VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 2 | MAY – JUNE 2016
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Time to celebrate trades
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ABCC facts and fiction
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Historic win in Housing Excellence Awards
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The sixth edition of the Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works has now been released. Published by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and Master Builders Australia, the Standard Method of Measurement provides a uniform basis for the measurement of building works. Since the First Edition in June 1959, the publication has become a core resource for estimators, quantity surveyors and builders alike. The new edition has been updated and rationalised to incorporate developments in the building industry. The well-known, easy to use tabulated format has been retained.
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4 CONTENTS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
OUR COVER Master Builders’ awards calendar kicked off with big celebrations for the state-wide Housing Excellence winners, quickly followed by the South West’s 2016 Building Excellence Awards in Bunbury. Full details are on pages 22 and 26
IN THIS ISSUE... FOREWORDS
UPDATES
FEATURES
President’s File........................................................6
Building Business..................................................32
Safety Matters.......................................................56
Director’s File...........................................................8
Housing.................................................................35
Building Products..................................................59
Industrial Relations................................................36
Walls and Ceilings.................................................62
OPINION
Insurance...............................................................38
Steel......................................................................64
Celebrating Trades................................................10
Legal......................................................................39 Health....................................................................40
REPORTS
Membership..........................................................43
General News........................................................12
Personal Pars........................................................47
Branches...............................................................18
Safety....................................................................50 Technical...............................................................51
AWARDS
Training..................................................................53
Housing Excellence Awards..................................22
Utilities...................................................................55
South West Awards...............................................26
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Master Builder is the official publication of The Master Builders Association of Western Australia. It is produced five times per year and published by Crowther-Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd. Master Builders Association of Western Australia was established in1898 and is the state’s oldest building industry organisation. The MBAWA is part of the Australia-wide Master Builder movement. Master Builder is produced to keep members informed of matters affecting them. Opinions and/ or statements in any editorial and/or advertisements are not necessarily those of the publisher and/or the MBAWA. The publisher reserves the right to reject any material deemed unsuitable for publication. Other than for the purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the copyright Act 1968, no part of Master Builder may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission from the MBAWA or Crowther-Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd.
MBAWA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT: President: Rob Spadaccini Senior Vice President: David Crothers Vice President: Jack Pleiter Treasurer: Grant Burgess Immediate Past President: John Ripp Board Members: Philip Kemp, Jason Kunkler, Andy Peppercorn, Dan Perkins, Robert Shaw Michael Vermey, Michael Van Dongen SENIOR STAFF: Director: Michael McLean Contracts & Administration Manager: Charles Anderson Construction Director: Kim Richardson Membership Services Manager: Veronica Mill Housing Director: Jason Robertson Business Director: Graeme Dix Marketing Manager: Kelly Dewar-Matusik Events Manager: Monique Milne Technical Advisor: Romina De Santis Training Director: Neil Du Rand Safety Manager: Michael Fitzgerald Waste Reduction Consultant: Michael Norriss
HEAD OFFICE: 35-37 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005 Post: PO Box 167, West Perth WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9476 9800 (Country) 1300 550 262 Fax: (08) 9476 9801 Email: mba@mbawa.com Website: www.mbawa.com REGIONAL BRANCHES: Albany-Great Southern: Linda Gibbs Ph 9841 6232 Bunbury-South West: Geoff Bosustow Ph 9721 6547 Geraldton-North West: Dianne Gilleland Ph 9921 5061 Esperance: Doug Backhouse Ph 0437 184 366 Kalgoorlie: Sarah Hinton Ph 0412 487 970 MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: Veronica Mill Ph (08) 9476 9800
SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES: Master Builder is available for subscription at a cost of $55/year. Contact Membership Services Manager Veronica Mill via email at veronica@mbawa.com for further information.
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6 FOREWORDS President’s file M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
First impressions Different responses and strategies are needed in each case. In some instances, the issues involve the Federal Government which means we communicate to our national office in Canberra.
Robert Spadaccini
• Industrial relations-HR advice for all members’ employment needs. • Strategies to keep the workforce safe and compliant with OHS regulations. • A comprehensive range of training courses which, in many cases, can be customised for individual businesses. • A first class awards program to showcase our best construction projects and benchmark workmanship against competitors. • Promotional opportunities across several mediums to market members’ businesses to both the industry and the public. • Networking occasions to meet other members and alliance partners.
When I took on the role and responsibilities of Master Builders’ president, I thought I had a reasonable idea of what to expect. My first four months in the position have been an eventful and rewarding experience which I am thoroughly enjoying. However, during my short period we have been facing challenges that are a little foreign to us since the global financial crisis.
The list goes on. One of the most important services I believe Master Builders provides is information – either via our weekly electronic newsletter, this magazine, member alerts, our website or telephone advice and guidance from our experienced staff. This has certainly been a big help to both my site and officebased staff.
It is once again shaping up as a busy year for Master Builders at both a state and national level. I am excited to be actively involved in such a dynamic organisation with a wealth of experience among our senior staff. Although we never become complacent we are confident that we can make a difference with the right policies and strategies.
An organisation that has been around since 1898 obviously has a proud history and has evolved with the times to sustain its relevance especially in difficult times. Master Builders has done just that. Our Board and senior staff recently reviewed where we currently are and where we want to be in the context of a three year strategic plan.
One thing that stands out to me about Master Builders is that we are an independent state-based organisation which is very much grass-roots driven via our various committees. Each month our regional and Perth-based committees grapple with some pretty complex policy issues such as: • Creating a more sustainable housing indemnity insurance scheme. • Responding to the 79 recommendations from the Heydon Royal Commission; the main one being the establishment of an Australian Building and Construction Commission to eliminate unlawful industrial relations practices. • Creating a more efficient planning approvals process. • How best to deal with non-conforming building products, especially from overseas. • Helping members respond to the new bushfire zone requirements. • Creating more affordable housing. • The retention of negative gearing for property purchases.
Please feel free to contact me personally to either express your point of view on what we’re doing or to become more personally involved.
Although Master Builders is a not-for-profit organisation, we still need to operate as a business in order to pay our bills and provide efficient products and services. The range of these services surprised me. When aggregated, they are incredible and cater for all our members across the commercial-industrial and residential sectors. For example: • A full suite of contracts which currently are being reviewed. • An insurance broking business, MBA Insurance Services, providing comprehensive policies tailored to the needs of our industry.
Acknowledging the Support of our 2016 Partners: Insurance Partner
Master Builders in WA is part of the Master Builders Australia federation. All nine state and territory Master Builders Associations are members. WA’s Dan Perkins is currently president of Master Builders Australia which meets quarterly as a Board to determine policy positions. With a federal election slated for 2 July, we already are gearing up to influence all political parties about what is needed to create a strong building industry.
Robert Spadaccini President
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8 FOREWORDS Director’s file M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Strong building: strong economy 1. Re-establishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission The Heydon Royal Commission has exposed numerous examples of outrageous behaviour by CFMEU officials and shocking evidence of unlawful industrial relations practices on many construction sites, mainly in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. These obnoxious practices are increasing the costs of schools, hospitals and other taxpayer funded projects by as much as 30 per cent! The ABCC is needed to clean up our industry.
Michael McLean Master Builders has developed a ‘Strong Building: Strong Economy’ theme in the lead up to this year’s federal election which could happen sooner than originally expected. A federal election generally only comes around every three years. This is an important time for Master Builders as it provides us with an opportunity to shape the policies of political parties and make them aware of what our industry needs from them. The first task is to remind political candidates that the building and construction industry contributes 10 per cent to our national wealth, is the third highest employer of labour and trains more apprentices than any other industry. Our industry is therefore a key pillar of the Australian economy and a major contributor to economic growth, investment and jobs to communities in every city, town and region throughout Australia. The next challenge is to make these wannabe Members of Parliament aware of some of the problems being experienced in our industry and what policies or reforms are needed to fix them. This year we have identified six major issues for our campaign.
2. A Better Training Regime Australia’s population is growing and we need to invest in the construction of more schools, hospitals and housing but we do not have enough capably skilled tradespeople to accomplish this task. Government investment in a training system that delivers a capable building industry workforce is therefore fundamental to a stronger building industry, stronger economy and stronger communities. 3. Negative Gearing Master Builders is concerned that the dream of home ownership is slipping away from families as first home buyers feel locked out of the market. But limiting negative gearing is not the solution because it will not increase our housing supply. Tax reform is a ‘big ticket’ reform item for the Federal Government and this will require political courage as there will be winners, losers and lots of vested interests. 4. Investment in Infrastructure As our population grows more investment in better infrastructure is essential to sustain the growth and wellbeing of our cities, towns and regions and the livability of our communities.
Acknowledging the Support of our 2016 Partners: Insurance Partner
5. Affordable Housing Competition policy payments paid by the Federal Government for individually targeted and permanent structural reforms can be useful to remove the current unnecessary regulatory blockages that hold back and inflate the cost of housing supply in the respective states and territories. 6. Strong Economy A strong economy is fundamental to Australia’s future wellbeing. The building and construction industry wants from the next Australian government, policies that provide a sustainable pathway to Budget repair and which boost business and investor confidence. There will be various other issues identified under each of these themes. To communicate our messages to politicians and the general public, we will be producing several videos featuring the national president as our spokesperson. We also will be rolling out our election policies at different stages of the election campaign to influence the ongoing debate. Finally, we will be comparing and evaluating the policies of the respective political parties to see which align most closely with ours. Needless to say, we won’t be telling you how to vote but we will tell you which party is most likely to help us create a strong building industry and therefore a strong economy. The rest is up to you. Michael McLean Director
FIELDERS STEEL
10 OPINION celebrating trades M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
It’s time to begin celebrating the bricklayers This article by Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation CEO, Geoff Noble, published in a recent ABBTF ‘Brickie’s Blog’, will strike a chord with the wider building industry
Geoff Noble I read an article out of the US this week bemoaning the fact that there’s a trade skills shortage due to the pressure put on young people in recent years to go to university after high school and train for a professional career, regardless of aptitude and interest. It sounded in many ways like a problem we have in Australia. Sure, we know that Australia’s current skills shortage is partly due to shortterm increases in building activity over the past 12 months – we’ve had national residential commencements increase by more than 41 per cent over the past three years, which has put pressure on bricklayer supply. We also know many bricklayers left the trade during the downturn in 2012 and did not return to the trade, due to their age and the physical nature of the trade. However, the issue of university being glamorised as a superior study and career choice over the trades, has taken its toll in Australia too. ABBTF constantly extols the benefits of taking on a contemporary bricklaying apprenticeship (vastly different to 25 years ago) as a means of entry to the construction trades and to business ownership. But we need more parents, career advisors, TAFE teachers and employers to spread the word that it’s a sound decision for the right person. There are around 200 bricklaying apprenticeships on offer around Australia at the present time.
The author of the US article*, Kseniya Taranyuk, writes that teens are told by their parents to get to university at all cost. As a result, universities are now full of kids who realise they’re not up to the more demanding courses, so they’re doing lower level ones like social sciences and hospitality, creating an oversupply of these less rigorous degrees and limited job vacancies. And the flipside is that we have a shortage of qualified tradespeople because they were dissuaded from taking on a skilled trade. To help understand the trade skills shortage in the US, the Department of Education commissioned the OECD to produce a new international Survey of Adult Skills**. Its broad aim is to help all countries secure better skills policies by measuring the basic skills of adults in 24 countries and demonstrating how these skills relate to economic and social outcomes. There are some very interesting tables comparing Australian skills with other countries. The author concludes that besides the very necessary increased focus on understanding the issues and skills, we also need to celebrate skilled workers, making these careers truly viable career options. Hear, hear to that! * Source: The Lariat is the official student-run newspaper for Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California, USA. lariatnews.com/opinion October 28, 2015. ** Skills.oecd.org/Survey_of_Adult_Skills_US.
advertorial 11 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
CONSTRUCTION TRAINING FUND CASH INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS The Construction Training Fund can reduce the costs of employing apprentices in WA’s building and construction industry for MBA members. The Training Fund has a range of incentives for eligible employers of apprentices in construction trades, with up to $19,000 in cash now available to help reduce the costs of adding a new apprentice to your business. The minimum standard grant available to an eligible employer is $3,000 (for a 12 month traineeship), rising to a maximum of $10,000 for a 48 month apprenticeship in core construction trade areas. In addition to the standard grants, the Training Fund can provide a bonus of up to $2,000 to an employer of an apprentice that has successfully completed a recognised Certificate II VET-in Schools or pre-apprenticeship qualification. The Training Fund is also providing an extra bonus of up to $2,000 to eligible employers for the employment of women in non-traditional trades. Additional supplements for employment of indigenous and regional trainees/ apprentices bring the maximum grant available to a total of $19,000. The grants are available to employers of trainees/apprentices registered with the Department of Training & Workforce Development on or
after 1 July 2015. Direct indenture employers receive the grant in three equal instalments. The first is paid after probation and six months of continuous employment; the second at the half-way point of the indenture and the final payment is made after successful completion of the qualification. MBA members will also receive the benefits of the grant from the Training Fund if hosting an apprentice through a group training organisation (GTO). The GTO claims the grant on your behalf and uses this funding to reduce the cost of employing and training the apprentice. This will result in a reduction in your net costs of hiring the apprentice through the GTO. Look for the note on the GTO’s invoice that shows your apprentice is being supported by the Construction Training Fund. Visit bcitf.org or call 9244 0100 for more information about the Construction Training Fund’s apprenticeship grants and other support programs for the construction industry. It’s your training fund.
Apprentices bring leading edge skills to your business and they help strengthen the building and construction workforce. That’s why the Construction Training Fund provides up to $19,000 in grants for you to reduce the cost of training each apprentice you employ. For details on eligibility, visit www.bcitf.org or call 9244 0100.
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12 REPORTS general news M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Builders ride again
Master Builders’ annual Ride Against Suicide was on again this year with the industry’s motorbike enthusiasts due to meet in Kings Park on 30 April for a foray east into the Wheatbelt. The charity ride supports MATES in Construction, the organisation aiming to improve construction workers’ mental health and wellbeing and reduce suicide in the industry. There will be a full report in the next edition of Master Builder but our picture shows last year’s ‘gang’ in their ‘colours’ shattering the peace of Kings Park as they set off on their ride, the proceeds of which topped $10,000.
EARLY CALL FOR NOMINATIONS RIC NEW MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE Selection Criteria • Entrpreneurial flair, examples of lateal or creative thinking, outstanding potential and acheivements of a young person (35 years and under) to the building industry in WA. • Practical applied achievments, rather than academic performance Prize In addition to the Ric New Medal, a return economy class airfare from Perth to London and $2,000 expenses. RIC NEW “RISING STAR” AWARD Selection Criteria • Outstanding potential, work ethic and commitment of a young person (25 years and under, other than apprentices) to the building industry in WA • Achievments (rather than academic performance), overcoming adversity and potential contributions in the building industry. Prize $2,000 plus unique trophy Nomination Forms, to be completed by third parties, can be obtained from Master Builders (ph: 9476 9800 or email: jayne@mbawa.com). The closing date for nomination is 21 September 2016 Proudly sponsored by: Midland Brick
Mates over for lunch
Last year’s MATES Lunch drew a big audience in support of promoting mental health in the construction industry.
As Master Builder was being prepared for publication, arrangements were well in hand for the MATES Lunch put on by MATES in Construction WA at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom. While the lunch will be an entertaining afternoon, the serious underlying purpose is to promote positive mental health for everyone in the construction industry. Guest speakers will assist the audience to understand how poor mental health is an important issue that affects people in all walks of life. An on-stage interview is planned with prominent media husband and wife Glenn Mitchell and Karen Tighe talking about the impact Glenn’s mental illness and suicide attempt had on his life and family. MATES in Construction staff say that, while this subject matter is confronting, it will assist the audience to appreciate the consequences mental illness can have for sufferers and the ripple effect on loved ones and the people around them.
