Canberra Builder 3/2021 by Master Builders ACT

EDITION 3 / 2021 Master Builders Association of the ACT and Region Magazine

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CONTENTS

MASTER BUILDERS ACT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Graciete Ferreira Treasurer Frank Porreca Chair, Commercial Sector Council Matthew Rayment Chair, Residential Sector Council Jason Tanchevski Chair, Subcontractors & Suppliers Sector Council Rosa Josifoski Chair, Civil Contractors Council Nick Zardo Chair, Professional Sector Council Bryan Leeming MBA National Representative Simon Butt CEO Michael Hopkins Master Builders Association of the ACT 1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609 Tel: (02) 6175 5900 Fax: (02) 6280 9118 Email: canberra@mba.org.au Web: www.mba.org.au Magazine Editor Chelsea Mitchell Tel: (02) 6175 5973 Email: cmitchell@mba.org.au Advertising enquiries Liz Nair Tel: (02) 6175 5970 Email: lnair@mba.org.au

Harvey Norman Commercial are fuelling new electric car charging technology.

OF INTEREST

FOREWORDS A Message from the President

Gracie Ferreira talks about how resilience can create opportunities in the construction industry.

A Message from the CEO

Creative Consultant Pamela Slocum Mob: 0411 759 989 Web: pspamelaslocum.com

Michael Hopkins discusses sustainability efforts by MBA Australia and local members.

Cover image supplied by Harvey Norman Commercial

NEWS & EVENTS In the News

© This publication is copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical photocopy, recording or otherwise without the permission of the Master Builders Association of the ACT. Disclaimer: readers are advised that the Master Builders Association of the ACT cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of statements made in advertising and editorial, nor the quality of the goods or services advertised. Opinions expressed throughout the publication are the contributors own and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the Master Builders Association of the ACT.

The Women in Construction Group held a wine tour this year where they tasted local wines and heard the stories of successful female business owners.

Designs That Make You Green with Envy

Jenny Edwards from Light House Architecture & Science takes us through the process of creating homes that are beautiful AND energy efficient.

The ACT Chief Engineer, Adrian Piani, discusses sustainable prospects in the ACT Government infrastructure pipeline.

Winter Wine Tour Wrap-Up

Find out how you can maximise the recycling potential of your business.

Find out which MBA Members are making headlines in this edition.

Delivering Sustainability Through Infrastructure

Construction Industry Recycling Guide

The Importance of Liveable Housing by Andrew Kerec Andrew from Renaissance Homes shares how a family tragedy inspired him to make a difference through the construction industry.

THANK YOU CANBERRA You have voted us as the best guest experience for three years running and voted for us as the best servicing experience in 2020.

We are offering Master Builders ACT members Gold Fleet discount pricing on all models at National Capital Toyota in Greenway.

211 Scollay Street, Greenway ACT 2900 02 6173 6100 nationalcapitaltoyota.com.au

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I’m proud of the strategic, innovative and collaborative thinking in our industry and I look forward to seeing how our members will continue to grow Canberra.

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT, GRACIE FERREIRA

Resilience is the Key to Achieving Longevity in The Construction Industry In my role as President of Master Builders ACT, I have had the privilege of meeting and hearing from many members who have been in the industry for decades. There was one key theme that their company histories all shared: resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from stressful or challenging experiences, and we have all had plenty of that over the last two years.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from stressful or challenging experiences, and we have all had plenty of that over the last two years.

When we look back at the many challenges Canberra has faced over its relatively short existence, we can see that after each one we have come back stronger and better than before, and I believe this time will be no different. We can bounce back not to where we were prior to the fires and the pandemic but hopefully to a better and more sustainable position. I don’t want to diminish the suffering that was caused by both events but we have been given an opportunity to learn from the past and now we are more prepared for what can happen in the future. Thanks to improvements in technology and building materials, where

houses were destroyed by fire, we can now build houses that are more sustainable, environmentally friendly and fire resistant. When we could no longer meet in person because of the pandemic many of us learned new skills and became very familiar with new technologies. With every adversity comes an opportunity, now more than ever we need our industry organisations to work together with Government and the wider community to develop and rethink ways of doing things better. I think back to the devastating bushfires of 2003 and the hit it took on the Canberra community. We lost our beautiful forests and the lungs of the city. But then came a few visionaries who were bold in thought and together with the ACT Government they delivered what I believe to be one of our city’s most impressive landmarks, again collaboration and vision delivered a monument to resilience, the National Arboretum. Some of our 2020/21 milestone members have had a hand in delivering projects related to the arboretum. As President of Master Builders ACT, I want to make sure all of our members live up to our name – we are called Master Builders for a reason. All Canberrans that build with one of our members are engaging a professional who is committed to abiding by a code of conduct. Our members who are celebrating milestones this year, are members who have showed excellence in their conduct and delivery over many years of membership. I’m proud of the strategic, innovative and collaborative thinking in our industry and I look forward to seeing how our members will continue to grow Canberra.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

The Master Builders Fidelity Fund was established in 2002 to protect the interests of builders and home owners in the ACT. Income received by the Master Builders Fidelity Fund remains in the ACT, and is securely invested, and used for the betterment of the ACT building and construction industry. The Fund issues Fidelity Certificates which provide protection for new homes or those making substantial changes, if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent. The Certificates protect the owner during construction and for up to five years from the date a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Members of Master Builders ACT receive reduced premium rates. For more information, please contact the Master Builders Fidelity Fund.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MASTER BUILDERS FIDELITY FUND.

It has been amazing to see members deliver more sustainable and environmentally friendly projects over the years, by investing in more efficient equipment and opting for recycled materials.

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MICHAEL HOPKINS

MBA Members are Leaders in Sustainability in the Construction Industry In this edition of Canberra Builder, we get the opportunity to celebrate exciting member milestones, but we also get to look ahead to a more sustainable future. This edition is released at a time when Australia continues to debate its climate change policy, including important energy efficiency reforms to the National Construction Code. The MBA supports an objective of being net-zero ready for our industry, however further work will be required to quantify and mitigate the risks. We will work cooperatively with Government’s at all levels to shape this policy for the future. We have already partnered with the ACT Government to deliver a Recycling Guide for the Construction Industry. I strongly encourage you to take the time to find out how you can recycle materials to reduce your businesses carbon footprint which is explained on pages 22-25. On page 21 ACT Chief Engineer, Adrian Piani, discusses the opportunities to future proof assets with the major infrastructure projects ahead. Mr Piani also discusses sustainable materials which have helped deliver incredible projects around Canberra, including the Stromlo Leisure Centre and the Northbourne Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation. Jenny Edwards from Light House Architecture & Science has been a key figure in the design of the 2021 Strathnairn Charity House. She has leant her sustainable design expertise to the process to help deliver a home that exceeds the environmental requirements of a modern home.

MBA Premium Partner, Boral, have recently partnered with Lendlease ACT to develop a Boral Australia first of Carbon Neutral Concrete. Boral have also created an asphalt mix that uses recycled materials to help meet their environmental and sustainability objectives. You can read more about their sustainability work on page 30. We have also included a feature on Paul Barnett from Paul Barnett Design Group, who is an Excellence Award winner and certified Passive House designer. In a varied climate like Canberra, Passive Houses are an appealing building design concept that focuses on achieving sustainable heating and cooling properties. Find out more about the Passive House process from Paul on pages 34-35. It has been amazing to see members deliver more sustainable and environmentally friendly projects over the years, by investing in more efficient equipment and opting for recycled materials. I believe that MBA members are leaders in the industry, and I look forward to seeing how they deliver sustainable projects into the future.

The MBA supports an objective of being net-zero ready for our industry, however further work will be required to quantify and mitigate the risks.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Did you know that from 1 November 2021, any new employees that you hire will be stapled to one super fund? The stapled fund will follow them when they change jobs.

If a new employee doesn’t actively choose a super fund, you’ll need to search for their stapled fund via the ATO. Need more information?

Visit cbussuper.com.au/stapling to find out what your super obligations are. 1300 361 784 EmployerRelationships@cbussuper.com.au cbussuper.com.au Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262. You should read the Employer Handbook, Cbus Industry Superannuation Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and other relevant documentation to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Call 1300 361 784 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au

ACT ECONOMY: Chasing the Pack?

