Master Builder Magazine New South Wales June-July 2016 by arkmedia4217

Official Magazine of the Master Builders Association of NSW | Issue Three | June/July 2016

Master Builders Strong Building Strong Economy Campaign will advocate for policies to deliver a strong building and construction industry, a stronger economy. SEE PAGE 24 FOR A FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL

More infrastructure and investment:

r Jobs and skills fo the future:

t in skills and Better investmen ining to satisfy the apprenticeship tra for construction growing demand d to avoid future and trade skills, an ortages. skills and labour sh

Greater cooperation between public and private sectors to fund investment in urban and regional infrastructure.

for Economic settings th: ow gr stability and

Affordable Housing:

tax system and Overhauling the sible approach to adopting a respon repair that gives structural budget consumers and confidence to blishes a lasting, investors, and esta ic strategy based long-term econom ic principles. on sound econom

Keeping home ownership within reach of everyday Australians, through more affordable housing options to reduce the cost of living and improve opportunities for more families and young people to buy their own home.

More small busin and less red-tape:ess

Increased emphas is on the needs of small contractor s by continued cuts to red-tape an d regulation.

Safe and Produc tive Workplaces:

Our industrial re lations system must be balanced, fair and simple, starting with the re-establishment of the Australia n Building and Construction Com mission (ABCC) to tackle the on going unlawful industrial behavio ur in the building construction indu stry.

 Master Builders Industry Careers Advisory Service  NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register  Constructive Tendering is a Learning Exercise Print Post Publication No. PP100003016

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IN THIS ISSUE: Official Magazine of the Master Builders Association of NSW | Issue Three | June/July 2016

REGULARS Contact List

President’s Viewpoint

Executive Director’s Viewpoint

Newsbrief 10 More infrastructure and investment:

Jobs and skills for the future:

Greater cooperation between public and private sectors to fund investment in urban and regional infrastructure.

in skills and Better investment to satisfy the apprenticeship training for construction growing demand to avoid future and trade skills, and es. shortag skills and labour

for Economic settings th: stability and grow

tax system and Overhauling the sible approach to adopting a respon repair that gives structural budget consumers and confidence to shes a lasting, investors, and establi ic strategy based long-term econom ic principles. on sound econom

Affordable Housing: Keeping home ownership within reach of everyday Australians, through more affordable housing options to reduce the cost of living and improve opportunities for more families and young people to buy their own home.

More small busin and less red-tape:ess

Increased empha sis on the needs of small contractors by continued cuts to red-tape and regulation.

Safe and Productive Workplaces:

Our industrial relatio ns system must be balanced, fair and simple, starting with the re-establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Comm ission (ABCC) to tackle the ongoin g unlawful industrial behaviour in the building construction industr y.

Regional Roundup COVER STORY Strong Building, Strong Economy

LOOKING BACK

Sydney of Tomorrow APPRENTICESHIP

 Master Builders Industry Careers Advisory Service  NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register  Constructive Tendering is a Learning Exercise Print Post Publication No. PP100003016

Master Builders Industry Careers Advisory Service INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

MBA Building Code Drug and Alcohol Audit Program INSURANCE EMAIL: paul.b@crowtherblayne.com.au

Is Price the Best Indication of Value?

ADVERTISING SALES: Paul Baird, Rose Delosreyes, Scott Sharples, Vivienne Reiss

LEGAL

Introduction to NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register

EDITOR: Samantha Regan LAYOUT: Michelle Triana GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM: Andrew Crabb, Danny McGirr PRODUCTION: Brooke Travers PRINT: Newstyle

MEMBERSHIP

How do you Raise $77,000 and Make It Seem Easy? PROCUREMENT

Constructive Tendering is a Learning Exercise

DISTRIBUTION: Newstyle

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CONTACT DETAILS PO Box 824 Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 TEL: 1800 222 757 FAX: 1800 063 151 EMAIL: publications@crowtherblayne.com.au WEB: www.crowtherblayne.com.au

We’re Online!

Additions to Master Builders Training Courses Training Course List WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

Incident Notification Accredited Management Systems Employee Assistance Programs FEATURES

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6

Disclaimer: The Publisher and the Master Builders Association of NSW, their employees and agents take no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. The opinions are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the Publishers nor of the Association. No warranty is given and no liability is accepted. Products and Services appearing in Master Builder are not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher or the Association. While every care has been taken during production, the publisher(s) do not accept any liability for errors or omissions that may have occurred.

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MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES 52 Parramatta Road, Forest Lodge NSW 2037 / Private Bag 9, Broadway NSW 2007 Tel: (02) 8586 3555 | Fax: (02) 9660 3700 Email: enquiries@mbansw.asn.au Website: www.mbansw.asn.au | ABN 96 550 042 906

HEAD OFFICE

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Manager Finance & Administration Credit Control Manager Credit Officer Inventory & Property Administration Officer Accounts Payable Officer Assistant Accountant Reception #2 Fishbowl #2 Charles Martin Room

EXECUTIVE BOARD Ross Mitchell Martin Patience Paul Maginnity Simon Pilcher Chris Calderbank-Park Michael O’Donnell Jeffrey Cork

President Deputy President Immediate Past President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President

8586 3508 8586 3509 8586 3567 8586 3527 8586 3510 8586 3511 8586 3526 8586 3530 8586 3546

Joanne Papageorge Daniela Fraumeni

8586 3555 8586 3555

RECEPTION

EXECUTIVE Executive Director Executive Assistant

Strebre Delovski Leon Kopcikas Frank Chevell Rheannon Vea Vea Bridget Delmore Sebastian Aguilera

Brian Seidler Amanda de Vries

8586 3503 8586 3507

Receptionist

8586 3519 0412 806 700 8586 3594 8586 3583 8586 3568 8586 3568 8586 3528 8586 3565 8586 3541 8586 3512

REGIONAL OFFICES

MBA INSURANCE SERVICES State Manager Senior Account Manager Account Executive - General Business Development Executive

Luke Hueston Edwina Lyall Diane Craven Dele Omisore Linda Thomson Account Executive - Warranty Harry Rankin Jayne Pan Business Development Executive Joel Beater National Business Development Manager (Surety) Bill Korakis Business Development Manager (NSW) Leeanne Farmer

MASTER BUILDERS FINANCIAL SERVICES Broker

Ogarit Kelley

0414 919 194 1300 760 366

Manager Member Services Membership Coordinator

Graham McGuiggan Paul Love

Membership Representative Member Services - Administrator Member Services - Representative Marketing and Website Support

Mark Shearwood Joan Harris Susie Bell Samantha Harris

8586 3554 8586 3540 0413 306 556 8586 3520 8586 3515 8586 3581 8586 3572

MEMBER SERVICES

NORWEST EDUCATION CENTRE 5 Burbank Place, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Reception Executive Office

8586 3588 8586 3557

TRAINING Education Centre MBA Skill Recognition Centre

8586 3588 1300 884 315

APPRENTICESHIP SERVICES 8586 3533

HOUSING Director Housing

Safety Officer Trainee Safety Officer IR Administration Officer Secretary

Awards Coordinator Assistant Awards Coordinators Special Projects Officer Business Development Manager

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Graham Marchant Marlee Rudgley

6681 4266 0428 412 784

GOSFORD Unit 7/4 Stockyard Place, West Gosford NSW 2250 Tel: Director Housing Peter Meredith Member Services Representative Zoe Gardiner

4323 4588 0412 694 001

SOUTHERN REGIONS Unit 1, 171 Princes Highway, Ulladulla NSW 2539 Tel: Regional Coordinator Lynn Smith Member Services Representative Teresa Townsend

4454 1955 0418 633 297 4454 1955

ALBURY/WODONGA 35 Hovell Street, Wodonga VIC 3690 Tel: Regional Manager Office Manager Administration Assistant

8586 3517 8586 3517 8586 3517

PORT MACQUARIE

Peter Glover David Solomon Rod Grace Nicholas Arends Iain Jarman Chris Schultz Leon Lenzo Annette Gee Beverly Glover

8586 3535 8586 3552 8586 3574 8586 3573 8586 3502 8586 3522 8586 3524 8586 3531 8586 3523

WOLLONGONG

Susan Manning Helen Harris Amanda Kelly Juliet Pratley

8586 3506 8586 3564 8586 3504 0421 050 395

Craig Donovan Omesh Jethwani Steven Swan Amanda Kernaghan Alexander Ashley-Carrington

8586 3537 8586 3539 8586 3562 8586 3580 8586 3525

OPERATIONS Director Operations Government Projects & Programs Manager Communications IT Systems Manager IT Support/Webmaster

Shop 1, 97 Tamar Street, Ballina NSW 2478 Tel: Regional Coordinator Member Services Representative

Robert Collings Hannah Shephard Daniel Schwebel

EVENTS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

4953 9400 4979 0101 4979 0103 4953 9400 4979 0107 4979 0112 4979 0106 4979 0109 4979 0105 0466 777 057

NORTHERN REGIONS

4323 4588

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND SAFETY Director Construction Executive Officer Safety Industrial Relations Officers

Level 1, 165 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Tel: Hunter Region Manager Len Blakeney Office Administrator Trish Dillon Receptionist Ashley O’Brien Industrial Relations Officer Ben Ziolkowski Safety Officer John McGhee Trade Events and Sponsorship Coordinator Haley Tibbetts NSW Regional Office & Divisional Coordinator Luke Reeves Events and Training Coordinator Kerri Richards MBA Insurance Services - Newcastle Leeanne Farmer

Peter Meredith

LEGAL Head Solicitor Solicitor Legal Assistant

NEWCASTLE OFFICE

Steve Donaghey Lesley Donaghey Pauline Meade

Unit 3, 12 Jindalee Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Tel: Member Services Representative Kerrie Clark

Unit 3, 29-35 Princes Highway, Unanderra NSW 2526 Tel: Regional Coordinator Michael Hart Member Services Representative Ruth Billington

6058 2000 0402 044 075 6058 2000 6058 2000

6581 4033 6581 4033

4272 9409 0419 140 126 4272 9409

ORANGE Level 1, 296-298 Summer St, Orange NSW 2800 Tel: Fax: Mob Regional Coordinator Chris Dunn

02 6362 6895 02 6369 0390 0458 243 976

MATES IN CONSTRUCTION Hotline:

8586 3575

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E PR

SI D

E N T R O S S MITC H

P RES I DENT ’S VI EW P O I NT

In this edition of Master Builder Magazine, we summarise the results of consultation with members with Master Builders Australia and industry as to what are the major issues for the upcoming Federal election.

The 2016 Federal Election gives Master Builders members the chance to have their say about how they want the nation to be governed over the next three years.

We know that in every city, every region and every community across Australia builders are building prosperity, economic growth and jobs in their communities.

A strong economy is important to the viability of our businesses and the policies implemented by the next Federal Government will have a significant impact on the confidence of business, investors and homebuyers.

That is why Master Builders is championing builder and business friendly policies so that our $200 billion industry can continue to be important to a stronger economy and making Australia a better place.

Master Builders Australia has launched its Strong Building, Strong Economy campaign to ensure that the concerns of the building industry across the residential, commercial construction and civil engineering sectors are heard by our politicians.

Central to Master Builders Australia campaign includes: • Economic settings for stability and growth; • Affordable housing; • Jobs and skills for the future; • Safe and productive work places; • More small business and less red tape; • More infrastructure and investment.

Strong Building, Strong Economy is about telling our politicians that we need the next Federal Government to help the building and construction industry and the economy to grow.

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6

It is about reminding our politicians that the $200 billion building and construction industry is Australia’s third largest industry that employs over a million people and trains more than 50,000 apprentices each year.

I hope that you will join with Master Builders Associations around Australia to back our call for policies for a stronger building industry, a stronger economy and stronger communities from the major parties at this Election.

Ross Mitchell MBA/NSW PRESIDENT

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Over recent months the Master Builders Association has been working with the NSW Department of Education and Department of Industry in developing some innovative apprenticeship pathways.

There has been a high degree of interest in the concept and support for further work to be undertaken to develop and test some new approaches. Two broad models have been the basis for discussions: 1. A model where an apprenticeship includes the initial stages of a higher education qualification, so that on completion of an apprenticeship, the apprentice has both a relevant vocational qualification, and is part of the way into a higher education qualification. This model would potentially attract apprentices who have further career aspirations related to their trade qualification, for example in management, business, leadership areas or acquisition of higher trade related skills. 2. A new ‘higher apprenticeship’ model that would address the need in some trade/ industry areas for higher level skills and knowledge resulting from technological advances and innovation.

This model would differ from a traditional apprenticeship in that an apprentice would undertake higher education level study with a strong vocational focus. It would need development of new, and potentially quite unique degree programs made up of higher level knowledge, skills and vocational competencies and capabilities tailored to the specific needs of trade/industry areas. It is interesting to report that the more we talk about innovation in education and delivery, particularly at the trade level, the more interest we seem to get from contractors. So much so, some commercial contractors are considering the introduction of a hybrid apprenticeship model which is like model (1) outlined above. I value input from members about any new and dynamic apprenticeship model for our industry. Please provide comments by email to executive@mbansw.asn.au.

Brian Seidler EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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WORKPLACE RELATIONS MASTER BUILDERS MAKES FURTHER SUBMISSIONS ON ABCC On Friday 19 February 2016, Master Builders made a submission to the Senate Education and Employment Standing Committee on the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No.2] and the Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No.2] (the ABCC Bills). In that submission, Master Builders reiterated the importance of the passage of the ABCC Bills and in particular our strong support for the re-establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) to both ensure compliance with the rule of law on building sites and to deliver economic and productivity benefits to both the industry and wider community. Following lodgement of the most recent submission, Master Builders appeared at a public hearing conducted by the Senate Education and Employment Committee where Master Builders CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch provided oral evidence and answered questions on our submissions in relation to the ABCC Bills. Master Builders continued to lobby cross-bench senators to convey the importance of the passage of this important piece of legislation. Regrettably, the Senate failed to pass these Bills for a second time, being defeated 36 votes to 34 votes. The failure to pass these Bills has now triggered a double dissolution election which is scheduled to take place on 2 July 2016.

FOUR YEARLY REVIEW OF MODERN AWARDS – CASUAL/PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT UPDATE The Fair Work Commission (FWC) review of the Casual/Part-time employment common issues matter is ramping up with Master Builders recently attending a directions hearing and hearing dates for the matter being set down for March and August this year.

