ABCC launches
Finishing Trades Audit by Michael Baldwin - IR Director
Following on from its enquiry into Sham Contracting which is yet to be finalised, the ABCC have announced the commencement of a targeted audit campaign in the finishing trades. According to the ABCC, the project will focus on sham contracting and wages and conditions for less skilled / qualified finishing trades in the building and construction industry.
EDITION 5-2011 http://www.mba.org.au/ files/view/?id=594 MASTER BUILDERS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL President – Ross Barrett Treasurer – Simon Butt Chair, Commercial Builders’ Sector Council – Valdis Luks Chair, Suppliers and Subcontractors’ Sector Council – Grace Ferreira Chair, Residential Builders’ Sector Council – David Howarth Chair, Civil Contractors’ Sector Council – David Jones Chair, Professional Consultants’ Sector Council – Hans Sommer MASTER BUILDERS MANAGEMENT TEAM Executive Director – John Miller Deputy Executive Director – Jerry Howard Director Industrial Relations – Mike Baldwin Senior Management Accountant – Louise MacCallum Senior Manager - Marketing & Membership Services – David Leitch MASTER BUILDERS GROUP TRAINING General Manager – Wendy Tengstrom
Master Builders Association of the ACT 1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609 Tel: (02) 6247 2099 Fax: (02) 6249 8374 Email: canberra@mba.org.au Web: www.mba.org.au
The position of the ABCC is that this sector of the industry represents some of the most vulnerable, least skilled and lowest paid workers in the industry and ought to be protected from sham contracting and other non-compliance activities. As such the aim of these audits is to insure that targeted employees are in receipt of their correct wages and are not improperly employed as sham contractors. Those trades in particular focus include painters, tilers, plasters and concreters. We understand the audit will run approximately 12 months from August 2011.
provides for compensation for loss to be paid to a person who has suffered because of a contravention. This was both put and expanded upon in our submission to the ABCC inquiry in February of this year. By contrast, the ABCC sees the defence outlined in the Act with respect to misrepresentation as being “a low threshold for an employer to defend themselves and may even embrace wilful blindness in some circumstances.” In effect, the ABCC is advocating legislative change, prior to the outcome of the national inquiry.
“The Master Builders Association has numerous concerns about the audit. ” The Master Builders Association has numerous concerns about the audit. Firstly, it is to be conducted prior to the completion and final report on the much larger ABCC enquiry into Sham Contracting. The enquiry report has itself been delayed because the ABCC had not to date been able to commission a suitable study on the nature and extent of sham contracting. Let us remember that the threshold question yet to be addressed remains what is a suitable definition for “sham contracting”. The Master Builders continue to advance the view that the common law definition is the most appropriate and the civil penalty provisions outlined in the Act are a sufficient deterrent. Remember, the fines that are able to be imposed are very steep. The maximum penalty is $6,600 for an individual and $33,000 for a body corporate. So for example, if an employer makes a deliberate misrepresentation to 10 employees it could be fined up to $330,000. The Act also
Therefore when seen in this light, the Master Builders is somewhat alarmed by the announcement of an audit campaign by the ABCC. What position will the regulator adopt regarding the definition of a ‘sham contract’; are we seeing pre-emptive action being taken by the regulator when the more cautious and sensible approach would have been to finalise the larger inquiry before running off on a frolic of its own as appears to be the case here? If a member is contacted by the ABCC regarding an audit, please contact us so we are in a position to give suitable advice. email: mbaldwin@mba.org.au tel: (02) 6175 5919
THE
HAMMER hits the nail on the head
The oft quoted jocular statement “It’s a wonder that we can manage to drive on the same side of the road in this country” sums up the ability - or rather the lack of ability of the Australian states and territories to act in unison on anything and everything.
What we are now seeing is legislation being passed that fundamentally purports to be based on model legislation and yet is looking so different from state to state. This is going to be tested in spades as the pursuit of national occupational licensing continues.
