BDAV News Sept2017 by Design Matters National

VOLUME 22 • EDITION 8 • SEPTEMBER 2017

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E B U I L D I N G D E S I G N E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F V I C T O R I A

new Industry Award Winners Design Standards for Apartments Non-Conforming Building Products and much more!

James Hardie Australia – proudly supporting BDAV Print Post Approved PP: 100001216

BDAV NEWS

Welcome Lots of industry awards have recently been held, and we feature some of the key winners in this month’s edition. We also present an update on the Victorian Government’s Better Apartments standards, and the nonconforming building products issue. Verity Campbell follows up her feature on Content Marketing. We also have all your favourite regular features, plus lots of industry news. Enjoy the read! Giselle Grynbaum Editor

BDAV News Produced by Giselle Grynbaum for Building Designers Association of Victoria Inc PO Box 174, Carlton South VIC 3053 Web: www.bdav.org.au Phone: (03) 9416 0227 Email: info@bdav.org.au Editor: Giselle Grynbaum

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Tim Adams Todd Pearce Giselle Grynbaum DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in BDAV News are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Building Designers Association of Victoria. Products and services advertised herein are not necessarily endorsed by the BDAV. Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, neither the BDAV nor the publisher nor any person contributing to this publication shall incur any liability in respect to any information contained herein, nor for any errors or ommissions which may occur in this publication. Contributions are welcome, and should be emailed to the Editor to info@bdav.org.au.

COVER PHOTO Get Flashed Photograpy

In This Edition.... Cover Story: Merilyn House............................................................................................... 4 Industry News: Creating Better Apartments and Public Space in Victoria............................................... 3 Design Advisory Service................................................................................................ 3 Hole in One................................................................................................................. 13 Championing Melbourne Lighting Designers in the Face of Cheap Knock Offs.......... 17 Are You Specifyiing Non-Conforming Building Products?............................................ 19 NASPEC Responds to Non-Conforming Building Products ....................................... 21 Reducing Energy Costs and Combating Climate Change.......................................... 21 Acoustic Excellence at Darwin Educational Facility....................................................... 25 Capral Calls for Mandatory Safeguards for Australian Windows.................................. 26 Plan to Build Tasmania’s Future.................................................................................... 26 Introducing ‘VicPlan – Zones & Overlays’ Map Viewer.................................................. 29 Industry-Leading Technical Advice Optimiises Performance........................................ 31 New Community for Melbourne’s West ...................................................................... 31 Kitchens without Borders – New Trend Embraces Culinary Adventures...................... 33 Commercial Building Disclosure Changes................................................................... 33 Renewable Energy a Jobs Boom for Victoria............................................................... 35 Australian Building Market Forecast to Decline............................................................. 36 Government Responds to PC Report on Australian IP Arrangements......................... 37 $8,000 in Fines for Misleading and Negligent WA Builder........................................... 39 Brightgreen Releases New D900+ LED Downlight...................................................... 39 Awards: BDAWA Design Excellence Award 2017...................................................................... 7 BDAQ House of the Year 2017..................................................................................... 8 BDAQ Building of the Year 2017................................................................................... 9 Master Builder of the Year 2017.................................................................................. 10 Regional Master Builder of the Year 2017.................................................................... 11 Think Brick Award Winners 2017................................................................................ 22 VBA News: Changes to Owner-Builder Requirements for Consumers and Practitioners................ 28 Changes to Registration Requirements for Domestic Building Work............................ 28 Lower Bills: Added Value from 6 Star Standard........................................................... 35 Planning Tidbits:..................................................................................................14 Insurance Issues: BDA Insurance Update......................................................................................17 Marketing Matters: Content Marketing – Essential for Today’s Design Businesses.................................13 Technology: Todd’s Apps.....................................................................................................27 Job Market...................................................................................................................... 41

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Creating Better Apartments and Public Space in Victoria The Victorian Government has released new guidelines to improve design standards for new apartment buildings in Victoria. They have already introduced new standards that ensure new apartments are built with light, storage, ventilation and enough room to fit beds and furniture. The bar has been raised and the industry is responding. There has already been a vast reduction of apartments with saddleback bedrooms, increases to floor area, and a greater mix of dwellings all over Melbourne. The Victorian State Government has released new guidelines to improve design standards for new apartment buildings in Victoria. Victoria’s Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, has released Apartment Design and Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria, to help state agencies, local councils, developers and consumers better understand recent improvements to design standards. The Victorian Government has already introduced new standards that ensure new apartments are built with light, storage, ventilation and enough room to fit beds and furniture. “We promised to put an end to cramped, dog-box apartments with borrowed light and no ventilation – and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said the Minister. “We’re cracking down on dodgy apartments and giving the industry the tools and resources it needs to comply with new standards that protect owners and tenants.” These new guidelines will help developers meet their obligations and help local councils get their approvals right. “Our public space is what defines our city and what makes Melbourne the best place to live in the world. It’s vital that we get the planning right so that it stays that way,” said Minister Wynne. The Government has listened to the industry and the community, running a series of workshops earlier this year to inform the Guidelines. Councils, planners, developers and consumers have all had their say. The bar has been raised and the industry is responding. There has already been a vast reduction of apartments with saddleback bedrooms, increases to floor area, and a greater mix of dwellings all over Melbourne.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

The Government is planning a Design Advisory Service to offer specialist advice to developers. The voluntary process will be aimed at larger-scale apartment developments and will include advice from experienced apartment design specialists such as architects, building designers, urban designers and planners. An Apartment Buyers and Renters Guide has also been developed, giving prospective apartment buyers and renters up-to-date information about apartment standards. The Government has also introduced new Urban Design Guidelines, which are all about improving the design of public spaces and getting the design of buildings right so they integrate with areas around them.

The Guidelines provide an easyto-use, interactive, online source of information – replacing a set of guidelines that have been in place more than a decade. Both sets of guidelines are available at planning.vic.gov.au.

Design Advisory Service The Design Advisory Service has been established to support the application of the apartment standards. It is a voluntary service available to assist developers and councils apply the standards, offering expert advice at the pre-application stage of the planning permit process. The service aims to create greater certainty for applicants, improve confidence in the decision-making process, reduce the need for planning reviews, and ensure better outcomes for communities. The service will be available following the appointment of session members.

Design Advisory Service Session Members A small number of session members will be appointed by the Minister for Planning to support the Design Advisory Service. The session members will be

qualified and experienced apartment design professionals such as architects, building designers, urban designers and planners. Session members will be appointed for an initial period of one year, after which the Design Advisory Service will be reviewed. Suitably qualified individuals with extensive apartment design experience are encouraged to email an expression of interest detailing relevant expertise and qualifications to planning.implementation@ delwp.vic.gov.au. The Design Advisory Service members will be appointed after the expression of interest period. The service will then be able to be accessed by interested councils and developers. For more information, go to www.planning.vic.gov.au.

BDAV NEWS

Cover Story

Merilyn House Luxury modern Australian living A home full of tactile textures A celebration of the Australian bush Little Brick Studio won two awards in the BDAV’s 2017 Building Design Awards for their Merilyn House project: Peoples’ Choice and Most Innovative Bathroom Design. Overlooking the Moorooduc plains near the Mornington Peninsula sits an impressive new home designed by Little Brick Studio. Their design inspiration for the luxury, modern Australian home takes cues from the breathtaking views from the property. The double-storey residence sits atop the sloping site to use it to full advantage. Elevated living areas sit amongst the treetops, creating privacy whilst making the most of those views down over the plains. The home’s exterior has rammedearth feature walls in rich organic colours, contrasting with lightweight spotted gum, Colorbond cladding and black steelframed windows to lend a contemporary feel. “Choosing the natural elements of soil and timber to create an ongoing connection between the dwelling and its surrounds was the design inspiration – it was important that the dwelling flows with the site, rather than stand out from it,” says Little Brick Studio’s Ben Mulholland.

Internally, an understated colour palette and natural tactile materials bring texture and warmth to the home. Oak floors complement the timber feature wall in the living room while a pendant fireplace adds mid-century charm.

outdoor entertaining deck and lower infinity pool, all of which take advantage of the views of the plains below.

The elegant stripped-back kitchen has timber highlights and sleek matt grey cabinetry. The central island with breakfast bar encloses the space, and horizontal splashback windows reveal glimpses of landscape beauty.

The master bedroom is an opulent retreat with natural oak flooring, a feature reading nook, and rammed-earth walled ensuite with free-standing bath by fullheight window. Picture windows frame views from the bed right down over the valley, while highlight windows behind the bed and walk-in robe provide treetop glimpses.

The open living and dining area with high vaulted ceiling is finished with fullheight glazing which opens to the upper

The garage has been placed at the base of the dwelling allowing for the utility and pool service areas to remain hidden

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and providing direct access to the lower garden. Landscaping features native grasses and plants with existing trees on site protected during the build. “The owners bought the land because of its stunning natural setting,” says Ben. “We wanted to really amplify that with the design while also providing luxury living. It’s a truly modern Australian home.”

Bathroom Award The project won this year’s award for Most Innovative Bathroom Design. The Judges said “the strength of this bathroom stems from its strong spaceplanning, beginning with a seamless connection to the master bedroom and concealment of the toilet pan. This allows for the freestanding bath positioned right beside a full height window to become a main feature of the room, bringing in natural light and spectacular views. The vanity unit in its timber and stone finish, together with LED lighting behind the mirror, beautifully sets off the natural texture of the rammed-earth wall. Featuring a double-sized shower with frameless glass detailing and designer tapware further enhance and complete this bathroom’s aesthetic.”

The freestanding bath was placed in front of a full height tinted window which, while private from the outside, provides an elegant relaxation space to soak away the day.

The infinity-edge swimming pool is placed on a lower deck to the side of the house, ensuring privacy from the surrounding neighbours.

Acknowledgements Designer Little Brick Studio www.littlebrickstudio.com.au Builder: Swell Constructions P/L Building Surveyor: Collinson Fogarty Laws Building Surveyors and Inspectors Structural Engineer: Vayco Structures P/L Landscape Design: Karmmm Creations Photography: Get Flashed Photography

BDAV NEWS

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Awards

BDAWA Design Excellence Award 2017 The Wasley by Dalecki Design was recognised in the BDAWA Design Awards 2017 presented by the Building Designers Association of Western Australia, including winning the Overall Design Excellence Award.

Designed with Impact and Contrast Located on an inner city block in Mt Lawley a suburb of Perth, the owner wanted to transform this tired, run-down home into an entertainer’s dream, suitable for a young family. The alteration and addition was to be sympathetic to the existing 100 year-old home, whilst still creating a bold design statement. Through opening up the layout of the existing home and complementing its intricate details with a striking addition, this charming heritage home has been given a second life, transformed into a modern three bedroom, two bathroom home. North facing windows have been incorporated to capture and disperse natural light throughout the living zones of the home. Large sliding doors have been utilised to completely open the living area to the outdoors, creating a flowing indoor/outdoor connection and transforming the central living into one large entertaining zone. The large sliding doors also serve to frame the home’s city views, allowing them to be seen from all entertaining zones, both indoors and outdoors. The sleeping areas of the home have been divided into two distinct zones. The master bedroom has been tucked away to the rear of the house, providing a sense of privacy, whilst the two existing front bedrooms have been left in their original zone, with the addition of their dedicated bathroom, providing a much more practical layout. In order to let the intricate details of the existing heritage home shine, the addition incorporates contrasting materials and sharp, minimalist lines, creating a strikingly modern form. Whilst this creates a clear definition between the old and the new, a neutral colour scheme and the use of existing floorboards throughout provide a seamless transition between the two eras.