About a year ago the ACT economy was leading the nation despite the impact of the pandemic. The local economy was still creating jobs at a healthy pace and easily had the lowest unemployment rate in Australia. Canberra looked to have negotiated the COVID crisis quite neatly. One year on, things are not looking as rosy. Even before the start of the August 2021 lockdown, economic conditions had started to look a bit stagnant. Latest results show that the ACT labour market has lost almost 12,000 jobs over the past year with 7,400 of these jobs disappearing during September alone. The unemployment rate has increased to 4.1 per cent in the ACT but it is still lower than the national average (4.6 per cent).

BY MBA AUSTRALIA CHIEF ECONOMIST SHANE GARRETT

The local economy was still creating jobs at a healthy pace and easily had the lowest unemployment rate in Australia.

Just-released figures allow us to assess the performance of the ACT building industry during 2020-21. Predictably, there was a significant rise in detached house building with the number of new starts expanding from 1,255 in 2019-20 to 1,420 in 2020-21 (+13.0 per cent). Medium and high-density home building starts fell sharply during 2019-20 but were largely stable at around 3,840 during 2020-21. The ACT is unusual in that it is the only one of the eight jurisdictions where medium and high density homes account for the vast majority of new dwellings. For non-residential building, the ACT did it tough during 2020-21 with the volume of work done falling by some 19.5 per cent. The reduction was greatest in the area of social, cultural and recreational building projects. This is an segment where the most Covid-exposed activities are concentrated. However, it also has quite a high dependence on public sector projects, so its recent weakness is a little surprising. Encouragingly, a large building project in the health sector worth around $500 million received approval during June 2021 with the completion of this likely to offer significant support to the industry over the next couple of years. From this perspective, the start of work on Light Rail Stage 2 will also be welcome. However, fostering the local private sector and a healthy labour market to make Canberra attractive to interstate and overseas migration in larger numbers remains is the greatest short-term and longer term challenge for the Territory and the region’s building industry.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

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MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

2021 HOUSE OF THE YEAR The 2021 House of the Year is an incredible home built by Manteena Residential, The Dept. of Design and Architects Ring & Associates. The home is inspired by aeronautical engineering, with the house separated into 4 wings.

WINNING HOMES Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire Excellence Awards 2021

W I N N I N G

MASTER BUILDERS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

2021 WINNERS

2021 HOUSE OF THE YEAR

DESTINATION LUXURY

MANTEENA RESIDENTIAL, ARCHITECTS RING & ASSOCIATES AND THE DEPT. OF DESIGN

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

2021 PROJECT OF THE YEAR The 2021 Project of the Year is an incredible building in the heart of Canberra City, built by Construction Control Australia.

2021 PROJECT OF THE YEAR

CONSTRUCTION CONTROL AUSTRALIA CONSTITUTION PLACE

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

HiLux SR5 shown.

TOYOTA FOR BUSINESS

TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR THE ROAD AHEAD You go further when you have a partner in mobility. That’s why Toyota for Business moves with you to fully understand your business and drive it forward. We can look beyond just A to B solutions and empower your business with new ways of moving. Whether your business is big or small, we can help you revolutionise your business mobility for the road ahead. To find out more, visit your local Toyota Dealer or call 1800 679 247 toyota.com.au/fleet

WOMEN BUILDING AUSTRALIA UPDATE

Women Building Australia aims to encourage women to enter the industry, sets the foundations for a successful career, provides support to achieve their goals, celebrates their success through telling their stories, and generates role models to motivate more women to enter the industry. Women represent half of the work force; the industry is currently facing a shortage of skills and women can successfully fill that void. Old stereotypes are being broken down with women already fulfilling key roles and creating great businesses in the construction industry. To increase awareness about the amazing career opportunities the construction industry provides and encourage female school leavers to enter the industry Women Building Australia presents at key Career Expos across the country. The Women Building Australia National Mentoring Program pairs women who are new to the industry with experienced mentors. The program helps women build successful careers through setting goals with guidance from mentors on how to achieve these. Kirsty Reaks was a mentee in the 2017. She started as a traffic controller and has progressed to a Project Manager with Downer. Kirsty said “The Women Building Australia mentoring program contributed to my success by allowing me to realize and reshape what are the things in my control. That was imperative for me and has really empowered me in my role”. Women Building Australia provides Business Resilience Training for women working in the industry or are partners of tradies and builders who support the day-to-day business operations. 15 women from the ACT recently attended a Social Media training course delivered on behalf of Women Building Australia by Master Builders ACT. Women Building Australia’s Female Led Business register acknowledges and highlights amazing businesses run by women in the industry. Regal Homes is the first builder from the ACT to register and we hope more business from the region will join as the register expands.

The Champions of Change Influencer’s initiative recognises and celebrates women who are trail blazers in the industry. These women are passionate about their work and, actively encourage and support other women to explore careers within the industry. For women that have experienced harassment or discrimination Women Building Australia has set up the Harassment and Discrimination Support Line providing an avenue for women to seek advice and provide practical industry specific solutions. To find out more visit www.womenbuildingaustralia.com.au

Our Champions of Change Ambassadors’ initiative highlights industry leaders both male and female who are in positions of authority and drive change within the industry.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Beautiful simplicity. Tested in some of Australia’s harshest conditions, durable COLORBOND steel Matt diffuses light to create a subtle, textured and contemporary aesthetic. COLORBOND steel in Surfmist Matt offers a stylish contrast to softer tones and complements darker hues for added design flexibility and an elegantly understated appearance. Visit COLORBOND.COM/MATT or call 1800 702 764

Lantern House, Victoria, by Timmins+Whyte Architects. Photography by Peter Bennetts. The COLORBOND steel colour swatch represents actual product colour as accurately as possible. However, we recommend checking your chosen colour against an actual sample of the product before purchasing. COLORBOND , the BlueScope brand mark and colour names are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited. 2021 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN 16 000 011 058. All rights reserved.

OLD ROADS LEAD TO INNOVATION WITH DOWNER

Canberra road users would have noticed the rehabilitation of the 1km carriageway between Macarthur Avenue and Dickson just over a year ago. Downer say the Northbourne Avenue Rehabilitation project is the first of its kind in the ACT, with it being a high-profile arterial road through the nations capital adjacent to the light rail corridor. An innovative project needs equally innovative material. Downer was contracted to deliver their groundmaking Reconophalt for the base layer of the roadway. The difference with Downer is their Reconophalt consisted of reclaimed asphalt, reclaimed glass, printer toner cartridges and soft plastic. Downer recently took out the title of The CCF 2021 Civil Subcontractor of the Year, after also claiming the title in 2020. With Downer’s stress on saving materials from ending up in landfill, it’s obvious that their zero harm policy is also their aim with their environmental impact. The finished product consisted of approximately 1.16 million plastic bag equivalents, 34,000 printer cartridges, 700,000 glass bottle equivalents, and 350 tonnes of Reclaimed Asphalt.

The high-quality finished project is the perfect example of incorporating recycled materials to create a wonderful result for the client.

Downer say that the Reconophalt used on this project actually outperforms conventional asphalt. The high-quality finished project is the perfect example of incorporating recycled materials to create a wonderful result for the client. With the rehabilitation of this iconic Canberra roadway and the removal of the existing asphalt, it is good to know there is a piece of history in that asphalt that was saved from landfill.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

MBA Members in the News by Abby Fulton

Complex Co Complex Co hosted its inaugural Cultural and Leadership Event at the Railway Barracks in Goulburn NSW early this year. The 2-day event showcased the successes and milestones Complex Co have achieved as a company in the past to present and allowed the team as a company to expand their vision, change mindsets and align on strategic priorities and outcomes to best achieve their vision and planned growth.

Trinity Law MBA Member and Associate Sponsor of the Excellence Awards, Trinity Law supported the first 10 x 10 Philanthropy event in Canberra. It was a successful night, with $55,308 raised for the Ricky Stuart Foundation, Roundabout Canberra and Kulture Break.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

SHAPE Australia: Canberra Team In response to the ACT COVID-19 outbreak in August, SHAPE Australia was engaged by Major Projects Canberra to establish a Pop-up Testing Centre in only 3 days. Within 72 hours the team were able to establish a fully functional Pop-up COVID-19 Testing Centre to meet the urgent needs of ACT Health and catered for COVID-19 testing in Kambah.

Manteena

CEO Sleep Out

Earlier this year, Manteena celebrated their 40th Anniversary held at Old Parliament House. After Manteena took out the title of House of the Year, this is another incredible celebration for the team. Congratulations from the MBA team on this fantastic milestone.