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Master Builders’ submissions in the matter have sought clarification on the percentage of casual loading and whether or not it should apply to daily or weekly hire employees (a notion which we reject). We have also argued that the minimum engagement for casuals under the Joinery Award, should be reduced from 7.6 hours per day to 4 hours per day, consistent with other Awards. The ACTU has also filed expert evidence alleging that while casual employment does provide some flexibility for employees, for a large proportion of workers casual employment is not by choice and can lead to worker stress

WORKPLACE RELATIONS and other health problems. These submissions have been refuted strongly by the employer groups, a position that will be endorsed by Master Builders in the proceedings.

UNION DELEGATES SUPPORT MERGER At the recent Maritime Union of Australia’s (MUA) national conference held on the Gold Coast, delegates endorsed the notion of amalgamation with the CFMEU. The endorsed model, proposes that the MUA (with a current membership of 14,000) would retain its current name but as a separate division of a new unified structure incorporating the CFMEU. Master Builders has responded publicly that the potential merger would create a super union that could cause substantial industrial disruption to the Nation. The deal between the MUA and the CFMEU (which currently has an approximate membership of 110,000) is yet to be finalised and may take another 12 months. In the interim, Master Builders will continue to advocate against the merger arguing that it would be a threat to jobs and productivity and result in “double the militancy” already endured on construction sites.

ALP “PROTECTING RIGHTS AT WORK” POLICY – EXPOSURE DRAFT BILL RELEASED FOR COMMENT On 1 February, the Federal ALP announced a “Protecting Rights at Work” policy that proposed a “suite of reforms to protect rights at work by cracking down on unscrupulous employers who are willing to exploit workers”. On 25 February an exposure draft Bill was released to give effect to the Policy. The policy proposes significant changes to the Fair Work Act which will affect the building and construction industry. The proposed changes include the tightening the definition of ‘sham contracting’ and greater protections for migrant workers. Importantly, penalties for employers are proposed to rise significantly. For example, directors could be disqualified from managing a company if they engage in ‘sham contracting’ or phoenixlike behaviour. Employers (except for small business employers) who underpay workers could face penalties of up to $216,000 for an individual or $1.08 million for a body corporate and/or two years imprisonment. Master Builders will make a submission on the exposure draft and other specific questions set out in the policy. Shaun Schmitke, National Director Industrial Relations, shaun.schmitke@masterbuilders.com.au

LEGAL AND CONTRACTS NSW DEVELOPERS SOON TO BE REQUIRED TO PAY DEFECT BONDS Substantive changes to the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) (Strata Act) will come into effect in NSW for construction work commenced (or contracts entered into) on or after 1 July 2016. The changes will now require developers in NSW to set-aside an amount before the commencement of building works, to be used as a bond for the rectification of common area building defects in multistorey apartments (of 3 storeys or more). Under the amendments, developers will be required to provide a bond of 2% of the contract price, which will be held in trust by the Secretary of the NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation. Once the changes come into effect, a certificate of occupancy will not be issued unless the bond is paid. The Owner’s Corporation would then have up to 2 years, after the building has been completed, to lodge a claim for rectification of defects under the bond. This legislative change will provide Owners’ Corporations with a potential remedy, previously unavailable to them, with regard to the recovery of costs for the rectification of common area defects. Shaun Schmitke, National Director Industrial Relations, shaun.schmitke@masterbuilders.com.au

HOUSING HOUSEHOLD WEALTH Western Australians have the highest average level of household wealth in the nation. New figures from the Reserve Bank of Australia show the average Western Australian household is worth some $856,000, well ahead of the average Victorian household in second place at $735,000. By contrast, the least well-off households were in Queensland ($570,000) and in South Australia ($557,000). At the same time, those owning their home outright ($1.15 M) tended to have greater household wealth than home owners with mortgages ($758,000) or those renting ($158,000).

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HOUSING HOUSEHOLD DEBT The average Australian household has a debt burden amounting to 1.85 times their annual income. Twenty years ago the figure was just half that - at 0.9 times household income. For housing debt borrowings used to purchase housing for either owner-occupation or for investment, the figures were 1.33 times and 0.49 times - a more than doubling over the same period. All up, the increase in debt means the average family is more vulnerable to any upturn in interest rates or downturn in the economy (especially any sustained general rise in unemployment).

BUSINESS ATTRITION The building and construction industry appears to suffer a relatively high attrition rate amongst constituent firms. According to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 15 per cent of firms in the industry fail within their first year of operation, with just over one-quarter (26 per cent) exiting within two years. A whopping 43 per cent of firms left the industry within four years of starting up, with more than one-in-two (55 per cent of) building firms folding within five years. Looked at another way, of the more than 351,200 building firms in operation in 2010, just 201,300 survived until 2014.

NEW HOUSING LISTINGS New housing listings for sale have opened strongly in 2016, with figures for January up 5.4 per cent over the same time last year. The strongest growth in new listings has been in Adelaide (up 13.6 per cent), Perth (up 10.7 per cent) and Melbourne (up 9.4 per cent). By contrast, new listings in Sydney are down nearly 5 per cent. However, the number of listings in Melbourne is at its lowest level since 2011, while Brisbane is at its lowest level since 2008, and Adelaide and Hobart are at their lowest levels since 2010, all of which signals healthy rates of house price growth over the coming year.

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6

HOUSING MARKET OUTLOOK The ANZ Bank is forecasting an easing in house prices in most major capital cities in line with an expected fall-off in auction clearance rates. Other factors likely to contribute to slower house price growth in 2016 are seen to include tighter lending rules and higher interest rates for domestic housing investors, as will restrictions on

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capital outflows being imposed by the Chinese Government on their own-nationals looking to invest abroad. At the same time, the ANZ Bank says it does not believe Australian housing is over-valued, although Sydney housing could soon reach such a tipping point.

• 4,900 commencements in the construction, plumbing and services training package in the September 2015 quarter – more than any other training package; • In 12 months ending 30 September 2015, 24,300 commencements in construction trades, which is just shy of the record of commencements set in 2008. In fact, construction training saw commencements increase by 28% during the year.

HOUSING BEQUESTS Housing bequests in deceased estates may account for as much as 4 to 8 per cent of home ownership rates. Such bequests usually occur when parents pass their homes on to their children as part of their estate/will on death. The figures come from a new study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), a federal government funded housing policy think tank. The study also found such inter-generational transfers help the beneficiaries get into the housing market more quickly and earlier than otherwise. In some cases, housing bequests doubled the likelihood of the recipient transitioning into home ownership.

DOWNSIZERS A new survey by ME Bank, a financial institution, has found almost one-in-five (19 per cent) of prospective home buyers are looking to downsize - that is, buy a smaller home to live in. A similar proportion (22 per cent) are looking to upgrade - that is, buy a larger house, with downsizers remainder (59 per cent) looking for something similar to that they live in. The survey also found a slight weakening in likely demand for investment properties.

TRAINING CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE NUMBERS A STAND OUT IN LATEST NCVER REPORT According to latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), all apprenticeships and traineeships commencements decreased by 8.8% to 175 900 while completions decreased by 21.5%, to 127 200. However, the report revealed a positive result for the construction industry, including: • Construction, Plumbing & Services is the most used Training Package in the National Training System with 48,900 students currently in training;

Master Builders is working with the Australian Government though our Towards 2020 Apprenticeship policy to grow the number of construction apprentices and improve the quality of training delivery across the system.

COAG SKILLS MINISTERS MEETING Commonwealth, state, and territory skills ministers met in Sydney in April to discuss vocational education and training (VET). Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Senator the Hon Scott Ryan chaired his first meeting of skills ministers, as part of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Industry Skills Council. Senator Ryan also provided an update on Commonwealth plans for reform of the VET FEE-HELP scheme. Senator Ryan said the discussions amongst Ministers covered four priority areas for ongoing improvement in VET – industry responsiveness, funding, data, and quality. Skills Ministers also discussed ways to improve the operation of the state and national funding systems for VET. Accessibility and eligibility of training providers and employers across jurisdictions was also discussed with the view of potential further alignment to allow greater opportunities and choice for students. The Minister agreed to continue to pursue the Government’s reform agenda in VET to deliver a sector that is focused on training and job outcomes, and that is responsive to the needs of a changing economy. This includes the redesign of the VET FEE-HELP system that will to better serve the needs of all Australians and protect students and taxpayers against unscrupulous training provider practices.

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FWC UPHOLDS DISMISSAL FOR FLAGRANT SAFETY BREACHES

CLIMATE CHANGE ROUNDTABLE MEETING WITH MINISTER GREG HUNT

The FWC has held that the dismissal of a forklift operator, who breached one of his employer’s “golden rules”, was justified. After being reported to his employer by a co-worker for operating a forklift when a customer entered an exclusion zone, a QLD operator was subsequently dismissed. The operator then made an unfair dismissal claim in the FWC against his employer. The FWC held that it was “abundantly clear” that the worker did not conform to the safety and traffic management procedures of his workplace, by failing to ensure the customer was safely outside the exclusion zone whilst operating the forklift. The FWC heard that the worker was well aware of safety procedures that had been communicated to him clearly by his employer, but instead created a safety risk by failing to adhere to those procedures.

Master Builders Australia participated in the Round Table meeting chaired by Minister Hunt.

During the round table, the Master Builders’ logical and common sense approach, that it is not the building fabric, rather the occupant’s lifestyle and behavioural choices, that affects energy consumption of the household, was championed.

Note: This update is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Shaun Schmitke, National Director Industrial Relations, shaun.schmitke@masterbuilders.com.au

Meeting included a briefing on the outcomes of the Paris climate change conference and an update on the Government’s climate change policies. At the meeting other industry associations were quick to try and blame global warming on the existing residential stock in Australia, citing not high enough mandatory energy efficiency requirements to new and existing houses. The National Energy Productivity Plan was spruiked by the same associations as the answer to global warming. Minister Hunt informed the Round Table that Minister Frydenberg and himself, were forming a working group on Energy Efficiency to work out the architecture of the implementation of the NEPP. Master Builders Australia have been asked to join this working group.

NEW S BRI EF

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

Master Builders Australia communicated to Minister Hunt that education and motivation of the household in the simple process on how to reduce energy use, will see the greatest result in the shortest time. Subsequent to the meeting, Master Builders Australia has begun working and developing two new policies on; 1. Energy Efficient Affordable Housing 2. Energy Efficiency in the Home These will be developed along the following principles; • Educate consumers to the cost of use • Change consumer behaviour in the home • Incentives / Concessions to build with both renewable and storable energy • Technology advancement • Deregulation • Urban consolidation rather than urban sprawl

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REGI ONA L RO UNDUP CENTRAL WEST AND ORANA

A HELPING HAND Donating money, labour and materials is always welcome, but Mr O’Brien has extended his philanthropy into the international realm by joining a team of volunteers to help rebuild a school in Nepal. Thirteen members of the Orange Rotary Club Daybreak travelled to Mardi, a small town four hours’ drive north of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, that had been deeply affected by the earthquakes last year.

Peter O’Brien at work in Nepal.

Peter O’Brien and Orange Rotary travel to Nepal to assist after earthquakes Peter O’Brien has a long history of helping out the local community. In November 2014 he launched, through his company Peter O’Brien Constructions, the Random Acts of Kindness, a project that so far has assisted families, from Forbes to Bathurst, with up to $60,000 in cash and projects.

“It’s high up in the mountains, very remote, has no running water and only has power for very short times every few days,” Mr O’Brien said. Donning the tool belt and getting down and dirty with the locals, Mr O’Brien said the first job was to essentially take in the environment in which they had to work. “The first few days we got into a rhythm and then spent a lot more time with the local people training them in better building practices, to assist in earthquake proofing their buildings for the future,” he said.

One of the team’s first jobs was to create a way of catching clean water for the students. “After that we spent a lot more time assisting and training them on how to install guttering and a rainwater tank on the existing school. At that moment they had no water at the school, with the work they will have fresh water, on tap, for the kids at the school,” he said. So thankful for the work that they completed, some of the residents invited Mr O’Brien and others into their homes. “I will remember forever when Bob, Jo, Larry and I got invited to one of the worker’s homes to show how appreciative they were for the work’s we did. This was truly amazing,” he said. Like many others that have travelled to places like Nepal and given their time freely, Mr O’Brien encourages others to make the journey. “It makes you realise how lucky that we are to live in Australia. The people over there have nothing, yet they’re always smiling and create their own fun,” he said. Mark Logan Blayney Chronicle

GOVERNMENT FUNDED TRAINING AT MBA ORANGE Funded placements are restricted to 15 students so register early to avoid disappointment. Waterproofing Compliance & Inspection Waterproofing represents the largest amount of building defects in NSW. Do you have the experience to deal with these defects? Why not take this opportunity to attend one of our Government funded waterproofing courses. Normally valued at $450, these funded courses are free to members for a limited time only

Orange Waterproof Image

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The NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled Program could save students around $1,400 on our Certificate IV in Building and Construction course. MBA NSW has secured government funding on our Cert IV in Building & Construction course. We are pleased to offer a limited number of placements in this course at the MBA Orange office.

The course is designed to develop the business and technical skills required to manage a successful business in the building and construction industry. It covers the areas required for both national accreditation and the licensing requirements of NSW Fair Trading. To find out more or register your interest contact Chris Dunn on 0458 243 976.

Learn to conduct AS 3740-2010 Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas compliant inspections. Gain an understanding of properties of compliant materials, testing protocols and reporting requirements. Develop the skills to recognize symptoms of wet area defects and perform shower leak detection tests. Perfect for builders, surveyors, project managers, waterproofing applicators, council in. Chris Dunn Regional Coordinator Central West and Orana

YOUR HOME IS PROTECTED BY BAYER Bayer offers Australia’s most comprehensive termite protection system – the Bayer Protection Program. If you choose to activate and be covered by the Bayer Protection Program you will be protected by an exclusive $1 million warranty! The Bayer Protection Warranty starts with an inspection of the home by a Bayer Accredited Timber Pest Inspector. If the home is termite-free and possible conditions which may be conducive to termite attack are addressed, your Bayer Protection Warranty can be renewed. The same inspection takes place each year to give the homeowner total termite protection. This warranty can be renewed annually (fee applies) for the life of the structure. Activate your Bayer Protection Warranty by visiting www.kordonwarrantycentre.com.au or contact the Bayer Protection team on 1800 552 802

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REGI ONA L RO UNDUP HUNTER REGION

FIRST GLOBAL GREENTAG PLANTINUM CERTIFICATION

Master Builders is proud of the fact that a long standing member and sponsor has been announced as the FIRST GLOBAL manufactured product to receive a GreenTag Platinum certification with a GreenRate R Level A for their natural range products. In addition a Gold certification

was awarded for the company’s primed flat cladding and wall panel sheets. Weathertex is the leading supplier of natural Australian Hardwood Weatherboards and Architectural Panels with a factory located at Raymond Terrace using local labour and timber.

