OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 1 | MARCH – APRIL 2017
ADRIAN ZORZI TOPS
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NATIONAL AWARDS
Party Leaders’ election pitches
8
Peppercorn honoured
18
Geraldton Midwest winners
24
Top apprentices rewarded
54
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2 CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2017
OUR COVER Adrian Zorzi was named Australia’s top residential builder and two other WA projects were winners at Master Builders’ National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards. Closer to home, the Midwest named its best builders. See pages 23-28 for details.
IN THIS ISSUE... FOREWORDS
UPDATES
FEATURES
President’s File ..................................................... 4
Building Business ................................................ 30
The Ups and Downs of Staircase Design ........... 64
Director’s File ........................................................ 6
Health .................................................................. 32
Word from the Hill ................................................. 8
Housing ............................................................... 34
REPORTS
Insurance ............................................................. 38
General News ..................................................... 12
Legal .................................................................... 40
Branches ............................................................ 20
Membership ........................................................ 42
Industrial Relations .............................................. 36
Personal Pars ...................................................... 48
AWARDS
Safety .................................................................. 51
National Awards ................................................. 23
Technical ............................................................. 52
Geraldton Midwest Awards ................................ 24
Training ................................................................ 54
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Crowther Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 222 757 Fax: 1800 063 151 Email: publications@crowtherblayne.com.au Sales: Daniel Rutland, Paul Baird, Rose Delosreyes, Simon Kim Email: sales@crowtherblayne.com.au Graphic Design Team: Andrew Crabb, Judy Terrill and Michelle Triana Editor: Samantha Regan Production Manager: Lynda Keys Printed by Newstyle Printing 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, Steve McConkey, 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
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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4 FOREWORDS president’s file MARCH/APRIL 2017
Election priority policies of the major political parties is provided later in this edition of Master Builder. Members should draw their own conclusions after weighing up the merits of the parties’ policies as a whole. We appreciate that some members will have a different perspective of these issues compared to others. Such is the nature of our democracy and the diversity of our membership.
Robert Spadaccini Like all State elections, our first four-year fixed term State election on 11 March will be keenly contested and is likely to be a close result. The Coalition, led by Premier Colin Barnett, will have to overcome the two-term “it’s time for a change” sentiment, concern about State debt and uncertainty about who will take over from him when he steps down mid-term. The challenge for the Labor Party will be to win 10 additional seats across WA and to instil sufficient confidence in the electorate for its policies and in its leader Mark McGowan as a prospective Premier. As an apolitical organisation, Master Builders’ role is to make the respective political parties aware of our priority policies and to assess the impact of theirs on our members and the building and construction industry generally. A comparison of relevant policies from each
Over the last six months or so, Master Builders’ Board, our Housing and Construction Councils and our regional committees have been considering the policies we want from the new Government. We have developed three themes and 13 priority policies which are summarised below: Affordable Housing • Reform housing indemnity insurance to create a more sustainable scheme. • Extend KeyStart eligibility criteria (achieved). • Boost First Home Owners Grant from $10,000 to $15,000 (achieved). • Introduce more realistic bushfire regulations to increase the viability of new home purchases and home renovations. • Fast track projects. Streamline the Planning Approvals Process • Establish an Infrastructure WA body. • Consolidate the Planning and Local Government portfolios. • Extend private certification to planning approvals.
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Boost Employment • Increase the payroll tax threshold to $1 million and/or provide a two-year exemption for new staff employed. • Ensure that the recently introduced Code of Conduct is effective in dealing with unlawful industrial relations practices, security of payment and union right of entry for safety purposes. • Extend the Buy Local scheme from $5 million to $10 million in regional areas. • Exempt first and second year apprentices from workers compensation contributions. • Fast track State and local government capital works projects during the period of industry down-turn. We have made each of the leaders of the major political parties aware of our policy priorities and have publicised our position in the media in the two-month lead-up prior to the election. More importantly, we will be pursuing each of these policies with the newly-elected Government. We encourage our members to do likewise with local Members of Parliament and any of the candidates. As each of these policies will benefit you, we would appreciate any support you can give to our cause. Robert Spadaccini President
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6 FOREWORDS director’s file MARCH/APRIL 2017
Perth to host Master Builders’ national board Master Builders Australia’s national office is in Canberra, a short walk from Parliament House. Each Association contributes monthly subscriptions to have a well-resourced national office which currently comprises 15 staff. Master Builders’ primary national role is to advocate policy priorities that advance the interests and needs of Australia’s building and construction industry and those of our members who operate within this industry.
Michael McLean Master Builders WA is looking forward to hosting the first 2017 meeting of our national board in Perth on 16-17 March. I thought I would use this editorial to remind members of the important role that Master Builders Australia plays. Firstly, Master Builders Australia is a federation of our State and Territory Master Builders Associations (which each operate autonomously on a day-to-day basis). Collectively these Associations represent about 32,000 members across Australia.
Five national committees develop our policies: • Residential Builders Council, chaired by WA’s Robert Shaw. Jack Pleiter and Jason Robertson are our representatives. • Industrial Relations Advisory Committee on which Kim Richardson is our representative. • Training Advisory Committee, Neil Du Rand being our representative. • Contracts Advisory Committee, Charles Anderson being our member. • Work Health Safety Committee, Kim Richardson being our member. Each committee, chaired by a national board member, meets as frequently as required to deal with relevant policy or other issues.
Interestingly, the national body of Master Builders was formed in 1890, eight years before WA’s Association. Since then there have been 82 national presidents, 12 from WA, including Dan Perkins our current president. The other living WA national past presidents are Ray Sputore (2004-05), Ron Doubikin (1995-96), Bob Greaves (1981-82) and John Doust (1974).
In addition, staff member Steve Keys co-ordinates our bi-annual national conference which will be held in Hobart for the first time this year from 23-25 November. He also oversees our Australia-wide awards, the pinnacle of builder recognition, where winners from State and Territory building excellence awards compete against one another for overall national titles.
The national board comprises one representative from each State and Territory member, plus three office bearers – president, deputy president and treasurer – and CEO Wilhelm Harnisch. Each State and Territory association executive director can attend the quarterly board meetings which rotate around the capital cities.
Keith Stubbs looks after our International Division which involves co-ordinating inbound and out-bound trade missions and 18 monthly conventions held by the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors Association – IFAWPCA, of which Australia is one of 18 member nations.
Our success as the leading association representing the building and construction industry can never be guaranteed except through constant review and entity maintenance. With this in mind, the board and CEO, in conjunction with the State and Territory executive directors embarked on a comprehensive strategic review over two years that culminated in a refreshed strategic and organisational position to take Master Builders Australia into the future. Our strategic refresh was demonstrated by the board’s active public policy debate ahead of and during the 2016 Federal election campaign. The campaign was the board’s public commitment to representing its members on the key policy matters that affect their viability as businesses, large and small, commercial and residential and everything in between. It was a significant change in our visibility and commitment on behalf of our 32,000 members. The campaign was professional and nonpolitical and respected by each of the major political parties. While one of the key areas in our election media campaign was for the return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, it was more than that. The campaign reflected the concerns of members for a strong economy, less regulatory compliance, lower taxation and measures to make housing more affordable. The media campaign was also important in showcasing the Master Builders brand. The Strong Building, Strong Economy media campaign was a great success. There is a lot more that Master Builders Australia does and has achieved that is not covered by this brief editorial. However, I hope I have given you a useful insight into our national office, our own involvement in it, and how it benefits you as a member of our Association. Michael McLean Director
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8 FOREWORDS word from the hill MARCH/APRIL 2017
Last say:
leaders’ comments on the eve of the State Election
Premier Colin Barnett
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan
Nationals WA Leader Brendon Grylls
With this edition of Master Builder due for release at the end of February, we invited the Premier, Opposition Leader and Nationals Leader to provide us with some insights, particularly focused on the building industry, in the lead up to March’s State Election. As a starting point, we presented the themes (affordable housing, streamlining planning approvals and boosting employment) and related priority policies (set out in the President’s File on page 4 we want Government to tackle. The leaders were invited to provide us with comments addressing or based on these points. We are appreciative that the leaders took up the challenge. Their responses follow, reproduced verbatim (though the headlines are ours).
Libs stand on record and promise more Premier Colin Barnett Making it easier and more affordable for Western Australians to enter the housing market has been a primary focus of the Liberal National Government. In 2010 we set a target of delivering 20,000 affordable homes across the State by 2020. So successful was the strategy, this target was reached in 2015, five years ahead of schedule. At the time we increased the number to 30,000 by 2020. I am very pleased to say that the Government is well on track to meet that with almost 25,000 affordable homes now delivered since 2010. This has been made possible through a number of different affordable housing strategies – primarily the very successful low-deposit Keystart home loans, shared equity homes, discounted private rentals and social housing properties. In December, the Government announced significant changes to Keystart’s lending criteria, increasing income threshold levels for eligible metropolitan applicants by $20,000. This alone is expected to create 1200 new construction jobs in the next 12 months while also supporting more than 20 tradies on every new home built. The changes were only made possible after the successful divestment last September of $1.35 billion of Keystart’s loan book. This ensured capacity was available within its $5 billion lending cap. We also announced a $5000 boost to the First Home Owners Grant, from $10,000 to $15,000, for 12 months from 1 January this year.
This policy is anticipated to attract an additional 650 first home buyers to the market, creating about 2000 new construction jobs. This is great news for small businesses in the construction industry. It will create jobs for brickies, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and many other building trades. Since 2008 the Government has undertaken the most comprehensive planning reform in 50 years to streamline planning approvals and speed up the development process. The new Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 took effect in October 2015, for the first time bringing consistency across 150 local government town planning schemes currently operating in WA. These changes also removed the need for development applications for single dwellings that are R-code and local planning compliant to ensure homes can be built as quickly and as affordably as possible. The Development Assessment Panel system was introduced in 2011 to help streamline assessments and improve the balance between technical advice and local knowledge. Since inception, DAPs have processed more than 1000 individual applications with a combined development value of more than $30 billion. More than 94 per cent of DAP determinations have been in line with local government recommendations. In the last year alone, about 150 additional applications have been received representing approximately $2 billion of potential investment to the State – including the proposed Raine Square refurbishment and
word from the hill FOREWORDS 9 MARCH/APRIL 2017
the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre redevelopment, which incorporates serviced apartments, a new cinema complex and upgrades to the existing bus station. The Government has also planned ahead ensuring Perth can accommodate the anticipated population of 3.5 million by 2050. The draft Perth and Peel@3.5million planning frameworks identifies a longterm infill target of 47 per cent – or roughly 380,000 homes. The Government has also implemented a number of measures to better protect subcontractors completing work on government and nongovernment projects, with WA now holding some of the strongest security of payment protection measures in the country. A new code of conduct has been introduced which will not only assist in ensuring subcontractors are paid on time, but will also prevent anticompetitive behaviour and improve workplace safety. Implemented from 1 January this year, the code will apply to major State building and construction projects worth more than $10 million and will be rolled out to other projects when provisions can be drafted and included in the tendering process.
Amendments to the Construction Contracts Act 2004 also reduced maximum payment terms permitted in construction contracts to 30 business days, which equates to 42 calendar days. These laws come into place on 3 April and also make it easier for subcontractors to access rapid adjudication for settling payment disputes. And Project Bank Accounts have been introduced to protect subcontractors from head contractor insolvency by ensuring funding is available to meet legitimate payment entitlements. The building and construction sector accounts for more than 10 per cent of WA’s total workforce, employs almost 48 per cent of all apprentices and supports the operations of more than 40,000 small businesses. Over the last eight years the Government has spent over $51 billion on key infrastructure, transforming Perth and revitalising towns across regional WA. Three billion dollars from the partial sale of Western Power will be put into a Next Generation account and will specifically include $2 billion for education and transport infrastructure, in addition to an already forecast investment of $22.3 billion on major construction projects across the State.
Fresh future for WA, says Labor Opposition Leader Mark McGowan With the building and construction industry under pressure in Western Australia, WA Labor has been approached by Master Builders to find ways in which a future McGowan Government could assist with reducing red tape, encouraging growth and delivering solid incentives to encourage employment. Housing affordability, fast tracking of projects and boosting employment are the themes that have been relayed to me as priority areas for Master Builders. Our residential housing market has experienced massive growth over the past decade and house prices have escalated significantly. WA Labor is a keen supporter and defender of the Keystart scheme, which it initiated in 1989. In Government, we will ensure the long-term viability of Keystart and support and match the recently announced lift in income eligibility for Keystart applicants. In the area of bushfire protection, a McGowan Labor Government will work with stakeholders to revisit the bushfire protection regulations introduced by Liberal Minister Joe Francis to arrive at a workable solution. A review of these regulations will overcome some problematic planning outcomes and we hope to ensure that common sense prevails. WA Labor also supports reforming housing indemnity insurance to create a more sustainable scheme. Another area that requires reform is the planning approvals process. People regularly tell me and my colleagues about tales of development applications or approvals that are tied up in red tape and subject to confusing and inconsistent planning decisions. Full private certification for building permit applications in residential housing is one such area that WA Labor believes can make a positive difference.
This move would not only free up authorities to deal with applications that require strategic and detailed consideration, it would also expedite the more routine applications and prevent lengthy delays. To uphold integrity in the approvals process, it would be necessary to ensure that people undertaking the certification are properly qualified and licensed. A McGowan Labor Government will work with stakeholders to introduce a system that allows private certification of approved certifiers for building permits. Having a clear and consistent interpretation of planning regulations is essential if the approvals process is to be expedited. WA Labor will work with local government on developing a standardised approach to the application of planning policies and directions across local councils. We understand that inconsistency in planning policy is a bane to architects and builders and a disincentive to investment in the building and construction industry. I have announced that a McGowan Labor Government will create a body called Infrastructure WA, an independent advisory body of senior private and public sector representatives reporting directly to the Premier on all major infrastructure projects. Infrastructure WA’s objectives will be based on a clear, transparent infrastructure strategy to guarantee public monies are being invested wisely and sensibly. Businesses need certainty that infrastructure projects will be delivered before they make investments and create jobs. A WA Labor Government will drive job creation through sensible infrastructure development and publish a State Infrastructure Strategy, which will establish priorities for infrastructure planning and investment across WA for the next 20 years. Last April, I released WA Labor’s Plan for Jobs. WA needs a government that will put Western Australian workers first, preferencing local suppliers and keeping jobs in WA. Boosting employment during times of economic downturn also requires government to invest in key capital works projects. WA Labor is committed to commencing Metronet
10 FOREWORDS word from the hill MARCH/APRIL 2017
during its first term in office, and investing more than $381 million into education infrastructure over the next five years. Finally, WA Labor will renegotiate the recently signed Roe 8 contract and allocate the remaining funds for Perth Freight Link to other worthy job creating projects. A McGowan Labor Government will immediately start work on the following congestion busting projects: • Bring forward the $145 million funding for the Armadale Road dual carriageway between Anstey Road and Tapper Road. As part of this project, WA Labor will also provide for a public transit corridor.
• Build the $166 million Armadale Road Bridge, linking North Lake Road and Armadale Road over the Kwinana Freeway. • Invest $95 million to build two new overpasses on Wanneroo Road, one at the intersection of Ocean Reef Road and the other at the intersection of Joondalup Drive. These projects will create thousands of new jobs over the life of the projects and boost the local economy. Our policy agenda aims to reduce the bureaucratic burden on the building and construction industry, while maintaining quality, and stimulating growth. I believe only WA Labor has the fresh approach needed to reinvigorate the economy and create jobs and apprenticeships for locals.
Iron ore lease rental drives Nationals’ plans Nationals WA Leader Brendon Grylls Many Western Australian businesses were not invited to the mining boom party but certainly ended up with the hangover. Small to medium businesses were forced to pay higher wages to compete with the mining sector for employees, while at the same time shelling out exorbitant amounts for trades and labour. These businesses put up with the $7 coffees and $400-a-night hotel rooms. They contended with the growing pains – no one could forget the skyrocketing residential and commercial rents – associated with the equivalent of Tasmania’s entire population moving to WA in the space of a few short years. Today, having facilitated the largest economic expansion the nation has seen for almost two centuries, WA finds itself ranked last on the CommSec State of the States table. The unemployment rate has climbed to 6.5 per cent and the September quarter brought the next-toworst contraction of the WA economy since the mid-1980s. The driving factor behind the decline is a fall in business investment, which has more than halved from its 2012 peak and fallen 36 per cent in the past year alone. These figures make for disturbing reading and as policy makers we must utilise the levers at our disposal to address this period of economic softness in WA. In direct response to these circumstances the WA Nationals are proposing to increase the payroll tax exemption threshold by sixfold; from $850,000 to $5 million for a period of two financial years. Under the Nationals’ policy, 10,000 businesses would have their payroll tax bill abolished, representing an $880 million investment. This will be funded by our proposed new revenue stream and can be made permanent once Malcolm Turnbull delivers the GST floor he promised in August. The small business sector makes up 60 per cent of jobs in WA. The Nationals’ plan will stimulate new employment and make it easier for businesses to invest in new equipment. Payroll tax has been lambasted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a handbrake on employment for decades. Imagine, rather than sending off a payroll tax cheque to State Revenue every month, you’re investing that cash straight back into your business. New employees, new equipment, a new focus on the bottom line that didn’t exist prior to this policy.