Bushfire Reform Master Builders says there was inadequate consultation with the building industry and a severe lack of education and training prior to the introduction of bushfire reforms. Housing director, Jason Robertson, says the Association was disappointed that the State Government chose not to extend the delay for compliance requirements for new residential buildings in designated bushfire prone areas. “Unfortunately, because there has been inadequate training, there will be unnecessary delays in builders obtaining approvals for new homes in the designated bushfire prone areas,” Mr Robertson said. “We also believe that many local governments are not ready for these new regulations and this will exacerbate the delays.” Mr Robertson said Master Builders was concerned that the general public had little knowledge of the impact of the new regulations and the resulting increase in the cost of new homes. “Despite our concern, Master Builders is arranging appropriate training for builders to help them comply with the new regulations,” he said.
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14 REPORTS general news M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Fact versus fiction: the case for the ABCC
Myth-buster: Master Builders Australia CEO,
Wilhelm Harnisch As Master Builder was prepared for publication, the recalled Federal Parliament was about to again address Bills to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Regardless of the outcome, misinformation has been a hallmark of opposition to ABCC. As part of a speech at the Brisbane Club in March, Master Builders Australia CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch, took on the role of myth-buster, demolishing many of the claims made by opponents of reform. Some of his comments follow: Myth 1: the ABCC won’t stamp out criminality Fact: the ABCC is an industrial relations regulator that will enforce special industrial relations laws for the building and construction sector. It is not an enforcer of criminal laws and it was never intended to be so, but it will stem the conduct and behaviour that has allowed corruption and criminality to flourish. The ABCC will impose stricter obligations that will arrest unlawful practices in the first place. It removes the incentive for corruption and criminality. Myth 2: the ABCC will reduce safety on building sites Fact: safety on building sites is paramount for Master Builders and our members. There is no doubt that building and construction sites are inherently dangerous places. However, work health and safety is primarily the legislative responsibility of state and territory governments. Further, the Act that established the former ABCC, and the latest Bill, contain no provisions that would prevent legitimate safety issues in the building industry from being addressed by employees, unions, or state and territory WHS regulators. In fact, the Bill makes it clear that unlawful industrial action does not include action by an employee if (i) the action was based on a reasonable concern of the employee about an imminent risk to his or her health or safety; and (ii) the employee did not unreasonably fail to comply with a direction of his or her employer to perform other available work, whether at the same or another workplace, that was safe and appropriate for the employee to perform.
Myth 3: the ABCC will have extreme and unprecedented powers Fact: the powers proposed for the ABCC are the same as those currently existing in Commonwealth regulatory bodies, such as the ACCC, APRA, ASIC, ATO, Centrelink and Medicare. Any person questioned by the ABCC using the powers available will have the right to have a lawyer present if they so choose. Notices to appear must be issued with at least 14 days’ notice. Funds will be provided to cover reasonable travel expenses to appear at examinations. The Commonwealth Ombudsman will have a continuing oversight role of the examination notice process. These protections are more comprehensive than those existing relating to the other agencies with the same powers. Myth 4: there should be one law for all workers Fact: there already are different industrial relations laws for different types of workers within the existing Fair Work framework, such as special provisions applying to outworkers in the textile, clothing and footwear sector and the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal – both establishing different workplace laws for particular sectors. The construction industry has unique problems and building sites are not like everyday workplaces. In no other industry are ordinary people, when going about their daily work, confronted by overt aggression, denigration and bullying. In no other industry are small business people routinely intimidated and coerced by threatening behaviour. In no other industry are women subjected aggression and abuse. But it happens and is getting worse. I agree with the comments of Justice Heydon who noted: “Specialised treatment of a particular industry is not a novel concept: different areas of the financial services industry, for example, are subject to specialised laws and the supervision of a specialised regulator. Many professions are, likewise, subject to specialised laws that govern the manner in which their work is undertaken. It is not necessary to demonstrate in detail the public interest in that state of affairs. In the case of the building and construction industry, the justifications for special treatment have already been advanced.”
general news REPORTS 15 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Myth 5: the ABCC is anti-union and anti-worker Fact: the ABCC and underpinning laws apply to everyone in the construction industry. They will protect workers from bullying, intimidation and coercion. While the Bill sets higher industry specific penalties for unlawful industrial action and coercion, its real impact comes from the requirement for employers to operate in compliance with the Building Industry Code.
Victoria Police identified several obstacles including the difficulty in distinguishing between criminal activity and lawful industrial activity; the prevalence of witness and victim intimidation; the lack of advance notice by regulators of industrial activity and delayed assessment of publicly available information; and a delay in redress for companies. Victoria Police set out several recommendations including a “well-resourced and empowered industrial regulator”.
Obligations created by the Code apply to employers and businesses only, not workers. Only employers can be sanctioned, not unions.
Myth 7: the ABCC won’t improve productivity Fact: Master Builders stands by earlier Independent Economics reports confirming that the ABCC delivered significant productivity gains to the economy and industry.
Higher penalties for unlawful industrial action and coercion were recommended by both the Heydon Report and the Productivity Commission report. Latest ABS disputes data shows that of the 20,000 total days lost to disputes nationwide, over two-thirds were in the construction industry. It also shows a loss of 16.7 days for every 1000 workers in the construction industry. This is higher than the coal mining industry which, since 2000, has been, on average, five times higher than the construction industry. Clearly, things are getting worse for the construction industry, not better. Higher penalties are justified to address a problem which is historically bad and getting worse. Myth 6: if there is thuggery and intimidation on construction sites, call the police Fact: police agencies have said “it is clear that this issue cannot be resolved through an investigative response alone. What’s needed is a more holistic regulatory approach, and significant cultural change with the industry.” The interaction between industrial relations and other laws has been notoriously difficult. If you’re the subject of a picket or blockade and you call the police, they are likely to tell you it’s an IR matter. If you call an industrial regulator, they will tell you it’s a police matter.
[By contrast] no-one can say that some common industry practices [such as]: • Forcing employers to take on CFMEU nominees as paid site delegates; • A two-hour paid union stop work meeting per day on every construction site; • A 27 per cent pay increase over three years, with no offset or relaxation of restrictive work practices; • Coercion of employers to use subcontractors who are ‘on the list’ maintained by building unions; • Blocking access to work sites through a range of means, including the dumping of debris or materials at work gates, or parking of machinery or trucks for the same purpose; • Delaying the delivery or use of materials (including concrete pours), by either preventing access to sites or preventing the further handling of materials once on site will actually improve productivity. These practices can only stifle productivity and measures to reduce their incidence will have a positive effect. It’s stating the obvious – these behaviours, which the ABCC would be able to tackle, cause delay and lower productivity. Addressing them can only improve productivity and that is why the ABCC is important.
16 REPORTS general news M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Master Builders joins mesothelioma fight
State holds first building summit About 65 representatives of State Government, local government and industry attended WA’s inaugural Building Summit in February to exchange ideas on how to improve the building process. The Building Commission says the summit was an opportunity to identify new red tape reductions and ways to streamline regulatory requirements for the construction of new homes, residential renovations and commercial construction.
Mesothelioma survivor, Barry Knowles, and daughter, Jo Morris, met Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean to discuss the Reflections through Reality Foundation. To donate to the cause, phone Jo Morris on 0407 255 221.
Master Builders has formed a strategic alliance with the Reflections through Reality Foundation. The Foundation’s primary focus is to support the community in the fight against asbestos disease. “We are currently exploring fund raising options with the Foundation to enable important research, clinical trials and drugs to be tested by mesothelioma victims in WA,” says Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean.
“Someone in Australia dies every 12 hours from mesothelioma. Working with asbestos in the building industry has contributed significantly to the causes of this terrible disease.” Mr McLean said that Dr Bruce Robinson from Hollywood Hospital is keen to raise $150,000 per annum over three years to help find an effective cure for mesothelioma.
Research centre names target projects The Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre is embarking on seven new projects in the housing, building and infrastructure portfolio this year.
sustainability, areas identified by national industry stakeholders as the key areas that will drive productivity and industry development in the built environment industry.”
The projects include ‘Valuing Social Housing’, ‘Innovative Industrialised Buildings’, ‘Retrofitting Public Buildings for Energy and Water Efficiency’ and ‘Scenario Planning Transport Futures’.
Civil engineer, Dr Keith Hampson, is CEO of the organisation. Australian Building Codes Board member, John McCarthy, chairs the governing board which includes BGC’s Julian Ambrose. The Building Commission’s Jane Vallance serves on the Research & Utilisation Committee, as does BMW principal architect, Carolyn Marshall.
SBEnrc is the successor to the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation which closed in 2009. It is (in its own words) “a key research broker between industry, government and research organisations servicing the built environment industry. The three research streams focus on environmental, social and economic
Other projects earmarked for this year are ‘Transport, Technology and Big Data’, ‘Whole-of-life Value of Constructed Assets through Digital Technologies’ and ‘Sustainable Asset Management’.
Commerce Minister, Michael Mischin, Planning Minister, John Day, and Local Government Minister, Tony Simpson, participated in the day-long event. Master Builders was among the industry bodies represented. Premier Colin Barnett, who opened the summit, said the event demonstrated the Government’s commitment to removing unnecessary road blocks which frustrated WA businesses and families. It is hoped the summit will result in a better understanding and cooperation between industry, government and the community, which is considered vital to achieving more efficient and less costly processes. The summit was proposed by Mr Mischin on his return from the national Building Ministers’ Forum in July 2015, and was organised and run by the Building Commission. In closing the summit, the Minister said he considered it to have been worthwhile and indicated his commitment to convening a second summit, the planning of which is underway. The Building Commission has released a snapshot that outlines key ideas raised at the summit. The snapshot is available on the Building Summit webpage at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/buildingcommission/building-summit.
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18 REPORTS branches M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Master Builders: give youth a go
Master Builders’ regional manager, Di Gilleland, is urging Midwest businesses to get behind a push to support local youth employment.
Master Builders is asking the Geraldton community to support its youth during the economic downturn in the building industry and the economy generally. Association director, Michael McLean, says that in a time of economic uncertainty, where there are fewer jobs available for tradespeople, it is important to support the development of the younger generation. “We’re calling on local businesses and employers to assist the school leavers, apprentices and young tradies who are coming up through the ranks to provide them with some work experience or job opportunities,” Mr McLean said. “WA has just come off an extraordinary period of high construction activity thanks to the mining sector. However, with many of these projects now coming to an end, new jobs are in short supply.” Regional manager, Di Gilleland, is concerned that unless young people are provided with educational, training or work opportunities they are likely to leave the Midwest region.
“Unfortunately we haven’t seen the worst yet,” she said. “Housing starts are said to drop even further over the next two years which means we need to plan ahead now to help our younger generation. “Master Builders is aiming to engage the regional business community in Geraldton to assist in this local initiative to give young people a go. Giving them the opportunity to work at the local supermarket or fast food outlet, assist in their training and development, or taking them on as work experience students or apprentices will all help with their self-esteem and encourage them to stay in the region. “Even if their initial work experience might not be their first choice of career path, developing skills in communication, problem solving or customer service will assist them in being better trained and job ready in the long term.” Mrs Gilleland said if the campaign was successful and embraced by the Midwest business community there was no reason why it couldn’t be extended to other regions exposed to the same challenges.
South West members value Master Builders’ insurance
MBA Insurance Services’ state manager, Nick Vernon, and senior account manager, Kathryn Scovell, often are out and about in the regions providing building industry-specific insurance advice and products.
South West Branch members have shown they are on the front foot when it comes to insurance, boasting the State’s highest membership uptake of products offered by the Master Builders’ insurance wing, MBA Insurance Services. “South West members are well aware of the exceptional tailored offerings our insurance partner has available,” says regional manager, Geoff Bosustow. “The region’s firms have truly embraced MBA Insurance Services as an extension of their businesses. In some recent instances, the personalised service has saved our members thousands of dollars and countless man hours all due to having their insurance needs specifically tailored. “The support given to our members is second to none,” Mr Bosustow said. “To find out some of the exceptional services being provided, contact Master Builders South West office at southwest@mbawa.com or contact the MBA Insurance Services team direct on 9476 9898.”
branches REPORTS 19 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Board meets South West committee
Master Builders’ Board members and the South West Branch committee met in Bunbury recently.
South West Branch committee members recently met with members of the Association’s Board in Bunbury.
affordability, planning approvals, non-conforming products, tax reforms, bushfire zones and the downturn in industry.
Regional manager, Geoff Bosustow, says the Board was encouraged by the strong growth of membership being achieved in the region despite the slowdown of building activity in recent months. The Board also noted construction worth $152 million judged in the South West Building Excellence Awards.
Other important Association items included the appointments of Graeme Dix as business director and Ernst & Young partner, Grant Burgess, to the Board as treasurer. VPG has been appointed as the Association’s preferred property leasing group. The meeting also noted the upcoming Master Builders State Conference in August.
At the meeting, director, Michael Mclean, highlighted priorities currently being implemented, reviewed and lobbied on behalf of all members. These included outcomes from the Heydon Royal Commission, housing
Plans are afoot for the Board to meet in Bunbury later this year with both the South West and Great Southern Branch committees.
Boating success
Lunch covers hot topic
Pictured at the BAL information lunch are (l-r) Nick Vernon, Branch vice chairman, Andrew Holmes, Kathryn Kinnear and David Mexsom.
The Great Southern Branch held a Bushfire Attack Level information luncheon recently attended by more than 50 members. Great Southern Branch members took advantage of a balmy evening recently to enjoy a relaxing harbour cruise complete with barbeque. Bathroom Decor supported the event which saw Amanda Glass and Lee Mulvey sharing the sunset ambiance over a glass of wine (and Eddie Roe and Steve Amato engaged in more serious conversation in the background).
Guest speakers were environmental management consultant, Kathryn Kinnear, local member, David Mexsom (Statewide Building Certification) and MBA Insurance Services state manager, Nick Vernon. Branch regional manager, Linda Gibbs, reports that much valuable information was presented and attendees participated with many questions. “There was discussion on alternative building materials and it was interesting to see that there were a number of suppliers that have been operating for many years supplying building materials rated to FZ,” she said.
20 REPORTS branches M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Branch members bare soles
New faces at Geraldton HQ
Settling in: Kaylla Broad of AMA Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services.
Geraldton barefoot bowls champions Lee Taylor, Con Biancuzzo, Sarah Hillbrick and Nathan Smith.
Structerre’s Toby Croasdale outside his firm’s new boutique office in Master Builders’ Geraldton headquarters.
Ready to roll: Tim Kirby, Tonya Morrison, Tracy Williams and Brett Morrison.
Weather conditions were perfect for the Geraldton Branch’s barefoot bowls evening at the Wonthella Bowling Club in April. Regional manager, Di Gilleland, says that for many it was their first bowls experience.
“This annual event allows members to relax after a busy week’s work. Sincere thanks to members of the Wonthella Club for looking after us and endeavouring to show us the correct way to bowl. Who knows, some of these players might just take up bowling in their later or not so later lives.”
“Some showed they had more talent than they realised,” she said, “but for many, not so and the laughs were abundant.
Winners on the night were the Redink Homes team of Con Biancuzzo, Lee Taylor, Sarah Hillbrick and Nathan Smith.
Geraldton Branch staff recently welcomed AMA Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services business consultant, Kaylla Broad, and Structerre Consulting Engineers field engineering assistant, Toby Croasdale, as new tenants of the Association’s Walton Close premises. The branch installed two purpose built offices prior to Christmas, following interest from Structerre in locating to a one or twoperson office. The Association made the decision to lease some of its floor space and Crothers Construction was engaged to quickly complete the building work. Branch management welcomes any further expressions of interest from businesses which might be considering relocating to new premises.
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22 HOUSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Zorzi makes awards history
Bollywood glitz for the 2016 Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards night.
