2014 Master Builders Western Australia Magazine Dec-Jan

VOLUME 11 | NUMBER 5 | DECEMBER - JANUARY 2014/15

Regional Awards:

MIDWEST,

GREAT SOUTHERN

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BUILDERS ON DISPLAY

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Master Builders-AIB conference

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Bracks for dinner

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Robert Law honour to Greaves

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Ric New Medal

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Apprentice winners

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contents DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

OUR COVER Schlager Homes, Smith Constructions, Zorzi Builders and CPD Group took top honours at Master Builders’ regional Building Excellence Awards recently. See pages 32-40 for details.

IN THIS ISSUE... FOREWORDS

UPDATES

FEATURES

President’s File .......................................................4

Opinion ..................................................................8

Director’s File .........................................................6

Utilities ..................................................................41

Bricks and Pavers – Why Brick? Longevity, Durability ............................................89

Members’ Health .................................................42

REPORTS

Membership ........................................................46

General News ......................................................10

Safety ..................................................................51

Branches .............................................................63

Insurance .............................................................53 Legal ....................................................................54

AWARDS

Industrial Relations ..............................................56

Geraldton Midwest Awards .................................32

Housing ...............................................................58

Great Southern Awards ......................................37

Personal Pars .......................................................69

Interiors and Fitouts – Stone Cladding: A Natural Choice for Interiors ..............................92 Steel – Demountable Structures: A Game-Changer for the Construction Industry ...............................94 Training and Recruitment – Boosting Women’s Participation in Industry .......................................98

Technical .............................................................75 Training ................................................................77 Building Business .................................................85

PUBLISHED BY

Crowther Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 222 757 Fax: 1800 063 151 Email: publications@crowtherblayne.com.au National Sales and Marketing Manager: Trish Riley Sales Manager: Daniel Rutland Executive Sales: Rose Delosreyes, Peter Shepherd Email: sales@crowtherblayne.com.au Layout and Desgin: Carol Taylor Graphic Design Team: Byron Bailey, Amanda Bennett Editor: Kate McIntosh Production Coordinator: Yvonne Okseniuk Printed by Newstyle Printing Master Builder is the official publication of The Master Builders Association of Western Australia. It is produced five times per year and published by Crowther-Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd. Master Builders Association of Western Australia was established in1898 and is the state’s oldest building industry organisation. The MBAWA is part of the Australia-wide Master Builder movement. Master Builder is produced to keep members informed of matters affecting them. Opinions and/ or statements in any editorial and/or advertisements are not necessarily those of the publisher and/or the MBAWA. The publisher reserves the right to reject any material deemed unsuitable for publication. Other than for the purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the copyright Act 1968, no part of Master Builder may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission from the MBAWA or Crowther-Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd.

MBAWA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT: President: John Ripp Senior Vice President: Robert Spadaccini Vice President: David Crothers Treasurer: Chris Lillis Immediate Past President: Robert Shaw Board Members: George Allingame, Philip Kemp, Jason Kunkler, Andy Peppercorn, Dan Perkins, Jack Pleiter, Michael Vermey. SENIOR STAFF: Director: Michael McLean Special Projects Director: Gavan Forster Contracts & Administration Manager: Charles Anderson Construction Director: Kim Richardson Membership Services Manager: Veronica Mill Housing & Business Development Director: Geoff Cooper Partnerships & Marketing Manager: Kelly Dewar-Matusik Events Manager: Pippa Tearne Technical Advisor: Romina De Santis Training Director: Neil Du Rand Safety Manager: Michael Fitzgerald Waste Reduction Consultant: Michael Norriss

HEAD OFFICE: 35-37 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005 Post: PO Box 167, West Perth WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9476 9800 (Country) 1300 550 262 Fax: (08) 9476 9801 Email: mba@mbawa.com Website: www.mbawa.com MASTER BUILDERS TRAINING CENTRE 594 Hay Street Jolimont WA 6014 Phone: (08) 9441 8000 Fax: (08) 9441 8001 Email: training@mbawa.com REGIONAL BRANCHES: Albany-Great Southern: Linda Gibbs Ph 9841 6232 Bunbury-South West: Geoff Bosustow Ph 9721 6547 Geraldton-North West: Dianne Gilleland Ph 9921 5061 Esperance: Doug Backhouse Ph 0437 184 366 Kalgoorlie: Colleen Horton Ph 0412 487 970 MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: Veronica Mill Ph (08) 9476 9800 SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES: Master Builder is available for subscription at a cost of $55/year. Contact Membership Services Manager Veronica Mill via email at veronica@mbawa.com for further information.

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FOREWORDS president’s file DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

REFLECTIONS ON 2014 With 2014 drawing to a close, it’s time to reflect on some of the many memorable moments and achievements over the past year, as well as thank those who have made such an important contribution to the success of our industry.

By the time most members read this editorial it will be almost Christmas and another year will be closing. I hope it has been a prosperous year for your business and a healthy one for you. This was the first year of my presidency and I must say it was extremely interesting and rewarding. Although I have been actively involved with Master Builders for more than 15 years, I certainly learnt a lot about the organisation and our dedicated staff. Working closely with various staff, I have been truly taken with the enthusiasm and commitment they show in the job they do for Master Builders. The Association has a strong support network and relies on teamwork to achieve its best results. The team is spread across the State, from head office in West Perth, where most staff are based and where our Board, Councils and committees meet, to the regional offices in Geraldton, Bunbury, Albany, Kalgoorlie and Esperance. We also have a Training Centre in Jolimont. Master Builders Australia, our national office, is based in Canberra where it is most effective in its lobbying role with federal politicians and bureaucrats. WA is fortunate in having Dan Perkins representing our interests on the National Board and serving as acting president for part of 2014.

It was another busy year for Master Builders in the West. Some of the more memorable moments for me included: • Presenting Charlie Baggetta, Max Rivett and Hub Mainwaring with life membership. Each of these veterans in his own way has made a significant contribution to Master Builders’ wellbeing over many years. • Attending the 50th anniversary celebrations of our Geraldton Branch, our longest-running regional office. This provided a timely reminder of 11 champions who were recognised on an honour board for their extraordinary contributions to our Mid-West Branch. • Watching the 500th episode of our TV program HOME in WA, reflecting 15 years of promoting members to the WA public. • Hosting quarterly national meetings in Perth with representatives from each State and Territory. • Launching a new members’ building industry information website. • Attending some amazing award presentations in Broome, Bunbury, Albany, Geraldton and Perth. The workmanship quality is a credit to the winning builders and subcontractors. • Celebrating Bob Greaves receiving this year’s Robert Law Award. • Participating in our second State conference with AIB in Perth. • Meeting many members, sponsors and public sector representatives who each had a building industry story to tell.

On the policy front, the Master Builders’ Board has focused on a range of important issues: • Improving the planning approvals process. • The Heydon Royal Commission into union corruption and corporate governance. • Housing indemnity insurance. • The ERA micro-economic reform inquiry. • Reforming the apprenticeship system to bolster future skills and labour supply. • Waste management strategies. • A proposed new safety regime. • Changes to BMW tendering and contractual arrangements. • Refresher safety training. • Housing affordability and land supply. As you can see, it’s been another busy year. The residential sector has been booming and experiencing skill shortages and increased labour costs, while the commercial sector has been extremely competitive with low margins. My thanks to the dedicated members who volunteer their time to serve on our Board, Councils and committees or simply help out when the need arises. The same goes for our loyal alliance partners and their staff, who share our vision of making the industry a better place to work and do business. Finally, I recognise the contribution of our staff, without whose hard work, expertise and commitment our efforts would not be realised. Thank you for your support of Master Builders this year. I hope you will enjoy time with your family and friends over the festive season and return refreshed for new challenges in an exciting year ahead. John Ripp

Acknowledging the Support of our 2014 Partners:

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FOREWORDS director’s file DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

ALL WE WANT FOR CHRISTMAS With the New Year fast approaching, it is time for both State and Federal governments to take the lead on a number of important issues affecting the building and construction industry. Delivering on some of these key items would go along way to improving efficiency.

Approaching the New Year, many important issues still remain at a crossroads. It is time for our Federal and State governments to show leadership and deal with these issues. Traditionally, the end of the year is a frantic time for builders trying to complete projects before Christmas or win contracts to start the New Year. Politically, the opposite is the case, with parliament entering a long recess and politicians difficult to access. I hope our Members of Parliament and advisers have a good break because we need them firing on all cylinders when they return in 2015. Here’s a 10-point wish list of what the building industry has asked Santa to bring and which would benefit everyone. 1. An overhaul of our planning regime, which will exclude single-detached Residential Design Code-compliant houses from having to obtain planning permits. How simple is that, but how long have we been waiting for this basic reform, which will be a godsend to builders and clients? 2. Expediting a review of the Residential Design Codes, taking into account the trend towards smaller lots and more flexible new home designs. Then we can move on to private certification of planning approvals, which will provide even more efficiencies in the building process. 3. Concluding the Heydon Royal Commission into union corruption and corporate governance with meaningful recommendations. Shocking and disturbing evidence to date requires

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

a strong response from the Abbott Government to create a much more effective cop on the beat. Clearly, industry is not capable of self-regulation and unions need to be subject to the same laws as corporations. The sooner we re-establish the Australian Building Construction Commission the better! Local government reform, including mergers. Dealing with inconsistencies and uncertainties associated with different councils and their own agendas has become ridiculously difficult. If only local government employees knew what impact they were having on builders and their clients with respect to their time delays and crazy requirements. Industry superannuation schemes, like Cbus, concluding their review of corporate governance procedures and practices to provide members with confidence that personal details are protected from improper interference from union officials. With so much money now being managed by industry funds, this has to be non-negotiable. Overhauling the VET training regime to bring it into the 21st century. The apprenticeship system requires streamlining and flexibility to attract young applicants, employers and trainers. Industry’s future skills are on the line. The Barnett Government introducing a Code of Practice to determine parameters of acceptable industrial relations behaviour on public sector construction sites. The Victorian model is a good example. Taxpayers will be the ultimate beneficiaries. Resolving the future of housing indemnity insurance in WA. The Barnett Government wants to keep it in place to

Acknowledging the Support of our 2014 Partners:

protect homebuyers, but at what cost? Amendments to the 18-year-old scheme are necessary to make it fairer and more viable. 9. Extending builders’ registration to the whole of WA. Tiered registration has been put on hold by the Building Commission and both projects need to be progressed in 2015. 10. An outcome in 2015 in relation to Commerce Minister Michael Mischin’s farreaching model Safety Bill tabled in State parliament. This is important legislation, which requires careful analysis. Master Builders will be providing feedback after consulting members. We still aren’t sure whether the legislation is necessary, even though many provisions mirror what exists in other jurisdictions. If we get a full sack of “presents” containing the above-mentioned “goodies”, the building and construction industry will operate more efficiently into the future. It would appear that Santa has a lot of people to satisfy and only so many elves and reindeer, so we will be hoping for the best. At least Santa knows what we want. Thanks for your support and contribution to our great industry throughout 2014. Enjoy your festive season. Michael McLean

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UPDATES opinion DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

THE QUICK, THE NIMBLE OR THE DEAD – RIDING WA’S CONSTRUCTION CYCLE The construction cycle in WA is a challenge for businesses, says Master Builders’ housing and economics director Geoff Cooper.

opinion UPDATES 9

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

We all know that the construction industry is fiercely cyclical, seeing substantial spikes and troughs in building activity. Fortunately, the workloads of different construction sectors do not usually synchronise. It wasn’t pretty in the 2005-2007 period when many building sectors boomed together in a synchronised cycle – with strong labour and supply shortages, and consequential contractual and delivery challenges. However, the rarity of synchronised cycles allows businesses to capitalise on different jobs or projects to keep their businesses operating throughout the whole building cycle. So where are we at now? Let’s consider key residential and construction sectors and where nimble builders can be looking in coming years. It has been well publicised that we have seen a substantial jump in residential construction to around 28,500 starts. The Housing Industry Forecasting Group is anticipating a pull back to a still relatively strong 25,000 starts in 2014-2015 due to falling net migration and potential increases in the unemployment rate in WA. Strong increases in rental vacancies for both houses and apartments are warning signs that the current spike might not be sustained in the medium term. However, we could see some ongoing momentum from increased availability of land in this sector that has been a constraining factor. The move from the construction phase of the resources boom to the production phase sees substantial falls in the demand for labour, although it does support strong export growth that will hold up GSP growth in WA of three-plus per cent for the next couple of years. Some regional markets reliant on resources are already feeling the full force of the construction phase pull back. Other areas such as the South West and Great Southern, which are more reliant on other sectors like agriculture, are seeing more residential construction activity after several quiet years. Overall, real income growth and only modest use of borrowing capacity by WA homeowners means that there is still further scope for homebuyers and investors to remain active. The big proviso is that they will need job security to have the confidence to build or invest. Builders relying on new home construction will therefore want to watch the monthly unemployment rate trends closely to get a handle on the likely direction of the

housing market. If employment holds up we can have a lot more confidence in the residential construction outlook in our State. At the time of writing, financial markets are forecasting no interest rate increases until 2016, so there doesn’t appear to be a major threat at this point. An unexpected interest rate cut, however, would support more residential property investment than currently forecast. Turning to the commercial-building sector, the residential-apartment sector is particularly interesting. REIWA’s Stewart Darby reports that the proportion of apartments being built in Perth is consistent with long-term averages. However, we are still a long way behind Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane when it comes to highrise living. Nevertheless, we have seen a significant jump in apartment vacancy rates and a fall in rental rates. Net migration is also falling in WA. Meanwhile, foreign investment seems to be increasing and new projects are being approved regularly, mostly underpinned by presales. Master Builders is commissioning some research for release in February on the outlook for this sector that is showing some signs of oversupply. The short-term outlook for public works investment is negative. The Coalition State Government is paying the price for a lack of restraint in public sector spending over the past decade, particularly on government wages. It is facing potential declines in major revenue lines from royalties and most of its taxes, including payroll, land tax and stamp duty. We have seen a large increase in our State Government debt levels in a short period of time. This is not an environment where we are going to get capital works shots in the arm! However, we should be optimistic for the medium-term outlook for education. As I report elsewhere in Master Builder, we have had a baby boom in WA, with the total number of births annually in WA growing by more than 10,000 in only one decade. This 40-plus per cent increase will require more education facilities and the Education Department is reporting a spike in enrolments already. At the other end of the population age spectrum, the jump in the number of aged people in WA will provide ongoing demand for health, retirement and aged care facilities.