The WA Nationals also understand the need for incentives for the State’s smallest businesses. These operations, often run by mums and dads, which haven’t hit the annual $850,000 payroll tax threshold, play an important role in local economies and communities across our State. The Nationals’ plan for small business relief includes the establishment of a Kick-Start grant scheme at a cost of $20 million over two years. This would provide $5000 grants to a small business which takes on an employee for a 12-month period to pay for the cost of training or uniforms and other establishment costs. This will facilitate the creation of 4000 new jobs in the small business sector. Unlike our political opponents, The Nationals can afford to deliver this exciting new policy because we have a fair plan for WA’s future. This plan is underpinned by the Nationals’ proposal to increase the special lease rental, contained in legacy iron ore State Agreements, from 25 cents per tonne to $5 per tonne. These State Agreements govern what the people of WA receive for making their natural resource available to those companies. The people, therefore, have every right to expect the real value be maintained. The real value is not being maintained when jobs are sent offshore or the workforce is automated. The WA Nationals make no apology for tapping BHP and Rio Tinto on the shoulder to help support this plan. After all, these companies said they were ‘thriving’ when the price of iron ore was $USD38 per tonne. Having averaged 50 per cent return on their assets for the last 10 years, and currently banking profit of at least $USD40 per tonne on production levels approaching 600 million tonnes of Pilbara iron ore (per year), we believe these companies can afford to pay a little more to stimulate the economy. Western Australia needs a clear path forward and the WA Nationals are the only party with a plan to drive the State out of the downturn. Do nothing and we risk the continuing rise in unemployment and falling investment. The Nationals’ plan to increase the special lease rental will deliver $7.2 billion in new revenue over four years, allowing for payroll tax relief for thousands of businesses, new investment in infrastructure to diversify the economy and the creation of jobs. It is a fair way to raise revenue, a task too often left to the mums and dads, pensioners and small businesses.
advertorial 11 MARCH/APRIL 2017
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 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Ric New winners lead the way in construction
Wilson Hui (right) with Greg Smith of Ric New Medal for Excellence sponsor Midland Brick.
Alex Baldock (left) won the Ric New Rising Star Award. He is pictured with Greg Smith and Marilyn New.
Wilson Hui, an engineering manager and director with Prompt Engineering is the 2016 recipient of the Ric New Medal for Excellence.
Master Builders’ Excellence in Construction Awards, largely as a result of Mr Hui’s skills and ability to motivate staff.
Mr Hui was recognised in conjunction with the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in November.
The other Ric New Medal finalists were PS Structures’ project managers Timothy House and Andre Conradie, Cameron Bergsma (sole director, Jaguar Cabling), Michael Condelli (general manager, New Choice Homes) and Charlotte Sutton (group training and contract services manager, Skill Hire WA).
Named after the Midland Brick founder, whose success was achieved largely through entrepreneurial flair and innovation, the Ric New Medal for Excellence focuses on the same characteristics. It recognises innovation, creativity and achievement of a young person (35 or under) in terms of current and potential contribution to WA’s building and construction industry. Emphasis is given to the person’s practical, rather than academic, achievements. Mr Hui came to Perth from Hong Kong to complete year 12 and then a civil engineering degree at Curtin University in 2006. He spent five years with Structerre before moving to his current role with Prompt. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean said Mr Hui is a worthy recipient of the Ric New Medal. “His leadership, drive and contribution, not only to his employer, but to the industry as a whole, is exceptional,” he said. “Wilson assisted many residential builders overcome problems identified by the Building Commission with their roof tie down procedures. Working closely with the CSIRO, Wilson ensured that the research was relevant to the National Construction Code. “What differentiates Wilson from others is his work ethic, ability to think outside the square and his problem solving skills.” Mr McLean said Prompt Engineering had assisted several builders to win
At the same event, 20-year-old Alex Baldock, a trainee estimator and scheduler with Activa Developments won the Ric New Rising Star Award. Mr Baldock had a fortuitous start in the construction industry. His family moved from Adelaide to Perth when he was 10 and settled next door to Activa Developments’ managing director. Having undertaken work experience with the company, Mr Baldock now is studying for his Certificate IV in Building to become a registered builder. The Rising Star Award mirrors the Ric New Medal attributes but is awarded to a high achiever aged up to 25. Mr McLean said Mr Baldock shows enormous potential for a successful career in the building and construction industry. The other finalist for the Rising Star Award was James Kenny, project administrator with Penguin International. Addressing the awards crowd of nearly 300 apprentices, builders, contractors, trainers, sponsors and other supporters including family members, Mr McLean congratulated all finalists in the Ric New Awards. He said the calibre of entries was as good as ever and augured well for the future performance of WA’s building industry.
ABCC to ring in change
Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says the revamped ABCC is a game changer.
Commenting shortly after the Senate’s momentous passing of the relevant legislation, Master Builders’ director Michael McLean said the re-establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission was long overdue and would be a game changer. “Two Royal Commissions highlighted numerous unlawful industrial relations practices besetting the building and construction industry across the country which our current institutions were incapable of dealing with,” Mr McLean said. “Regrettably, it requires a specialist and properly resourced body like the ABCC to eradicate unlawful behaviour and provide an effective deterrent to unions, developers, builders and subcontractors alike.” Mr McLean said the passing of the legislation marked the start of a brave new world for the building industry. “Our industry has long required fundamental cultural change and the ABCC provides the catalyst to achieving it,” he said. “WA already is ahead of the game in terms of a relatively stable industrial relations environment but other States will find the new ABCC regime challenging but beneficial because it will reinstate the rule of law onto construction sites. “The building industry is indebted to the support the One Nation, Xenophon and Hinch Senators gave to the Turnbull Government in passing this historic legislation. We know they were under enormous pressure from many parties but they voted in the interests of the economy and tax-payers.”
general news REPORTS 13 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Spadaccini re-elected president
Master Builders’ 2017 board. Back row (l-r): Steve McConkey, Jason Kunkler, Dan Perkins, Grant Burgess, Robert Shaw, Michael Vermey, Philip Kemp, Michael van Dongen. Front row (l-r): John Ripp, Michael McLean, Rob Spadaccini, David Crothers, Jack Pleiter.
Robert Spadaccini has been re-elected as Master Builders’ president for 2017.
communicating priority policies to all major political parties.
Mr Spadaccini has been a Master Builders’ board member since 2008 and is a longserving member of the Association’s Housing Council.
“The housing industry is struggling at the moment and requires a targeted economic stimulus package to give it a much-needed boost,” he said. “On an industry level, the top priorities are to improve housing affordability, streamline the planning approvals process, maintain industrial relations stability and minimise additional red tape in carrying out business.”
He said he was looking forward to his second year as president and helping to make the industry a better, safer and more attractive place in which to work. In the lead up to the State election, the Association was
Other members of the 2017 board are immediate past president John Ripp (EMCO), senior vice president David Crothers (Crothers Construction), vice president Jack Pleiter (Genesis Homes), treasurer Grant Burgess (EY), national president Dan Perkins (Perkins), national board member Robert Shaw (Daly & Shaw), Construction Councillors Jason Kunkler (PACT), Michael van Dongen (Jaxon) and Steve McConkey (Multiplex) and Housing Councillors Michael Vermey (Affordable Living Homes) and Philip Kemp (Alliance Builders).
New Sunday Times HOME team April 2016. Since Seven West Media’s takeover of The Sunday Times in November, the entire team has adapted well to the new publication, retaining the content and style. “Taking on two new homes products was a little daunting at first,” Ms Allan said. “But the transition has been seamless and now we’re in full swing, showcasing the State’s excellent displays, custom builds and renovations, looking at what’s on-trend in design style and interiors, and covering what’s making news in the industry. The new team producing The Sunday Times’ HOME/Real Estate magazine.
A team of experienced journalists and graphic designers at Seven West Media, led by editor Louise Allan and content coordinator Laura Galic, has taken over creating The Sunday Times’ HOME/Real Estate magazine each week.
Master Builders is a regular contributor to the magazine with editorials by director Michael McLean and other informative articles. The Seven West Media staff are the same who have produced The West Australian newspaper’s New Homes publication since
“This year, in particular, we are really looking forward to developing and strengthening our relationship with Master Builders.” Rounding off HOME magazine is the sales team, which includes sales manager Greg Peach and account managers Maddisen Booth and Debra Waterman.
PACT ENTERS A NEW AGE OF AGED CARE PROJECTS. PACT Construction’s esteemed track record delivering successful aged care facilities continues, with three major projects currently under construction across WA. PACT Construction has recently completed Bethanie’s $50.8 million world-class residential care facility in Gwelup. The design, developed over several years specifically for both low care as well as dementia, bariatric and high care residents, is at the forefront of modern aged care and retirement living. Located at the prominent corner of Karrinyup and Huntriss Roads in Gwelup, the facility combines low care accommodation, high care facilities and the new Scarborough Church of Christ building to create an all-inclusive retirement village. PACT constructed the three separate buildings including 112 high care suites together with 62 luxury one and two bedroom independent living apartments overlooking Lake Gwelup, surrounding parklands and reserves, delivered to meet and exceed adaptable housing standards. The external building facade reflects the quality found within, beautifully blending a complementary mix of materials including face brick, rendered brick, stonework, faceted fences, Colorbond roofing and extensively landscaped gardens. Constructed to offer residents an easy lock-and-leave lifestyle, the project also includes a range of social facilities and leisure options including recreation rooms, a hairdresser, gymnasium, sitting and library rooms, with extensive dining areas, secure parking and visitor facilities.
AMAROO VILLAGE AMAROO VILLAGE February 1, 1, 2017 Stalker Road, Gosnells, WA, 6110 February 2017| Address: 50-62 | Address: 50-62 Stalker Road, Gosnells, WA, 6110 Project Value: $16.1 million Project Value: $16.1 million Estimated Completion Date: February 2017 Estimated Completion Date: February 2017 Architect: Gary Batt && Associates Architect: Gary Batt Associates
PACT Construction’s credentials for delivering high quality aged care facilities is set to grow even further after winning Berrington Properties’ $17.2 million McNabb Loop tender in late 2015. A high value bid, teamed with previous success delivering aged care facilities, were decisive factors in PACT being awarded the contract. Designed by Gary Batt & Associates Architects, the new aged care facility on McNabb Loop will deliver Como an outstanding facility for elderly residents, including amenity areas, offices, kitchens, and laundries. The structure consists of a traditional built form, with the use of Ritek, structural steel and Bondek. External highlights include feature brickwork cladding and a modern facade. As is often the case with PACT Construction projects, the McNabb Loop aged care facility presents a variety of challenges. On this project, PACT must work effectively and alongside their client to coordinate the delivery schedule of their supplied items to correspond with meeting the dates of PACT’s construction program. As the company’s third aged care facility under construction, and 5th aged care facility soon to be completed, PACT’s expertise in this market segment continues to grow.
BETHANIE GWELUP February 28, 2017 | Address: Bethanie Gwelup Village Project Value: $50.9 million Estimated Completion Date: February 2017 Architect: KPA Architect
Works on an extension of the existing Amaroo Village Buckley Caring Centre in Gosnells are also progressing nicely, now scheduled for completion in mid-2017. The development will see a new two-storey aged-care facility delivered comprising 74 suites, including bedrooms and ensuites, a new physiotherapy facility, activity area, residents’ lounge, laundry, kitchen, hairdresser and staff training hub. A major challenge of the project has been tying the extension into the existing care facility, which has required careful planning, management and coordination. During delivery, PACT successfully undertook continuous client liaison throughout the build to ensure minimal disruption to the existing facility’s services, their staff and most importantly the residents of the facility. The extensive amount of internal finishes applied throughout the new facility also required extensive coordination and planning together with the façade of the project. Our team successfully managed these interfaces, where we have produced a finished product that displays a seamless transition and delivery of a high quality facility.
MCNABB LOOP RETIREMENT VILLAGE July 3, 2017 | Address: McNabb Loop, Como Project Value: $17.2 million Estimated Completion Date: July 2017 Architect: Gary Batt & Associates
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16 REPORTS general news MARCH/APRIL 2017
Masters (they wish) of the court Master Builder’s tennis correspondent Harve Vollee here again, dear readers. Sad to report that the latest Master Builders-Butler Settineri corporate tennis afternoon at Kings Park having been inconveniently (to me at least) rescheduled to early December, I was unable to attend. Alas, my busy schedule leading into the tennis (and Pimms) extravaganza that is late December and January, saw me miss what has been described as “another keenly contested event”. The unfortunate consequence is that yet again, I must rely on the dubious recollections of my ghost writer, the scheming tournament director-handicapper. Ah well, for better or worse… Although the weather was perfect and the grass courts in superb condition, several injuries and other commitments reduced the field to 11. This prompted our experienced handicapper to rank the players as individuals rather than as doubles combinations – even though all games were played in a doubles format. Several players made their debuts at this last event of the year – Mathieu Paul and Emma Choulet from ROCG, Karl Millard (Master Builders) and Jeff Concanen and Brian Martinovich (MBA Insurance Services). So, what were the results? Well, our insurance debutants Jeff and Brian brought up the rear of the field with 11 and 13 games to their credit respectively. More practice and some coaching would assist both to compete more equitably at this level.
James Moore (Cbus) and Emma Choulet tied with 15 games each. Both played well in patches but were hampered by a few of their partners and the competitive spirit of their opponents. The handicapper has taken note of their potential nonetheless. (Bear in mind, dear readers, that the handicapper is also a competitor. Make of this last comment of his what you will. HV)
(Oh dear, yet another threat, doubtless to be assigned a ball and chain next time. The brazenness of the man is breathtaking. HV) In third place with 21 games was Ben Keane (Construction Hydraulic Design) who played some great tennis in some close contests. Ben is a seasoned performer and loves his tennis despite limited lead-up tournaments. He is definitely one for the punters to watch.
Our sponsor, the ‘Italian Stallion’ Joe Gangemi (Butler Settineri) surprised many with the quality of his ground-strokes and evenness of serve to tie with Master Builders’ own Karl Millard with 16 games. Karl came to this tournament in top form with high expectations from his local tennis club but the afternoon sunlight was much different to playing under lights on a hard court. Karl’s determination to improve will no doubt see him watching the Hopman Cup and Australian Open for any tips he can get to improve his game and rise up the ranks.
Mathieu Paul deserved his second place prize with 23 games on debut – almost a record. Mathieu and Emma teamed well on several occasions but just couldn’t win the big points when it counted. Mathieu will be a popular addition to this event when a few of the more seasoned performers like Robert Shaw return to the circuit.
Tony Tarzia (Coastal Tiling), with 17 games, started slowly but came good towards the end of the tournament. Tony’s form belies his potential but is always there and about to keep his opponents honest. As a veteran on this circuit, he is never one to be under-estimated.
The winner of the December Masters was Association director Michael McLean with 27 games, despite the handicapper’s best intentions. Michael drew well with his partners and was fortunate to win a few close encounters during the afternoon.
Carrol Rabbit (Coastal Tiling) surprised many punters with an impressive 19 games tally. Recent coaching at Hensman Park Tennis Club has improved Carrol’s game considerably and she is now more confident and consistent at this level, which has been noted by the handicapper.
All players enjoyed the afternoon’s five sets of tennis with novelty points thrown in to spice things up. Thanks to Butler Settineri for once again sponsoring this popular event on Master Builders’ calendar. The next tennis afternoon is on 29 March. Interested members are encouraged to record their details with Jayne at Master Builders (9476 9800).
(So, dear readers, who does that leave? None other than the handicapper himself! Don’t let the false modesty which follows fool you. HV)
Anything for a biscuit A number of Master Builders’ staff recently answered the call for a group blood donation. Pictured fronting up for a juice and the Red Cross’s ‘best biscuit ever’ after their exsanguinating experience are Brian Martinovich, René Wooler, Bec Evans and Paris Speak.
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18 REPORTS general news MARCH/APRIL 2017
Safety advocate named Member of the Year Mr Peppercorn is one of about 200 volunteers who give their time and expertise to help Master Builders provide a diverse range of services to members and the building industry generally. Master Builders’ senior staff determine the Member of the Year Award based on contributions from volunteers who have gone ‘the extra mile’ for the Association and industry over the preceding 12 months. Andy Peppercorn was announced as 2016 Member of the Year and also was awarded honorary Master Builder membership at the End of Year Sundowner.
Andy Peppercorn is this year’s Master Builders’ Member of the Year. Since joining Master Builders’ Safety Committee in 1995, Mr Peppercorn has been a passionate advocate for improving safety standards in the building and construction industry. According to Master Builders’ director Michael McLean, Mr Peppercorn has made a significant contribution to raising the awareness and standards of safety, along with being a great ambassador for Master Builders’ safety services. “One of Andy’s initiatives this year was for Master Builders to organise a scaffolding forum which brought together the Association, WorkSafe and the CFMEU to raise scaffolding standards and compliance on Perth building sites,” Mr McLean said. “In conjunction with our Safety Committee, Andy is now focused on organising a working at height forum and helping contractors better manage drug and alcohol issues on site.”