This year several Master Builders ACT Members took part in the Vinnies CEO sleepout at the Arboretum. In total Master Builders ACT Members and partners raised $264,159.52. Thank you to the following MBA Members who took part: Cercol Construction Services, Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn, EPC Solar, GHD Group, Geocon Constructors, Monarch Building Solutions, Nikias Diamond, PSC Insurance Brokers, Revive Landscapes & Living Walls, Snedden Hall & Gallop, Sunny Homes ACT, Synergy Group, Suburban Land Agency, Tilton Constructions.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

11027 TFA - 2021 skills update material - 210x297mm_v1.indd 2

10/5/21 2:34 pm

DELIVERING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE By Mr Adrian Piani, ACT Chief Engineer

MR ADRIAN PIANI, ACT CHIEF ENGINEER

The effects of climate change are already impacting the Canberra region and communities around the world. We not only need to adapt to a changing climate, where we can expect to see hotter summers and more extreme weather events, but we also need to continue reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in line with our zero emissions by 2045 target. The construction sector makes a significant contribution to the overall emissions of the ACT. With the substantial pipeline of major infrastructure projects coming up, there are many opportunities to reduce emissions and future proof assets through the design and construction phases of our infrastructure asset lifecycle. A simple example is using lower carbon concrete. Engagement with the concrete supply chain in the ACT indicates that these products are in the market with a wide range of choices readily available. There are other examples where the innovative use of new technologies and building materials are creating substantial carbon savings and better outcomes. The use of engineered wood products such as Cross Laminated Timber and Glulam not only reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, but can also lead to innovative design with strong engineering and architectural benefits. The recently opened Stromlo Leisure Centre, and the Australian National Universities Union Court redevelopment are two such examples. The recent Northbourne Avenue pavement rehabilitation works used innovative technology to recycle 5,500 tonnes of material on site and reduce imported material by over 65%. Importantly for road users, the construction was delivered in 6 weeks, rather than the 26 weeks that was initially programmed. These examples demonstrate that there are viable engineering options to deliver innovative solutions that provide multiple benefits.

One of the enablers to deliver these sustainability principles is through procurement. The ACT Government follows a Charter of Procurement Values. These values promote consideration of a range of ethical, environmental, economic and social factors to ensure that procurement processes and outcomes reflect the values of the ACT Government and maximise overall benefits to our community. Contractors increase their chance of winning work with the ACT Government when responding strongly to these values.

These examples demonstrate that there are viable engineering options to deliver innovative solutions that provide multiple benefits.

Environmental rating tools are another enabler. The ACT Climate Change Strategy requires larger Government projects to obtain or be consistent with independent sustainability ratings such as those offered by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia. These tools provide a strong mechanism to demonstrate leading application of sustainable technologies. Looking forward, I am excited by the opportunity to find innovative ways to deliver infrastructure that optimises environmental, social and economic outcomes. It will only be through industry and government working together that we will be able to deliver a zero emissions future that is adapting to a changing climate and enhancing our natural environment.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Construction Recycling Guide

To assist members with reducing their carbon footprint, we have partnered with the ACT government to deliver a construction industry recycling guide for members. AEROSOL CANS – HIGH RISK ITEMS Aerosol cans may contain environmentally harmful chemicals and accelerants that pose a safety risk when compressed in trucks or processed through sorting machinery. They need to be disposed of as hazardous waste where the packaging can be safely recycled. > Dispose of empty and full aerosol cans for FREE at the Hazardous Waste station at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Refer to the hazardous waste webpage for limits > For commercial quantities find a business that specialise in hazardous waste disposal such as: – Cleanaway Ph: 13 13 39 – Suez, Hume Ph: 13 13 35 ASBESTOS Asbestos is a hazardous waste. The law requires you to engage a licensed asbestos removalist to remove asbestos from your house. Do not dispose of in the recycling or rubbish bin. Disposal options Asbestos loads from commercial sources, and domestic loads greater than 250kg or larger than 800mm x 800mm, are only accepted as commercial loads and charged accordingly. Commercial loads are accepted only at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre on appointment by contacting REMONDIS on 6270 7700.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Prior approval for disposal is required by completing the Asbestos Disposal Form and submitting it to REMONDIS 2 days before delivery. > Asbestos or products containing asbestos (by arrangement) from commercial services less than 250kg is charged at $49.00 per load as at 1 July 2021 > Asbestos or products containing asbestos (by arrangement) 250kg or more, or arriving at the landfill in a package larger than 800mm x 800mm is charged at $194.85 per tonne as at 1 July 2021. > Applicable fees are reviewed and updated on 1 July each year. BAMBOO AND PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS

BRICKS AND PAVERS Bricks and pavers are often reusable or recyclable. Do not put them in your rubbish or recycling bin. Disposal options > Give to a friend or sell online. > Contact a business that specialise in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of bricks and pavers: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 – Canberra Concrete Recyclers, Pialligo Ph: 6249 7427 > If reusable, drop off free at The Green Shed at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre

> Avoid disposable products if possible > Home compost in small quantities > For commercial organic collection services contact:

> Materials containing predominantly bricks and pavers can be dropped at the following Transfer Stations to be recovered (Fees apply):

– Able Organics

– Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre

– Global Worming

– Mitchell Resource Management Centre

– Goterra > Rubbish bin

CARPET AND UNDERLAY Disposal options

BATTERIES Disposal options > Recycle batteries of any kind (including button sizes, laptop/ phone batteries, tool batteries) free at: – Battery World, Phillip or Belconnen Ph: 13 17 60 – Battery World may also take commercial quantities – visit website for details. > Drop off free at all Woolworths Supermarkets, Aldi Supermarkets, Officeworks, Yarralumla IGA, Cooleman Court and IKEA Canberra (in the battery recycling bin provided). All household batteries including button, AA, AAA, C, D and 9V sized batteries (rechargeable and non- rechargeable) are accepted.

> If reusable, and in good condition drop off free at The Green Shed at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Organise a Trash Pak or skip bin waste collection service at your house. CONCRETE Disposal options > Contact a business specialising in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of concrete: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 – Canberra Concrete Recyclers, Pialligo Ph: 6249 7427 > Materials made predominantly of concrete can be dropped at the following Transfer Stations as concrete can be recovered (Fees apply): – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

ELECTRICAL CABLES/CORDS Do not place electrical cables/cords of any kind in the recycling bin as they tangle in the recovery facility equipment and damage the machinery. > If reusable, drop off free at The Green Shed at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Drop off free as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme located at – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre Advise the attendant you are dropping items off under the scheme to be directed to the appropriate area of the Transfer Station > Contact a business that specialise in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of metal, such as: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916

GARDEN HOSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT > If in good condition, drop off free at The Green Shed at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Materials made predominantly of metal (80 percent) or wood can be dropped at Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre or the Mitchell Resource Management Centre Transfer Stations as the metal can be recovered > Fees apply to non-metal items > Rubbish bin GLASS PRODUCTS Glass panes and mirrors are made from heat treated glass and therefore NOT recyclable in ACT recycling bins. > Consider businesses and charities that specialise in the acceptance and resale of second-hand goods, (ring for opening times and shop locations) such as:

– Sims Metal Management Hume Ph: 6129 8800

– Ys Buys Donations Depot Ph: 6253 1596

– Access Recycling Fyshwick Ph: 6280 9920

– Salvation Army Ph: 13 72 58 or Ph: 6239 0113

– Metal Mart Fyshwick Ph: 6239 2422

– Another Chance Op Shop Ph: 6278 4135 – St Vincent de Paul Society Ph: 6282 2722

FENCING > If in good condition, sell online > If reusable, drop off free at The Green Shed at:

> If glass products are broken, wrap in newspaper and place in the rubbish bin HOT WATER SYSTEMS

– Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Contact a business that specialise in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of metal, such as: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 – Sims Metal Management Hume Ph: 6129 8800 – Access Recycling Fyshwick Ph: 6280 9920 – Metal Mart Fyshwick Ph: 6239 2422 > Materials made predominantly of metal (80 percent) can be dropped for free recycling at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > To dispose of unwanted wooden fencing, take to the Transfer Station. Fees apply.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

> For working systems, drop off free at The Green Shed at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Contact a business that specialise in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of metal, such as: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 – Sims Metal Management Hume Ph: 6129 8800 – Access Recycling Fyshwick Ph: 6280 9920 – Metal Mart Fyshwick Ph: 6239 2422