We also have some major Perth development sites available in the Elizabeth Quay, Riverside and Northbridge Link projects that offer major tourism, office and apartment market building opportunities. These major projects are not likely to compensate for the bleak overall outlook for commercial office construction in WA. We have substantial new supply and falling demand for offices in Perth and West Perth, as well as suburban office markets. We are talking about a probable 20-plus per cent vacancy rate in the CBD and other pockets around Perth. This means that we are set for a sharply reduced workload in the office-building sector. The tourism sector is a potential growth market – and is especially important regionally. A relatively high Australian dollar has deterred people from visiting our shores for many years. But a resurgent American dollar and Australian dollar decline against other major currencies could be a boon for this sector that has struggled to attract investment in recent times. Falling petrol prices, combined with a lower Australian dollar, will also assist domestic tourism prospects and thus drive construction demand. The retail-building sector also offers a lot of promise. The easing of unwarranted regulatory caps on retail floor space in Perth seems to have finally kicked off a round of substantial retail investment in expansions. Our planners have a lot to answer for in WA. We also are getting new retailers entering our market. 7-Eleven has announced it will be expanding into WA this year, marking the first time the company has entered a new market in 32 years. More than 10 stores are projected to open in WA over the coming year, including standalone convenience stores and fuel stores, with plans for as many as 75 stores over the next five years. We also are seeing Aldi and Masters driving retail-building works. It’s also advisable to keep an eye on the longterm trends, which show ongoing demand for all types of buildings in WA, supported by substantial population increases projected for many decades. So quick and nimble building businesses will be looking at where the action will be in the next few years to keep delivering quality buildings for our community in WA. Be alive, not dead – and keep kicking!

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

MASTER BUILDERS STRIKE GOLD IN MIDWEST

Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch champions and representatives (back row l-r) Ross Conti, Rob Menzies, Serena Giudice, Andrew Crothers, Craig Johnson, Hub Mainwaring, Tim Rogers, Peter Willoughby, with (front row l-r) Carmela Mangano, Sue Pepperell and Judith Standley

Geraldton champion Tim Rogers with MBA Insurance Services’ Kathryn Heremia and Nick Vernon.

Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch celebrated its 50th anniversary in style in August at the Branch’s Walton Close headquarters, with more than 100 local and State building and construction industry guests attending. Branch chairperson Serena Giudice opened the golden anniversary proceedings, welcoming guests and thanking Cbus, Colorbond, Lysaght, Medibank Private and The Geraldton Guardian for their support and sponsorship of the night. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean presented an overview of the Branch’s 50 years and then handed the microphone to five audience members who each talked about a 10-year period in the Branch’s history. David Crothers (Crothers Construction) opened the account, followed by Hub Mainwaring, who spoke about his early days as a member of the fledgling Branch. Peter Willoughby, owner of Willoughby Construction, recounted what

life was like for a builder during the mid-1980s and early ’90s. He was followed by Ms Giudice (Geraldton Homes) and Andrew Crothers (Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets) who provided the most recent perspective. The Branch has seen much development over the past decade, including the construction of the purpose-built headquarters, which has benefited both Master Builder members and the community as a whole. The period also coincides with the tenure of Geraldton’s regional manager Di Gilleland, whose dedication and commitment has been instrumental in the Branch’s overall success. Ms Gilleland said that over the 50 years there had been many businesses and individuals who had gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping to establish and grow the Branch into the flagship regional centre it is today. She was pleased to acknowledge those companies that contributed to the continued success of the Branch and awarded plaques

No mistaking the golden occasion: Geraldton Master Builders’ staff Di Gilleland, Megan Parker and Crystal Bagley and Branch chairperson Serena Giudice.

to The Geraldton Guardian (which has reported on and supported the Branch since 1964), Bunnings Warehouse, Midland Brick and Geraldton Ceramic Centre. The Geraldton Branch Champions’ Honour Board was also unveiled, recognising volunteers who have made an extraordinary contribution in the Branch’s first 50 years. Those honoured included Ross Conti, Andrew Crothers, Craig Johnson, Hub Mainwaring, Rob Menzies, Tim Rogers and Peter Willoughby. Deceased Branch stalwarts Charlie Mangano, Kevin Giudice, Brian Neil and Bert Pepperell completed the list. The evening concluded with Master Builders conferring its highest honour – life membership – on Mr Mainwaring in recognition of his many years of dedication to the building and construction industry and the Association. Mr Mainwaring is the 19th person in the Association’s 116-year history to receive the accolade.

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

HUB ONE OF A KIND One of the great things the building industry is renowned for is its colourful characters. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean reports on one of those characters in Geraldton. The highest honour that Master Builders can bestow on a member is life membership. At the 50th anniversary of the Geraldton Branch recently, Master Builders conferred this honour on Hub Mainwaring. Hub arrived in Geraldton in 1950 where he completed his carpentry apprenticeship. After working as a carpenter for several local builders, he started his own building business in 1964, trading as HF and LD Mainwaring. Hub has always been a handson builder and regularly wore a nail bag on the job. His first building contracts included a mezzanine floor, a new railway station and a drive-in screen in Meekatharra. He attended his first meeting of Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch in 1965. He has been a committed member and friend of Master Builders ever since and served a two-year term as Branch chairman from 1973 to 1975.

Master Builders’ life member Hub Mainwaring with (l-r) director Michael McLean, fellow lifer Charlie Baggetta and Association president John Ripp.

HF and LD Mainwaring specialised in building affordable homes for Geraldton residents, winning several Housing Excellence Awards along the way. Hub built a fine reputation as a master builder in the Midwest region even though he twice fell off a roof he was constructing. On one occasion this resulted in two broken ankles and having to drive himself to hospital 30 minutes from where the accident happened. He has consistently given generously of his time to mentor other young builders and Master Builders’ regional staff. His cheeky

sense of humour and amiable attitude has made him many friends and a popular member of the Association. Hub remained a perfectionist when it came to workmanship and building standards throughout his career. His Building Commission record is clear of any disputes or misdemeanours. Through his life-long commitment and contribution to the building industry, he has become the perfect candidate for life membership of Master Builders.

ASIC TARGETS FALSE DECLARATIONS Contractors using false statutory declarations to claim payments for work are the focus of a new surveillance program launched by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in 2014. ASIC commissioner Greg Tanzer has indicated to Master Builders that his organisation’s latest surveillance will look at eight major undisclosed commercial and residential developments under construction across Australia. This follows feedback to ASIC about the use of false statutory declarations within the industry. ASIC’s concern is that some company officers of larger companies are falsely declaring they have paid small businesses contracted to work on commercial and residential projects when this is not the case. A false declaration has serious flow-on effects. ASIC says many contractors are small business operators who have operating expenses and debts to pay. When they are not paid for work undertaken it puts their businesses, livelihoods and

creditors at risk. The surveillance is also another step in ASIC’s work to combat illegal phoenix activity – the fraudulent act of transferring the assets of an indebted company into a new company to avoid paying creditors, tax or employee entitlements.

Smartphone app, ASIC Business Checks, which is a tool designed to help business owners undertake some practical and easy checks to verify information about businesses they’re dealing with or potential business partners.”

“While false statutory declarations and fraud matters are matters for other regulatory and enforcement agencies, company officers who knowingly make a false statements regarding payments to creditors may find themselves facing criminal or civil action by ASIC,” Mr Tanzer said. “Under the Corporations Act, ASIC can also take administrative action against company officers who engage in misconduct. In the last year, ASIC banned 60 directors who engaged in misconduct, including phoenix activity.

Master Builders offers a comprehensive range of products and services to assist members. Builders will sometimes experience financial difficulty and struggle with strategies to resurrect the profitability of their businesses. Calling in an administrator is one option and often the endgame. However, Master Builders has a list of members willing to try to help those in trouble survive and improve their businesses. Contact Association director Michael McLean or contracts and administration manager Charles Anderson.

“This campaign builds on ASIC’s work to help small business owners protect themselves from unscrupulous operators. It also follows the release of our free

advertorial 13

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Construction Training Fund increases Cash Incentives for Employers Members of MBA know how the Construction Training Fund can reduce the costs of employing apprentices in WA’s building and construction industry. The Training Fund has introduced a range of new incentives for eligible employers of apprentices in construction trades, with up to $21,000 in cash now available to help reduce the costs of adding a new apprentice to your business. The minimum standard grant available to an eligible employer is now $4,000 (for a 12 month traineeship), rising to a maximum of $10,000 for a 48 month apprenticeship in core construction trade areas. In addition to the standard grants, the Training Fund provides a one-off bonus to an eligible employer of up to $4,000, depending on trade qualification. A further bonus of $2,000 is available to an employer of an apprentice that has successfully completed a recognised Certificate II VET-in Schools or pre-apprenticeship qualification. Existing allowances for employment of indigenous and regional trainees/apprentices remain, bringing the maximum grant available to a total of $21,000. The new grants are available to employers of trainees/apprentices registered with the Department of Training & Workforce Development on or after 1 July 2014. Direct indenture employers receive the grant in

three equal instalments. The first is paid after probation and six months of employment; the second at the halfway point of the indenture and the final payment is made after successful completion of the qualification. Trade and/or VET-in Schools/Pre-apprentice bonus payments are paid to the employer together with the first instalment. You’ll also receive the benefits of the grant from the Training Fund if you host an apprentice through a Group Training Organisation (GTO). The GTO claims the grant and any bonus payments on your behalf and puts this funding towards the cost of employing and training the apprentice. This will result in a net reduction in your net costs of hiring an apprentice through the GTO. Look for the note on the GTO’s invoice that shows your apprentice is being supported by the Construction Training Fund. Visit bcitf.org or call 9244 0100 for more information about the Construction Training Fund’s apprenticeship grants and other support programs for the construction industry. It’s your training fund.

Apprentices bring leading edge skills to your business and they help strengthen the building and construction workforce. That’s why the Construction Training Fund provides up to $21,000 in grants for you to reduce the cost of training each apprentice you employ. For details on eligibility, visit www.bcitf.org or call 9244 0100.

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

MASTER BUILDERS-AIB CONFERENCE A SELL-OUT Following the success of the 2013 inaugural event, Master Builders and the Australian Institute of Building again joined forces in October to run a highly successful one-day conference at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Formidable breakfast panel (l-r): Gavan Forster, Planning Minister John Day, Dr Peter Newman, Eric Lumsden and Tony Perrin addressed planning for a WA population of five million.

Michael McLean addresses the conference.

The theme for the 2014 Master Builders – AIB conference was Building the West – Managing the Challenges Ahead. An expert selection of speakers was secured to provide insight on the future of building and construction in WA. Topics were relevant to both residential and non-residential builders, as well as suppliers and kindred organisations.

Modular building, planning, staffing and technology dominated the agenda, with more than 20 high-calibre speakers participating in panel discussions and responding to probing questions from the audience. A highlight was the keynote luncheon presentation by Department of Sport and Recreation director general Ron Alexander who spoke on the new Burswood sports stadium project. The conference was opened with a breakfast panel discussion on planning for a WA population of five million, with Planning Minister John Day sharing his views on the subject.

Department of Sport and Recreation director general Ron Alexander speaking about the new Perth Stadium.

Other topical issues discussed included whether the building industry will be increasingly reliant on overseas labour, the future of telecommunications and why WA leans towards double-brick construction. Sponsors supporting the event were Austral Bricks, Hays, the Building Commission, Hanson, Medibank and Levesys.

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AIB HOSTS SOUTH AFRICAN ACADEMIC The WA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Building (AIB) recently hosted visiting South African academic Derick Booyens from the University of Pretoria. Mr Booyens is the university’s program leader for the Department of Construction Management and also an AIB member along with department head Professor Tinus Maritz. Mr Booyens visited Curtin University, attending lectures and spending time at the “Hive” and “BIM Lab”, picking up some ideas for introducing BIM to his department in Pretoria. Curtin’s School of Built Environment Construction Management Department head, Associate Professor Monty Sutrisna, and his staff hosted the Curtin excursion. Mr Booyens, a commercial builder in his own right, also undertook site visits and attended the AIB Meet the Boss Event and the Master Builders-AIB Building the West Conference. He said he was very impressed with the level of building activity underway in Perth and was pleased to have been able to visit Kings Square. During the conference, Mr Booyens also took the opportunity to discuss future opportunities for AIB and the University of Pretoria with AIB CEO Robert Hunt. AIB’s growing international focus began in 2012 and 2013 when national vice president Graham Teede met officials from a number of South African universities. Interest is growing steadily, with plans

Visiting South African builder and academic Derick Booyens (centre) with AIB CEO Robert Hunt (left) and national vice president Graham Teede.

to attend an international building conference in Durban in 2015 along with an AIB study tour. Mr Teede says it will be an excellent opportunity to hear what is happening on the international stage and to promote the WA building profession and industry. For further information about AIB and the WA Chapter, visit www.aib.org.au or phone (02) 6253 1100.

