation and costs for multiple building offences Defective, incomplete and incorrectly contracted concrete services in Scarborough, Caversham, Alkimos, Ellenbrook and Port Kennedy Previous warning issued by Building & Energy and Consumer Protection A Perth driveway company and its director have been ordered to pay almost $50,000 in fines, compensation and costs...