Awards Won Winner 2017 BDAWA Design Awards – Overall Design Excellence Award Winner 2017 BDAWA Design Awards – Best Residential Alteration and Addition between $350K - $800K

Commendation 2017 BDAWA Design Awards – Best Heritage Design Finalist 2017 BDAWA Design Awards – People’s Choice Award.

Client Comments “The owners said: “We found Janik from Dalecki Design very positive from our project’s outset, even when the building phase posed challenges for the team. The simplest of briefs was given to him: “Our home must say WOW!!!” Janik’s excellent skill-set and sense of design meant our project incorporated the latest technologies along with first-class materials and finishes without compromising the budget. Very few builder’s variations arose during construction, with all documentation accurate and well thought out. The whole team at Dalecki Design were very helpful at all times, and we have no reservations recommending their services.” Images: Dion Photography

BDAV NEWS

BDAQ House of the Year 2017 Robin Payne - Building Designer won House of the Year in the BDAQ 2017 Building Design Awards, presented by the Building Designers Association of Queensland, for their Lagoon House project, which also won Residential Design - New Houses over $3,000,000 construction cost. This house, at the entry to the main canal at Pacific Harbour on Queensland’s Bribie Island, expands upon the client’s brief for ‘a home with 5 star resort facilities where all rooms enjoy a water view’. The building design was to reflect its subtropical location and allow for the provision of lush tropical gardens. The home has been designed on a radius to allow transition from the street alignment to the canal frontage. This has the added benefit of visually shortening the passage from the garage to the main living areas. An artificial lagoon wraps around three of the four guest bures and separates the home from the public parkland to the west. Each guest room has a private terrace overlooking the lagoon and passage beyond. The living, kitchen and entertaining areas are surrounded with frameless glass walls which slide away to remove the ‘edge’ between internal and external spaces. The lagoon at this edge invites you to grab a drink and slip into its cooling water. Large cantilevers to the upper floor provide protection to the living spaces. Cantilevered stairs lead down to the glass enclosed basement cellar from the large kitchen and butler’s pantry. The cellar is also serviced with a dumb waiter to the upper levels. A glazed box breaks through the twostorey spine of the home and houses the stair to the upper floor master suite. This provides the owners with a view down the lagoon, the guest rooms and southward down the passage.

Acknowledgements Designer: Robin Payne - Building Designer www.robinpaynebuildingdesign.com.au Builder: Mancorp Quality Homes Interiors: Rui Rosa Design Photography: Phill Jackson Photography

Awards

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BDAQ Building of the Year 2017 BRD Group won Building of the Year at the BDAQ 2017 Building Design Awards for their Kon-Tiki Business Centre. The project also won the Commercial Buildings over $5M category. Kon-Tiki Business Centre at Maroochydore is the largest mixed-use office retail development on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. With two towers each spanning six storeys, Kon-Tiki incorporates approximately 20,000 sqm of office, medical and retail space. While each tower is positioned on separate allotments, the development incorporates a double basement spanning both sites which can accommodate more than 600 cars. The theming for the buildings had to pay homage to the project name ‘KonTiki’, named after one of the rafts of the ‘La Balsa’ era. The design brief also required that the buildings needed to be inviting and present a desirable location to work, with each to incorporate flexible floor plates to house individual tenancies or a whole floor tenancy. Consideration was also required to provide future external access for fit-outs on the different tower levels. Street activation has been provided with retail uses in both towers. Tower 1 includes consumer retail and medical tenancies while tower 2 includes food and supporting tenancies. The food tenancies relate to a public piazza providing casual dining for over 100 people. BRD Group’s managing director, Brad Read, said the size of Kon-Tiki made it a signature development for the Sunshine Coast. “The Sunshine Coast is really emerging as an ideal business location,” he said. BRD Group, with offices at Maroochydore and Loganholme, has proven success across a broad range of projects within the residential, multiresidential, commercial, retail, aged-care, hospitality and master planning sectors. They have achieved ongoing recognition at regional, state and national level within industry associations. James Hardie Australia was the major sponsor of the BDAQ Building Design Awards 2017.

Acknowledgements Designer: Builder: Photography:

BRD Group www.brdg.com.au Pratt Property Robyn Rolton

BDAV NEWS

Awards

Victorian Master Builder of the Year 2017 The winners of the MBAV Excellence in Construction Awards were announced recently, with Master Builder of the Year being won by Kane Constructions for the second consecutive year, this year for their The University of Melbourne Arts West Redevelopment project in Parkville. This state-of-the-art academic facility, designed by Architectus and ARM Architecture, provides world-class spaces and teaching facilities encompassing six levels of teaching areas and a 150-seat lecture theatre. Project Manager, Paul Christian, described the project as the ‘perfect storm’ in terms of challenges; the issues encountered during construction seemed immense at times, yet through perseverance it became a once-in-acareer opportunity. The building’s outer façade is covered with horizontal fins that are profile-cut to reveal 3D images of objects from the university’s cultural collection. Step one, using sophisticated software, was to create virtual models of the building and the objects, and then press them together. The external facade supports the emphasis on object-based learning and consists of the University’s cultural collections embedded into profiled steel blades which wrap around the building and are visible at certain angles as people pass by. The expansive atrium linking the existing 1990s building was formed with the use of a verendeel truss (a giant ladder beam without diagonal bracing), which spans 30 metres. The win was an exciting culmination for Kane Constructions, with this project winning the following awards: 2017 Master Builders Association of Victoria Master Builder of the Year; 2017 Master Builders Association of Victoria Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings $30M - $80M; 2017 Australian Institute of Building, Victorian Chapter Professional Excellence Commercial Construction $25M - $100M; 2017 International Design Academy Golden A Design Award - Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category; 2017 Association for Learning Environments Excellence in Education Facilities. Photography: John Gollings, Gollings Photography P/L

Awards

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Victorian Regional Master Builder of the Year 2017 BDAV Member, De Nova Group, designed the Regional Master Builder of the Year 2017 in the MBAV Excellence in Construction Awards 2017, which was won by BFN Developments for the Abbey Gardens Aged Care Facility, Warragul, a $24-million facility. This is the second consecutive year that Traralgon-based BFN Developments has won the MBAV’s Regional Master Builder of the Year award. The scope of works for the construction of this new 123-bed agedcare facility on a green-filled site included a ground slab, a suspended slab, timber framing and brick veneer, rendered walls, feature stone cladding, timber arbours, a BBQ pavilion, street works, car parks and landscaping. The east end and middle section of the building is single-storey with the west end of the building being twostorey with a plant room and undercroft at basement level. In-ground precast piling with concrete columns have been constructed to support the ground floor suspended slab. Floor space totals 8,000 sqm, and the building’s roof covers 12,000 sqm, or about 1.2 hectares. Efficiency, precision, problemsolving and outstanding client service have cemented BFN Developments as a preferred builder and developer for many clients, especially given BFN’s commitment to building high quality projects on time and to satisfaction. Principal of BFN Developments, Brett Neilson, said the awards were ‘incredible’ for Warragul and the quality of development in the town. Federal Aged Care Minister, Ken Wyatt, described the project as brilliant, and one of the most impressive buildings he’d been in when he performed the official opening in April. The 123-bed aged care complex took in its first residents last November. Abbey Gardens was built for Alliance Care Services Group which also has aged-care facilities Amberlea at Drouin and Heritage Manor in Morwell. To see all the MBAV award winners, go to www.mbav.com.au

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Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re winning awards with brilliant designs, winning clients with thoughtful proposals or helping to win the battle to reduce our environmental footprint, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find WoodSolutions is a great place to start. Combining inspiration with information, expert advice with supplier listings, online CPD courses with technical design guides and a whole lot more, WoodSolutions is your one stop online resource for designing and building with wood and wood products. Join the winners with wood, visit WoodSolutions.com.au today.

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Marketing Matters

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Content Marketing – Essential for Today’s Design Businesses Last BDAV News I talked about the importance of content marketing as a communications and marketing tool for building designers. “Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.” Content Marketing Institute We know your prospective clients are online for an extensive period trying to figure out what they want and who is best placed to service their needs. And we know that statistically if you are the first person/business to add real value and insight to their online education process you are far more likely to win the project. You reach these customers through content marketing. Content marketing works on the principle that instead of pitching your business, which is what most building designers do through social media (“we’ve just finished this project, take a look at photos of that project”) – you deliver information that informs your prospective clients. It’s all about them. The principle is that you deliver consistent, ongoing valuable information to prospective clients and they will ultimately reward you with their business and loyalty. There are few, but terrific examples of content marketing in the design industries such as: Marica McKeel from Studio MM (www.maricamckeel.com) in the USA. She writes a blog that covers a range of topics

Hole in One! BDAV Members, Sven Maxa, Peter Farren and BDAV President, Lindsay Douglas, caught up for a game of golf late last month at Kingston Heath Golf Course and had a really good day. Especially Lindsay, who scored a hole-in-one on the 15th hole – which is pretty special for anyone interested in golf!

on her website every client asks (or wants to), including: Working with an Architect: Making Sense of Services and Fees; Working with an Architect: Design Decisions + Details; What to Expect from Your Architect: Budget. And local new business Superdraft (www.superdraft.com.au), runs a super innovative business model that appears to tee clients up with designers, and regularly posts articles on its site squarely targeted to their clients: 16 Awesome Porch Design Ideas We Found on Instagram; How to Pass the Local Building Council; 5 Mid-Year Kitchen Trends to Give Homes a Huge Lift. What these two examples share is they’re answering questions prospective clients have upfront and honestly, and helping them with their planning and dreaming. This is exactly what clients are after, and it works. So how could you apply this to your own business? No doubt you don’t have a lot of spare time or resources for such an endeavour, even if you can see how it would work. My advice is to start small and to make the most of what you’ve got. Aim for one piece of informative, entertaining content every quarter, perhaps, and make sure you share it widely (through social media, a newsletter, or in your email signature, for example) and to all prospective customers so that it reaches the readership it deserves. Your goal is to create a quality piece of work that prospective customers look forward to receiving, and enjoy reading.

Verity Campbell

by Verity Campbell

Writing, marketing and communications for design and related businesses. Join my weekly newsletter for new ideas, tips and advice. Sign up at www.veritycampbell.com.au/newsletter Verity Campbell Communications: www.veritycampbell.com.au

Planning Tidbits

BDAV NEWS

More Smart Classes In the two previous issues of BDAV News we have discussed the changes underway with the Victorian Government’s SmartPlanning program. VicSmart is the fast-track planning permit application process for certain classes of application, and they are non-notified and exempt from third-party appeal. The VicSmart arrangements are set out in Clauses 90 to 95 of Victoria’s Planning Schemes. On 27 July 2017, as part of the SmartPlanning Program, the State Government introduced additional classes of application to the VicSmart planning process for the residential zones. These include: To construct an outbuilding, extend or make structural changes to a dwelling in the Mixed Use, Township, Residential Growth, General Residential and Neighbourhood Residential zones, if certain requirements are met; Buildings and works in a Mixed Use Zone up to an estimated cost of $100,000 (previously $50,000);

Buildings and works up to $100,000 (previously $50,000) in the Low Density Residential, Township, Residential Growth, General Residential and Neighbourhood Residential zones if the works are not associated with a dwelling and certain requirements are met. In relation to constructing outbuildings, extending or altering dwellings, the requirements to be met to qualify a proposal for VicSmart include: Meeting the minimum garden area requirement in the General and Neighbourhood Residential zones; Not exceeding 5 metres in height; Not visible from a street (other than a lane) or public park; Meeting Clause 54 (ResCode) standards A10 to A15 which relate to amenity impacts, which become mandatory if the application is to be considered under VicSmart provisions. These new provisions provide for modest single storey extensions which meet the relevant ResCode standards in

Ashley Thompson, Clause:1

Little bits that can make a big difference to your town planning outcomes

Clause 54.04 which protect neighbours’ amenity, including setbacks; heights of walls; overshadowing; overlooking and daylight/solar access to windows. Compliance with these standards enables the application to be processed without the need for notice, objections or appeals by third parties. However, the third dot point seems difficult to qualify and may present some difficulty in assessing in the proposal stage, particularly for sloping or well-landscaped sites, or where streets are located some distance from the application site.