“Andy has been an active member of our Association for over 25 years, having sat on our board from 2001-2002 and again from 2013-2016 while being the chairman of our Safety Committee,” Mr McLean said. “The Association and building industry generally are indebted to Andy for his time, making him a very deserving recipient.” Mr Peppercorn said he was honoured to receive the award which recognised the important role many volunteers played in shaping Master Builders. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in contributing to Master Builders over the last three decades and would encourage everyone to take a more active interest and involvement in the Association,” he said. Mr Peppercorn was also awarded honorary Master Builder membership, becoming one of only 20 to receive the recognition since the Association was formed in 1898. The honours were bestowed on him by Master Builders’ president Rob Spadaccini at the Association’s End of Year Sundowner at Rambla on Swan in December.
SOP review in Murray’s hands The Turnbull Government has appointed former Master Builders Australia chief John Murray to conduct a review of building industry security of payment laws. The Government says there are significant differences in approach to the laws across Australia and this impacts on the level of protection afforded. Mr Murray is to undertake a wide-ranging review in consultation with business, governments, unions and other relevant parties in order to identify best practice.
A final report of the review is due by the end of the year. Terms of reference include taking into account the December 2015 report by the Senate Economic References Committee on insolvency in the Australian construction industry and the draft legislation developed by the 2003 Cole Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry. Mr Murray became a Member of Order of Australia in 2014 for his service to the building industry. He specialises in building contracts disputes and security of payment legislation.
Second year for president Perkins
Dan Perkins has been elected president of Master Builders Australia for a second year.
WA builder Dan Perkins has been reelected for a second year as president of Master Builders Australia, the country’s peak building and construction industry lobby group. Mr Perkins has been a member of the Master Builders’ national board for more than a decade, also having served as treasurer and deputy president. As president, he has been the face of Master Builders’ Strong Building, Strong Economy campaign. Mr Perkins is a long-serving member of Master Builders WA’s board. In December, he notched up 20 consecutive years on the state board, three of those as president. Other Master Builders Australia office bearers elected in November were Victorian Hedley Davis (deputy president) and Simon Butt from the ACT (treasurer).
general news REPORTS 19 MARCH/APRIL 2017
New vehicle partner hosts Master Builders’ AGM
Part of the big gathering for Master Builders’ 2016 AGM and member night at AHG in West Perth.
Master Builders’ 2016 annual general meeting and member night was held at the Association’s new vehicle partner Automotive Holdings Group’s premises in West Perth in November. More than 50 Association members, staff, sponsors and board members attended the AGM receiving a briefing on the activities and highlights of the past year from president Rob Spadaccini and director Michael McLean. Master Builders’ business director Graeme Dix also provided an overview of the new strategic plan destined to govern the Association’s evolution over the next 3-5 years. Results of the election of Master Builders’ Construction and Housing Councillors also were announced. Successful candidates for the Housing Council were Peter Bisby (Redink Homes), Ryan Cole (Savvy Construction), Philip Kemp (Alliance Builders), Ray Kershaw (Mondo Exclusive Homes), Rob Spadaccini (Spadaccini Homes) and Michael Vermey (Affordable Living Homes).
Paul Carter (Mitie Construction), Anthony Chillino (Pyramid Constructions), Paul Goodheart (Universal Construction), Michael Lawson (Northerly Group) and Rory Vinnicombe (BGC Construction) were elected to the Construction Council. Steve McConkey (Multiplex) subsequently was appointed to fill a casual vacancy on the Council. At their November meetings following the elections, the Councils appointed their officers with Jason Kunkler (PACT) and Jack Pleiter (Genesis Homes Master Builders) elected as chairmen of the Construction and Housing Councils respectively with David Crothers (Crothers Construction) and Michael Vermey as their respective deputies. Sponsors of the AGM and member night were ReddiFund and West Australian Mechanical Services, along with venue host AHG.
Industry leaders at AIB dinner He shared his experience with culture-driven contracting from a client project manager’s view, and discussed surviving and prospering as a contractor. Home-grown success story Dale Alcock started his career as an apprentice bricklayer in 1979 in wheat belt town Kellerberrin. His speech delved into motivation, passion and leadership, touching on understanding one’s limits and embracing change in an industry that must remain contemporary and relevant to survive.
AIB Industry Leaders Dinner speakers Neill Stevens (left) and Dale Alcock (right) with WA Chapter president Jason Thomson.
The Australian Institute of Building held its annual Industry Leaders dinner in Perth recently with guest speakers Dale Alcock and Neill Stevens sharing insights into their building industry experiences and touching on WA’s economic downturn. Mr Stevens is the founder of NS Projects, establishing the business in 2003 after earlier roles as director and founder of other project management consultancies.
The dinner, held at Lavan Legal overlooking the new Elizabeth Quay precinct, was attended by AIB’s Canberra-based CEO Greg Hughes and about 45 guests from many Perth construction companies. The night also included naming the AIB WA Chapter’s newest Fellow Member, Derek Hammond. The Chapter’s most significant event for this year will be the annual Professional Excellence Awards at Crown Towers ballroom on 24 June. The awards recognise industry individuals for their skills and expertise. Details at www.aib.org.au/events-and-cpd/events-calendar.
20 REPORTS branches MARCH/APRIL 2017
Albany rallies to Yarloop victims
Builders link up for golf
Designer Dirt’s busy bee: the Albany community supporting Yarloop bushfire victims
Designer Dirt, members of Master Builders’ Great Southern Branch, recently made a call to arms to other locals to help Yarloop victims of the disastrous January 2016 bushfire. Proprietors Jane and Ian Michael organised a busy bee to provide hundreds of plants for the stricken residents. Jane Michael explains: “We came up with the idea of a busy bee after hearing about the huge fires at Yarloop. Ian and I are both off farms and have seen firsthand the devastation fires can cause. “After a conversation with Lauren Campbell of Harbourside Freight (StarTrack Agents in Albany) and another with Annie Roberts of Australia Post at a Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours in January about the fires, we said we might be able to help the Yarloop community by donating potting mix and potting plants to help them regenerate their gardens; and how much easier it would be if Australia Post could cart [the pots] up there. ‘We thought we’d have a busy bee at Designer Dirt. We would donate the potting mix and ask locals to provide pots, plants and cuttings and some time to pot everything up. With the assistance of Australia Post and [its staff] Jason Bevilaqua (Albany DC manager), Steven Schmoller (logistics) and Carol Gale manager in Harvey, the nearest town to Yarloop, it was decided that with a combined effort, Australia Post would be able to assist.
Sean Patterson (Geographe Ceilings) on the course in the South West Branch Ambrose golf day.
Trades, residential and commercial builders and professionals from a variety of fields travelled from the metropolitan area and throughout the South West to participate in the South West Branch golf day in November. The golf day is an annual fixture for the region’s building industry and this year was held at Bunbury’s Mercure Sanctuary Golf Resort on a surprisingly sunny Friday. The Ambrose event attracted a capacity crowd with the Holcim team the overall winners. They were followed by the Bunbury Building Company team in second place, Australind Premix third, Plunkett fourth and Burke Air rounding out the top five. Sponsors of the golf day were Australind Premix, Bunbury Holden, Combined Metal Industries, Ford & Doonan Air Conditioning, Holcim, Kingspan, Midland Brick, West Australian Mechanical Services and Master Builders’ principal partner Bankwest and major regional partner MBA Insurance Services.
“Yarloop remained closed for many months but when Carol advised [it] was to be reopened, the residents were returning and Australia Post would restart delivery, we quickly arranged the busy bee. Over 80 people attended. There was an overwhelming groundswell of support from the Albany community with so many donations of plants, cuttings, pots and hands. It was amazing to see how many plants were potted up ready for the journey and fantastic to be involved with the group of people that came together to make it happen. “We potted up enough plants to fill 25 1200mm x 1200mm x900mm crates [which] were absolutely packed as we realised early in the day that space on the Australia Post trucks would be at a premium. The best thing about the busy bee was that the only real cost involved for the whole day was the potting mix and we were lucky enough to be in a position to be able to donate it. “The plants remained at our yard for a week and fortunately, with lots of watering, we only lost a few in the hot spell after planting. Thanks to Australia Post, the potted plants travelled safely to Yarloop where Carol and community members accepted [them] and began to distribute them to the residents in Yarloop and surrounds.”
The Great Southern Branch’s Christmas function in December at the White Star Hotel was also an occasion on which to present five- and ten-year membership certificates to local members. Pictured are (l-r) Geoff Holmes (Hobbs Smith & Holmes Architects), Branch chairman Andrew Holmes, Jordan Nash (Schlager Homes) and Marcus Hodge (HHG Legal Group).
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22 REPORTS branches MARCH/APRIL 2017
Beating the sun in Geraldton
Master Builders’ health alliance partner HBF put on a sausage sizzle to support the skin cancer and mole check event. Reg Pomery (left) is pictured with HBF’s Suzanne Simmons and Mark Harders.
Midwest Aero Medical’s Di Walton examines David Blakemore.
Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch teamed with Midwest Aero Medical recently to invite members to take part in a skin cancer and mole check.
Midwest Aero Medical cancer care specialist Di Walton, who conducted the checks, said the outcomes were varied and proved the need for people to have regular check-ups to catch anything which might look irregular in plenty of time before more intense treatment was required.
‘Beat the sun before it beats down on you’ was the message conveyed, urging builders, subbies and staff to participate. The event, at Master Builders’ Walton Close premises, saw a steady stream of participants. HBF Geraldton representatives Suzanne Simmons and Mark Harders provided a sausage sizzle and were on hand to answer questions on HBF’s benefits available to Master Builder members.
Builder Reg Pomery said that he attended for peace of mind as, like many builders, he works in full sun. David Blakemore, from Crothers Construction, works daily on site, and also was looking for reassurance that all was well. Both he and Mr Pomery were given the all clear.
Conti named Regional Member of the Year During the Geraldton Branch’s fiftieth anniversary in 2014, Mr Conti was named one of 11 local champions. Branch regional manager Di Gilleland says Mr Conti has provided invaluable assistance, support and leadership to her and the regional committee. “Ross is a tireless volunteer who never complains and is always the first to volunteer his time,” she said. “He is highly respected in the industry and local community and very deserving of this award. I really enjoy working with Ross as he is always enthusiastic, rarely misses a meeting, and freely gives his time to assist wherever possible.”
Holding his 2016 Regional Member of the Year Award certificate, Ross Conti is pictured with Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch regional manager Di Gilleland and Association president Rob Spadaccini.
Ross Conti, managing director of Conti Homes in Geraldton, has been awarded the 2016 Master Builders’ Regional Member of the Year. The award recognises a regional volunteer who has made an extraordinary contribution to the Association over the previous 12 months. Mr Conti has been a member of Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch since 2004 when he was also elected onto the regional committee. In 2016, he was a member of the judging panel for Master BuildersBankwest Building Excellence Awards in the Great Southern and South West regions.
Mr Conti was the unanimous choice of Master Builders’ regional staff for the award. He said he was surprised to receive the award as there were many volunteers who contributed a lot to the Association. “I am humbled to be acknowledged with this award as I really enjoy just helping out without making a fuss,” he said. “As a membership-based organisation, I encourage more builders and suppliers to get involved as it is very rewarding.” The award was presented to Mr Conti by Master Builders’ president Rob Spadaccini at the Association’s December Sundowner in Perth attended by more than 200 members and supporters.
national AWARDS 23 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Top national awards to WA builders “We believe that everyone in our team, from designers and supervisors, to site workers and tilers took an incredible amount of pride in delivering this home, as they do with all of our homes, and it is evident in every detail.” WA commercial builders also came out on top at the National Awards. Built won the National Commercial Historical Restoration/Renovation Award for the Old Treasury Building, while Doric Contractors won the National Entertainment and Recreation Facility Award for the City of Perth Library. This Witchcliffe home won Adrian Zorzi National Residential Master Builder of the Year at the 2016 Master Builders Australia National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards in Canberra in November.
Built extensively restored the Old Treasury Building – one of Perth’s most significant heritage buildings and a fine example of Free Classical style architecture – into a 48-room six-star luxury boutique hotel. The $80 million project forms part of the Cathedral Square development on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street and includes two restaurants, COMO The Treasury bar and additional retail and hospitality areas. Mr McLean said the award recognises the quality of workmanship and sensitivity applied to the complex project.
Built won the National Commercial Historical Restoration/Renovation Award for the Old Treasury Building.
Adrian Zorzi was named National Residential Master Builder of the Year at the 2016 Master Builders Australia National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards in Canberra in November. The company also won the National Luxury Project Home – Over $2 million category for its Witchcliffe residence south of Margaret River. Managing director Adrian Zorzi says the company is honoured and privileged that its ongoing dedication to construction excellence has been recognised by peers in the Master Builders Association.
The City of Perth Library, which won Doric Contractors the National Entertainment and Recreation Facility Award, is a seven-storey stateof-the-art library, and Perth’s first major civic building since the Perth Concert Hall more than 40 years ago. It includes a range of features such as a History Centre, AV multi-function rooms, a bespoke cut granite master staircase, vertical garden wall and reflection pond. “This project is a credit to Doric and all those involved on building such a fine quality structure that the public will benefit from for many decades,” Mr McLean said. “It is a fantastic building of the highest quality workmanship across all trades. “The Master Builders Australia National Awards judge the best of the best builders on a national level. As all entries are already winners in their respective State or Territory, these wins are even more special for WA as they reinforce the reputation of our industry for the highest quality work.”
“Being awarded Best Home in Australia is the pinnacle of achievement in our industry, and is a credit to the outstanding team that we have at Adrian Zorzi,” he said. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean said the win was an extraordinary achievement for such a young builder. “Winning the award for the best built home in the country from over 5000 entries over the last 12 months is an incredible achievement,” he said. “It highlights the skills of the builder, the high standard of supervision and the quality of the team of specialist contractors and suppliers. This national win shines a spotlight on WA’s South West region and showcases the absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship and talent of the skilled local tradespeople.” Curved decorative plaster glass cornices and custom stained American oak floors are among the finishing touches of the custom designed South American styled home. “The brief from our clients on this home was to design and build a luxury home on their remote site in the South West, one that would be opulent yet comfortable for three generations of family,” Mr Zorizi said.
The City of Perth Library project resulted in the National Entertainment and Recreation Facility Award for Doric Contractors.
24 AWARDS geraldton midwest MARCH/APRIL 2017
Class acts rewarded at
cabaret All set for a sophisticated evening of construction and cabaret – the Geraldton Grammar Batavia Hall in readiness for the Master Builders Bankwest Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards.
With their projects displayed and under scrutiny, contractors were the high-class artistes at the cabaret-themed Master Builders Bankwest Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards at the Geraldton Grammar Batavia Hall in October. Mandosio Homes was a star performer winning the region’s 2016 Best Country Home. In addition to the overall award, the project, in Windsor Court, Geraldton, won awards for best-appointed kitchen, and excellence in cabinet making, plastering, concreting and floor and wall tiling. On the commercial side of the industry, Firm Construction won the 2016 Best Commercial Building accolade for the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct. The project was also named Best Civil Engineering Works and Best Steel Building, and won the Excellence in Innovative Cladding Award. Crothers Construction had a busy night spanning both residential and commercial construction. The company took prizes for the over$1 million contract homes category (including Excellence in Metal Cladding/Roofing and in Brick and Block Paving), the $1-2.5 million multi-residential category, the $2.5-6.5 million commercial alterations and additions category, and for the best project in the $2.5-6.5 million commercial/industrial building section. Entries in the 2016 awards covered residential and commercial buildings in the region centred on Geraldton, with judges Charlie Baggetta and Kevin Sale filling a tight six-day schedule visiting other towns including Jurien Bay, Dongara, Greenough, Port Gregory, Kalbarri and Carnarvon. Once again, the judges reported high standards of building and impressive commercial properties adding to the regional landscape.
Plunkett Homes took out the Judges’ Innovation Award and Excellence in Recycling for a house in Bluff Point and Steele Campbell Building grabbed a handful of prizes, including the prestigious Brian Neil Award, named after the highly respected Geraldton Branch founding member, and Master Builders life member. The Award recognises the late Mr Neil’s ethos of quality building, and was additional reward for Steele Campbell Building’s wins in the framed construction and $750,000$1 million contract home categories, as well as its Liveable Home, Excellence in Carpentry and Excellence in Energy Efficiency Awards. WA Country Builders won the Best Customer Service Award for volume project builder and also had four contract home category wins, topped the $2.5-6.5 million multi-residential category and won the Silver Trowel trade award category. Geraldton Building Services & Cabinets was on top in the small to medium builders Best Customer Service Award, and was also named the region’s foremost employer/trainer for the third successive year. Plumbing apprentice Andrew Wilson won the Kevin Giudice Apprentice of the Year Award, named in honour of the late Kevin Giudice, a chairman and long-serving committee member of Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch, and a great supporter of the apprentice system. Mr Wilson was described as positive and committed to learning, leading to him working with limited direct supervision and having the capacity to run small jobs with other apprentices working under his direction. He has won Midwest, and State level Plumbing World Skills competitions and competed in the Australian finals. Electrical apprentice Lachlan Gray, was awarded the Apprentice Encouragement Award.
geraldton midwest AWARDS 25 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Not quite the Kit Kat Klub conferencier (fortunately), but getting into the spirit of things, George Manning takes on the cabaret master of ceremonies duties.
Best Country Home builder Paul Mandosio (Mandosio Homes) with Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch chairman Peter Bisby (left) and Chris Manger of award sponsor Lysaght.