BRACKS AT CEO DINNER Cbus chairman Steve Bracks addresses the Master Builders CEO and Managers’ dinner.

The versatile James Wilson entertained the dinner guests.

Former Victorian Premier and current Cbus chairman Steve Bracks was the guest speaker at the Master Builders-Bankwest CEO and Managers’ function in August. Mr Bracks addressed the sold-out crowd of more than 180 guests on the topic Saving Our Future: Addressing the Super Shortfall for Ageing Australians. He said, subject to lifestyle and health, a single person is likely to need $42,500 per annum on which to retire. The figure is $58,000 per annum for a couple, requiring $885,000 in super funds generating about seven per cent per annum. He said one-third of the $1.8 trillion in Australian superannuation funds is held in industry funds like Cbus. Not-for-profit funds have had an out-performance factor over other funds of 1.84 per cent over the past 25 years. The average age of Cbus members is 32 with $32,000 in their accounts. A quarter of Cbus members are white-collar employees and 31 per cent of members work in the residential sector. Mr Bracks is also a director of Cbus Property, which he said has $3.1 billion in assets, a 10.3 per cent increase over the past five years.

Winner: Phil Storey with Tim Carson of BlueScope.

The 2014 CEO and Managers’ function was held as a dinner at Crown Perth. It was organised to coincide with planned meetings between Master Builders’ national board and directors. One-man band James Wilson was on hand to entertain the guests during the meal with his unique performance style. Tai Edge (JB HiFi), Tag Tagliaferri (Master Builders SA) and Phil Storey (Master Builders NT) were prizewinners on the night. Event sponsors were Bankwest, Cbus, BlueScope, Hays, Hanson, Landcorp, Austral Bricks, ReddiFund and WA Mechanical Services.

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GREAVES WINS TOP BUILDERS’ AWARD One of Perth’s most respected builders, Bob Greaves was a deserving recipient of the 2014 Robert Law Award.

Bob Greaves (right), the 2014 Robert Law Award winner, with 2013 recipient George Allingame.

“The Robert Law Award is judged by Master Builders’ board and Bob Greaves is a man worthy of the highest recognition by his peers,” Master Builders’ director Michael McLean said.

One of Perth’s most respected and unassuming commercial builders was the recipient of the 2014 year’s Robert Law Award. Bob Greaves, the founder and managing director of GKW Construction and Development from 1971 to 1995, was presented with the prestigious award at the Master Builders CEO and Managers’ dinner at Crown Perth in August. The Robert Law Award, named in honour of Master Builders’ first president in 1898, recognises individuals or organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the WA building and construction industry over a number of years. “The Robert Law Award is judged by Master Builders’ board and Bob Greaves is a man worthy of the highest recognition by his peers,” Master Builders’ director Michael McLean said. Mr Greaves was born in Rockhampton and educated in New Zealand. He entered the building industry in WA as an apprentice carpenter in 1949 and later worked as a foreman and chief estimator before managing Watson Construction and Development from 1960 to 1970. He also oversaw Plunkett Construction from 1966 to 1971 and a Jaxon-Watson joint venture from 1969 to 1983.

During this time Mr Greaves completed major group housing projects in Canberra, commercial and industrial projects in Sydney and Melbourne, power turbine infrastructure in the Goldfields, a high security prison in Albany and the establishment of mining townships and infrastructure in most major North West towns. Mr McLean paid tribute to Mr Greaves as a legend and one of the greatest contributors to the well-being of the building industry in WA he has met. “As a past president of both Master Builders Australia and WA’s Master Builders, Bob put in enormous hours for the betterment of his industry,” Mr McLean said. “During his time on our national and state boards industrial relations were chaotic and causing major disruptions to builders and their projects. This necessitated Bob travelling to the Eastern States on a regular basis to try and sort out the problems. In 1981 and 1982 alone Bob flew to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne 66 times.”

The Robert Law Award has been presented annually by Master Builders since 1998, the Association’s centenary year. Previous winners are: 1998 HOMESWEST 1999

GRAHAM KIERATH

2000

GERALDTON BUILDING

COMPANY 2001

LEN BUCKERIDGE

2002

JOHN ROBERTS

2003

PLUNKETT HOMES

2004

GRAHAM GLICK

2005

RON SCOTT

2006

GERVASE PURICH

2007

ROB TORRANCE

In addition to being a Member of the Order of Australia, Mr McLean said Mr Greaves was a deserving recipient of life membership of Master Builders, both in WA and nationally.

2008

DALE ALCOCK AND

GARRY BROWN-NEAVES

2009

PETER HUNT

2010

PETER BRUECHLE

“One of GKW’s last projects was the performing arts theatre at Penhros College, which highlighted the company’s capabilities as a top WA builder,” Mr McLean said.

2011

JOHN DOUST

2012

JULIAN WALTER

2013

GEORGE ALLINGAME

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

CHARITY BEGINS WITH A HOME BY THE RIVER’S EDGE Proceeds from the sale of the charity home in South Guildford will go towards programs and services for child abuse survivors.

Pindan, in conjunction with Master Builders, has announced it will soon begin construction on its 2014-2015 charity home at Rivers Edge in South Guildford. Featuring three bedrooms (plus study) and two bathrooms, the double-storey home is expected to be complete by September and will be available for sale in late 2015. It is being built by Pindan’s home building arm Switch and will embrace cutting-edge innovations to optimise water use and energy efficiency, along with the utilisation of a “pod” construction technique for the top level of the home. Net proceeds of the sale will go to Pindan’s charity for 2014-2015, Parkerville Children and Youth Care. David Pringle, Pindan Capital managing director, says Pindan’s culture, built on family values and a strong focus on partnership, makes for a perfect fit with the chosen charity. “As well as numerous fundraising efforts throughout the year by our employees, we are proud to lend our support to Parkerville Children and Youth Care through the construction of this charity home,” he said. Master Builders’ housing director Geoff Cooper said other Association members have also provided support for the project. “Our members have responded generously with their time and products, from roofing through to plastering and painting, to make this project happen,” he said. “It is an extremely worthwhile cause. We are thrilled to be working with Pindan and other members on this project.” Parkerville Children and Youth Care was established in 1903 as the Parkerville Home for Waifs. The organisation has evolved from its humble beginnings as an orphanage and is today a nationally recognised

Artist impression of the charity home.

specialist provider of programs and services for children and young people who have suffered trauma from abuse. In the past decade alone Parkerville has grown from an agency with a handful of locations in the Perth metropolitan area treating and caring for 200 children, to one that treats and cares for approximately 1800 a year, delivering educational and treatment programs and services across Perth and into the Murchison and Wheatbelt regions. Parkerville CEO Basil Hanna said his organisation is delighted to have been selected by Pindan as its charity for 2014-2015. “We look forward to working with Pindan, not only to raise funds for Parkerville, but to raise awareness of the work we do and the issue of child abuse here in WA,” he said. “As either a family home or an investment property, this house will have a special meaning for whoever buys it because of the difference it will make to the lives of many West Australian children and their families.” The home is being built at Rivers Edge, one of Pindan’s newest developments, 10.5 kilometres from the CBD and just minutes from the Perth Airport. It is located close to transport, public and private schools, and is on the doorstep of the historic and cultural hub of Guildford and the Swan Valley. All homes in the development will have direct access to the Swan River. Rivers Edge features 51 house and land packages, as well as nine exclusive waterfront home sites. All 51 house and land packages have sold out, with three premium waterside lots still available for sale. For further information on Rivers Edge riverfront lots or to register interest in the charity home, visit www.riversedge.com.au or phone Sharon Grey on 0417 926 385.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM BADLY NEEDED Master Builders’ housing director Geoff Cooper says local government reform would help address planning delays.

“We need the proposed amalgamations to rationalise the inconsistent approaches of local governments in metropolitan Perth,” he said recently.

“Builders encounter different requirements imposed by different councils, which creates uncertainty and causes construction delays. Housing director Geoff Cooper says builders have strong concerns about local government planning delays.

“Undermanned and inadequately resourced planning departments in local government are also contributing to the delays hitting prospective homeowners. We congratulate the WA Government for taking a stand on this controversial reform, which will deliver better outcomes for our communities from commencement.” Mr Cooper said that Master Builders’ research showed that 83.7 per cent of the Association’s builder members said they were extremely or very concerned about local government delays. Master Builders is also calling for additional reforms, including the private certification of planning requirements, stricter deemed approvals, consistent planning terminology and less ambiguous planning codes.

FIFTEEN YEARS AND 500 EPISODES FOR HOME IN WA The successful Master Builders’ television series celebrated the milestone with a one-hour special that screened on Channel Seven.

The Master Builders’ HOME in WA television series has celebrated a significant milestone. In mid-September executive producer Ron ‘Dingo’ Reddingius and his team, led by veteran editor now producer Adrian ‘Ado’ Faure, produced and put to air the 500th episode of HOME in WA. Master Builders has been the major partner since the show’s inception in 2000 and it is interesting to note this equates to more than 183 hours of locally produced television over 15 years. More than 2000 clients, builders, product suppliers and services have joined the series to showcase their businesses. New presenter-anchor Dan Paris says that although he’s a relative newcomer to Master Builders’ HOME in WA he’s pleased to be part of the team on the successful Channel Seven show.

Presenter Dan Paris during filming of the 500th episode of HOME in WA at the Channel Seven studios.

“What an outstanding milestone the show achieved when the series reached its 500th episode,” he said. “A huge one-hour special went to air, with many Channel Seven personalities joining the occasion to celebrate what is an amazing production record for a local TV program. “On behalf of Dingo, Ado and all the many presenters, crew and freelancers over their 15year journey, we thank you, all the members of Master Builders, the past Council members and now the Board, not forgetting the past presidents during this period. But it has been Michael McLean and his team that have

embraced, supported and trusted the series to deliver and showcase stories for the industry.” TVW Channel Seven general manager Mario Dorazio spoke at the start of the 500th program. “Five hundred of anything is pretty good, but 500 episodes of a TV show, well that’s amazing,” he said. “Today we celebrate a milestone in local production – HOME in WA is 15 years old. So I’d like to congratulate Ron and his team.” To find out more about why the series has been so successful, give Dingo a call on 0417 279 103 or check out the website at www.homeinwa.com.au.

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COPPER RIP-OFF COSTING INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY Builders are continuing to report that copper piping and cables are being ripped out of new building projects, both residential and commercial, says Master Builders’ housing director Geoff Cooper. This can lead to delays to project completion dates, with interest costs, rent or penalty clauses often resulting in significant consequential losses for the client and builder. “The metal is a popular target of thieves who can on-sell the stolen product to scrap metal merchants,” Mr Cooper said. “The theft is very costly. Not only does the copper product have to be replaced, but secondary damage to plastering, painting, tiling or wiring usually requires many trades to have to return to site to rectify the building work.” Mr Cooper said it’s thought the stolen product is sold to second-hand dealers or is being reused on other sites.

However, copper is not the only product on construction sites targeted by thieves. Members across the State have also reported the loss of water meters, cement, tiles, hot water systems, white goods and many other building products. “We need to look at a range of measures to combat construction site theft that we estimate costs the community more than $30 million each year,” he said. Mr Cooper said theft is a major issue for the industry in WA, hitting at the affordability of residential and commercial buildings. “More immediate action is required to mitigate the cost,” he said. “We have written to the Commissioner of Police to lobby for reform to the Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act and Regulations to better control second hand metal dealers.”

“This is why we think that scrap metal dealers should be regulated to ensure that there are proper checks on people looking to cash in on potentially stolen copper pipes or wiring,” he said. “Many builders have already looked to another solution to tackle copper theft, which is simply to use substitute products that do not pose the same theft risk.”

Copper is a prime target for theft on construction sites.

TRAINING LEVY PAYABLE ONLINE The Construction Training Fund has introduced an online levy lodgment and payment system primarily to provide for construction work of more than $20,000 that does not require a building or demolition permit. The Fund says that historically when a permit has not been required project owners would pay the Building and Construction Industry Training Fund levy directly to the Fund by cheque, cash or EFT using a hard copy levy form. Where permits are required, the training levy is usually paid via local government as part of the process of applying for the building or demolition permit.

“Project owners can still pay the levy via local government when applying for permit works,” the Fund says. “However, they now have the option to pay and lodge a levy form online using this system. Payment can be made either by credit card or EFT. The new online system will also allow project owners to pay an additional levy when, on completion, the final value of construction has varied by more than $25,000.” The online system can be accessed by visiting the Fund’s website at www.bcitf.org and selecting the ‘Levy Payments and Information’ menu option.

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PERTH HOME SHOW A BIG WINNER Perth’s biggest home improvement event, the Perth Home Show, returned in August, producing impressive results for all stakeholders. Under the new management of Exhibitions & Events Australia, attendance grew by 33 per cent, with more than 11,000 quality visitors attending the three-day event. The fresh outlook showcased all the latest products, services and innovations for renovating and new home building. The organisers say that with a new partnership with, and support from, Master Builders, the show continues to go from strength to strength. De Dietrich national manager Mark Swan endorsed the show, saying it was a fantastic event to launch the company’s product to a new market. “A great mix of customers, genuine buyers and a fantastic flow of traffic over three busy days,” he said. “We’ll definitely be back!” Exhibitions & Events Australia say that from extensively researching the show’s performance, visitors were actively seeking the latest renovation and building products, with 77.5 per cent in the process of or planning a project and 24 per cent planning on spending more than $200,000.