LIGHT BULBS/GLOBES Disposal options > Up to 10 bulbs, tubes or globes (excluding phased-out incandescent globes and halogen) can be dropped off free at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > Ikea offers light bulb recycling through an in-store collection point > Small quantities of incandescent globes (phased-out light globes) and halogens (phased-out down lights) can be wrapped in paper and disposed of in the rubbish bin > For commercial quantities of globes, contact a specialist collection and recovery business such as: – Lamp Recyclers Ph: 1300 789 917 – CMA Ecocycle Ph: 1300 358 676 MASKS Masks such as P2 masks and surgical masks are not recyclable and must be disposed of in a rubbish bin. METAL > Contact a business that specialise in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of metal, such as: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 – Sims Metal Management Hume Ph: 6129 8800 – Access Recycling Fyshwick Ph: 6280 9920 – Metal Mart Fyshwick Ph: 6239 2422 – Agent Green Recycling Ph: 0408 487 473. Fees apply > Materials made predominantly of metal (80 percent) can be dropped free at the following Transfer Stations as the metal can be recovered: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre PAINT > Up to 100 litres per visit, secured in containers of 20 litres or less and empty paint tins can be dropped off free at:

SAWDUST Sawdust is a waste product of woodworking operations and can be composted. It is also a good mulch choice for acid loving plants such as hydrangeas, magnolias and blueberries. Disposal options > Compost, bokashi or worm farm > Spread in garden or over lawn > Rubbish bin TIMBER > If reusable, drop off free at The Green Shed at: – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mitchell Resource Management Centre > For valuable timber, contact a business specialising in second hand timber, such as: – Thor’s Hammer Ph: 6282 9900 > Contact a business specialising in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of building materials: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 > Waste to landfill - as a last resort timber and wood that cannot be reused or recycled can be dropped off at the Resource Management Centre, fees apply. TOOLS > Belconnen Men’s Shed take donations of wood lathes and sheet metal lathes > Contact a business that specialise in the collection, recycling and/or reusing of metal, such as: – ACT Recycling, Symonston. Ph: 6239 7916 – Sims Metal Management Hume Ph: 6129 8800 – Access Recycling Fyshwick Ph: 6280 9920 – Metal Mart Fyshwick Ph: 6239 2422 – Agent Green Recycling Ph: 0408 487 473. Low cost fees apply for pickup > Materials made predominantly of metal (80 percent) can be dropped free at the following Transfer Stations as the metal can be recovered:

– Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre

– Mitchell Resource Management Centre

> View Paintback to check eligible paint products

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

National Library of Australia, Canberra

3498_SS_ACT-MBA-May-2021-Full-Page-Ad_FA_OL.indd 1

se, ANU University Hou

- Canberra

6/5/21 10:31 pm

MBA Members Bring Renewed Energy to the STRATHNAIRN CHARITY HOUSE

The 2021 Strathnairn Charity House project is well and truly underway with the concrete foundation recently being poured. The proceeds from the sale of this home will greatly benefit three local ACT charities, Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, Karinya House and Canberra City Care Charnwood which will be facilitated by Hands Across Canberra.

also engaged Jenny Edwards from Light House Architecture & Science to improve the design from a sustainability point of view. The home is now expected to have a 7-star EER rating because of the fantastic efforts of the design teams. You can find out more about Jenny’s process in designing a sustainable home on page 28.

While the Strathnairn Charity House has a big focus on women

The architecturally designed home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a stunning facade which will be unlike anything else in the area. We look forward to updating members as progress continues.

in the construction industry, there will also be a big push to make this home highly energy efficient. Cassandra Keller from CK Architecture is the lead designer on this project, but she

So far approximately $1 million of material, time and services has been provided for free by dozens of local contractors. You can view the full list of generous donors on the MBA website. Boral has donated $10,000 worth of concrete materials, and you can read more about their sustainable products on page 31.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Light House Architecture & Science DESIGNS THAT MAKE YOU GREEN WITH ENVY

Q. WHAT ROLE DOES SCIENCE PLAY IN THE BUILDING PROCESS? JE: At Light House Architecture & Science, science plays an integral role in the design and building process. Our homes are designed using solar-passive principles, but we also integrate building science from the very first concept design, right through to building completion. We use the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) energy modelling software to optimise a home design for the site and climate, and then physically check and test the quality of the building envelope during construction.

Jenny Edwards has leant her experience in sustainable design to the 2021 Strathnairn Charity House. Jenny is an Excellence Awards winner who is known for excellent architectural design. We spoke with Jenny about her experiences designing highly energy efficient homes.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

The EER software is used to model the energy performance at every stage of design, looking for ways to improve the performance. At the end of construction, we then inspect the build with a thermal camera to check that the insulation has been installed to a high standard and with complete coverage, and rectify any gaps. We also conduct a blower door test to identify and fix any significant air leaks. This approach enables us to create homes that typically achieve 7+ Stars, with many achieving 8+ stars, and guarantees a house will perform even better than the NatHERS energy rating suggests. Our work over the last decade

> choosing building materials that are low maintenance, durable and/or have low embodied energy > reducing water usage through water efficient fittings and appliances An energy efficient home is one that can maintain comfortable internal temperatures all year round with little need for heating and cooling systems. An energy efficient home leads to financial savings, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and improvements to comfort, happiness and health. They: > cost less to run > don’t have to cost more to build > provide a better indoor environment – they are healthier and more comfortable > have greater resale value and marketability > have a smaller environmental footprint We achieve this through good design and quality construction, and without any fancy innovative construction techniques. In fact, we pride ourselves on achieving incredible results with the standard residential construction materials and methods used widely across Canberra. We do not use internal air barrier membranes or services cavities, which keeps construction costs much lower and provides excellent thermal bangfor-buck. We also collaborate closely with a great group of builders that share our belief in sustainability practices. suggests 8 stars in Canberra is the sweet spot in terms of ‘thermal bang for buck’. An 8 star home is predicted to need less than half the energy for heating and cooling of a 6 star home of the same size – the scale is not linear. Q. WHAT MAKES A BUILD SUSTAINABLE AND WHAT MAKES A HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT? JE: For us the term ‘sustainable build’ is one that has a reduced environmental footprint. This can be achieved via a range of means: > a smaller than average footprint meaning less building materials are needed > a flexible design to allow the home to adapt to the changing needs of its occupants, thus limiting the need for future alterations > a climate resilience home that is suited to its climate and requires minimal energy to run

Q. YOU SPECIALISE IN CREATING SUSTAINABLE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES, HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE THIS IN A CLIMATE LIKE CANBERRA? JE: House energy ratings are critically important for improving the quality and comfort of Australian homes. However unfortunately location or climate specificity of the NatHERS rating system is poorly understood by many in the housing industry. For example, an 8 star home in Canberra can achieve 10 stars in Brisbane, 9.3 stars in Perth, 9.9 stars in Sydney and 8.3 stars in Melbourne. We have some Journal posts on our website, to help people better understand star ratings. The climate in Canberra is tricky and one of extremes, swinging from -8 in winter to 44 degrees in summer. This makes it one of the most difficult locations in the country to achieve a rating of 8 stars. This is why both good design and science to optimise the design and test the home after construction are critical to what we do.

> is all electric, making renewable energies like solar an option > including salvaged or recycled building materials and appliances which reduces building material waste.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

ENVISIA

Boral’s Lower Carbon Concrete ENVISIA® was designed from the outset to reduce the carbon emissions associated with concrete production. However did you know ENVISIA® has some excellent design properties also? ENVISIA® achieves early age strength equivalent to conventional concrete (post tensioned and precast) despite up to 50 per cent cement replacement. It outperforms conventional concrete in shrinkages and creep, providing up to 50 per cent reduction in shrinkage compared to conventional concrete.