Let’s face it, not all that long ago we had to change trains when we got to the state border such has been the penchant in our wonderful federation for going it alone. Sad, isn’t it? Here were are well into the 21st century and not a lot has changed. Have a look at daylight saving. Come October and April, the rest of the world has no idea what time it is anywhere in Australia: nor does half the population of the country.
Harmonisation took on greater priority when the Rudd Government was elected in 2007. All of sudden the stars were aligned. There was a new federal Labor government and each state and territory government was of the same persuasion. The reality however, notwithstanding some of political posturing and chest beating that resulted from changed state governments in Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, is that harmonisation is not necessarily being threatened by non-Labor jurisdictions. They’re all happy to go and put their own spin and idiosyncrasies on their own “harmonised” legislation.
Under the banner of a new cooperative approach we have the Federal Government trying to dish up harmonised this and harmonised that and it’s largely failing. The problem for the building and construction industry is that you are right in the firing line on all things harmonised. First of all there was Occupational Health and Safety, now known as Work Health and Safety. An even bigger headache is gathering for the industry in the form of national occupational licensing. What is really a very honorable pursuit is getting smashed by politics and self-interest. Almost every state and territory believes that harmonisation is a good thing. The big problem is that they all add a rider to their belief that harmonised legislation is good. The rider is “So long as it follows our current legislation because ours is the best system.”
Witness in the ACT the retention of Industrial Manslaughter legislation not signed up to by others. Not a skerrick of evidence was presented to support that legislation in the first place and in a harmonised world it still remains. It’s a fair bet that a cross-check of regulation supporting Work Health and Safety legislation across jurisdictions will be as ‘harmonised’ as Danny De Vito and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the classic movie, Twins. Yes, we’ve still got a long way to go in terms of harmonisation and unless we can do more to get on the same side of the road then it’s a fair bet that business will continue to get hammered particularly as they try to operate across borders.
by Jerry Howard - Deputy Executive Director
ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN PAINTING IN COLDER CONDITIONS
FIXING OF WINDOWS AND DOORS SOME CRITICAL ISSUES TO CONSIDER
Recently, one of our members contacted me regarding issues that he had experienced with the paint finish, especially with joints in plaster being clearly visible after paint was applied and also issues with gloss paint on doors being very patchy. The builder advised me that this work was undertaken during winter where daytime temperatures were well below 9ºC inside the building and, in some instances, around 0ºC for most of the morning. The paint, in this instance, was a water-based low voc paint specified by the clients. I can understand the time constraints that builders work under, however, if you don’t follow the paint manufacturer’s specifications, then there is no recourse for you.
Recently I attended a seminar in Sydney where I discussed the fixing of windows with representatives from the Australian Window Association. Over the years the size of window units and door units has increased dramatically, however, there have been many instances where the fixing requirements required to resist the additional wind forces have not been totally understood by the builders. The Australian Window Association have now produced an excellent guide to the fixing of windows and this is available on their website www.awa.org.au. The tables within this guide determine the number of nails or screws required for appropriate fixing of windows and doors. We have included two tables for typical ACT region applications in N1 and N2. In example Table 1 we have included the number of fixings How This Guide from using 1.8mm diameter nails and alsoTo theUse worked example the guide. In Table 2 we have included the fixing requirements for N2 using 2.5mm diameter nails. The assumption has been made that fixings be into radiata pine speciesofgroup Thethese tables withinwill is guide determine the number nails JD4. or screws needed for
To avoid potential problems associated with cold weather painting, especially in our climate zone, I have attached a link to information from the paint manufacturer and also contact to the Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF). At optimum conditions of 25ºC and 50% relative humidity, water based broad wall paints have a drying time of two hours. At lower temperature or increased humidity, the drying time of water-based paints is extended. Substrates of varying absorbency and varying film builds can result in a colour difference over joints and on cut in areas. The Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation has issued a fact sheet explaining some of the issues in regard to these problems. This can be accessed from http://www.apmf.asn.au/
appropriate fixing of windows and doors.
