Under AS 4000-1997 General Conditions (with standard amendments), practical completion occurs on the date the superintendent issues a certificate of practical completion, not on any earlier date specified within the certificate. The superintendent's certificate cannot have retrospective effect. The definition of 'practical completion' describes the matters of which the superintendent must be satisfied before issuing the certificate, but it is the certificate that constitutes the conclusive event. This has significant implications for the calculation of reference dates under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), defects liability periods, insurance obligations, and liquidated damages provisions.
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