Among exhibitors, 91.5 per cent were satisfied with the show’s overall performance, with an estimated $11.8 million in business expected during the event and post-show. An outdoor focus flowed through the show and 70.3 per cent of visitors were actively seeking landscaping advice for their renovation or build. Exhibitions & Events Australia says it will be striving for a bigger and better show in 2015. “With quality exhibitors drawing quality visitors, it’s sure to be the show not to be missed,” the organisers say. To keep up to date with industry developments, show news, competitions and specials, visitors can join the exclusive ‘Home Show Club’ via the event website. It’s free to join and members receive great value offers and specials via regular e-newsletters. For full event details or to sign up, visit www. perthhomeshow.com.au. More information is also available from Shane Kenealy, Perth sales director, Exhibitions & Events Australia, at shanekenealy@eea.net.au or marketing assistant Caitlin Quinlan at caitlin@eea.net.au.

Addstyle Master Builders was one of the many exhibitors at the Perth Home Show.

The Master Builders Perth Home Show drew a large crowd to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

HOUZZ THAT? Master Builders recently met representatives of national new home promotional website company Houzz. Association director Michael McLean says Master Builders is always looking for innovative ways to promote members to the home-buying public and corporate clients. There are already nearly 100 builders showcasing their homes on the site. “Based in Sydney but originating in the USA, Houzz is a digital company all about promoting new homes and their various parts, like pergolas, pools, kitchens, bathrooms and so on to prospective clients,” Mr McLean said. All listings are free and the website contains many links from high quality images to individual businesses. Visit www.houzz.com.

Master Builders’ director Michael McLean and housing director Geoff Cooper recently met Tony Been and Kirstie Parker from Houzz.

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LIBRARY GREEN WALL LEADS THE WAY Green roofs and vertical gardens are becoming increasingly popular, helping to provide some relief in high-density urban environments.

Master Builder member and veteran landscaper Martin Cuthbert is building Perth’s largest vertical garden. Incorporating green roofs and walls can mitigate serious challenges facing urban environments and make them better places to live, according to Mr Cuthbert. The more than 3500 special plants for the green wall are first grown in glasshouses in Shenton Park prior to being installed in the 13-metre-high garden in the new City of Perth Library. The state-of-the-art public library is being constructed next to the Perth Town Hall, fronting Hay Street. “This is a really exciting project for Perth because it brings together an iconic building in a new soil-less medium where plants are grown in a vertical space using the latest design and technology,” Mr Cuthbert said. “The green wall is very much an integral part of the design and we are very proud to be part of the first major civic building built since the Perth Concert Hall nearly 40 years ago.” The special plants are grown on horizontal racks in a rented glasshouse for six months prior to being installed. “We find the plants grow better horizontally in the establishment phase and once they are six months old, not only do they look better but their survival rate is much higher, so you get that real wow factor when the wall is installed,” Mr Cuthbert said.

The Fytowall system, popular among architects, engineers, builders, developers, urban planners and professionals working on commercial projects, is being used for the project. “We are the WA representatives for Fytogreen, so this is an ideal opportunity to apply their proven system to WA conditions, and the plants and design have been especially chosen to suit our climate,” Mr Cuthbert said. According to Mr Cuthbert, Fytogreen’s hightechnology Hydrocell growing media and nutrient additives are extremely eco-friendly because they retain an extraordinary high percentage of water and nutrients by volume and avoid soil slumping to the bottom of the wall.

The glasshouse grow-out for the City of Perth Library vertical garden.

“Green roofs and vertical gardens are becoming increasingly popular and help the world re-invest in its natural beauty,” Mr Cuthbert said. “We believe we will see more and more green walls in Perth as this project showcases what can be achieved on our buildings and with our climate.” Mr Cuthbert said green roofs and vertical gardens help overcome a concept called a ‘heat island’. High-density urban environments are dominated by hard concrete and asphalt surfaces, which heat up faster than soil or plants, making cities hotter and requiring more air conditioning use. “Urban heat island effect occurs when buildings and hard surfaces absorb the sun’s heat and then send it back into their surroundings,” Mr Cuthbert said. “Cities can be a lot hotter than surrounding areas. This is happening in Perth because of all the concrete and glass with recent development, and obviously green walls help lower the temperature in cities.” He said planners and architects are becoming increasingly concerned about Perth’s heat island effect and he is seeing increased demand for green walls and rooftop gardens to help green the city.

Green facts: • In Chicago, there are more than 32.5 hectares (or 32 football fields) of green roofs. • In Germany, about 10 per cent of all roofs have been ‘greened’. • In Linz, Austria the council has been paying developers to install green roofs since 1983. • In Switzerland it has been a federal law since the late 1990s. • In Toronto green roofs are mandatory on new buildings above six storeys. • In Portland, Oregon incentive grants are provided for ‘eco-roofs’. • In Copenhagen green roofs are mandatory on most new construction. Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au report on World Green Infrastructure Congress in Sydney October 2014.

An example of a green wall. Martin Cuthbert says green roofs and vertical gardens are becoming more popular.

The world’s largest vertical garden measures 2289 square metres and was installed in April by Singapore City Developments Limited as part of its Treehouse apartment block. “Green space allows a city and its residents to draw a collective green breath, to appreciate nature and beauty, offering relief from the sharp intensity of urban life and urban landscapes,” Mr Cuthbert said. For further information on Fytogreen and Martin Cuthbert Landscapes contact 9384 9555 or visit www.mclgroup.com.au.

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INNOVATIVE DRAFTSMAN WINS RIC NEW MEDAL Joseph Lowthorpe was recognised for his excellent work ethic and innovative approach to design solutions.

Judges Marylyn New and Michael McLean with medal winner Joseph Lowthorpe and fellow finalists (l-r) Luke Leeder, Justin Campbell, Cliff Kearns, Mark Barbaro, Troy Gorton and Timothy March.

A young drafting services manager with WA Mechanical Services (WAMS) was the 2014 Ric New Medal winner. Joseph Lowthorpe beat a strong field of six other finalists to win the prestigious medal, which was presented in November in conjunction with the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Named after the founder of Midland Brick – a person whose success was achieved largely through entrepreneurial flair and innovation – the Ric New Medal for Excellence focuses on the same characteristics. It recognises innovation, creativity and the achievement of young people (aged 35 or under) in the context of current and potential contribution to the building and construction industry in WA. Emphasis is given to the person’s practical, rather than academic, achievements. Mr Lowthorpe first worked as a furniture designer before studying mechanical engineering at the Australian Mechanical Technical College in Subiaco. He has since undertaken a variety of courses in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation. He started employment with WAMS in 2004, a few months after the business started. His ability to quickly grasp concepts and be innovative in drafting resulted in his promotion to drafting manager. He now supervises a hand-picked

team of six draftspeople and a trainee on tendered or design and construct projects valued at between $100,000 and $18 million. The 35-year-old has expertise in both twodimensional and three-dimensional hard copy and electronic design formats. According to Master Builders’ director Michael McLean, Mr Lowthorpe is a very worthy recipient of the Ric New Medal. “Over the years, Joseph has taken on more and more responsibility on behalf of his employer in liaising with builders, contractors, architects and consulting engineers with respect to his designs,” Mr McLean said. “He is currently overseeing 80 projects, as well as ensuring compliance with Australian Standards and Building Codes. “Above all, Joseph has an excellent work ethic, a can-do approach to design solutions and first-class values, which have made him a highly valued member of the WAMS team.” Mr Lowthorpe said he was humbled and proud to have won the award from among such a talented group of nominees. He said he always tried to be positive and to give something back to his employer for empowering him to take on more responsibilities in the day-to-day operations of the design drafting team at WAMS.

The Ric New Medal winner for 2014, Joseph Lowthorpe, with Marylyn New and Michael McLean.

Mr Lowthorpe was the unanimous choice of the judging panel, comprising of Marylyn New, 2010 Ric New Medalist Ryan Cole (managing director of Savvy Construction) and Mr McLean. In addition to the Ric New Medal, Mr Lowthorpe received a return trip to London, $2000 for expenses and was nominated for the 2016 WA Business News 40under40 Awards. The other finalists for the 2014 Ric New Medal for Excellence were Cliff Kearns (34, Cachet Homes), Mark Barbaro (33, Sanpro Construction), Justin Campbell (33, Webb and Brown-Neaves), Luke Leeder (34, Greg Leeder Homes), Troy Gorton (32, Now Living and Now Living Realty) and Timothy March (31, Beyond Bricklaying).

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PSAROS TRIUMPHS IN NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS The mid-tier property development company is leading the way in the construction of environmentally sustainable apartment buildings in WA. WA apartment specialist Psaros has been recognised for its sustainability credentials, winning the 2014 Banksia Award for small to medium business sustainability leadership. The Banksia Foundation announced its Australia-wide award winners in November.

The Psaros’ Banksia Award winners CEO Danny Psaros (left), head of sustainability Chiara Pacifici and managing director Mike Enslin

Established in 1989, the Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation that promotes environmental excellence and sustainability through its awards program and other associated events. The Banksia Sustainability Awards are regarded as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia. The small to medium business sustainability leadership category won by Psaros recognises businesses demonstrating leadership by fully integrating sustainability principles and practices into their operations, reducing their footprint and demonstrating value to society through their practices. Psaros leading by doing Master Builder member Psaros is a mid-tier property development company leading in the construction of environmentally sustainable apartment buildings. With a 30-year track record in construction of various buildings, Psaros has delivered more than 700 apartments in Perth, with an additional 350 new apartments under construction and a further 650 in various stages of approval. The company has an in-house team of specialists spanning the whole development process to provide a complete turnkey solution. Being both developer and builder gives Psaros the advantage of being able to set new industry standards in environmental performance by integrating sustainability initiatives and technologies into its apartments. Psaros has pioneered Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for multi-residential buildings in Australia. The company believes LCA philosophy enables them to better understand performancebased results and make changes to design and construction where possible. Their team assesses each building design based on the

embodied energy, through to operational energy for the building’s life. They collaborate with consultant teams, including Perth-based LCA specialist and ESD consultants eTool, to improve performance and deliver better quality, future-proofed, affordable and more comfortable places to live. Psaros is being recognised as a leader in delivering sustainable and affordable apartments. This includes exceeding Building Code of Australia Star Ratings, implementing management plans for construction and demolition waste that exceed best practice, supporting large-scale renewable energy generation by incorporating these systems for individual apartments and common areas, recharge capabilities for electric vehicles to support the future increase in demand, education and awareness-building campaigns, as well as other unique infrastructure and community initiatives to help empower and enable people to live sustainably. Psaros recently won an international award in design for one of its largest apartment developments in Perth. In early 2013, the Psaros Property Group made a commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its business. The group employed a dedicated head of sustainability to develop and implement an environmental and sustainability policy, with a plan to achieve continuous improvement goals

to 2020. A number of management systems also have been embedded in operations to help reach these goals. The organisation has undertaken a carbon footprint of its head office and completed an energy audit that provided a snapshot of existing carbon emissions generated by the business. It then adopted various energy reduction measures and efficiencies that improve on these results, which are to be reviewed annually. Psaros has committed to measure and minimise its ecological footprint annually, implementing energy efficiencies and offsetting the remaining carbon footprint. This has made the company WA’s first mid-tier developer to operate a carbon neutral head office. Leighton Broad finalists with Elizabeth Quay Elizabeth Quay managing contractor Leighton Broad was a finalist in the sustainable water management category of the Banksia Awards. Entrants were required to demonstrate “leadership and innovation in assuring continued environment and community access, both today and by future generations, to quality freshwater resources and vibrant marine environments”. The $440 million State Government Elizabeth Quay project is the centrepiece of an extensive plan to revitalise Perth as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Leighton Broad is a

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

SIMULATION STIMULATES Business consultant and former Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch was the guest at a recent boardroom lunch at which he spoke about the Master Builders’ Melbourne Building Leadership Simulation Centre. Psaros’ award-winning Edge apartment development in Newcastle Street.

partnership between Leighton Contractors and Broad Construction Services, managing construction of the iconic infrastructure project. The dredging of approximately 12,000 cubic metres of Swan River sediments was one of the significant packages of work completed at Elizabeth Quay in 2014. In conjunction with a subcontractor, Leighton Broad undertook this work in the most sustainable and economical ways possible, resulting in minimal impacts to the community and river environment. The original dredge methodology presented in the project’s Development and Planning Approval (DA2) was a cutter suction dredger. During preliminary planning of the works Leighton Broad undertook detailed investigations that found an alternative dredge methodology to significantly reduce the impact on the river environment.

The Centre, one of only three worldwide, delivers courses using a combination of classroom-style learning, feedback workshops and a simulated building site. It has a 15-metre-wide parabolic screen and 12 site sheds to transport participants into a virtual construction site. Learning is reinforced and enhanced in simulation sessions with a team of specialist actors playing roles such as OHS inspectors and difficult clients.

Simulation learning for the building and construction industry originated in the Dutch city of Leeuwarden more than a decade ago. Its overwhelming success led to the opening of a second centre in the United Kingdom at Coventry. A four-year research project found that participating construction companies utilising simulation training achieved reductions in construction costs of up to five per cent, improvements in construction quality of up to 10 per cent and decreases in OHS incidents of up to 90 per cent. A number of prominent local builders attended the boardroom lunch at Master Builders’ West Perth headquarters.

Leighton Broad initiated an amendment to the DA2 dredging conditions, changing to the more sustainable method of using a backhoe dredger with an ‘enviro bucket’ clamshell attachment. The case to implement this amendment was presented to the Swan River Trust and the WA Planning Commission, which supported and approved the change. The new dredge methodology resulted in a large reduction of dredge water return and eliminated the requirement for an on-site water treatment facility. The method also significantly reduced riverbed disturbance. The use of a high-performance silt curtain surrounding the backhoe dredger decreased the dredge zone of influence (plume spread) and provided protection to the sea grass colonies down stream. Overall, the amendment to the dredge methodology proved to be a significant cost saving to the project and superior in environmental sustainability when compared to previously endorsed methods.

