EVENT WRAP-UP: Master Builders Conference

An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Hyatt Hotel on Friday 23 February 2024 for the biennial Master Builders Conference. MC Niav Owens welcomed everyone and introduced Aunty Violet Sheridan for an empowering Welcome to Country.

Master Builders ACT President Frank Porreca provided an insightful overview of the day’s theme: future and sustainability. Minister Rebecca Vassarotti paid respects to the utility of the conference’s theme and stated, ‘building quality homes, builds sustainable futures’.

Martin Greenwood’s welcome address introduced the Centre for a Better Canberra as a ‘thinktank that aims to create real change’ and observed that our unemployment rate being lower than our vacant jobs rate points to a demand for skilled workers.

The keynote speaker of the day was Steve Sammartino. Steve defined technological revolutions as having to feel like magic and be available to everyone – they should change both the world and business models. For example, prior to the industrial revolution, 90% of people worked in food production whereas afterwards only 3–5% work in that industry.

Steve explained the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution and how we can better train AI to give us relevant results by using language rather than images.

Steve also explored other current technology, including digital twins of buildings that allow us to see what is happening during and after construction (as is used by cars now), virtual reality walk-throughs of design concepts and much more. Steve’s energetic speech opened everyone’s minds to what is possible when we grasp the opportunities presented by technology.

The Sustainable Building Materials panel featured Sophia Hamblin Wang (MCi Carbon Co-Founder and COO), Dan Rowley (CE Construction Solutions General Manger), Matt DiMarco (Inti APAC Director), Njoud Willans (Elvin Group Technical Engineer) and Ian Oliver (Canberra Construction Recyclers Director).

The panel discussed how sustainable materials are being developed and how it compares internationally. Sophia advised that markets want innovations to be ready to use and cheap so they can invest in low or negative carbon footprint products; however, this is not always possible. She added that the ACT has one of the most encouraging policy settings for building in circular economy strategies.

Dan advised attendees to look wholistically at a business or project’s sustainability journey and that those who don’t have sustainability as a priority will find themselves losing out on business. He stated that understanding requirements as the bare minimum enables us to bring in more innovation and look to global influences.

Matt spoke of facilitating the use of sustainable materials and connecting stakeholders as strategies are rolled out.

Njoud noted that strength and durability requirements must rapidly adapt to industry needs to ensure that sustainable products are still fit for purpose. She advised that the number of concrete mixes Elvin Group offers has grown from 600 to 1,400, which will only continue in the pursuit of sustainability. Similarly, Ian spoke of the diverse materials the centre can recycle and that he sees 5–10,000 tons per week of material crushed and created.

Thank you to the Sustainable Building Materials session partner, Miele.

The Navigating Residential Building Regulations panel featured Fiona Wright (EPSDD Deputy Director-General), Pieter Van Der Walt (Canberra Town Planning Co-Founder) and Glen Dowse (DNA Architects Director).

Fiona stated that challenges to the gas transition, such as conversion, will be worthwhile for moving to a more renewable and efficient energy source.

Pieter spoke of recent changes, such as the planning legislation, interim territory plan and gas phase-out, stating that there were opportunities to be smarter and more sophisticated rather than just sticking mindlessly to rules.

Glen agreed with this and added that industry must recognise risks and mitigate them. For example, there’s now a focus on greenspace on site but this means building up and down, which is more expensive to building and design.

The panel also impressed the importance of ensuring trades have the right information so they can give the correct advice to converting consumers.

Thank you to the session’s partner, the Environmental, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate.

The Responsibilities – Navigating Reforms, Accountability & Liability panel featured Denita Wawn (Master Builders Australia CEO), Alisa Taylor (MV Law Partner) and Maurice Falcetta (Trinity Law Litigation and Dispute Resolution Partner).

Denita is a strong advocate for businesses and contractors in the industry and voiced her disappointment with the recent Closing Loopholes Bill.

Alisa delved into the range of recent changes, including a big increase in personal responsibility for law, the minister’s ability to impose a code of conduct on architects, engineer registration and developer licensing. She stated, ‘the amount of change means that there will inevitably be people that slip up’.