Nail Capacity - N2 on the: The number of nails or screws required are dependent • The Windnumber Classification (as provided by AS4055) of nails or screws needed are dependent on the: • •ULSWind WindClassification Pressure (as provided by AS4055) • •Diameter of Nail or Screw SizeNail Diameter: 1.8 mm ULS Wind Pressure ULS Wind Pressure: 1000 Pa, • •Window Width da Diameter of Nail or Screw Size Window Width • •Window Height Window Width
Increased ventilation and temperature will accelerate drying of the paint film and avoid this problem. The occurrence of this effect will be more prevalent on sites where there has been extensive painting, as the application of the paint over large areas increases humidity dramatically and thus extends drying time further.
Window Height Window Height
• Weather conditions • Plaster not fully cured prior to painting • Plaster being applied before the base coat or first coat is fully cured • Paint not fully cured before applying the second coat • Lack of airflow in the house • Lack of heating in colder conditions • Cutting in over sprayed ceiling paints • Cutting in once instead of twice
Window Height
•
The following can be contributing factors to unsatisfactory paint finishes:
Window 600 Height 900
1200
1500
1800
2100
2400
2700
3000
3300
3600
Fixings would normally spaced, specific product 600 4 4 4 be evenly 4 6 6 but some 6 8 8 8 10 Fixings would normally be conditions evenly spaced somespecialised specific product types types wind loading may8 but require 900 and/or 4 4 6 6 8 10 10 12 12 14 and/or wind loading conditions may require specialised placement. Refer to 1200 4 6 to your 6 8 10 10if you12 14 16 16 18 placement. Refer system supplier are unsure. you system supplier if8 you are unsure. 1500 4 6 10 12 1800 6 Example
14
16
16
18
20
22
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
2100
6
8
10
14
16
18
20
24
26
28
30
2400
6
10
12
16
18
20
24
26
30
32
34
2700
8
10
14
16
20
24
26
30
32
600
900
1200
1500
1800
2100
2400
2700
3000
3300
3600
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
6
6
ULS Wind Pressure: 700 Pa, Nail Diameter: 1.8 mm
600
Window Width
ULS Wind Pressure: 1000 Pa, Nail Diameter: 2.1 mm 900 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 8 da 1200 4 4 4 6 6 8 8 10 Window Width 1500
8 81500 4 10
8 1800 10 4 12
10 2100 12 4 14
10 2400 12 4 14
12 2700 14 6 16
14 3000 16 6 18
14 3300 18 620
16 3600 18 622
900 2400 1200 2700 1500
44 64 4
64 84 4
84 4 10 6
4 10 6 12 8
6 12 6 14 8
6 14 8 16 10
6 16 8 18 10
8 18 10 20
8 20 10 24
822 12 26
10 24 12 28
12
14
14
16
2400
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
28
For a window with the size of 2100mm (h) x 1500mm (w) to be fixed into a home built in with a N1 Wind 1800 4 6 8 Pressure 10 of 700Pa) 12 16 10 Nails 16 are to 18be Classification zone6 (with a ULS Wind and12using a 14 1.8mm nail: 2100to fix 4this window. 6 8 10 12 12 14 16 18 20 22 used
ULS Wind Pressure:p1000 Pa, Nail Diameter: 2.5 mm N2 ≥ 10D p = penetration da D = diameter of nail Window Width 600 Example:
Window Height
10 12
6 61200 84
• Ensure building/house is well ventilated • Blow heaters will assist with the curing time • Check the site within a few days to see if the issue has been resolved
or screw
Table 2
1500nail,1800 2100 2400 2700 3000 - 900 Using 1200 a 2.5mm penetration should be at least
3300 3600 25mm 4 4 4 4 the diameter, 4 4 in this 4 case 6 - 4Using 4a 6 Gauge screw, determine 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 8 2.8mm, penetration should4 be at 6least 28mm
600
4
900
4
1200
4
4
4
4
6
6
6
8
8
8
10
1500
4
4
4
6
6
6
8
8
10
10
12
1800
4
4
6
6
8
8
10
10
12
12
14
6
8
10
10
12
12
14
16
8
10
10
12
14
14
16
18
8
10
12
14
14
16
18
20
2100 4 4 6 Australian Window Association 2400 4 6 6 2700
14
10 12
4 6900 64
Embedment Depth into timber and masonry
10
8 10
4 4600 44
Embedment Depth 2700 6 8
Severe occurrences over filled areas can be corrected by applying a spirit based stain sealer or a quick-dry (oil-based undercoat) to the affected areas and finishing with another coat of topcoat. For less severe problems, one coat of topcoat cut and rolled will overcome the problem, provided there is adequate ventilation. Best results will be achieved if the temperature is >10ºC for the drying period.