Brian Welch (right) with boardroom lunch guests (l-r) Ray Sputore (Decmil), Dan Perkins (Perkins Builders) and Steve McConkey (Brookfield Multiplex).

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

RISING STAR AWARD TO SCHEDULER-ESTIMATOR The Ric New Rising Star nominees (l-r) Jordan Andrews, Hayley Smith, Joseph Poropat, Gerry Power, Laurie Roskell, Georgia Raven and Aaron Norrish with Marylyn New and Michael McLean.

The 2014 Ric New Rising Star recipient is 25-year-old Joseph Marc Poropat, a senior estimator and scheduling manager employed by Novus Homes. The Ric New Rising Star is awarded to a high achiever aged up to 25 who demonstrates outstanding potential, work ethic and commitment in WA’s building industry. As with its big brother, the Ric New Medal, selection for the Rising Star focuses on practical achievements and not academic results. The judging panel consisted of Mr New’s daughter, Marylyn New, Master Builders’ director Michael McLean and Savvy Construction managing director Ryan Cole. The award was established by Ms New in recognition of the enormous talent pool in the building industry’s younger generation and aims to inspire others to strive for success. The winner receives a cheque for $2000 and a unique trophy featuring one of the original bricks from Midland Brick. Mr Poropat completed his Diploma of Building and Construction over eight years at four institutions, both at night school and via correspondence. Building his first home not only inspired him to invest in the property market, but also taught him valuable skills in builder-client relations.

Starting as a junior scheduler with Novus Homes in 2006, Mr Poropat has progressed to senior estimator and scheduling manager in eight years. Mr McLean said Mr Poropat is a confident young man who is an inspiration to his work colleagues. “Joseph’s knowledge of the construction process and attention to detail are first class,” Mr McLean said. “He is always looking for ways to improve work processes or streamline procedures. He shows strong leadership skills and has gained the respect of his peers. He now estimates, schedules and coordinates all the display homes and special projects at Novus Homes.

“Joseph is a determined man who sets high goals and has a very bright future in the building and construction industry.”

Ric New Rising Star awardee Joseph Poropat flanked by Marylyn New and Michael McLean.

Mr Poropat said that while winning the award came as a big shock, it was also a huge honour. He hoped to continue to work his way up the Novus Homes’ ladder and to one day run his own building company. The other finalists for the 2014 Rising Star Award were Laurie Roskell (24, Great Southern Solar), Gerry Power (25, John Holland Group), Georgia Raven (20, Plunkett Homes), Aaron Norrish (24, Metrowest Construction), Hayley Smith (24, Structerre Consulting Engineers) and Jordan Andrews (25, WA Mechanical Services). The Ric New Rising Star Award was presented in conjunction with the Master Builders annual Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in November.

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Master Builders’ president John Ripp (left), National deputy president Dan Perkins and Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter were in attendance at the Master Builders’ board meeting.

MATERIALS SUPPLIERS WIN EHS GONGS Master Builder members Holcim, Hanson and Cockburn Cement enjoyed success at the Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia Environmental Health and Safety Awards in August. Winners were announced at the WA Construction Materials Industry Dinner at Crown Entertainment Centre. Holcim Australia won the Best Performance Concrete Award, recognising the best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue, for its DriveSafe computerised driver monitoring system.

PORTER MEETS BOARD Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter was a guest at Master Builders’ October board meeting. Association director Michael McLean reports that all board members were impressed with Mr Porter’s knowledge and eloquence in commenting on a range of political issues, from the economy and superannuation to the Heydon Royal Commission. “It was a very useful exchange of information,” Mr McLean said. Snippets from the meeting included: • Australia is borrowing about $1 billion per month to pay its debt. This is unsustainable. • WA’s economy is about one-twelfth the size of Australia’s. The State’s economy is in the top 50 in the world. Australia’s is about 14th. • Australia’s debt is about 20 per cent of GDF, compared to the USA at 80 per cent. • There will only be about 2.6 working Australians to every retiree in 2020 compared to about five now. • Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has done an extraordinary job in stopping the boats. • There is some amazing talent in the Federal Liberal Party. • Mr Porter is mainly involved in parliamentary committees with a legal slant. • Reforming superannuation is a very challenging issue.

Hanson Construction too out the Health and Safety Best Performance Extractive Award for its Red Hill quarry surge pile and feedback tunnel safety initiatives. The company was also a joint winner of the Health and Safety Innovation Award for the quarry’s surge tunnel isolation safety gates. Hanson Australia won the Environmental Best Performance Concrete – Metro Award for the Hanson East Perth Concrete environmental impact management plan. The Environmental Innovation Award, recognising the best solution to an identified environmental issue or process, was won by Cockburn Cement for its Munster Kilns 5 and 6 baghouse filter systems. Parliamentary Secretary to the Commerce Minister and Member for Wanneroo, Paul Miles, presented the Awards. Boral Construction Materials was a joint winner of the Health and Safety Innovation Award, while WA Limestone won the Environmental Best Performance Extractive Award.

SUPPORT STAFF OUT OF THEIR MINDS AT LUNCH Attendees at September’s Master BuildersBankwest Support Staff Luncheon were treated to the unique experience of comedy hypnotist Matthew Hale. About 15 brave audience members took to the stage to be put under Hale’s spell.

Door prizewinner Bronwyn Nicolaas-Ponder (OfficeMax) and Master Builders’ director Michael McLean.

Combining total audience participation with the incredible abilities of the mind, Hale’s humorous and motivational show was specially designed for the corporate audience to help promote stress busting, creative mind use, relaxation and team bonding. The annual Support Staff event is held to provide Master Builder members an opportunity to give something back to hardworking staff. A mix of support staff and their bosses enjoyed Hale’s antics and a sumptuous lunch at the newly renovated Duxton Hotel. Cbus, Hays, MBA Insurance Services, Medibank and principal partner Bankwest sponsored the lunch.

Comedy hypnotist Matthew Hale works his magic with audience members at the Support Staff Luncheon.

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR MYLEAVE John Youens, chief executive officer of MyLeave (the business name of the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Payments Board), provides Master Builder with an annual update.

The highlights for 2014 included some record-breaking performance figures. MyLeave is pleased to advise that the investment portfolio reached, and has now exceeded, $420 million. In addition, the balance sheet equity now exceeds $110 million and the number of benefits paid to workers during the year surpassed 3500.

The annual investment return is a key part of MyLeave’s forecasting and the considerable variances in the investment return on a year in/year out basis present a challenge in the forecasting process.

Notwithstanding the above comments, the data recorded by MyLeave from quarterly employer returns indicates construction industry activity has passed its peak and is now softening. This is confirmed in the average number of workers contributed for each quarter, service days recorded each quarter and annual worker wage growth.

The investment portfolio, including cash deposits held by MyLeave, has grown significantly over recent years as shown below:

The growth in the construction industry, as evidenced by the number of workers and pay rates, has meant that MyLeave has had to grow the investment portfolio to align to the actuary’s calculation of the total actuarial liability for worker payments. The investment portfolio is also required to have a financial buffer to cover market downturns.

STRONG PORTFOLIO GROWTH

In regards to workers, key performance statistics over recent years show:

WORKERS

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

ANNUAL MOVEMENT

TOTAL REGISTERED

67 033 (+8%)

74 845 (+12%)

95 585 (+28%)

120 259 (+26%)

131 517 (+9%)

+ 11 258

TOTAL CONTRIBUTED FOR (AVERAGE PER QUARTER)

56 374 (NOM)

62 047 (+10%)

69 619 (+12%)

76 748 (+10%)

74 384 (-3%)

- 2 364

NUMBER OF BENEFITS PAID

2 279

2 273

2 556

3 112

3 540

+ 428

VALUE OF BENEFITS PAID

$16.3M

$16.9M

$20.5M

$24.8M

$29.1M

+ $4.3M

The above data shows rapid growth in registered workers. However, it is important to note that part of the effect of this has been the business efficiency improvement in 2012, whereby MyLeave now automatically registers eligible workers when they appear on an employer’s quarterly return. In regards to worker payments, the number of benefits paid during the year totalled 3540, a 14 per cent increase on the 2013 level. The volume of payments also impacted the value, which exceeded $29 million for the year. The 2014 levy contribution from employers was $71 million, a similar level to the $72.6 million recorded in 2013. The level of contribution is impacted by the underlying industry activity, which as detailed, is softening. The level of contribution is also affected by the actual contribution levy percentage payable by employers. Effective from 1 January 2014, MyLeave was pleased to be able to reduce the contribution levy to 1.90 per cent (-0.10 per cent), in line with a key MyLeave business objective. The outlook for the contribution levy percentage is further commented on below. In addition to the contribution levy, the financial position of MyLeave is significantly impacted by the return on the investment portfolio. The Investment Income recorded for the year was $48.4 million, which was a return of 11.63 per cent. This return was very pleasing as it is well in excess of the long-term average return of 7.4 per cent per annum.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

$115M

$155M

$208M

$253M

$342M

$424M

The growth in the investment portfolio has the ability to, year in/year out, have a substantial impact on MyLeave’s Balance Sheet. To ameliorate the adverse impact of market movements, MyLeave utilises the services of the Commonwealth Bank as an investment advisor and has established a well-structured investment portfolio that is invested in various key asset classes. Furthermore, within those asset classes MyLeave invests with various individual fund managers with investment styles that are designed to provide an optimum level of performance with a reduced level of deviation in the range of performance outcomes over the years. MyLeave’s Balance Sheet, as summarised below, records an improving financial position. BALANCE SHEET

2013

2014

MOVEMENT

ASSETS

$362.8M

$449.2M

+$86.4M (+24%)

LIABILITIES

$300.5M

$331.1M

+$30.6M (+10%)

EQUITY SURPLUS

$62.3M

$118.1M

+$55.8M (+90%)

The 2014 balance sheet equity surplus of $118.1 million appears significant and is at the higher level of MyLeave’s Board-approved accounting ratio range. The accounting ratio range is important to ensure that MyLeave continues to deliver against its Mission “To provide a financially sustainable portable long service leave scheme for eligible Western Australian construction industry employees”. The strengthened balance sheet will be a key factor when Board members make their recommendation to the Minister for the contribution levy percentage for 2015. Another key consideration will be the outlook for investment returns. Positive investment returns have been achieved for the past five consecutive years, with 2013 and 2014 being very strong and well above the long-term average. Against this strong investment market backdrop, Board members will have a cautious outlook for short-term investment returns. Notwithstanding this, there is a level of optimism that the recent trend (2012 and 2014) of contribution levy percentage reductions will continue and employers will receive the benefit of a further reduction effective from 1 January 2015.

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BUILDERS CAN HELP Belinda O’Brien of Perth Region Natural Resource Management says sediment run-off from building sites has adversely affected fishing in Perth. A message regarding the 2015 contribution levy percentage will be detailed on the MyLeave website as soon as possible. Any changes to the levy will be reflected in the quarterly return for the period January-March 2015 that is payable 15 April 2015. For any further information on MyLeave or the issues raised in this article, refer to www. myleave.wa.gov.au. Alternatively you can contact the MyLeave team at hi@myleave. wa.gov.au or 9476 5400.

MYLEAVE BOARD REAPPOINTED

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin has reappointed the seven members of the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Payments Board. The Board is a body corporate of seven members appointed by the State Government, principally from nominations made by industry unions to represent employees, and Master Builders and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to represent employers. The chairperson is a separate appointment by the Minister. The two-year appointments extend to September 2016. The board members are: • Linda Gibbs (chairperson) • Michael McLean (Master Builders) • Ray Sputore (Decmil) • Warren Edwards (CCI) • Mick Buchan (CFMEU) • Steve McCartney (AMWU) • Les McLaughlan (ETU) The portable long service leave scheme commenced in January 1987 and now operates as MyLeave. Building workers covered by the scheme are entitled to 13 weeks’ long service leave after 15 years’ service to the industry and pro-rata entitlements after seven years.

The Swan and Canning Rivers are fast filling up with sediment, adversely affecting fishbreeding grounds and consequently depleting fish stocks. This is one reason why fishing in Perth is not like it used to be. The good news is that preventing sediment run-off from building sites will make a significant difference. Sediment refers to sand, building material, cement and rubbish that gets blown or washed from a construction site into a drain or stream. Once in the waterway, sediment continues to travel until it reaches the Swan and Canning rivers. Builders are in a good position to help overcome this problem that affects everyone in the Perth community, particularly those who enjoy fishing and boating. Master Builders and Perth Region NRM are part of a move right across the community to help stop sediment leaving public works, subdivisional works and housing construction sites around the Metropolitan Area. Perth Region NRM is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that coordinates a range of environmental projects and is working closely with builders and developers. Builders and tradespeople can help prevent sedimentation by: • Regularly sweeping sand off roads and away from, not into, drains. • Ensuring sand is placed on the verge rather than the road. • For large developments, installing a sediment control fence adjacent to the storage site. Fences do not need to surround the whole site. • Installing a silt trap in the drain. Position this where the water leaves the site to capture the sediment. • Having a wash-down zone and by cleaning tools and equipment away from the footpath, road or drain. • Addressing building drainage early. Once roofs are built, contain run-off through the use of gutters and soak wells. What you need to know It is against the law to allow sand to run off building sites and into a drain. Section 50 of the Environmental Protection Act says, in effect, that it is an offence to intentionally, or with criminal negligence, cause or allow waste to be placed in a position from which it reasonably could be expected to gain access to the environment and in so doing, be likely to result in pollution. Regulation 3(1) of the Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations essentially says that it is an offence for a person, in the course of or in connection with a business or a commercial activity, to cause or allow a material listed in Schedule 1 (which includes sediment) to be discharged into the environment. Local governments have power under Section 3.25 and Schedule 3.1(6) of the Local Government Act to: “Take specified measures for preventing or minimising the movement of sand, silt, clay or rocks on or from the land if, in the opinion of the local government, that movement would be likely to adversely affect other land”. Want to find out more? There are some great resources available online. For a wide-range of information, visit the sedimentation resources hub on the Perth Region NRM website at: www.perthregionnrm. com/industry/sediment-management.aspx. For a confidential discussion about steps that can be taken to prevent sedimentation, contact Belinda O’Brien at Perth Region NRM on Belinda.obrien@perthregionnrm.com or phone 9374 3333. For a helpful and detailed guide on sediment control for builders prepared by Master Builders Victoria visit: www.mbav.com.au/vpLink.aspx?ID=3&D=00000000093&N=YES

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REPORTS general news DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

TRICKY TENNIS TRIUMPH Still faintly quivering from the excitement of the Davis Cup at Cottesloe, Master Builder magazine’s renowned tennis correspondent Harve Vollee made his way to Royal Kings Park in November hoping for some better than straight sets competition at the Master Builders Butler Settineri Georgiou Grand Slam.

