A message from the President

Our industry is the backbone of this country and we will continue to support and advocate for our members best interest.

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT, GRACIE FERREIRA

The Road Ahead

This issue of Canberra Builder is a COVID-19 resource and support edition for members of the building and construction industry. It is a small way of helping our industry through this difficult time, and it provides businesses with an entire issue of helpful tips and valuable resources.

This year has been a very challenging time for our members, first with the bushfires, then with the hail and now with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our industry has had to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape and adjust to new health and safety practices.

But we are also very grateful that the building and construction industry has continued operating through this pandemic. Our industry is the backbone of this country and we will continue to support and advocate for our members best interest.

We’ve been assisting our members through this time in various ways including:

Advocating to the Federal and ACT Governments to provide additional economic stimulus, reduce the regulatory burden, provide additional capital works spending for all sectors, and support the use of local builders, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants.

Providing building industry specific training courses through a combination of face-to-face and remote delivery methods.

Providing support and advice from our member services team, including specialist industrial relations, dispute resolution, work health and safety, and contracts advice.

Providing members with the latest industry information through virtual events, member updates and information sessions. OzHelp provide support for all members of the building and construction industry and they have developed a number of workplace wellbeing programs; including online health and wellbeing forums.

Don’t hesitate to reach out by phoning the dedicated OzHelp support line on (02) 6251 4166.

I would also like to thank Karen Porter and Steve Wise, both of whom recently resigned from their positions as representatives of the Subcontractor and Professional Sectors (respectively) on the MBA Executive Committee. Both have contributed professionally and extensively to the MBA and the ACT building and construction industry. They will continue to remain engaged with the MBA. On behalf of all of our members and staff I would like to thank Karen and Steve for their valuable contributions.

While we know there may be some bumps in the road ahead, as restrictions ease, we will continue to be here with much needed support and guidance for our members through their journey. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that our industry is strong and capable of enduring hardship.

Our industry has had to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape and adjust to new health and safety practices.

Insight

The Insight you need for the communities that you love

Adding value has always been central to everything we do. That’s why we’ve recently created an online property research tool that gives you access to our comprehensive series of insights and resources. Insight is the culmination of more than 30 years’ experience and active involvement in creating connected, sustainable and

vibrant communities that add genuine and lasting value to the people who live within them.

By sharing our insights, we hope to contribute towards a better future for all Australians wanting to fulfil their dream of owning a quality home within a connected community.