Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts today released the findings of an expert advisory committee established to examine high front guttering systems.

The High Front Guttering Advisory Committee was established in late 2010 to investigate industry and public concerns about the installation of high front guttering systems and that faulty products or poor installation could cause considerable and costly damage to homes.

High front gutters are popular with consumers as they hide the lower edge of tiles or roof cladding and have been widely used in the marketplace for almost 20 years.

Mr Roberts said the Committee examined evidence collected by NSW Fair Trading and consulted with relevant government agencies, manufacturers, installers and industry stakeholders.

“The committee found no evidence of a systemic problem with high front guttering. It did, however, make some recommendations relating to: managing overflow; consistency and clarification of standards; building certification; and, industry skills, education and training.

“The Minister for Planning, Brad Hazzard, and I have written to Standards Australia and the Australian Building Codes Board so that they may implement the Committee’s recommendations.

“NSW Fair Trading has placed new information on its website including a checklist for consumers. My department is also finalising a new installation guide for builders, plumbers and roof plumbers,” Mr Roberts said.

Chair of the High Front Guttering Advisory Committee, Associate Professor Perry Forsythe, said the Committee’s review was extensive and wide ranging.

“We received submissions and met with more than thirty stakeholders, individuals, industry associations, manufacturers, local Councils, government agencies, the Australian Building Codes Board and Standards Australia.

“Based upon the submissions received, interviews conducted and evidence gathered, the Committee came to the overriding conclusion there is no evidence of a systemic problem with high front guttering based upon the Building Code of Australia performance requirements.

“It was clear to the Committee that much of debate about high front guttering had been too narrowly focused and had overlooked the Building Code of Australia’s performance requirement,” Professor Forsythe said.

Master Builders’ Association of NSW Executive Director Brian Seidler welcomed the findings of the Review Committee.

“These findings support our long held view that there are no systemic problems with the use and installation of high-front guttering and compliance with the Building Code of Australia.

“Master Builders cannot recall a single building product that has been subjected to the same level of inquiry as high front guttering,” Mr Seidler said.

Regional Executive Director of NSW HIA David Bare said, “high front gutters have been used in the Australian building market for many years and the findings of this report should put an end to any further speculation on the performance of these products.”

Implementation of the remaining recommendations will be added to the work plan of the Building Industry Co-Ordination Committee (BICC).

The BICC, comprised of all government agencies involved in the regulation of the building sector, is required to report quarterly and directly to the Premier on its work plan.

A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Fair Trading website.

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