Andrew Wilson was the 2016 Geraldton Midwest Apprentice of the Year.
Enjoying the cabaret atmosphere: Aimee Fleming, Amanda Tubby, Lucy Ayling and Peta Gibson.
GERALDTON MIDWEST AWARDS SPONSORS: Principal Partner
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Owen Altham of Firm Construction accepted the award for Best Commercial Building from Bankwest’s Angelo Biviano.
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26 AWARDS geraldton midwest MARCH/APRIL 2017
Awards honours list Best Country Home Sponsor: Lysaght Mandosio Homes Windsor Ct Geraldton
Employer/Trainer of the Year Sponsor: Five Star Business Solutions & Innovation Geraldton Building Services & Cabinets
Commercial Alterations and Additions over $6.5 million Pindan Contracting Carnarvon Health Campus
Best Commercial Building Sponsor: Bankwest Firm Construction Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct Foreshore Dr Geraldton
Supervisor of the Year Sponsor: Patience Sandland Ben Pallant Builder: WA Country Builders
Commercial/Industrial Building under $1 million Geraldton Building Services & Cabinets Horrocks Community Centre North Ct Horrocks Beach
Best Civil Engineering Works Sponsor: RSM Firm Construction Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct Foreshore Dr Geraldton Best Customer Service Volume Project Builder Sponsor: Bankwest WA Country Builders Best Customer Service Small to Medium Builder Sponsor: Bankwest Geraldton Building Services & Cabinets Brian Neil Award Steele Campbell Building Best Building Fit Out Open Category Willoughby Constructions Geraldton Newspapers Chapman Rd Geraldton Best Steel Building Sponsor: Lysaght Firm Construction Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct Foreshore Dr Geraldton Framed Construction Open Category Steele Campbell Building Sadler Way Deepdale Kevin Giudice Apprentice of the Year Sponsor: Mitchell & Brown Andrew Wilson Host Employer: Herrings Coastal Plumbing Employer: Skillhire Apprentice Encouragement Award Sponsor: Ray White Lachlan Gray Host Employer: Elite Electrical Employer: Skill Hire
Contract Homes $200,000 - $250,000 Plunkett Homes Thames Dr Cape Burney Contract Homes $250,000 - $300,000 WA Country Builders Carmela Cnr Wandina Contract Homes $300,000 - $350,000 Triton Building Company Defiance Cnr Wandina Contract Homes $350,000 - $400,000 WA Country Builders Eucalypt Way Jurien Bay Contract Homes $400,000 - $450,000 WA Country Builders Lincoln St Deepdale Contract Homes $450,000 - $500,000 Triton Building Company Drummond Cove Rd Drummond Cove Contract Homes $500,000 - $750,000 Mandosio Homes Windsor Ct Geraldton Contract Homes $750,000 - $1 million Steele Campbell Building Scott Rd Narra Tarra Contract Homes over $1 million Crothers Construction Glendinning Rd Tarcoola Beach Multi Residential Developments $1.0 - $2.5 million Crothers Construction Nichols St Beresford Multi Residential Developments $2.5 - $6.5 million WA Country Builders Winnetta Ridge Wandina Commercial Alterations and Additions $2.5 - $6.5 million Crothers Construction GRAMS Medical Clinic Rifle Range Rd Rangeway
Commercial/Industrial Building $1.0 - $2.5 million B&L Building St John Ambulance Sub-Centre Robinson St Carnarvon Commercial/Industrial Building $2.5 - $6.5 million Crothers Construction Monsignor Hawes Medical Centre Cathedral Ave Geraldton Commercial/Industrial Building Over $6.5 million Firm Construction Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct Foreshore Dr Geraldton Liveable Home Award Sponsor: Keystart Steele Campbell Building Scott Rd Narra Tarra Judges’ Innovation Award Sponsor: Profire WA Plunkett Homes Crowtherton St Bluff Point Best Appointed Bathroom Sponsor: Geraldton Ceramics Triton Building Company Defiance Cnr Wandina Best Appointed Kitchen Sponsor: Cbus Mandosio Homes Windsor Ct Geraldton Excellence in Recycling Sponsor: Waste Authority Plunkett Homes Crowtherton St Bluff Point Excellence in Carpentry (External/Internal) Sponsor: Jackson McDonald MM Coastline Construction Scott Rd Narra Tarra
geraldton midwest AWARDS 27 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Excellence in Cabinet Making Sponsor: Laminex Speedy Cabinets Windsor Ct Geraldton
Excellence in Wall and Floor Tiling Sponsor: Geraldton Ceramics R & A Francis Windsor Ct Geraldton
Excellence in Ceilings Sun City Ceilings Geraldton Grammar School
Excellence in Metal Cladding/Roofing Sponsor: Combined Metal Industries S & L Marinich Glendinning Rd Tarcoola Beach
Excellence in Plastering Sponsor: Swan Cement All Covered Plastering Windsor Ct Geraldton
Excellence in Brick and Block Paving Kain Boekeman Bricklaying Glendinning Rd Tarcoola Beach
Excellence in Concreting Sponsor: MBA Insurance Services The Drage Boys Windsor Ct Geraldton
Excellence in Energy Efficiency Sponsor: Stiebel Eltron Steele Campbell Building Scott Rd Narra Tarra
Excellence in Painting Sponsor: Valspar Aaron True Defiance Cnr Wandina
Excellence in Glazing Sponsor: Alspec Glass Co WA Monsignor Hawes Medical Centre Cathedral Ave Geraldton
Excellence in Innovative Cladding Firm Construction Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct Foreshore Dr Geraldton Innovative Use of Building Materials Pindan Contracting Carnarvon Health Campus Silver Trowel Sponsor: Midland Brick P&V Memisakis Ivy Way Wandina
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28 AWARDS geraldton midwest MARCH/APRIL 2017
Home triumphs in many ways Not surprisingly for Mandosio Homes’ ‘best in show’ project in Windsor Court, not only was it named 2016 Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home, but its workmanship was rewarded with a slew of trade prizes. Excellence awards for cabinet making, plastering, concreting and floor and wall tiling, as well as the award for best-appointed kitchen indicated the quality of the home befitting its prime location just steps away from the Geraldton Marina.
The prize-winning kitchen of the 2016 Best Country Home.
The front elevation of the custom-built home features height variations, square proportions of glazing and a cantilevered portico that shelters a unique side entrance. A light and spacious interior has been created with well-placed windows, full height ceilings and a northern orientation. Inviting architectural style and detailed cabinetry provide function and beauty.
Foreshore Centre a Firm favourite Firm Construction won the 2016 Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards Best Commercial Building for the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct located on the Geraldton foreshore. The secure complex consists of three main buildings interconnected by an open courtyard and enclosed veranda system. Two of the buildings feature office space, classroom facilities and storage space for local community organisations and businesses. The third features a 120-person capacity function room with ocean views. It includes a fully equipped kitchen, bar and board room.
Play equipment forming part of Firm Construction’s award winning Multipurpose Centre and Youth Precinct.
Concrete ramps and tiered seating link the main buildings to the outdoor event space creating an amphitheatre and stage. Landscaping flows into the Youth Precinct including concrete seating and soft fall area surrounding the impressive play equipment.
30 UPDATES building business MARCH/APRIL 2017
Independent contractors: Roosters, ducks or chickens - which will come home to roost? which has every feature of a rooster, but call it a duck and insist that everybody call it a duck”. “Yet still we commonly see parties choosing to characterise the relationship as a contractor arrangement when in reality it is an employment relationship,” the article continues. “Not only is misrepresenting an employment relationship as an independent contracting arrangement an offence, but it brings with it significant liability for unpaid employment benefits such as annual leave, long service leave and award entitlements. “Simply putting in place a written independent contractor agreement is not the magic answer. The courts will, and do, look beyond the contract to the actual circumstances of the relationship and will determine what the real relationship is.”
In a recent e-Alert, Master Builders’ legal partner Jackson McDonald opined that whether a relationship is a true independent contractor relationship or one of employer and employee remains a vexed question. The article, from the firm’s leading workplace relations practitioners, partner Stephen Kemp and special counsel Renae Harding, observed that the answer to the question can have alarmingly significant consequences.
The article looks at two recent cases which bring the issue to the fore and warns that breaching the Fair Work Act and modern awards exposes corporate offenders to significant fines and, among other things, orders for payment of compensation. But the Fair Work Ombudsman “has taken a vigorous approach to stamping out breaches of the FW Act by prosecuting not just the company but also all individuals involved in the contravention.” Jackson McDonald’s full article is at www.jacmac.com.au/news-andpublications/publications and for further assistance, Mr Kemp can be contacted on 9426 6633 and Ms Harding on 9426 6802.
It says that 27 years ago, in the case of Re Porter (1989) 34 IR 179, the High Court of Australia warned that “parties cannot create something
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Any questions? Cbus can help with business super needs. Contact local Cbus representative James Moore on 0437 688 538 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au/employers This information is about Cbus. It doesn’t take into account your specific needs, so you should look at your own business needs and objectives before making any financial decisions. Read the Cbus Employer Handbook and other relevant documents to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Call 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.
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32 UPDATES health MARCH/APRIL 2017
UV Radiation and Workplace Safety
All of us want to be safe when we are working, but sometimes we don’t realise what the hazards are. One example is over exposure to the sun without adequate protection, which can lead to skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun has been identified as a class 1 carcinogen, and in fact two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.
• Provide information to your workers about the risk that UV poses and why protecting them when working outdoors is so important: much of this information is readily available free from Cancer Council WA. • Document a sun protection policy and share it with your employees: Cancer Council WA can assist with creating this policy in your workplace. • Monitor the effectiveness of, and workers’ compliance with, the sun protection measures, and adjust them as required.
There are many types of skin cancer and it would be a mistake to think that skin cancer isn’t a big deal and can just be cut out. Some types of skin cancer can require serious surgery, chemotherapy treatments, and in some cases can result in death. In Australia each year more than 2000 people die from skin cancer, and more than 750,000 receive treatments for it.
From 2000 to 2009 there were 1360 workers compensation claims in Australia for sun-related injury or disease at a total cost of $38.4 million. In recent years, this number has increased, highlighting the importance of prioritising UV radiation protection and employees’ safety in the workplace.
For outdoor workers in WA the workplace is the major source of sun exposure, in particular, for construction workers and tradesmen who spend large periods of time each week outdoors. In fact, research has shown that outdoor workers receive between 5-10 times the exposure to UV of indoors workers, making them at greater risk of developing skin cancer than those who work indoors much of their day.
Too often we think of hazards in the workplace that cause immediate harm, and forget about hazards that might not have an impact until years later. Unfortunately, as seen with asbestos, which is also a class 1 carcinogen like UV radiation, not understanding or being complacent about the risk, or not taking appropriate precautions in the workplace, can have deadly consequences in the long term.
As UV radiation is a known hazard in the workplace, occupational safety and health legislation requires employers have a duty of care to provide a work environment that protects workers from the hazard, and employees must take reasonable care for their own safety. This is usually done through a workplace sun protection program.
Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in Australia, and protection from UV radiation does not need to be time consuming or expensive. For those who employ staff, it is actually a legal requirement to provide workers with adequate protection from the hazard in the workplace. For more information about skin cancer and how to prevent it, go to www.uvdaily.com.au, call Cancer Council WA on 13 11 20, or email sunsmart@cancerwa.asn.au.
Regardless of the size of your business, whether you are responsible for thousands of employees, or just one, it is beneficial to do the following activities in the workplace to reduce the risk of UV overexposure: • Complete a risk assessment to determine your workers’ UV exposure levels; how much time is spent outdoors, what is the UV level during these times, do they work on reflective surfaces? • Introduce sun protection measures: sun protective PPE is a common choice, however, there are a number of options including portable shade, rotating workers or scheduling outdoor tasks for times when the UV level is low.
health UPDATES 33 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Are construction industry workers the biggest risk?
When looking at the health risks of Australians working in the construction industry compared to the entire working population, construction workers are carrying a heavy burden of risk.
workers are up to 29 per cent more productive, can take up to 21 per cent fewer sick days per year and are more likely to be engaged with their work.”
Compared to the national average of 59 per cent, 64 per cent of construction workers are more likely to smoke, be overweight or obese and consume risky levels of alcohol.
By creating a supportive workplace, employers can achieve significant savings. It doesn’t necessarily mean a substantial commitment. Start with a few ‘quick wins’ to get the health and wellbeing ball rolling: • Provide healthy food and drink alternatives at work functions and meetings. • Promote the smoking Quitline through staff communications. • Register workplace teams to participate in local physical events. • Provide cooler bags and ice bricks for workers travelling or working onsite. • Provide all staff with access to water coolers where possible and/or water bottles. • Arrange exercise or personal training sessions. • Provide information to workers in the lunch room, via email or as a regular agenda item for meetings.
Healthier Workplace WA manager Natalie Quinn says unhealthy lifestyle factors like smoking and being overweight increase the risk of poor health outcomes. “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,” she said. Healthier Workplace WA can support building and construction workplaces to develop, implement and evaluate suitable health and wellbeing workplace programs whether in one location or across the State. According to Ms Quinn, workplaces that provide supportive environments allowing people to be physically active, quit smoking and improve their nutrition see benefits for staff and business. “Investing in workplace health may contribute to a decrease in injury rates and claims, a decrease in absenteeism and sick leave and increases in productivity and retention of workers,” she said. “Healthy
Healthier Workplace WA provides free support, tools and resources for WA workplaces to develop and implement health and wellbeing workplace initiatives. Visit healthierworkplacewa.com.au/take-action/ tools-and-resources/healthier-building-construction-workplaces or contact an advisor on 1300 550 271 to see how simple it can be to kick-start health and wellbeing at your workplace.
34 UPDATES housing MARCH/APRIL 2017
Minister at national residential council meet
Master Builders’ housing director Jason Robertson
“The Minister spoke about his innovation and science agenda, focusing on business mentors and accelerated grants.
Assistant Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Craig Laundy attended the Sydney meeting of Master Builders’ National Residential Building Council in November, announcing he will be leading the Government’s business simplification agenda.
“Another guest speaker, Duncan Maxwell from the University of Sydney, went on to discuss the idea of industrialised construction. This goes beyond pre-fabricated technologies to also include the industrialisation of building processes, both off-site and on-site.”
Housing Council chairman Jack Pleiter represented WA at the meeting which was chaired by another prominent West Australian builder, Master Builders’ past president Robert Shaw.
Mr Maxwell said technological trends included: • Circular systems which reduce the cost of waste. • 3D printing, a technology more likely to disrupt building component construction rather than whole building projects. • Innovative business models, an example of which was a UK insurance broker’s venture into the rental housing market, using a fully vertically integrated business model from design and construction to managing the housing asset portfolio.
The Association’s housing director Jason Robertson also attended and reports that the Minister said building and construction is a priority industry and that red tape in the sector is of concern. Mr Robertson said that according to the Minister, the business simplification agenda is being rolled out in pilot programs and seeks to facilitate competition and innovation by making it easier for businesses to interact with government and by reducing the cost of doing business. “The Minister also discussed the Government’s intention to use interactive digital platforms to make compliance more efficient and to reduce regulatory and compliance overlap between the three levels of government,” Mr Robertson said. “The Council also sought the Minister’s view on non-conforming and non-compliant products. Mr Laundy said the Government was acutely aware about the potential impact of NCPs, the matter being a COAG agenda item at the Housing Ministers’ meeting in December. He noted he is working closely with the ABCB on the issue” Mr Robertson said the Council expressed the need to put the compliance burden on suppliers as is the case in other industries, but agreed that builders must be responsible for using products that are fit-for-purpose. “The Minister also talked about technology trends in the building industry,” he said. “He noted the potentially disruptive power of robotics and the quantum leaps in artificial intelligence was discussed.
Housing affordability also was on the Council agenda with Master Builders’ national housing manager Matthew Pollock presenting the findings of a discussion paper on state and local government infrastructure charges and taxes. “Council discussed the need for continued research including looking at other taxes and charges (from all States and Territories) to assist in presenting a consistent message to government,” Mr Robertson said. “This issue is the Council’s number one priority, and one of the Federal Government’s.” Liveable housing also was discussed with national technical services manager Max Rafferty and national general operations manager Denita Wawn presenting findings of a discussion paper on the subject. “Master Builders has been aggressively pushing back against calls to mandate liveable housing standards,” Mr Robertson said. “The Government is thought to be moving to a stance that unless the voluntary uptake of standards increases and there is better evidence that Liveable Housing Australia is meeting its objectives, standards will be regulated. “The Council committed to continue its lobbying on this contentious issue.”
housing UPDATES 35 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Keystart, FHOG changes will boost home ownership “Would be home buyers are finding it increasingly difficult to save a new home deposit or get the required valuation on existing property to attract sufficient bank finance. Feedback from builders is there is reasonable demand to build new homes but the problem is accessing the deposit and finance. Keystart will help many of these people enter the market.”
Homes like Homebuyers Centre’s 2015 under $250,000 category national award winner are more within reach for first time buyers following the Barnett Government’s changes to the Keystart scheme and increase in the First Home Owners Grant.
Master Builders has welcomed the Barnett Government’s December announcement of changes to the Keystart scheme and an increase to the First Home Owners Grant. Association director Michael McLean says extending eligibility criteria for Keystart housing loans was a belated Christmas present for prospective home buyers going into a new year.