Adrian Zorzi Builders made history at February’s Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards, winning the Best Country Home and the Top WA Home for 2016. It is the first time in the awards’ 36-year history that the Best Country Home has gone on to take out the overall WA title. Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, says the win was an outstanding achievement that recognised the quality of workmanship in regional WA. “The win shines a spotlight on our South West and showcases the craftsmanship and talent of the skilled local tradespeople,” Mr McLean said. The winning home is in Witchcliffe, south of Margaret River. Other finalists for the top award were Mosman Bay Construction, Signature Custom Homes and Zorzi Builders. Housing Excellence Awards chief judge, Robert Shaw, says the Witchcliffe project was a standout. “The workmanship, attention to detail and the interfacing of product and different surfaces was a pleasure to judge,” he said. “It highlights what the Master Builders’ awards are all about. “The talent and commitment by the builder, his staff, subcontractors and suppliers alike are outstanding and all concerned should be very proud of their extraordinary achievement.” Managing director, Adrian Zorzi, collected his company’s laurels at the Housing Excellence Awards function at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in front of more than 700 residential builders, contractors and industry representatives. Awards guests arrived to an Indian Bollywood setting with pops of colours, intricate artwork throughout the PCEC BelleVue Ballroom and bindis and bangles on the tables to help celebrate and get into the spirit of the theme.
Bollywood dancers opened the show and wowed the audience with their upbeat display. Master Builders’ recently-elected president, Robert Spadaccini, officially welcomed attendees before the serving of the three-course, Indianinspired meal and presentation of nearly 60 awards – the culmination of months of judging more than 330 projects – throughout the evening. Major winners included: • Zazen Building & Design (Best New Builder). • Ford & Doonan Air Conditioning Systems (Best Customer Service, Supplier). • Rare Constructions (Best Customer Service, Small Builder). • BE Projects (Best Customer Service, Medium Builder). • Dale Alcock Home Improvement (Best Customer Service, Volume/ Project Builder). • Addstyle Master Builders (Best Alterations and Additions). • Seacrest (Best Display Home). • Nulook Homes (Small Builder of the Year). • Aussie Living Homes (Lyn Bennet Memorial Award for Project Builder of the Year). After winning the Best Country Home for its South West project in Witchcliffe, Adrian Zorzi Builders was nominated as a finalist for the Bankwest Top WA Home and succeeded in taking home the coveted Award for 2016. The project, along with other selected winners will be nominated for the 2016 Master Builders Australia National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards in Canberra in November. For a full list of the 2016 Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards winners and photos from the night, visit www.mbawa.com or Master Builders’ Facebook page.
HOUSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS 23 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Master Builders’ president, Robert Spadaccini, welcomed everyone to the 2016 Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards.
Local Government Minister, Tony Simpson, was a guest of honour at the Housing Excellence Awards at the PCEC BelleVue Ballroom.
Bollywood was the night’s theme and guests were treated to a typically exuberant dance routine to open the show.
Frankie and the Seasons kept guests entertained during the evening.
24 HOUSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Top home success builds on success
Adrian Zorzi (second from right) holds the 2016 Top WA Home plaque accompanied by (l-r) Master Builders’ president, Robert Spadaccini, Adam Zorzi, Luke Martin, Louise Tovey (Bankwest) and Local Government Minister, Tony Simpson.
The 2016 Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards Top WA Home.
Adrian Zorzi Builders’ win in this year’s Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards comes on the back of consistent earlier success in the Association’s South West regional awards program.
Country Home Award, it successfully took its place among finalists for overall Top WA Home.
The company’s triumphant 2016 Top WA Home in Witchcliffe previously had been awarded the Best Country Home at the 2015 South West Building Excellence Awards.
The winning project, situated in Wickham Road, Witchcliffe, is a Southern American style home showcasing the best craftsmanship of the South West’s skilled trades. The highly detailed construction includes curved decorative plasterglass cornices and customstained American oak floors.
This saw it move into the judging for the State’s Best Country Home at the 2016 Housing Excellence Awards, along with other Great Southern, Goldfields Esperance, Geraldton Midwest and Kimberley Pilbarra regional finalists. And having won the Best
The company’s 2015 South West Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home backed up similar success in the 2014 competition. It was also the third time the company had won the accolade since its breakthrough year, 2010. In the South
West Awards, the project also took prizes for Excellence in Cabinetmaking (New Age Cabinets), Excellence in Finishing Carpentry (Kim Lumsdaine and Johann Pistorius), Excellence in Painting (Shamiss Painting Services) and Excellence in Floor and Wall Tiling (Cape to Cape Tiling).
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26 SOUTH WEST AWARDS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
South West spotlight on rising stars
The Lighthouse Beach Resort again provided the sophisticated venue for the Master Builders Bankwest South West Building Excellence Awards.
Newcomers were to the fore at the Master Builders Bankwest South West Building Excellence Awards in March with Studium by Todd Huxley winning the Best Country Home award for the region and Amba Building the Best Commercial Project accolade.
Claudia Bertorello-Kell was a familiar face on the night, hosting the Awards for the tenth year. Guests enjoyed a magnificent night out with music by jazz pianist, Tom Moir, and Mirage and entertainment and dancing well into the night.
The winning home is a high-end beach house in Yallingup showcasing the craftsmanship of some of the South West’s most skilled trades. The project also won recognition for excellence in metal roofing and in ceilings and Studium by Todd Huxley took out the important Excellence in Building Practice award. The winning home will be the South West region’s nomination in next year’s Master Builders Housing Excellence Awards, taking on other regional winners with the potential also to top the best the metropolitan market has to offer and follow in the footsteps of 2016 Bankwest Top WA Home, Adrian Zorzi Builder’s Witchcliffe Residence.
The South West’s Best Commercial Project award went to Amba Building for the Amelia Park Cellar Door project in Caves Road, Wilyabrup. Completed within a short timeframe, the project highlighted quality and excellent standards throughout. Winning contractor, Amba Building Company, had further success taking home the title of Best New Builder and excellence awards for finishing carpentry, concrete and glazing.
The March South West Building Excellence Awards again were held at the Lighthouse Beach resort in Bunbury. The venue has proven to be a popular choice. Tickets for the much anticipated event were keenly sought by the region’s builders, trades, suppliers and professionals and quickly sold out.
The five entrants competing for the Apprentice of the Year Award all displayed exceptional qualities in their chosen fields. Master Builders’ South West regional manager, Geoff Bosustow, said the apprentices all have strong futures ahead of them, a credit to the dedication and professionalism displayed in their studies and the quality of their workmanship to date.
SOUTH WEST AWARDS 27 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
South West Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home 2016 winner, Todd Huxley of Studium by Todd Huxley (second from right), shares his moment of triumph with Master Builders’ president, Robert Spadaccini (left), and Kathryn Scovell and Nick Vernon from award sponsors, MBA Insurance Services.
Brett Mason and Dan Jancec from Amba Building, flanked by Master Builders’ president, Robert Spadaccini and Gabby Murphy of award sponsor Bankwest, with their plaque recognising 2016’s Best Commercial Project.
Master Builders Australia national president, and Bunbury local, Dan Perkins, addresses the South West Building Excellence Awards audience.
Nik Foster was named both Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year and overall 2016 South West Apprentice of the Year. He is pictured with Rachel Andrijasevich.
“The building and construction industry will be in safe hands in the future given the quality of these fine apprentice tradesmen,” he said. Having already been awarded Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year, Dale Alcock Homes South West employee, Nik Foster, went on to win the overall 2016 South West Apprentice of the Year. Mr Foster will compete against other Building Excellence Awards winning apprentices later this year for the title of the State’s overall best regional apprentice and the opportunity to be judged along with metropolitan winners in the search for Master Builders’ 2016 Apprentice of the Year. The South West’s Display Home of the Year was won by Home Group WA for The Indiana Platinum in Australind. Customer service awards, which always set the benchmark for delivery of quality services and products to the industry’s clients, were won by M-Sky Homes (Best Customer Service Small Builders), Home Group WA South West (Medium Builders) and Dale Alcock Homes South West (Large Builders). The Best Customer Service for Suppliers and Professionals was awarded to Structerre Consulting Engineers, making it two years backto-back.
Dunsborough Carpentry, which worked on the Best Country Home, was named Subcontractor of the Year and JAK Civil’s Koombana North Forward Works project, the Best Civil Engineering Works winner. Mr Bosustow said the South West region will be well represented by quality projects and people at this year’s Master Builders Excellence in Construction and Apprentice of the Year Awards and at the February, 2017 Master Builders Housing Excellence Awards. “Every year the quality of builds in the South West continues to improve,” he said. “The Building Excellence Awards are a fantastic result for contractors and, of course, for the ultimate winners, the consumers. Master Builders applauds everyone in the industry who plays a part in the construction process from start to finish.”
28 SOUTH WEST AWARDS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Win for stylish ‘Yals’ getaway Set on a steep hillside with ‘to die for’ views across the southern Indian Ocean, Studium by Todd Huxley’s 2016 Master Builders Bankwest South West Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home combines Yallingup beach house style with an elegant architectural edge. Every element of the Wardanup Crescent, Yallingup house has been detailed to provide the owners with a relaxed holiday environment in what can be an area of extreme weather conditions. The mainly timber framed home has three floors of master carpenter craftsmanship using natural timbers throughout – spotted gum external decking, balustrades and joinery, custom laminated structural beams, columns and rafters and Victorian ash floors and staircase. All come together to frame the magnificent views from nearly every window.
Quality venue for premium wines High-end establishments are the norm in the renowned Margaret River winemaking region and the 2016 Best Commercial Project at the Master Builders Bankwest South West Building Excellence Awards, the Amelia Park Cellar Door, maintains the tradition. Built by Amba Building, the Wilyabrup vineyard project is the culmination of intuitive design and meticulous planning and construction. With only a short window of time to complete construction, the project nevertheless showcases high quality and standards of work throughout. The Cellar Door is orientated to take in sweeping views of the vines. There is attention to detail in every aspect of the build, with custom made walls, ceiling linings and doors in imported American walnut timber. The high class woodworking and craftsmanship skills of Amba Building’s trades are on display setting a benchmark for the region’s cellar doors.
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30 SOUTH WEST AWARDS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Awards honours list BEST COUNTRY HOME Sponsor: MBA Insurance Services Studium by Todd Huxley Wardanup Residence Wardanup Crescent, Yallingup BEST COMMERCIAL PROJECT Sponsor: Bankwest Amba Building Amelia Park Cellar Door Caves Road, Wilyabrup BEST CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS OPEN CATEGORY JAK Civil Koombana North Forward Works Koombana Drive, Bunbury SUBCONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR Sponsor: MBA Insurance Services Dunsborough Carpentry Wardanup Residence Wardanup Crescent, Yallingup APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Hanson Heidelberg Cement Group Nik Foster Dale Alcock Homes South West CONTRACT HOMES UNDER $180,000 Aussie Living Homes Gigondas Street, Yalyalup CONTRACT HOMES $200,000 - $230,000 WA Country Builders Bel-air Turn, Dunsborough Lakes CONTRACT HOMES $230,000 - $270,000 M-Sky Homes Milligan Way, Vasse CONTRACT HOMES $270,000 - $300,000 Ventura Homes Werloo Approach, Capel CONTRACT HOMES $300,000 - $330,000 WA Country Builders Stoker Street, Busselton CONTRACT HOMES $330,000 - $370,000 Challis Builders Twenty Four Road, Karridale CONTRACT HOMES $370,000 - $400,000 Ventura Home Group Queen Street, South Bunbury CONTRACT HOMES $400,000 - $500,000 Chadwick Builders (WA) Pty Ltd Shady Glen, Kilcarnup
CONTRACT HOMES $500,000 - $750,000 Cape Constructions Duckworth Place, Dunsborough CONTRACT HOMES $750,000 - $1,000,000 Cape Constructions Smokebush Court, Cowaramup CONTRACT HOMES $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 Adrian Zorzi Highview Road, Dunsborough CONTRACT HOMES OVER $1,500,000 Studium by Todd Huxley Wardanup Crescent, Yallingup BEST DISPLAY HOME Sponsor: Satterley Property Group Home Group WA Southwest Platinum Indiana Grand Entrance, Treendale DISPLAY HOMES UNDER $220,000 Smart Homes for Living The Aurora Bluff Road, Dalyellup DISPLAY HOMES $220,000 - $260,000 Homebuyers Centre Bussell Highway, Busselton DISPLAY HOMES $260,000 - $300,000 Summit South West The Orchard Pascoe Way, Millbridge DISPLAY HOMES $300,000 - $330,000 Dale Alcock Homes South West St Ali Grand Entrance, Australind DISPLAY HOMES $330,000 - $380,000 Dale Alcock Homes South West The Goulburn Bussell Highway, Busselton DISPLAY HOMES $380,000 - $450,000 Home Group WA Southwest Platinum Lancaster Pascoe Way, Millbridge DISPLAY HOMES OVER $450,000 Home Group WA Southwest Platinum Indiana Grand Entrance, Treendale ANCILLARY DWELLING Dale Alcock Homes South West The Augusta Bussell Highway, Busselton
FRAMED CONSTRUCTION UNDER $250,000 Ventura Homes Fry Place, Margaret River FRAMED CONSTRUCTION $250,000 - $500,000 Chadwick Builders (WA) Pty Ltd Shady Glen, Kilcarnup FRAMED CONSTRUCTION $500,000 - $750,000 Cape Constructions Duckworth Place, Dunsborough FRAMED CONSTRUCTION OVER $750,000 Bluewater Building Company Okapa Rise, Dunsborough RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS UNDER $500,000 Cape Constructions Puzey Road, Yallingup RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $500,000 - $750,000 Adrian Zorzi Coley Road, Yallingup RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS OVER $750,000 Cape Constructions Otranto Close, Eagle Bay MULTI RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS UNDER $750,000 Ventura ID Ford Road, Busselton MULTI RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS OVER $750,000 Summit South West Dorsett Street, West Busselton COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS UNDER $1,000,000 Amba Building Barnyard 1978 Canal Rock Road, Yallingup COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS $1,000,000 - $2,000,000 Amba Building Amelia Park Cellar Door Caves Road, Wilyabrup COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS $2,000,000 - $3,000,000 BGC Construction Collie Early Education Centre Throssell Street, Collie
SOUTH WEST AWARDS 31 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS $3,000,000 - $4,500,000 Chadwick Builders (WA) Pty Ltd Scalise Development Bussell Highway, Margaret River COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS $4,500,000 - $6,000,000 Smith Constructions Learning Commons Bunbury Catholic College Rodsted Street, Bunbury COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS OVER $6,000,000 Sponsor: Midland Brick BGC Construction BCC Mercy Campus Stage 1B Leisure Drive, Australind COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS UNDER $2,000,000 Perkins Builders Collie Valley Child & Parenting Centre Porter Street, Collie COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $2,000,000 - $4,000,000 Perkins Builders Capel Administration Redevelopment Forrest Road, Capel COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $4,000,000 - $6,000,000 Perkins Builders Ship Hotel and Dan Murphy’s Albert Street, Busselton COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS OVER $6,000,000 Perkins Builders Pinjarra Junction Shopping Centre Stage 2 Cnr George & James Streets, Pinjarra EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY Sponsor: Solahart South West WA Country Builders EXCELLENCE IN ROOFING (TILE) Sponsor: Cbus Ventura Homes Werloo Approach, Capel INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION FOR SMALL LOTS Sponsor: Stramit Built By S Isernia Place, South Bunbury EXCELLENCE IN FLOOR & WALL TILING Sponsor: Building Commission Adrian Zorzi Highview Road, Dunsborough
EXCELLENCE IN GLAZING Sponsor: Master Builders Chairmans Award Amba Building Caves Road, Wilyabrup
EXCELLENCE IN CEILINGS Sponsor: South Western Times Newspapers Studium by Todd Huxley Wardanup Crescent, Yallingup
BEST STEEL BUILDING Sponsor: Colorbond BGC Construction Throssell Street, Collie
EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION ON A CHALLENGING SITE Sponsor: Bunbury Holden Built By S Mindalong Close, South Bunbury
MOST LIVEABLE HOME Sponsor: Keystart Home Loans Built By S Isernia Place, South Bunbury SILVER TROWEL Sponsor: Midland Brick WA Country Builders Stoker Street, Busselton EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY FINISHING Sponsor: WA Mechanical Services Amba Building Caves Road, Wilyabrup EXCELLENCE IN PLASTERING Sponsor: Cockburn Cement Cape Constructions Otranto Close, Eagle Bay WATERWISE HOME OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Water Corporation BGC Residential - Commodore Homes Mercury Pass, Australind
BRICKLAYING APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsor: ABBTF Nik Foster Dale Alcock Homes South West SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Master Builders President’s Award Built By S EMPLOYER TRAINER OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Holcim Dale Alcock Homes South West BEST NEW BUILDER Sponsor: Master Builders Amba Building SMALL BUILDER OF THE YEAR Sponsor: MBA Insurance Services M-Sky Homes PROJECT BUILDER OF THE YEAR Dale Alcock Homes South West
EXCELLENCE IN PAINTING Sponsor: Jackson McDonald Cape Constructions Smokebush Court, Cowaramup
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPLIERS/ PROFESSIONALS Sponsor: Bankwest Structerre Consulting Engineers
EXCELLENCE IN CABINET MAKING Sponsor: Laminex Adrian Zorzi Highview Road, Dunsborough
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE SMALL BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest M-Sky Homes
EXCELLENCE IN ROOFING METAL Sponsor: Combined Metal Industries Studium by Todd Huxley Wardanup Crescent, Yallingup
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE MEDIUM BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest Home Group WA Southwest
EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE Sponsor: Australind Premix Amba Building Caves Road, Wilyabrup
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE LARGE BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest Summit South West
EXCELLENCE IN RECYCLING Sponsor: Waste Authority BGC Leisure Drive, Australind
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32 UPDATES building business M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Withholding on property transactions
RSM principal,
Joanne Wynne To ensure Australia captures as much tax as possible from property transactions a new withholding has been introduced and will apply to contracts entered into on or after 1 July. Under the new provisions, where a foreign resident disposes of: • Taxable Australian Real Property (TARP); • An Indirect Australian Real Property Interest (IARP); or • An option or right to acquire such property or such an interest, the purchaser must remit 10 per cent of the cost base (the purchase price) to the Commissioner of Taxation (the Commissioner). TARP is real property (including a lease) within Australia or a mining, quarrying or prospecting right within Australia whereas IARP is a greater than 10 per cent interest in a company whose value is predominantly made up of TARP assets. Automatic exclusions To minimise compliance costs, withholding will not apply to: • Real property transactions with a market value less than $2 million. • Transactions conducted through a stock exchange or crossing system. • Arrangements already subject to another form of withholding. • Transactions involving vendors subject to formal insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings. Clearance certificates Withholding also will not apply where the vendor provides the purchaser with a clearance
certificate issued from the ATO. For real property transactions with a market value more than $2 million, the purchaser must withhold 10 per cent of the purchase price unless the vendor provides a clearance certificate. Australian resident vendors who are disposing of real property valued at more than $2 million will need to apply for a clearance certificate to ensure withholding is not required. If a clearance certificate is not provided by settlement, the purchaser must remit 10 per cent to the ATO. Vendors can apply for clearance certificates before they list their properties on the market to ensure there are no delays at settlement. The ATO has advised a clearance certificate will be valid for 12 months and must be valid at the time the property transaction was entered into to avoid any withholding. Variation applications Where a clearance certificate is not issued, that is, because the vendor is a non-resident, the rate of withholding can be less than 10 per cent if the vendor or purchaser applies to the Commissioner for a variation. A variation will be appropriate where: • The foreign resident will not make a capital gain on the transaction. • The foreign resident will otherwise not be taxable as a result of the transaction, that is, the foreign resident might have sufficient carry forward losses. • There are multiple vendors, only one of which is a foreign resident. The variation must be provided to the purchaser at settlement to impact the level of withholding required. The ATO has indicated
that a variation in most cases will be provided within 28 days and an on-line application form will be available. Penalties for non-compliance The onus of withholding is with purchasers so they take on all risk associated with noncompliance. The penalty for failing to withhold is equal to the amount that was required to be withheld plus interest for late payment. Good luck trying to recover this from a non-resident vendor should you fall foul of the new provisions. Message going forward These new provisions are going to impact the whole property market and unless a clearance certificate is obtained a 10 per cent withholding will apply to purchases where the value is greater than $2 million. Key points to note: • Contracts of sale will need to be updated to include the withholding obligation to ensure there aren’t delays at settlement. • Australian resident vendors should apply for clearance certificates once they decide to put their property on the market. • Non-resident vendors will need to consider their own affairs and decide whether a variation is required. They will get a credit for the 10 per cent withheld but this can only be obtained by lodging an Australian income tax return. This is a brief snapshot of the new provisions. For further advice, contact Joanne Wynne (joanne.wynne@rsm.com.au) or 9261 9453.