The company has been a member of Master Builders for over 30 years and recently undergone a rigorous evaluation from Global GreenTag to determine “green performance”. Len Blakeney Hunter Regional Manager

WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW FEMALE APPRENTICE Master Builders Newcastle Group Training is excited to welcome another female Carpentry & Joiner Apprentice, Jade Falconer, to our team. It is great to see female apprentices achieving their dreams in their chosen Building & Construction Trade. Master Builders Group Training encourages more female apprentices in joining The Building & Construction Industry. Jade has recently commenced her Carpentry Apprenticeship working alongside her father, Ben Falconer, for his business, Smith & Sons Renovations, Wyong. Jade works on a range of projects from Newbuilds to Extensions and Renovations all servicing the Central Coast Area.

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Brett Lester Training Manager Newcastle MBA Group

Robinson Property, a 25 year member of Master Builders, topped this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 50 Sales Offices ranking after placing second in 2015. The Newcastle agency had a phenomenal 2014-15 financial year, recording volumes of $435.7 million from 896 sales.

The Top 50 Sales Offices ranking was not only calculated on volumes and sales but also staff efficiency and conversion rates, allowing businesses from smaller states and regional areas to compete against metropolitan powerhouses.

HU NTER REGION

Managing director Guy Robinson said one reason for Robinson Propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ongoing success is that it has created a system that entices successful sales staff to stick around for the long term, with many of the team being with the firm for over a decade.

REG I O NA L ROUNDUP

MASTER BUILDER MEMBER JUDGED TOP SALES REAL ESTATE OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA

Len Blakeney Hunter Regional Manager

CERTIFICATE III IN WATERPROOFING - $500 Master Builders is offering members the opportunity to obtain a Certificate III in Waterproofing in Newcastle from 4-7 July for a subsidised fee of $500. This is an ideal opportunity to upgrade your skills and qualifications. Visit: skillassessment.com.au/waterprooferslicence or call Master Builders Training on 8586 3588 for further information.

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REGI ONA L RO UNDUP POR T M ACQUARI E

LAND DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS PROCESS REVIEW • Maximum amount of s94/s94A without security is $5,000 • Direct debit arrangements to be in place prior to release of the Construction Certificate or Occupation Certificate. • No additional security required. Exemption from payment of water and sewerage headworks charges • Trial provisions to 30 June 2016. • Exemption from headworks charges for non residential development involving a change of use or extension of an existing premises. • Applies in Business, Mixed Use and Industrial Zones. • Combined headworks charge not to exceed $2,000.

An independent review of Port MacquarieHastings Council’s land development approvals process has recently been completed. Commenced in January this year, the review was conducted by a specialist team from the University of Technology Sydney: Centre for Local Government (UTS) in consultation with local industry representatives, Councillors and Council staff. The UTS team included land use planning and development assessment experts with experience undertaking similar reviews for Councils across the state. The review examined all stages of Council’s development engineering approval process, from fee quoting through to asset acceptance, including internal referrals with recommendations presented about how the process can be made more effective and efficient. Mayor Peter Besseling said “Councillors welcome the independent report by the UTS as an opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the land development approval process.

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“This is robust, local information that will be used to make improvements to the process and prioritise measures that support them. It provides a warts-and-all account of the systems and interactions between Council and the land development sector, and provides a firm basis upon which future decisions for improvement can be made,” said Cr Besseling. “From the outset, this review has been about providing the data to improve a highly complex process, which operates within an everchanging regulatory and legislative environment.

This report provides recommendations to improve Council’s operational efficiency in this area and will allow for further industry input into prioritising any changes. “Alongside the Australian Roads Research Board (ARRB) review into local road maintenance and rehabilitation and the current Services Review, this is but one of many reports that will inform and guide the effective management of Council’s operations,” concluded Cr Besseling. Further discussions will take place with industry in the coming weeks with regard to prioritising the recommendations of the report and Council’s General Manager, Craig Swift-McNair will table a report on the review at the June 2016 Council meeting. Development Contributions Deferral • Deferral allowed for up to 2 years from subdivision/construction certificate. • Contributions to be paid at time of sale of land. • Security for contributions required. • Contributions payments for 92 lots are currently deferred across 7 different residential and rural residential subdivisions. • All current deferrals are based on Deeds with a Caveat on individual lots • Approximately $2.6 million in deferred contributions. Payment of Contributions by Instalment • Trial provisions to 30 June 2016. • Payment of contributions (plus an interest component) via 24 equal payments over 2 years for amounts up to $50,000. • Applies in Business, Mixed Use and Industrial Zones.

Secondary Dwellings • No Section 94, water and sewer contributions apply to development for the purposes of a secondary dwelling (“granny flat”) with a floor area up to and including 60m2 (within external walls) • Contributions in accordance with Council’s Development Contributions Assessment Policy apply for secondary dwellings above 60m2 Student Accommodation • Trial to 30 June 2016. • Reduced contribution rates apply. • Minimum development 20 beds. • Maximum floor area 15m2. Full details available in Council’s Development Contributions Assessment Policy on Council’s website: www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Building-Planning/ Industry-Resources/Developmentcontribution-rates-plans-and-policies

The Mid North Coast construction industry is still very busy and we can only hope this continues. Our biggest problem is a lack of tradespeople to complete the work. Remember, we need to keep training apprentices to keep up the supply of qualified tradespeople.

Maybe you know someone who has been working in the industry for years and is as competent as a qualified tradesperson, but never got their ticket. Rather than going into the classroom to learn what they already know, they can become qualified using Recognised Prior Learning (RPL).

80,000 tradespersons are retiring in the next 10 years with only 40,000 apprentices being trained.

Call Jason in our Training Department on (02) 8586 3559 or Kerrie in our Port Macquarie office on (02) 6581 4033, to find out how.

Someone took you on as an apprentice and we need to keep the tradition going.

Kerrie Clark Member Services Representative

POR T M ACQUARIE - BALLINA

Just call the Port Macquarie office on (02) 6581 4033 for more information about taking on an MBA Apprentice.

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

Ladies, do you organise your husband or partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business? Or, are you employed in the industry as a business administrator? MBA Ballina office will establish a Women in Building and Associated Services Group (WIBAS) to network and support women in our industry.

The Master Builders recognises and supports the enormous contribution women make to the building and construction industry and provides ongoing professional development through the WIBAS Forums.

Potential WIBAS groups could be located at Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Tweed Heads and Tenterfield in con-junction with the local MBA Divisions. Call the Ballina office to express your interest in being a part of this beneficial group. The MBA is proud to support the Women in Building and Associated Services. Graham Marchant Regional Coordinator Northern Regions

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The WIBAS represents women who work in the building industry. They provide an environment where women can network with their colleagues in an informal setting. WIBAS

also allows women to exchange ideas and experiences to support and mentor other women, whilst obtaining relevant, specialist industry specific information.

REG I O NA L ROUNDUP

TRADESPEOPLE SHORTAGE IN THE MID NORTH COAST

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FIRST AID AT MBA ULLADULLA popular and valuable courses for anyone involved in the construction industry. The feedback we received from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Member Jay Johnson said that it was “really excellent course the presenter was on our level”.

Ulladulla First Aid Image – Attendees at the Ulladulla First Aid course performing CPR

Our last First Aid course was a huge success. Twelve of our local members turned out to develop the skills needed to help out a mate if they get injured. The course is delivered by our partner Surf Lifesaving NSW. It remains one of our most

Jay says has already had the opportunity to use what he had learnt. His young son was choking one night and he was able to help by applying the techniques he picked up on the day. He says “the course should be compulsory for everyone!”. Apart from receiving a Statement of Attainment for the nationally recognised unit of competency ‘Provide First Aid’, everyone who attended came away with an invaluable new set of skills.

According to St Johns, the average response time for an ambulance is 10 minutes. This can be much longer in regional areas. In those crucial minutes, having the knowledge and confidence to act can literally mean the difference between life and death. The nature of our industry in particular makes First Aid an especially valuable skill to have. We’d like to encourage all our members to come along and gain this vital qualification. The more people qualified to provide first aid, the safer our communities will be. Lynn Smith Regional Coordinator Southern Regions

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UNLICENSED TRADIES

We have recently had a number of incidents of consumers contacting the MBA to verify trade licenses only to find that the person they have hired is not licensed.

All residential builders in NSW are required by Fair Trading to hold a current and valid license to complete work where the total cost of labour and materials is more than $5,000.

We have also been informed that these same tradies are requesting large deposits upfront, and have noticed ads in the local paper offering to complete residential work without a valid license. This matter has been reported to Fair Trading.

By law, your license number must also be shown on all advertising, stationery and signage.

Licensing helps stamp out illegitimate operators from the industry and creates a level playing field for all tradespeople.

If you work without the proper license, you are breaking the law and can be fined. Repeat offenders who continue to contract or advertise

Lynn Smith Regional Coordinator Southern Regions

for unlicensed work may even be imprisoned. You will also be unable to enforce any contract for the work against the other party.

THE AMAROK. Easy on the eye, isn’t she? But let’s face it, appearances won’t get you very far on a continent as unforgiving as ours. That’s why we’ve made sure that everything that is underneath the superficial is tough enough to take whatever Australia has to throw at it. Take away the stylish grille, the shiny panels, the chrome badge and the rest of the fancy trimmings, and you’ll find the German engineering that puts the Amarok in a class of its own. With a bi-turbo diesel engine that delivers up to 420Nm of torque, a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, selectable off-road mode and a rigid ladder frame chassis, we’ve made sure that tough is never an optional extra. Tough comes from within. Uncover more at thenakedute.com

REGI ONA L RO UNDUP W OLLONGONG Wollongong New Dwellings Image

ILLAWARRA NEW DWELLINGS ON THE RISE With all reports the year has started strong with plenty of work around and a lot more work in the pipe line.

shortage as not enough apprentices are being trained to replace retiring workers and meet the demand for new labour.

The Illawarra continues to perform well with the total number of dwellings (new houses and new other residential buildings) approved for the 2015-16 FYTD increasing by 20% over the previous FYTD.

ABS figures show that approximately 14% of all current tradespeople are aged 55 and over. This means roughly 51,000 of the 365,000 currently employed in the industry are over 55.

The consequences of this could include a shortage of locally trained skilled workers leading to a greater reliance of foreign labour. Compromises within the industry due a shortage of people who have the knowledge, skills and expertise to perform critical tasks properly and safely. The skills shortage is an issue we cannot ignore.

If between 1/3 to 1/2 of these retire over the next 5 years the nation will need an extra 17,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 26,000 new apprentices to replace them.

Michael Hart Regional Coordinator Illawarra

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The value of alterations and additions dropped $57million for the region to $44million however the actual number of alterations and additions is unavailable. Skills Shortage There is growing concern that Australia will suffer from a skilled construction tradespeople

We would need 13,000 to 15,000 new trainees per year to meet the new demand and replace retiring workers. Over the past 5 years only 61,600 trainees completed their apprenticeship.

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*USG Boral 10 mm and 13 mm Sheetrock plasterboard compared to competitive 10 mm and 13 mm plasterboard produced in Australia as at 1 April 2016. © 2016 USG BORAL. All rights reserved. The trademarks USG BORAL, SAG-DEFYING STRENGTH and INNOVATION INSPIRED BY YOU are trademarks of USG Boral Building Products or one or more of its affiliates. SHEETROCK is a trademark owned by United States Gypsum Company and used under license.

NAT I ONA L COVER FEAT URE The 2 July 2016 Federal Election gives Master Builders members the chance to have their say on how they want our nation to be governed in the next three years.

I strongly encourage you to actively follow Strong Building, Strong Economy and the policies of the major parties in deciding how to cast your vote on 2 July 2016.

It will be a contest of ideas on what our political parties see as important for Australia for the next term of government and beyond.

Master Builders will be reminding our politicians that the $200 billion building industry is the nation’s third largest, employs over one million people, trains more than 50,000 apprentices and builds around 180,000 new homes each year.

It will provide the electorate and industry associations like Master Builders the opportunity to review where we have been and where the major political parties believe we need to be in the future.

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Master Builders will be standing up for our members by telling our politicians that we want policies for builders and business from the next Federal Government, policies that will allow your business and the economy to grow. Our theme for this election campaign is Strong Building, Strong Economy because a strong building and construction industry is vital to a stronger economy and stronger communities.

We have developed over the past 12 months a comprehensive range of policies that puts front and centre what our industry needs from the party that forms government following the election. The Government’s Federal Budget of 3 May 2016 and the Opposition’s budget in reply of 5 May 2016 have identified the respective priorities of our two major parties. There will be other policy announcements made in the following weeks.

Master Builders will put the following priorities for the next term of Government which will be promoted during the period of the election campaign. The priorities include: • The return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, • Housing affordability including the retention of negative gearing, apprenticeship training.

Safe and Productive Workplaces: Our industrial relations system must be balanced, fair and simple, starting with the re-establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) to tackle the ongoing unlawful industrial behaviour in the building construction industry.

Jobs and skills for the future: Better investment in skills and apprenticeship training to satisfy the growing demand for construction and trade skills, and to avoid future skills and labour shortages.

Economic settings for stability and growth:

More infrastructure and investment:

More small business and less red-tape:

Overhauling the tax system and adopting a responsible approach to structural budget repair that gives confidence to consumers and investors, and establishes a lasting, long-term economic strategy based on sound economic principles.

Greater cooperation between public and private sectors to fund investment in urban and regional infrastructure.

Increased emphasis on the needs of small contractors by continued cuts to red-tape and regulation.

NAT I ONA L COVER FEAT URE

MASTER BUILDERS’ KEY POLICY PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ARE: Safe and Productive Workplaces: Our industrial relations system must be balanced, fair and simple, starting with the reestablishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) to tackle the ongoing unlawful industrial behaviour in the building and construction industry. Affordable Housing: Keeping home ownership within reach of everyday Australians, through more affordable housing options to reduce the cost of living and improve opportunities for more families and young people to buy their own home. Negative gearing rules must stay. Jobs and skills for the future: Better investment in skills and apprenticeship training to satisfy the growing demand for construction and trade skills, and to avoid future skill and labour shortages. Economic settings for stability and growth: Overhauling the tax system and adopting a responsible approach to structural budget repair that gives confidence to consumers and investors, and establishes a lasting, long-term economic strategy based on sound economic principles. More infrastructure and investment: Greater cooperation between public and private sectors to fund investment in urban and regional infrastructure. • More investment in infrastructure, • Pro small business policies, tax cuts and the need for a strong economy. Let me assure you that our election commentary during the election period will be non-partisan. Our commentary however will be set against how the major parties meet Master Builders’ priorities for the building industry.