“Keystart already has helped thousands of West Australians in funding their deposits for new homes, so increasing these opportunities to more prospective home owners will be a huge help,” he said. “Extending the income eligibility of Keystart loans by $20,000 for single people and couples also will provide a welcome boost to construction of new homes, many builders having reported a 30-40 per cent reduction in housing commencements over the last 12 months.
Mr McLean said the Government’s decision to increase the FHOG by $5000 to $15,000 for 12 months from 1 January also was welcome news for prospective home buyers and would stimulate much needed activity across the housing industry. “First home buyers now have a great opportunity to own their own homes during a time when the housing industry has an abundance of good trades ready to take on more work,” Mr McLean said. “The flow on benefits from increased housing construction activity should never be under-estimated in terms of providing jobs not only to builders, tradespeople and suppliers but also kindred industries.”
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36 UPDATES industrial relations MARCH/APRIL 2017
Contractors face Federal and State Codes of Conduct
Master Builders’ construction director Kim Richardson Early December 2016 saw the Federal and WA Governments each introduce their own respective Codes of Conduct or Practice for the building and construction industry. Each Code followed the efforts of Master Builders’ hard lobbying to have these Codes in place. The restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission was a major goal for the Master Builder movement nationally following the very ill-advised decision of the Gillard Government to scrap it in 2012 at the bidding of the CFMEU. While other employer groups also sought this same outcome, it was Master Builders which did the heavy lifting in the lobbying efforts with the Federal Government and it was Master Builders, through its media campaign, which put the restoration of the ABCC front and centre during last year’s Federal election. The same cannot be claimed by all employer groups. Master Builders also heavily lobbied the WA Government over the past four years to refresh the 2002 Code of Practice for the WA Building and Construction Industry. Again, while other employer groups also sought this outcome, it was Master Builders that kept the issue on the boil and which played a major role in discussions with the WA Government on the final shaping of the WA Code to reduce red tape and make it more workable for industry stakeholders. Despite some media reports the exercise was completed in a short timeframe, the reality was it was four years with Master Builders leading the lobbying efforts over that time. The focus of the Codes is the construction sector rather than the residential sector with each Code placing a spotlight on workplace practices, fair and reasonable conduct, improving safety standards, having fair subcontractor payment systems and more. Neither Code is perfect but each goes a long way to setting out standards of behaviour construction industry stakeholders are expected to follow in order to meet their legal obligations. For many WA industry stakeholders already meeting their legal obligations and conducting themselves in a fair and reasonable manner, the Codes hold no fears.
The few stakeholders who are not will need to look closely at how each Code affects them and their position in the building and construction sector. It is hoped the Codes provide sufficient motivation to improve and they also contain strong economic motivation against their being breached. A few industry stakeholders – such as the CFMEU which has fought long and hard against restoring the ABCC – question the need for the Codes. This is because the union does not consider itself accountable under the law nor bound by it: evidenced by multiple Royal Commissions and industry reviews over the past four decades, ranging back to the days of the notorious BLF under Norm Gallagher, all making similar findings about the conduct of the construction unions. Sadly, as time has marched on, some construction union officials remain entrenched in the class struggles of the last century which have little meaningful relevance in the modern day twenty-first century workplace. A multitude of Federal Court decisions over the past three years also clearly demonstrate the nation’s senior judiciary has become tired of the CFMEU’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and has become increasingly critical of the union leadership’s business model of being able, and willing, to pay millions in fines from union funds for unlawful conduct simply as the cost of doing business. The union leadership pays scant regard to the courts and fines, but then they do not have to pay the fines themselves. Master Builders does no more than ask that the rule of law apply in the building and construction sector, as it does in every other industry in Australia. Put another way, no other industry would tolerate the type of behaviour that often is found in the construction sector and nor should such behaviour be tolerated. That is why the Codes are necessary as clearly the industry needs industry specific solutions to industry specific problems. One need look no further than the Federal Court judgements in recent times to identify that the absence of the Codes meant the broader traditional legal framework had little meaningful value in the construction sector in dealing with continuing, blatant and deliberate unlawful conduct by some stakeholders.
industrial relations UPDATES 37 MARCH/APRIL 2017
WORKPLACE BULLYING ON THE RISE A SafeWork Australia report in late 2016 highlighted an alarming rise in workplace bullying claims in the national workforce of almost 40 per cent. This trend is disturbing except when one looks at the figures which are limited mostly to the ACT which is primarily a public service town created to serve the Federal Parliament. Public servants complaining about being bullied for not working will not get much public sympathy.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CLANGER The Human Rights Commission made another very contentious decision in late 2016 when recommending an employer pay a former employee $76,000 for breaching his human rights. The employee had been dismissed for concealing a criminal conviction for drug dealing. The employer, not being required to follow the recommendation, declined to do so. What was the HRC thinking with a decision like that?
$100 DEAL SCUTTLED The Federal Court imposed fines of $37,000 on the CFMEU(Qld) for attempting to coerce a builder to provide the union with an indemnity against breaching a FWC return to work order against striking building workers. The union told the builder it would pay $100 for the indemnity. The Federal Court was scathing of the union’s contemptuous attitude to the law and cynical attempt to avoid scrutiny of clearly unlawful conduct.
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STRIKE ACTION UP Strike action in the construction sector blew out to 14,500 days lost in the September 2016 quarter and three times higher than the coal mining industry which ran a distant second. Little wonder there is a need for the ABCC for the construction sector with a track record like that.
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38 UPDATES insurance MARCH/APRIL 2017
Meet the MBA Insurance Services team
The MBA Insurance Services’ team (l-r) Jeff Concanen, Victoria Gash, Juanitta Evans and Brian Martinovich.
There have been changes in the WA office of MBA Insurance Services. Joining MBA Insurance Services in November as the new state manager, Jeff Concanen brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry to the role. Jeff commenced his insurance career in 1984 joining one of Australia’s leading insurance companies. Over the next decade, he gained invaluable technical and managerial expertise through a number of roles – claims assessor, account manager, branch manager Bunbury and then regional manager WA – before moving to insurance broking where he worked for 22 years. Jeff complemented his practical experience by completing a Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking) as well as numerous other courses including Insurance Placement, Risk Management and Injury Management. Jeff is experienced in all facets of general insurance having worked with a host of major clients across a broad spectrum of commercial industries including several large construction companies. His extensive experience and in-depth knowledge makes him a highly valued and respected broker. Jeff joins senior account executive Victoria Gash who is well known to WA Master Builders, having been with MBA Insurance Services in West Perth for more than three years. Victoria has great relationships with members and excellent knowledge of WA’s building industry. Working in the insurance industry for more than 10 years, Victoria previously has held roles in claims departments for Insurance Australia Group both in Christchurch and Brisbane, including specialising in disaster response. Since moving to Perth in 2011, Victoria has gained broking experience in all lines of commercial insurance, including specialising in home indemnity, construction, public liability, workers compensation, trades, professional indemnity, commercial motor, strata, business packs and all aspects of domestic insurance. Senior account manager Brian Martinovich has worked in the insurance industry for more than 12 years and has been with the MBA Insurance team since 2015. A valued member of the team, Brian holds a Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking) as well as a Bachelor of Commerce. He is a customer-focused insurance professional aiming to provide the highest levels of service whether it be a general query or a complicated claim. With a wide range of experience Brian is well placed to assist with all insurance needs. Juanitta Evans joined the team in 2015, bringing with her a solid 18 years of customer service experience from various hospitality and airline roles. In her short time in the insurance industry, she has continued to
broaden her knowledge. Juanitta is very customer-focused and always endeavours to ensure a positive outcome for clients. She holds Tier 1 accreditation and is a valuable member of the team. “As can be seen, this new fresh team in Perth is ready to look after all your insurance needs,” Jeff says. “Whether it be construction or home warranty insurance, we are well-equipped as industry experts.” Approach and philosophy “Our approach focuses on providing high levels of service and value for money products,” Jeff says. “We have a proactive team of experienced and motivated staff, who are trained to understand the issues relevant to your business, and who can design an insurance program that is appropriate for your needs. “Importantly, when you have a claim, our experts will help you lodge the claim, and then work with you to ensure that you gain peace of mind throughout the entire settlement process. “We only place your business with insurers who offer the best overall package of long-term financial stability, broad coverage, competitive and consistent premiums, and a proven claims payment record. You can be assured when appointing MBAIS (WA) as your broker, we only use reputable insurers who can be relied upon, and who we can work with on difficult and/or complex matters.” Insurance broking services MBAIS takes service to another level in the manner in which it cares for customers. Intimate understanding of the building and construction industry previously has led to the development of many innovative and exclusive insurance solutions tailored specifically for the industry. The value MBAIS brings to your business and the types of services offered is multifaceted as summarised below.
A UTE IS A UTE, RIGHT? Wheels, motor, seats, they’re all the same, aren’t they? If you walk into two dealerships and ask for a ‘ute’ would you take the cheapest one? Or would you compare the tray, fuel type, transmission, air-conditioning, warranty, capped priced servicing, build quality? Without all the specifications, you aren’t able to make an informed decision about which ute represents the best value.
Construction insurance is no different. It has conditions, exclusions, clauses and definitions and these can be significantly different from one insurer to the next. We can help you get the best value for money because we are the construction insurance specialists.
Our business is built on advice.
Jeff Concanen
West Australian State Manager MBA Insurance Services
profits nce broker delivering ra su in ly on e th is IS MBA dustry. ilding & construction in bu e th to ck ba y tl ec dir
40 UPDATES legal MARCH/APRIL 2017
On the first day of Christmas Federal Parliament sent to me, the ABCC
Ranae Harding
Stephen Kemp
The Australian Building and Construction Commission was re-established on 1 December. The Christmas gifts keep on coming with two new codes introduced which apply to Commonwealth and WA State funded building work. ABCC back in business The Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 and the Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2016 commenced on 1 December. As a result from: • 1 December, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) was back in town (replacing Fair Work Building and Construction); and • 2 December, a new code titled the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (Federal Code) applied, replacing the former Building Code 2013. Federal Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work (2016) The Federal Code applies to building contractors or building industry participants from the first time they submit an expression of interest for or tender for Commonwealth funded building work. Once a building contractor or building industry participant becomes subject to the Federal Code, the company and its related entities must comply with that code on all their new projects, including projects that are privately funded (with some exceptions). In addition, the company is required to ensure that the subcontractors it engages act consistently with the Federal Code and include specific obligations in their contract documents. While the Federal Code retains some aspects of the old Building Code 2013 (for example, provisions in relation to sham contracting, freedom of association and right of entry), it also has significant new provisions which include: • Prohibitions against collusive tendering practices.
• Provisions relating to security of payments, which prohibit engagement in illegal or fraudulent phoenix activities for the purposes of avoiding any payment due. • A large extension of Part 4 relating to compliance and monitoring arrangements of the Federal Code, including the imposition of sanctions for breaches of the Code. • Requirements of funding entities to comply with the Federal Code. The Federal Code commenced operation on 2 December 2016 and requires immediate compliance for those tendering for, or submitting an interest in, Commonwealth funded building work (with the exception of some clauses). Any enterprise agreements made after 1 December 2016 must comply with the Federal Code. For existing enterprise agreements, companies have until 29 November 2018 to renegotiate agreements that are not compliant with the Federal Code. If your business has tendered for Commonwealth funded building work that was subject to the old Building Code 2013, the provisions of the old code will continue to apply. WA Building and Construction Industry Code of Conduct (2016) From 1 January, the Western Australian Building and Construction Industry Code of Conduct 2016 (WA Code) and its corresponding Implementation Guidelines came into effect, with the aim of stamping out “inappropriate behaviour” on construction sites, preventing anti-competitive behaviour and improving payment security for contractors. Like the Federal Code, the WA Code will regulate the industrial relations practices of entities that tender for State-funded projects and will be supported by a Building and Construction Code Monitoring Unit within the State’s Department of Commerce.The WA Code applies to State building work being work undertaken by, or on behalf of, a funding entity (a department, a statutory authority or a specified Schedule 1 entity (such as a port authority)). A building contractor becomes subject to the WA Code either pursuant to the: • Tender conditions relating to State building work; or • Terms of a covered contract for performance of State building work. While the WA Code does not mention any monetary cap on building contracts that will be covered, the Implementation Guidelines and
State Government announcements indicate that initially (that is, from 1 January) it will apply only to State building work valued at more than $10 million. The State Government anticipates that this initially will cover nine major projects. The Implementation Guidelines state that the WA Code will be “rolled out” to all other building contracts for State building work when provisions can be drafted and included in the tendering process and after training sessions have been conducted. In other words, projects valued at $10 million or less will not be covered until further notice. Be aware, as long as you are a covered entity, you must comply with the WA Code in relation to any private building work your entity performs within WA if that work was won as a result of responding to a tender or entering a building contract at a time when you were a covered entity. Any private contract work valued over $2 million must be reported to the Building and Construction Code Monitoring Unit. Once covered, a building contractor must comply with the WA Code for the duration of the building contract (or until the tender is unsuccessful). If the State building work is in excess of $10 million, you must have a Code complaint Workplace Relations Management Plan. There are extensive obligations placed on building contractors covered by the WA Code, including a requirement to ensure subcontractors and others comply with the WA Code. A failure to comply with the WA Code may result in the contractor being disadvantaged in procurement processes or not being awarded State building work. Need help? If you intend to tender for Commonwealth or State building work and want to know more about your obligations, please contact Jackson McDonald to request a copy of the firm’s Guides to the codes. This article was prepared by Jackson McDonald partner Stephen Kemp (skemp@jacmac.com.au, 9426 6633) and special counsel Renae Harding (rharding@jacmac.com.au, 9426 6802).
GET A NEW WORKHORSE IN YOUR SIGHTS
Line up great savings with your Gold Fleet Discount Being a member of Master Builders Association unlocks Gold Fleet pricing on the Toyota range.1 You can save thousands on tough workhorses like the unbreakable HiLux or the indestructible LandCruiser 70 series. All HiLux models and LandCruiser 70 single cab variants come with the maximum 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating and an impressive towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.2 So you will have all the muscle you need to safely tackle any job.
To find out more visit your local Fleet Specialist Dealer or call 1800 444 847
TFM1960 MBA-VIC/WA 01/17
1. Excluding Special Edition models. 2. Towing capacity is subject to regulatory requirements, towbar and vehicle design, and towing equipment limitations.
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Master Builders Association membership details required to redeem Gold Fleet Discounts.
42 UPDATES membership MARCH/APRIL 2017
Master Builders celebrates first 100-year member William Fairweather established W Fairweather, Builder and Contractor in the Goldfields region in 1895. With a builders’ registration certificate numbered 1, he was the first registered builder in WA. A framed 100-year membership certificate was presented to Peter Fairweather, the founder’s great grandson managing director since 2004, by Master Builders’ president Rob Spadaccini at the Association’s December Sundowner at Rambla on Swan in South Perth. Mr Fairweather thanked Master Builders’ board for presenting the100year certificate. “I’ve only been involved in the company for 30 of the 121 years,” he said. “However, I accept the certificate, not only in memory of the three Bill Fairweathers who preceded me, but the thousands of supervisors, foremen, carpenters, administration staff, tradesmen and labourers who have put in years of effort. W Fairweather & Son managing director Peter Fairweather received the company’s 100-year Master Builder membership certificate and addressed the December Sundowner gathering.
W Fairweather & Son Pty Ltd has become the first company recognised for 100 years of Master Builder membership in WA. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says that in its 118-year history the Association has never presented a 100-year certificate to a member, let alone it being consecutive years. “We are extremely proud to have a company like W Fairweather & Son as a member and to be able to celebrate this milestone achievement,” Mr McLean said. “We thank all generations of the family for their continued support of Master Builders.
“We’re a bit old fashioned in some ways. The two-storey joinery factory in Subiaco that was relocated from St John of God hospital in 1915 by my great grandfather is still in use today. We believe in the retention of long term staff where the loyalty and investment flows both ways. We’re very proud to be involved in the building industry and of our long association with Master Builders.” Some of the prominent buildings built by W Fairweather & Son include Princess Margaret Hospital Nurses Quarters, South Fremantle Power Station, East Perth Football Club Grandstand, Rivervale Hotel, Victoria Insurance Building, Union Bank premises, Dalkeith Picture Theatre and the Catholic Education Centre which was opened by Pope John Paul II in 1986.
“William Fairweather was a founding Master Builder member and Association president from 1919-1920. His son William junior was president from 1938-1940. In recognition of William senior’s involvement, he was presented with Association life membership in 1940.”
Members close 2016 in style Master Builders’ most popular networking event of the year, the December Members’ End of Year Sundowner, saw more than 200 guests enjoying the view of the city skyline from Rambla on Swan on the South Perth foreshore. Association councillors and board and committee members attended along with a vast range of long-standing and new members to wind down the year and celebrate the festive season. President Rob Spadaccini and director Michael McLean presented the Regional Member of the Year to Geraldton Committee member Ross Conti (Conti Homes) and overall 2016 Member of the Year to Andy Peppercorn for his extraordinary contribution to the Association. Mr Peppercorn also was awarded honorary membership of the Association. Ten, 25 and 50-year members also were recognised and presented with framed certificates as was Master Builders’ first 100-year member W Fairweather & Son Pty Ltd.
