The private building certifier who has been fined more than any other in NSW was among the people "primarily responsible" for privatising the supervision of building standards in the 1980s and 90s.

Lyall Dix has been fined more than $88,000 by the Building Professionals Board following a dozen complaints about his role as a certifier, including that he "failed to adequately inspect" buildings, and "exercise reasonable care and attention" as the principal certifying authority.

Lyall Dix, who enjoys Sydney Harbour views from his Vaucluse home, received the largest ever fine of $50,000 in 2012. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

The Herald revealed earlier this month that Mr Dix lost his accreditation and was disqualified from being a certifier for five years in 2012, but back in the 1980s, he was the head of the building branch of the NSW Department of Local Government.

This department was "zealous in its enthusiasm to break local government’s monopoly" on building controls, Development and Environmental Professionals’ Association (DEPA) Secretary Ian Robertson, said.