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At the big picture level our industry needs policies that underpin a strong economy, confidence and encourages investment. We also need policies where homeownership remains an achievable cornerstone of who we are as a nation, particularly for first homebuyers. Home ownership and housing affordability is a very high priority. This is where negative gearing plays an important role.

Training our young people for rewarding careers in the building industry apprenticeships is another. Investment in infrastructure in the cities and the bush is critical for your business. A flexible industrial relations environment is also very important in creating jobs in our industry and in raising of productivity. The return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission is essential. There will be much commentary made during this very long Federal Election campaign by all political parties. Master Builders will make sure your voice is properly heard and not lost. Wilhelm Harnisch Chief Executive Officer Master Builders Australia

More small business and less red-tape: Increased emphasis on the needs of small contractors by continued cuts to red-tape and regulation.

“

… I don’t think we could have got a better product for this particular project than Fujitsu.

”

- Andrew Stewart, Managing Director of Rival Air.

FORM MEETS

FUNCTION

With a stunning design and sought after location between Victoria Street and the Yarra River, Green Square Apartments is one of the hottest new developments in Melbourne.

HVAC mechanical contractor, Rival Air, needed a unique cooling and heating solution that combined units that matched the high-end finish of the apartments without condensers in sight or earshot of the residential area. This presented a challenge with the distance between some units and condensers being up to 10 floors. Working with the engineers and architects, Rival Air came up with a solution in conjunction with Fujitsu to use varying lengths of refrigerant pipe runs.

Fujitsu’s solution included 165 indoor units connected to 42 Airstage J-II Series heat pump outdoor units, 464 wall mounted split systems and 8 ducted systems offering various refrigerant pipe runs to meet the requirements of the project. To find out how Fujitsu can help you with your project, contact your Business Development Manager or call 1300 882 201.

LOO K I NG BA CK J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6

SYDNEY OF TOMORROW FROM THE ASHES OF YESTERDAY

PROPOSED FUTURE PLANS FOR SYDNEY MADE IN 1945 BY MRS. FLORENCE M. TAYLOR.

LO O K I NG BA CK

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL RENOVATION OF THE KINGS CROSS AREA TO SUIT AN EXCLUSIVE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION.

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LOO K I NG BA CK J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6

FROM SLUM TO BEAUTY SPOT PROPOSED TRANSFORMATION OF THE SLUMS OF WOOLLOOMOOLOO WITH MULTI-STOREY APARTMENTS

A P P RENT I CES HI P

MASTER BUILDERS INDUSTRY CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE

Master Builders Association has employed a dedicated Industry Careers Coordinator to support an Industry Careers Advisory Service For many years, the Master Builders Association has been a loud voice in the conversation around the exciting career opportunities within the Building and Construction Industry. We have been an advocate in this process through our support of apprentices and trainees through our Group Training Organisation (Master Builders Apprenticeship Service).

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To strengthen this commitment to support industry careers, Master Builders has employed an Industry Careers Coordinator to listen, advise and advocate on behalf of our members and industry.

With this valuable resource, Master Builders will have strong representation at career events at local schools, a valuable resource for young people of all ages to discover what possibilities are out there when they are ready to move from student to worker. Lisa will meet with local school careers advisors and construction teachers to encourage young men and women to look favourably at opportunities available within the Building and Construction Industry, not only apprenticeships and traineeships but para professional opportunities through cadetships.

Lisa Lawrence began her new role in 2016 and sits comfortably within Master Builders Apprenticeship Services to be the ‘Go To Person’ for industry stakeholders for advice and support for careers in the industry.

Lisa can meet with MBA Members to work out a plan for further development for business owners through training, business growth through employing apprentices or trainees, through to retirement planning by upskilling existing workers to take over the day to day activities.

Lisa will be at the coalface of young people sourcing information and beginning their industry career through pre apprenticeship programs and traineeship opportunities.

Lisa will advise and assist current MBA apprentices to realise their goals in relation to future employment, self-employment opportunities and even entrepreneurial ventures.

Lisa’s role will also include supporting strategies for articulated pathways for graduates of Master Builder’s courses to University qualifications.

If this sounds like a huge challenge, you are 100% correct!

Encouraging new people into our industry, and assisting with the further development for those already part of this industry will be the how Master Builders can assist the growth and continued strength of the Building and Construction industry. We encourage all MBA Members to take advantage of the assistance available to you. To get in touch with Lisa, please call her direct on (02) 8586 3534 or careers@mbansw.asn.au Our Careers Web Page will be up and running very soon!

Unbreakable HiLux is unbeatable too

Save thousands on Australia’s Best 4x4 Dual Cab Ute As a Master Builders Association member, you’ll get a Gold Fleet Discount on HiLux SR5, awarded Australia’s Best 4x4 Dual Cab Ute by Australia’s Best Cars. With the chance to save thousands, it’s pretty hard to beat. To ﬁnd your local Fleet Specialist Dealer, call 1800 444 847.

TFM1907 MBA 06/16

Master Builders Association membership details required to redeem Gold Fleet Discounts.

TOYOTA HILUX SR5 2015 4X4 DUAL CAB UTE

toyota.com.au/ﬂeet

I NDUS T RI A L RELAT I O NS

NEW DRUG AND ALCOHOL REQUIREMENTS As of 1 February 2016, Fair Work Building & Construction commenced the final stage of its three phase implementation of the new drug and alcohol requirements as part of the 2013 Building Code. It is important that all industry participants are aware of their obligations and what this means for them. The new changes follow a decision announced on Friday 18 September 2015 in which the Australian government introduced higher workplace safety standards for construction sites by requiring building contractors on projects funded by the Australian Government to manage the risks of drug and alcohol impairment. As FWBC is responsible for monitoring compliance with the agency it is also responsible for ensuring the new requirements are followed.

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The first stage and second stage of the implementation plan focused on providing information to industry on the new requirements and then reviewing contractors’ policies and providing feedback on compliance, with a strong focus on voluntary rectification. With these two phases now complete, the agency has moved to auditing contractors’ fitness for work policies to assess the practical implementation of drug and alcohol testing onsite. The audits examine whether the policy is being implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code. This includes, but is not limited to, requiring evidence that demonstrates: • testing is being undertaken on a random basis; • testing is being undertaken at least monthly; • testing is being conducted on the minimum number of required personnel (10% except on larger projects);

• that the required substances are being tested for; • testing is being conducted using an objective medical testing method; and • testing is being conducted by the head contractor and not being pushed down to the sub-contractors. Investigators will also take a copy of the fitness for work policy and will check the substance of the plan against the requirements of the Building Code. After analysis of documentation and any interviews undertaken during the site audit, FWBC Investigators will write to the company with the audit outcome. In the event that issues/breaches are identified, correspondence will be sent to the company outlining the issues or alleged breaches and seeking the company’s response with an opportunity (where possible) for the matter to be rectified. It should be noted that on some occasions breaches that are considered to be of a serious nature cannot be voluntarily rectified. The new requirements introduce higher workplace safety standards for construction sites by ensuring that all building contractors covered by the Building Code have a workplace health, safety and rehabilitation system that includes detail of how they will manage drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

In effect, this means that all construction projects that have at least $5 million of Commonwealth funding* are required to have a fitness for work policy that includes drug and alcohol testing for those on site undertaking building work. FWBC has been working collaboratively with industry to ensure contractors are aware of their rights and obligations in relation to drug and alcohol testing on sites. So far feedback on this process has been positive and the agency looks forward to working with the industry to ensure the new requirements are implemented as seamlessly as possible. Contractors can contact FWBC with specific questions regarding their fitness for work policy. However to be deemed compliant, the testing regime onsite must also reflect the requirements of the Building Code and contractors must keep records that demonstrate their compliance. Further information on the drug and alcohol testing under the Building Code can be found at www.fwbc.gov.au/building-code/drug-andalcohol-testing-under-building-code-2013.

Paying compulsory superannuation Under Superannuation Guarantee legislation, the current super contribution rate payable to your employees is 9.5% of ordinary time earnings (OTE). However, this rate may be higher if there is an Industrial or Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) in place. Super contributions do not have to be paid for: • employees who earn less than $450 (before tax) per calendar month • employees who are under 18 years old, and work 30 hours or less per week. Giving employees ‘choice’ of super fund When a new employee is eligible to choose their own super fund, you need to provide them with a Standard Choice Form within 28 days from their start date. If your new employee doesn’t elect to choose a specific super fund, you must pay their super contributions into your nominated ‘default’ fund. Choosing your default fund A default super fund is the super fund that your business nominates as the best fit to take care of the superannuation needs for all your employees. It’s important to choose a fund that acts in the best interests of your business, and your employees. By choosing Cbus as your default super fund, you’ll join the leading industry super fund for the construction, building and allied industries. Cbus is unique. Through our wholly owned subsidiary Cbus Property Pty Ltd, we invest back into the industry which creates jobs for the industry and helps boost our local economy. Keeping your records As a business, you need to keep the following records in English for five years: • records showing the Standard Choice Form has been provided to all eligible employees • details of employees who do not have to be offered a Standard Choice Form

• documents issued by the super fund showing you have made super contributions to an employee’s chosen fund (for example, annual record of contributions statement) • records confirming that your chosen default super fund is a complying fund. This is usually found online, on the super fund’s website. Understanding ‘SuperStream’ SuperStream is a Government reform to do with businesses and how they manage their superannuation responsibilities. It is aimed at improving the efficiency of the super system that a business uses to make super contributions to their employees. Under SuperStream legislation, businesses are required to make super contributions on behalf of their employees online by submitting data and payments electronically. Businesses with 20 or more employees should already be paying superannuation contributions via an online payment system since October 2015. Businesses with 19 or less employees need to start paying super contributions via an online payment system by 30 June 2016. *If you are unsure about the SuperStream rules, or need help getting set up on an approved payment system, just call Cbus Super Fund on 1300 361 784. Using Cbus Super payment systems Cbus offers two options when it comes to online payment systems for businesses. Both are available for Cbus employers to use at no cost, and both will allow you to meet your obligations as an Employer under the SuperStream regulations by 30 June 2016.

including Cbus, using one data file and one payment. Cbus will then distribute payments to Cbus members’ accounts, and into super fund accounts outside of Cbus, on your behalf, helping you to save time on paying super for your employees.

A DVER T O RI A L

SUPERANNUATION FOR BUSINESSES

*The Clearing House is provided by Westpac Banking Corporation for Cbus employers. Employer SuperSite Employer SuperSite is an online employer super account and payment facility that allows you to: • Make super payments using BPAY®, Direct Debit or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) • Access and update your records, including employee details • Access your full transaction history as an employer, including access to payment reports Supplying Tax File Numbers When an employee provides you with their Tax File Number (TFN), by law as their employer you’re required to provide this information to their super fund within 14 days or when you make the first contribution on their behalf. If a TFN is not provided, your employee will be unable to make any additional personal contributions and they may pay more tax on their super as a result. For more information visit the ATO website, www.ato.gov.au, or call 13 10 20. This information is about Cbus. It doesn’t take into account your specific needs or circumstances. You should look at your business objectives and requirements before making any decisions with or without the assistance of a financial adviser. Read the Cbus Employer Handbook and relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statements to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Call 1300 361 784 or visit

Cbus Clearing House The Cbus Clearing House* is an online payment tool provided through Westpac, which allows you to submit multiple employee super contributions into multiple super funds,

www.cbussuper.com.au for a copy.

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I NS URA NCE

IS PRICE THE BEST INDICATION OF VALUE? WHAT IS VALUE? According to the online Oxford Dictionary, value is ‘The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something’. We are all constantly on a quest to find the best value. We need products and services to satisfy our needs and perform in line with our expectations, and we want to pay a fair price for them. We don’t need the ‘best’ of everything but what we do demand is value for money. So how do you measure value? Is it price? Is it usefulness? Is it quality? Or is it a combination of these and many more factors that must be taken into account to really understand a products true value.

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Lets look at the example of buying a new ute for your business. You go to the car dealer and they ask you a number of questions about what you need the car for, what sort of options you need and recommend a vehicle to suit your needs. You repeat this process with a second dealer and then make a purchasing decision, safe in the knowledge that the choice you make will suit your needs and you are getting a good deal. Take that very same example and change just a couple of details. You walk into the first dealer and tell them you’d like to buy a “ute”. They give you a price. You walk into the second dealer and say the same thing, they give you a cheaper price. You choose the second ute because… well…

“A ute is a ute right? Wheels, motor, seats, they’re all the same!” When you pick it up you find that it has no tray, no air-conditioning, is automatic and you wanted manual, it’s petrol and you wanted diesel.

your policy doesn’t cover it. You’re looking down the barrel at a loss that could ruin your business and tragically you could have selected a broader policy for a slightly higher premium.

Has price been the best indication of the vehicles value? Not at all, without all the other supporting information you haven’t been able to make an informed decision about which ute represents the best value.

Price is only one factor in determining value for money and this holds true when purchasing insurance to protect you or your business. Make sure you are considering all factors when comparing quotes and importantly make sure you are comfortable that your broker is informing you rather than just giving you a price.

Insurance is no different, particularly Construction Insurance. Construction insurance has conditions, exclusions, definitions and clauses and these can be significantly different from one insurer to the next. Some Construction insurance is better suited to larger corporate builders, some for residential builders and others for smaller builders building a few homes per year.

A cheap insurance policy suddenly becomes extremely expensive when you suffer an uninsured loss due to inappropriate and restrictive cover.

Just like in the ute example, you call an insurance broker and ask them for a quote on Contract Works & Pubic Liability insurance. They give you a price. You call the next broker and ask for a Contract Works & Public Liability insurance quote and get another price. You take the first policy because it was a little cheaper. A few months later a major claim occurs and

At MBA Insurance Services we’ll never recommend an insurance policy based on price alone. We are construction insurance specialists and we’ll recommend policies that will cover your business, with reputable insurers that offer the best value for money. For further information contact MBAIS on (02) 8586 3519

MASTER BUILDERS

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Financial Services

LEG A L

INTRODUCTION OF NSW FAIR TRADING COMPLAINTS REGISTER The register will provide online information about businesses who are the subject of a high number of complaints. Collection of data for the Register will start on 1 July 2016.