Who are Make It Cheaper? Make It Cheaper are one of Australia’s leading energy comparison services for businesses, dedicated to saving time and money and making lives easier when it comes to energy bills. Launched in 2009, Make It Cheaper set out with one goal – to give the power back to Australians. “We're here to help business owners and residents make better decisions on electricity and gas prices. And so far, the results have been phenomenal. Last year alone, we saved Australians over $10 million in energy costs* .” Make It Cheaper can help you make better choices with bills. In one quick phone call Make It Cheaper can; compare gas and electricity prices, calculate potential savings, figure out which plan meets your individual needs and switch your current energy provider.

FOR A FREE BILL COMPARISON Call the BDAV Members Hotline directly on 02 8077 0048 or Visit the website to upload a recent energy bill www.makeitcheaper.com.au/landing/bdav *Based on customer database from 1 Jan 2016- 31 Dec 2016

Planning Tidbits

These tid-bits are part of the regular contribution made by Clause:1 Planning to BDAV News. For more information, contact Ashley Thompson on (03) 9370 9599 or visit www.clause1.com.au In relation to buildings and works not associated with a dwelling, the qualifying criteria includes the standards in Clause 54.04 and the $100,000 construction cost limit, but not the four additional criteria for extensions or changes to dwellings. This might apply to existing non-residential uses in residential zones, for example medical centres or child-care centres. These changes allow a wider range of planning permit applications which can be dealt with more quickly and with more certainty, given the exemption from notice, objections and objector appeal rights. It is certainly worth reviewing proposals which require a planning permit to check whether they are eligible to be prepared and lodged as VicSmart applications, potentially saving time, cost and complexity of process.

Smart Planning Online Another arm of the Victorian State Government’s Smart Planning program is Smarter Online Resources. In December 2016 the website planning.vic.gov.au was launched, its aim: to bring together all planning information into one location. The site will also be home to the Victorian Planning Portal – a single point of entry for online tools and policy information across the state. Recent and future components of the Victorian Planning Portal are: VicPlan – Zones & Overlays viewer – VicPlan allows the user to access a site or area and be given direct links to the applicable planning rules, similar to the way Planning Maps Online works but with a quicker interface and links. VicPlan

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provides a simplified format compared to the current land.vic.gov.au resource Planning Maps Online, but expects to enable users to view planning map histories from around mid-2018). Both VicPlan and Planning Maps Online can be found at planning-schemes.delwp. vic.gov.au. VicPlan appears to have been developed for ‘home- and businessowners, or those looking to buy a property, who want to know what uses are allowed at a location’. Online planning scheme management (PSIMS) – The PSIMS is an online system to hold the state’s planning schemes, and will: create a centralised system to store planning scheme policies and clauses, improving search and publishing capabilities; improve the format and structure of planning schemes through the use of templates; allow members of the community and industry to comment electronically on exhibited amendments; allow state and local planners to electronically amend, check, approve and publish planning schemes. Currently much of this work is done manually. The development of the PSIMS system will increase efficiency and consistency across the state, and be particularly useful for practitioners working across multiple Councils. Online ministerial permits – The Smart Planning program is implementing an online state permit system for lodgement, management and end-to-end tracking of ministerial permit applications, to be available in mid-2018. In the longer term, this online service will be available for all planning permit applications, through planning.vic.gov.au. Currently, some Councils provide systems for lodging planning permits and plans to

Council online. The ability to manage this process online across all municipalities will save time and resources in paper, printing and postage, distribution and viewing. It will make it easier for people to become involved in the planning process online. We will continue to keep readers up to date with developments in the State Government’s Smart Planning program as it progresses, through the BDAV News.

Ph: 03 9370 9599 www.clause1.com.au

BDAV NEWS

Insurance Issues

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BDAV Insurance Update It’s that time of the year when the majority of BDAV members’ professional indemnity insurance is due for renewal. By now, all members who have policies due to expire in September and October should have received some correspondence from Webber Insurance. With changes that have been made by the VBA over the last 12 months, we have worked hard with the insurer to ensure that the BDAV policy continues to meet industry requirements. One of the new covers the BDAV policy provides is Pre-Investigation Costs. This endorsement to the policy provides legal expense costs up to $25,000 to designers when issued with a ‘show cause notice’, whether a claim has been lodged or not. In our experience, matters can arise with a regulatory body either during the process of an insurable claim or before a matter has had the chance to progress to a claim. This endorsement has been written and included specifically for BDAV building designers under the BDAV insurance policy. For this renewal period, Webber Insurance has been working with Chris Webber is the Managing Director of Webber Insurance Services with diplomas of both Insurance Broking and Risk Management. Webber Insurance Services is the approved Insurance Broker of the BDAV. For any enquiries, please call 1300 668 553 or email bdav@webberinsurance.com.au

members around their five-year VBA registration. We have identified that many members will be undertaking the five-year registration process in 2018. We have endeavoured to ensure that members’ policies meet the VBA requirements and that they will not run into trouble in the future. This has required some members to have policy dates amended via an endorsement to better align their policy with their VBA registration date. We are happy to talk to any member that has questions around this aspect. Another topical insurance matter that has recently made headlines is that of non-compliant flammable cladding. It is now becoming commonplace for professional indemnity insurers, especially the major insurers, to exclude claims arising from this type of loss. This exclusion removes coverage not only for the renewal period, but also from all past coverage as well. Webber Insurance has worked with the insurer to ensure that, for at least the next 12 months, there is no set exclusion on the policy relating to claims arising from non-compliant flammable cladding. We will continue to monitor further developments within the market as they arise and keep all members up to date. Another exciting development is the changes coming to the BDAV Engagement Agreement. Based on feedback received from members, one of the obstacles designers had when using this document was its complexity within the terms and conditions. Designers simply weren’t comfortable explaining to their clients what each term meant.

Chris Webber

by Chris Webber

In conjunction with the Management Committee, we are putting the finishing touches on the new document that will hopefully not only simplify the process, but add true value to the interaction designers have with their clients. We are hopeful that this document will be ready to go live no later than mid-September. Finally, a reminder to all BDAV members who aren’t currently insured with Webber Insurance: you have the chance to win one of ten $50 VISA gift cards simply by completing your renewal details online at https://www.webberinsurance. com.au/bdav-new-application. Existing insurance members don’t miss out either. Simply request a quote for any other cover we can assist with and you will also go in the running. Details can be submitted at https://www. webberinsurance.com.au/bdav.

Championing Melbourne Lighting Designers in the Face of Cheap Knock Offs Authentic Light, written by BDAV Member, Adele Locke, is the book that champions local talent while inspiring Australians to light up their homes affordably. Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery when it comes to lighting design. In fact, ‘replica’ lighting design is just a fancy way to say counterfeit. While Australia still continues to allow the sale of cheap knock-offs without criminal charges, Adele Locke is a woman on a mission to educate Australians on what it really means to buy a replica. “Currently, Australian law lets people steal design and use the designer’s name to sell it. Replicas have absolutely no affiliation with the original designer,” Locke explains.

Buying a ‘replica’ for your home is parallel to buying a cheap knock-off Chanel bag from the boot of a car. While there’s a belief that buying the replica is the cheaper option to get the designer look for less, Locke proves that buying from the original designer can be “totally affordable for whatever your budget.” Locke goes on, “It’s all about learning how to shop locally”. Authentic Light walks homeowners and interior decorators through how to bring designer lighting into their homes using lighting designers based in Melbourne.

The bottom line is that replica lighting companies steal ideas from designers, leaving homeowners with cheaper fittings that can diminish the value of their home.

Authentic Light provides step-by-step instructions for designers, homeowners, and interior decorators to light up homes and hearts using locally sourced designers. Locke urges Australians to vote with their dollar. To choose locally. And to enjoy Authentic Light.

Authentic Light can be found at https://mintlighting. com.au/authenticlightbook

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Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Are You Specifying Non-Conforming Building Products? by Kate Bell, BDAV CEO Building designers have a responsibility to ensure that the appropriate products and materials are used in the appropriate way. The Australian Building Codes Board has issued advice in regard to nonconforming building products (NCBP). NCBPs are those products and materials that: claim to be something they are not; do not meet required standards for their intended use; or are marketed or supplied with the intent to deceive those who use them. This is different to non-compliant products (NCPs) and materials which are products or materials used in situations where they do not comply with the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC).

How do you ensure that you are specifying products that conform? There are a range of methods and schemes that can be used to test and prove that a building product or material is genuine and will do what it is made to do. There are six different types of substantiation or evidence that can be used to verify that a product conforms and complies with the NCC Clause A2.2: Current Certificate of Conformity by CodeMark or WaterMark An improved CodeMark and WaterMark Certification Scheme commenced implementation on 1 August 2017. Information of these changes are available at: https://www.abcb.gov. au/Product-Certification/CodeMarkCertification-Scheme and https://www. abcb.gov.au/Product-Certification/ WaterMark-Certification-Scheme respectively.

What are your responsibilities as a building designer? Architects, Designers, Engineers and other specialists involved in the planning and design of building and construction must ensure that they understand and specify the performance requirements of building elements and materials. Design consultants must design buildings to comply with the NCC and the relevant state requirements. This includes the specification of building products which meet the performance requirements of the NCC.

What can you do to avoid nonconforming building products? The risk of using non-conforming building products can be reduced by taking the following steps when specifying or using building products: specifying or using materials, products and systems that have widely recognised industry certification, accreditation or relevant testing results, such as CodeMark or WaterMark certification; independently checking that certification, accreditation or testing results demonstrate the necessary conformity or compliance, and undertaking product assurance if in doubt; checking that the product or material supplied and installed is what is nominated in the approved plans and specifications.

construction and is deemed acceptable by the relevant decision maker(s). For detailed information about compliance and conformity assessment, the ABCB recommends that reference be made to the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council Guide to Procurement of Construction Products.

What should you do if you suspect non-conformance? If you suspect an issue you can contact: Jurisdictional contacts. If you think a product or material may be nonconforming you can contact the jurisdictional regulator, in Victoria’s case the Victorian Building Authority. Submit a complaint or enquiry to the ABCB which will then be forwarded to the jurisdictional regulator. Contact the Consumer Protection Agenda, in Victoria’s case Consumer Affairs Victoria. The above information and more detail is available from the ABCB at https://www.abcb.gov.au/NCBP/Nonconforming-building-products

Other Resources

Certificate of Accreditation from a State or Territory Accreditation authority. In Victoria this will be issued by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee. They have a list of currently accredited products at: http://www. vba.vic.gov.au/practitioners/buildingproduct-accreditation Certificate from an appropriately qualified person such as an engineer Certificate from a product certification body accredited by JAS-ANZ If you have a certificate you should validate it via www.jas-anz.org as there are some claims of false accreditation and misuse of JAS ANZ symbol. Report registered by a registered testing authority. Other forms of documentary evidence which demonstrates the suitability for use in a building of a material or form of

NATSPEC have released a National Construction Product Register (NCPR) to raise awareness of product conformity, available at http://www.ncpr.com.au/ The NCPR is an online searchable database of construction products which have authenticated evidence of conformity to relevant Australian and international standards. It does not provide information or recommendations on the suitability or use of any product for any particular application, situation or project (that is whether is compliant or non-compliant).