34 UPDATES building business M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Salary sacrifice and superannuation As the national industry super fund for the construction, building and allied industries, Cbus is committed to helping employers manage their employees’ super payments and maximising their retirement outcomes.
To find out more about salary sacrifice and other ways employees can make additional contributions to their super, talk to the team of Cbus advisors on 1300 361 784, or visit www.cubssuper.com.au.
One of the key ways that employees can give their super a boost is to make regular salary sacrifice contributions.
This information is about Cbus. It does not take into account your specific needs, so you should look at your own financial position, objectives and requirements before making any financial decisions. Read the relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statement to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Contact 1300 361 784 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au for a copy. Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262.
How does salary sacrifice work? Salary sacrifice is an agreement made between an employer and an employee whereby the employer pays a set amount of before-tax salary into the employee’s super account, so that the employee’s contributions can be taxed at a lower rate of 15 per cent. Making these extra contributions can make a big difference to employees’ super in years to come. Even small contributions have the potential to make a significant difference to later lifestyle. The Government places limits on the amount which can be contributed to an employee’s super each year, and therefore it is important for the employee to monitor the amount being contributed to the super fund.
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Our total seismic solutions help make the best buildings even better.
housing UPDATES 35 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Master Builders, CTF meet on residential prospects
Top level talks on housing affordability
Housing affordability talks: Shelter WA executive officer, Chantal Roberts (left), Master Builders’ Jason Robertson and Curtin Associate Professor, Dr Eileen Webb after their recent meeting.
Master Builders’ housing director, Jason Robertson, flanked by outgoing CTF executive director, Ralph Dawson (left) and successor, Alan Jackson.
Construction Training Fund officials met Master Builders’ housing director, Jason Robertson, recently to discuss the state of the economy and, in particular, projections for the residential sector and areas for opportunity and growth. The talks covered projected start-ups for new builds and growth sectors including key infrastructure projects, land sales and release and finance sector interfacing. The latest research data shows that in recent months, the housing sector has stripped back, with annual total dwelling unit approvals to January 2016 dropping to 28,133 (20,346 houses), compared to a previous peak of 32,714 (24,395 houses) in January 2014. Seasonally adjusted, building approvals for total dwelling units increased by 7.2 per cent between December 2015 and January 2016.
However, building approvals in the November 2015 to January 2016 quarter dropped by 13.8 per cent against the previous quarter. Trend building approvals in WA decreased by 1.8 percent between December 2015 and January 2016 and fell by 13.9 per cent over the year (annualised average). Seasonally adjusted, dwelling commencements increased by 1.69 per cent in the quarter to September 2015; and on an annualised basis compared to September 2014, commencements decreased by 3.48 per cent. CTF said Master Builders’ residential sector forecasting closely aligned with that of BIS Shrapnel and the information would assist the Fund’s budget process and consideration in the employment and training issues affecting the State’s construction industry.
New requirements for roofmounted evaporative coolers The Building Commission has reminded industry that from early April, it became a requirement that new roof-mounted evaporative coolers being installed on residential buildings in designated bushfire prone areas must be fitted with non-combustible covers.
The fact sheet indicates it is not mandatory to upgrade existing roof-mounted evaporative coolers in designated bushfire prone areas. It recommends, however, discussing with retailers or manufacturers, the retrofitting options for non-combustible covers.
The Commission has produced a fact sheet ‘Roofmounted evaporative coolers’ to explain the risks and requirements. It can be downloaded from the Commission website at: www.commerce.wa.gov. au/publications/roof-mounted-evaporative-coolers.
For further information, contact the Commission on 1300 489 099 or email bcinfo@commerce.wa.gov.au.
Housing affordability, including social housing, was on the agenda for a recent meeting between Master Builders, Curtin University and Shelter WA. An industry forum earlier in the year on ‘Reform of the Federation – Roles and Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness’ identified that while the States and Territories are responsible for direct government housing assistance and homelessness services, there are broader, more complex issues, including tax reform, in respect of housing affordability as a whole. Master Builders’ housing director, Jason Robertson, met Curtin Law School Associate Professor, Dr Eileen Webb, and Shelter WA executive officer, Chantal Roberts, to discuss implications of anticipated reforms, including possible shifting of responsibility to a single level of government, namely from state to local government. The talks also covered the much-debated topic of fiscal responsibility and opportunities being presented on alternative ways (beyond government intervention) of funding the supply of local housing. Mr Robertson said Curtin University, through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and Shelter WA are significant stakeholders on the broad and often contentious subject of affordable housing. “Housing affordability is a serious issue,” he said. “Master Builders is actively engaged in policy development, advocacy and research to ensure our members are suitably represented in regard to this matter of high national and state importance.”
36 UPDATES industrial relations M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Time for the construction union to enter the twenty-first century The CFMEU construction division is fast losing touch with reality and needs to take stock of what it stands for. March 2016 saw the number of charges filed against the union and its officials rack up 100 – charges of having allegedly acted unlawfully in the national building and construction industry around the country. To put that in context, a media report indicated the union had paid out about $2 million in member monies in fines and penalties over the past two years alone. That did not include the estimated $10 million plus penalties and agreed damages paid out by the union’s Victorian branch in the ugly Boral dispute. Clearly, these additional charges will result in more loss of union member funds as many result in convictions of the union and its officials. Notably, the union in recent years has adopted the tactic of admitting guilt to charges and arguing about the penalty amount. In other words, the union admits its guilt and haggles about the size of penalty to be imposed. Bizarrely, the CFMEU has now filed a complaint with the Federal Ombudsman’s Office claiming it is being victimised by the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (the former ABCC).
This is laughable and a desperate attempt by the CFMEU construction union’s senior officials to divert attention away from ongoing and deliberate flouting of the current national industrial laws. For example, the Federal Court in March imposed fines and penalties of $57,000 on the Queensland branch of the union for its official throwing non-union member workers’ lunches out of a site shed fridge and abusing the workers in the process. The non-union members were forced to eat their lunches in a shopping centre. This is the kind of conduct schoolboy bullies play out in the schoolyard but the CFMEU says it is being victimised for being held accountable under the law for this childish and immature behaviour. As the union has admitted guilt to many charges, its facile complaint of victimisation ignores its own admissions. The reality is, the CFMEU is intent on running the construction sector and imposing not just excessive and unsustainable wage claims and other generous employment conditions under its pattern EBAs, but also imposing very uncompetitive work practise on construction sites. The result is that the level of union control manifests itself in ever upward spiralling construction costs that governments cannot sustain.
The outcome was starkly set out by a NRMAsponsored report in March in NSW. The report looked at construction costs for roads, road tunnels and rail revealing some startling information. Australian construction costs for these infrastructure projects are higher by 36 per cent compared to Britain, 42 per cent higher compared to the USA and 78 per cent higher than 29 European nations. As the report focussed on the Eastern States an obvious question is what impact did the union pattern EBAs have on these jobs? Ultimately, the public pays for these higher taxpayer funded projects by either paying more taxes or receiving reduced government services as governments struggle to meet the very inflated construction costs of new infrastructure projects. The CFMEU leadership has little interest in adopting a responsible approach in how it conducts itself in the industrial relations context nor what its excessive EBAs cost the nation or public. The question for the CFMEU leadership is what brand of unionism does it stand for? The union’s own track record speaks for itself.
industrial relations UPDATES 37 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Bring on the Bills I’M OKAY The MUA displayed a real lack of nous defending a union member who admitted drinking 20 full-strength cans of beer and having four-and-ahalf hours’ sleep before reporting for work and failing a breath test, thus breaching the employer’s zero tolerance policy with instant dismissal. The union member said he felt fine to work (safely) ignoring every common sense indicator on this issue. The MUA unsuccessfully appealed the first FWC rejection, arguing the member’s own assessment meant he was safe to work! What was the union thinking? Master Builders Australia CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch.
TON UP! The fate of Bills to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission was unknown at the time Master Builder went to print, but the Government’s announcement that Parliament would be recalled to deal with the matter was welcomed by Master Builders Australia. According to Master Builders Australia CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch, the Government remains serious about tackling unlawful behaviour on building sites. Re-establishing the ABCC is the number one industrial relations issue for the construction industry and an important economic reform. “The ABCC is about restoring confidence and certainty,” Mr Harnisch said. “It is about a more productive building industry, it is about the economy, it is about ensuring the community receives value for money. “The building industry is the nation’s third largest industry and provides jobs to more than a million Australians but for decades the construction sector has suffered from a culture of unlawfulness displayed by building unions.” Mr Harnisch said the culture was ingrained and institutionalised and it cheated the community by driving up the cost of building schools, hospitals and childcare centres by as much as 30 per cent.
In mid-March, the CFMEU had 100 charges currently filed against its officials nationally for allegedly acting unlawfully in the construction sector. The union response – to complain to the Federal Ombudsman it is being victimised – is beyond the pale and a demonstration of just how the union and its senior officials treat the law as a joke. The union claiming it is a victim says it all.
ACT DODGY DEAL A March media report exposed a dodgy deal between the ACT Labor Government and union movement that provides unions with veto rights over what businesses can win ACT Government work. Needless to say, those that have union friendly policies, such as union EBAs, will be warmly considered. The concern is, what other Labor governments might adopt similar non-competitive and potentially unlawful practices?
LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS RATE BADLY A report issued in NSW in March shows Australian infrastructure construction costs are much higher than Britain (36 per cent higher), US (42 per cent) and Europe (78 per cent). As the review was centred on the Eastern States, one obvious question is what role union pattern EBAs play in these exorbitant and unsustainable construction costs.
LOST DAYS DOWN BUT CONSTRUCTION STILL HIGH “The ABCC started to tackle this culture in the past and it was successful before it was abolished by the Labor Government,” Mr Harnisch said. “If re-established, it will work again. It will improve productivity, restore law and order, and ensure the conduct on building sites resembles that experienced in all other workplaces.”
Industrial disputes continued to decline nationally over the last decade or more with corresponding drop in lost days. However, the construction industry is bucking the trend. Last year there were 83,400 days lost but the 2015 December quarter showed a loss of 19,100 days of which 12,900 days, or 67 per cent, were in construction. Queensland was by far the worst performing State.
WHAT’S THAT SKIP? The Federal Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, a Rudd Government brainchild, is jacking up transport costs by 30 per cent in the name of making heavy transport safer. Oddly, some crossbench Senators, who previously rejected an attempt to scrap this union-run kangaroo tribunal, now want it abolished as it has nothing to do with trucking safety. They were told this 18 months ago but ignored industry advice.
38 UPDATES insurance M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Care needed on workers’ compensation
MBA Insurance Services’ state manager
Nick Vernon There is no denying that workers’ compensation legislation is confusing and difficult to understand. It’s next to impossible to provide a definitive set of questions that allows you, the builder, to determine exactly who is responsible for each worker on the work site in every different circumstance. The following best explains your responsibilities and best practice. Covering all workers down the contractual chain The Workers Compensation Act (Act) states, if a person (the ‘principal’) contracts with another person (the ‘contractor’) to perform work which is for the purpose of the principal’s normal trade or business, then both the principal and the contractor are liable to cover any workers the contractor may employ. Both parties are jointly and severally liable to cover the contractor’s workers. In other words, each must have a workers’ compensation policy. If the contractor in turn subcontracts the work to a subcontractor, then all parties – the principal, the contractor and the subcontractor – are liable to cover any workers the subcontractor may employ. If one of the subcontractor’s workers is injured at work, a compensation claim could be made on the principal, the contractor or the subcontractor. Therefore, principals should ensure that contractors have current workers’ compensation policies and all workers should check that they are covered. Contractors and subcontractors Contractors or subcontractors might be deemed ‘workers’ if they are engaged to do work by another person for the purpose of the other person’s trade or business, and they are paid in substance for their personal manual labour or services.