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Fair Trading held a roundtable discussion with various stakeholders on 31 July 2015. Representatives such as Myer, the Motor Tradersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association and Master Builders NSW attended. The purpose of the roundtable was to determine if Fair Tradingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discussion paper covered all relevant issues. Matters raised included accurate reporting and the potential for abuse by vexatious customers. Discussion paper The Discussion Paper released by Fair Trading on 1 October 2015 called for submissions to

be lodged by 31 October 2015. Some of the questions posed were: 1. What information should the Register publish about a complaint / trader and why? 2. How many traders should be identified on the Register and what might be the benefits of including more or less? 3. Should there be a minimum threshold for the number of complaints before appearing on the Register? 4. How long should the Register data remain on the NSW Fair Trading website before being archived?

5. Should the Register show information about the size of the business being complained about? Is there a practical and simply way of doing this? 6. Should traders be notified in advance that they are going to appear on the Register for the first time? MBA submissions The MBA made submissions to Fair Trading that essentially said the Register should not apply to traders carrying on business in the home building industry as licensing for

residential builders is heavily regulated under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) (“the Act”) and contravention of the legislation in respect of licensing and carrying out residential building work can lead to significant penalties and/or a loss of licence. For example, Fair Trading noted in the Discussion Paper under Appendix 1 “Existing avenues for publicly identifying traders and providing information about traders to consumers” that disciplinary results involving licence holders under the Act are displayed indefinitely on the public register and are recorded against the licensee’s online record for the life of the licence. Furthermore, complaints made to Fair Trading are dealt with in accordance with Fair Trading’s policies and procedures, and the consumer has the option of subsequently lodging a claim with the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal (“NCAT”).

Answers were submitted to the questions in the Discussion Paper which proposed methods of approaching the Register which are least likely to cause problems for members of the MBA, and builders generally.

The MBA noted that home building claims are determined by NCAT after all relevant evidence has been considered, including the building contract which is important when assessing the parties’ rights and obligations. It was submitted that engaging the services of a licensed home building contractor is very different from walking into a shop and purchasing a product off the shelf or over the counter. Contracting to carry out residential building work is heavily regulated under the Home Building Act and a contract between a contractor and a consumer in respect of residential building work must include a range of compulsory terms required by the Act and Home Building Regulation 2015. In addition to this, residential building contracts are, more often than not, subject to negotiation between the parties prior to the contract being signed.

The Guidelines explain that the purpose of the Register and making complaints information publicly available is likely to provide an incentive for business to develop better customer service and help consumers make informed decisions about where to shop.

The MBA submitted that listing home building contractors on the Register directly contradicts the fairness of the established system by permitting contractors to be “publicly shamed” before the complaint has been properly determined to have proper basis in a forum such as NCAT, with regard to the terms of the building contract.

The Guidelines note that Fair Trading “safeguards consumer rights, regulates specific industries and occupations, and advise businesses on fair and ethical operational practices” and that they “believe that information plays a critical role in promoting effective competition between businesses to ensure a healthy and vibrant marketplace”.

A “complaint” is defined by AS/NZS 100022014 as “an expression of dissatisfaction made to or about an organisation, related to its products, services, staff or the handling of a complaint, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required”. The Guidelines set out the timeframes within which a complaint will be handled: 1. Once sufficient information has been provided and it has been determined that the complaint is not simply vexatious, Fair Trading will contact the business complained about within 12 working days; 2. Fair Trading staff will attempt to negotiate a mutually acceptable outcome between the parties within 30 days of receiving the complaint. If an outcome cannot be negotiated the complainant will be advised of their options, including the option to lodge an NCAT claim. This procedure is clearly similar to what already occurs in relation to home building disputes which are notified to Fair Trading. Practicalities The Guidelines go on to address the logistics of how the Register will operate. The main points of interest are: 1. Complaints will only be published if Fair Trading considers the complainant is a real person and has genuinely had interaction with the business.

Pertinently, the Register will not include information about the size of the business or number of transactions the business engages in on a regular basis. Clearly this may lead to an inability to accurately compare businesses who are listed on the Register. However, it is likely that many of the businesses will be well known to the general public and consumers will already have a fair idea as to the size and turnover of the business. It is now obvious that the majority of MBA members and building contractors will be unaffected by the introduction of the Complaints Register. For larger contractors who are carrying out works on a great number of projects, however, it will be important to be aware of the potential for complaints – whether founded or not – to be recorded and if greater than 10 per month, published on the Register. It is also beneficial for members to be aware of the Register and the avenues available to consumers, and builders in their capacity as a consumer, who purchase products or procure services from larger businesses operating in New South Wales. Hannah Shephard Solicitor, MBA Lawyers

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In respect of the questions posed in the Discussion Paper, it was particularly noted that the issue of how to include information about the size of the business on the Register is not one which is easily resolved. Such information is not publicly available and would depend on the cooperation of the trader, which would not always be realistic or result in accurate reporting. The difficulty with not reporting on the size of a business is the fact that some contractors will be engaged by very few consumers in a year in comparison with traders such as large department stores and retailers who literally see thousands, if not millions, of consumers pass through their doors. As such, the Register has the potential to publish information out of context.

NSW Fair Trading Complaint Register Guidelines On 1 April 2016 Fair Trading issued a set of guidelines for the Complaints Register which will commence operation in the latter half of 2016.

2. The Register will only display the names of businesses that were the subject of 10 or more complaints in a calendar month. 3. Based on current data, there are approximately 25 to 35 businesses each month that receive more than 10 complaints. 4. Collection of data will commence on 1 July 2016 and over time, a total of 24 months’ worth of data will be maintained and published on the Fair Trading website. 5. The Register will be published in the second half of each month for the previous calendar month. This will allow for any further information to be obtained before publication. 6. The data will be available online in a format which will allow users to search the businesses and products. 7. All businesses to be listed on the Register will be given 3 working days’ notice prior to the date of publication. Businesses will also be contacted following each complaint and as such will be aware when they are nearing the 10 complaints per month threshold. 8. The published details will only include (and not any further details about the complaint or complainant or outcome): a. The name of the business; b. The number of complaints received in the last month; and c. The product group(s) complained about.

MEMBERS HI P

HOW DO YOU RAISE $77,000 AND MAKE IT SEEM EASY? You get Doug Bennetts on the job!

Doug has been a member of the Master Builders since 16th April 1970. He was the longest serving employee and a director of Stuart Bros, held the position of President of Sydney Division from 1973 to 1976. In 2003 Doug was awarded honorary membership of the Master Builders for his contribution as a long serving member, participation on division committees and a leading participant in the NSW Master Builders Bowls Club. Each year the Bowls Club hold their annual charity event, but it’s the work leading up to this day that brings in the money. Over the past 16 years Doug and his colleagues have raised $77,000 for the Cancer Centre at The Children’s Hospital Westmead. From left to right John Alexander, Alexandra Nagu, Douglas Bennetts OAM and Manager Member Services Graham McGuiggan

Doug Bennetts is a long serving member of the Master Builders. As a retired builder he has taken up the role of Charity Coordinator of NSW Master Builders Bowls Club, and he makes it seem like child’s play.

SWITCH

Doug oozes enthusiasm when you discuss his charity efforts and his energy seems endless. Not bad for a fellow who turned 95 on the very day of this presentation to the Children’s Hospital Westmead.

Congratulations, well done and thank you Doug from all the children and their families. Graham McGuiggan Manager Member Services

N WITH ORIGIN

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INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS Builds aren’t always simple, so we’ve got a team of industry specialists supporting you.

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MANAGE JOBS ONLINE

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Manage connection requests online with Origin Connect Assist – that’s anywhere anytime convenience.

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9063.Mar16.NSW

Call 1300 132 480

NEW CONNECTIONS TEAM

P RO CUREMENT

CONSTRUCTIVE TENDERING IS A LEARNING EXERCISE It can be daunting to submit your first tender and you may not even succeed. The reality is that unless it is a panel arrangement, most tenders only have one winner. There are no easy-wins. The good news is that there are many successful tenderers. For example, over the May 2015 to May 2016 period, approximately 432 contracts were awarded across all NSW government agencies under the “Building and Facility Construction and Maintenance Services” category, with contract values ranging from as little as $10,000 to as much as $200 plus million. Government tendering requires a commitment to time and resources and a constructive learning approach. It requires us to understand, learn and apply the rules that apply to tendering. 1. NSW procurement policy framework: understanding the playground rules In NSW, the NSW Procurement Policy Framework is the guiding framework that sets the rules for all government procurement. It is a good starting point. It deals with all areas of procurement, such as who can procure what and when, how tenders will be advertised, fairness and probity and provides consistency in terms of process and form to be used. It sets the procurement playground rules to make sure that all NSW procurement follows a fair and equitable process with best value for money outcomes. The policy framework is logically set up and (even for a policy document) easy to follow. It is a must read.

The system allows for selective tendering, where only specific providers are allowed to tender. Most tenders under $1m will not be available for open tender and would be only open to prequalified businesses on the General Construction Scheme. It takes time to get prequalified but it is worthwhile to go through the process to access the selective tenders. The system is a great initiative, as it will remove the requirement to replicate the same information tender-after-tender. It saves time and cost relating to tendering and aims to avoid duplication of effort. 3. Tendering rules: understanding the rules applying to the lesson When a tender is issued, the tendering rules are included as part of the tender. These can be classed as the “lesson” rules. These rules have to be followed or you may have to leave the lesson and not return. You really have to spend time to work through the tendering rules. There is no way around it buckle down and work through it. It is also worth looking at the Market Approaches Guide, it sets the rules that agencies follow when tendering.

It is handy to know what can score a “no” in a lesson: a. Absolute no-no’s: Do not talk to anyone about the tender in government except for the tender contact officer and only to ask for clarification; b. Another no-no: No late submissions are allowed, not even a few seconds. With electronic tendering the offer disappears the second the tender closes – so there is no real way to accept late tenders. c. “No” means “no” - Many tenders have mandatory pre-qualification requirements such as licensing/registration requirements or mandatory site briefings. Where a requirement is a mandatory requirement, this will be clearly stated. When you cannot comply with any of the mandatory requirements, “no” means leave the lesson and do not return. No need to hand in your homework either as it will not be considered. d. Sometimes “no” can mean “maybe” Tenders can include requirements relating to disclosure and compliance such as subcontractors, declaration of criminal convictions and insurance requirements. In the event where you do not comply, you really have to be able to provide a proper risk-based justification for non-compliance. But remember – preferred still means “we really like you to have this” and may impact on the success of a tender. 4. Tender evaluation criteria: best value for money - exam rules “Best value for money” is all about the criteria that will apply to your “exam”. A tender is an opportunity for a provider to show how it will

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2. NSW government procurement system for construction: understanding the classroom rules Moving from the playground to the classroom, the procurement system for construction (“the

system”) sets the rules for the construction procurement and tenders – applying both the government agencies and providers. It is focused on delivering effective and efficient government construction related services, holding both agencies and providers accountable. It provides for a “whole of life” procurement whereby government agencies can be accredited and providers can be prequalified under the system.

P RO CUREM ENT

make the tender scope work how it will provide the best value for money and provide a better solution than the other tenderers. Value for money is more than just having the lowest price. Value for money in simple terms is about making sure that: a. value for money procurement is done for the right reasons; and b. the right process (that includes both financial and non-financial criteria) is followed to make sure that the procurement results in value for money. 5. Contract management and performance - graduation When you graduate to a winning tender, make sure that you can actually perform the requirements of the contract and will have the capability and capacity to perform well under the contract. Remember to tender for success and aim to perform better than promised. It is best to allow time between graduating to the winning tender and commencing work under the tender. Depending on the complexity of the tender, there could be commercial negotiations required to finalise the tender award and signing of contracts before work can commence. Government tenders start with a clean slate approach, however a surefire way to be remembered for the wrong reason, is where a contract goes wrong because it was poorly executed or where the contract extended beyond its schedule and/or tendered price.

A great initiative as part of the NSW Government Procurement System for Construction is the focus on performance under contract and the opportunity for providers to receive “best practice accreditation”. A successfully executed contract will certainly assist in this process. 6. Contract close out – an opportunity for lessons learned Lessons learned from tendering and contracting are very useful. It gives insight not only into what can be improved but also what went well. It saves having to re-invent the wheel and provides an opportunity to improve your future opportunities for tendering successes.

d. Tender responses should answer the questions asked and provide information to substantiate the evaluation criteria. It is important to keep the response focused and remember quality still beats quantity. e. Carefully select the best examples that will substantiate capability and experience as required under the tendered scope; the same rule applies to referees, they have to be able to back up your success story. f. Look at the validity period required for your offer and make sure that you have taken into consideration any factors that could impact on the offer. g. Remember that you are entitled to a posttender debrief; it is the best opportunity for lessons learned.

Learning is a dynamic process. Learning about tenders will be a constructive process when we can implement the lessons that will help to improve tenders.

Remember what Benjamin Franklin said: “If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

In conclusion, some handy tips and tricks around tendering in general: a. Do your homework on awarded contracts; the published details include an estimated contract value and successful tenderer name; this information will provide an idea on the pricing and potential competitors; b. If there is anything unclear in the tender, raise a tender clarification request as soon as possible but remember the clarification will be shared with all the interested tenderers; c. Plan to submit your tender early, know what you have to do and get on with it.

Celia Jordaan Principal Consultant Ichiban Commercial Solutions Pty Ltd Please note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author specifically and do not necessarily represent any official policy or position. This document remains the intellectual property of Celia Jordaan and may not be copied, distributed, shared, printed or used without prior written approval.

NSW Government Construction Tenders A Constructive Approach Contract Close Out Lessons Learned

Contract Managment & Performance Contract performance

Best Value for Money Tender Evaluation Evaluation criteria, both price and non-price related

Rules for Tendering

Rules relating to a specific tender

NSW Government Procurement System for Construction J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6

Rules relating to Government construction / building procurement

NSW Procurement Policy Framework

The governing framework and rules for all NSW government procurement

T RA I NI NG

WE’RE ONLINE! Master Builders Training Department has recently established an online learning platform, with the aim of bringing education opportunities into your own home. Online learning is a great way of accessing training programs in your own way and in your own time. We are committed to using this training method to expand the services that we can offer to our valued members.

content online. Activities and assessments for this program are undertaken on the platform as well. Participants will combine their online learning with attendance at a series of classroom workshops.

The first course that we have created in our Online Learning platform is our new Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety program. Delivered in a blended way, participants in this program are required to access the learning

The other course that we are starting our online venture with is the Asbestos Awareness course. This program is a short course that participants will be able to access and undertake at their own pace, without the need

to attend classes. Asbestos Awareness is now a pre-requisite for those enrolling in our Remove Non-Friable Asbestos class. CPD Points are available for online learning to the same value as classroom workshops or programs. Search our available training programs at www.mbansw.asn.au/Training or contact our team on (02) 8586 3588 for more information.