Table 1 36 38
1800 600 2100
TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM
SOLUTION
N1
4
6
8
Note: Window and door units must be installed level, square Australian Window Association and plumb. They must be wedged / packed at reveals as per the manufacturers instructions. The nail penetration into the timber stud must be 10x the diameter of the nail.
ACTPLA INCREASES BUILDING LEVY BUT ABOLISHES SOME INSPECTION FEES ACTPLA has announced an increase in the building levy effect from 1 July 2011. The levy has been increased at the same time ACTPLA has announced changes to electrical, hydraulic and gas inspection arrangements and fees. Separate electrical, hydraulic and gas inspection fees have been abolished and, to offset their removal, the building levy has been increased, ACTPLA said. Under the new ACT Government administrative arrangements ACTPLA is now part of the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate. The new Directorate unites ACTPLA with environmental policy and protection, sustainability policy, the Government architect, heritage, transport planning and nature conservation. ACTPLA has also dropped its previous five-day guarantee for inspections being undertaken.
The new building levy fee arrangement applies to work associated with a building approval where the building levy is paid after 1 July 2011. Individual inspection fees for works where a building approval was granted before 1 July 2011 and work not associated with a building approval are still applicable, the authority said. ACTPLA said that it previously provided a five-day guarantee for inspections on the basis that applicants would receive a refund of the inspection fees payable, or combination of fees relating to large projects. “The guarantee was originally brought in recognition of the significant fee impost at the time. However, under the circumstances, the refund guarantee no longer applies to electrical, hydraulic or gas inspections Nevertheless, the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate will aim to provide inspections as soon as practical, commensurate with peak workloads.”
ACTPLA said that “at present, the Directorate is experiencing a very high peak demand for electrical inspections owing to the accelerated release of residential properties onto the market and the installation of Photovoltaic panels associated with the Feed-in Tariff. This means that inspection times are currently significantly longer than would otherwise be the case. We will keep industry informed on progress in working through the current backlog.” Details of the fee schedules can be found on the ACTPLA website at: http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0004/18148/Fees_and_ Charges_2011_2012_V10_20110720.pdf
ABCC WINS MORE THAN $300,000 FINES AND COSTS AGAINST CFMEU OVER ILLEGAL WA STRIKE The Australian Building and Construction Commission has had what is being described a major court victory against the militant Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union over illegal industrial action in the guise of a dispute about safety issues. The Federal Court fined the union and individual West Australian union officers $150,000, ordered the union pay $97,000 in compensation to the builder targeted by the union, and required the union to pay the ABCC’s costs – likely to amount to about $100,000. The ABCC has six further legal actions against the CFMEU before the courts. The WA builder, Diploma Constructions, described the Federal Court decision as an important precedent. In December 2009 Justice John Gilmour issued an order restraining CFMEU Assistant State Secretary Joe McDonald and the CFMEU from being involved in industrial action at any Diploma construction site. The CFMEU and Mr McDonald were alleged by the ABCC to have been in contempt as a result of their
conduct at a Diploma construction site on 2 February 2011 and 10 June 2011. Judge Gilmour found the disruption the unionists had caused at a city office tower project over five days in 2009 was illegal, deliberate and undertaken under “the guise” of safety concerns. “It was a concerted exercise aimed at disrupting the performance of work in order to exert pressure on Diploma,” Justice Gilmour said. As well as the $97,000 compensation to Diploma, Mr McDonald was fined $17,000, the union $120,000 and organiser Mick Buchan -- who takes over from longtime CFMEU chief Kevin Reynolds in December -- $13,000. They also must pay the ABCC’s costs, which could add up to $100,000. Diploma Group chief executive Nick Di Latte told The Australian newspaper, “It clearly demonstrates that there is no place for the type of behaviour undertaken by the CFMEU and certain individuals within that organisation in our industry.”