Examples of people who work under a contract for service and are likely to be considered workers include: • Contractors or subcontractors who perform the actual activities of the employer’s trade or business (e.g. bricklayer or plasterer contracted by a builder). • Contractors or subcontractors who perform activities for the efficient conduct of any employer’s trade or business (e.g. a fencing contractor contracted by a farmer). It is important to note, that if you contract or subcontract work to a proprietary limited company, which is responsible for providing its workers with workers’ compensation insurance, you are not automatically absolved from your responsibility to provide workers’ compensation insurance for those workers while on your site. Working directors A working director, as defined by the Act, is a director who performs work for, or on behalf of, the company and whose earnings as a director are in substance for personal manual labour or services. It is optional for working directors to be covered under the company’s workers’ compensation policy. However, it is very important to understand that if a working director opts out of the company’s policy, then he or she is opting out of the workers’ compensation scheme altogether and will not be covered under any workers’ compensation policy (i.e. principal, contractor or subcontractor). MBA Insurance Services urges working directors who do opt out of the workers’ compensation scheme to consider other forms of insurance (such as income protection) or risk uninsured medical bills and/or loss of income. MBA Insurance Services can ensure you are appropriately covered and welcomes any opportunity to discuss your workers’ compensation requirements. We can be contacted on 9486 9898.
legal UPDATES 39 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
A fitting end to an expensive mistake – PPSA lessons learnt
Hilary Hunt The result in Forge Group Power Pty Limited (in liquidation) (receivers and managers appointed) v General Electric International Inc [2016] NSWSC 52 (Forge Case) was not surprising. The plaintiffs must have known that they had little chance of success. The Forge Case involved General Electric International Inc (GE) leasing four mobile gas turbine generators to Forge Group Power Pty Limited (Forge). GE installed the turbines on land owned by Horizon Power (Landowner) in a way which made them easy to remove with minimal damage to the land (wheels were attached). It was held that the lease constituted a ‘security interest’ under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA). GE did not register that security interest and the liquidators rejected its claim to recover the turbines (valued at about $50 million). When a security interest comprises the rights of an owner in its own personal property, the PPSA ignores ownership rights when determining priority and instead deems the owner to have a security interest. An owner can become the highest ranking secured creditor over machinery if it has a valid priority registration under the PPSA. Had GE registered, it would have had a first ranking security interest in the turbines and could have recovered them. By not registering, GE lost its secured position and ranked only as an unsecured creditor. The relevant assets (the turbines) became available to Forge’s other creditors via a transfer or statutory ‘vesting’ of the assets back to the grantor (Forge). Unfortunately, ANZ had the first ranking security interest and all assets of Forge (including the turbines) were sold to recover ANZ’s debt. This ‘windfall’ benefit for secured creditors arising from an owner’s misfortune led judges (when the Canadian equivalent of the PPSA first came into force) to conclude that the law couldn’t possibly have intended to subvert the rights of owners in this way and to rule accordingly. Perhaps GE hoped that early Australian decisions might also try and champion ownership rights.
So what did GE try and argue in this case? Firstly, that the PPSA did not apply because GE was not regularly engaged in the leasing of goods within Australia. Nice try, but the Court held that, in testing whether a person is regularly engaged in the business of leasing goods, regard is to be had to activity wherever it occurs. Accordingly, the Court found that at all material times GE was regularly engaged in the business of leasing goods within Australia. The other (rather counterintuitive) argument was that the turbines were a fixture (which would not be personal property under the PPSA). If argued successfully, the Landowner would own the turbines. One can only assume that a deal was done with the Landowner to return the turbines to GE and waive any right to plead the Court’s decision as a defence. The Forge Case establishes that the PPSA does not change any of the current common law principles for determining whether an asset is a fixture or a fitting. The Court analysed those principles and did not take long to conclude that the intention of the parties, the nature and degree of annexation and the purpose served by the annexation when the turbines became affixed resulted in the turbines being a fitting – and therefore personal property under the PPSA. The Forge Case is a reminder about the importance of registering security interests under the PPSA and the painful consequences of failing to do so. An owner’s rights are no longer sacred. This article was prepared by Jackson McDonald partner Hilary Hunt. If you have any concerns or queries regarding the application of the PPSA to your business contact Jackson McDonald on 9426 6611.
40 UPDATES health M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Holyoake can help with response to Building Code Drug testing is now mandatory on building sites where the Federal Government’s contribution is at least $5 million. The scope of this policy may be widened further as time goes on.
Access to counselling services offers an option to assist an employee (as long as he or she is willing) to participate in a course that can assist in dealing with alcohol/drug dependency issues.
The Building Code 2013 requires the site occupier (builder) to have a “work policy to manage alcohol and other drugs in the workplace that applies to all persons engaged to perform building work on a project”.
Holyoake, a member of the Master Builders Health Alliance, offers employers a holistic wellness policy which provides people with a second chance through counselling and treatment to address their dependency issues. A leading provider of alcohol and drug treatment services since 1975, Holyoake offers specialised counselling in a safe, caring and confidential environment. It promotes self-responsibility and will work with the person to overcome challenges.
The Code requires the builder have not just independent testing arrangements in place, but processes that apply in the circumstances where a worker returns a positive test. That is, how will a builder respond to a positive test? What happens to a person who tests positive? Organisations can have a range of responses to a positive test from zero tolerance to providing access to counselling services. Employers are best placed to make decisions on what is best for their workplaces. As the 2013 Code requires some form of management procedure, prudent employers would factor this into their drug and alcohol policies and a response mechanism in the event a positive test is returned. This implies counselling services should be considered.
Holyoake will consult with the employer to develop an effective and affordable counselling package that works best for the business. As a non-profit organisation, income received from counselling helps support Holyoake’s community programs. For more information on how Holyoake can help contact Mario Gomes: mgomes@holyoake.org.au or 9416 4444.
health UPDATES 41 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Understanding the UV index
Protective clothing can be one of the best forms of sun protection, particularly if it covers a large percentage of skin. However, not all clothes are equal when it comes to sun protection, and some give a level of protection which is much lower than you realise. The weave of the fabric can play a big part in how much sun protection it provides. If the weave is tight, then the chance of UV radiation reaching the skin is greatly reduced. However, if the material has an open weave, or is sheer, then there is a good chance that a decent amount of UV is making it through. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency created a measure that lets you know how much protection from UV radiation clothing is giving. The measure is referred to as the UV Protection Factor or UPF. Like SPF ratings on sunscreen, UPF works in a similar fashion. With sunscreen, if unprotected skin takes 10 minutes in summer to burn, correctly using a sunscreen rated SPF30 will give 30 times the 10 minutes before skin burns, or 300 minutes of sun protection. A UPF50+ shirt will provide 50 times the 10 minutes before skin will burn, or 500 minutes of sun protection. Five hundred minutes of sun protection is more than eight hours’ sun protection at a level only required when the UV is three or above. Unlike sunscreen, which can rub or sweat off, a shirt provides consistent sun protection. However, it is good to know that even UPF clothing can reduce in its effectiveness when it becomes aged and the fabric is less dense. When worn and washed regularly, the fabric can become thinner and more transparent, resulting in less than UPF50+ protection. In those circumstances, the clothing will require replacement. Overheating is a valid concern with long sleeved shirts and many work shirt manufacturers have taken this into consideration in their designs. Below are some tips on what to look for when buying a work shirt for summer: • Rated UPF50+ on the label. • 100 per cent cotton to allow the body to breath. • Shirts that are made from around 125gm fabric. • Rip stop fabrics can be lightweight and hard wearing.
• Lighter colour but is rated UPF50+. • Well-placed venting to allow greater airflow to help reduce overheating. • Looser shirts may be cooler to wear, but make sure they are not a safety hazard in the workplace. • Long sleeved shirts are ideal, but short sleeved shirts are still much better than a singlet or no top at all. If you opt for a short sleeved shirt, just make sure you put lots of sunscreen where the shirt does not cover. Wearing a shirt is an easy and cost effective way to protect skin from UV radiation, and can even be tax deductible. By understanding what to look for in your work shirts you could make a simple choice that could save you from getting skin cancer later in life.
42 UPDATES health M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Healthier Workplace WA helping workplaces get in shape! With most Australians spending about one-third of their lives at work, the workplace is the ideal setting for promoting positive health and wellbeing. A WA program, Healthier Workplace WA (HWWA) is leading the way in getting workplaces in shape. Workers who make healthy choices are less at risk of developing lifestyle risk factors which contribute to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. They are also more likely to enjoy life – at work and at home. Healthier Workplace WA can support workplaces to plan, design, implement and evaluate a workplace health and wellbeing program that focuses on helping their workers to: • Achieve a healthy weight. • Eat more fruit and vegetables. • Participle in 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days of the week. • Reduce sitting time. • Quit or reduce smoking. • Reduce level of harmful alcohol consumption. Healthier Workplace WA has made its services free and easily accessible. These include online training, webinars and lunch ‘n’ learns; telephone and email support; online tools and resources; expert advice, information and support on workplace catering, active commuting, quit smoking courses and alcohol-related issues in the workplace; and face to face training sessions. Achieving a healthier workplace doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. These simple steps can get you started on your workplace health journey. 1. Free Health and Well-being Coordinator Training The Online Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Training covers the basics of workplace health promotion. The self-paced online training consists of four modules with each module taking about 20 minutes to complete: • Module one: Introduction to workplace health. • Module two: Motivating your staff to be healthy. • Module three: Best practice workplace health promotion. • Module four: Planning your program.
2. Workplace Health Check Taking the online Workplace Health Check will allow you to identify gaps and priorities in your workplace in relation to the risk factors of smoking, unhealthy eating, alcohol and physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour. The Workplace Health Check should take you about 10 minutes to complete and will assess your workplace on healthy policy, supportive infrastructure, activities and information and provide you with a tailored report. 3. Follow the Plan-Do-Review Guide Plan-Do-Review is a three-step process that will provide you with guidance and direct you to free tools and resources. It’s a cyclical process, so it means that you can continually change things and improve. In summary, a workplace health and wellbeing program involves: • Developing health-related policies. • Creating a work environment that supports good health. • Encouraging active participation in activities. • Developing healthy attitudes and behaviours in workers through education. If you already have a Health and Wellbeing program in the workplace then why not get recognised for it. Apply to Healthier Workplace WA to be a leader in your field and show your competitors you care about the health and wellbeing of your staff. Delivered by the Heart Foundation WA in conjunction with Cancer Council WA and the University of Western Australia, Healthier Workplace WA supports workplaces across WA to make positive lifestyle changes that benefit everyone. For more information about the Healthier Workplace WA program, visit www.healthierworkplacewa.com.au or call 1300 550 271.
membership UPDATES 43 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
WinBaC program Master Builders welcomes ramps up new members
Deputy Premier, Liza Harvey, is the special guest at this year’s WinBaC Mid-Year Lunch in June.
The Women in Building and Construction calendar is in full swing for 2016. First up in April was the ‘Plan Reading and Building Basics’ workshop. The workshop, which is always heavily subscribed, covered plan reading including symbols, notations and scale, building terminology, specifications and council and BCA requirements. Those who missed out will have another opportunity when the workshop is repeated in September. And there is an opportunity to add further skills at the ‘Planning Approvals Success’ workshop to be presented on 8 July. “We’re excited to announce that our guest speaker for the WinBaC Mid-Year Lunch on 17 June is Deputy Premier, Liza Harvey,” says Master Builders’ membership services manager, Veronica Mill. “Mrs Harvey’s other portfolios include Training and Workforce Development and Women’s Interests. We’re confident her presentation will resonate with all members and we invite you to attend.” To register, visit www.mbawa.com/event-calendar/ or email Master Builders’ events team at events@mbawa.com.
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Exclusive discount on regional accommodation
10% off daily accommodation rate
Hyatt Regency Hotel Perth is offering Master Builders members 10% off its Daily Accommodation Rate. To make a reservation phone 13 12 34 and ask for the ‘Master Builders Rate’ subject to availability. Join Club Hyatt for yearly membership at a discount of 10% for Master Builder members.
AC C O UN T I N G & TA X AT I ON
AC C OM M ODAT I ON
Master Builders Members can save through our growing Master Builders Member Savings Scheme.
Level 3, 35-37 Havelock Street West Perth WA 6005 p (08) 9476 9800 f (08) 9476 9801 w www.mbawa.com e mba@mbawa.com
Free personal financial strategy – valued at $990 Members can access a free review of their personal tax positions, including review of tax minimisation strategies, and the use of SelfManaged Superannuation Funds. Also includes a free financial services consultation to review financial and retirement planning.
Members have access to an exclusive discount on accommodation at Oaks Broome and Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary. Visit Master Builders website for details.
Members are also entitled to a free subscription to RSM’s electronic newsletters, SME Pathways and Financial Insight. To redeem this offer, please call David Johnston 9261 9486 or email david.johnston@rsmi.com.au
FUE L
BAN K I N G
Principal Partner
http://www.mbawa.com/member-savings/ I N SUR A N C E
http://www.mbawa.com/member-savings/
www.hyatt.com
Secure competitive insurances with a construction sector specialist
Help Apprentices with every loan taken out
Save 55% on your monthly fees with a Caltex StarCard
Bankwest business banking has lots of choices for business finance for members. For every home or business loan through Bankwest a % will be put back in to the Apprentiship and career promotion. Contact Brad Smith, Senior Relationship Manager for Commercial Banking on 0467 786 813 for more information. For discount home loan rates and product features, speak to Bankwest representative, Lisa Hutchins on 0467 807 662.
You might not care how long it takes to record your fuel receipts, but someone in your business does! Do them a favour - get a fuel card that gives you one easy to read, ATO approved monthly invoice. Plus, if you sign up under Master Builders’ account you’ll save 55% on your monthly fees, and receive a 3.5c/ litre discount on unleaded petrol and 4c/ litre discount on diesel petrol. Whether you have two vehicles or 200, there’s a Caltex StarCard to suit your needs. Visit our website for more information.
Secure competitive insurances with a construction sector specialist, MBA Insurance Services. Using its construction market leverage, benefit from attractive premium pricing and better policy terms for your business and personal insurances. A strong service is part of this broker’s commitment to Master Builders members. Contact MBAIS now on 1800 150 888 to discuss your premiums and insurance needs.
www.bankwest.com.au
www.mbawa.com/member-savings
www.mbais.com.au
REC RUI T M EN T
M OT OR VEH I C LES www.easifleet.com.au
T EL EC O M M UN I C AT I O N
www.jacmac.com.au
Exclusive range of products with genuine discounts
OfficeMax is offering Master Builders members 10-25% off the standard price of many popular office and stationery items. By buying through Master Builders, you will enjoy the benefits of combined purchasing pricing for the extensive range offered by OfficeMax. For further information please phone Bronwyn NicolaasPonder on mobile 0488 625 234 or email bronwyn.nicolaas-ponder@officemax.com.au
Master Builders Connect has teamed up with Telstra to offer members more of the good stuff at exclusive rates. No gimmicks. No confusion. Just straight-talking, no-nonsense deals that give you all the features you want. More talk & text. More data. More flexibility. And more coverage. So why accept less when you can connect to more? For more information, call 1300 88 13 72, email service@mbconnect.com.au or head to www.mbconnect.com.au
www.officemax.com.au
www.mbawa.com/member-savings
For all your recruitment needs, talk to the world leading specialist recruitment company and enjoy a 10% discount from their standard terms of business. Contact Mark Pitt (Labour hire) (08) 9259 4513, Danielle Middleton (Commercial Building) (08) 9486 9553 or Bronnie Cave (Office Support) on (08) 9322 5383.
www.hays.com.au
T V PR O M O T I O N
LEGA L H OT LI N E
easifleet is the expert in private and corporate vehicle solutions. Their extensive buying power allows them to purchase vehicles at the lowest fleet prices. While these fleet discount prices are usually reserved for private salary packaging customers, easifleet is partnering with Master Builders to offer access to huge savings when purchasing or leasing your next vehicle. They can also offer an ongoing discounted finance rate if finance is required. Better yet, they can source your vehicle, liaise with the dealer and organise settlement and delivery free of charge.