For more information please visit

www.boral.com.au/LCC Boral, the Boral logo and Envisia are trade marks or registered trade marks of Boral Limited or one of its subsidiaries. 17697 Oct21

BORAL’S CONCRETE SOLUTIONS for Sustainable Projects

Boral is a popular supplier of a number of construction materials in the ACT including concrete, quarries, cement and asphalt. But do you know about Borals numerous sustainability efforts? The company invest heavily in the research and development of products that meet engineering specifications with a conscious effort to lower the impact of their products on the environment. Boral have recently partnered with Lendlease ACT to develop a Boral Australia first of Carbon Neutral Concrete and have been able to deliver this product on their current Campbell Primary School Project. Boral have numerous sustainable products to offer for the ACT including Boral Asphalt, Boral Quarries/Recycling, and an extensive variety of different Boral Concrete. These products include: Boral Asphalt – INNOVA (Innova is a Boral asphalt product system that offers an opportunity to combine multiple alternative recycled materials such as glass, rubber, plastic, slag, toner and RAP so that environmental and sustainability objectives can be met with the option to customise to requirements and local conditions. Both soft and hard plastic may be used, depending on local availability.)

materials to reduce the portland cement and the minimum reduction in portland cement compared to the GBCA and ISCA reference case is 45%. ENVISIA® Concrete: Boral’s ENVISIA® concrete is a lower carbon concrete product which complies with AS 1379 and has excellent engineering properties. It has a lower portland cement content and a high supplementary cementitious content which results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Boral ACT hope that their sustainable approach is influencing ACT businesses to become more sustainable with their product choices. They have developed and have products available now that not only meet engineering specifications but exceed them. With Borals ENVISIA product they have been able to achieve 400 microstrain concrete in the ACT, a great feat for any concrete mix let alone a lower carbon mix. GBCA standards are often used to rate and specify building products that have a sustainability component and Boral has products that meet and exceed these standards. Please contact Boral if you are interested in exploring sustainable material options in your upcoming projects. Phone: (02) 6239 7049 Website: https://www.boral.com.au/locations/boral-concrete-mitchell

Boral Quarries/Recycling – Recycled Road bases and manufactured sand. Boral Concrete – Low Carbon Concrete Products Envirocrete® Concrete (30% and 40%): Boral’s Envirocrete® concrete is a lower carbon concrete product which complies with AS 1379. It contains supplementary cementitious materials to reduce the portland cement content. Envirocrete® Plus Concrete: Boral’s Envirocrete® Plus concrete is a lower carbon concrete product which complies with AS 1379. It contains supplementary cementitious

Boral have been a long-standing partner of Master Builders ACT, recently celebrating over 50 years of membership. Boral explain their partnership with Master Builders ACT as an ‘honour to support and sponsor an organisation that provides its members with continual backing and guidance’. Congratulations Boral on this outstanding milestone.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Electric Vehicle Charging solutions for Home Builders and Commercial Developments

2 YEAR

SOLAR As solar energy management specialists, Harvey Norman Commercial Solar now offers Ocular Electric Vehicle Chargers designed for residential and commercial use. We can help you decide which EV Charger is best for your needs and design/install a fully customised solution for your site.

Electric Vehicle Charging

WARRANTY

Our Ocular EV Chargers are suitable for any Electric Vehicles in Australia. Perfect if upgrading or switching to a new EV! A live LCD display screen provides all your charging feedback information like current charging status, including charging time, voltage, current internal temperature so you know exactly what’s happening every time you charge. Designed for Australian’s the Ocular chargers are made to withstand a wide range of weather conditions, from extreme cold to scorching heat. The IP66 Rated casing means it can handle anything Australia has to offer. Perfect for all Residential and Commercial projects.

UNIVERSAL FOR ANY EV IDEAL FOR ALL DESTINATIONS CHARGING SPEED UP TO 120km per hour

Advanced EV Charging Technology Made Simple! • Fast charging speeds up to 120km/hr • Built-in safety features & Load Management • Easy to install* • 2 year product warranty • Ground Mount or Wall Mount available • 10 year workmanship warranty if installed through Harvey Norman Commercial OCULAR INTERACTIVE CHARGING STATIONS ARE SUITABLE AND APPROVED BY ALL EVS IN AUSTRALIA#

Harvey Norman Commercial is an approved solar retailer committed to good business practices and continuing to raise the standards in the solar industry. Arrange an appointment to visit our showroom to view our great range and speak to our very knowledgeable staff to get a product which is fit-for-purpose so you’re ready to charge off on your next adventure! SHOWROOMS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, BUILDERS, DEVELOPERS & PLUMBERS. Toby Billerwell 0429 504 306 hncact.solar@au.harveynorman.com SHOWROOM: 31 Dacre St Mitchell ACT

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* For your safety, the installation must only be carried out by a licensed and qualified electrician familiar with Australian industry standards and is fully responsible for the installation. # Compatible with all new Type 2 EVs including Audi, BMW, BYD, EQC, Holden, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, KIA, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mini, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, Rivian, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo etc.

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Solar solutions can see you get paid for the energy you produce while insulating your business from rising energy costs. Harvey Norman Commercial’s dedicated Solar team supply only the best available products, and as experienced national professionals can customised a solar solution to suit your needs and significantly reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint.

Harvey Norman Commercial has been in the industry for over 27 years and is invested in the future of solar and new technologies. Our WHS standards and quality assurance are second to none; we employ on-site quality assurance managers with solar installation background providing the highest installation quality. All our installers and engineers are CEC accredited and are the best in the industry. We are also proud members of Smart Energy Council to ensure we are at the forefront of legislation, best practices, and advocacy for a greener Australia. Contact our solar team now to discuss your solar requirements, and let our professional team help deliver the perfect solution for any size project.

HARVEY NORMAN COMMERCIAL ARE AN APPROVED SOLAR RETAILER COMMITTED TO GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES AND CONTINUE TO RAISE THE STANDARDS IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY.

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PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN with Paul Barnett

PAUL BARNETT

In all sectors of construction there has been a greater emphasis placed on using sustainable practices and sustainable materials. Paul Barnett is a practicing Architect who runs Paul Barnett Design Group and regularly designs incredible sustainable residential and commercial spaces. Paul has twice been awarded Sustainable Residential Project for his outstanding residential design. He is also a registered Passive House Designer and he is on the National Sustainable Committee for the Australian Institute of Architects. On top of Paul’s already impressive work in the sustainable design space, he is currently researching Regenerative Design as part of his PhD work. We chatted with Paul to find out about Passive House Design.

Q. HOW IS THE PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN PROCESS DIFFERENT FROM WHEN YOU’RE DESIGNING A TRADITIONAL HOME? PB: As a former cabinetmaker, builder and a practising architect, I have seen the construction process from all perspectives. Spatially you are still designing a building to suit needs. Occupant needs, and under the regenerative design principles (a subject we should cover in another review) you also consider the need of the local community and ecology. This is leading edge sustainable principles that are moving into the realm of mainstream gradually.

Q. WHAT IS A PASSIVE HOUSE?

Passive House performance is verified and operates using the

PB: Firstly, Passive House is a term that applies to all buildings not just houses. Not a great choice of terms as it is confusing.

Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software to analyse

More importantly, a Passive House is a certified compliant tested and verified building that performs to the Passive House performance criteria for registration. There are many buildings, houses and commercial and institutional buildings that utilise Passive House Principles and technologies but do not achieve the necessary performance levels or the verified and certified compliance that enable them to be called “Passive House”. Everything else is under high performance buildings utilising passive house technology. Passive house performance criteria is listed on the Passive House Institutes website.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

each of the performance criteria. Q. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN DESIGNING A PASSIVE HOUSE IN CANBERRA? PB: In a Passive House you are an active participant. The building is a highly tuned shell that can be understood by the term “esky” which is great for an easy way to picture what a Passive House is. You have a Heat Recovery Ventilation system (a ducted ventilation system) that supplies and returns filtered and heat exchanged air throughout the living and bedroom area and returns air through wet areas and services areas.

Q. ARE THERE RULES TO LIVING IN A PASSIVE HOUSE AT ITS MOST FUNCTIONAL? PB: There are best practices to observe. In Spring and Autumn, you can operate the building as a normal naturally ventilated building, provided the window and door placements enable air circulation to all areas. The HRV system is designed to operate at a low speed and low volume to ensure that condensation does not build up and ultimately create mold. The reason you need to be aware of this is because the building’s “Thermal Envelope” has been created to restrict air exchanges under 50 pascal pressure to a maximum of 0.6 ACH (air change per hour, tested an verified with a Blower Door Test). Our first house using Passive House technology achieved 3.3 air change per hour. Our last house achieved 0.25ACH which is nearly 3 times better than the Passive House standard and set a new bench mark in Canberra. So, you need to be aware that if you turn off the HRV system and use natural ventilation in the milder season of spring and autumn, which is how I prefer to live, the designer and operator must ensure that all areas are being ventilated.

PAUL AND ANN ENJOY THE RESULT OF SEVERAL YEARS OF COLLABORATION IN A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.

A NatHERS rating of 8 is a great result but can be improved with reduced air leakage and improved elimination of thermal bridging (heat lost or coolth gained) and can result in performance levels of 9 to 10 stars in Canberra which is high performance in our climate. This performance is realised through the reduced amount of energy loss due to low thermal bridging and high airtightness levels to operate the building over an annual cycle.