“It sets a clear precedent for any future unlawful disruptions . . . particularly where alleged safety issues are used as a guise for ulterior motives.” Justice Gilmour noted that contrition could have reduced the penalties, but found there was none. “There is no evidence of any contrition or remorse by any of the respondents,” he said. Mr McDonald and Mr Buchan visited the Hay Street site several times in June 2009 counseling workers to stop work, which hundreds did. Mr McDonald’s fine is on top of the $26,500 in fines previously imposed on him from three other cases brought by the ABCC, while six more are pending. ABCC Commissioner Leigh Johns said the court’s ruling showed the high cost of unlawful industrial action and he warned that the ABCC would increasingly be seeking compensation. “Where the intent of unlawful industrial action is to cause financial harm in order to achieve an industrial objective, the ABCC will seek to mitigate that harm through compensation orders,” he said.
Changes to Building Approval Process ACTPLA has announced changes in the Building Approvals process from 1 August 2011, requiring builders and others seeking approvals to use new Building Approval forms. ACTPLA says it will no longer accept old forms submitted after 1 August 2011. Under the new ACT Government administrative arrangements, ACTPLA is now part of the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate. The new Directorate unites ACTPLA with environmental policy and protection, sustainability policy, the Government architect, heritage, transport planning and nature conservation. The new forms are to be used when applying for Building Approval, where approval is necessary. ACTPLA has issued a new Building Approval Information pack containing the new forms. The pack can be downloaded at http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/publications_forms/ info_packs/building_approval_information_pack ACTPLA said the application for building approval allows building approval to be issued and a building certifier appointed. Employed builders or ownerbuilders then complete applications for commencement and the building certifier completes the building commencement notice that means work can begin. ACTPLA has published the following table showing how the forms have changed and which new forms replace the old-style forms:
BEWARE OF UNSCRUPULOUS OPERATORS PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
Small business owners are often busy, with many different tasks on their hands. At times, unscrupulous operators may take advantage of this and attempt to trick a small business owner into making a payment for something they didn’t order, or to agree to goods or services that they don’t need. Typically, this trick involves an unscrupulous business sending realistic-looking invoices with what appears to be an official looking letterhead or logo. Other tricks include sending unsolicited facsimiles, emails or letters and follow-up invoices to entice businesses to subscribe to, and pay for, entries or advertising in online business directories or other publications. These tricks generally rely on time-poor employees unwittingly paying invoices without checking if they know the sender or if they actually agreed to the advertising or directory listing. The Small Business Information Network (SBIN) newsletter outlines a recent case taken against Spanish-based Company, European City Guide S L (trading in Australia as ‘Industry and Commerce’). Industry and Commerce sent misleading forms to business owners and later billed them for directory listings that the businesses did not realise they had agreed to. Importantly this case means that businesses that were misled by Industry and Commerce do not have to pay invoices issued by the company. This newsletter also provides information on how you can avoid becoming the victim of this type of unscrupulous behaviour.
Old Building Approval Form
New Building Approval Form
Comments
C1 – Building Commencement Notice Application Form
Appointment of Builder and Application For Commencement Notice
Form now includes provision for all owners to sign acknowledging the appointment of a builder. The builder then uses this form to apply to the certifier for a commencement notice.