Maurice furthered this discussion, questioning whether regulatory change is the best way to approach the problems in the industry and stating that there are many other, more practical ways to address this. He added that more risk for developer’s would lead to them increasing prices to cover that risk, which, when combined with supply and demand issues, poses an unnecessary challenge.

Thank you to the session’s partner, the Training Fund Authority.

The Future of Work panel featured Caroline Walsh (OzHelp CEO), Ben Owen (Lendlease General Manager) and Guy Cassis (ACT Fire and Rescue Commander of Health and Wellbeing). The group had an in-depth discussion about the future of psychosocial safety at work.

Ben highlighted the shocking statistics that construction workers are 6–7 times more likely to die from suicide than a construction issue.

Guy promoted the idea of breaking down the façade that it is not strong to speak up. Caroline emphasised the fact that in Australia a construction worker dies by suicide every second day. When employers put psychosocial safety on the same level as physical safety, it has massive benefits for the whole workforce.

Ben and Caroline agreed that a 5-day work week made a remarkable difference to health and wellbeing, and that flexibility would be a prominent factor in the future.

The Future of Cities panel featured John Knox (ActewAGL CEO), Gillian Geraghty (Major Projects Canberra Chief Projects Officer), Malcolm Snow (City Renewal Authority CEO), Chris Wallace (University of Canberra Professor) and Sam Engele (ACT Planning and Sustainable Development Deputy Director-General).

John said that discussions on the different paths to net zero began in 2019 and that the biggest challenge is choosing the pace of electrification.

Gillian stated that she foresaw priorities to be no waste and economical and punctual delivery of projects while catching up with population changes.

Malcolm stated that Canberra ‘is rich with possibility’ and it needs to change into a denser city without losing the things that make it great.

Chris advised that we need clear leadership and to focus on shifting our thinking from systems to ecosystems so everyone can thrive.

Sam ended things on a positive note, emphasising that we are learning as we move forward and that there’s a lot more opportunities for industry and government collaboration.

The conference also drew a spotlight to products from stallholders Solace Creations and CE Construction Solutions.

Solace Creations showcased information on their range of sustainable double-glazed doors and windows. The customised home-insulation solutions come in over 20 different colours and textures, as well as with several options for noise reduction, privacy or high-performance windows and doors. All the products are fabricated in Australia by the women owned and led business. Solace Creations provides state-of-the-art solutions for Canberran homes that increase comfort, reduce noise and save energy. Their range includes digital locks and aluminium mesh screens to provide the best options for Canberrans.

CE Construction Solutions provided information on several sustainable concrete solutions, including a 100% recycled void former named Cupolex that is versatile, easily installed, strong, durable and cost effective. They also showcased CarbonCure, which adds to mixtures just like a concrete admixture but enables the conversion of CO2 into a mineral during the concreting process. Finally, they provided information on Re-Poly RF47, a 100% recycled macro synthetic fibre used to enhance the performance of concrete. CE Construction Solutions are celebrating 35 years of success as a Master Builders ACT member – you can read more about them on page 49.

The day was closed by a relaxed networking event that gave everyone a chance to mull over the day’s enlightening topics.

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In the current climate, you don’t need to be an economist to see that people are doing it tough. The pressures of inflation and rising costs of living are influencing the choices of homeowners looking to renovate and impacting the purchasing power of those wanting to build new homes. With the ACT region grappling with high material prices and a widespread shortage of builders, tradespersons and suppliers, homeowners and prospective buyers have pumped the brakes on their plans to build or renovate their dream homes.

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> Are you entering contracts without reading the fine print?

> Are you working on a ‘mates agreement’ or without a written contract?

> Are you negotiating your contracts before signing?

> Are you across the relevant ACT legislation governing the industry (i.e. the Building Act 20004, Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009) and your obligations?

> What is your plan for ‘bad debts’?

> What is your plan if you are the ‘bad payer’?

> Are you ready for a dispute (about defects, delays, payment, etc.) if one occurs?

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