Painters and builders in the south-west land division have responded well to the Government's move to provide more consumer protection to their customers.
Consumer Affairs Minister Yvonne Henderson said today she was very pleased with the smooth implementation of the extension of the Builders' and Painters' Registration Boards.
Mrs Henderson said the extension of the boards' jurisdiction as of January 5 required registration of builders and painters, protecting consumers from unsatisfactory work.
She said the Builders' Registration Board had received 177 applications since the extension was announced.
All but 50 had been approved or conditionally approved, and the remainder were currently being processed.
Mrs Henderson said 158 painters had applied to the Painters' Registration Board. Most had been approved, with 15 deferred for further information and another 25 currently being processed.
Painters whose applications were lodged, but who had not as yet been processed, would not be prosecuted.
This latest extension, covering the area from Kalbarri to Hopetoun, brought 74 more shires under the protection of the boards.
Mrs Henderson called on people living in the 113 shires now covered to take advantage of the extra protection by using only registered builders and painters.
She said the next extension, planned for later this year, would ensure all people living below the 26th parallel were protected.