C2 – Building Commencement Notice
Building Commencement Notice
Form now includes the standard format for describing the building work
C3 – Owner Appointment of Certifier and Application by Owner for Building Approval and Building Approval Certificate
Appointment of A Certifier Application For Building Approval
Form now includes provision for all owners to sign and provides a checklist of information that should accompany the application
C5 – Certificate of Completion of Building Work (from certifier) Application for Certificate of Occupancy and Use (COU) (by owner)
- Certificate of Completion of Building Work
Now two separate forms
No old form
Certificate of Completion of Unsubstantiated Building Work Application for Certificate of Occupancy and Use under section 69(2B)
- Application For Certificate of Occupancy and Use This is a new form that can be used to apply for a certificate of occupancy and use where building work has not been completed in accordance with relevant prescribed requirements
High Speed Rail Network back on Governnment Agenda
The possibility of a major infrastructure project – a High Speed Rail network linking the major eastern state cities including Canberra – is back on the Government agenda, with the completion of the first stage of Governmentfunded study of the feasibility of the project.
by Ian Davis The Government has said it will progress to a more detailed second stage of the feasibility study to be completed in mid-2012. The first stage study estimated the cost of the rail network at between $61 billion and $108 billion. The ambitious project has been the subject of several previous Government and private sector studies but financial considerations and obstacles have always prevented it proceeding. While there is no certainty the project will proceed, the Government has agreed to fund the costly second stage feasibility study. According to Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, the first stage of the study found an eastern seaboard network connecting Brisbane to Melbourne via Sydney and a range of regional centres is likely to: • Cost between $61 billion and $108 billion to build and involve laying more than 1,600 kilometres of new standard-gauge, double-track. • Achieve speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour and offer journey times as low as 3 hours from Sydney to Brisbane, and just 40 minutes from Sydney to Newcastle. • Carry around 54 million passengers a year by 2036 including, for example, about half those who would have flown between Sydney and Melbourne – currently the world’s fifth busiest air corridor.
• Offer competitive ticket prices, with one way fares from Brisbane to Sydney costing $75–$177; Sydney to Melbourne $99–$197; and $16.50 for daily commuters between Newcastle and Sydney. • Cut carbon pollution, with emissions per passenger a third of what a car emits and each full train – 450 passengers – equivalent to taking 128 cars off the road. For Canberra, the first stage of the study identified a corridor following the Federal Highway as “the most suitable access corridor to Canberra, with relatively low environmental impacts, lower costs and a good strategic fit with planning frameworks. To the south and west, the corridor should follow an alignment serving the Riverina and Albury-Wodonga. These two corridors could be used to access Canberra in a ‘through’ or ‘spur’ configuration. These alternative configurations would affect the length of corridor through Canberra, the form of HSR station and may require a HSR junction to the north of Canberra. Further operational and engineering analysis is recommended in phase 2 to examine the impacts of these configurations on HSR patronage demand and costs. Promisingly for Canberra, the study was cautious about a route through Wollongong: “Wollongong and the Illawarra Region have a significant population that may benefit from HSR services. However, the surrounding terrain makes the provision of HSR infrastructure challenging and a corridor directly serving Wollongong is likely to have more significant
environmental impacts than an inland corridor via the Southern Highlands.” The Canberra Business Council, a longtime backer of the benefits of High Speed rail for Canberra, applauded the study, which it said, “reinforces Canberra Business Council’s long held view that Australia must urgently invest in development of an east coast high speed rail network. “Canberra Business Council believes a high speed rail connection between Sydney and Canberra will also delay the need to build a second Sydney airport as Canberra Airport could operate as an overflow airport for both domestic and international flights. This will potentially save billions of dollars in infrastructure spending and help defray the cost of the high speed rail network. “The next step for the Government is to conduct an in-depth cost-benefit analysis of the identified key corridors. “CBC urges the Government to ensure that the next phase of this study focuses on the MelbourneCanberra-Sydney corridor as a priority for development. This route is forecast to have exceptionally high patronage and does not face the same costly topographical barriers as other corridors, which could distort the outcome. “It is likely that the east coast high speed rail network will have to be developed in stages, so we must ensure that the most cost effective sections are studied and built first to ensure this important project is not delayed any longer.”