BDAV NEWS

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

NATSPEC Response to Non-Conforming Products In response to the contents of the article on page 19, NATSPEC has responded as follows: Designers should clearly specify the minimum required technical properties and product standards, and the required evidence of conformity in their construction specification in order to protect their clients and the end users of the built environment. If not, they may become complicit, and will be embroiled in legal action. Product standards should refer to relevant Australian Standards. Where there are no relevant Australian Standards, relevant international standards or authoritative industry sources should be utilised. The tragedy of the Grenfell Towers fire in the UK, resulting in up to 80 deaths, has thrust product conformity and compliance into the global spotlight. Locally we have not been immune. From 2006 to 2012 there were increasing reports of nonconforming products entering Australia including structural steel bolts, structural plywood products, copper pipe tubing, fire collars and glass sheets. In recent years, there have been significant issues with electrical cable, combustible cladding used inappropriately, products with asbestos, and glass failures. Construction products have been used in the Australian market with inadequate or false evidence of conformity to applicable standards (non-conforming), and products and materials which have not been used in compliance with regulation (noncomplying). This has affected the safety and construction quality of Australian buildings. NATSPEC has responded to requests from Government departments and industry organisations by setting up a register of construction products. NATSPEC is proud to announce that the first stage is live at www.ncpr.com.au and that it is also accessible through NATSPEC at www.natspec.com.au. NATSPEC CEO, Richard Choy, said that the issue is much more complicated than everyone imagines. “Materials and products move through multiple organisations before they are finished in a built project. Time and cost pressures mean that there is no single body in a position to be responsible for all conformity and compliance checking of the final project.” “The NCPR by itself will not ensure that a product is conforming or compliant. It can only help mitigate some of the risk and provide a focus on

the need for product conformity. It will support the great work being done by industry organisations. Everyone in the construction supply chain needs to do their bit. If someone knows conformity will be checked, they will take extra care.” “The development of the database was slow because the process of checking evidence of conformity includes going back to the party that issued the test certificate/product certification. This has not been as easy as hoped. The database now has over 500 products listed as well as 10 industry schemes that are accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAZ-ANZ). The products listed were tested by a NATA accredited laboratory or provided with a certificate by a JAZANZ accredited body. Products will be progressively added as their evidence is verified.” The aim of the NCPR is to help the industry mitigate risk in a cost effective way. It is intended to provide:

Readily available verified conformity information on construction products. An increased awareness and understanding of the importance of conformity by designers, specifiers, contractors and manufacturers. Improved safety for the Australian public. A freely accessible system for consultants and contractors to determine if a proposed substitute product has evidence, checked by NATSPEC, of conformity to Australian and international Standards. The NCPR will eventually have four sections: N – National Construction Product Register C – Community section for sharing information P – Product Conformity technical information R – Resources of a technical nature.

Reducing Energy Costs and Combating Climate Change Victoria’s offices, hotels and retail centres represent an untapped opportunity in the fight against climate change. Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, recently announced $1.76 million to support owners and tenants to make their commercial buildings more energy efficient while meet with representatives from local Dandenong businesses to discuss energy prices with Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams. “This is a great opportunity for owners to boost the value of their building by increasing its NABERS rating,” said the Minister. “Reducing energy costs saves money, improves productivity, and increases the health and wellbeing of workers and the environment.” Applications are now open from building owners, agents, tenants and

facilities managers for the first round of the Better Commercial Buildings initiative. A grant could improve a building’s rating under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) by one star, on average, and reduce energy bills. NABERS’ data shows that there is huge opportunity to improve the performance of Victoria’s commercial building sector and help significantly reduce emissions. The grants will help participants identify and implement improvements, measure their success and facilitate access to further finance options and preapproved service providers – taking the guess work out of choosing a supplier. To apply and find out more about the program, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au

BDAV NEWS

Awards

Think Brick Award Winners 2017 2017 Think Brick Award winners display outstanding innovation in use of brick, masonry and roof tiles The 2017 Think Brick Award winners were announced in Melbourne last month showcasing the most innovative and creative uses of clay bricks, concrete masonry and roof tiles in Australian contemporary architecture.

Barkers Road Townhouses

From hundreds of entrants, this year’s five category winners were awarded the top honours based on the imaginative, creative and innovative ways in which they used clay brick, concrete masonry and roof tiles in built projects. Elizabeth McIntyre, CEO of Think Brick Australia, said “Once again the calibre of entries was inspiring. This year we saw some impressive innovation in the use of brick, masonry and roof tiles that really pushed the boundaries of contemporary architecture. We saw design that was unexpectedly delightful and playful, design that displayed sophisticated reimagining of classical shapes, and also projects that redefined the concept of a simple brick building.”

House Au Yeung - Image: Katherine Lu

“One of the main trends we noted in the entries was an increase in the use of brick in interiors, particularly as a way to unify indoor and outdoor spaces. Among the entries there was also a real sense of using brick to create a sense of groundedness and permanence. We also saw more entries for multi-residential housing, reflecting the increase of apartment dwelling in our inner city areas, plus more use of concrete masonry in residential and commercial interiors,” added Ms McIntyre. The 2017 Think Brick Award category winners were:

Barkers Road Townhouses by Kavellaris Urban Design – Winner of the Horbury Hunt Commercial Award This row of luxurious townhouses boasts unique external facades and elaborate feature brickwork patterns within the interior of each home, including extensive feature brick corbelling and stack-bond brickwork.

House Au Yeung by Tribe Studio Architects – Winner of the Horbury Hunt Residential Award This post-war bungalow has been adapted for modern times with a crafted brick “sunburst” and manipulation of levels allowing for the rear of the home to contrast effectively with the decorative brickwork of the front facade.

Crescent House by Deicke Richards – Winner of the Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award The architecture in this home explores the use of brick to connect the dwelling to the ground and provide crafted living spaces through a series of folded vertical and horizontal planes which extend into the landscape. Perimeter House by MAKE Architecture – Winner of the Kevin Borland Masonry Award This home features bricks in every aspect of its structure from its fireplaces to its perforated screens. The swooping

planes, chunky masses and thick buttressing are all welded together through the visual oneness of masonry and brickwork.

Kempsey Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club by Neeson Murcutt Architects – Winner of the Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award Durable brick and roof tiles were required for this building due to its proximity to the beach. The roof is comprised of membrane ply and glazed ceramic tiles which are colour matched with the bricks to create a unified building.

Awards

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Crescent House - Image: Rese Rose Gates

Perimeter House by MAKE architecture features Adbri Masonry’s Architectural Bricks in Ebony throughout the house from new brick walls, recycled brick walls, brick planters, brick fireplaces, a brick swimming pool surround, brick perforated screens and brick textured surfaces. Swooping planes, chunky masses, thick buttressing, paper thinness, lacy transparency and basket weave patterns: it’s all here. But it’s the bricks – regular, solid, dependable bricks – that weld it all together powerfully into its visual oneness.

Across the five categories, 21 finalists were selected with the five winners listed each receiving a cash prize of $10,000 for demonstrating original and new designs in their particular category. The jury comprised of seven local and international architecture industry experts

Go to www.thinkbrick.com.au for more information about Think Brick Australia.

In the monolithic structure on the beachfront that replaced the concrete cancer-suffering 1970s Kempsey Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club, Sydney’s Neeson Murcutt Architects chose brick for the walls of the cranked and cantilevered form but finessed the effect by making the colourations of the glazed bricks so soft and palely pretty. The inspiration for brickwork that tonally spreads across the surfaces came from Pipi shells collected on the beach by Rachel Neeson’s daughter. The award was for the way glazed ceramic tiles tonally tie the roof to the building.

Kempsey Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club - Image: Credit Brett man

Think Brick Australia

Perimeter House - Image: Peter Bennetts

For more information about the award winners, go to http://www.thinkbrick.com. au/think-brick-awards

BDAV NEWS

FlowTHRU™

Stainless Steel Threshold Drain for AWS doors. A flush threshold has many advantages, less risk of trips, improved accessibility and an uninterrupted transition between interior and exterior spaces. Ensuring water tightness can be difficult. The AWS FlowTHRU™ makes it simple, designed to suit the full offering of AWS doors, supplied with the door system to minimise the risk of errors and simplify trade coordination onsite.

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awsflowthru.com.au LOOKING FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND INFORMATION? For technical information and data, visit specifyaws.com.au. To request a CPD presentation at your practice, please email techsupport@awsaustralia.com.au

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Acoustic Excellence at Darwin Educational Facility A unique educational facility, Darwin High School in the Northern Territory is not only surrounded by native tropical vegetation, it’s also located a stone’s throw from the Arafura Sea. The Northern Territory Government recently worked on an extensive project with long-term CSR Gyprock customer and highly awarded plasterer, Roger Bailey of Bailey Interiors, to help solve a recurring issue with failing ceiling systems. “There was a need to manage the sound reverberation and reduction of noise within the learning environments at Darwin High School, so an acoustic ceiling tile was a necessary inclusion”, says Mark Taylor, Director of Buildings Maintenance and Minor Works, Northern Territory Government. This project was considerably large in scale, replacing approximately 3,000 square metres of ceilings in the administration building of the high school, all whilst working with a limited time frame during mid-term school holidays.

Incorporating a 3D grid pattern of tiny square blocks randomly aligned on the tile, Shadex provides a rigid, faceted diamond appearance once installed. “I wanted to ensure that the ceiling tiles created were unique in style, aesthetically pleasing and most importantly, offered excellent sound absorption capabilities”, explains Bailey.

From this range of custom made ceiling tiles, Roger Bailey put forward the high quality Shadex option, a 600mm x 600mm acoustic bespoke ceiling tile made with Gyprock Casting Plaster – a grit-free speciality plaster that produces a strong moulded product with a clean cast face.

The Shadex design offered an attractive ceiling solution with the highest acoustic rating possible to reduce noise transfer and sound reverberation in crucial learning environments. The Northern Territory Government is extremely pleased with the successful outcome and innovative product delivered by

Roger Bailey, with the refurbished ceiling improving the overall performance of the administration space. Go to www.australainplasteracoustics. com.au for more information about the Bailey Interiors range, or for more information about Gyprock, go to www.gyprock.com.au.

L S Planning Pty Ltd offers experience and expertise across a broad range of planning issues, such as:  Planning permit application preparation and management  Planning reports  Representation at VCAT  Expert witness advice and representation  Planning Scheme amendments  Strategic planning  Residential development concept preparation Town Planning is a complex field which is constantly evolving and requires a level of expertise to achieve a successful outcome. Please call to find out how the team at L S Planning can assist you, with your next project. Phone (03) 9399 1236 Email lstupak@lsplanning.com.au www.lsplanning.com.au

Industry News

BDAV NEWS

Capral Calls for Mandatory Safeguards for Australian Windows One of Australia’s largest window systems suppliers is adding its voice to the calls for greater regulation of all building industry products to safeguard consumers and the construction industry. Capral has manufactured window systems for commercial and residential buildings in Australia for many of its 80 years in Australia and rigorously tests its products in NATA-certified laboratories to ensure their safety, quality and compliance with the National Construction Code of Australia. It is now calling for the introduction of an Australian-based mandatory third-party certification system to ensure the safety and quality of all new windows whether they are imported or manufactured in Australia. Capral National Manager for Marketing and Technology, Jeff Rotin, says noncompliant windows have been flooding into Australia over the past 10 years, many accompanied by fraudulent certification documents.