OTHER COURSES Courses that are planned to be added to our online platform in the coming months include: • Certificate IV in Building and Construction • Diploma of Work Health and Safety (Building) • Demolition Licensing program • Diploma of Building and • Pre-Purchase Report Writing for Construction (Building) Building Consultants

• Keys to Property Development • Sustainable Building • Contracts and Insurance Workshop • Introduction to Security of Payment Act

Some of these programs will be delivered in a blended format, with classroom workshops accompanying or being supported by online learning.

The Bushfire Building Conference + Expo 2016 Saturday 10 September Bushfire building + design expo

All delegates earn CPD points.

For more information: 02 4782 6555 admin@bmee.org.au

Presented by:

Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

Major Partner:

bmee.org.au 43

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Friday 9 September Bushfire building + design conference

Australia’s only event for bushfire planning, designing and building.

T RA I NI NG

ADDITIONS TO MASTER BUILDERS TRAINING COURSES The Master Builders Training Department is excited to bring you a range of additional and improved training programs.

Work Health and Safety The Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety and Diploma of Work Health and Safety have been available for Recognition of Prior Learning candidates since late 2015. We have recently finalised our full learning programs for each of these nationally recognised qualifications. Delivered as a mixture of online learning and classroom workshops, the courses are perfect for the busy professional who wishes to advance their career in safety management. With the online learning component, education is at your fingertips. You can work through the readings and activities at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home or office. Demolition Licensing As of 1st January, 2016, there is new criteria for applying for and obtaining a Demolition Supervisor’s License from SafeWork NSW. Throughout 2015, Master Builders’ Training Manager was involved in discussions with SafeWork NSW and other collaborators on the review of the training criteria for licensing. The consultation undertaken for the licensing has resulted in one training program that candidates must undertake. The Master Builders Training Department now offer this course in online and classroom workshops.

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The new licensing training course is a mixture of units of competency from Certificate III in Demolition and Certificate IV in Demolition. Applicants for a licence are not required to hold either qualification in full. Participants that complete the Demolition Licensing program can then prepare and submit their application to SafeWork NSW for their License.

There are two license categories; Restricted Demolition or Demolition (i.e. unrestricted). Based on the applicant’s previous experience (as shown in the application form and documentation), SafeWork NSW will determine which class of license that they will issue to the applicant. Asbestos We have moved our Asbestos Awareness course online. This is now an ideal program to do of an evening or on a rainy day. This course attracts 4 CPD points. The Asbestos Awareness course is now an online pre-requisite for the Remove NonFriable Asbestos course. This allows for the trainer to spend more time on the practical skills of removing asbestos safely in a working environment. The Supervise Asbestos course is now delivered on the same day as Remove NonFriable Asbestos. This has been designed to allow a more complete, simulated experience of the Supervise Asbestos students. They will be overseeing the removal of Non-Friable Asbestos demonstrated by the students in the Remove Non-Friable course. The Education Centre will deliver this combined course, and wherever possible in regional areas. Manual Handling Every Thursday afternoon from 12.30pm to 5.00pm, Master Builders offers a Manual Handling course at our Education Centre in Baulkham Hills. Customised to the construction industry, the program is delivered by a work health and safety specialist. The course is based on a nationally recognised unit of competency.

Learn the right ways to lift, carry and place items so that you are taking care of your body on site. The last thing you want to do is come home after a productive day on site with back pain because you have lifted in the wrong way. The program is available to all members (and non-members alike) and attracts 4 CPD points. All new MBA employed apprentices and preapprentices will undertake this program prior to starting on site. This program accompanies the Work Safely at Heights course that is delivered every Friday at the Education Centre. Traffic Control Early in 2016, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) released a tender for Registered Training Organisations to deliver Traffic Control Training. Master Builders was successful in this tender and is pleased to offer new training programs for: • Traffic Controller • Implement Traffic Management Plans RMS has approved Master Builders to deliver these courses as we provide services to the entire construction industry. Our tender application was based on providing training for a specific need within the construction industry, whereby any personnel on a worksite who has undertaken the training, is legally able to manage traffic movement when deliveries arrive on site or other times as needed. Initially, these courses will be delivered at our Education Centre, with a view to deliver regionally in the future. Participants in both programs will undergo assessment during class and will be required to be assessed on-the-job controlling traffic or setting up a traffic control area at least once by our trainer/assessor. On another one or

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two occasions, participants must be observed by a suitably licensed and experienced Traffic Controller on site. When final assessment on-site has been successfully completed, RMS will be notified and will issue licence cards to successful candidates. IV for 4 Program From February this year, we have been delivering a pilot program of Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) for 4th year apprentices. Under the heading of “IV for 4”, this program is delivered in a series of classroom based subjects over 10 months. Apprentices must have successfully completed their trade qualification prior to enrolling into this program. We encourage apprentices who reach their fourth year and have demonstrated a positive attitude and aptitude for the construction industry to apply to undertake this course. Apprentices who undertake this qualification will gain valuable knowledge and skills in respect of building projects, though will not immediately be eligible for their Builder’s Licence from Fair Trading NSW, as they will not be able to meet the experience criteria for the licence. We have not yet scheduled a new class to start, though will take expressions of interest through our Training Department.

These are delivered on-the-job in a flexible manner. Workplace visits will be scheduled to suit the project based work that companies are undertaking. We aim to minimise interruption to work and activities on site. Also, beginning every Monday, we offer Earthmoving Plant and Machinery courses focussing on: • Backhoe Loader • Excavator • Front End Loader • Skid Steer Participants are able to select to undertake training on one, two, three or all four machines. Confined Spaces We have recently updated our Confined Spaces program, with a new practical training space available for simulated activity throughout the program. With the dangers of working in a confined space having potentially damaging effects to a person’s health, we encourage anyone who is likely to be working in an enclosed area to undertake this course. Breathing difficulties and atmospheric conditions are the key dangers of working in a confined space. Throughout this program, you will learn how to test the atmosphere in the area and ensure that you can breathe safely, without causing yourself any short or long term damage. This is a one day course delivered at our Education Centre and attracts 14 CPD points.

COMING SOON Demolition Qualifications The Certificate III in Demolition and Certificate IV in Demolition programs are in development. The Certificate III in Demolition qualification can be delivered as an on-the-job traineeship. Offered over a two year period, this program is designed for demolition operators who are new to the industry or job role. Participants will gain the skills and knowledge to be able to safely and effectively demolish buildings under the instruction of a qualified and licensed Supervisor. The Certificate IV in Demolition program is designed for those who wish to advance their career in demolition supervision and management. The program is yet to be finalised, though is likely to include a mixture of online and classroom based learning. Other courses that we are either developing or re-designing include: • Sustainable Building – moving to an online environment with new and improved content • Basic Scaffolding License • New and Improved Business Courses – covering all the business life span, from starting the business, tax, succession planning, planning for retirement, and marketing and business growth.

To find out more, please call (02) 8586 3588 or go to www.mbansw.asn.au/training

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Civil Construction Our civil construction programs are available as apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications. The qualifications on offer from Master Builders include: • Certificate II in Civil Construction – Traineeship

• Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations – Apprenticeship • Certificate III in Civil Construction – Traineeship and Apprenticeship streams

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TRAINING DEPARTMENT COURSE LIST SHORT COURSES Earthmoving - Bronze (2 Machines) 3-4 Days Member $1,800 / Non Member $2,000 Earthmoving - SIlver (3 Machines) 4-5 Days Member $2,600 / Non Member $2,850 Earthmoving Gold (4 Machines) 4-5 Days Member $3,000 / Non Member $3,300 Waterproofing Best Practical Application Member $350 / Non Member $450 Waterproofing External and Remedial Member $350 / Non Member $450 Waterproofing Compliance and Inspection Member $350 / Non Member $450 Basic Scaffolding Member $1,499 / Non Member $1,799 Sustainable Building Member $359 / Non Member $459 Keys to Property Development Seminar Member $450 / Non Member $550

Pre-Purchased Inspections for Building Consultants 2 Days Member $759 / Non Member $949 Introduction to Security of Payment Act Member $99 / Non Member $129 Introduction to Project Management Member $499 / Non Member $629 Contracts and Insurance Workshop Member $99 / Non Member $129 General Construction Induction (White Card) Member $99 / Non Member $ 119 Work Safely at Heights Member $299 / Non Member $399 Asbestos Awareness Member $139 / Non Member $179 in class Member $99 / Non Member $129 online Remove Non Friable Asbestos Member $349 / Non Member $435 Supervise Asbestos Removal Member $399 / Non Member $499

Asbestos Assessor 2 days Member $959 / Non Member $1,199 Test and Tag of Electrical Equipment Member $339 / Non Member $425 First Aid Member $139 / Non Member $159 Traffic Controller Member $309 / Non Member $349 Implement Traffic Control Plans Member $349 / Non Member $389 Prepare a Work Zone Traffic Management Plans 2 Days Member $689 / Non Member $719 Return to Work Coordinator 2 Days Member $379 / Non Member $469 Enter and Work in Confined Spaces Member $349 / Non Member $435 Manual Handling Member $149 / Non Member $169

QUALIFICATIONS Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC30111)

Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30313)

Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (BSB41415)

Certificate III in Carpentry (CPC30211)

Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (MEM30305)

Diploma of Work Health and Safety (BSB51315)

Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining (CPC31211)

Certificate III in Roof Plumbing (CPC32612)

Certificate II in Civil Construction (RII20715)

Certificate III in Solid Plastering (CPC31011)

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (CPC40110)

Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations (RII30815)

Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building (CPC40808)

Certificate III in Civil Construction (RII30913)

Certificate III in Painting and Decorating (CPC30611) Certificate III in Cabinet Making (MSF31113)

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Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing (CPC31411) Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling (CPC31311)

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50210) Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC60212)

Certificate III in Demolition (CPC30413) Certificate IV in Demolition (CPC41013)

To find out more, please call (02) 8586 3588 or go to www.mbansw.asn.au/training

HIGH QUALITY DETAILED ARCHITECTURAL

JOINERY

P (02) 9608 6199 F (02) 9608 6299 W www.maneto.com.au Unit 14-15 274-276 Hoxton Park Road Liverpool, NSW 2170

WORK P LA CE HEA LT H & S A FET Y

INCIDENT NOTIFICATION: ARE YOU GETTING IT RIGHT? Master Builders Executive Officer – Safety David Solomon, discusses employer obligations to report notifiable safety incidents occurring in the workplace. In this article, we consider the key considerations you need to make in the aftermath of a serious incident, and the consequences for getting it wrong. We also offer some tips on how you can better prepare your organisation should the unthinkable occur. The occurrence of a safety incident in your workplace should trigger a range of responsive actions within your organisation. It could be root-cause analysis to reveal the reason for the incident, to update your hazard identification register and provide further retraining or, increasingly, to enable your organisation’s officers to comply with their safety due diligence duties. Certain incidents, however, need to be escalated outside your business to the safety regulator. This must be undertaken within a tight deadline, otherwise you risk exposing your organisation to a criminal conviction and fines of up to $45,000. While some elements of the legislative definition for such “notifiable incidents” are easy to recognise (eg fatalities and serious injuries), incidents of this nature are, thankfully, relatively rare in the context of the vast majority of Australian workplaces. The real challenge for employers is knowing when to notify the safety authority for less serious incidents and near misses. Elements of the Definition Broadly, the definition is broken down into two “limbs”: incidents that result in harm to a person and incidents that expose a person

to harm. The first limb is further divided into subcategories according to the type of treatment the injured person may require. Table 1 sets out the definition schematically. In relation to incidents that expose a person to harm, the position on when to notify varies between Victoria, WA and the WHS jurisdictions which includes New South Wales. This is set out in Table 2. In jurisdictions that have enacted the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws such as NSW, the test is: a “dangerous incident” must be notified if it exposes a person to a serious risk to the person’s health or safety from an immediate or imminent exposure. In Victoria, the near miss must have exposed a person in the immediate vicinity of the incident to an immediate risk to the person’s health or safety. At present, WA does not have equivalent “near miss” notification obligations, although such requirements are capable of being prescribed under regulations. If the State’s Work Health and Safety Bill 2014 (WA), in its current form, becomes law, then near misses will become notifiable in WA. Notification obligations can evolve after the incident Whilst most employers can appreciate that an incident is or is not notifiable at the time it occurs, some employers fail to appreciate that

the duty to notify can develop well after the immediate event, depending on later actions. For example, a person may be taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons as a daypatient (eg for mild concussion), but later be required to remain overnight for monitoring upon assessment by a medical practitioner. In this instance, the duty to notify the safety authority arises at the point the person is required to remain in the hospital as an in-patient. You should always ensure that contact is maintained, so far as is reasonable practicable, after an injured person attends hospital or if there is a chance of the injury/illness escalating. A good example to keep in mind recently occurred in Victoria where similar requirements such as this are in place. The Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) prosecuted an employer for failing to make a notification after an employee cut her finger while washing dishes. The VWA reported that the employee was drying the cup with a tea towel when it shattered, cutting her finger. She was later required to have surgery to repair tendons, nerves and an artery. The point at which the incident became notifiable at law may have been immediately after the incident, assuming that those providing first aid were capable of assessing the injury as a “serious laceration”, or it may only have become evident after the employee was required to have treatment as an in-patient. In any case, within a short space of time a seemingly routine activity which takes place in most workplaces exposed that employer to a criminal conviction.