GUNGAHLIN OFFICE BUILDING GETS PRIORITY WHILE CIVIC ON BACKBURNER The ACT Government has moved to slow its plans for its controversial $432 million Government Office Building in Civic, while giving priority to development of a smaller Government office building in Gungahlin. Planning Minister Andrew Barr has announced that the Government has engaged Cox Architects to progress work on the new office building in Gungahlin. At the same time he said, “The Government’s immediate priority is the delivery of the Gungahlin project. We will shortly invite organisations to register their interest in designing and building the office block proposed for Gungahlin as well as the one proposed for the city to the specifications already established by our consulting team.” However he indicated a possible rethink on the much larger Civic building, which was announced in the May Budget. “After exploring a range of financing and ownership options for new accommodation, our consultants have advised the most cost effective way to do this is for the Government to own and build the city office block. I want this advice tested in the market place. “The ACT Property Council has stated very strongly that their members can meet the Government’s accommodation needs in Gungahlin and Civic in a cost effective manner by building and owning the properties which the ACT Government would rent for a period of 25 years,” he said.
“Given the importance I place on getting the best value for money for the people of the ACT I want to give the property industry the opportunity to deliver. “The Government will make its final decision based on the best overall value to the ACT taxpayer including build cost, environmental performance, occupational health and safety for staff, running costs, efficiencies to be gained from having key public servants in the same location, as well as Labor’s commitment that a minimum of 10 per cent of workers on the project will be apprentices, trainees and indigenous people.”
The brief for Cox Architects is to identify: • a suitable site in Gungahlin for a 7,000 m2 office building and associated parking – either government or privately owned; • the most appropriate procurement process to ensure the best outcome for the Territory but ensuring those who have purchased commercial land in Gungahlin are not disadvantaged; • which government staff would be the most appropriate tenants for the building; and • the requirements for the building in terms of base building and fitout.
ROLL OUT OF THE ACTEW CORPORATION PLUMBERS ACCREDITATION SCHEME Very recently ACTEW Corporation approved the roll-out of The ACTEW Corporation Plumbers Accreditation Scheme for the Installation of 20mm & 25mm Water Meters. The document has been seven years in the making and in that time it has undergone several iterations of various sizes and contractions. Both ACTEW Corp and ActewAGL would like to inform you of this new requirement by ActewAGL that as of 1 January 2012 20mm & 25mm water meters will only be able to be installed by an ActewAGL Accredited Plumber. A brief explanation of the scheme is below.
The Document The PAS document comes as a Deed of Agreement & an annexure of 2 parts.
Background Under the Contestable Work Accreditation Code (2001) and Section 83 of the Utilities Act (2000) ACTEW requires trained and accredited plumbers to install small diameter water services, from the ACTEW water main to the meter isolation valve, and utility water meters. The PAS is intended to provide a works specification resource which will ensure that participating plumbers can deliver a consistent standard of work. Only licensed plumbers that are registered as ActewAGLaccredited plumbers will b permitted to lay water services and install ACTEW water meters. Before this scheme there was no formal quality assurance program or disciplinary process. The inspection and repair of defective work is time consuming and a cost to the Canberra community.
Part B Part B is the Demerit Point System (much like a drivers licence demerit point system) which enables ActewAGL to demand that defective work is repaired. The disciplinary process is designed to protect the interests of the consumer, the reputation of accredited plumbers and ACTEW Corporation as well as assisting plumbers in maintaining the specified standards.
Part A Part A is a set of 12 Guideline drawings & notes - as the works specification.