“Non-compliant windows, doors, glass and balustrades have the potential in the worst instance to cause loss of life or serious injury. They can also cause serious structural damage and dramatically reduce energy efficiency and comfort levels.” “Architects, building specifiers, builders, developers and consumers need to know that the windows installed in Australian buildings are safe and will perform to building code specifications,” he says. Australian Window Association (AWA) CEO and Executive Director Tracey Gramlick says reports and complaints of non-compliant window failures have skyrocketed in recent years. She says all building designers and architects should insist on the use of certified code compliant windows, doors and façade products from Australian Window Association members only. “Buying from AWA members is currently the best way of ensuring the quality and safety of window systems in

Plan to Build Tasmania’s Future New major projects laws to encourage investment, create jobs and protect what’s special about Tasmania The Tasmanian Government has a Plan to Build Your Future, part of which is to encourage investment, create jobs and help grow the economy. That’s why the Tasmanian Government is releasing draft laws that change how major projects are considered whilst still ensuring the assessment is conducted by an independent panel of experts appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. While the draft laws streamline the approval process and provide greater certainty, they also require that all relevant and necessary approvals including environmental, Aboriginal and heritage approvals must be granted by the relevant regulators. The draft laws provide ministerial call in powers to enable independent assessment of major projects where multiple approvals are required, the project is complex or there have been unreasonable delays.

The draft laws also provide improved clarity for proponents by including a ‘no reasonable prospects test’ to save time and money being wasted on projects that won’t stack up. Also included is the new concept of ‘in principle approval’ at an early stage in the process, so that proponents know that if they can meet all necessary permit conditions they have a project and therefore the confidence to continue to invest. But to be clear, these laws won’t apply to skyscrapers. The Government believes that local communities through their councils should determine what the appropriate building height is for their community. These draft laws will cut red tape, provide certainty of process and ensure Tasmania is a great place to invest, but they will also protect what makes Tasmania so special. The draft laws are available at www.justice.tas.gov.au

Australia because we physically verify all of our members’ products through our NATA-endorsed accreditation program. Our members undertake to open their manufacturing sites for audit and they value the rigour of the AWA accreditation process which gives their products higher integrity in the marketplace.” Jeff Rotin says Capral is committed to supplying the Australian construction market with high quality, construction code compliant products manufactured to the highest standards. “At Capral we follow strict protocols at every stage of production and we continually invest in the development of world-class manufacturing facilities and precision engineered products,” he says. Jeff says having confidence in suppliers is critical in the building industry and represents enormous value for consumers, installers and builders. The costs involved with rectifying a building go far beyond the cost of the actual rectification works when considering the potential for reputation damage.

NATSPEC teams up with China BIM Union NATSPEC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China BIM Union. BIM is a tool for visualising and coordinating architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) work, and the China BIM Union promotes the coordinated development of BIM standards and software, in order to achieve standardisation and to improve the core competitiveness of those industries. The move to partner with global AEC entities has been a facet of China BIM Union’s growth strategy, so much so that today almost three out of every four construction projects in the US are believed to be using BIM technologies in order to realise cost savings on projects, while the UK has risen to become the undisputed BIM champion of the world, with aims to achieve 20 percent savings industry-wide construction procurement costs. “This agreement between NATSPEC and the China BIM Union will be significant to the positive advancement of BIM and digital engineering, and its role in improving construction quality and productivity between Australia and China,” said Richard Choy, CEO of NATSPEC.

Todds Apps

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Todd’s Top Apps A monthly review of must have, worthy of looking or just plain interesting apps that are relevant to the design industry. Compiled by Todd Pearce, MBDAV. If you haven’t come across the www.landchecker. com.au website yet – try it out right now! A very intuitive and easy-to-use tool which quickly allows you to check planning zones, overlays, download property reports and a host of other valuable information. Latest planning permits, nearest schools even the area of the subject site. Either type in the address or use the interactive map. Bookmark it and use it for all your new projects. Completely free also – which is always nice.

Screens Connect Screens 4 for IOS is a powerful VNC client app that allows you to access and control any computer from anywhere from your tablet or

smartphone. So if you need access to your main computer whilst travelling or on site – this is about as good as it gets. It’s jam-packed full of interaction options and features that will take a while to get to the bottom of – but if remote access is something you need, look no further.

Todd Pearce

Landchecker

Google Streetview I know it was only earlier this year this app made an appearance in this column and I honestly don’t know if I missed it the first time or if this is an added feature since launch. However, I’ve just realised that using a VR headset you can actually use Google Street View in cardboard mode. Which means all you have to do is pick an address and virtually walk down and look around any street you need to, within reason of course… it has to be a Google Street view covered street (which is for the most part is just about everywhere). I thought it was worthy of a

mention as it’s a really cool feature. And if you’re like me and like to walk up and down a street a few times for new projects to get a feel for things – you can now save yourself a little time and check it out from your office chair.

If any other members use or know any new or interesting apps, please feel free to drop me a line to info@bdav.org.au and I’ll share them with other members.

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BDAV NEWS

Changes to Owner-Builder Requirements for Consumers and Practitioners The Victorian Building Authority has highlighted important changes that recently came into effect that impact owner-builder requirements and responsibilities.

Entering into a major domestic building contract with a registered builder As of 1 July 2017, an owner-builder must not enter into a major domestic building contract with another person to perform aspects of their building work for their owner-builder project unless that person is registered as a domestic builder under the Building Act 1993, and their registration authorises them to carry out the proposed building work. A major domestic building contract is required for domestic building work costing more than $10,000. The threshold amount for a major domestic building contract increased from $5,000 to $10,000 on 1 August 2017.

Changes for Building Practitioners If you are a registered building practitioner you will have to obtain a certificate of consent to be an ownerbuilder if you intend to undertake building work on your own land that is outside the scope of work authorised for your category or class of registration. For more information on these changes, see the VBA fact sheet Building practitioners and owner-builder projects at www.vba.vic.gov.au. Further changes to the Building Act will be introduced in 2017. Practitioners and owner-builders can stay up-to-date by visiting the Changes to the Building Act section of the VBA website.

BDAV AGM 2017 Monday, 2 October 2017 Featuring futurist, Stephen Yarwood For details or to register, go to

www.bdav.org.au

Changes to Registration Requirements for Domestic Building Work under $10,000 From 1 August 2017, domestic builders, or draftspersons engaged in domestic building work, are only required to be registered as a building practitioner if the cost of the domestic building work is $10 000 or more. Prior to 1 August 2017, domestic builders and draftspersons were exempt from registration requirements for work costing less than $5,000. The changes to registration requirements are set out in the Building Amendment Regulations 2017, which amends section 1810 and 1813 of the Building Interim Regulations 2017. These changes do not apply to a builder who is engaged in the re-blocking, restumping, demolition or removal of a home, or any work that requires a building permit, where a registered builder is required to carry-out the work, regardless of cost. Go to www.vba.vic.gov.au to find out more about registration and the latest changes to building regulations.

BUSHFIRE ASSESSMENTS

Keystone Alliance Bushfire Consultancy was born out of the requirements for building design and construction in designated Bushfire Prone Areas as a result of the “Black Saturday” fires of 2009.

We Specialise in: Bushfire Attack Level Assessments (BAL) for building permit application Bushfire Management Statements (BMS) for planning applications within BMO or WMO overlays Single Dwellings / Extensions / Sub-divisions / Multi Units

Here’s What Our Customers Say: “It is great to be able to rely on an expert in such an important area. We have found Keystone Alliance Bushfire Assessments to be quick and reliable in the delivery of their service” Ann West - Abcad Design

Contact Paul directly via email: paul@keystonealliance.com.au

713 Plenty Road Reservoir Vic 3073 Tel: 9478 8991 Fax: 9478 8997 Email: enquiries@keystonealliance.com.au www.keystonealliance.com.au

Call us today on 9478 8991

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Introducing ‘VicPlan – Zones & Overlays’ Map Viewer VicPlan has arrived! Using VicPlan, you can easily find a property or parcel in Victoria – via the search bar or map browsing – and see all the zone and overlays that apply, with direct links to the local planning scheme. Quickly generate interactive planning property reports, with zone and overlay links and maps. VicPlan is replacing the 15,000 PDF maps that provide location-based zone and overlay information across Victoria. These will remain available for historical reference. The new map viewer provides more reliable and accurate information, with data updated weekly across the state. Previously, it could take more than 12 months to compare and align each of the individual 82 planning scheme’s data to properties one at a time. VicPlan is particularly helpful for homeand business-owners, or those looking to buy a property, who want to know what uses are allowed at a location. It is mobile-

and tablet-optimised, providing convenient access to site planning information while looking at properties. It is also handy for government and private planning professionals who want quick access to property information for reports or advice.

Smart Planning Project Fact Sheets

Further enhancements will be made to VicPlan in early 2018. It will begin tracking zone and overlay updates so that, in the future, you will be able to view information for any date from 2018 onward. Existing PDF maps will remain available for pre2018 data. They will also incorporate suggested improvements highlighted in user testing, as well as feedback we receive in the coming months. Email your feedback to smart.planning@delwp.vic.gov.au. Watch a short introductory video with demo, or visit planning.vic.gov.au/vicplan for more information. This is the first in a series of technical Smart Planning deliveries between now and the end of the year, with planning

scheme information management system (PSIMS) and planning portal releases coming, as well as the further enhancements to VicPlan.

The DELWP has recently refreshed the suite of fact sheets about Smart Planning and each of the program’s projects.

Available fact sheets are: Smart Planning overview Rules & Policy VPP reform Victorian Planning Portal VicPlan Amendments online Permits Online Transform

These can be downloaded at https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policyand-strategy/planning-reform/smartplanning-program

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BDAV NEWS

Need someone to conduct an energy rating for you? Use a BDAV Accredited Thermal Performance Assessor! Legislation in several Australian states requires that all domestic construction submitted for building permit approval must demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency requirements. One method for demonstrating this compliance is through the use of software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). In New South Wales, the BASIX thermal comfort protocol also applies. NatHERS is a star rating system (out of ten) that rates the energy efficiency of a home, based on its design. The BDAV is a government-appointed assessor accrediting organisation for thermal performance assessors and has many accredited assessors as BDAV Members. TPAs accredited through the BDAV are committed to a code of conduct that sets minimum professional standards and responsibilities. To find an assessor for your rating requirements, go to www.bdav.org.au

Building Designers Association of Victoria PO Box 174, Carlton South VIC 3053 P (03) 9416 0227 E info@bdav.org.au www.bdav.org.au

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Industry-Leading Technical Advice Optimises Performance and Provides Valuable Peace of Mind Australia’s architects, building designers and associated building professionals can access free, industry-leading technical advice to optimise their projects’ thermal performance and energy ratings. A team of technical, R&D and product specialists from award-winning insulation manufacturer and supplier Kingspan Insulation offers one of the most advanced support services in the building industry, with a wide spectrum of advice for applications across the residential and commercial building sectors. Kingspan Insulation’s Australianbased technical support team provides phone and online advice to architects, building designers, builders and contractors from 8am – 6.30pm EST. Monday through Friday. Kingspan Insulation Australia Managing Director, Scott Gibson, says their highly experienced technical support team can offer

tailored and specific technical application recommendations as well as thermal performance calculations for any building profile. “We’re committed to offering environmentally sound, energy-efficient building solutions. Our technical team is across all applicable national and state building codes, Australian standards and actively track changes to the regulations. They are well equipped to advise industry professionals on how to achieve the best outcomes for every sized building, including the most challenging projects, ” Mr Gibson says.

and exceed 6-star residential energy ratings and compliance with NCC (BCA) Section J. They can also offer advice on product selection and provide product data for Kingspan Insulation’s full range of products, installation and fixing advice on all applications and products, and general specification and construction advice. Earlier this year Kingspan Insulation was named Australia’s most trusted insulation brand by architecture, building and construction professionals for the fourth consecutive year in the prestigious Architecture & Design Top Trusted Brand Survey.

