The Northern Territory has imposed new rules on building permits. 

From the end of January, the designs of all buildings deemed “complex” projects will be required to be reviewed by an independent third party before a building permit is issued.

The third-party reviewer would have to be a “qualified, experienced and independent structural engineer”.

“An NT-accredited structural engineer [who has] had 10 years' experience will look over that design work,” Planning Minister Eva Lawler announced this week. 

“If there are any reviews needed, or changes needed, that will be picked up in the design work.”

It comes after a 2019 planning department review found nine buildings in Darwin and Palmerston did not meet the National Construction Code. Their issues included incorrectly designed transfer slabs, which are used to spread the weight of a building onto support columns.

“The majority of our builders do a very good job, but this is about making sure that small percentage [who] aren't, are doing the right thing,” Ms Lawler said.

The NT’s “Independent Third-Party Review of Structural Designs” reforms are part of broader measures to bring the Territory into line with national building codes.

The Territory is working on other changes including professional development, tightened registration regulations for builders and increased fines for non-compliance.

The definition of a “complex” project includes buildings that are three storeys or higher, as well as specialised structures such as hospitals and childcare centres.