Unwitting tennis try-hards with tournament winners Aaron Dark (back row, second left) and Machiavellian master of the result Michael McLean (front row, second left).

While the windy conditions didn’t deter the competitors, they unfortunately were too much for Vollee, who, having repaired to the clubhouse, indulged in one too many Pimm’s Royal Cups, rendered himself incapable of producing coherent copy and therefore had to rely on tournament director (and chief match fixer) Michael McLean’s report. A sense of foreboding regarding absence of fair play may also have played a part in the correspondent’s demise. Read on for McLean’s version of events. Seventeen keen tennis players took to the hallowed Kings Park courts for the Butler Settineri Georgiou Grand Slam. The expectations were certainly grand and there was a fair bit of slamming the racquet when the shots weren’t perfect. The year’s final corporate tennis afternoon produced some top tennis and fine rallies from players who relished the competitive spirit despite their frailties. After five doubles rounds with a mix of partners, there were some surprise results. Bringing up the rear were Italian Stallion Joe Gangemi (from Butler Settineri) and former champion player Andre Petrovic (Georgiou) with a combined score of 27 games. Joe’s shoulder injury hampered his big serve and confident attacking style, while Andre was unexpectedly down on his winning form despite sound technique. Doubles teams Ray Thomas (Wilberforce) and Master Builders’ president John Ripp (EMCO) together with Dean Newsome and Gavin Milner (Georgiou) tied with 29 games. Ripp made a welcome return to the circuit hoping for a rematch with vice president Rob Spadaccini, but the latter was absent on health and fitness grounds, disappointing the fans. Ripp’s fitness proved to be a greater strength than his tennis on this occasion.

manager Nick Vernon, scoring 38 games and a creditable fourth. Vernon got better as the afternoon unfolded, but might need more lead-up events to trouble seasoned campaigners. Lee’s consistent serve and mobility reflected a sound training regime and consistent coaching. Who knows how far this young player might progress? Third were Tony Tarzia (Coastal Tiling) and Rod Bragge (Auswest Timber) with 39 games. Tarzia’s sledging has toned down noticeably since his hitup partner Carolina arrived on the circuit. This is a combination that has the potential to cement itself on future circuits. Runners up were Eco Outdoor’s Matthew Felton and Robert Shaw (Daly and Shaw), with a respectable 46 game tally. Although best known for his golfing prowess, Felton showed great versatility and skill with his ground shots. Combining with Andy Roddick look-alike Shaw took some courage but paid off on the scoreboard. Shaw’s game has come along in leaps and bounds. His crocodile rolls on the court would have created havoc with less nimble veterans. The winners of the Butler Settineri Georgiou Grand Slam were debutant Aaron Dark (Master Builders) and wily veteran and handicapper, yes, yours truly, with an impressive 47 games. We proved too good for the competition in what some described as an upset. Dark’s debut highlighted his youthful exuberance and previous experience on the school circuit. As for me, well, I’ve been trying to win this tournament for years and managed to finally concoct a combination of rival teams to allow me to achieve my objective. (Editor’s note: the brazenness of the man. Oh, for an acerbic Vollee put-down.)

In fifth place were Simon Amos (Bpi) and Master Builders’ Geoff Cooper with 34 games. While both displayed glimpses of top form, uncharacteristic unforced errors, especially volleys, cost them. Cooper’s backhand and acing your correspondent were two of many highlights in his game. Amos’s busy schedule prevented a pre-tournament warm-up and stretching routine, which may have contributed to his early, sluggish form. He is definitely one to watch next year.

A deciding encounter in the final placings was a great centre court match in which Shaw and, yes, yours truly again, beat Cooper and Vernon 6-3.

The most improved player on the Master Builders circuit is Stephen Lee (Medibank Private) who teamed with MBA Insurance Services’ state

Butler Settineri and Georgiou have agreed to sponsor two Master Builders tennis afternoons in 2015 on 25 March and 18 November, so players are encouraged to start training soon.

Tom Jacobs (Jackson McDonald) also played well for three sets, but another engagement prevented him completing the round of fixtures. Hence he was disqualified without any appeal rights. Jacobs’ form, however, did trouble many of the lesser lights.

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The open-plan Invita Apartments include European-style kitchens.

An impression of the award-winning Invita Apartments project.

TOP URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LAUDED Master Builder members again have been prominent in a number of awards at the 2014 Urban Development Institute of Australia’s WA Awards for Excellence announced late in August. JAXON Pty Ltd, with the Department of Housing, won the important Judges’ Award for the South Hedland New Living project. BGC and Peet Limited were awarded the Affordable Development Award for Invita Apartments (Stage 1) located in The Village at Wellard, which itself won the Residential Development Over 250 Lots for Peet and the Department.

Australand was the winner of the Medium Density Award for Kingston Apartments. Fleetwood, with the Department of Housing and HAS Group, won the Urban Water Excellence Award for the Osprey Village project. The competition’s top gong for the best of the best in 2014, the President’s Award, went to Richard Noble development Cygnia Cove. The project also won awards for Environmental Excellence and Residential Development Under 250 Lots. The Department of Housing was a joint winner of five of the 14 categories in the awards.

WARNING ON UNREGISTERED PAINTING The Building Services Board is concerned that within its area of jurisdiction, unregistered painting contractors might be being engaged to perform painting work exceeding $1000. As a result, the Building Commission has issued a reminder to industry that it is an offence under the Building Services (Registration) Act for a person without a registration to carry out painting work of $1000 or more for payment or reward. This does not apply to employees of registered painting contractors.

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AWARDS geraldton midwest awards DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

The decor at the awards embraced the Orient Express theme.

MIDWEST BUILDERS ON TRACK October’s Master Builders Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards night was a great success, attracting a record crowd of industry representatives who gathered at the Batavia Grammar Hall for the event. The Orient Express theme provided not only a great atmosphere, but also a platform for endless puns. Community theatre group Theatre 8 provided two fare collectors to greet the arriving guests and punch their tickets, while the master of ceremonies, ABC Radio personality George Manning, kept things on the rails dressed in full conductor’s uniform. The main winners on the night were Zorzi Builders, awarded the Mitchell & Brown Best Country Home prize for a residence in Upton Court, Tarcoola Beach, with CPD Group’s Carnarvon Dual Purpose Centre project judged the Bankwest Best Commercial Building. The Tarcoola Beach home also netted Zorzis a number of separate trade awards and recognition for its kitchen and bathroom appointments, while CPD’s project was also recognised for its excellence in recycling. Master Builders’ regional manager, Di Gilleland, says the night’s winners were drawn from 90

entries covering the residential and commercial sectors. As well as Geraldton, entries were received from Jurien Bay, Port Denison, Kalbarri and Carnarvon. Association director Michael McLean describes the night as the building industry’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. “Pride in the job is reflected in every entry in the Building Excellence Awards,” he said. “Like any elite competition, these awards provide builders with a barometer to determine the finalists and premiers for the season. The margin separating some entries is very fine.” Crothers Construction took out a number of awards, including the sought after commemorative Brian Neil Award, named after the highly respected Geraldton Branch founding member and Association life member, who served the Association in a variety of roles over many years. Recognising Mr Neil’s ethos of quality building, the award reflects the winner’s overall pursuit of excellence during the year. Redink Homes won the Best Display Home Award and Best Customer Service winners were Plunkett Homes (volume project builders) and Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets (small to medium builders).

Ms Gilleland said the awards included a record number of apprentice entries, proof that employers are stepping up to increase the industry workforce. Associated Painting Enterprises celebrated the success of firstyear apprentice Eddie Vause, who won the Apprentice Encouragement Award. The previous year’s winner Andrew Hunter took a step up, being announced as the 2014 Kevin Giudice Apprentice of the Year. Aspiring bricklayer Keenan Ridley was named 2014 Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year and Geraldton Secondary College students Jake Williams, Joshua Zanotti and Patrick Brimson were winners of the newly introduced Vocational Education and Training in Schools Encouragement Awards for their studies in Certificate II in Building and Construction (Pathway Trades). The 2013 Best New Builder awardee Mandosio Homes proved its worth in 2014, winning the $200,000 to $250,000 and $350,000 to $400,000 contract home categories and several trade awards. The company was also the host employer of outstanding bricklaying apprentice Keenan Ridley. Guests praised the awards night as first class and just the ticket, also complimenting regional manager Gilleland for her carriage of the matter.

geraldton midwest awards AWARDS 33 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Apprentice of the Year Andrew Hunter with (l-r) City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ken Diehm, Matt Silvester (Durack Institute of Technology) and Master Builders’ president John Ripp.

Crothers Construction, with six category wins, a trade award and the Excellence in Building Practice Award, capped off the night with the Brian Neil trophy. Judith Standley presents the award plaque to David Crothers, with president John Ripp guarding the perpetual trophy.

Eric Zorzi of Zorzi Builders accepted the Best Country Home Award from Mitchell & Brown’s Steve Nanninga (right) and Master Builders’ president John Ripp.

CPD Group celebrated overall honours with the Best Commercial Building Award, also picking up the Excellence in Recycling Award for their Carnarvon Dual Purpose Centre project.

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AWARDS geraldton midwest awards DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

WINNER AT HOME IN COASTAL SCENERY The 2014 Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home, built by Zorzi Builders in Tarcoola Beach, has panoramic sea views from both ground and upper levels. The family home was designed to both maximise the views and to be practical and functional. It uses simple coastal colours and rugged, juxtaposing stonework to good effect. The premises include an entry portico and a self-contained guesthouse overlooking the pool towards a double-height alfresco area wrapping around the central courtyard. Inside the home, there is an impressive double-height entry void leading past the home theatre and into an open plan kitchen, dining and living space, fully integrated with the alfresco area. A floating staircase leads to the upper floor, featuring a large study and the master suite with fully fitted-out walk-in wardrobe, spacious en suite and private balcony with ocean and Geraldton town views.

FAULTLESS WORK BY CPD GROUP

CPD Group’s state-of-the-art Carnarvon Dual Purpose Facility was this year’s Best Commercial Building winner at the Building Excellence Awards. This single-storey, cyclonerated structure has a split-level roof design and steel portal frame construction with masonry infill. It also features steel partitions and timber panelling facade. It has been engineered to withstand severe cyclonic conditions and subsequently has been rated for post-disaster function. It includes HD galvanising and is designed to tolerate substantial wind pressures and projectile impact. A key component was elevated, compacted sandfill, raising the building structure and allowing stormwater run-off, an essential element in the tropical environment. The first of its kind in WA, the project incorporates a 10-bed sobering-up centre, providing day and night treatment services for people in the Gascoyne with alcohol and drug problems. Internally, the centre has been fitted out with bespoke furniture, fixtures and fitting. CPD Group delivered the project within budget, four weeks ahead of schedule and with no defects.

geraldton midwest awards AWARDS 35 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

GERALDTON MIDWEST AWARDS HONOURS LIST BEST COUNTRY HOME Sponsor: Mitchell & Brown Zorzi Builders Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach BEST COMMERCIAL BUILDING Sponsor: Bankwest CPD Group Carnarvon Dual Purpose Centre Cnr Francis & Cleaver Sts, Carnarvon BRIAN NEIL AWARD Crothers Construction DISPLAY HOMES OPEN CATEGORY Redink Homes Midwest Chapman Valley Rd, Waggrakine JUDGES’ INNOVATION AWARD Sponsor: Rev Design Reg Pomery Building Service Conway St, Geraldton BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE SMALL TO MEDIUM BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest Geraldton Building Services

EMPLOYER/TRAINER OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Bunnings Warehouse Geraldton Building Services & Cabinets SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Patience Sandland Mick Winter Plunkett Homes CONTRACT HOMES $200,000 - $250,000 Mandosio Homes Jim Grant St, Mt Tarcoola CONTRACT HOMES $250,000 - $300,000 Geraldton Homes Reg Percy Dr, Tarcoola CONTRACT HOMES $300,000 - $350,000 Plunkett Homes Francis Rd, Port Denison CONTRACT HOMES $350,000 - $400,000 Mandosio Homes Seashore Gdns Sunset Beach CONTRACT HOMES $400,000 - $450,000 WA Country Builders Pitchford Crest, White Peak

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE VOLUME PROJECT BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest Plunkett Homes

CONTRACT HOMES $450,000 - $500,000 Devpro Unit Developments Windsor Ct, Geraldton

EXCELLENCE IN BUILDING PRACTICE Sponsor: Building Commission Crothers Construction