“Our aim is to ensure all building professionals are well informed and confident in knowing that they are specifying a conforming and compliant insulation solution in their project. This, combined with our CodeMark certification, gives peace of mind and absolute confidence in our insulation products performing as intended.”

The Technical Services support team can be reached:

Services include tailored thermal calculations, customised solutions to achieve

Email: technical@kingspaninsulation.com. au

Online: at https://www.kingspan.com/ au/en-au/about-kingspan/kingspaninsulation/services Phone: 1300 247 235 and press “2”

New Community for Melbourne’s West a Big Boost to Affordable Housing The Victorian Government is building a new community in Melbourne’s west to boost housing affordability and create local jobs. Victoria’s Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, has approved the detailed precinct structure plan for Mt Atkinson, a new suburb just south west of Caroline Springs. “Mt Atkinson is going to be a great place to live and to raise a family, with jobs for locals on their doorstep and affordable housing so that young Victorians can achieve their dream of home ownership,” said Mr Wynne. In a ground-breaking move, the arrangements for delivery of two schools, community facilities and land acquisition for a future train station have been agreed in principle with the developer before rezoning. The 1,500-hectare precinct will feature more than 8,000 dwellings and will become home to more than 22,000 people over the next 15 years.

The community will be a hive of jobs, with up to 19,000 long-term jobs in retail, commercial, industrial, office, education and home-based businesses to be created in Mt Atkinson and the adjacent Tarneit Plains precinct. The new suburb has been made possible by the Victorian Government’s rezoning of 100,000 lots of land in key growth areas to tackle housing affordability head on. An in-principle agreement with Mount Atkinson Holdings and Stockland will see two Government schools built, land acquired for a future train station and other first-class community facilities. A Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution of more than $100 million paid by the developers will also cover a CFA station and early delivery of a new bus service connecting to Rockbank Station.

Sports grounds, a conservation reserve, community centres and kindergartens are also funded under a separate agreement with the Melton Council. The Victorian Government is helping young Victorians break into the housing market, abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers on homes up to $600,000 and cutting stamp duty on homes valued up to $750,000.

BDAV NEWS

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Featuring all the latest innovations you would expect from the leader in fireplace technology and design. Available in 4 models: • 1000mm single sided • 1300mm single sided • 1300 see-thru • 1600mm single sided

ELEVATE THE SENSES Flames, lights, reflections and warmth combine to stimulate the senses. Flames spread across an illuminated bed of crushed glass.... plus a black interior to add depth and intensity to the fire.

We dare you to take your eyes off it!

Jetmaster / Heat & Glo 444 Swan Street, Richmond Ph: 1300 219 875 Email: info@jetmastervic.com.au Web: www.jetmaster.com.au

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Kitchens Without Borders – New Trend Embraces Culinary Adventures The Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) recently commented that kitchens without borders is the major trend in Australian kitchens, and it’s here to stay! Open-plan layouts and kitchens equipped to produce a wide variety of culinary fare from around the globe are key to the trend. No matter the size of the space, some of the more savvy appliance brands have been thinking ahead of the game. KBDi observed that Italian design specialist, Smeg, has opened up a wealth of opportunity with an extended offering of 70cm wide appliances for those who have limited space and big expectations. Available in two very different design aesthetics, Smeg’s 70cm ovens deliver the same 90L capacity as their 90cm counterparts, but cleverly save consumers a valuable 20cms of kitchen cabinet space. Likewise with gas cooktops – some of the Smeg 70cm and 75cm models sport five burners, just like the 90cm models and are available in both the Victoria, Classic and Linear designs. And while the ovens take less space, they certainly don’t skimp on features. Just like the 90cm models, Smeg’s 70cm versions have optional pyrolytic cleaning, Thermoseal oven technology, up to 17 cooking functions, high visibility glass and more than 50 SmartSense Plus automatic menus (these will tell the user exactly how to cook a predetermined dish to get perfect results every time – temperature, cooking time and even shelf level).

Design choice is a critical factor when planning a kitchen and Smeg excels again with a large choice in terms of design aesthetics and colour. Choose from the Classic all stainless steel version, designed by Guido Canali, or the very sleek and contemporary Linear in a choice of white, black or stainless steel Stopsol® reflective glass. Again, unique to Smeg, is Thermoseal oven technology that guarantees a perfectly controlled oven cavity with constant, accurate temperatures. Thermoseal allows any excess moisture to escape into the cooling system while reducing condensation build-up. The result is a perfect dish every time – succulent roasts, crisp pastries and light cakes. The perfect partner to a 70cm oven is a cooktop to match, and Smeg has several. Consumers can choose from gas, ceramic or induction. Choice is considerable, from the vintage Victoria aesthetic in black, white or panna to the four and five burner stainless steel gas cooktops and the SmartSense Plus induction models in black and white. There is also a black ceramic model. If a freestanding/upright cooker is the preferred option, Smeg has two: a gas model with electric oven or gas with gas oven.

Commercial Building Disclosure Changes From 1 July 2017, the mandatory disclosure threshold on commercial office space across Australia was lowered from 2,000 sqm to 1,000 sqm. The effect of this change is that owners and lessors of smaller commercial office buildings may need to disclose the building’s energy efficiency when they offer to sell or lease their property from this date. Real Estate agents who sell or lease commercial property of more than 1,000 sqm are now required to obtain a Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) before listing the office space for sale, lease, or sublease. Agents need to appoint a CBD Accredited Assessor to

apply for a BEEC on their behalf with the Government recommending agents begin the process at least two months before the chosen listing date. BEECs are valid for 12 months. Visit www.cbd.gov.au for more information. To find a CBD accredited assessor, go to http://www.cbd.gov.au/registers/find-acbd-accredited-assessor.

Smeg 70cm kitchen appliances are available nationally from appliance specialists and electrical retailers. Go to www.smeg.com.au for more details.

BDAV NEWS

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Renewable Energy a Jobs Boom for Victoria The Victorian State Government is harnessing the power of renewable energy to drive down prices, attract billions of dollars of investment and create thousands of local jobs.

$2,500 a year for medium businesses and $140,000 a year for large companies, while driving a 16 per cent reduction in Victoria’s electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions by 2034-35.

Premier Daniel Andrews recently joined Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio to announce the introduction of legislation for Victorian Renewable Energy Targets (VRET), the largest renewable energy auction in Australia and the awarding of contracts for two large-scale solar plants to power Melbourne’s tram network.

The competitive VRET auction for up to 650 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity will provide enough electricity to power 389,000 households – or enough energy to power Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley combined.

Legislation was to be introduced into the Parliament late last month to set ambitious new renewable energy targets for Victoria of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025. It’s the first time such ambitious renewable energy targets have been enshrined in state legislation anywhere in Australia. Importantly, the VRET will cut the average cost of power for Victorians by around $30 a year for households,

This first auction is expected to bring forward up to $1.3 billion of investment and create 1,250 construction jobs over two years and 90 ongoing jobs. “More renewable energy means more jobs for Victorians – that’s why we’re setting these ambitious targets and promoting investment in this growing sector, said Victoria’s Premier, Daniel Andrews.” “Renewable energy creates jobs, drives growth, and protects our environment – and most importantly, helps drive down power prices for Victorian

households and businesses,” Mr Andrews said. The Victorian Government also announced the winners of a tender to help build around 138 MW of new large scale solar projects to power Melbourne’s tram network. Bannerton Solar Park near Robinvale in the Sunraysia district is expected to provide 100 MW of solar powered electricity, while the Numurkah Solar Farm near Shepparton is expected to generate 38 MW. This will bring forward an additional investment of $198 million and generate around 325 jobs in regional Victoria during construction. “The renewable energy sector will now have the confidence to invest in renewable energy projects and the jobs that are crucial to Victoria’s future,” said Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “Government investment will be capped to ensure the best value for money for Victorian taxpayers.”

Lower Bills: added value from 6 Star Standard Rising power bills mean living in an energy efficient home has never been more important. This had led to significant debates across the country on energy security and the best approach to reduce electricity costs for consumers. While electricity and energy is a hot topic – the Victorian Building Authority reminds residents of the benefits of complying with the 6 Star Standard. All new homes, renovations, alterations and additions need to comply with the energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code which includes the option of complying with the 6 Star Standard. The rating applies to a home, including the building envelope – its roof, walls, floor and windows. The benefits of meeting the 6 Star Standard include saving money on energy bills, increasing the value of homes, increased comfort and making homes more resilient to changing climates. 6 Star homes are projected to use 24 per cent less energy through heating and cooling compared to 5 Star homes.

Victorian Building Authority’s Director Enquiries, Inspections and Complaints, Murray Smith, said meeting the 6 Star Standard is not difficult if consumers develop an effective relationship with your registered building practitioner at the design stage. “The first step is for the consumer to confirm the builder or plumber they are talking to is registered or licensed via the VBA’s online Find a Practitioner tool,” Mr Smith said. “Ask to see physical examples of previous projects and to speak with previous clients. It is a major warning sign if they cannot or will not provide this. “Having good communication lines with your builder and plumber is important for building projects. “It is only through this relationship and reading the information on VBA’s website that you will fully understand the building process.” “Building a home will likely be the single biggest investment consumers will make and it is important to do your research and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.”

If a dispute occurs, a homeowner should first try and resolve it by talking to their builder and building surveyor. For tips to help resolve building disputes, visit Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV)’s website at www.dbdrv.vic.gov.au If this doesn’t resolve the issue, consider approaching DBDRV directly. Victorian homeowners may also be eligible to access Justice Connect’s new domestic building legal service. The service assists homeowners to navigate the dispute resolution process by providing ‘unbundled’ legal help with the assistance of volunteer lawyers. To check the registration and licensing of a builder or plumber in Victoria, use the online Find a Practitioner tool at www.vba.vic.gov.au. For information on the Six Star Standard and energy efficiency, search ‘energy efficiency’ at vba.vic.gov.au or visit www.nathers.gov.au. For information on electricity and gas safety, visit Energy Safe Victoria’s website at www.esv.vic.gov.au.