Passive House Institute Contacts: Australia: https://passivehouseaustralia.org/ Canberra: canberra@passivehouseaustralia.org

When you have high air leakages such as is the case with traditional construction, for example NatHERS assumes an air leak rate of some 12 ACH, then you don’t have the difficulties of a very airtight building. But you also lose enormous amounts of energy through the air leakage.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

INTRODUCING...

CAROMA LIANO II TAPWARE RANGE Available November 2020, to further complement Caroma's Vogue II full bathroom collection, Liano II is a pin style tapware range will be available in Chrome, Brushed Brass, Brushed Nickel, Gunmetal (PVD) and Matte Black (Electroplated) tones. In line with Caroma’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the range will come with:

Common in-wall bodies across all Caroma Vogue Tapware, assisting with fit out and retro fitting. Common components, higher efficiencies, more choices.

The more stars the more water efficient

WATER RATING

www.waterrating.gov.au

4.5

Mixers are accredited with the highly efficient WELS 6 star rating, delivering 4.5L/ min to ensure environmental standards are met commercially.

litres per minute

In accordance with AS/NZS 6400

Licence No. 0001 Caroma Industries Limited

CAROMA WARRANTY SNAPSHOT 20 years > Basins, Baths, Toilet Suites, Tapware 10 years > Tapware Engine 5 years > Seats, Bathroom Accessories, PVD Coating 1 years > Electroplated Finishes, Spare Parts

For more information call 13 14 16 or visit www.caroma.com.au

INTRODUCING...

CAROMA URBANE II COLLECTION Available October 2020, Urbane II is a full bathroom collection of Sanitaryware, Tapware, Showers & Accessories. Modern rectangular profiles and distinct thin edge details emanate throughout the collection.

The Tapware, Showers, Accessories and Sanitaryware accents are available in Chrome, Brushed Brass, Brushed Nickel, Gunmetal (PVD) and Matte Black (Electroplated) tones. Every accessory in the bathroom, including seat hinges, flush buttons, pop up wastes and bottle traps, are available across various colour options, enabling complete bathroom personalisation. In line with Caroma’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the range will feature: V-Jet Technology across all Showers, delivering an exceptional shower experience that puts the user in control via the ability to transition between an invigorating shower spray and gentle mist. GermGard® protection on all Toilet Seats in the range. This is a unique antimicrobial formula which kills harmful bacteria, helps prevent the spread of nasty germs and helps to make cleaning even easier. Caroma Cleanflush® across all Toilet Suites. This patented design features revolutionary rimless technology that delivers the next generation of toilets: easy to clean and water efficient with superior hygiene. Caroma's patented Orbital Technology and innovative Adjustable Flushpipe offers installation flexibility and greater toilet set-out compatibility. Common in-wall bodies assisting with fit out and retro fitting. Square and round base plates can be used with the Urbane II tapware. Common components, higher efficiencies, endless choices. The more stars the more water efficient

The more stars the more water efficient

WATER RATING WATER RATING

www.waterrating.gov.au

4.5

litres per minute

www.waterrating.gov.au

7.5

litres per minute

In accordance with AS/NZS 6400

Licence No. 0001

Caroma Industries Limited

Aligned with our quest for superior water solutions, all Mixers in the Urbane II collection are WELS 6 star rated, 4.5L/min, and all Showers (excl Rail Shower with Overhead, 300mm Rain Shower & Compact Twin Shower) are WELS 4 star rated, 7.5L/min.

CAROMA WARRANTY SNAPSHOT 20 years > Basins, Baths, Toilet Suites, Tapware 10 years > Tapware Engine 5 years > Seats, Bathroom Accessories, PVD Coating 1 years > Electroplated Finishes, Spare Parts

For more information call 13 14 16 or visit www.caroma.com.au

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: BRENTON WELLS The 2008 Apprentice of the Year

BRENTON WELLS

As a bright, young apprentice received the highest accolade in MBA Group Training, Apprentice of the Year, at Eastlake Football Club in 2008, who would have known he would become an award winning builder. Brenton Wells is the Director of Future Building, where they say no two projects are the same. But the one thing that is consistent across his projects, is the passion for restoring and reusing heritage elements with a strong commitment to innovation. In 2016, Brenton and his team transformed a cherished 1920’s home with functional upgrades including geo-thermal in-slab heating and burnished concrete, while retaining the 1920’s heritage details including keeping the original stove. This year, for the 2021 Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire Excellence Awards, he’s teamed up with Studio & You, to create a stunning Inner South family home. The build was three years in the making, as the family spent time overseas. The

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

home appears modest from the exterior but as you enter the house it seems to go on forever. The 4.3 metre stone bench top shows the generosity of high-quality materials throughout the home. The kitchen cabinetry is a custom colour made up of grey, blue and purple hues that is the perfect blend of modern and heritage tones. For Brenton, you could see that the true joy in the completion of the home came from delivering an abode that was everything the homeowners could have dreamed of, and more. Brenton was an MBA GTO Employed apprentice when he was completing his Certificate III in Carpentry. The highly coveted title of MBA Apprentice of the Year wasn’t the only award Brenton went on to receive that year, he also picked up: > Master Builders Group Training’s Apprentice of the Year award > Outstanding Construction Industry Apprentice – CITC award > ACT World Skills gold medalist in Carpentry > ACT World Skills gold medalist in the Team Carpentry category

After completing his apprenticeship Brenton went on to earn his Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) and became an MBA host employer in 2012. Brenton also joined the MBA mentoring program in 2013, guiding young apprentices during their apprenticeship. He has also continued to be a fantastic mentor and host employer to his MBA GTO apprentices. From a young apprentice that stood up in front of a crowded room of his peers to accept The Apprentice of the Year award, Brenton has made his mark on the Canberra construction industry.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

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WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION 2021 Winter Wine Tour Wrap-Up On 4 June 2021 the Women in Construction Group hosted a Winter Wine Tour. The first stop was Four Winds Vineyard where attendees enjoyed delicious woodfire pizza and sampled some of the finest wine in the region as well as their new gin offering. Guests then travelled to Tallagandra Hill Winery where they were greeted with an incredible grazing platter. The winery owners ran us through a wonderful tasting, that showed how you can enjoy a wine with every sense. Thank you to our program partners Harvey Norman Commercial and Snedden Hall & Gallop. Welcome aboard to Shaw Building Group and Master Builders Insurance Brokers.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

NEW MEMBER FEATURE: Element Building Delivers A Sustainable Vision Element Building became MBA members earlier this year, but the company’s progression has been 10 years in the making. Married duo, Dennis and Aldona Stravopodis, started Element Building back in 2011, with Dennis operating as the director and Aldona as the Marketing, People and Culture Manager. They started the business with a shared passion for delivering beautiful, environmentally friendly homes. The family owned and operated business has a vision to, “inspire, innovate and lead our industry in designing and building quality, energy efficient and comfortable homes that are accessible to everyone,” Aldona said. Creating stunning, sustainable homes is a natural part of the process for the Element Building team, “Designing and building energy efficient, sustainable homes that hold up to the rigors of our climate extremities in Canberra is just part of what we do. As builders, we need to take the elements into account if we are to effectively and responsibly build energy efficient homes that will benefit our clients, as well as the environment,” Dennis said.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

But what do they mean by sustainable homes? Dennis explains, “When we use the word “sustainable” we mean homes that are designed to reduce the overall environmental impact during and after construction in such a way that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” When you look at the incredible Jasmine Display Home in Strathnairn created by the Element Building team, your first thought isn’t about how will the building process affect future generations, but it’s an added bonus of working with a sustainably focused builder.” While Element Building make the design and building process simple for their clients, there is great thought that goes into maximising the energy efficiency of the home. In a climate like Canberra’s where there are freezing cold winters and boiling hot summers, Dennis believes it is an important focus in the design process saying, “Well-designed energy efficient homes should take into account the climate in which they are being built and use natural heating and cooling methods, insulation, ventilation, shading and glazing based on this to optimise comfort.” This year Element Building are celebrating their 10th birthday, a celebration which has been interrupted by the latest Canberra lockdown. But the team has had the chance to reflect on the incredible homes they have created in the last decade, “10 years ago when our Element Building Projects journey began, energy efficient building and design principles in Canberra were pretty light on. Having had the opportunity to build six times for our own family, as well as for our many

clients over the past 10 years, we continually experiment with new ideas and materials to see what else is possible to improve everyday comfort of living,” Aldona said. But in the booming Canberra housing market the idea of a sustainable home can have homeowners seeing dollar signs. The Element Building team believe you need to get the core elements of the building process right before even looking into sustainable technological additions. This is why they released a free guide called The 10 Elements to Building a Sustainable Home.