CONTRACT HOMES $500,000 - $750,000 Crothers Construction Ord St, Geraldton

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsor: City of Greater Geraldton & Durack Institute of Technology Andrew Hunter Employer: Associated Painting Enterprises

CONTRACT HOMES $750,000 - $1,000,000 Plunkett Homes Toba Nook, Wandina

BRICKLAYING APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Skill Hire & ABBTF Keenan Ridley Employer: ATC Midwest Host Employer: Mandosio Homes APPRENTICE ENCOURAGEMENT Sponsor: Ray White Eddie Vause Employer: Associated Painting Enterprises VETIS ENCOURAGMENT AWARD Sponsor: CTIF & Skill Hire Patrick Brimson, Jake Williams, Joshua Zanotti Geraldton Senior Secondary College

CONTRACT HOMES OVER $1,000,000 Zorzi Builders Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS UNDER $100,000 Devpro Unit Developments Reilly Rd, Wonthella RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $100,000 - $200,000 Eminence Building Co Nagle Cl, Mt Tarcoola RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS OVER $200,000 Reg Pomery Building Service Conway St, Geraldton

MULTI RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS $1,000,000 - $2,500,000 Sponsor: Toyota Plunkett Homes Chapman Rd, Bluff Point COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS UNDER $1,000,000 Crothers Construction Dept. of Sport & Recreation Office Foreshore Dr, Geraldton COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $1,000,000 - $2,500,000 Coral Coast Homes (WA) Urch St, Geraldton COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $2,500,000 - $6,500,000 Crothers Construction Geraldton Residential College Dormitory & Accommodation Upgrades Cnr Holland & Shenton Sts, Geraldton COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING UNDER $1,000,000 Crothers Construction Geraldton Aquarena Outdoor Changing Facilities Pass St, Geraldton COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $1,000,000 - $2,500,000 Crothers Construction Eastern Breakwater, Geraldton Foreshore COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $2,500,000 - $6,500,000 CPD Group Carnarvon Dual Purpose Centre Cnr Francis & Cleaver Sts, Carnarvon COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING OVER $6,500,000 Crothers Construction Wandina Primary School Ajax Dr, Wandina BEST APPOINTED KITCHEN Sponsor: Cbus Zorzi Builders Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach BEST APPOINTED BATHROOM Sponsor: Tradelink Zorzi Builders Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach

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GERALDTON MIDWEST AWARDS HONOURS LIST MOST AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOUSING Sponsor: Department of Housing Steele Campbell Building Crowther St, Beachlands

EXCELLENCE IN CEILINGS Sponsor: GIBS & Boral Patten Ceilings Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach

LIVEABLE HOME Devpro Unit Development Quarry St, Geraldton

EXCELLENCE IN PLASTERING Sponsor: MBA Insurance Services All Covered Plastering Seashore Gdns, Sunset Beach

SILVER TROWEL AWARD Sponsor: Midland Brick A & D Basto Lapwing Way, Wandina

EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETING Sponsor: Holcim Little Mountain Concrete & CNM Polishing Fourth St, Wonthella

EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY (EXTERNAL/ INTERNAL) Sponsor: Jackson McDonald Byron Catalano Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach

EXCELLENCE IN PAINTING Sponsor: Valspar Mario’s Painting Service Seashore Gdns, Sunset Beach

EXCELLENCE IN CABINET MAKING Sponsor: The Laminex Group J & L Oliveri Cabinets Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach

EXCELLENCE IN WALL & FLOOR TILING Sponsor: Geraldton Ceramic Centre Elan Tiling Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach

GERALDTON MIDWEST AWARDS SPONSORS

EXCELLENCE IN METAL CLADDING/ ROOFING Sponsor: Combined Metal Industries S & L Marinich Wandina Primary School Ajax Dr, Wandina EXCELLENCE IN STEEL Sponsor: Lysaght Crothers Construction Eastern Breakwater, Geraldton Foreshore EXCELLENCE IN BRICK & BLOCK PAVING Sponsor: Geraldton Natural Limestone BR & CJ Kimberley Brick Paving Seashore Gdns, Sunset Beach EXCELLENCE IN GLAZING Sponsor: Alspec – Aluminium Systems Specialists Glass Co WA Upton Ct, Tarcoola Beach EXCELLENCE IN RECYCLING Sponsor: Waste Authority CPD Group Cnr Francis & Cleaver Sts, Carnarvon

great southern awards AWARDS 37 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

BIG WIN FOR SCHLAGER AT CASINO ROYALE

Celebrating their haul of awards, including Best Country Home, are Schlager Homes’ Russell Schlager, Esther Schlarger, Eli Hayes, Asher Schlager, Hanna Quinn, Trent Fuss and Jordan Willox.

Schlager Homes has won the Laminex Group Best Country Home at the Casino Royale-themed 2014 Master Builders Bankwest Great Southern Building Excellence Awards in September in Albany.

commercial sectors. “Entries were judged on quality of traditional trades, including carpentry, cabinetry and bricklaying,” she said. “The ultimate winners are members of the public who can trust the quality of building in the Great Southern.”

And anyone who backed Schlager Homes would have come away winners too, with the company taking a slew of awards, including the $575,000 to $675,000 contract homes category and five other awards, ranging from Best Customer Service for small-to-medium builders to Supervisor of the Year.

The Bankwest Best Commercial/Industrial Building Award went to Smith Constructions for Hawthorn House, a project entered in the $1 to $2.5 million category. Also among the commercial/industrial categories, Wauters Enterprises was specially commended by the judges in relation to the high degree of difficulty and demanding quality of finishes associated with the Mt Clarence Anzac infrastructure works.

Held at the Dog Rock Convention Centre, the Great Southern Awards were hailed as the best ever. Channelling the ’60s 007 send-up movie, go-go dancers, suitably kitted out in mini-skirts, knee-high boots and big hair, opened proceedings, while GWN 7 news reader Noel Brunning smoothly compered the formalities in front of a sell-out crowd. As well as Albany, award entries came from 10 regional towns and were worth a total of about $40 million. The two registered builder judges from the South West and Geraldton had a difficult time sorting many of the winners from category finalists. Master Builders’ regional manager Linda Gibbs says it was a record year for entries in both the residential and

Builders playing their cards right reaped rewards at the Casino Royale-themed Building Excellence Awards night in Albany.

“The ultimate winners are members of the public who can trust the quality of building in the Great Southern.”

Another significant winner on the night was Greg Leeder Homes, taking the judges’ Innovation Award and the Excellence in Building Practice Award. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says the regional awards showcase the best the building industry has to offer clients. “To each builder, their project is a winner as it reflects the accumulation of many months of planning, hard work, coordination of specialist trades and attention to detail in delivering the finished product,” he said.

Smith Constructions, represented by James Wearing (left) and Andrew McIntyre, won the Best Commercial/ Industrial Building prize at the Great Southern Awards.

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MOSTERT THE APPRENTICE WITH THE MOST Carpenter Brad Mostert was awarded the 2014 Apprentice of the Year at the Great Southern Building Excellence Awards. Mr Mostert was employed by Skill Hire, working for host employer Ironmonger Building Company. He was described as having a strong work ethic throughout his apprenticeship and having excellent analytical skills. Ironmonger Building Company confidently relied on his capacity to follow directions, but also to complete tasks with little direction. He has a high level of competency across all areas of carpentry, in particular, new house construction. Brad Mostert (centre) is pictured with (l-r) Master Builders’ president John Ripp, Skill Hire’s Andrew Penson and fellow finalists Jordan Willox and Ben Sugg.

Master Builders’ regional manager Linda Gibbs says apprentices took centre stage at the awards. “They are the future of the building and construction industry,” she said of Mr Mostert and fellow Apprentice of the Year finalists Jordan Willox and Ben Sugg.

OLD WORLD FEEL TO TOP HOME WINNER

HOMELY AND HIGH QUALITY

The 2014 Great Southern Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home winner in Nullaki Drive, Nullaki, is built in Australian colonial style, but with modern quality throughout. The rendered brick veneer home features an enclosed veranda on the north side, capturing the light throughout the day.

Hawthorn House, which won the 2014 Great Southern Building Excellence Awards Best Commercial/Industrial Building Award, is a single-storey brick community respite centre for Alzheimer’s sufferers. The brief for the building was that it should be functional, but more importantly, it should have a homely feel.

A wide range of materials have been used in the Schlager Homesbuilt project, including timber joinery, stone bench tops and featuregrade jarrah flooring. Quality fixtures and fittings throughout the house combine with exceptional workmanship. The home also features a traditional built-in fireplace with timber mantle.

Responding to this and the fact that the facility will be used by the people of Albany for many years, winning builders Smith Construction say that high-quality workmanship was most important.

Schlager Homes ensured good communications and customer satisfaction throughout construction, providing the owner, who did not live locally, with regular updates and photos. Meetings were held on-site and at the builder’s office when the owner visited.

The building has administration areas, formal and informal community lounges, meeting room, sunroom, library, two fully furnished bedrooms with en suites, a large galley kitchen, fully equipped laundry, facilities for the disabled and multiple storage areas. The landscaped grounds have afternoon tea areas, a men’s shed, chicken coups, fruit and vegetable gardens, gazebos, water features and walking paths to create a pleasant environment.

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GREAT SOUTHERN AWARDS HONOURS LIST BEST COUNTRY HOME Sponsor: The Laminex Group Schlager Homes Nullaki Dr, Nullaki BEST COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING Sponsor: Bankwest Smith Constructions Henry St, Albany APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Skill Hire Brad Mostert SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Jackson McDonald Asher Schlager BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE SMALL TO MEDIUM BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest Schlager Homes BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE VOLUME BUILDER Sponsor: Bankwest Plunkett Group JUDGES’ INNOVATION AWARD Greg Leeder Homes Marine Tce, Middleton Beach JUDGES SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd Mount Clarence ANZAC Infrastructure Works CONTRACT HOMES UNDER $200,000 Ryde Building Company Lion St, Albany CONTRACT HOMES $200,000 - $275,000 Zac Caramia Homes Little Heart Pl, McKail CONTRACT HOMES $275,000 - $350,000 Zac Caramia Homes Gevillia Way, Yakamia CONTRACT HOMES $350,000 - $425,000 Ryde Building Company Owen Ct, Warrenup CONTRACT HOMES $425,000 - $500,000 Greg Leeder Homes Lancaster Rd, McKail

CONTRACT HOMES $500,000 - $575,000 WA Country Builders Hill View Rise, Lower King CONTRACT HOMES $575,0000 - $675,000 Schlager Homes Nullaki Dr, Nullaki MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER $1,500,000 Tectonics Construction Group Angove Rd, Spencer Park MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OVER $1,500,000 Greg Leeder Homes Marine Tce, Middleton Beach RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS OVER $200,000 Tectonics Construction Group Grey St, West Albany COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $1,000,000 - $2,500,000 Smith Constructions Henry St, Albany COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $2,500,000 - $4,500,000 Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd Great Southern Grammar House 4 Nanarup Rd, Kalgan COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $4,500,000 - $6,000,000 Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd Mount Clarence ANZAC Infrastructure Works COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $6,000,000 - $10,000,000 Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd Sounness Park Redevelopment Mount Barker COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS UNDER $1,000,000 Tectonics Construction Group Active Office Fit Out Minna St, Albany COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS $1,000,000 - $2,500,000 BGC Construction Katanning Senor High School

COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS $2,500,000 - $6,000,000 BGC Construction Denmark Senior High School Upgrade MOST LIVEABLE HOME Sponsor: Disabilities Services Commission Tectonics Construction Group Grey St, West Albany MOST AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOMES: Sponsor: Department of Housing Plunkett Group Greyhound Circle, Gledhow POLE HOME Tectonics Construction Migo Pl, Kronkup BEST STEEL BUILDING Sponsor: Metroof Tectonics Construction Group Migo Pl, Kronkup EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION ON A CHALLENGING LOT Sponsor: Structerre Consulting Engineers Tectonics Construction Group Migo Pl, Kronkup EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY WA Country Builders Mt Shadforth Rd, Denmark EXCELLENCE IN BRICK/BLOCK PAVING Sponsor: Boral WR Paving Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd Mt Clarence ANZAC Infrastructure EXCELLENCE IN BUILDING PRACTICE Sponsor: Building Commission Greg Leeder Homes EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY (INTERNAL/EXTERNAL) Schlager Team Schlager Homes Nullaki Dr, Nullaki EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY STRUCTURAL Sponsor: The Laminex Group Bakes Carpentry Smith Constructions Henry St, Albany

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GREAT SOUTHERN AWARDS HONOURS LIST EXCELLENCE IN CABINETRY Sponsor: The Laminex Group Moore Joinery & Cabinet Maker Zac Caramia Homes Grevillia Way, Yakamia

EXCELLENCE IN PAINTING Sponsor: Hayme’s Paints (Neville’s Hardware) Road Runner Painting and Decoration Schlager Homes Nullaki Dr, Nullaki

SILVER TROWEL Sponsor: Austral Brick Mitchell Poett Ryde Building Company Moncrieff Rd, Albany

EXCELLENCE IN CEILINGS Matador Ceilings Schlager Homes Ulster Rd Spencer Park

EXCELLENCE IN PLASTERING Sponsor: MBA Insurance Services Castle Plastering Smith Constructions Henry St, Albany

EXCELLENCE IN RECYCLING Sponsor: Waste Authority Tectonics Construction Group

EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETING Sponsor: Holcim Black & White Concreting Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd Sounness Park Redevelopment Mount Barker

EXCELLENCE IN PLUMBING Sponsor: Cbus Active Plumbing WA Country Builder Salt River Rd, Cranbrook

EXCELLENCE IN FLOOR AND WALL TILING Sponsor: Bathroom Décor A & J Tiling Ryde Building Company Owen Ct, Warrenup

EXCELLENCE IN ROOFING METAL Sponsor: Blue Scope Steel AB Roofing Plunkett Group Lowanna Dr, Gledhow

GREAT SOUTHERN AWARDS SPONSORS

WATER WISE Sponsor: Water Corporation WA Country Builders Salt River Rd, Cranbrook

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ARE YOU BUSHFIRE READY?

now. This includes developing a bushfire plan, packing an emergency kit and creating a 20-metre building protection zone around your home or workplace.” As WA’s Bushfire Ready Ambassador, Mr Langer joins career and volunteer fire fighters, Western Power crews, local governments and Department of Parks and Wildlife officers in urging the community to be bushfire ready. Energy Minister Mike Nahan says Western Power is increasing its investment in bushfire prevention, with millions of dollars spent each year on mitigation activities, including pole replacements, vegetation management and safety awareness programs.