Industry News

BDAV NEWS

Australian Building Market Forecast to Decline Australian Building Market Set for Three-Year Decline; Challenges for Industry and Broader Australian Economy Ahead Residential starts to fall 31 per cent as key markets move into oversupply Non-residential building commencements to peak in 2017/18 before also easing New investment drivers required to sustain economic growth The Australian building market is forecast to decline over the next three years led by a drop in residential starts, according to BIS Oxford Economics’ Building in Australia 2017-32 report. National building starts peaked in 2015-16 at A$107.3 billion, up 22 per cent in real terms since the end of the resources investment boom in 2012-13. While a similar value of commencements is estimated for 2016-17, the report forecasts a cumulative 17 per cent decline in the real value of commencements over the three years to 2019-20. Adrian Hart, Associate Director of Construction, Maintenance and Mining at BIS Oxford Economics, said, “BIS expects the total residential market to fall by around 31 per cent over the next three years, but the decline in the number of private high density apartments getting underway nationally will be closer to 50 per cent. Overall the slump will be similar in percentage terms to the residential downturns in the mid-1990s and the introduction of the GST in 2000-01.” In its Building in Australia 20172032 report, BIS indicates the value of national building commencements peaked in 2015/16 at A$107.3 billion (in constant 2014/15 prices), up 22 per cent in real terms since the end of the resources investment boom in 2012-13. While a similar value of commencements is estimated for 2016-17, the report forecasts a cumulative 17 per cent decline in the real value of commencements over the three years to 2019-20.

“The record breaking residential building boom is already turning, offsetting growth in starts for non-residential building through 2016-17,” said Adrian Hart. “Over the next two years, the fall in residential building starts will accelerate sharply, particularly in the investor-driven apartments segment, as supply catches up to underlying demand.” “BIS expects the total residential market to fall by around 31 per cent over the next three years, but the decline in the number of private high density apartments getting underway nationally will be closer to 50 per cent. Overall the slump will be similar in percentage terms to the residential downturns in the mid-1990s and the introduction of the GST in 200001.”

The BIS outlook for residential building activity is more bearish than that included in the 2017-18 Commonwealth Budget, as well as last week’s Reserve Bank’s statement accompanying its decision to keep interest rates on hold. In the statement, Reserve Bank Governor, Philip Lowe, said that the “current high level of residential construction is forecast to be maintained for some time, before gradually easing”. “It may not be as rosy as all that,” said Robert Mellor, Managing Director at BIS Oxford Economics. “Our dwelling demand/supply analysis indicates that all states with the exception of Victoria and New South Wales are either in balance or oversupply,” said Hart. “With dwelling completions running ahead of underlying demand over the next two years, Australia will swing to a significant national residential stock surplus by 201819 despite New South Wales still facing a significant stock deficiency.” “While high density dwellings do take longer to complete than traditional detached dwellings, when the end comes it will be very swift,” said Mellor. “The high proportion of investor activity is another

Figure 2: Number of Dwelling Commencements risk factor as investor sentiment can turn quickly. Overall, we expect 2017/18 will be the peak in high density residential completions, but that part of the market will slump around 50 per cent in the subsequent two years. By contrast, a milder decline is forecast for detached houses. The saving grace is that the floor in residential commencements is likely to be higher than in previous busts.” In contrast to the residential building market, BIS’ Building in Australia report forecasts the value of non-residential building commencements to rise further in 2017-18 – following a cumulative increase of 25 per cent over the past two years.

Figure 1: Value of Total Building Commencements Constant 2014/15 Prices, $Millions

“Improved economic conditions along

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

ABOUT BIS OXFORD ECONOMICS Following the merger of Oxford Economics with BIS Shrapnel in March 2017, BIS Oxford Economics is Australia’s foremost independent economic advisors and provider of industry research, analysis and forecasting services.

Figure 3: Dwelling Stock Deficiency, Thousands the eastern seaboard are driving new commercial and industrial developments, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria,” said Hart. “Offices, retail and accommodation commencements have been very strong, although the latter two segments will run out of puff in coming years given the project pipeline and fundamental demand drivers. By contrast, education and health segments are poised for further growth in commencements given a range of large tertiary education and hospital projects about to get underway.” However, the total value of nonresidential building commencements is expected to ease later this decade, joining the downturn in residential starts. “Except for a few sub-segments, the current upswing in non-residential building commencements is unlikely to be sustained over the next few years,” said Hart. “Weaker prospects for growth in retail sales will see a narrower pipeline for retail projects, while a tripling in accommodation starts since 2012-13 may also push activity in this segment over the top, resulting in a correction. With the exception of offices, transport building (eg. railway stations and airport terminals), health and education, most other non-residential building segments are expected to experience flat or declining commencements activity over the remainder of the decade.” According to BIS, the looming downturn in building commencements presents a fundamental challenge to achieving the three per cent growth targets for the Australian economy outlined in the 2017-18 Federal Budget. “The strong growth in building commencements since 2012-13 provided a welcome boost for the Australian economy at a time when resources-

related investment and construction activity fell heavily,” said Hart. “But with residential building activity in particular now set for a sharp decline – along with its multiplier impacts on industries such as construction, manufacturing and retail – the Australian economy will need new investment drivers to support growth and employment.”

BIS Oxford Economics applies local methodologies and international insights within a fully consistent modelling framework to help clients better understand the markets and sectors in which they operate, by providing reliable and detailed market data, analysis of developments and drivers, and thoroughly researched forecasts. Operating in Australia since 1964, BIS Oxford Economics provides strong sectoral coverage of the Australian economy, as well as expanded analysis across Asia with a specific focus on building, residential and commercial property, infrastructure and mining, transport, building materials, household appliances and products, forestry, and paper and packaging.

Government Responds to PC Report on Australian IP Arrangements The Government recently published its response to the Productivity Commission’s controversial Report on IP Arrangements in Australia. The Productivity Commission made a series of radical recommendations in relation to copyright, for example: A US style ‘fair use’ exception which would broaden the unremunerated uses of copyright material in Australia; Expansion of the safe harbour provisions to all online service providers; Making contracts that restrict use of copyright exceptions unenforceable; Making it clear that circumvention of geoblocking technology is not an infringement of copyright; and Repealing parallel importation restrictions on books. In its response, the Government has taken a more tempered approach to these issues. The Government agrees in principle with a number of the Commission’s recommendations, such as those relating to consumer access to content and parallel importation restrictions for books. The Government will continue to work with industry to reach solutions for consumers. Importantly, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring

that Australia’s intellectual property systems provide appropriate incentives for innovation and the production of creative works, while ensuring that further innovation, competition, and access is not unreasonably impeded. The Department of Communication and the Arts will be conducting a review of the Collecting Societies Code of Conduct, in conjunction with the ACCC. Further consultations will be undertaken in relation to the hot topic of copyright exceptions. The Government noted the arguments that Australia’s exceptions are narrower in comparison to international counterparts, however also recognised that this is a complex issue that may be addressed by different approaches. The Government will also be conducting further consultations on the issue of orphan works. Finally, the Government will undertake additional consultation on the safe harbour scheme before considering the introduction of additional amendments. This consultation will be aimed at encouraging growth in Australia’s digital economy and ensuring a thriving and vibrant cultural sector, while respecting the interests of copyright owners.

BDAV NEWS

You’re good to go with a BDAV Engagement Agreement

Locking down an engagement agreement early in the piece is important in getting the green light to proceed safely with your client’s project. The BDAV’s Engagement Agreement is a respected industry standard that safeguards the Designer’s relationship with their Client. Available only to Full Members of the BDAV via a one-off subscription (which includes any future updates), this excellent document, supplied electronically with license to reproduce as many times as required, covers the full needs of all building design projects, including payment of fees, disbursements, engagement of consultants, copyright, materials and indemnity, nomination of consultants, disputes resolution process, and much more.

The BDAV Engagement Agreement has been highly praised by BDAV Members. It was developed by the BDAV’s former Executive Officer, whose legal background and 40 years’ background in the building industry provided him with a solid understanding of the industry’s needs. Orders may be placed online, at the webshop at the BDAV’s website – www.bdav.org.au – but remember to log-in as a Member before accessing the webshop, as this item is only visible to Full Members. Phone: (03) 9416 0227 Fax: (03) 9416 0115 Email: info@bdav.org.au www.bdav.org.au

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

$8,000 in Fines for Misleading and Negligent WA Builder The WA Building Commission has advised that Perth registered building contractor PTG Construction and Development Pty Ltd (reg. BC31514) and its director and nominated supervisor Pengtao Wen (BP100575) have been fined a total of $8,000 by the WA Building Services Board for misleading and negligent conduct.

the builder responsible for all the Wellard work when it was not. The building permit application was submitted to the City by another party in a practice commonly known as ‘licence lending’.

“As demonstrated by this case, unauthorised practices such as licence lending and building without the required building permit can have serious consequences,” said WA’s Building Commission Acting Executive Director, Ian Munns.

The conduct related to the fitout of a commercial building in Wellard valued at $116,000 and the construction of a twostorey dwelling in Embleton, WA, valued at $197,000 in 2014 and 2015.

The company and Mr Wen were negligent in allowing the Embleton property’s owner to employ trades to perform excavation works they were responsible for with no building permit in place. The excavation works caused substantial damage to a neighbouring property, including the collapse of a retaining wall.

“The company and Mr Wen’s misconduct resulted in significant personal and in some cases financial loss for the owners of two properties if you include the Embleton site neighbour adversely affected by the unauthorised work.

The company and Mr Wen were misleading in signing a building permit application naming PTG Construction as

The Board fined PTG Construction and Development $5,000 and Mr Wen $3,000.

“The WA Building Commission and the Building Services Board will continue to hold to account and name those who put the public interest and the reputation of the building industry at risk.”

“This conduct is unacceptable and is not of the standard we expect of registered building service providers.

Brightgreen Releases New D900+ LED Downlight Australian LED technology company Brightgreen has introduced the new D900+ downlight to its range of TruColour LEDs.

design can be installed either trimless or with a range of interchangeable fascias and filters to create a truly customised look.

Recyclable through the Brightgreen buyback scheme

Offering the pared-back aesthetic of the D700+ with 30% more brightness, the D900+ allows designers to achieve aesthetic consistency throughout their lighting design – providing an option for areas that require higher lux levels like work spaces, office desks and kitchen benches.

Featuring a patented low-glare lens, the D900+ projects an unimposing beam that is proven to lower UGR (Unified Glare Ratings). The deeply-recessed design hides the light source from the viewer’s direct line of sight, offering homeowners maximum visual comfort.

Brightgreen is a premium LED lighting technology company that disrupts current business models by defying planned obsolescence. Each Brightgreen design enhances the experience of architectural spaces by providing long lasting, energy efficient LED illumination with Tru-Colour Technology.

Projecting 1237 source lumens of Tru-Colour brightness, the new D900+ transforms the appearance of interiors by better representing more colours on the visible spectrum – making interiors seem more vibrant and lifelike. D900+ offers unlimited adaptability of design, ensuring that no two lighting designs need ever be the same. The new

In addition to offering unparalleled flexibility in design, the D900+ features a digital driver that is engineered to automatically detect and adapt to leading home automation systems and dimmers. This advanced digital technology ensures flicker-free dimming and seamless integration with lighting control systems. Key features of the D900+ include: Tru-Colour technology Unique low-glare design Seamless integration with dimmers and home automation systems Adaptive digital driver Available in black and white Compatible with a range of Brightgreen fascias and filters 7-year warranty

About Brightgreen

Brightgreen is a certified B Corporation and meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. For further information, go to www.brightgreen.com

Graduates

BDAV NEWS

Get designs on your future. If you’re a Graduate of Building Design or Interior Design, why not consider a Graduate Membership of the Building Designers Association of Victoria. It’s a great pathway to ensure your future career plan or vision comes true. Amongst other benefits – including free job listings – BDAV Graduate Membership enables you to network with practitioners running their own design practice – who could be your future employers. To see what your future holds, go to www.bdav.org.au or contact the BDAV at info@bdav.org.au

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Job Market

Job Market Building Designer Required (FullTime) Interior Design - Aus & NZ Metaspace, based in Collingwood, is a progressive design firm specialising in retail, hospitality interiors and residential design. We require the services of an experienced Building Designer with (5+ years) experience working on interior and architectural documentation. You will be required to be an all-rounder and you may be required to work across all stages of the project. Experience working on the design and documentation of fashion retail and eateries is highly regarded. There will be the odd residential project. Proven, current experience working in Revit and AutoCAD for technical documentation is essential. An understanding of the current BCA and Australian Standards is therefore required. Persons who meet the above criteria are asked to forward your resume and covering letter to mail@metaspace. com.au.