STAT I O N ERY
Jackson McDonald/Master Builders Legal Hotline offer up to 15 minutes of immediate, free legal advice. The Hotline complements Master Builders’ ongoing services of standard form contracts, insurance products and safety training and auditing. When legal issues arise, the Hotline will offer quick and knowledgeable initial guidance. A 7% reduction on normal fee schedules also applies for members.
10% - 25% off the standard price of popular items
10% discount from their standard terms of business
Save thousands on Fleet pricing
7% reduction on normal fee schedules
$400 discount when purchasing a 3 minute advertorial production Home in WA is the Master Builders’ very own TV series and is into its 15th series! Members can receive a $400 discount when they purchase a 3 minute advertorial production. Your business will get state-wide TV coverage, on both GWN7 regional and Channel 7 in the metro area. This year, you will also be supplied with a free advertorial production YouTube link to post on your website! Phone Ron (Dingo) Reddingius on 0417 279 103 or (08) 9246 5442 or watch the show on the website. www.homeinwa.com.au
* Scheme participants will generally require proof of membership through our membership card or other verification. We remind members that all benefits are subject to terms and conditions specified by the service provider and may be withdrawn at any time. It is recommended that you contact the service provider advertised to confirm the most recent offer available.
2016
METRO
EVENTS
CALENDAR
MAY
10 14
Smart Waste Initiatives Sundowner
Master Builders-Bankwest Economics Breakfast
JUN
01 09 17 30
JUL
08 13 23
Master Builders-Bankwest WinBaC Workshop: Building Approvals Success
Master Builders-Bankwest CEO & Managers Lunch
AUG
TBA 12 12-14 27
SEP
09 10 16
Master Builders-Bankwest WinBaC Workshop: Plan Reading & Building Basics
OCT
15
Master Builders-Bankwest Geraldton-Midwest Building Excellence Awards
Apprentice of the Year Awards
NOV
04 16 18 24 06
Members’ End of Year Sundowner incorporating AGM
DEC
Master Builders-Bankwest Kimberley-Pilbara Building Excellence Awards
Future Opportunities for the Built Environment Panel Discussion Master Builders-Bankwest WinBaC Mid Year Lunch 2017 Housing Awards Launch
Bowls Day Master Builders-Bankwest Excellence in Construction Awards
Master Builders State Conference Perth Home Show Master Builders-Bankwest Goldfields-Esperance Building Excellence Awards
Master Builders-Bankwest Great Southern Building Excellence Awards Master Builders-Bankwest Sailing Regatta
Corporate Tennis Day Master Builders-Bankwest WinBaC End of Year Lunch Master Builders National Awards (Canberra)
WinBaC - Women in Building & Construction *Please note event dates can change from time to time. For further information please visit mbawa.com or email events@mbawa.com
personal pars UPDATES 47 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Personal Pars proudly sponsored by Hays
Senator Scott Ryan has replaced Luke Hartsuyker as Minister for Vocational Education and Skills.
Deepest sympathies to Master Builders Life Member, Charlie Baggetta, on the loss of his mother in February.
Master Builders national training director, Robert Wilson, has been appointed inaugural chairman of the Construction Industry Reference Committee. The Committee’s primary objective is to ensure training packages meet the needs of employers.
The Heritage Council of WA has appointed former REIWA CEO, Anne Arnold, as chairperson.
Congratulations to Bob Jeans from the City of Rockingham on becoming a sexagenarian in February. Knight Frank appointed Craig Dawson as managing director commencing in April. Former Master Builders’ executive assistant, Skye McCartney, and her partner, Ben McMahon, welcomed their baby boy, Ethan, into the world in February. Congratulations to longserving Water Corporation senior executive, Peter Moore, on receiving the Public Service Medal for outstanding service to the WA water industry. A civil engineer in the water industry since 1970, his work covers developing water supplies, including groundwater replenishment and waste water schemes, to meet WA’s growing population. Last year, he was appointed president of peak body, the Australian Water Association.
Goldstyle Homes has appointed Garry Brown as a co-director with Wayne Barber. The 500 Club has employed Jenny Allen as its chief executive.
Tony Gleeson is now the CEO of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating. He was previously employed by PwC, Deloitte and Terra Firma Consulting. More recently he was employed by CPA Australia and CEO of the Australian Institute of Management in Melbourne.
Andrew Holmes (Tectonics Construction Group) has been elected interim chairman of Master Builders’ Great Southern Branch until the Branch’s AGM in June. Luke Leeder (Greg Leeder Homes) stepped down as chairman to accept a site supervisor position with Arian Zorzi in Perth.
Alison Hailes from the WA Local Government Association has been appointed CEO of the Urban Development Industry Association to replace Debra Goostrey.
Condolences to family and friends of Allan Rocher who died in March, aged 80, after a long battle with cancer. He was founder of Trident Constructions, president of Master Builders in 197374, a WA Senator (1978-81) and later the House of Representatives Member for Curtin(1981-98).
Jackson McDonald lawyer Sally Bruce has been engaged by the Heart Foundation WA to provide pro-bono legal advice. The Heart Foundation is a member of Master Builders Health Alliance. It recently established a ‘Heart Buddy’ initiative to link people who have experienced a heart event. Phone 9388-3343 to link with a volunteer Heart Buddy.
Lino Iacamella has replaced Joe Lenzo as CEO of the Property Council in WA. Joe has retired after a 17 year period as CEO.
WA Business News 40 under 40 winner, Liz Ritchie, the WA state director for the Committee of Economic Development of Australia, has resigned after four years in the job to take up a position as a regional general manager at Westpac.
Mandi Welch has been appointed head of business school with Evolution (formerly Silver Trowel Trade Training) in Cannington. Mandi also has joined Master Builders’ Training Committee.
Webb & Brown-Neaves has appointed Stuart Jeffs as general manager. Stuart was previously the GM of APG Homes.
Lisa Collins has been appointed general manager, business development with Cbus Superannuation, based in Sydney.
Jason Marocchi has taken over from Paul Everingham as managing director of GRA Everingham – a specialist lobbying firm. Eric Ripper is the chairman.
Condolences to Max Pirone (ABN Group) and his family on the death of his mother in March. Congratulations to Grant Rodoreda (Jackson McDonald) on his thirtieth birthday which he celebrated overseas at Easter.
48 UPDATES personal pars M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Personal Pars proudly sponsored by Hays
CTF’s Dawson retires Construction Training Fund executive director, Ralph Dawson, pictured with Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, retired at Easter. Mr McLean paid tribute to Mr Dawson’s work as a career public servant with the Department of Labour and Industry, Balga and Joondalup TAFEs and the CTF. “Ralph has retired at a relatively young age after 12 distinguished years as the head of the CTF to spend more time with his family,” Mr McLean said. “Master Builders acknowledges his great work over five decades.” Mr Dawson is succeeded in the CTF role by former Department of Finance employee, Alan Jackson.
Close shave Cachet Homes director, Cliff Kearns, is transformed from wild man to clean-cut executive in the name of charity. Cliff was supporting the Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave fundraiser. He well and truly exceeded his goal of $3000, raising almost $5000 for the worthy cause.
personal pars UPDATES 49 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Personal Pars proudly sponsored by Hays
Master Builders’ communications officer, Emily Stone.
PEN PORTRAIT: EMILY STONE Emily Stone, Master Builders’ communications officer, is another of the staff’s young brigade embracing fresh approaches to the Association’s operations. The job title belies the fact that she’s also responsible for the day-to-day account management of Master Builders’ 30-plus partners, along with assisting marketing manager, Kelly Dewar-Matusik, in the marketing of Association products. What were you doing before joining Master Builders? Before joining the team I was working at The Goodearth and Perth Ambassador Hotels in East Perth as their sales and marketing assistant. Why did you move? I actually had applied for a previous job at Master Builders and just missed out. A few years later Geoff Cooper approached me asking to come and join the team as communications officer. It was an offer too good to pass up and I’m glad I made the move.
What do you like about working at Master Builders? It’s a completely different environment from where I’ve previously worked, and one that I look forward to coming into each day which makes all the difference! The people here are great, and I have a very supportive team, plus it’s a constantly changing industry so there’s always something to keep you busy. When you’re not at Master Builders, what keeps you busy? I like to (try to) stay fit, so enjoy going to the gym and trying out new classes. I’m also a big reader and particularly enjoy autobiographies or books on war history. Plus I enjoy spending time with my partner, family and friends exploring the new breakfast spots around Perth.
How do you feel you’ve settled in your role? I’ve been at Master Builders about 18 months now and feel I’ve settled in really well. The staff make it easy to feel like you’ve been working here forever. As the direction of Master Builders develops, I’m looking forward to the challenges and new opportunities that present themselves. What interests you about the construction industry? There’s always something changing and evolving in this industry, which makes it challenging but exciting to be a part of. I’m also looking to buy my first place in the next year or two so it’s great to have an insider’s perspective into how the industry is travelling.
50 UPDATES safety M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Building Code requires drug, alcohol testing In February, Fair Work Building & Construction commenced the final stage of its three-phase implementation of the new drug and alcohol requirements as part of the 2013 Building Code. It is important that all industry participants are aware of their obligations and what this means for them. The new changes follow a decision announced on in September 2015 in which the Australian Government introduced higher workplace safety standards for construction sites by requiring building contractors on projects funded by the Government to manage the risks of drug and alcohol impairment. As FWBC is responsible for monitoring compliance, the agency also is responsible for ensuring the new requirements are followed. The first and second stages of the implementation plan focused on providing information to industry on the new requirements and then reviewing contractors’ policies and providing feedback on compliance with a strong focus on voluntary rectification. With these phases now complete, the agency has moved to auditing contractors’ fitness for work policies to assess the practical implementation of drug and alcohol testing onsite. The audits examine whether the policy is being implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code. This includes requiring evidence that demonstrates testing is being conducted: • On a random basis. • At least monthly. • On the minimum number of required personnel (10 per cent except on larger projects). • For the required substances. • Using an objective medical testing method. • By the head contractor and not being pushed down to subcontractors. Investigators also will take a copy of the fitness for work policy and will check the substance of the plan against the requirements of the Building Code. After analysis of documentation and any interviews undertaken during the site audit, FWBC investigators will write to the company with the audit outcome.
In the event that issues or breaches are identified, correspondence will be sent to the company outlining the issues or alleged breaches and seeking the company’s response with an opportunity (where possible) for the matter to be rectified. It should be noted that on some occasions, breaches that are considered to be of a serious nature cannot be voluntarily rectified. The new requirements introduce higher workplace safety standards for construction sites by ensuring that all building contractors covered by the Building Code have workplace health, safety and rehabilitation systems that include detail of how they will manage drugs and alcohol in the workplace. In effect, this means that all construction projects that have at least $5 million of Commonwealth funding are required to have a fitness for work policy that includes drug and alcohol testing for those on site undertaking building work. FWBC has been working collaboratively with industry to ensure contractors are aware of their rights and obligations in relation to drug and alcohol testing on sites. So far, feedback on this process has been positive and the agency looks forward to working with the industry to ensure the new requirements are implemented as seamlessly as possible. Contractors can contact FWBC with specific questions regarding their fitness for work policy. However, to be deemed compliant, the testing regime onsite also must reflect the requirements of the Building Code and contractors must keep records that demonstrate their compliance. Further information on drug and alcohol testing under the Building Code can be found at: www.fwbc.gov.au/building-code/drug-and-alcohol-testing-under-building-code-2013
This article was prepared by FWBC general manager, Building Code, Cathy Cato. Ms Cato, a lawyer of 20 years, was appointed to the general manager position in 2015 to help FWBC move to strict enforcement of the Code, the Australian Government’s mechanism for setting workplace standards in the construction industry. Failure to comply can lead to contractors being excluded from tendering for Commonwealth funded projects.
technical UPDATES 51 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Sobering lessons from coronial inquest
Master Builders’ technical consultant,
Romina De Santis Toward the end of 2014, Master Builders’ technical consultant, Romina De Santis, a building surveyor with extensive local government and private practice experience, was asked to provide advice to the State Coroner in the inquest into the deaths of two workers as a result of Cyclone George in March 2007. Two people lost their lives in unsafe buildings which they would have expected would provide them with basic shelter, comfort and amenity as accommodation. They probably didn’t consider the life-safety requirements of that accommodation, or whether those requirements were lacking and would not protect them from the site conditions. There were, however, a number of errors that led to the unfortunate outcome, and years of investigation to unravel the causes. The remainder of this article deals with aspects of the WA Coroner’s Court inquest into the tragedy. Extracts from the inquest findings, delivered in August last year, are in italics. The temporary accommodation camp was constructed in 2006 and located approximately 90 kilometres inland from Port Hedland. Its purpose was to accommodate workers who were going to build a private railway line so that iron ore could be transported from Cloudbreak Mine in the Pilbara to the port facilities in Port Hedland. It was one of four such camps that were located along the proposed route. This inquest was concerned with the events at Rail Camp 1. For the duration of its use, a temporary building must meet the same standards as a permanent structure. There was some urgency in ensuring the private railway line was constructed in accordance with anticipated time frames. Clearly, it was not possible to undertake substantive work on the relevant portion of the railway line until
Rail Camp 1 was constructed to accommodate the people who would be working on that line. Consequently there was some urgency in ensuring that Rail Camp 1 was constructed in accordance with anticipated time frames. Let’s be honest, when were you last involved in a building project where the owner or client said, “Take all the time you need, we’re in no hurry”? However, even when it’s urgent, the urgency should not change the building’s compliance requirements for its intended use for its lifetime. In 2006 an application for a building licence was required prior to commencing building work. At the material time, the applicable building standards were contained in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960, the Building Regulations 1989, the Building Code of Australia 2005 and its referenced Australian Standards. Now we have the new Building Act 2011, Building Regulations 2012, and reference BCA 2015 or 2016. The new system has enabled private certification, but the same building standards apply, as do the obligations for compliance with relevant building work legislation. One of the issues at the inquest concerned how it was that dongas situated in the Wind Region C area were incorrectly built by reference to Wind Region A standards. Tragically, this error that was not identified until after the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone George. Under the Building Regulations 1989 that were in force at the material time, every builder making application for a building licence was required to deposit with the building surveyor of the local government two complete sets of drawings (to a scale not less than 1:1000) showing, amongst other things, the depth of the foundations. Documentation now must be ‘ready for construction’ for a Building Permit application, and the Notice of Completion is required at the end of every project which required a Building Permit – a declaration from the building contractor that the building work was completed in accordance with the issued Building Permit.
52 UPDATES technical M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
There were no drawings or designs that accompanied the building licence application that contained information regarding tie-downs for any of the buildings, including the dongas. The application and approval did not include any details for the tie-down of the buildings. While a prudent builder would have done so, in this instance, the builder did not request tie-down details designed by a suitably qualified structural engineer. The wind region, which would have been the basis for the design of the buildings and tie-downs, was never formally confirmed. Unfortunately, the installation of the buildings at Rail Camp 1 did not meet applicable building standards. Having concluded the two-week inquiry evidence, the Coroner made two important recommendations Recommendation No. 1 I recommend that the Western Australian Government consider introducing mandatory inspections in Wind Regions D and C in order to achieve greater construction compliance with the applicable building standards set out in the Building Regulations 2012. Recommendation No. 2 I recommend that the Australian Building Codes Board explore methods by which a large scale electronic map that is prepared in accordance with the smoothed coastline and the delineated wind regions be made accessible through the Web. This map is to be updated if and when the Australian Standards change the delineated wind regions. It is difficult not to scrutinise the actions of those involved in this tragedy, and harshly judge their decisions and actions. However, human errors do occur and both of these recommendations would specifically reduce the likelihood of this incident happening again.
