Calls grow in Northern Territory to enforce national building standards for homes

In the Northern Territory, there are calls to eliminate a two-tiered building system that allows homes to be built without meeting national safety and liveability standards. Most areas lack legal requirements for construction quality, raising concerns among experts. Currently, only certain zones, like Darwin and Alice Springs, require full compliance with national standards. In many remote areas, builders are not legally obligated to follow these codes, leading to potential safety and quality issues. Experts argue that enforcing national standards across the territory would not significantly increase costs. They emphasize that better regulation is essential for ensuring safe and livable homes, particularly in vulnerable communities.