- Minister for Planning
Minister for Planning Richard Wynne has embarked on a week-long trip to the United Kingdom, to discuss critical issues including flammable cladding and building insurance with international experts.
Mr Wynne will meet with leading engineer Dame Judith Hackitt, who led the independent British Government review into high-rise buildings regulations following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
He will also meet with leading international insurers to discuss underwriting professional indemnity insurance for the building industry.
Mr Wynne’s talks will focus on work throughout London to address flammable cladding, as well as the outcomes from last week’s Building Ministers Forum, where his state and federal counterparts agreed a national approach is needed to give confidence to the insurance industry.
He will give briefings on the Andrews Labor Government’s landmark cladding package – a $600 million plan to rectify the more risky cases of combustible cladding on Melbourne apartment buildings.
Mr Wynne will also look at world-leading urban renewal and social housing projects throughout London during his trip, and talk with British authorities about the learnings and outcomes gained from these projects.
He will also meet with organisations specialising in multicultural youth initiatives to discuss their engagement and outreach programs.
As noted by Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“While Victoria is well ahead in planning for cladding rectification, I want to talk with UK experts about their experiences and how we can share ideas and solutions for fixing this international problem.”
“Indemnity insurance is mandatory for the building practitioners operating in our state system, but we need national solutions to give the international market confidence and certainty.”