Correct determination of wind region would address the documentation lacking in the drawings used for the construction of the buildings. Requirements to inspect buildings in cyclonic areas would improve the level of compliance of the construction of buildings in high-risk areas. Implementation of these recommendations is now with the relevant authorities. Today we have a new Building Act and other supporting legislation. In the past, the Australian Building Codes Board has updated the National Construction Code annually. This year marks the last annual review and the next edition will be in three years – 2019. As industry professionals, builders must keep up to date with ever-changing compliance requirements. Stringency in the National Construction Code increases or new requirements are included after extensive consideration and consultation on community and industry interests. The Coroner’s inquest in this instance showed failures at each level – from concept through design, approval, construction and commissioning. Design and construction of buildings require each stakeholder to take responsibility for their part in the delivery of a compliant building for the end user. If this is done, then we, as an industry, have done what is expected. The designer needs to design to relevant minimum standards, the documentation must be reviewed for compliance by the building surveyor and the builder needs to build to the approved plans and specifications and question any inconsistencies with the relevant stakeholder (engineer, designer/architect, building surveyor, service consultant). Not all practitioners in our industry are registered meaning that much responsibility is sheeted home to those few of us who are regulated – the registered building contractors, registered building surveyors, professional structural engineers, licenced electrical and plumbing contractors and registered painters.
training UPDATES 53 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Recognition of Prior Learning explained
Master Builders’ training director,
Neil Du Rand. Recognition of prior learning, or RPL, is something that has become more prevalent without many knowing what it refers to. As no learning takes place, and with no changed behaviour and no return on investment to an employer investing in the process, should it be a priority? In 2015 the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) were published after being endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments Industry and Skills Council. These Standards provide nationally consistent VET sector regulation and describe requirements to be met to be an RTO. RTOs can be registered to provide training and assessment or assessment only. RPL means an assessment of an individual’s competency acquired by that individual through formal, non-formal and informal learning. The assessment determines the extent to which that individual meets the requirements specified in a particular training package or in VET accredited courses. • Formal learning takes place through a structured instruction program and is linked to attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university degree). This must not be confused with the scenario where a applicant holds a unit of competency which forms part of a qualification. In this case, it would amount to a credit transfer. It could be RPL where the applicant holds a unit of competency that is not one of the units of competency forming part of the qualification but has similar competencies which can be recognised as part of the knowledge and skills towards the unit of competency for which RPL is sought. • Non-formal learning is learning that takes place through a structured instruction program, but which does not lead to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in house professional development programs conducted by a business). • Informal learning refers to learning that results through work experience –related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities (for example, the acquisition of interpersonal skills developed through several years as a sales representative). The assessment process is conducted against a unit of competency or any number of units of competency. Most people believe they are assessed against a qualification but only if they are deemed competent in a sufficient number of units that make up the qualification will they be eligible to receive the qualification. If there is not a sufficient number of
units, they would receive a statement of attainment for the units deemed competent and would have to receive training for the remaining units and be deemed competent in these before being able to achieve a full qualification. It is not possible to do RPL for part of a unit of competency as only where an applicant is deemed competent for the entire unit of competency will they receive a statement of attainment. The principle of RPL is that, where an applicant is assessed as competent on evidence provided, that applicant will have the same skills as a person who is deemed competent after the training has been conducted. Often applicants are unsure about what evidence is required. This is derived from the units of competency which clearly state what competencies are required. This is contained in each unit’s elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, evidence guide and range statement. Normally an RTO will require an applicant to provide a portfolio of evidence that will include evidence such as photos, copies of documentation relating to the competencies from previous work as compiled by the applicant, plans drawn by the applicant, photos of work produced, third party verification reports, work history, questions from the assessor and safe work method statements, However, this all depends on the unit(s) of competency being applied for. The downside of RPL is that it is only recognising current competencies held by an applicant and no training or development is taking place. Normally, training can be evaluated using a model such as that of Donald Kirkpatrick, a University of Wisconsin Professor Emeritus and past president of the American Society for Training and Development. The model was updated in 1975, and again in 1994, when he published his best-known work, ‘Evaluating Training Programs’. The four levels are: reaction, learning, behaviour and results. With RPL none of these is applicable as there will be no learning or changed behaviour or results to the organisation as the only status that changes will be that competencies already held are now formally recognised. This will not bring about a return on investment where an employer has invested in the process. There are, unfortunately, a number of RTOs which have not applied the RPL process correctly and have issued qualifications to applicants who may not have all the required competencies. Hopefully this is one area where the regulators will focus more of their attention. Funding is also better spent in changing learning, behaviour which will result in a return on investment.
54 UPDATES training M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Record haul for Curtin prizewinner
TAFE reforms welcome
Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, says the Association supports reform to the TAFE sector.
Master Builders has supported plans to reform the Technical and Further Education network across WA. According to Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, TAFE provides a critically important role in training young adults with the skills to become employable across a whole range of jobs, especially in the building and construction industry. “The Langoulant-Edwardes Review of TAFE has clearly identified obvious areas of reform which will not only rationalise TAFE administration but also improve the delivery of courses,” Mr McLean said. “These reforms are an important first step in realigning TAFE with industry’s expectations and needs.” Mr McLean said it was unfortunate that TAFE had lost its way over the years. It now needed to get back to basics and focus on demystifying the complexity of the training bureaucracy in order to provide relevant training courses to its clientele. “One of the things TAFE needs to give priority is to bolster the literacy and numeracy skills of students to assist them with their training, employability and career paths,” he said. “TAFE colleges now need to utilise their incredible training facilities to engage more with industry to capitalise on their assets.
Master Builders’ prize for the best third-year Curtin University construction management student has gone to Yuri Seki.
“Creating a more flexible delivery model which caters for the needs of trainees, apprentices and employers will be the challenge ahead. Hopefully the cost savings from these reforms also will translate into reduced student enrolment fees which ultimately affect course registrations.”
Ms Seki received a total of seven awards, a record, at Curtin’s prize giving ceremony in February. She described herself as very organised but realised she still had a lot to learn.
Mr McLean said Master Builders has an interest in TAFE’s success and the Association looked forward to helping the new hierarchy implement reforms to create a world class training institution.
High achiever: Curtin University Construction Management student, Yuri Seki, was presented with her best third-year student prize by Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean.
Ms Seki, who spent some of her childhood in Japan but has lived in Perth since her year-five primary school days, received a cheque and a 12-month Master Builder student membership. She attended Lesmurdie High School and has been a student at Curtin for the last three years. She has worked for Kerman Contracting and in December last year commenced a part-time assistant project manager role with NS Projects.
utilities UPDATES 55 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Contractors urged to ‘Seek a Leak’ this winter As the cooler months roll in, Water Corporation is reminding everyone to continue to do their bit to save water and make the most of the lower temperatures. The Corporation says that checking water use and looking for leaks across contractors’ projects and even in their businesses and homes to reduce water use and monitor for leaks, is a great place to start. Customers and businesses are being encouraged to ‘Seek a Leak’. Leaks are quite common and often go unattended, especially on building sites during construction and in older homes during renovations. “Even a small leak can waste thousands of litres of water, and the solution is quite often a simple fix,” the Corporation says. “Leaks are most common in sinks and bathroom areas (in particular, toilets), and taps left running unnecessarily during construction also can waste thousands of litres of water.” Water Corporation has its own leak detection program and recently installed acoustic sensors on its pipes in the Perth CBD to identify leaks early and then repair them quickly to help save water. “Use the season change as an opportunity to check in with trades and site staff to advise them on what to look for when it comes to leaks, and also to be aware of unnecessary water use,” the Corporation says. “Encouraging your clients and contractors to install quality water efficient
fixtures and fittings from the outset not only will minimise water use, it also will reduce the likelihood of leaks, and after the long dry summer, every drop counts.” For more information on the Waterwise Programs or how to incorporate Waterwise principles into projects, head to watercorporation.com.au/ watersavingtips.
More mobile for your money. Master Builders Connect has teamed up with Telstra to bring you more of the good stuff. Our Full Monty plan is packed with all the features you want – such as unlimited talk & text and loads of data, for just $80 a month. Here’s a few ways you can connect to more: Samsung Galaxy S5 – other handsets also available*. Unlimited - standard national calls, SMS & MMS and Voicemail retrievals in Australia*.
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Unlimited - standard national calls, SMS & MMS and Voicemail retrievals in Australia*. 5GB data.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: Minimum total cost is $1,920 ($80/mth) over 24 months. Monthly repayment options (MRO) for the handset vary in price depending on handset and plan chosen. If you cancel early the remaining handset payments will be higher as you’ll no longer receive a discount to offset your handset cost. Full Monty Plan: Some usage is excluded; such as calls/text/MMS to Premium numbers (e.g. 19xx numbers). 1234, 12455, 12345 numbers and to some satellite numbers, content changes and use overseas. Unused allowances expire monthly. For new connections the total of your minimum monthly fee (excluding any device payments) and charges are eligible calls over your included calls/texts/ MMS allowance will not exceed per month. Android, Google Play and other marks are trademarks More flexibility with$80 data sharing between of Google Inc. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from *work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. The Spectrum connected devices. device and TM are trademarks and are ® registered trade marks of Telstra Corporation Limited, ABN 33 051 775 556
56 FEATURE SAFETY MATTERS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
SAFETY AND SECURITY Good building design can help achieve a safer and secure living environment. These design features can be incorporated upfront in the design and construction phase or through ongoing modification and maintenance.
Safety Most accidents occur in the home. The design of a house, construction methods, materials, finishes, appliances and maintenance all influence home safety. Safety issues can relate to: • kitchens • bathrooms • fittings (doors, windows and hot water systems) • outdoor areas • fire risk prevention. Kitchen safety The majority of domestic accidents occur in the kitchen and bathroom. Apply the following general design tips to reduce the likelihood of accidents in the kitchen: • Design for unobstructed access to the work triangle (the area containing the stove, sink and refrigerator). • Eliminate or reduce cross traffic through the work triangle. • Protect hot plates with a guardrail or deep setback and use fire resistant finishes adjacent to and above the cook top. • Round-off bench edges and corners. • Design heatproof benchtops or inserts either side of oven and grill for rapid set down of hot dishes and trays. • Locate microwave ovens above the eye level of children or at the back of a bench to prevent them gazing into it. Have the microwave checked regularly for microwave leakage. Bathroom safety • Use slip resistant flooring and avoid steps.
Design for unobstructed access to the work triangle.
• Provide handles and bars near baths, in showers and adjacent to toilets for elderly and disabled users. • Design and install child resistant cabinets for medicines and hazardous substances. • Comply with Australian Standards that specify minimum distances between water sources (baths, basins, tubs) and power points. • Comply with Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements for outward opening of sanitary toilet doors or install sliding doors or use hinges that permit doors to be removed from the outside. Many heart attacks occur in toilets with the victim blocking inward opening doors. • Ensure that privacy locks on bathroom doors can be opened from the outside in the case of an emergency. • Provide a night light or movement sensitive light switch in the passage for safe access to the toilet at night. Fittings Hot water • Set thermostats on instantaneous hot water systems at 50°C or less to help prevent scalding (see AS/NZS 3500.4:2003 Plumbing and drainage: Part 4 Heated water services). • Set hot water storage systems to above 60°C to inhibit growth of harmful bacteria such asLegionella. Incorporate a fail-safe mixing valve on both the bath and shower to avoid scalding (see AS/NZS 3500.4:2003). • Install a tempering valve or an outlet shut-off valve in your existing system to reduce the flow of water to a trickle if it’s too hot. When cold water is added and the temperature becomes safe, the valve opens and the flow returns to normal. This can prevent accidents if you have small children or elderly people in your home. Doors • Install self-closing (but not self-locking) screen doors at external entrances. • Place internal door handles 1m from the floor so young children cannot open them. • Consider latch rather than knob type handles for ease of use by weak or disabled people. Floors, stairs and ramps • Use ramps instead of stairs where possible. • Observe optimum rise to run ratios for stairs as shown in the figure below. • Ensure that stair rails and balustrades comply with BCA minimum standards. Balustrades with maximum 125mm gap between balusters must be provided where finished floor level is higher than 1m above the ground level.
SAFETY MATTERS FEATURE 57 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
• Avoid changes of level within the house and between the house and the outside. Where changes of level are necessary, ensure that they are clearly visible with colour change in floor covering. • Use non-slip, impact absorbing floor surfaces where possible, especially on stairs or ramps and in wet areas. Windows • Design windows with easy access for opening, closing and cleaning. Windows should comply with requirements of AS 1926.1-2007,
Stair riser and going dimensions (mm) Riser (R)
Going (G)
Slope relationship (2R+G)
Min–Max
Min–Max
Min–Max
(other than spiral)
115–190
240–355
550–700
Spiral
140–220
210–370
590–680
Stair type
Stairs
Swimming pool safety: Part 1 Safety barriers for swimming pools, in situations where the window provides access from a building to a swimming pool area. • In areas of a building that have a high potential for human impact, use grade A safety glazing. Glazing in high human impact areas should be marked to make it readily visible according with section 3.6.4.6 of the BCA. • Ensure that all new glazing complies with relevant Australian Standards and bears a manufacturer’s stamp certifying compliance. Wiring and electrical • Carefully plan the provision of power outlets. Insist on an electrical layout plan. It will save later inconvenience and may save your life. • Install earth leakage devices and circuit breakers to all power outlets. • Provide adequate power points and circuits to eliminate the need for power boards, which can overload circuitry, and reduce the need for cords across walkways to avoid tripping or electrocution. • Ensure that the switchboard can be easily accessed at night. Use safety switches on indoor and outdoor circuits. Heaters • Ensure fan heaters have a safety switch to cut power off if the fan stops or heater overheats. • Never leave a heater unattended. • Position the heater to avoid intake blockage or material falling on it. • Take care to stop pets lying close to heaters, where they can accidentally knock bedding, mats and other materials onto the heater. Ceiling fans • Position ceiling fans at least 2.4m above floor level to reduce risk of injury.
Source: Building Code of Australia. Stair riser and going relationships
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58 FEATURE SAFETY MATTERS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Outdoor safety • Plant light coloured plants along the edges of paths to make them clearer at night. • Install solar powered or movement sensitive outdoor lighting along paths, especially near steps or bends. Use energy efficient lighting. • Provide safety fencing around pools and ponds in accordance with BCA and state regulations to prevent access by unsupervised children. Fire risk and prevention House fires can often be prevented through careful design and maintenance. • Use fire resistant materials, linings and finishes, particularly in kitchens. • Install smoke alarms and check annually that batteries are fitted correctly and still charged. • Equip the home with fire extinguishers. • Consider installing a domestic sprinkler system. • Favour furnishings and floor coverings with fire retardant properties. Ratings are available for many items and include flammability indexes, spread of flame indexes and smoke generated indexes. Various construction systems have fire ratings that determine how long they withstand a fire and retain structural integrity. Ask your local council for full details.
Security The view that crime prevention and security is only a matter for law enforcement agencies is no longer true. Individuals, neighbourhoods, local authorities and planners can all play a role in reducing the incidence and fear of crime. Appropriate design of individual dwellings and their relationship to one another and to the surrounding neighbourhood can all play a part in preventing crime. This approach is often referred to as ‘crime prevention through environmental design’ and there is a lot of evidence-based research to show that it works. Many burglaries are opportunist crimes. A burglar only needs to spot an open window or an unlocked door or gate to make their move. The principles for crime prevention through design for individuals and neighbourhoods include: • Territoriality — Outdoor spaces should be designed to foster a stronger sense of ownership and communality. In apartments, for example, residents need to feel that public spaces such as halls and elevators belong to them. • Natural surveillance — Surveillance should be a part of the normal and routine activities of individuals and neighbourhoods. It can be enhanced by positioning windows for clear sightlines so streets, footpaths and play areas can be watched. • Target hardening — Improve building security standards. Locks and security screens should be installed to deter thieves. Doors, windows and halls should be made more secure, and the quality of exterior doors, door frames, hinges and locks must be high. Exterior lighting and alarm systems can add to security. • Access control — Use real or perceived barriers to discourage intruders. Real barriers include a picket fence, a brick wall or a hedge. Perceived barriers can be created by a flower garden or a change in level or design between the public space of a footpath and private front yard.
Position windows for clear sightlines to streets, footpaths and play areas.
