Accountability key message of Construction Strategy Group
Accountability in the building industry is a key message promoted by the Construction Strategy Group (CSG) comprised of
high level executives actively engaged in the sector.
The Chairman of the CSG, Mr Richard Aitken, Chairman of engineering consultancy, Beca Group Ltd, said today the extent
of defective housing in the 1980’s and 1990’s highlighted a break down in quality performance.
“It is essential that all sectors in the industry, through builders, architects and designers to engineers, sub-contractors, developers and material suppliers, recognise
the part that they have to play in lifting standards.
“This means taking responsibility and accountability for the work we do in line with performance obligations entered
into with customers and clients.”
When website (www.constructionstrategygroup.org.nz) was launched today, he said that members of the CSG were committed to lifting standards across the board.
“This industry is responsible for some five percent of GDP. Inherent in its business performance is a multiplier
employment ripple through the economy when new homes and commercial buildings are being built at steadily increasing
rates.
“”A 10 to 20 percent lift in new home construction above today’s recessionary levels will spark hundreds of much needed
new jobs.
“To get there we need better economic conditions and confidence in the industry’s ability to perform to promised levels.
We aim to see that accountability is embraced and ingrained across the sector.”
Members of the Group and sectors in which they are engaged include: Engineering - Richard Aitken, Chairman, Beca Group
Ltd, Manufacturing - Chris Ellis, Chief Executive – Building Products, Fletcher Building Ltd, Large Commercial Build -
Peter Gomm, Chief Executive, Mainzeal Ltd, Design -Richard Harris, Chairman of Jasmax NZ, President of the New Zealand
Institute of Architects; Distribution - Gordon Buswell, Chief Executive ITM, Infrastructure - Mark Binns, Chief
Executive – Infrastructure, Fletcher Building Ltd, Research, Knowledge and Training - Pieter Burghout, Chief Executive,
BRANZ Ltd, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council; Large Volume/Group Builders - Mike Fox, Primesite Homes and
Chairman of the Registered Master Builders’ Federation, Medium and Small Builders - Richard Merrifield, R J Merrifield
Ltd, Chairman of the Building Research Advisory Council; Sub-contractors - Paul DeBernardo, Managing Director Aquaheat
Industries Ltd; Developers/Entrepreneurs - David McConnell, Managing Director, McConnell Group. - ends
ENDS