The Deed of Agreement is the instrument of contract to bind the plumber into the works specifications & the Demerit Point System. Upon entering the PAS the accredited plumber will receive an Accreditation card with photo ID card for verification purposes. In the last year the Master Plumbers Association (ACT) have been consulted and provided useful feedback on the
document. The current ACTPLA Plumbing Regulator, Mark Frazer, has reviewed the document and has no objections to the scheme proceeding. There are some 200 plumbers in the ACT and we will be running inductions into the scheme as often as is required to process as many of the plumbers we can by the end of the year. Whilst we cannot be sure of just how many plumbers will enter the scheme, there will be a period of grace until the end of the year after which unaccredited plumbers will not be permitted to install the 20mm & 25mm water meters. For each plumber the PAS will commence on the day they sign onto the scheme, with the formal start on January 1 2012. After that date, we will not refuse a bona fide plumber with an ACTPLA permit, but we will sign them up to the scheme as soon as is practically possible. You can view the final product by visiting the Master Builders Association of the ACT website and searching for Plumbers Accreditation Scheme:
www.mba.org.au
COMING EVENTS FOR 2011 BORAL Charity Golf Day
Date: 26 September Where: Murrumbidgee Country Club The BORAL charity golf day is on again in support of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Places fill quickly with these events so please be quick if you would like to ensure your spot on the day. There are fantastic prizes on offer and you know the proceeds from the day will be going to a good cause. For more information contact hsymons@mba.org.au or ph: (02) 6175 5968
Annual Dinner
Date: 27 October Where: ANZAC Hall, Australian War Memorial This year’s Master Builders Annual Dinner will be held in ANZAC Hall at the Australian War Memorial. The guest speaker will be Robert Gottleibsen. Robert Gottleibsen is one of Australia’s leading business commentators and has a long history of business journalism in this country.
TRAINING DATES FOR OCTOBER 2011 HEIGHT SAFETY
Date: 6 October (Contact Norma Inglis at ninglis@mba.org.au to book your place) The working safely at heights is a 1 day course designed for those workers performing work at heights in a range of situations and circumstances. This course is nationally recognised and participants receive a certificate of attainment on completion.
ASBESTOS AWARENESS
Date: 7 October (Contact Norma Inglis at ninglis@mba.org.au to book your place) This is a nationally recognised course, approved by the ACT Government, to satisfy the regulatory requirements of the ACT Building Act, designed to meet the needs of tradespeople, services workers, builders, building certifiers and community members.
CONFINED SPACE &
Date: 13-14 October (Contact Norma Inglis at ninglis@mba.org.au to book your place) Safenet offer these short courses at the Master Builders Skills Centre in Fyshwick. The Confined Space course is a 2 day course designed for workers who may be required to enter / manage a confined spaces or hazardous atmosphere. The course is nationally recognised and participants receive a certificate of attainment on completion.
WORK SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES COURSE
Date: 17 October (Contact Norma Inglis at ninglis@mba.org.au to book your place) This 4 day course is split over 4 weeks (8:00am-4:00pm Monday) and will provide participants with the information they require to become a Work Safety Representative in their organisation.
ACT PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING ACTIVITY $150
MILLION
$120 $90 $60 $30 $0
Aug-10
Sep-10
Oct-10
Nov-10
Dec-10
Jan-11
Feb-11
Mar-11
Apr-11
May-11
Apr-11
May-11
Jun-11
July-11
The above graph and table below summarise private sector building activity for the various building sectors in the ACT over the past 12 months. The values for each month are depicted in millions of dollars.
// To Insert New Data Goto Object/Graph/Data • Copy and Paste Pivot Table Data into Data
Additions and Alterations (Residential) Commercial Building Work Garages, Pools, Decks and Similar Structures Multi Unit New Housing
Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 1.51 14.37 1.5 0.7 0.95 0.345 5.7 17.3 14.87 4.97 10.00 41.78 39.91 17.82 130.32 131.16 20.42 12.5 22.50 41.42 14.20 12.3 3.48 11.49 35.74 10.08 11.27 3.96 4.7 7.16 5.14 6.90 6.00 30.84 95.7 31.46 78.4 148.8 5.92 50.4 53.62 54.66 8.81 66.5 13.83 9.31 7.3 13.53 7.3 6.02 15.2 19.05 12.82 7.43 5.00
Jul-11 5.52 7.91 7.0 96.0 5.5