By building a home with the environment in my mind, the homeowners will reap the rewards in the long run. “A more energy efficient home means lower energy bills, as there’s a reduced need for artificial cooling and less electricity being wasted by inefficient light fittings or appliances,” Dennis explained. For Dennis and Aldona, it is important to deliver a home for their clients that doesn’t just work for now but will function for their clients into the future. We look forward to seeing more beautiful homes from the Element Building team as new members of the MBA family.

They have broken the process into 10 key areas: 1. Location and Orientation 2. Building smaller can be better 3. Remember to insulate 4. Sustainable building materials

Creating stunning, sustainable homes is a natural part of the process for the Element Building team.

5. Use the sun 6. Eco-friendly lighting 7. Programmable thermostat 8. Passive solar design 9. Thermal performance 10. Building a healthy house

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Building the homes that connect our community. Since 1988 we’ve built more than 18,300 dwellings, but to us it’s so much more than that. We lived up to our name by creating communities where people could live, work, laugh, play and simply spend quality time together. We’re looking forward to the next 30 years of connecting people.

villagebuilding.com.au

MEMBER MILESTONE

4EA0RS

40 YEARS ON AND Hindmarsh is a Force of Nature

Several of our Australia National University (ANU) projects included energy saving best practice initiatives, to meet GBCA 5-Star Green Star design criteria or higher. These ESD projects included:

Hindmarsh is proud to create the leading communities, sustainable buildings, and social infrastructure of the future across Australia.

> Centralised plant facilities providing hot and chilled water to service each precinct, and adjoining buildings where possible.

Hindmarsh understands that being committed to sustainability extends across all facets of our business. Over the last 40 years, Hindmarsh has worked in partnership with project stakeholders, driving construction best practice and integrating environmentally friendly design where possible.

> Adaptive air conditioning.

Our approach to sustainability embraces environmental, social, and economic accountability across the entire project life cycle, driven by robust environmental systems. Our strategy typically includes the following key areas: > Reducing resource consumption via detailed design. > Design driven use and support of recyclable resources. > Application of life cycle costing, with a focus on Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD). > Stringent SQE systems, accredited to ISO14001:2015, to protect the natural environment.

> Blackwater treatment to recycle wastewater for re-use. > Rainwater harvesting and recycling for use as irrigation and other associated services. > Adaptive ‘smart’ lighting control systems including sensors, timers, and low energy units with electronic ballasts. By focusing on complex construction projects, real estate development, retirement services and capital management, Hindmarsh has witnessed steady expansion, founded on a continued commitment to high quality, integrity, innovation, and teamwork. Today, Hindmarsh delivers high-quality services, offering the highest standards of operation for a wide range of clients. The Hindmarsh story is underpinned by a proven track record of over $5 billion worth of completed projects and communityfocused solutions.

> Elimination of toxic substance/material use. > Focus on longevity and quality, not cost. > Waste-management & recycling post project, with an aim to reuse where possible.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

2021 Member Milestones

CORDELL

FUSION CONSTRUCTION GROUP PTY LTD COBUL CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD HARVEY NORMAN COMMERCIAL

LONERGAN SURVEYING REECE PLUMBING CENTRES CAPCORP CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD CAPITAL LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS PTY LTD

BLACKETT HOMES

CLAY RIDLEY MR BUILDING SERVICES PTY LTD EASIER LIVING SERVICES PTY LTD

BAXTER ENGINEERING (ACT) PTY LTD NORTHSIDE COMMERCIAL DAVID RYAN HOMES KASPAREK ARCHITECTS PTY LTD

CANBERRA CONTRACTORS PTY LTD

LIANGIS INVESTMENTS PTY LTD

ACT DOORLAND

PREFERRED BUILDERS

MEIER DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTD

ACCLAIM CONTRACTORS PTY LTD

KAPPELLE PTY LTD

THE PLAYGROUND PEOPLE

MCINNES WILSON LAWYERS

CORD CIVIL PTY LTD

M HOMES PTY LIMITED

CHC AFFORDABLE HOUSING

ABLE LANDSCAPING PTY LTD

SELECT STRUCTURE PTY LTD

SIMEONOV CIVIL ENGINEERING PTY LTD

ROSIN BROS

GUIDELINE ACT PTY LTD

BLD ENTERPRISES PTY LTD

MUNNS SLY MOORE ARCHITECTS PTY LTD

TILING IMPRESSIONS PTY LTD STYLECON PTY LTD GRAYTON BUILDING SERVICES

EXISTENZ BUILDERS PTY LTD EMPIRE GLOBAL PTY LTD COMPLEX CO. PTY LTD WALDREN CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD

M & S KITCHENS AUSTRALIA

INTRAVISION PTY LTD

DAN & DAN LANDSCAPING

FOXY’S LANDSCAPES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

CONSOLIDATED BUILDERS LIMITED HERZOG STEEL CANBERRA SAND & GRAVEL PTY LTD AUSTRAL CLAY BRICKS & PAVERS ACT INTERIORS RENAISSANCE HOMES

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

The Importance of LIVEABLE HOUSING by Andrew Kerec Owner/Manager at Renaissance Homes

Dad and I started Renaissance Homes as a father/son team and local Canberra business in 1996 – we are very proudly celebrating our 25th anniversary this year as builders and MBA members. In early 2010, my family’s world was turned upside down when Dad was knocked off his bike by another cyclist on a Canberra shared path - with the resultant damage to his spinal cord rendering him a complete C5 quadriplegic. With magnificent and cherished staff, the company got through the very tough years that followed with dad being transferred to Sydney for surgery, treatment and rehabilitation. Dad was able to return home to Canberra several months after his accident because fortunately, my wife and I were building a new home at the time and were able to make modifications to accommodate them just in the nick of time. This provided mum and dad an appropriate, accessible, safe and loving place to reside while they found a block and built their own new home (yes…. back then it was possible to buy a block!). We were lucky. Most aren’t so fortunate – this experience opened our eyes to just how many members of our community are stuck in hospitals, care facilities or ‘make

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

do’ accommodation while they waited for new housing or home modifications – years in many cases, often accompanied by astronomical costs and disputes with insurance companies. It also became clearly evident that even when appropriate accommodation became available, many mobility impaired people became socially isolated within their own homes – unable to visit family or friends. I was buoyed at the time to see that the answer to this problem already existed. In 2009 the Federal Government called together housing industry leaders, community leaders and others to address the lack of inclusive housing in Australia. An industry led voluntary approach was argued for and agreed to with the aspirational goal that all new homes be of an agreed Universal Housing Design by 2020. Unfortunately, less than 5% of the 2020 target was achieved. Minimum accessibility requirements (essentially the LHA Silver level) will be included in the 2022 National Construction code with the ACT Government confirming their commitment to adopting them in September 2022. Liveable Homes will enhance the quality of life for all occupants at all stages of life.

They are designed to be: > Easy to enter > Easy to navigate in and around > Capable of easy and cost-effective adaptation > Responsive to the changing needs of occupants They benefit families with young children (by removing trip hazards for toddlers and making it easier to manoeuvre prams/strollers), people who sustain a temporary injury that limits their mobility, ageing baby boomers that require mobility aids or home modifications and people with disability and their families, enabling them a better choice of housing and the opportunity to visit the homes of friends and relatives.

Andrew started Spine Tingling Ride back in 2017, which involves a 5,551km bike ride from Canberra to Darwin to raise funds for Hartley Lifecare, Spinal Cure Australia and Livable Housing Austraila. Andrew completed the first ride back in 2017, and raised $130,000 for charity in the process. COVID-19 has delayed his second ride, which is now due to take place in 2022. Visit the Spine Tingling Ride website to donate to this wonderful cause!

Renaissance Homes changed all of our portfolio designs to LHA Silver compliance several years ago and feel privileged to be within an industry and movement on the precipice of delivering safer, more accessible and inclusive housing to the community. Feel free to get in touch with me through the MBA if you’d like a firsthand account of how easy, cost effective, practical and beneficial Liveable Housing is – or if you’d just like some advice in advance of the 2022 NCC.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

MEMBER MILESTONE

2EA0RS

MMM Interiors

MMM Interiors was founded by interior and building designer, Mimmi Freebody. Mimmi has over thirty years of industry experience, which she uses to deliver outstanding kitchens and bathrooms. MMM Interiors has also grown to include a retail showroom, so they can be with clients through every step of the process.

