User Profile

Bruce Carr

Access Consultant

With nearly four years of full-time experience in disability access consulting, I have worked across a variety of projects, ensuring compliance with the NCC and related Australian Standards. My expertise covers disability access audits, Performance Solution reports, site inspections & audits and design reviews. I have collaborated with architects, developers, private certifiers, lessees and building owners to create inclusive and compliant environments that meet the accessibility requirements.
Disability Access Areas of Experience:
1. Access Audits & Compliance Assessments
• Conducted comprehensive access audits for new and existing buildings to assess compliance. Have also conducted on-site audits of public accessways and facilities such as libraries, main streets, parklands, marinas etc
• Identified non-compliance issues and provided detailed reports with medium and high recommendations for remedial actions.
• Assessed public and private sector buildings, including commercial, residential, educational, and healthcare facilities.
• Evaluated and reported on the level of compliance of key elements such as principal entries, accessways, designated accessible parking bays, passenger lifts, unisex accessible sanitary facilities, signage, and wayfinding.
• Prepared suitable reports outlining recommendations to improve and comply with the access provisions.
2. Performance Solutions for Alternative Compliance
• Developed performance-based design briefs and subsequent performance solutions for situations where compliance was impractical or unachievable.
• Worked closely with architects, private certifiers, and building owners to justify and document the agreed performance solutions.
• Assisted in obtaining approvals from councils, private certifiers, and building authorities for alternative access solutions.
3. Preparation of Access Reports for DA, CC, and CDC
• Prepared Development Application (DA) access reports for submission to local councils, ensuring that proposed designs met accessibility requirements of the NCC and Australian Standards.
• Completed Construction Certificate (CC) and Complying Development Certificate (CDC) access reports, ensuring that construction documentation aligned with NCC and Australian Standards.
• Provided detailed analysis of floor plans, elevations, and site layouts to verify accessibility compliance at different project stages.
• Identified and advised on necessary design modifications to avoid accessibility compliance issues before construction commenced.
4. Site Inspections & Compliance for Occupation Certificates
• Conducted on-site inspections to verify that built works aligned with my Access reports, approved design documentation and NCC
• Worked closely with builders, project managers, and certifiers to identify and rectify non-compliance issues before final occupation certification.
• Assessed key built elements, including:
o Doorway widths, ramp gradients, handrails, and step-free access
o Accessible parking spaces, pathways, and entry points
o Lift compliance, signage, and emergency egress for people with disabilities
• Provided practical recommendations for rectification when built conditions deviated from approved plans.
• Ensured that final constructions met the requirements for Occupation Certificates (OC), allowing buildings to be occupied.
5. Design Reviews & Early-Stage Disability Access Consulting
• Conducted design reviews at concept and detailed design stages to ensure accessibility compliance before plans submitted to Councils
• Collaborated with architects and design teams to integrate accessibility features into the project design.
• Advised on accessible building layouts, ensuring compliance with AS 1428.1, NCC Vol. 1 and other relevant Australian Standards.
• Reviewed detailed architectural drawings, including:
o Entry and circulation pathways
o Accessible amenities (toilets, kitchens, door clearances)
o Signage and wayfinding for people with vision impairment
Additional Skills & Knowledge:
✔ Strong understanding of the NCC (BCA) and Australian accessibility standards
✔ Experience working with government agencies, councils, and private developers
✔ Ability to interpret complex legislation and provide practical access solutions
✔ Excellent report writing and documentation skills
✔ Experience across diverse building types, including commercial, residential, public infrastructure, and healthcare
In conclusion, with a solid technical foundation in accessibility compliance and a hands-on approach to audits, design reviews and site inspections, I bring valuable expertise in disability access consulting. My ability to conduct detailed assessments, develop performance solutions, and work collaboratively with stakeholders ensures that buildings meet legal requirements and practical accessibility needs.