A crowd of more than 200 enjoyed the Sundowner at Rambla on Swan in South Perth.
Bankwest, Cbus Super, Fielders, MBA Insurance Services, West Australian Mechanical Services and Western Power sponsored the Sundowner.
membership UPDATES 43 MARCH/APRIL 2017
HOME in WA in eighteenth year with Master Builders Mr Reddingius says that one of the advantages of utilising HOME in WA, the State’s longest running home show, is that clients’ videos are available for ongoing use, as well as access to footage for TVCs and the like.
Recently appointed HOME in WA business development manager Ross Bulman.
Local television show HOME in WA is heading into its eighteenth year on Channel 7 and GWN 7 with Master Builders again a major partner. Executive producer Ron Reddingius says a new business development manager, Ross Bulman, has been appointed for the series, which also will venture nationally with regular airings on 7TWO. “Ross has enjoyed a very successful 20-year media sales career,” Mr Reddingius said. “This
includes valuable experience across print media as CEO of RealEstateWA newspaper, Fairfax Media with Commercialrealestate.com. au and Domain.com.au and with about four years’ experience in television sales.
“The statistics of these videos is astounding with thousands and thousands of views from both the HOME in WA website, YouTube and each individual business’s website long after the story has been to air,” he said. “In 2017, all Master Builder members are invited to join the series and appear with many of our regular clients. The quality story that HOME in WA creates for each business also becomes the company’s corporate video. It can be utilised and put up on Master Builders’ www.displayhomewa.com.au website.” Contact HOME in WA business development manager Ross Bulman on 0428 759 076 or executive producer Ron Reddingius on 0417 279 103.
“Television is where Ross’s true passion lies. He believes that HOME in WA, which has just notched up its five hundred and sixty-ninth episode, is the right format to provide the story, the exposure and a guaranteed long term benefit for Master Builder members.”
Master Builders welcomes new members Adam El Rashid Aerete Pty Ltd Albany Garage Doors Alyka Pty Ltd Askin Performance Panels Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries WA Banksia Building Group BCI Australia Blax Builders Pty Ltd Bradley Smith Builders Building Industry Advisory Services Central West Pest Control Chuditch (WA) Pty Ltd Collier Homes Complete Homes Creative Homes WA Cumbrae Construction DA & MP McGuigan Eire Scaffolding Pty Ltd Everthought Education Pty Ltd
Fortitude Builders Pty Ltd GLX Construction Haffenden Constructions Pty Ltd HiSkill Holtro Constructions Horizon HR Hyland Management & Contractors Pty Ltd IFS Labour Solutions Pty Ltd Ireaus Construction WA Pty Ltd IYM Building Solutions Pty Ltd Kbuilt Construction Pty Ltd Lindquist Electrical Services Linkbuild Construction Luck Building & Construction Pty Ltd McAullay Builders MIGS Building Inspections Moorhouse Developments MWG Doors My Shower Northerly Commercial Open Space Developments Pty Ltd
Optamax Pty Ltd Paintwest Complete ParexGroup Pty Ltd Profire WA Refined Edge REIWA Renascent Western Australia Pty Ltd Roadrunner Painting & Decorating Rocorp Constructions Pty Ltd Romberg Holdings Pty Ltd Roof Excellence Pty Ltd Spring Tide Construction Tayson Homes UltiScope Constructions Unique Residence Pty Ltd Vital Building Company Waterloo Renovations Wedge Tail Construction Wilson Complete Zegna Pty Ltd
44 UPDATES membership MARCH/APRIL 2017
MATES rounding up 2017 Kokoda Trekkers
Filling the pool at WinBaC lunch
Guest speaker Marion Fulker (left) addresses the WinBaC end of year lunch as Master Builders’ membership services manager Veronica Mill looks on.
Committee for Perth CEO Marion Fulker was the captivating speaker at the annual Master Builders-Bankwest Women in Building and Construction end of year lunch in November. MATES in Construction WA CEO Godfrey Baronie spoke to attendees at Master Builders’ End of Year Sundowner.
MATES in Construction WA, the health promotion charity which aims to reduce building industry suicides and promote positive mental health and wellbeing, is encouraging building industry organisations to sponsor employees for the 2017 Kokoda Trek. The Trek will raise money to support MATES and follows the successful 2016 event where WA was well represented by Master Builder members raising more than $44,000. MICWA says the 2016 participants, including Master Builders’ Robert Shaw, John Ripp, Phil Kemp and Narissa Shaw, reported positive outcomes in camaraderie, fitness, leadership and self-esteem. MICWA says it is a once in a lifetime experience which tests physical and mental resilience. Adventure leaders ensure there is no failure with trekkers getting a gentle but provocative taste of the World War II Diggers’ travails on the legendary New Guinea battlefield, the Kokoda Track. At Master Builders’ End of Year Sundowner in December, Mr Shaw and MICWA CEO Godfrey Baronie (who also completed the
2016 Trek) spoke about suicide in the building industry and the Kokoda experience in raising funds for MICWA. The Trek is a worthwhile professional development course which also supports industry. Upcoming MATES events include the motorbike enthusiasts’ Ride Against Suicide on 1 April, supported by Master Builders and the MATES lunch at the Hyatt Regency on 5 May. Contact Rosanne McDonnell at MICWA for more information – rmcdonnell@micwa.org.au or 9463 6664. As well as being active onsite, MATES also has its StandBy Service which provides support to building workers and their immediate families bereaved or affected by a suicide or suicide attempt. Phone 0409 996 260 Monday to Friday and 1300 642 111 after hours. The service is free and Confidential and supported by the Mental Health Commission WA and National StandBy Service.
She told the diverse audience of about 115 building industry representatives of her personal journey and also spoke about ‘Filling the Pool’, a landmark report commissioned in 2015 to achieve gender equality in WA. Ms Fulker described what was involved in producing the report and provided some advice on how to overcome gender inequality in Perth’s corporate workplaces. The annual WinBaC end of year lunch has built a reputation for hosting some of Australia’s most inspirational guest speakers, and Ms Fulker, winner of the WA Telstra Business Women of the Year 2016 For Purpose and Social Enterprise Award, was no exception. During the two-hour lunch at Crown Perth, guests purchased raffle tickets for a chance to win two day spa packages. Proceeds of more than $660 went to The Esther Foundation which provides support for young women in need. Sponsors of the 2016 WinBaC end of year lunch were Bankwest, Cbus Super and MBA Insurance Services.
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Member * Savings Scheme
Help Apprentices with every loan taken out
Members can access a free review of their personal tax positions, including review of tax minimisation strategies, and the use of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds. Also includes a free financial services consultation to review financial and retirement planning.
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 Apprenticeship and career promotion.
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.
www.bankwest.com.au
www.mbawa.com/member-savings
HEALTH
INSURANCE
http://www.mbawa.com/member-savings/
LEGAL HOTLINE
To redeem this offer, call David Johnston 9261 9486 or email david.johnston@rsmi.com.au
MBA has partnered with HBF, one of Australia’s largest and most trusted health funds, to offer great value health cover for its members. HBF has a wide range of flexible, award-winning health cover options to suit all lifestyles and needs. Plus, MBA members will enjoy a wide range of discounts including up to 12% off Hospital and Extras and up to 23% discount on home, landlords, car, caravan, trailer and boat insurance and up to 19% discount on travel insurance. To discuss the best option for you, contact HBF’s Corporate Health Team today!
Save 55% on your monthly fees with a Caltex StarCard
Contact Brad Smith, Senior Relationship Manager for Commercial Banking on 0467 786 813 for more information.
Members are also entitled to a free subscription to RSM’s electronic newsletters, SME Pathways and Financial Insight.
Up to 12% off Hospital and Extras
FUEL
BANKING
ACCOUNTING & TAXATION
Free personal financial strategy – valued at $990
P (08) 9476 9800 F (08) 9476 9801 W www.mbawa.com E mba@mbawa.com
Master Builders Members can save through our growing Master Builders Member Savings Scheme.
Principal Partner
Level 3, 35-37 Havelock Street West Perth WA 6005
Secure competitive insurances with a construction sector specialist
Up to 15 minutes of free legal advice
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.
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. Hotline: 1300 651 959
www.mbais.com.au
www.jacmac.com.au
Get a quote today: corphealth@hbf.com.au
www.hbf.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.
Master Builders Members, their employees, and families are entitled to great discounts on new, demo and used vehicles as well as great deals on finance and insurance, 10% discount on servicing and accessories, 4c per litre discount on fuel when you purchase a new or used car from AHG (*conditions apply), and many other great benefits.
10% discount from their standard terms of business
10% - 25% off the standard price of popular items
For all your recruitment needs, talk to the world leading specialist recruitment company and enjoy a 10% discount from their standard terms of business.
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.
Contact Mark Pitt (Labour hire) (08) 9259 4513, Danielle Middleton (Commercial Building) (08) 9486 9553 or Bronnie Cave (Office Support) on (08) 9322 5383.
For more information on these offers, please visit www.ahg.com.au/wa/master-builders
www.hays.com.au
For further information please email Lauren Howson at: Lauren.Howson@officemax.com.au
www.officemax.com.au
TV PROMOTION
www.ahg.com.au/wa/master-builders
TELECOMMUNICATION
STATIONERY
RECRUITMENT
MOTOR VEHICLES
Discounts across sales, service, parts, accessories, finance & insurance
Exclusive range of products with genuine discounts 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, nononsense deals that give you all the features you want. More talk & text. More data. More flexibility. And more coverage.
$400 discount when purchasing a 3 minute advertorial production
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
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.mbconnect.com.au
www.homeinwa.com
* 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.
48 UPDATES personal pars MARCH/APRIL 2017
Zoe Fernandez has been appointed building manager with Ventura Home Group. Former Skill Hire apprentice manager Lisa Legena is now working at the Small Business Development Corporation. Congratulations to REIWA CEO Neville Pozzi who, in February, marked 40 years’ continuous service to his organisation. Condolences to Mick Daly (Daly & Shaw Builders) on the death of his father in November. John McConnell has taken over from Bronte Howson as chief executive of Automotive Holdings Group – AHG, Master Builders’ vehicle alliance partner. Association members and friends can access fantastic deals on most new vehicles by checking out www.ahg.com.au/ wa/master-builders.
Bankwest has appointed Rowan Munchenberg to take over from Rob De Luca as managing director. Bankwest has been Master Builders’ principal partner for the last 11 years. Former Property Institute of WA president Murray Stubbs died after a long illness in November, aged 73. After close to 20 years’ service, Peter Higgins is leaving Stiebel Eltron Australia to pursue other interests. Dan McGettrick will assume the responsibilities of state manager for Western Australia and the Northern Territory having served with Stiebel Eltron for more than five years. Congratulations to Luke Leeder (Adrian Zorzi) and his partner Chelsea on the safe arrival of their first child Kash in November.
Lindsay Sullivan has left CCI as its chief officer, business solutions to take on the executive director operations role at Keystart Home Loans.
Condolences to John, Dean and Nathalie Wauters (Wauters Enterprises) and family on the death of Ellen Wauters in November after a long illness.
Sandra Peterson, the editor of HOME at the Sunday Times for the last four years, has been made redundant following the Seven West Media acquisition. Master Builders has enjoyed working with Sandra and her team, including Jade Jurewicz, at HOME over the last 12 years and wishes them all well in their future endeavours.
Paul Kerr has been made redundant from his position as Midland Brick Northwest and Goldfields area manager and also steps down from the Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch committee after eight years.
Congratulations to Dale Alcock on winning the HIA Ron Seares Citation for commitment and dedication to the housing industry over many years. Mr Alcock’s contribution via the various ABN brands, including ABN Training, and his company’s charitable work is well known. He and Gary Brown-Neaves were joint winners of Master Builders’ Robert Law Award in 2008. The Construction Contractors Federation has appointed Chris Melham as national CEO. Mr Melham was previously Australian Trucking Association CEO. Congratulations to Crystal Jordan (Cockram Construction) on winning the 2016 Outstanding contribution to construction’ award at the National Association for Women in Construction awards. Roger Collins has retired as managing director of WA Mechanical Services. ENGIE Services is the new owner of WAMS. Mike Bell remains as the general manager. Mr Collins worked in the HVAC industry for 54 years, 34 of those in Australia. Dario Amara (formerly managing director of Sabemo and Transfield in WA) has bought Collier Homes in WA. Mr Amara’s son Alberto has been appointed director, operations at the company. Former LandCorp project manager David Tjhung has won a 40 under 40 Award in Kuala Lumpur. David is now a director of a Malaysian property developer.
Condolences to family and friends of Darryl Way of DWA Architects who died in December. Mr Way had a long architectural career spanning more than 50 years. Landmark projects included the Art Gallery of WA, the CBH building in West Perth, Mandurah Forum shopping centre and the All Saints College Early Learning Centre. Jaxon Property has appointed Frik Jankowitz as general manager. Congratulations to Russell Reynolds on being made a Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association life member. PACT has appointed Neil Daffin as its contracts manager. Eva Xu has been appointed assistant accountant at Master Builders. Kaye Teede joined the Association’s Geraldton Branch staff in January. Pat Pinder is the recipient of the 2016 Architects Board Award. Mr Pinder’s architectural career spans more than 50 years throughout which he has made a significant contribution, particularly in architectural education. Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch has decided to stand down from the position from 1 July. His announcement comes not long after he celebrated 25 years’ service to the Master Builder movement.
personal pars UPDATES 49 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Knowles leaves legacy
Matthew Pollock has been appointed as Master Builders Australia national housing policy manager. He previously was with Deloitte Access Economics where he was part of the team that drafted Master Builders’ Strategic Review for the next 15 years.
Martin moves on
Barry Knowles pictured in August last year with Master Builders’ director Michael McLean.
Condolences to family and friends of Barry Knowles who died in December following nearly seven years with mesothelioma. Born in the UK, Mr Knowles came to Australia as a ’10 pound Pom’. He was a qualified carpenter and worked as a contract administrator for JOBEC during the 1980-90s. Mr Knowles was devoted to his faith, active in Perth Rotary and committed to finding a cure for mesothelioma. He founded the Reflections Through Reality Foundation, now being co-ordinated by his daughter Jo Morris, with all funds raised being directed to mesothelioma research at the Harry Perkins Institute. Master Builders has designated Reflections Through Reality as one of its charities this year.
After 15 years as the CEO of the Industrial Foundation for Accident Prevention, Martin Ralph has decided to move on. Mr Ralph (right) is pictured with Master Builders’ director Michael McLean at last October’s IFAP Safe Way Awards. IFAP president Richard Mehan is acting managing director while the recruitment process is underway. Master Builders and IFAP are continuing their strategic alliance to provide a range of safety services.
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Vale Darryll Retallack Mr Retallack was a key member of the industry working group convened by then Consumer Protection Minister Yvonne Henderson to advise her on the introduction of the 1991 Home Building Contracts Act. In 2007, at the Association’s AGM, Mr Retallack was awarded Master Builders’ life membership in recognition of his significant contribution to the Association over many years, including Housing Council chairman, housing awards judge and regular volunteer for state and national Master Builders’ duties. In presenting the life membership, the then president Steven Peck said that one of Mr Retallack’s greatest assets was his willingness and ability to represent the Association in the community. Mr Peck said Mr Retallack always represented industry’s interests well and was a particularly strong advocate for Master Builders.
In 2007, Darryll Retallack (centre) became the seventeenth person since the Association’s founding in 1898 to be awarded life membership. He is pictured on that occasion with the president of the day Steven Peck (left) and housing director Gavan Foster.
Master Builders’ past president and life member Darryll Retallack died in November after a long illness, aged 78. Mr Retallack was the managing director of Profile Homes which built hundreds of contract homes in Perth and surrounding regions. Profile Homes joined Master Builders in September 1969. Mr Retallack was a member of the Association’s Housing Council from 1981-2007 and was president in1992 and 1993. He was heavily involved in national housing matters as a member and chairman of the Master Builders National Housing Council. He was appointed to the Builders’ Registration Board in 1991, assumed the deputy chairmanship in 1996 and joined the Building Disputes Tribunal in 1998. He continued to serve in these capacities for many years.
Mr Retallack also was a long-standing member of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors. He had a great interest in technical matters and represented Master Builders on the Government’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee for many years, putting forward practical suggestions and presenting industry’s views on emerging building matters. Mr Retallack also served on the Electrical Licensing Board. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says Mr Retallack was a passionate and committed advocate of a more affordable, efficient and safer housing industry. “Even during the latter stages of Darryll’s life he enjoyed receiving and reading our Master Builder magazine,” Mr McLean said. “He loved being involved with the Master Builders Association and Rostrum but his first love was for his wife (of 42 years) Maria, four children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to Maria and Darryll’s family. We will miss his character, energy and commitment to the betterment of our great industry. Lest we forget champions like Darryll Retallack.”
Nick moves on MBA Insurance Services’ CEO Kevin Pattison says Mr Vernon started with the business as an SME team leader in Victoria but accepted promotion in 2012 to head up the WA office. “Nick quickly brought a high level of stability, expertise and professionalism to the team, helping to make our WA business a key cog in the MBAIS wheel,” Mr Pattison said. “Nick’s strengths are his attention to detail, his calm disposition and the manner in which he supports his team. As a member of the MBAIS executive team, he always added a different perspective. He loved ‘wearing the black hat’ and challenging his peers”
Nick Vernon
Popular staff member Nick Vernon ended his time as MBA Insurance Services’ state manager in December and has returned to Melbourne.