INCIDENTS RESULTING IN HARM

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TABLE 1 – ELEMENTS OF NOTIFIABLE INCIDENTS

New South Wales

Victoria

Western Australia

Death

Medical treatment within 48 hours after exposure to a substance

Immediate medical treatment as an in-patient

Immediate medical treatment for: • Amputation • Serious head or eye injury • Separation of skin from tissue • Serious burn • Spinal injury • Loss of a bodily function

Immediate medical treatment for the same injuries as under WHS, except with the inclusion of “electric shock” and the exclusion of “serious burns”

A lost time injury likely to result in 10 days off work after the incident Any of the following occurring: • A fracture of the skull spine or pelvis • A leg or arm bone fracture (other than wrists, hands, ankle or foot) • Amputation • Loss of sight in an eye

In WA, the obligation applies to the employer where it involves an employee or where the injury is in connection with the employer’s business. A self-employed person is also required to notify when the injury arises in connection with their business. In Victoria, the obligation sits with the employer (or self-employed person) who has “management and control” of that workplace. This could be a principal contractor, if such arrangements are in place. However at other sites, control and management may vary over a project and pose a challenge to determining who is primarily responsible. The WHS laws which apply in NSW are even more problematic, because the obligation to notify is expressed as being the responsibility of a person who conducts a business or undertaking (PCBU) where the incident arises out of “the conduct of the business or undertaking”. As the law does not specify exactly whose undertaking, more than one PCBU at a shared site may be jointly responsible for notification. SafeWork Australia guidance states that: If the ‘notifiable incident’ arises out of more than one business or undertaking then each must ensure that the incident has been notified to the regular. There is no need for all duty holders to notify – only one needs to. In these circumstances the duty holders must, so far as is reasonably practicable, consult, cooperate and coordinate to put appropriate reporting and notification arrangements in place. Notification will be particularly challenging for complex, multi-PCBU sites, such as building and construction sites. Duty holders

at Victorian and WHS (NSW) sites should consider clarifying notification protocols at the beginning of any multi-PCBU projects to ensure notifications are not delayed due to uncertainty in whose role it might be. Arguably, putting in place such arrangements may be considered mandatory under the duty of consultation between PCBU’s under the WHS (NSW) laws.

regulators, the approach taken to enforcement in safety is strategic and aligns with a risk-based approach to ensure that the State’s resources are targeted towards the areas of greatest need. You can expect that all fatality notifications will result in the regulator following up the notification with a visit, however, in all other instances, the regulator is likely to assess the imperative to respond against the resources it has available at any given time.

Site preservation: Double jeopardy? In both WHS (NSW) jurisdictions and Victoria, the duty to notify is accompanied by a further duty to preserve the site at which the incident occurred. It is not surprising that in many instances in which a duty holder has failed to notify the regulator of an incident, they will also have failed to preserve the site.

In any case, you should take steps to respond to the incident to ensure it is not repeated. In many circumstances, it will be advisable to seek legal advice on your potential liability. In such instances, be sure to speak to your legal representatives before commencing any investigation so that you do not inadvertently waive a right to maintain legal professional privilege that may exist in relation to the process.

In recent years, prosecutions in Victoria for failing to notify, over 60% of those listed also prosecuted the duty holder for failing to preserve the scene. Whilst it may be arguable that this gives rise to a type of ”double jeopardy”, in fact the underlying policy of notification is to provide the regulator an opportunity to intervene and take steps to address any safety issues for the most serious of workplace incidents. Where deliberate or unintentional, disrupting the scene of the incident could frustrate the regulator’s capacity to investigate and understand the cause of an incident. As safety law is criminal, this duty can be considered akin to protecting the “scene of a crime”. There are expectations to interfering with the incident scene, such as ensuring the safety of any person where an ongoing risk remains due to the incident (eg containing a chemical spill). Otherwise, you should contact the regulator and seek permission from an inspector before making any alterations to the scene. What happens next? Complying with incident notification obligations does not mean you will be automatically investigated by the regulator. As with all modern

A final thought for officers Officers expected to exercise due diligence in fulfilment of their duties under the model WHS (NSW) laws should pay particular attention to the effectiveness of their organisation’s incident response systems. The WHS (NSW) laws specifically identify the processes in place for responding to a notifiable incident as one of the minimum standards against which you will be judged in any assessment of how you are discharging your duties.

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Whose obligation is it to notify? In most workplaces where only one employer is present, the obligation to notify rests with that employer. A challenge arises for a complex workplace, such as building and construction sites, where a wide range of employers may be present.

Incident response training and conducting incident response drills should be considered an essential component of your organisation’s annual compliance calendar and used to assess how ready your organisation is to respond to the otherwise unthinkable. Should members have any further questions regarding this or any other safety matters, please do not hesitate to contact the Association’s Safety Department Sydney Office on (02) 8586 3555.

TABLE 2 – HOW SOON MUST YOU REPORT AND IN WHAT FORM? A key feature of notification obligations in all jurisdictions is the urgency with which the obligations must be complied. Again, however, there are subtle variations between safety laws across Australia. The table below sets out the current differences.

By What Means?

Formal Requirements

WHS Jurisdictions including New South Wales

Immediately after becoming aware of the obligation

The fastest means possible

In writing if instructed by the regular

Victoria

Immediately after becoming aware of the obligation

Not prescribed for initial contact, but phone is considered the standard

In writing, in the approved form, within 48 hours of the incident

Western Australia

“Forthwith” once the employer knows, or could reasonably be expected to have known, of the injury / disease

By posting / faxing the prescribed form or by telephone

In the prescribed form

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How Soon?

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HAS YOUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BEEN ACCREDITED TO PERFORM NSW GOVERNMENT WORK? Members are advised that in order to undertake work for the NSW State Government, a contractor’s management system must, depending on the contracted value of the works to be performed, have it Accredited against the Government’s Procurement Guideline requirements.

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Members are advised that in order to undertake work for the NSW State Government, a contractor’s management system must, depending on the contracted value of the works to be performed, have it Accredited against the Government’s Procurement Guideline requirements. Master Builders is pleased to announce that the Association’s Safety Department staff are now able to provide Accreditation for contractor’s Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Systems under NSW Government Procurement Guidelines, Contractors seeking accreditation of their Management Systems are required to meet

the following NSW Government Procurement Guideline requirements; • NSW Government WHS Management Systems and Auditing Guidelines 5th edition, September 2013 (Updated May 2014) • NSW Government Quality Management Systems Guidelines for Construction, 15 August 2013 • NSW Government Environmental Management Systems Guidelines 3rd Edition, August 2013 (Updated 30 May 2014) As the Master Builders Association of NSW is a Federally Registered Organisation under the Fair Work Act 2009, we are able to provide accreditation for contractors’ Safety,

Quality and Environmental Management Systems under NSW Government Procurement Guidelines. Additionally, the MBA Safety Department staff are certified Exemplar Global Lead Auditors who are accredited with JAS-ANZ. Should contractors have any further enquiries regarding this service, please do not hesitate to contact the MBA Safety Department on: Telephone: (02) 8586 3555 Email : safety@mbansw.asn.au

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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM What is an Employee Assistance Program and why is it so important in the construction industry? The importance of creating mentally healthy workplaces and the return on investment According to research conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia (PwC) in 2014 untreated mental health conditions are costing Australian employers over $10 billion annually through absenteeism, reduced productivity and workers’ compensation claims. Further, the PwC research Creating a mentally healthy workplace—Return on investment analysis, was conducted for beyondblue and the National Mental Health Commission and suggests businesses can earn a $2.30 return on investment for every dollar they spend on managing mental health.

That’s why managing and preventing mental health problems in the workplace makes sense commercially and benefits worker wellbeing.

According to the 2014 State of Workplace Mental Health in Australia report conducted by TNS Research for beyondblue, over 52 per cent of the 1,040 employees surveyed believed their workplace was mentally healthy and 75 per cent believed workplaces should provide support for employees experiencing mental illness.

The construction industry is a challenging place to work and it provides both employers and employees with a great deal of personal growth and satisfaction. It can also be an extremely stressful environment with high physical, mental and emotional demands. This can be due to many challenges such as tight deadlines and pressure to work extended hours. Over time the demands associated with work-related and/or personal stress can contribute towards an employee’s stress pressures and poor mental health. Poor psychological well-being may adversely impact an employee’s work performance and decrease the employee’s capacity to be effective and productive. Employee Assistance Program – to support an employee manage psychological well-being An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help to support and assist an employee to manage psychological well-being. Employees can be confident that EAP is totally impartial and

confidential. All information remains private and no details are disclosed to the employer without the employee’s permission. EAP provides an employee with short-term counselling and advisory service to assist them with unresolved problems, before they become unmanageable. EAP enables employers to provide preventive and proactive early intervention services that aim to resolve both work and personal problems. Employees can benefit from short-term counselling (normally around 3 x 1 hour sessions) to assist them with issues such as interpersonal conflict, changes at work, relationships with co-workers, anger, coping with life threatening illnesses, grief and bereavement, anxiety disorders, depression, gambling and substance abuse. EAP enables the employee to talk to a counsellor who is external to the workplace, not involved in the problem, skilled at enabling the person to talk about what the problems are and an expert in assisting how best to solve problems and how best to cope with them. EAP counsellors are trained to identify and help the person to solve their problems via a threestage process:

1. Clarifying the problem

2. Identifying options

3. Developing an action plan

Please call Mend on 1300 176 774 or tricia.garnett@mendservices.com.au who can assist with the development of and Employee Assistance Program for your business.

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Mental Health Issues in the Construction Industry Within the construction industry there is a prevalence of the mental issues and according to a 2007 ABS survey the construction industry

is the number one sector in terms of substance abuse. Further data from the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention indicates that construction workers are more than twice as likely to end their own life as compared with the general population. Suicide rates among apprentices in the industry is more than two and a half times the general averages for men of similar age. Evidence based research shows it makes for good business practice to proactively manage, support and assist employees who are being negatively affected by factors in the workplace and/or personally.

FEAT URE Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are proprietary modular units in the form of interlocking blocks or panels, made from polystyrene or polyurethane foam and filled with concrete. Initially developed in Europe in the first half of the 20th century, the technique evolved rapidly in the 1960s with the use of modern foam plastics. During the last three decades, tens of thousands of ICF houses have been built in Europe and North America. Since its introduction into Australia in the 1980s, hundreds of ICF homes have been built here.

Insulating concrete form construction suits building designs with strong, simple lines.

ICFs create predictable high performance walls in which substantial thermal mass and structural support is contained in easily stacked and joined insulation. The sealed nature of the construction and the high levels of insulation make this method particularly suited to projects seeking to achieve the very high levels of performance benchmarked by programs like the increasingly influential ‘passive house’.

Performance summary Appearance The appearance of finished ICF structures is determined by the render or facing materials used to cover the foam plastic formwork.

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Structural capability Typical ICF construction consists of fireretardant polystyrene foam plastic blocks or wall panels that are interlocking and selfsupporting and act as formwork for poured concrete. Some systems simply interlock blocks on corners, like traditional bricks, while others provide purpose-made corner blocks.

ICF’s self-supporting blocks lock together to create a structure strong enough to hold poured concrete. 54

When the self-supporting blocks lock together they create a structure strong enough to withstand the pressure of poured concrete. The concrete, once it sets, provides the loadbearing structural capacity of the system. Reinforcement is placed within the formwork as needed. With some systems (e.g. Formcraft) reinforcement is laid on connectors that link the outer and inner skins of foam sheeting; in others (e.g. Thermacell) it is laid on the cross-linking elements of expanded polystyrene blockwork. One typical variant of ICF construction consists of foam panels, sized to suit standard window head and floor heights, joined across a cavity with regular banks of connectors. ICF flooring can reportedly weigh up to 40% less than conventional concrete flooring. It can be laid as independent decking or designed to form a continuous reinforced structure with the walls. The same approach can be used for constructing roof decks. Timber flooring is also an option for use with ICF walling. Thermal mass The thermal mass in the ICF system is contained by insulation. The effect of this mass is to provide a stable core temperature to the ICF structure. Insulation The level of insulation provided by ICF construction depends on the type of ICF units used and the thickness of insulation in those units but it is often greater than R3. One of the German ICF products distributed in North America is available in insulation ratings ranging from R6 to R15. In Australia the insulation levels achieved in ICF construction tend to be in the range of R3 to R6 (see Insulation).

PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN The design of a passive house aims to achieve ultra-low energy use with near zero emissions. The basic concept is to create an economical, tightly sealed, highly insulated building envelope through which all energy and airflows can be closely controlled to create continuous comfort for the building’s occupants using sustainable energy. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is commonly used. Conceived in 1988, the passive house concept is not copyrighted or controlled. Working with the services of an architect or design professional, anyone can seek to make their home project achieve passive house performance level. However, take care to recognise that in many Australian climate conditions the biggest problem of any highly insulated, well-sealed building is its propensity to overheat.

Sound insulation The combination of rigid foam insulation with the mass of concrete and generally airtight construction makes ICF a good sound insulator with typical 300mm walls delivering a sound transmission class (STC) rating of around 48 (see the appendix Noise control). Fire resistance Polystyrene and polyurethane foam do not burn and support flame or fuel fire, but they do melt and release toxic fumes — reportedly no worse than the toxins released by burning wood. However, they are located behind layers of plasterboard or render or similar high density finishes that protect the foam from immediate heat. In addition, it is usual for manufacturers to add flame retardant to the expanded polystyrene, making it virtually selfextinguishing. The concrete structure within the forms is non-combustible and protected by the insulated forms.

BETTER BY DESIGN

Photographed by Eric Sierins. Courtesy of Frasers Property and Sekisui House.

HEBEL SYSTEMS OFFER FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN, SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION AND MAKE BCA COMPLIANCE EASY TO ACHIEVE.

Hebel wall systems deliver exceptional benefits in terms of cost, quality, project efficiency, and risk minimisation. Used in a range of applications including intertenancy, corridor, shaft and service walls, Hebel’s wall systems go up quickly and easily helping with project costs and schedules. They are also tested, designed, and well-proven to achieve BCA fire and acoustic rating compliance easily. Hebel – better by design.

www.hebel.com.au

FEAT URE

Altogether, the fire resistance is very good, with tests demonstrating that ICF foam does not support the spread of flame nearly as well as wood. For ICF construction to achieve an acceptable fire rating, it must be lined with fire-rated plasterboard or similar material. Vermin resistance The foam insulation offers no food value to rodents or insects and tends not to attract or harbour infestation; however, as polystyrene foam insulation can provide easy passage for insects, some manufacturers treat blocks with insecticide to counter this problem. Durability and moisture resistance The materials that make up ICF construction will normally suffer little or no degradation over the life of a building and ICF’s estimated durability is excellent.

The iconic image of a single house left standing after Hurricane Katrina was of an ICF home. The inorganic nature of the materials means that they do not support mould growth. In a properly detailed and constructed ICF building there should be no points of entry for moisture to the structural elements and the foam insulation is impervious to moisture. Houses constructed with ICF have a proven resistance to earthquakes, cyclones, fires and other natural hazards — the iconic image of a single house left standing after Hurricane Katrina was of an ICF home.

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Toxicity and breathability There may be some toxic outputs in the manufacture of the polystyrene or polyurethane foam but the materials in ICF are non-toxic in its manufactured and completed state. The plastic foam is non-breathable and does not allow moisture or air penetration. Because there are no cavities or other voids in ICF construction, there is almost no potential for moisture penetration or condensation in any structural elements. Environmental impacts ICF uses concrete (the manufacture of which is one of the largest single contributors to climate change), plastic derived from oil (the production of which is peaking and for which costs are bound to rise) and steel. However, all building construction uses these materials to a greater or lesser extent and their use in ICF is, arguably, a highly responsible way of using limited resources for long-life, energy efficient structures.

