Since terrifying cracks in masonry forced the evacuation of the Opal Tower apartment block in Homebush it has been clear that something must be done to raise the quality of buildings in NSW.

Yet 13 months later not much has changed. The NSW government released a draft bill in November with measures to rebuild consumer confidence, but has yet to send it to the upper house – where Greens and the ALP are calling for changes.

Photo from the Opal Tower Investigation Interim Report. Credit:

That seems to be why Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson this week offered to make some changes to strengthen the bill and threw in a novel plan for a "risk-rating tool" of building standards to be run for profit by ratings agencies.

Given the housing construction slump it would be good to get this done quickly but it must also be done right. Unfortunately, the Herald is concerned the bill will not restore faith in the industry unless it creates a well-funded, independent and powerful regulator to set and enforce building standards, as already exists in Victoria and Queensland.