Mr Pattison added that Nick was not without weaknesses. “… his love of the Carlton Football Club, imported beers, and his horse racing betting system, which unfortunately never helps any of his fellow punters,” he said. (New MBA Insurance Services WA state manager Jeff Concanen’s first contribution to Master Builder appears in this edition.)
safety UPDATES 51 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Changes to White Card training Over the years, a lot has been said about Safety Induction Training so what is the current position? Division 11 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 sets out requirements for accredited construction induction training provided by a registered training organisation. It also includes that an employer, main contractor or person having control of the workplace must not permit an employee or self-employed person to do construction work at the workplace unless that other person holds a construction induction training certificate. WA has had several training courses and different coloured safety cards. Under the Regulations the recognised training was the accredited course ‘Safety Awareness Training, 51466’ that allowed a Blue Card to be issued between 2006-09. From late August 2009, the accredited unit of competency ‘CPCCOHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry’ was introduced as the approved course for the White Card recognised throughout Australia. The National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work and the National Standard for Construction Work also place a responsibility on various persons involved in construction work to manage safety on sites and to ensure workers have undertaken construction induction training. The Code of Practice goes further in requiring site specific inductions. In summary, both formal safety induction training and site induction must be undertaken before anybody can perform construction work. Over the years, there have been allegations of poor training and resulting investigations by training regulators. In 2004, ASQA investigated most online training providers. Most did not meet all the training and assessment requirements of CPCCOHS1001A. A lengthy review of the unit of competency commenced including measures to improve outcomes and make training quality auditing easier giving industry more confidence White Card holders had the course competencies. The review tried to restrict online training and tried to include a minimum six hours for all training and assessment. The latter could not be approved as it went against principles of competencybased training. Some industry stakeholders continue to support the concept that a mandatory duration should be specified. The new course ‘CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’ minimises the activities of online trainers as its assessment requires students to orally report hazards and to explain how risk can be reduced, the meaning of safety signs, the purpose of JSA’s and various roles.
It further restricts online training by requiring students to demonstrate correct fitting of eye and hearing protection, hard hat and high visibility vest. Assessment criteria provide for the assessor physically to observe the learner but do make provision for observation via audio and visual media in real time. Master Builders believes such one-on-one assessment, with the learner needing to have all the required equipment, will not be financially viable or practicable online under the new course. Training providers have until 8 December to switch from the old unit to the new training course. Master Builders will continue to provide online training, fully audited by follow-up real time assessment of all learners, until December. The Association will introduce classroom-based training for the new unit of competency this year and we will continue to offer a refresher training course for those who hold a Blue or White Card. The same White Card will be issued for the new training course and, at the time of writing, Blue and White cards in operation still will be recognised. Those who completed ‘Safety Awareness Training’ or CPCCOHS1001A will not need to do the new course to meet the Regulations. Master Builders continues to lobby for mandatory refresher training and continues to offer refresher training for improved on site safety competency. Training director Neil Du Rand says anyone aware of poor quality training should register a complaint with the WA Training Accreditation Council at www.tac.wa.gov.au/industry/Pages/Complaints-against-RTOs.aspx.
Scaffold forum addresses industry needs Master Builders contributed to National Safe Work Week in October with an industry forum, Improving Safety Standards, focusing on scaffolding. More than 70 Association members attended and heard from a panel of experts including Chris Kirwin from WorkSafe WA, Bob Benkesser (CFMEU), Damien Beausang (WA Scaffolding Association) and Master Builders’ safety manager Mike Fitzgerald and Safety Committee members Brent Stewart and Andrew Moore. Committee chairman Andy Peppercorn was facilitator.
The panel covered topics such as raising awareness of the risks associated with poor scaffolding and options available to assess and reduce the risks. It discussed increasing self-assessment by scaffold builders, the supply of compliant scaffold by providers and increasing skill sets within the sector. There also was a view that industry should review scaffold training standards to better match industry needs and expectations, rather than simply accepting the training sector’s requirements.
52 UPDATES technical MARCH/APRIL 2017
Keeping on top of NCBPs
Master Builders Australia national technical services manager Max Rafferty Non-conforming and non-compliant building products in the supply chain can cost millions of dollars to rectify, are damaging the construction industry’s reputation and reduce consumer confidence. It is important to know the difference between non-conforming and noncompliant products to protect against the issues they create. Non-conforming or non-compliant building products? It does not matter which definition is used, the results are the wrong product in the wrong place, a noncompliant building and a builder liable. All products have potential non-conformance and non-compliance issues. However, with a little care contractors can protect themselves, their businesses and clients by making sure there are processes in place to purchase products that are fit for purpose. Under Australian Consumer Law, products must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose* and builders are responsible for the products they choose to use, and supply to customers. Five steps to protect against NCBPs Non-Conforming Building Products 1. Understand National Construction Code (NCC) requirements. 2. Only purchase products that meet NCC compliance requirements for their intended use.
3. Use reputable suppliers and brands. 4. Employ a building surveyor to assess product suitability. 5. Document decisions – keep all relevant product information. Non-Compliant Building Products 1. Understand National Construction Code (NCC) requirements. 2. Understand the function of the product. 3. Understand the specification and building approval. 4. Employ a building surveyor to assess product suitability. 5. Have processes in place to check: • Specified products meet requirements for their intended use (the specification might be wrong). • Products purchased are being used correctly. Focus on: • NCC Volume 1 - Building Code of Australian (BCA), Part A2 – Acceptance of design and construction for building class 2 to 9. • NCC Volume 2 - BCA section 1.2 A2 – Acceptance of design and construction for building class 1 and 10. • NCC Volume 3 – Plumbing Code of Australia Part A2 – Acceptance of design and construction for stormwater. If it cannot be determined that the product meets NCC requirements, it should NOT be purchased. In summary: • Understand the function of the product. • Understand the NCC requirements. • Only use products that can demonstrate compliance. • Check and understand certification documentation. * See Competition and Consumer Act 2010 - Schedule 2—The Australian Consumer Laws 54 & 55. www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2015C00327/Html/Volume_3#_Toc424644306
NCBP’s Non-Conforming Building Products
• Products and materials that claim to be something they are not • Do not meet required standards for their intended use • Marketed or supplied with the intent to deceive those who use them.
Non-Compliant Building Products
• Those that are used in situations where they do not comply with the requirements of the National Construction Code.
technical UPDATES 53 MARCH/APRIL 2017
2016 NCC adopted for Building Permit applications from 1 May
Master Builders technical consultant Romina De Santis WA’s building industry annually gets a 12-month transition period for adoption of the National Construction Code. This means that from May this year, the applicable Building Standard is NCC 2016, not both NCC 2015 and NCC 2016. NCC 2015 can be used for Building Permit applications lodged up to and including 30 April. Previously the NCC was updated annually. This will be the first of a three-year cycle of Code amendments, providing for a reduction in industry regulation. The next Code, NCC 2019, will be the reference NCC in WA in 2019 and 2020. What happened to the performance pyramid? One of the principal NCC changes is the new compliance structure. The pyramid previously included Objectives and Functional Statements as guiding levels and Performance Requirements and Building Solutions as compliance levels. The new diagram more succinctly notes compliance requirements only. Proposed building work can demonstrate compliance with the Performance Requirements using Performance, Deemed-to-Satisfy Clauses, or a combination of both.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
PERFORMANCE SOLUTION
and/or
DEEMED-TO-SATISFY SOLUTION
The Objectives and Functional Statements explaining the NCC’s intent remain but are found in the relevant sections. Importantly, building work compliance must be demonstrated against the Performance Requirements. NCC users also must be aware of the WA Building Act 2011 and Building Regulations 2012 which may have additional or conflicting requirements to the NCC provisions. Where conflict arises among the Act, Regulations, NCC and Australian Standards, the higher level is referenced: for example, in a conflict between the NCC and an Australian Standard, the NCC is followed. What has changed? All NCC amendments are listed at the back of each Volume. The main amendments to Volume 2 include the following. Two new verification methods for 2016: • Structural robustness verification method. There are new verification method options, BV2 and V2.1.2, for structural robustness. The ABCB handbook has further guidance on structural robustness. • Ventilation verification method. New verification method options, FV4.1 and V2.4.5 for ventilation are used to quantify the performance requirements for ventilating a space within a building so that acceptable indoor air quality is achieved.
Gutters and downpipes New requirements address overflow from eaves gutters entering class 1 and 10 buildings. The provisions have options including slotted gutters, rear gaps, bead heights, end stop weirs and rainheads. Fire separation Fire separation between a residential part and a garage not appurtenant to the residence is now required. This assists in ‘granny flats’ and ‘studio apartments’ that needed to be assessed as Class 2 or Apartments. Smoke alarms Smoke alarm installation in all levels of a home regardless of whether it is a private garage is clarified. An option for AS1670.1 to be used to reduce false alarms using AS3786 smoke alarms is included, aligning with fire separation requirements. Smoke alarm requirements for this type of development are addressed. Stairways, ramps and landings • Stairways must be designed to take loading forces to AS1170.1. The NCC includes new tolerances and explanatory diagrams that allow tolerances for adjacent risers and goings (must be within 5mm of each other). The largest and smallest riser, or the largest and smallest going within a flight must be within 10mm of each other. • Stairways accessing non-habitable or low-use areas have minimum compliance requirements. • The maximum gradient for ramps serving external doorways or ramps within Class 1 and 10 buildings now cannot exceed 1:8 and include a landing not less than 750mm. • Landings not less than 750mm long are required for changes of direction in stairways. Volume 1 Definition of effective height The defined term ‘effective height’ now clarifies how the lowest storey of a building, when partially built below ground level, is assessed as an actual storey for the calculation of the building’s effective height. Farm Buildings New Provisions and definitions are included for the assessment of farm buildings providing consistency of assessment of compliance requirements. Carparks The concession for the protection of openings requirements in section C3.1 has been clarified. It was interpreted to mean that vehicle ramps in carparks were not openings requiring protection; thus vehicle numbers were only counted per storey and not per compartment connected by these openings. Don’t Forget! NCC 2016 (and all previous editions) became free to access online in 2015. If you are not yet registered and accessing the NCC, visit the website: www.abcb.gov.au.
54 UPDATES training MARCH/APRIL 2017
Apprentices shine bright at top awards night Jamie Desmond, a third-year carpentry apprentice with Aussie Sheds Group, is the 2016 Master Builders WA Most Outstanding Apprentice, beating six other finalists for the award. Master Builders’ training director Neil Du Rand says Mr Desmond was a standout winner. It was the first time a regional apprentice has won the overall Most Outstanding Apprentice award. “The three-member judging panel was very impressed with Jamie and how he conducted himself in the interview,” Mr Du Rand said. “He has a broad skill set, is very articulate and a good thinker, all the qualities we look for in an apprentice. He will be a great ambassador for Master Builders and other apprentices in the industry. “Overall, the judges had a difficult task determining all the category winners from the extremely high-calibre entrants and finalists.” The annual Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards were held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in November. Nearly 300 apprentices, builders, contractors, trainers, sponsors, and other supporters including family members attended. Finance Minister Sean L’Estrange represented the Premier. Performances by magician Robbie T and One Man Band James Wilson entertained the audience over the duration of the evening. Mr Du Rand said the Awards were vital for the industry as they celebrated and acknowledged the innovation, skill level, dedication and leadership of the new generation of industry workers and leaders. Aussie Sheds Group office manager Melanie Battilana said Mr Desmond has excelled since starting with the company in 2013. “Jamie is well respected by all his co-workers and other trades onsite,” she said. “He is a huge asset to Aussie Sheds. He uses his initiative in getting the job done in a safe and timely manner, and is constantly coming up with new ideas to make the working environment run more smoothly.” Other finalists for the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year were: • Gary Clegg – apprentice carpenter, Skill Hire’s Most Outstanding Apprentice.
• Jordan Westray – apprentice plasterer, Most Outstanding Solid Plastering Apprentice nominated by the WA Solid Plasterers Association. • Beau Simpson – apprentice bricklayer, Now Living (Most Outstanding Bricklaying Apprentice). • Jacob Moore – apprentice wall and floor tiler, Silver Fern Tiling (Most Outstanding Floor and Wall Tiling Apprentice). • Tameka Kenny – apprentice painter and decorator, MPA Skills (Most Outstanding Female Apprentice). • Jeremy Allen – apprentice carpenter, Broome Builders (Most Outstanding Regional Apprentice). Mr Du Rand said 2016 had seen the highest calibre of female apprentices entering the awards. He said Ms Kenny had done extremely well to win. “The passion and dedication she displayed, along with the outstanding achievements she has attained to date made her a standout in an extremely competitive year for female apprentices,” he said. “All finalists for the Female Apprentice of the Year Award should be proud of themselves and their ability to perform at the highest level in the traditionally male dominated industry.” While Mr Desmond was the overall 2016 winner Mr Du Rand said Mr Allen’s award as Most Outstanding Regional Apprentice was remarkable as it was the third time in the last five years that a Broome apprentice has won the regional accolade. “Well done to Jeremy on being judged the most outstanding apprentice across five regional areas of WA,” Mr Du Rand said. “And congratulations to all winners in this year’s Apprentice Awards. These awards are highly contested. To win is a great achievement but all finalists should be very proud.” He acknowledged and thanked the Group Training Organisations, sponsors and supporters for their generous support of the awards program: ABBTF, The Apprenticeship Community, BGC, Cbus Super, Construction Training Fund, Department of Finance - Building Management & Works, Midland Brick, Civmec Engineering, Mark Allen Memorial Trust Fund, MEGT, Skill Hire and WA Solid Plasterers Association.
SPONSORS: Group Training Organisations
Major Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
training UPDATES 55 MARCH/APRIL 2017
Master Builders 2016 Most Outstanding Apprentice Jamie Desmond.
Jeremy Allen’s award as Most Outstanding Regional Apprentice was the third time in the past five years the recognition has gone to a Broome apprentice.
Painter and decorator Tameka Kenny won the Most Outstanding Female Apprentice award. She is pictured with Minister L’Estrange and Master Builders’ director Michael McLean.
Finance Minister Sean L’Estrange addresses the Apprentice Awards audience.
56 advertorial MARCH/APRIL 2017
“ARE YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS AT RISK”? M
ore than just lip service should be paid to this important topic. Why do you ask? The answer is straightforward. If you are harboring a workforce of Independent Contractors that are in fact employees, you are exposing yourself and your business to fines, penalties and possible underpayments. The risk comes from many directions. Let's begin with The Taxman. The ATO would much prefer to rake in PAYG in the form of marginal rather than a flat form of tax. Newly created Independent Contractors can go almost two years without having to remit taxes to the ATO. Once they do, generally they are then required to pay on a quarterly basis. What about the PSI Ruling (commonly known as the 80/20 rule)? Should those individuals fall foul of this piece of legislation you, the host business, may be at risk; but more importantly, one extremely disgruntled Independent Contractor too come tax time. “What’s that you say Mr. Taxman, I am going to be treated and taxed as if I was an employee”?! One thing leads to the next, and I have seen many cases where the ‘Independent Contractor’ takes refuge with the Fairwork Ombudsman to determine if, in fact, they were an employee while working for you. In most cases, the Independent Contractors want and wish to be independent contractors, but sometimes when it best suits them (generally in times of crisis with the taxman), they want to be treated as if an employee. What about Payroll Tax? The SRD is always on the lookout for businesses that wrongly classify the workers and in the process don’t remit this much-
treasured state based revenue. Not paying payroll tax for your sole trading Independent Contractors? Good luck with that one.
Australian Building Codes. Again, emphasis is being placed on Sham Contracting. You need to be vigilant in this area.
Workers Compensation – not covering your sole trading Independent Contractors for Workers Compensation Insurance? What about superannuation? You may have an argument if your independent contractors operate through an interposed entity; however, if they operate as sole traders and are rewarded principally for their labour, generally speaking, superannuation applies for the labour component of their remuneration.
The powers of the Fairwork Ombudsman allow them to enter your workplace, examine your books and workforce alike. If they believe you are operating Sham Contractors, then you have two choices. 1) You fully co-operate with them, admit fault, pay the fines, and possible underpayments. If not already complying, you will then need to pay all the statutory requirements on top of the underpayments. Fingers crossed you are then not crucified in the electronic media. Or 2) you can challenge them and book your place in the Federal Court. Personally, I know of businesses that have challenged the FWO and have spent in the vicinity of 1 million dollars in doing so. Forget about claiming costs. Unless the powers to be are vexatious or frivolous in their attempt, you won’t get back a cent.
Whether it’s taxes or superannuation, payroll tax, or workers compensation Insurance, all these institutions have a vested interest in the misclassification of Independent Contractors. Once upon a time, these topics classified as a ‘grey area’. Not anymore, as has been the case for some years. It's black and white. That being, black ink on white paper, or commonly known as laws, acts and regulations. More ‘black and white’ appeared in 2012/2013 within the Building and Construction sector with the release of the Taxable Payments Report.* The requirement to report the name, address, ABN and amounts paid to each independent contractor every quarter was and is a huge success. In its inaugural year, there was 1.58 million transactions reported with a staggering amount of 2.3 billion dollars of unreported taxes highlighted. More black and white has just arrived with the introduction of the Western
Like all these concerns listed above, the fact you got away with it today, yesterday, the month and year before, does not mean you have gotten away with it. The key word here folks ‘retrospectivity’. You may be accruing a debt. *ATO Taxable payments reporting – Effectiveness measure May 2015
Franc Konstek Managing Director Contracting Solutions Pty Ltd WA Board Member Independent Contractors of Australia (ICA)
G IN C E D IL L A B U IN P W N E DE S CO
SHAM CONTRACTING Are you risking it like Bob?