As ICF has a very long life, the energy investment is recouped over many decades. Industry sources report that the energy saving attributable to ICF means that, compared with conventional construction methods such as brick veneer, ICF effectively recoups its own energy cost of manufacture within 12 months. Buildability, availability and cost A typical polystyrene block is 300mm high, 200–300mm wide and 1200mm long. It is very light and easy to handle and needs no gluing to join with its neighbour. Once the forms have been stacked and reinforcement is in place, a concrete pump is needed to pour a consistent and continuous flow of concrete into the forms. The buildability of ICF is a consequence of its modular, kit-of-parts construction and use of well-proven construction machinery. With little need for on-site adjustment and change, construction is generally faster than most other building methods. There are manufacturers across Australia and the products are widely available. Costs depend on the type of system used and, in particular, the wall thickness specified.

Concrete being pumped into the blockwork.

Typical domestic construction Construction process The construction of most ICF buildings is fundamentally a process of stacking lightweight blocks together in a similar manner to children’s building bricks, laying reinforcement where necessary, and pouring concrete into the voids of the blockwork. It does not call for the same skill set as solid brick or brick veneer construction. Footings The footings for ICF buildings are usually reinforced concrete rafts or strips that are flat and even enough to enable stacking of the foam blocks, with reinforcement starter bars set ready to connect with the concrete when poured into the formwork. Loadbearing walls Any ICF wall can be designed to be loadbearing.

Joints and connections Joints and connections with other building elements are kept to a minimum, especially when the flooring or roofing elements are also made from ICF. Fixings The foam blockwork or formwork forms a poor basis for any fixings. Light loads are generally carried by the lining or facing materials, such as plasterboard, and heavier loads can be carried by supporting points drilled into the concrete that forms the inner material of the ICF. Openings Major openings for doorways, windows, etc., need to be set out in the formwork as it is relatively difficult to make changes later, owing to the fundamentally monolithic nature of the structural elements. Once openings have been made, they can accommodate window and door frames of any type. A typical kind of fixing uses timber blocks set into the ends of the ICF blocks around the opening. Electrical conduit and plumbing is generally run in chasing in the depth of the foam formwork. Finishes Finishes are dependent on the materials used to face the ICF units. Typically, the main finish is a render or render-equivalent covering or paint. Any additional cladding can be added to the ICF walls subject to making appropriate supports for it, although many sheet finishes, such as plasterboard, can be glued directly to the surface of the formwork. External renders require a base or skim coat embedded with fibreglass mesh, followed by a second coat and then a texture coating, finally finished with an ‘armour coat’. Things to watch out for The lack of industry standardisation means that although the basic principles of ICF construction are the same, every ICF system is different. • When the concrete is drying out it may release sufficient water vapour to affect absorbent materials like plasterboard, and this should be factored into project timing. • Building with ICF is a precise process with smaller margins for error than conventional or traditional construction allows. • Modification of the structure after completion requires the use of specialist tools. This article was kindly provided by Your Home and written by Paul Downton, 2013.

No Allen Key Required Installing 25,000 square meters of TPO membrane roofing, 1,000 m2 of conventional roofing, approximately 10,000 m2 of Insulated Wall Panelling, the “IKEA” Signage, and 8,000 m2 of Solar panelling all on time, on budget and defect free meant the Red 8 project team, were unsurprisingly extremely happy with their efforts at Canberra’s newest flagship store IKEA. The Project team lead by Andrew Blockley consisting of over 30 tradespersons from Sydney and the ACT worked onsite for nearly 12 months bringing the project to fruition. A predominantly European system, the TPO membrane was shipped in from the UK and adhered to 100mm PIR Insulated Panels at the Kingspan factory in Sydney and shipped to the ACT along with custom coloured IKEA Blue and Yellow 80mm insulated wall panels that form the facade of the building.

Installed similar to conventional roofing, and initially screwed into place, a specialist waterproofing team then welded the TPO roof together and we are proud to say that from day 1 the roof was 100% leak free. Over seventy 2m x 2m skylights are also installed at roof level for natural daylight. Red 8’s sister Company K2 Solar then installed what was then, and still may be, Canberra’s largest Solar system of over 8,000 m2 of the roof area. Comprised of 1924, 260 watt Jinko Polycrystaline Eagle panels and 20 x SMA 25 kW inverters it uses a Schletter Alugrid Ballasted system meaning no roof penetrations. The system took about 10 weeks to install and generates approximately 785 MWh’s per year (the equivalent power to run 100 residential houses). A report showed no adverse glare from the panels affect the airport next door, a large consideration in the design.

To finish off the project all signage supplied by IKEA was then installed by Red 8 using a local signage contractor.

A DVER T O RI A L

RED 8 ROOFING - IKEA CANBERRA

IKEA Canberra was Red 8 roofing’s 2nd IKEA store, the first being their Head Office in Tempe NSW. They look forward to working with IKEA and Head Contractor Hindmarsh Constructions in the future. For more information contact: Phone: 1800 429 110 Website: www.red8roofing.com.au

Red 8 Roofing is one of the largest and most highly regarded metal roofing companies in NSW servicing the Sydney Metropolitan area, Central West Region, Newcastle, Hunter, ACT and Queensland

www.red8roofing.com.au We supply and fit a wide range of metal roofing in the latest trends, styles and colours. Our services cover many applications including:

Proudly using K2 Solar

Colorbond Metal Roofing Kingspan Metecno & Ritek Insulated Panels TPO and PVC Built Up & Panel Systems Aramax Roofing | Guttering | Down Pipes Flashings | Skylights Specialised Materials – Alloys, Zinc, Copper and Stainless Steel Wall Cladding and Facades | Acoustic Insulation Thermal Insulation | Turbo Roof Ventilators

Telephone: 1800 429 110 Head Office: 5 / 12 – 16 Mangrove Lane Taren Point NSW 2229 Postal Address: PO Box 2861, Taren Point NSW 2229

Commercial and Industrial METAL ROOFING and CLADDING Multi-award winner of the Metal Roofing and Cladding Association of Australia’s “Excellence in Roofing Awards Australia” for 9 years running

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Fax 02 9531 2885 For tenders or quotes: estimator@red8roofing.com.au For general enquiries: office@red8roofing.com.au

FEAT URE

Add to your Living Space with Timber Decks

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With spring not too far off, many take the opportunity to work outside and David Hayward, ATFA Technical Manager will provide us with some useful tips regarding the construction of timber decks. He also refers to ATFAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publication on timber decks that gives the latest comprehensive guide on constructing domestic timber decks and which may be purchased from the ATFA website.

PROJECT :

Adelaide Convention Centre, Stage 2

PROFILE:

KingFlor® KF70

BUILDER:

Lend Lease

INSTALLER: Mitcon Formwork

Reshaping Steel Building Design THE PROJECT

THE SOLUTION

The $350 million redevelopment of the Adelaide Convention Centre in South Australia is set to boost the state’s economy by more than $1.92 billion over 25 years, elevating Adelaide as a true competitor on the global conferencing and exhibition stage.

KingFlor KF70 was chosen for this project due to its longer spanning capability as compared to other steel decks on the market. KF70’s unique design with wider coverage will not only save on preparatory costs, but also mean that the laying of the floor will overall be executed faster.

With Stage 1 completed in 2014, stage 2 of the centre’s redevelopment is currently in progress which replaces the original Plenary Building constructed in 1987. When complete in 2017, the facility will boast a capacity increase of 3,500 seats with state-of-the-art, world-class convention and exhibition space. Fielders were contracted by Lend Lease and Mitcon to supply over 6,000m2 of KingFlor KF70 steel flooring throughout the development.

KF40® SquashCut™

KF70® SquashCut™

FIELDERS BUILDING SYSTEMS Ideas to Shape the Future

THE PROCESS The supply of KF70 at the Adelaide Convention Centre commenced in September 2015 with an estimated supply completion date of March 2016. The entire development is due to be completed and open for business in June 2017. PROJECT SPECIFICS • Total of 6,000 m2 of KingFlor KF70 • 1.00mm steel formwork

CF210®

RF55®

KF57®

1800 182 255 fielders.com.au

FEAT URE Secretly fixed deck using the Deckmax system

Top nail fixing

In most places throughout Australia, many have seen the benefits of adding a timber deck to enhance their living experience and to add value to their property. Decks may be used for verandah flooring, to connect outdoor living areas with internal or to provide an area to relax on a hot summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day by the pool. But in order to get the most from your deck there are few aspects to note that can really benefit the performance. It is these aspects that will be discussed.

preservative treatment becomes important as with treatment the durability of the sapwood is increased for use outside. So what is important to understand is that the right timber species and the right treatment level creates timber that can last in excess of 50 years, when used in weather exposed decks.

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The success of a timber deck relies on knowing the characteristics of the products you are using, assessing the installation environment and then constructing the deck accordingly. So firstly we need to have an understanding of timber durability because unless the timbers we use are durable they will be prone to premature decay or attack by termites. Beneath the bark of a tree is the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;growingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; timber called the sapwood and beneath this is the heartwood. The heartwood of many hardwoods (broad leaf trees) is durable for use outside and with some species the heartwood may used in-ground. However, the sapwood of hardwoods and softwoods (pine trees) having a high proportion of sapwood, are not durable for use outside. This is where

A common question that is asked relates to the stability of timber decking boards. Stability refers to timbers resistance to shrinkage, swelling, twist, surface splits and cupping. With this not all timbers are equal and some timbers will be more stable than others. But it is also fair to say that no timber species has what would be regarded as perfect properties. Kwila or Merbau is regarded as being a very stable decking timber but is also high in tannins that will bleed from the timber with rain wetting for a period after installation. But stability can also be enhanced by ensuring that the decking is manufactured to the correct moisture content range (10% to 15% is recommended) and also that correctly sized board fixings are used. So it is important to also consider these aspects and discuss them with suppliers. Just as important as the timber used are the fixings to be used and this brings us on to

the second step on assessing the installation environment. The external environment in Australia can only be described as very harsh with many localities experiencing hot dry summers and wet cold winters. But it must also be considered that coastal environments and salt chlorinated pools will add to these harsh conditions. It is for this reason that fixings for decking and a deck framing are hot dipped galvanised as a minimum and often stainless steel or fixings with specialised coatings are used. The treatment used is also corrosive and this is another reason for the need to have highly durable fixings. Some decks use secret fixing systems and with these a combination of plastic, hot dipped galvanised and stainless steel is available. Mechanically galvanised fixings are simply not suitable for any external deck. One area where problems are more frequent is with decks that are close to the ground. With such decks good drainage beneath and provision for ventilation are a must. Framing timbers needs to be of higher durability than elevated decks and use of wide decking boards increases the risk of performance issues, as they reduce the available ventilation through the deck and with conditions often

moister beneath the deck, wider boards are also prone to greater cupping. As such we would recommend that with these decks, board width should be restricted to 90mm and more stable decking timbers used.

timber sizes and fixings for a successful installation. So with this guide you have the opportunity to provide decks that will perform over the long term and information to assists owners to keep their decks in good condition.

This brings us on to the third step contributing to a successful deck and that is the construction which needs to be based on the choosing the correct materials for the type of deck and the environment where the deck will be built. With construction, there are many aspects that need to be considered from building approval, footings, framing timber sizes, termite protection, the need to consider handrails, coatings and the list goes on. It is in relation to these aspects that the ATFA recommendations for timber decks provides invaluable assistance. The recommendations are comprehensive, explaining in detail the areas touched on above but also providing practical assistance in choosing the right

It is important to realise that if things are done right they become an asset and that there is often little difference in cost and time in doing a job right. It is disappointing to see decks that experience ongoing problems simply because the basics were not adhered to and corner were cut. So what you need to take away from this is a simple three step process of knowing the characteristics of the products you are using, assessing the installation environment and then constructing the deck accordingly.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 41 Heathcote Road, Moorebank, NSW 2170

INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT DECKS, THEN GO TO THE ATFA’S WEBSITE (ATFA.COM.AU) AND PURCHASE THE ATFA PUBLICATION.

P: (02) 9774 2944 E: andrew@abbeytimber.com.au www.abbeytimber.com.au

We have a large range of decking, screening and outdoor timbers; also we stock the largest range of timber flooring in Sydney for immediate deliveries.

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• Flooring • Decking • Screening • Cladding • Structural Hardwoods • Rustic Hardwoods • Plywood • Framing • Hardware • Masonry Blocks and More…

DAT ES FOR YO UR DI A RY

2016 12 POINT CPD SEMINAR Wollongong

22 Jun

Manly

27 Jul

Coffs Harbour

18 Aug

TRADE SHOWS Moss Vale

30 Jun

Wollongong

04 Aug

Griffith

24 Aug

Wagga

25 Aug

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DIVISIONS -Member Information Nights Central Coast

6 Jul, 03 Aug, 5 Oct, 02 Nov

Central West

24 Aug

Cronulla

22 Jun, 03 Aug

Eastern Suburbs

28 Jun, 26 Jul,

Far South Coast

24 Aug

Hume

03 Aug, 5 Oct

Hunter

28 Jun, 27 Sep, 22 Nov

Illawarra

07 Jul, 04 Aug, 01 Sep, 06 Oct, 03 Nov

Inner West

19 Jul, 20 Sep, 22 Nov

Manly Warringah

14 Jul, 11 Aug, 08, Sep, 13 Oct, 10 Nov

Manning / Great Lakes

26 Jul, 11 Oct

Mid North Coast

22 Aug

New England

29 Aug

North Coast

23 Aug

North North West

28 Jun, 09 Aug

Northern Suburbs

21 Jul, 18 Aug, 20 Oct, 17 Nov

Orana

25 Aug

Oxley

27 Jul, 12 Oct

Parramatta Cumberland

20 Jul, 17 Aug, 21 Sep, 19 Oct, 16 Nov

Snowy Mountains

25 Aug, 23 Nov

South Coast / Shoal

20 Jul, 17 Aug, 21 Sep, 19 Oct, 16 Nov

Southern Highlands

12 Jul, 09 Aug

St George

21 Jun, 16 Aug, 18 Oct

23 Aug, 27 Sep, 25 Oct, 22 Nov

T HE WAY W E W ERE

WHAT THE MBA SAID MAY 1959

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DI RECT ORY / W HAT ’S NEW