More security tips • Install an intruder alarm system according to AS 2201.1-2007, Intruder alarm systems: Part 1 Systems installed in client’s premises. • Display security system notices prominently. • Select a security system with low standby power consumption. Many systems use excessive electrical energy over a year. • Design or modify your home to eliminate dark corners, narrow pedestrian walkways and hidden recesses. • Design balconies and windows to maximise natural observation of vehicle and pedestrian movement. • Ensure that perimeter doors and windows are of solid construction and fitted with quality deadlocking devices. • Glass should be reinforced with shatter resistant material to prevent entry. • Ensure that skylights and roofing tiles can’t be easily removed from the outside. • Fit the main entry doors with viewing ports to allow identification of visitors. • Direct infrared activated security lights toward likely access/egress areas to illuminate potential offenders. • Avoid or modify trees, carports and lattices that can act as ‘ladders’ to upper storeys. • Ensure that external storage areas, laundries, letterboxes and communal areas are well lit and observable from inside. • Clearly delineate property boundaries using gardens, distinctive paving, lawn strips, ramps and fences. • Build low and/or open fences and walls to improve observation and maximise sunlight. Ensure vegetation does not obscure building entrances, windows and other vulnerable areas. • Ensure that entrances are clearly private and well illuminated. • Install sensor lighting or timed lighting that can be controlled from within the dwelling. • Join or establish Community Safe House programs in your area. • Provide pleasant, well-defined pedestrian routes overlooked by neighbouring houses and employ traffic calming measures to slow cars and encourage pedestrian activity where possible. • Set buildings back from the verge to create a perception of semi-private space. • Encourage casual use of public and semi-private open spaces during evening hours so they can be ‘animated’ with legitimate activities. By Scott Woodcock, Stuart Waters, Geoff Milne and Chris Reardon, 2013 Commonwealth of Australia [http://yourhome.gov.au/housing/ safety-and-security] Department of Industry, Innovation and Science [2016]. Your Home: Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes. Your Home is CCBY licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
BUILDING MATERIALS FEATURE 59 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
The ideal building material would be ‘borrowed’ from the environment and replaced after use. There would be little or no processing of the raw material and all the energy inputs would be directly, or indirectly, from the sun. This ideal material would also be cheap and would perform well thermally and acoustically. If used carefully, mud bricks come close to this ideal. Basic mud bricks are made by mixing earth with water, placing the mixture into moulds and drying the bricks in the open air. Straw or other fibres that are strong in tension are often added to the bricks to help reduce cracking. Mud bricks are joined with a mud mortar and can be used to build walls, vaults and domes.
At its simplest, mud brick making places mud in moulds which, after initial drying, are removed to allow the bricks to dry slowly (not in direct sun). Moulds can be made from timber or metal — anything that can be shaped to provide the desired size for the bricks. Virtually all the energy input for mud brick construction is human labour (indirectly fueled by the sun) and after a lifetime of use, the bricks break back down into the earth they came from. The most effective use of mud bricks in building healthy, environmentally responsible houses comes from understanding their merits and accepting their limitations. Mud brick construction is often referred to as ‘adobe’ which is an Arabic and Berber word brought by Spaniards to the Americas, where it was adopted into English. The use of earth construction is well established in energy efficient housing. Despite the fact that most of the world’s buildings are made of earth and it is one of the oldest known building materials, much about its properties and potential remains undeveloped and poorly researched.
Performance summary Appearance The appearance of mud bricks reflects the materials they are made from. They are thus earthy, with their colour determined by the colour of clays and sands in the mix. Finished walls can range from a strong expression of the brick patterns to a smoothly continuous surface.
60
FEATURE BUILDING MATERIALS FEATURE M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Structural capability With thick enough walls, mud brick can create loadbearing structures up to several storeys high. Vaults and domes in mud brick prove that it can be used for many situations other than vertical walls. It may be employed as infill in a timber frame building or for loadbearing walls, although its compressive strength is relatively low. Typically, Australian mud brick structures are single or double storey. In the Yemen buildings eight storeys high and more have stood for centuries.
across most of Australia, it is almost always necessary to add insulation linings to external mud brick walls. In some milder climate zones, where thermal insulation is less critical to the overall building performance, mud brick walls may not need additional insulation. One way of dealing with mud brick’s lack of insulation is to construct some or all of the outer walls with framed construction, and use mud brick for partition walls and as an internal ‘reverse brick veneer’ on some external walls. This approach allows the building to reach ‘lock-up’ very quickly and provides a protected space to make and dry the bricks. Traditional earth buildings often used walls up to a metre thick: these would provide reasonable insulation and enormous mass to stabilise internal temperatures. Sound insulation A well-built mud brick wall has very good sound insulation properties. In fact, it can be almost equivalent to a monolithic masonry structure in its capacity for sound attenuation. Some modern mud brick homes use mud brick for external walls and light partition walls internally; it is more effective for thermal and acoustic performance to use mud brick for the partition walls and lightweight, well-insulated external walls. Fire and vermin resistance Since earth does not burn, and earth walls do not readily provide habitat for vermin, mud brick walls generally have excellent fire and vermin resistance.
Thermal mass Mud brick walls can provide moderate to high thermal mass. For most Australian climatic conditions, as a rule of thumb, walls should be a minimum of 300mm thick to provide effective thermal mass. Insulation Contrary to popular belief mud bricks are not good insulators. Since they are extremely dense they lack the ability to trap air within their structure, the attribute of bulk insulation that allows it to resist the transfer of heat. To achieve the levels of insulation needed for sustainable house construction and to achieve Building Code of Australia compliance
Durability and moisture resistance Mud brick walls are capable of providing structural support for centuries but they need protection from extreme weather (e.g. with deep eaves) or continuous maintenance: the ancient structures of the Yemen have been repaired continuously for the centuries they have been standing. Although some soils are very resistant to weathering, as a general rule mud brick needs protection from driving rain and should not be exposed to continuous high moisture. Breathability and toxicity Mud bricks make ‘breathable’ walls but some mud brick recipes include bitumen, which potentially results in some outgassing of hydrocarbons. Ideally earth should be used in, or as near as possible to, its natural state.
BUILDING MATERIALS FEATURE 61 M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Environmental impacts Mud bricks could have the lowest impact of all construction materials. Mud brick should not contain any organic matter — the bricks should be made from clays and sands and not include living soil. They require very little generated energy to manufacture, but large amounts of water. Their embodied energy content is potentially the lowest of all building materials but the use of additives such as cement, excessive transport and other mechanical energy use can increase the ‘delivered’ embodied energy of all earth construction. In a similar way, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with unfired mud bricks can (and should) be very low. To keep emissions to an absolute minimum, the consumption of fossil fuel and other combustion processes have to be avoided. If, say, 5% cement is added to a 300mm mud brick wall, it makes a fairly high energy/high emission building material, close to the embodied energy of a 125mm unreinforced concrete wall.
Buildability, availability and cost Mud bricks are a forgiving medium well suited to owner builder construction. A number of proprietary mud brick makers and builders provide good information in Australia. A strong owner builder oriented network includes a broad based national organisation, the Earth Building Association of Australia (EBAA), which is a not-for-profit group ‘formed to promote the use of unfired earth as a building medium throughout Australia’. Materials for making mud bricks are readily available in most areas and in some cases may be sourced directly from the building site. Low costs in construction can only be effectively achieved by self-build, reducing the labour costs associated with the manufacture and/or laying of bricks. Commercially produced mud brick construction can be as expensive, or even more expensive, than brick veneer. By Paul Downton, 2013 Commonwealth of Australia [http://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/mudbrick] Department of Industry, Innovation and Science [2016]. Your Home: Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes. Your Home is CCBY licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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62 FEATURE EXTERNAL CEILINGS M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
Disasters with external ceilings There has been so much information released by the manufacturers, AWCI, Master Builders and HIA over the past decade that it’s difficult to understand why we still get called out so regularly to inspect external ceilings which are unsightly and sometimes at the brink of collapse. We climb into the ceiling to inspect what the owner or plasterer indicates is inferior plasterboard or accessories.
If you are doing any of the following, then it’s time to change your ways or be responsible to pay for everything including the removal and replacement, painting, disposal and clean-up which usually costs three times the original price.
40mm gap between sheet and truss
We have put together a simple list of the Don’ts; xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
You do not use stud adhesive You do not fix at 600 centres You do not exclude expansion joints You do not exclude back blocking You do not fix it in areas subject to the elements You do not direct fix it to the truss chords You can’t use any old scrap of timber to back block You do not treat external ceilings the same as internal
Not acceptable homemade expansion joint
Any external ceilings installed in the same manner as internal application will suffer a loss of appearance in the short term and terminal deterioration in the mid to long term. Find at least 3 errors in this image – if you can’t, you need to call AWCI right now
Total success of plasterboard used in such close proximity to the elements is highly dependent on strict adherence to specifications for long term performance. With moisture being the common enemy of both paint and plaster, caution is advised with the exposure of some external ceiling designs that may place plasterboard in the high risk category.
EXTERNAL CEILINGS FEATURE 63
Fixing External ceilings must be battened and fully screwed with no adhesive. Choice of jointing compounds will also be critical if manufacturers’ warranties are to be applied. Any failure to provide a recommended paint system will impact on the appearance and contribute to issues such as sagging ceilings, joint discolouration, mould and mildew growth. Similarly maintenance prevention will depend on consideration from the builder regarding a recommended drip rail, a ventilation system and sarking to assist with long term serviceability. See installation detail for eaves and external ceilings. For any further clarification check manufacturer’s details.
This article was kindly provided by the AWCI. For more information please visit: www.awci.org.au
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Photograph by Peter Barnes.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Our total seismic solutions help make the best buildings even better.
64 FEATURE STEEL M AY / J U N 2 0 1 6
BUSHFIRE-PROOF HOUSES: RAISING THE STANDARDS Building houses that can survive any extreme weather events is challenging but particularly so for bushfires. Not only does the house need to be able to withstand the direct onslaught of flame and high temperatures, but it also needs to be strong enough to maintain integrity in high winds, with debris flying around and embers being blown onto the house. The perfect bushfire-proof house would be a concrete bunker with no windows. But given most houses in bushfire-exposed settings are there because their owners have actively sought out a bushy vista, this design is unlikely to win any takers. Designing houses to withstand bushfire is about balancing the bushfire resilience of the house, but also the aesthetic qualities of the house, the aesthetic appeal of the surroundings, and the cost, practicality and availability of materials. A house in a bushfire may be faced with three ‘waves’ of assault. The first is radiant heat that arrives just ahead of the fire front itself, which can start to build as much as thirty minutes before the arrival of flames. Once the flames hit, a house in a flame zone environment could be subjected to temperatures as high as 1000°C for several minutes. But even after this initial front passes, the danger is not over; there is still a threat from residual radiant heat that takes a while to ease and embers that continue to bombard the house. Using research to set a new standard Australia has a building standard for bushfire-prone areas – the AS3959 – which covers everything from sub-floor supports and floors to roofs, verandahs and gas pipes. This standard was recently updated following the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, and sets the standard for each Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating. But now there’s a new standard in town, which specifically targets houses built with steel frames. The National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH) bushfire standard takes a rigorous, evidence-based approach to defining how steel-framed houses can be designed to avoid destruction in bushfires, that takes into account not just the external cladding or veneer of the house, but the entire wall, floor and roofing. Recent adoption of the standard into the National Construction Code means people now have a choice as to which building compliance path they take. “Given we’ve got this frame made out of steel rather than pine, we can design the whole wall system as a barrier to bushfire, rather than relying on the external cladding to protect the frame behind it,” says CSIRO bushfire expert Dr Justin Leonard, recipient of the 2015 Bushfire Building Professional of the Year Award. The standard specifies the cladding, the insulation, and what you can line the inside of the house with, along with the steel frame, and all of a sudden you’ve got a house where, if you didn’t put any furniture in it, actually can’t burn.” The NASH standard is the result of a research collaboration between the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing Inc. and CSIRO, which serves as a model for the development of bushfire construction standards in other housing forms. The collaboration included representatives from a multitude of industries and companies, each bringing their expertise to the table, enabling detailed specification of many different structural elements. For example, the insulation experts were able to help specify the requirements for insulation that was non-combustible and where needed could act as a barrier to flames and embers. The location and type of insulation was also carefully considered so that the house could meet and exceed the energy efficiency standards for new buildings
Designing houses for the flame zone The major distinction when designing bushfire protection for steel-framed houses is made between houses designed as being in the ‘flame zone’, and those in the other, lower bushfire attack levels. For flame zone houses, the roof insulation requirements are much more stringent: a layer of reflective foil backed glass wool insulation blanket under the roof sheeting. This protects the steel roof trusses if the roof is directly exposed to flames during the bushfire. Houses at lower BAL ratings do not require the same protection. The standards also require that all external doors in flame zone-exposed houses be built into steel frames, without glass panels, and be fully-enclosed by smoke and fire-resistant seals. Research underpinning these standards was done at the Eurobodalla Rural Fire Service Training Facility, where a full scale bushfire burnover facility was jointly developed by CSIRO, Gameco and state fire agencies. This facility was developed to provide realistic bushfire burnover conditions for everything from fire trucks to houses. The facility has provided valuable new information for the standard; for example, showing that walls needed extra protection in flame zone-exposed houses. As a result, the recommendation is that flame zone houses include a layer of plasterboard between the sheeting and steel frame. Dr Leonard says the collaboration between CSIRO and the steel-framed housing industry came about because the industry association NASH was not only motivated but also had considerable experience in developing building standards for adoption in the national building codes. Now the opportunity exists to use these same principles for a wider range of house designs, including double-brick, rammed earth, and even straw bales. This article was kindly provided by CSIRO and is available from https://blogs.csiro.au/ecos/raising-the-standard-for-bushfire-proofing-houses/#
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CREATE RAISED FLOORS ON BALCONIES, PODIUMS AND GREEN ROOF TOPS Designed for creating raised floors in external applications, such as balconies, terraces and green roofs, Buzon’s Award Winning Pedestal system can be used with any type of concrete or stone paver, timber decking of all types and metal or fibreglass grid systems. A key benefit of this innovation is the patented slope correction device. This gives up to five percent fall compensation achieving a perfectly level floor finish, simultaneously allowing for positive water runoff at structural slab level.
Using the Buzon Pedestal replaces the use of sand and cement when laying pavers, therefore eliminating efflorescence and algae and reducing weight-bearing loads on the building structure. In addition the pedestal also improves thermal insulation and reduces sounds transmission.
For even more design flexibility, the system offers height adjustment from 17mm to 1070mm, millimetre by millimetre if required. This allows for unsightly services to be concealed under the floor while still offering access for maintenance of the waterproofing membrane and drainage systems
In commercial urban environments where space is at an ever-higher premium, a building’s roof level is potentially a rich source of usable space. Buzon say their Pedestal System can be used to maximise a roof’s potential, both hiding all manner of services and protecting roof substrates from the elements, maximising integrity and longevity.
The pedestals are extremely strong as they are precision-engineered from high strength, UV resistant, recycled polypropylene and capable of supporting loads of more than 1000kg each. At roof level, this load is evenly spread by the wide base area of each unit, making them ideal for installation on any waterproofing membrane without causing damage, they can even be used directly over insulation material. The Buzon Pedestal System is also simple to install. Desired height is achieved by thread adjustment, which is lockable when reached and a range of interchangeable spacer tabs of 2mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm, allow for precise gaps between pavers and provide positive drainage without any concern of ponding or flooding.
Create raised timber and paved floors on balconies, roof tops and ground level outdoor areas.
Buzon’s Pedestal System is available in Western Australia through Civil & General Distributors. For more information contact: Phone: 08 9249 4733 Fax: 08 9209 1220 Website: www.civilandgeneral.com.au
BENEFITS • • • • • • • • •
Use with stone, concrete, timber, composite decking Use over existing concrete, brick or paved areas Allows for drainage and ventilation Reduces noise and increases insulation Can achieve a perfectly level deck on an uneven surface Quick and easy installation Provides a sustainable solution Adjustable heights supporting up to 1000kg Easy access to waterproofing membrane for maintenance
Exclusive stockist of Buzon products in Western Australia contact:
Civil & General Distributors
27 Oxleigh Drive Malaga WA 6090 Tel: (08) 9249 4733 www.civilandgeneral.com.au
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