TEAM MEETING AT BOB’S PLUMBING.
BOB’S CONTRACTORS.
Hey guys, I need your invoices!
OK BOB ’S BOB ’S BOB ’S BOB ’S
BOB ’S BOB ’S BOB ’S BOB ’S
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
Sure
Yeah, Bob!
Whatever
LATER...
All contractors… no employees… no Fair Work Act worries! BOB’S
PLUMBING
I just pay their invoices, supervise them, supply uniforms, equipment and vehicles. Easy! BOB HAS NO IDEA WHAT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE FWO IS DOING INDUSTRY AUDITS!
Fair Work Ombudsman
SHAM CONTRACTING ALERT!
WHAT WILL THEY SAY TO BOB?
Want to AVOID the RISK? Ask us about our independent contracting solutions for businesses and contractors. CALL 1300 857 722 TODAY
T: 1300 857 722 | F: 1300 857 733 E: info@contractingsolutions.com.au | W: www.raykon.com.au
58 advertorial MARCH/APRIL 2017
A SAFE WORKPLACE IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT…. NOT A PRIVILEGE! From a WHS perspective how much do we really know about the greatest workplace risk facing employers today – the impact of DRUGS! Because drug and alcohol testing is relatively new in the building industry it is prudent and timely for an industry expert to provide some valuable insights and tips on how to prepare for drug and alcohol testing in the workplace. Wayne Von Hagen National Manager of Mediscreen™, a provider of drug and alcohol testing services for more than 15 years, is well qualified to offer some valuable pointers on the subject. Wayne has offered five key points on implementing a robust drug & alcohol testing program in the workplace, as a starting point. “Start with a well-structured Policy and Procedure that is fair and equitable - and please don’t try and draft it in house, it is way too important to use a template off the net or out of a box”. “Make sure that you collaborate with all stakeholders in developing your program and then fully inform/instruct on how your Policy/Procedure will be implemented before it is enacted”. “Ensure you have good employee support systems in place before you start testing workers for alcohol and drugs so that you can offer assistance and support if it is required”. “Treat your drug and alcohol testing program as you would any other safety strategy, it is not about being punitive but identifying risk and implementing measures to mitigate it”. “And finally, ensure you engage a professional service provider that will help you develop a strategy that is designed to provide a real deterrent; and above all track and measure all testing activity and monitor return on investment”. Wayne is amazed at the number of companies who underestimate the importance of implementing a tailored testing program that is designed to produce outcomes that can be monitored and measured. Mediscreen™ has been designing and implementing workplace drug and alcohol testing programs to a wide range of industries for over 15 years and many relationships
continue to exist today. Success is measured on the reduction in the incidence of drug and alcohol use in the workplace. Mediscreen™ has always followed the belief that changing the culture in a workplace has positive benefits that are immeasurable. The great majority of workers in any workplace are responsible and do not want to work alongside someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who is in fact suffering from days of binging and lack of sleep. When a company fails to take positive steps towards dealing with a problem relating to poor or risky behavior that is blatantly obvious it affects the morale of the majority. Productivity suffers when responsible workers take the view: “why should I care about doing the right thing when management always seems to turn a blind eye”? There is also the issue of misguided loyalty where a fellow employee may be aware of someone that is using drugs at work but he/she doesn’t want to get them into trouble. An impaired worker could cause a serious accident or harm themselves or a work mate because they have been inattentive. There is no place for drugs or alcohol in the workplace and no place for misguided loyalty. “When Mediscreen™ became a member of MBA we wanted to be able to offer fellow members some real benefits and so far such benefits have been delivered in the form of qualified advice, reliable testing services and around the clock support”, claims Wayne Von Hagen. “But we want to go even further and bring some tangible value to the table for members so we have developed a valuable initiative” said Wayne. MBA members can arrange a comprehensive evaluation and snapshot of the position in their workforce including a report and recommendations. A very low cost special initiative, that is available to MBA members only, will prove to be invaluable for employers to understand their current position and what they need to do in moving forward. The ever changing challenges of mitigating the risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse are so much easier managed when you have the guidance of an experienced provider who really does understand and care; and even more importantly one who is supported by qualified toxicologists and expert testimony should the need arise.
NationalAustralia Conference Building 2017 National Conference — Building Australia Master Builders Australia
2017 Conference, Building Exhibition & SAVENational THE DATE: National Excellence in Building & Construction Awards
23-25 November 2017 | Hobart Tasmania 23–25 November 2017 | Hobart Tasmania
The Master Builders Australia 2017 National Conference ‘Building Australia’ will be held in Hobart at the historic Princes Wharf 1 (PW1). The recently restored heritage building is a first class multi-purpose function and event venue located on the waterfront of the Derwent River in the heart of the Salamanca Precinct. The venue is within close proximity to restaurants, hotels, cafes, retail outlets, major tourist attractions and departure points. Whether it’s a ferry to MONA or a coach to the top of Mount Wellington, PW1 provides a perfect base to explore the best Hobart and surrounds has to offer. As part of your conference experience, delegates will enjoy a river cruise to a special offsite conference dinner at MONA the Museum of Old and New Art. A comprehensive program of high profile speakers will examine the building industry outlook, focussing on topics relevant to today’s building and construction industry. An exciting social program will ensure delegates’ attendance is a rewarding experience. www.masterbuilders.com.au
www.masterbuilders.com.au
Supplied by Mona 2011 National Awards
Image: Hobart City Council
Image: 2015 Master National Awards Image: Kathryn Leahy Image: Rob Burnett
Image: Jesse Dejardins
Michael Walters Photography
Image: Paul Fleming
Image: Alastair Bett
save the da
te
Image: Peter Topliss
Image: Andrew Ross
Image: Alastair Bett
Discover Tasmania
Alastair Bett
Local Attractions include include Local attractions attractions and and tours tours make make Tasmania Tasmania an an ideal ideal destination destination for for delegates delegates and and their their families. families. Attractions MONA, Historical Port Port Arthur, Richmond, MONA, the the Salamanca SalamancaMarkets, Markets,Tasmanian TasmanianMuseum Museumand andArt ArtGallery, Gallery,Mount Mount Wellington, Wellington, Historical Arthur, Richmond, CascadeBrewery, Brewery, Royal RoyalBotanical BotanicalGardens, Gardens,Bonorong BonorongWildlife WildlifeCentre, Centre,Maritime Maritime Museum, Museum, Derwent Peppermint Bay, Bay, Cascade River Cruise, Cruise, Russell Russell Falls, Falls,Pennicott PennicottWilderness Wilderness tours, tours, Cradle Cradle Mountain Mountain and Gorge just just to to name River and Cataract Cataract Gorge name aa few. few. Images Images courtesy Tourism Tasmania. courtesy Tourism Tasmania.
Create raised timber and paved floors on balconies, roof tops and ground level outdoor areas.
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 Australia contact:
www.buzon.com.au
Head Office: (VIC) PASCO 13-15 Brighton Street Richmond Victoria Tel: (03) 9429 9111
QLD Distributor: Adheseal – Brisbane 26 Wolverhampton Street Stafford QLD 4053 Tel: (07) 3356 0000
SA Distributor: P. Hughes Enterprises 15 Saltram Road, Glenelg SA 5045 Tel: 0432 418 255
NSW Distributor: Ausdrain 1/136 Willoughby Road Crows Nest NSW 2065 Tel: 1300 287 372
QLD Distributor: Adheseal – Sunshine Coast 2/18 Kessling Avenue, Kunda Park QLD 4556 Tel: (07) 5477 0022
WA Distributor: Civil & General Distributors 27 Oxleigh Drive Malaga WA 6090 Tel: (08) 9249 4733
www.pasco.net.au
62 advertorial MARCH/APRIL 2017
BUZON Creating Perfectly Level Raised Floors
BUZON Founded in 1987, Buzon Pedestal International is a highly successful provider of solutions in the field of rooftop gardens. As the developer of the award-winning Buzon screwjack pedestal system, the innovative company has opened up new design and structural possibilities in roof gardens around the world. With the ever-growing demand to make cities more relaxed and greener, architects are looking for solutions to create greener developments. Buildings are increasingly designed and equipped with spaces where people can meet, communicate and relax in a more natural environment, and one way to do that is to create more green spaces, often with raised floors or balconies, terraces, water features and fountains, on the rooftop. Such designs, however, not only make buildings more
complex, but also make them more prone to maintenance problems as green areas and water features require complex planning in the areas of structuring, waterproofing, maintenance, and accessibility. Traditionally, services are laid either above the surface or, where the areas are utilised for pedestrian or vehicle traffic, beneath concrete, paving or other substrates. On a rooftop/terrace environment, neither option is ideal. When services are laid on the surface, they obstruct, making the area unusable and the burying of pipes, cables and ducts generally results in expense and disruption and when things go wrong the substrate has to be ‘dug up’. The installation of a raised floor system overcomes all these issues. Raised floors
generally utilise pedestals supporting concrete, granite or ceramic pavers, or wooden tiles, timber decking and industrial gratings so services are easily accommodated underneath. With the Buzon system, it is now possible to create even larger terrace areas without any design disrupting features such as valleys or ridges, gratings, drainage systems or access panels. When access is required for maintenance or repair, it is simply a matter of taking up a paver or two from the floor so work can be carried out below. The sections are then dropped back into place with minimal disruption. Similarly, any pavers that become dirty or damaged can easily be swapped out. Indeed, the whole surface can be changed if required. This feature significantly
advertorial 63 MARCH/APRIL 2017
reduces long term maintenance costs when access to trace and repair a leak in the waterproofing membrane is required as the membrane is more visible and tiles/pavers do not need to be removed mechanically, which would lead to damaging the membrane and potential not being able to find the source of the leak. The interchangeable spacer tabs allow for 2mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, 6mm, 8mm or 10mm gaps/joints between the pavers, providing positive drainage and making uneven paving lines a thing of the past. This additional benefit dispels the need for sealants between the tiles that tend to be prone to the buildup of dirt or algae, and an accompanying change in colour. Now thanks to the open joints between the tiles (where the width can be freely specified by the designer), water can drain freely, without the possibility of water ponding on the floor finish. Due to the patented slope compensation device PH5, the pedestals can be placed on a sloping substrate of up to 5 percent (0-5cm/ metre), effectively eliminating the risk of puncturing the waterproofing membrane, while leaving the paving or decking material lying completely flat. Its better water drainage performance effectively
expands the lifespan of the waterproofing membrane considerably. Besides its ease of use and high-speed nature of application, the pedestals can be used on all types of substrates such as, bitumen waterproofing, liquid coatings, rubber membranes, polystyrene insulation. Buzon pedestals are made of a highly durable UV-resistant recycled polypropylene and are equipped with a unique safety locking feature to ensure the security and stability of the system. They are millimetrically adjustable in height 17mm to 1070mm. They are precision engineered from 4mm thick 80% recycled polypropylene and are capable of supporting loads of more than a 1000kg per pedestal. At roof level, this load is evenly distributed by the wide base area therefore eliminating the risk of waterproofing membrane damage. From a construction perspective, the
use of raised access floors considerably lightens the structural load on the building by eliminating screeding and sand/cement beds for tiles and pavers. Raised floor systems can be built directly over a waterproofing membrane without
adding significantly to the structural loading of the roof or the building. These advantages translate into higher values for properties as areas that would previously not have been available for use can be utilized, through the ability to create useable roof and balcony spaces. With this in mind, raised floor systems are being used on prestigious architectural projects to deliver outstanding functionality and cost performance, all over the world. The Buzon DPH pedestal system is now being used in more than 35 countries worldwide. It has an excellent track record of international references that include: Epworth Hospital (Melbourne), Overseas Passenger Terminal (Sydney), Commonwealth Law Courts (Perth), Marina Bay Sands and the Supreme Court Building in Singapore, International Finance Centre (Hong Kong), Petronas Towers (Malaysia), Roppongi Hills and the National Museum in Tokyo (Japan), Yongsang station Seoul (South Korea), EU Commission building and the European Parliament building in Brussels, Bill Clinton Presidential Center, Arkansas and Wynn Hotel and Casino resort in Las Vegas (USA).
64 FEATURE staircases and balustrades MARCH/APRIL 2017
The Ups and Downs of
Words by Samantha Regan
Floating stairways are the pinnacle of modern innovative design.
Residential Staircases are often an overlooked feature of homes owing to their functional nature. As a key transitional piece of your home, the staircase should instead be celebrated! With careful consideration, staircases can be used to increase space, seamlessly integrate with the rest of the home, or add an aesthetic impact. With the changing tides of home trends and styles, a wide range of staircases are now available to suit all tastes and requirements.
Use glass staircases as a statement piece or blend into your home’s surroundings.
Glass Stairs Contemporary builds are often looking for new and inventive ways to make a statement. Glass staircases can look spectacular in new homes, but they are not for the faint of heart and certainly not for those raising a young family. Previously the preserve of commercial buildings, these near-transparent staircases integrate well with the wide range of open-plan trends we are seeing at the moment. Creating the space – or at least the illusion of it – is regarded as cannon in many new builds. Staircases of this type are best placed in locations with a view, as they allow daylight to effortlessly penetrate the entire room. Custom safety features can also be placed, such as handrails or grips.
Photo credit: Heritage Doors & Floors Ltd.
Floating Steps As with glass, these modern staircases make a strong impression whilst adhering to a profoundly minimalist design. Otherwise known as selfsupporting or levitating stairs, they have been increasingly used to give a lighter look. The folded plate staircases have connecting steps and risers, but no side plates to speak of. Japanese in origin, staircases like these can be considered a work of art but can be a safety hazard. Glass panels on the open side of the staircase can protect from falls but ensure that look and feel remains. Safety is an important aspect when considering your staircase. Handrails should always be used and clever lighting can be retrofitted to suit your needs.
Funky shapes can really draw the eye. Photo credit: SinglePoint Design Build Inc.
Fusions Some people are not content with using just one material for their staircases. Combining woods and metals creates many different options and opportunity to be truly innovative. Traditional vertical balusters are now being rejected in favour of more stylistic designs. Geometric styles such as horizontal, diagonal or more intricate options are being incorporated.
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Reclaimed wood can also be blended with both contemporary and traditional elements.
The granddaddy of them all. The spiral staircase.
Reclaimed Timber With the huge rise of the DIY market and the upcycling industry, we are seeing a move towards repurposing materials. Rustic timbers offer not only beauty, but durability. Paired with a coastal theme or country chic, reclaimed timbers can create a sense of ‘coming back to nature’ that other materials can’t.
Photo credit: YYDJ Interior Design.
Spiral Staircases The spiral staircase has been heavily romanticised over the years. It is a time-honoured design that is steeped in history but has often grappled with limited practicality. A natural space-saver, spiral staircases are a real focal element in any home. Spiral staircases have the disadvantage of being rather steep in order to save on space, plus they do not offer the options of under-foot storage that traditional staircases boast. However, if you want a staircase that is going to honour that real wow-factor when a guest enters your home, then there is nothing better.
Commercial First impressions are everything. Throughout history, large commercial buildings have used the staircase as a metaphor with grand scale. Banks, hotels, museums and heritage buildings but to name a few have over the years tended to utilise these imposing statements to symbolise strength, integrity and innovation. A commercial staircase should reflect how you want your business to be seen. A company steeped in history may wish to follow a more traditional design that is in keeping with its surroundings; one that emanates longevity, durability and perhaps uses repurposed materials. Whereas a company that is always looking to the future or perhaps has a strong focus on technology may wish to offer something more modern and innovative using new materials and techniques. The Natural History museum in the UK has a staircase reflective of its extensive history. Solid, unyielding and functional.
The Umschreibung, a pure art piece built to represent unity and flow standing outside KPMG headquarters in Munich.
Key Terms: Banister: The angled handrail for support.
Alternating steps could be very practical in loft spaces and combined living areas. Photo credit: JSa Arquitectura.
Alternating Staircases Though these are certainly unconventional, they make an interesting discussion point since they have an incredibly long history. Despite their looks, these stairs are remarkably practical in homes where a very steep descent is required.
Baluster: Vertical posts that hold up the banister. Bullnose: When steps are open on one or both sides, the first step above the lower floor may be wider and rounded. Finial: Decorative caps atop the newel post. Landing: An area of floor near the top or bottom step. Newel: A large baluster or post used to anchor the banister. Nosing: An edge of the treat that protrudes over the riser. Riser: The vertical portion between each tread on the stair: In ‘floating’ stairs, these may be absent. Stringer: This refers to the structural element that supports the treads and risers. Tread: The part of the stairway that a person steps on: The tread depth is measured from the outer edge of the step to the vertical riser between the steps. Trim: Various mouldings used to decorate and occasionally support stairway elements. Winders: Steps that are narrower on one side than the other used to change the direction of the stairs without a landing.
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