Draftsperson (Part-Time) Required Would you like to join a dynamic, forward-thinking building design firm? We are currently looking for a part-time employee to work 2-3 days a week. Working closely with directors, you will be responsible for the preparation of drawings and documentation on a wide variety of residential and commercial projects. Min 1-2 years working as an Architectural Draftsperson using Revit software preferred. If you like to work in a friendly, team-oriented environment, please send your resume to info@ adaptdesigngroup.com.au or give us a call on (03) 5674 8134.

Senior Documenter Required Taylor Reynolds Architects is an award-winning practice located in Fitzroy, working across single and multi-residential projects. We are seeking an experienced (5+ years) Senior Documenter to join our expanding team. You will work both independently and collaboratively on the preparation of construction drawings for specific multi-residential projects. Working construction knowledge as well as familiarity with the NCC and client/consultant relations is essential. Proficiency in AutoCad and drawing management is a must. The business is keen to move towards 3D BIM - an individual with training in Revit would be looked upon favourably. Applications to info@taylorreynolds.com.au.

Full Time Building Designer Required Peter Jackson Design, an innovative design office situated in Bentleigh specialising in high-quality heritage, coastal and country homes, seeks an enthusiastic and self-motivated full-time building designer. Applicants shall have a minimum of five years’ local experience in high-end, detailed residential design and construction, proficient ArchiCad operator and sound knowledge of the current building regulations, NCC and the building act. The successful applicant will be well-organised, have good communication skills and be able to work independently on design and working drawing documentation. Please forward your resume and PDF examples of your work to peter@peterjackson.net.au.

Draftsperson Required Small practice in Bayswater is looking for a draftsperson. If you love to work in the field of building design and landscaping design, are able or willing to use Revit program, then please apply. Send your CV to info.leadesign@gmail. com or contact William on 0401 506 818. Draftspersons who live in nearby suburbs are encouraged to apply.

client relationships; excellent written and verbal communication skills; exceptional organisational and time management skills. Persons who meet the above criteria are asked to forward your resume and covering letter to domenic@ridolfi.net. au.

Contract/Part-Time Revit Drafting Position Due to a recent change in work commitments (but no real slowdown in private design work), I am looking for some help with a couple of short-term drafting jobs (1 x single-storey new build in Wyndham, 1 extension in Altona) ... with more being quoted. The work will likely be a mix of ‘work from home’ with 1-2 days a week at my office in Altona. Recent graduates with proven Revit skills are welcome to respond. As a TAFE tutor I’m happy to provide a reasonable amount of training and guidance to the right person who has the drive/initiative to take their new knowledge and be productive at home as well. I’m looking for a start in early/mid-September. Please send queries and portfolios to rhys.davies@ supernaturalgroup.com.au. ....Continued on page 42

Senior Architect Ridolfi Architects, based in Carlton, seeks a talented Senior Architect for our friendly design firm, working on a variety of residential, commercial and industrial projects. Applicants must be highly motivated, able to work autonomously, as well as part of a team, and inspire fellow team members. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the role includes managing programming, timing and budget needs of projects; undertaking work from concept to contract administration to the highest of standards; coordinating and managing relationships with team members, clients and consultants; mentoring younger staff members; maintaining professional and competent working relationships with team members, clients and consultants. The successful candidate will have a tertiary qualification in architecture; minimum 8 years’ local experience, preferably across a range of project sizes and areas; proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD and 3D software; a detailed understanding of local planning policy and BCA requirements, including the ability to produce accurate detailed and fit-for-purpose documentation; experience in building and managing

Industry recruitment specialists for Architects, Building Designers, Property Developers and Interior Designers Remuneration advice, market updates, expert knowledge, permanent, temporary and contract recruitment.

Phone 03 9349 1055 www/bloomfieldtremayne.com.au

BDAV NEWS

Building Designer/Draftsperson Required Professional and experienced Building Designer/Draftsman with exemplary skills in drafting and design required. Expressions of interest are sought from experienced and qualified draftsmen/ building designers to work in partnership on an ongoing basis with a boutique Architectural and Building Design firm specialising in residential design, based in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Established in 2005, the firm has experienced consistent media attention and growth since its inception. Suitable respondents will have their own ABN (or happy to register one), substantial drafting and design portfolios and the ability to produce concept plans, cabinetry drawings, town planning drawings, 3D presentation work, high quality working drawings for extensions, renovations and new builds. To be successful in this role you must have at least 5 years’ experience in residential design, sound construction knowledge particularly in the extension and renovation sector, a strong understanding of BCA and standard regulations, thoroughly understand ResCode, Heritage and planning regulations and the Town Planning process, high attention to detail and accuracy, ability to work autonomously and good communication skills. Exceptional time management skills along with a high level of technical knowledge are vital in this position. Email CV to buildingdesignerjobapplication@gmail.com

Revit Documenters/Architects – We Could Be What You’re Looking For DETAIL 3 are seeking competent Revit architects and architectural documenters to assist us in our well-established specialist practice. We provide support across a broad and fascinating range of project types for exceptional architect clients and we need architects and draftspersons who are skilled, passionate, have high levels of competence and are in pursuit of excellent documentation and project opportunities, to join our happy band of ‘architectural ninjas’ working on many different-sized and awardwinning projects in our Melbourne office. We want to be the best architectural

Job Market

documentation provider in Australia so we are very focussed on accuracy and checking and quality. We also want, and have a strong charter, to be the foremost BIM consultant/provider in Australia. We are extremely proud of our heritage and reputation, and of the iconic projects that we have had the opportunity to contribute to and be part of. If you’d like to be part of something special and unique in this industry, and believe you have the characteristics that we seek, we’d love to hear from you. Please e-mail your CV to d3@detail3.com.

AutoCAD Architect/Draftsperson – Looking For a Sea Change? More Detail Pty Ltd is a recently established building design firm with a growing portfolio of project opportunities and a consequent need for additional accomplished architectural documenting staff. We work in both Revit and AutoCAD. Candidates will need a sound knowledge in building construction, and have solid experience in and understanding of architectural documentation. The firm works on projects ranging from very small to large, mainly residential, but including small commercial, retail and education. Strong architectural design and interior design sense is also sought and fostered. The successful candidate/s will be based at our friendly Mt Eliza office supported by the business Principal and management, and will be remunerated generously having regard to experience and competence, either salary or hourly rates. This is a full time position. If you fancy a sea change and reflect the described characteristics, we’d love to hear from you. If you fit the criteria, please e-mail your CV to admin@ mod3.com.au.

Revit Architect/Draftsperson – Looking For a Sea Change?

More Detail Pty Ltd is a recently established building design firm with a growing portfolio of project opportunities and a consequent need for additional accomplished architectural documenting staff. We work in both Revit and AutoCAD. Candidates will need a sound knowledge in building construction and have solid experience in and understanding of architectural documentation. The firm works on projects ranging from very small to large, mainly residential, but including small commercial, retail and To have your job listing posted in this column, education. Strong architectural design email your listing to info@bdav.org.au and interior design sense is also (free service for BDAV Members) sought and fostered. The successful

Posting Job Listings

candidate/s will be based at our friendly Mt Eliza office supported by the business Principal and management, and will be remunerated generously having regard to experience and competence, either salary or hourly rates. This is a full time position. If you fancy a sea change and reflect the described characteristics, we’d love to hear from you. If you fit the criteria, please e-mail your CV to admin@mod3.com.au.

Draftsperson/Building Designer Required Small building design office in Gippsland is seeking a contract position/ part-time employee with a minimum of 3 years’ industry experience in residential design. Applicants must be proficient in the use of ArchiCAD, have a sound knowledge of the building regulations, and be able to complete town planning and construction drawings in a timely manner. If interested, please forward to your resume to jessica@jembuildingdesigns. com.au.

Energy Rater Required To those looking for a consistent flow of energy rating work and would like to work in a team environment, this may be the position for you. We are looking for an accredited assessor with or without experience who wants to build upon their knowledge and energy rating experience. Jobs vary across all types of single dwellings and all types of residential developments. Basic and complex rates are a-plenty! Working remotely is an option, for those with sufficient experience only. To enquire further, please send your resume or an email to admin@ fraterconsultingservices.com.au. We look forward to hearing from you and having you join the team.

Building Designer Position Wanted A design professional with 30 years’ experience in the residential building industry, I have worked on cutting-edge individually-designed homes, project homes and have considerable experience in low-medium density residential projects. I have a proven track record of design outcomes that exceed my clients’ expectations. While currently working in AutoCAD, I have some experience modelling with Revit. I am seeking a new professional challenge with a company that shares my passion for design excellence. robinpaynebuildingdesign. com.au Please contact me at robinpayne@iprimus.com.au.

BDAV membership is the ultimate designers ‘must have’.

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 8 S E P T 2017

Membership Benefits include: • Belong to a true non-profit Association • Discounts on industry and business tools/services • Monthly Journal: BDAV News • Weekly eNews • Annual Awarded Magazine • Member updates • Continuing Professional Development: comprehensive program of seminars, workshops, webinars, and regional meetings • Documents for building projects: – project specifications – engagement agreements – indemnity documents – standard form contracts for residential and non-residential projects • Reference material, including a great suite of Practice Notes, Advisory Notes, and much more • Free* advice on matters including copyright, contracts, wages and conditions, legislative and regulatory requirements, etc • Access to Professional Indemnity Insurance through our preferred insurance agent • Accreditation for Thermal Performance Assessors • Lobbying and Representation • Annual Building Design Awards to promote your skills as a designer • Annual 10 Star Sustainable Design Challenge to promote knowledge of energy efficiency principles • Free website listing to generate referrals for your business in Find a Building Designer/Energy Rater

One look inside tells you that being a Member of the Building Designers Association of Victoria entitles you to many member benefits. Advantages such as important information to help you to promote your business, advice* for greater efficiencies, and especially our comprehensive Continuing Professional Development program, will assist you to reap the rewards.

• Free Job Listings for Members seeking staff or Members looking for work

Being a BDAV Member is a sound investment for your business – especially for sole-practitioners, who often work ‘in a vacuum’ and value peer support for advice and guidance.

• Help Desk

Phone: (03) 9416 0227 Fax: (03) 9416 0115 Email: info@bdav.org.au www.bdav.org.au *Advice is of an elementary nature. Anything significantly complex should be referred to an appropriate professional advisor. BDAV is an approved CPD Provider for the Victorian building industry, as administered by Victoria’s Building Commission.

• Student Scholarships/Grants/ Awards

• Online Member Forum • Access to latest information from the nation’s leading suppliers • Networking • Use of BDAV logo: provides recognition on your website and business stationery and much more!

designing amazing spaces

Building Designers can offer an incredible range of design skills to your project To get in touch with a BDAV building designer, go to www.bdav.org.au