They also offer bespoke furniture design, assistance in selecting finishes, documentation and costing and space planning. Through their 20 years of MBA Membership, MMM Interiors have delivered award winning projects that have thrilled their clients.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

Do you use labour hire in the ACT? The ACT has introduced a Labour Hire Licensing Scheme. This Scheme promotes responsible conduct across the ACT including building and construction, landscaping, IT, cleaning and payroll services. The transitional period for the Scheme finishes on 26 November 2021.

Scan the QR code to visit the WorkSafe ACT website

This means that all businesses that provide labour hire services in the ACT must have a licence. This Scheme also requires anyone who uses labour hire to only use licensed providers. To find out about your duties and to check if the labour hire provider you use is licensed, visit the WorkSafe ACT website. Website: worksafe.act.gov.au Email: labourhirelicensing@worksafe.act.gov.au

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Blackett Homes

Established in 1981 by David Howarth and Marilyn Howarth, Blackett Homes is one of the Canberra region’s longeststanding builders. Blackett Homes specialise in bespoke residential homes, custom-designed house and land packages; commercial fitout projects via their commercial arm, Blackett Commercial; and large-scale projects with their development business.

This locally owned and family-run business has collectively built over 3,000 residential properties in the Canberra region. Blackett Homes has won over 40 major industry awards, with the most memorable project being a multi-awardwinning home in Campbell, which received an MBA National Residential Home of the Year award.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

MEMBER MILESTONE

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R & A Andriolo Pty Ltd

Robert Andriolo started R & A Andriolo Pty Ltd in the early ‘70s, predominately specialising in commercial works. R & A Andriolo is a family owned and operated company consisting of 3 employees, who are Robert, his son, and his daughter. At 79, Robert’s passion for construction has stood the test of time with him continuing to operate on a smaller scale, in a

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

more project management role whilst also overseeing the ongoing maintenance of owned properties. Across his 45 years of MBA Membership Robert’s most memorable project was the building of two service stations in Pheasant’s Nest on either side of the highway.

MEMBER MILESTONE

2EA0RS

AMC Architecture – 20 Years

AMC Architecture is an architectural and interior design practice that was founded in Canberra in 2000 by Alastair MacCallum and David Cook. They have delivered well over 3,000 projects including office buildings, workplace interiors, residential, refurbishments, medical buildings and educational facilities.

This year they launched the AMC Architecture Accommodation Scholarship with the University of Canberra. This scholarship provides financial assistance for on campus accommodation for a first-year architecture student who is financially disadvantaged. AMC Architecture have achieved longevity in the industry by delivering outstanding designs and fostering good working relationships.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

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The MBA Team BEYOND THE BORDER

Q. WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?

Master Builders ACT has had several staff members move interstate in recent months who have stayed with the MBA Team. We chat with MBA GT Industry Coordinator Sam Reynolds-Smith and Accounts Assistant Sheena Mullaney, to find out about their remote working experiences.

I’m also the technical expert responsible for the upgrade of carpentry program (CPC30220 Certificate III in carpentry). I work in conjunction with Instructional Designers and I get to utilise 3D modeling to create video tutorials.

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

SRS: I’m responsible for the training of Certificate IV Building and Construction online (Tuesday and Thursday nights) via a virtual classroom.

SM: I work part time as the accounts assistant for MBA ACT and due to my recent move more specifically for STO. I am responsible for accounts receivable which involves raising invoices, reconciling the bank and following up debtors. I also handle accounts payable so entering and paying the supplier invoices and reconciling the credit card statement. In addition, I am the contact for Business Central and currently in the process of getting a workflow/purchase order system implemented.

Q. WHAT IS ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FROM HOME?

Q. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY WITH THE MBA RATHER THAN LOOK FOR A JOB LOCALLY?

SRS: It’s great to have a distraction free environment, because it allows for far greater concentration on the tasks at hand and I think for me it produces a better product overall.

SRS: MBA Carpentry is on the up and up, the training provided is excellent and gets better everyday. I also realised that my current workload and duties were things that I could accomplish remotely to a standard I could achieve working in the office.

SM: You certainly get a lot more done in the day with less distractions but at the same time you can forget to stop and take a break. Also, with young kids the flexibility helps with balancing work and family. Plus I’m lucky enough to have an office in town (Bega) which I will be working from on Mondays and Thursdays so I get the best of both worlds. Q. WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT WORKING IN THE OFFICE?

SM: MBA is like a family. Why would you leave family? The company and the people are what I look for in a job. And I’ve always said you could pay me a million dollars but if the culture and the people aren’t there then it’s not worth it to me. I feel so grateful for the support and to still be able to work for a great company.

SRS: I miss the social Interaction with work mates and the banter (which I am the main cause of). SM: The face to face interaction with some great people! Whether it be something small like our staff meetings or something big like one of our major events. There is also the lunch room laughs but most of all the morning teas and celebrations. As nice as the peace and serenity can be I actually like the hubbub of a busy office!

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

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Civil Contractors Federation Update:

Local Priorities Shift with Global Issues Early October, Chris Melham, CCF National CEO appeared before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities to provide evidence to its Inquiry into Federally Funded Infrastructure Projects and to discuss CCF National’s Submission. The Committee is examining the challenges and opportunities for the civil construction industry that come with the Australian Government’s ten-year, $110 billion Infrastructure Program. The CCF submission contains recommendations based on extensive feedback from CCF Members, including: > Improving the current Federal, State/Territory procurement frameworks and policies to deliver projects to market in a more streamlined and timely manner; > Providing greater opportunity for tier 2, 3 and 4 head contractors, for example through the disaggregation of major infrastructure projects; > improving Australia’s sovereign capability; > the use of collaborative contracts where appropriate to manage risk more equitably; > ensuring there are appropriately qualified staff within government procurement agencies to manage the tender process; > reinstating civil occupations on the National Skills Needs List so apprentices, employers, CivilTrain and Vet providers more generally can participate in the financial incentives on offer through the Commonwealth’s apprenticeship funding programs. The issues being raised at a Federal level are the same issues that contractors deal with at a State and Territory level, this parallel focused advocacy at both levels goes a long way to facilitate change.

NICK ZARDO, PRESIDENT OF THE CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION ACT AND MBA CIVIL CONTRACTORS COUNCIL CHAIR

Your current board members are; Anisha Sachdeva Mara, Chris Bimrose, Lachlan Haskins, Ben Helmers, Scott Regan, Stuart Ritchie, and Nick Zardo. A warm welcome to Chris and Scott as new Directors and a big thank you to Daniel Hill and Alan Morton for their work over the past two years as they step down from the board. The board has been busy over the past few months working with the MBA in getting the Civil Industry back to work and supporting it following the COVID-19 situation in the ACT. This really has overshadowed most other advocacy efforts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Hopkins and the whole MBA team for the extraordinary effort they make in supporting the local construction industry. Currently the board is engaging with the ACT Government on three main fronts with a Tender review committee looking at streamlining tender submissions and how tender results/ assessments can be fast tracked. A safety forum has also been established to try and get some synergy between government and industry on better safety outcomes and we remain engaged with Government in trying to get better quality design and documentation which will result in better outcomes for all stakeholders. This edition of Canberra Builder focuses on Sustainability. As individuals and more broadly, as an industry we understand the importance of sustainable practices and the impact this has on our planet. But for our industry, taking the next step in going green can be expensive. As contractors, we invest in many things that may not be commercially viable initially, but it is time to prioritise sustainability. We have, just invested in our first electric vehicle to add to our fleet. What is going to be your first or next step in creating a more sustainable construction industry?

I would like to Introduce the newly elected board of Directors of the ACT CCF;

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 3 2021

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We like to make sure we understand your exact requirements to offer professional advice and provide a suitable solution.

We hand-pick and grow our team, who are friendly, respectful and approachable. They are always available to help, and provide us with valuable insight from each job, so we can continue to make process improvements.

EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION AND QUALITY We have experience working with new and innovative products. All products we use are of high quality and meet Australian Standards.

COMPLIANT AND EFFICIENT We are compliant and accredited. Our automated systems and processes ensure we are efficient, on time and defect-free.

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NO NASTY SURPRISES We have guaranteed fixed pricing. We will complete your project within the agreed timeframe and budget, and we provide a full 1 year warranty on parts.

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Canberra Builder 3/2021

Articles inside

Winter Wine Tour Wrap-Up

Construction Industry Recycling Guide

Designs That Make You Green with Envy

A Message from the CEO

Delivering Sustainability Through Infrastructure

A Message from the President

In the News