Bushfire Ready Ambassador Justin Langer.

Cricketing great Justin Langer leads this summer’s Are You Ready? bushfire campaign as WA’s new Bushfire Ready Ambassador. The campaign drives home the message that preparing for bushfires is a team effort and everyone needs to be prepared. Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis says bushfires continue to be a real threat to

the community, with southern parts of WA expecting an above average risk this season. “There’s no doubt there will be bushfires again this summer – and we know from bitter experience they can start without warning and cause enormous damage and heartache,” Mr Francis said. “Everybody who lives or travels near bush needs to get ready

“Western Power’s number one priority is the safety of its employees and the community,” Dr Nahan said. “I also urge owners of private power poles and lines to accept their responsibility and move promptly to ensure the soundness of their electricity assets for this bushfire season by having them inspected.” About Western Power Western Power is a State Government owned corporation that is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to more than one million customers across a network area of 255,064 square kilometres.

BUSHFIRE SEASON: DO YOU HAVE AN INDEPENDENT WATER SUPPLY? Those who choose to stay and defend their homes in the event of a bushfire will need to have their own water supply. An independent water supply and pump may be vital in a bushfire emergency.

Bushfire season in the South West corner of WA (Perth, Midwest, Wheatbelt, Goldfields and Agricultural region, South West and Great Southern) starts in November and continues through to April. Water Corporation Perth regional manager Steve Dorricott says it is important to understand that water supplies cannot be guaranteed during a bushfire.

Public water supplies cannot be guaranteed during a bushfire. Residents who choose to stay and defend their homes need to have an independent water supply. Water Corporation customers living in or near bushland are being reminded to ensure they have an independent water supply and pumping capability if they choose to stay and defend their homes during a bushfire.

“We will always do all that we can to maintain supply but fire damaged infrastructure or a cut to power can result in a total loss of water,” he said. “If scheme water is available during a bushfire it is a bonus for property protection efforts, but it is not something that can be relied upon. “If you plan to stay and actively defend your home you need to fully assess and plan your water supply needs, independent of public water supplies.”

The Water Corporation has made its own preparations for bushfire season by readying equipment and systems to cope with extreme conditions. Despite these efforts it is likely that during a bushfire there will be a reduction in water pressure, and public water supply tanks might run empty. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and local councils have information available to assist with bushfire preparations, and customers in bushfire prone areas are encouraged to contact them should they require any assistance or advice. Information is also available online on the DFES website at www.dfes.wa.gov.au.

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Scott on site

“I just want to help more people to be smarter in the sun and I know Gav wanted that too,” he said.

TIME TO REASSESS ‘COOL’ AND COVER UP After losing his brother to skin cancer, builder Scott Roediger is keen to get the SunSmart message out to other tradies.

Scott and Gavin Roediger.

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After a 17-year career in the building industry, tragic events have prompted Scott Roediger to reassess priorities in his life. Scott, who has operated his own carpentry business for the past 12 years, lost his younger brother Gavin just over a year ago, six months after being diagnosed with melanoma. Gavin was 30 at the time of his death. He had spent most of his life working outdoors, initially with the Australian Army, where he served in many overseas operations, including Iraq, and later working with Scott’s carpentry business. Both jobs required him to spend most of the day outdoors in the sun. The first signs that something was wrong with Gavin’s health began with complaints of aches and pains, tiredness and massive headaches. “Eventually he was rushed to hospital and over the coming days and weeks, medical staff informed us that Gav had been diagnosed with a melanoma,” Scott says. “The melanoma was too advanced for surgery because it had already entered his brain and spread throughout his body. These were some very hard days for our family and close friends as we came to grips with the reality of Gav’s disease. Despite the fact we were told there was no cure we never gave up hope. “He was able to enter a government-funded drug trial which bought him some more time, but he was never able to return to work and he was in and out of hospital from then on. Gav battled on courageously. He never complained or blamed the world; he just took it on the chin and got up each day to try and live to the best of his ability.” Scott said it was brutal to see the impact the disease had. “I feel comfortable in knowing Gavin lived a great life,” he said. “He served our great country on tours throughout the Middle East; he travelled the world and had many great adventures along the way. He was a good brother and a great uncle to our niece and nephew. He would have made a great dad and husband one day, but dying at 30 years of age was way too young.” At the time of Gavin’s death, Scott already had a friend Graeme who was also being treated for melanoma. He was in the hospital just two doors down from Gavin’s room on the day Gavin died. Graeme passed away earlier this year aged 35, leaving behind a wife and two young children.

New direction These events have taken their toll on Scott. He decided to sell his business, take some time out and think about a new direction in life, while also pursuing a new passion to promote awareness about skin cancer. He says he gets fired up about young blokes who don’t wear a top when they’re working outdoors. “Young blokes are difficult,” he said. “They don’t want to put a hat on if it’s not the right hat, but it’s not rocket science to put sunscreen on or to wear a broad-brimmed hat.” Scott said he knows the attitudes that prevail on worksites because there was a time when he was the same, thinking it was cool to work without a shirt. “For my part, it sucks that I needed a life or death situation to make me realise what’s important. I’d like to help young blokes realise it’s cool to have sunscreen slapped over your face and it doesn’t matter what you look like, but it’s not cool to have to go to hospital and have cancer,” he said. Changing attitudes Scott believes far too many people just don’t realise the risks associated with not being smart in the sun because they either don’t care or they don’t think it’s going to happen to them. “Who cares if you’re not tanned or what you look like when you have sun cream slathered all over your face? Wearing a broad-brimmed hat, using sunscreen and wearing a rashie at the beach all need to become the cool thing to do. The bottom line is these simple measures may just prevent you having to go through the year I have,” he said. Cancer Council WA SunSmart manager Mark Strickland said he was looking forward to working with Scott to raise the profile of SunSmart issues with outdoor workers. “Self-employed outdoor workers are a group we’ve been keen to reach for a long time because no-one is looking over their shoulders encouraging them to cover up in the sun. If you work for a big firm, the OSH team makes sure you are safe in the sun but if you work on your own, it’s up to you to protect yourself. Many tradies don’t seem to understand the risk and get far too much sun to stay healthy. Cancer Council doesn’t think that’s fair and we want to help turn this around,” he said.

QUICK FACTS: • Skin cancer kills more Australians each year than the road toll. • Melanoma is the most harmful form of skin cancer. • Most skin cancers, including melanomas, are preventable. • Melanoma is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australians aged 15 to 29, and accounts for more than a quarter of all cancers in this age group.

“The problem is, as Scott has pointed out, tradies are a tough group to get the message through to, but with Scott’s knowledge of, and experience in, the building industry, we have far better prospects of achieving long-term change.” Scott says he hopes that by sharing his story, others who have been through similar experiences will join him to help change attitudes about sun protection. “I just want to help more people to be smarter in the sun and I know Gav wanted that too,” he said. For further information visit www.myuv.com. au or contact the SunSmart team at Cancer Council WA on 9388 4360

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DON’T LET STRESS RUIN YOUR FESTIVE SEASON

The festive season is a fun time of holidays and happy family get-togethers, but it also can be a stressful time for many people. Families do not always get along and some of us will dread having to get together with certain relatives. It also can be a tricky time for estranged members of the family, stepfamilies and in-laws. The pressure to shop at this time of the year can add financial stress on families. A study by Roy Morgan revealed that 60 per cent of Australians dislike Christmas shopping. All this build-up and stress can cause people to over indulge or turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. This can be particularly difficult for those who are struggling to deal with their own or someone else’s alcohol and/or drug dependency. Stress and anxiety are not unusual during the festive season and it’s advisable to try and manage them as best we can. We can lower our expectations, be more realistic, and decide what we really want to get out of Christmas for ourselves and those we care about.

Here are some practical tips for various situations: • Remember you have choices. • Decide what is right for you; do not be influenced by others. • Remember you have the right to say no. • Trust your feelings; if it doesn't feel right then it usually isn’t. • Keep yourself safe. • Set up a plan before leaving home, organise who will drink and who will drive. • Do not get into a car with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. • If someone is acting aggressively, remove yourself from the situation if it is safe to do so. • Have enough money for a taxi in case the need arises. • Keep emergency numbers in case you need assistance (family, friends etc). • Be self-responsible with alcohol. • Know the people you are partying with and look out for one another. • Space your drinks out, drink water at regular intervals and be conscious of eating well. • Do not mix your drinks and do not let anyone keep refilling your glass. Know how much you are drinking.

The office Christmas party Do not use alcohol as an excuse for bad behaviour and do not accept this from anyone else. If you are responsible for the party, know your responsibilities. Provide water, soft drinks, food, low-alcohol beverages and talk with guests about how they are going to get home safely. Office parties are well remembered for what should not have happened. Be mindful of your reputation at work. If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s problematic use of alcohol and/ or drugs, talk to someone about it. Holyoake offers a range of customised programs for people who are affected by substance misuse – directly or indirectly. Call 9416 4444, or email clientservices@holyoake.org.au or visit www.holyoake.org.au for more details. It is worth noting that drink driving is responsible for more than 30 per cent of the 1400 lives lost due to road accidents across Australia each year. So please be safe this festive season.

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USE IT OR LOSE IT: ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN FIT Common sense tells us that we need to keep our minds active. Even the Roman philosopher Cicero wrote about this in his treatise on ageing in 44BC when he said “Old men retain their intellects well enough, if only they keep their minds active and fully employed”. Science now recognises proven the benefits of mental activity. Older adults who complete memory-training programs have an increase in grey matter in relevant brain regions. Adults who were trained in skills of speed of processing showed less cognitive decline over 10 years. London taxi drivers have larger hippocampi – which is the part of the brain associated with memory, and a growth in the size of the hippocampus was seen in aspiring taxi drivers who trained on ‘The Knowledge’. Computerised brain training packages can improve cognitive abilities and have long-term benefits. We still don’t know the extent to which this transfers to everyday activities or prevents dementia. One limitation of research in this area is that newer interventions such as brain training games have not yet been compared with the more traditional forms of mental activities such as reading books, attending concerts and plays, learning photography, writing emails and letters, and enrolling in courses or learning new dance routines.

dosage and type of mental activity in the way one might prescribe physical exercises. Here are some areas where the science is strong. We need to keep kids in education Education is critical for developing brain capacity that will endure throughout adulthood and provide a buffer against the effects of ageing and disease. Keeping all children in school until at least the age of 15 would reduce dementia rates internationally. We all need to keep learning new things as adults Continuing education in adulthood is good for the brain and may reduce risk of later cognitive decline. Any form of new learning, including learning in the workplace, seems to be beneficial and often specific activities lead to measureable changes in the brain. A cognitively active lifestyle reduces the risk of dementia At least two long-term studies have shown this. In those studies ‘cognitive activity’ included going to concerts, plays, museums, reading, writing letters, playing games and so forth. Too much TV is not good for you Spending long periods of time watching television has been linked to increased risk of dementia, along with increased waistlines and a shorter lifespan. It is likely that serious engagement in new and challenging learning, such as learning a language or undertaking higher education, is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of ‘losing it’. Cognitive health or brain health is part of overall health and exercising it is one of the best means of maintaining it. This article was kindly provided by Medibank.

While the research shows that just about any new, stimulating activity has cognitive benefits, we don’t yet have the knowledge to prescribe

PUTTING IN THE BOOT TO NAIL PROSTATE CANCER With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness month, Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch joined Totally Workwear at their premises to host a Blue Boots BBQ Breakfast. Geraldton Branch regional manager Di Gilleland says it is important in the male-dominated building industry to spread the word that having a checkup is simple. “So many men just don’t see the importance until sometimes it is too late,” she said. “With Steel Blue offering a generous donation of $10 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for every pair of Blue Boots sold – the Branch saw it as a win-win situation, raising awareness about prostate cancer and raising funds for research to hopefully one day find a cure for this terrible disease. Remember, if you are over 40, now could be the right time to have your prostate checked. Please don’t leave it until it’s too late.” Len and Glenise Ullrich with Master Builders’ Penny Rae O’Leary and Crystal Bagley at the Geraldton Branch-Totally Workwear Blue Boots BBQ Breakfast fundraiser.

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HEAD FOR THE HUB Master Builders has launched a new way to search online for critical business information.

pleased with how it is not only desktop useable, but has great mobile phone search functionality.”

“The Information Hub isn’t revolutionary,” says the Association’s marketing manager, Kelly Dewar-Matusik. “It’s a simple webbased application that can cut down your time online when searching for regulations, legislation and relevant information about anything to do with the building and construction industry.

Master Builders’ board member Andy Peppercorn says that with more than 400 searchable topics, the Information Hub is going to be organic. “I see how it’s going to grow and I see its use whether you’re new to the industry and don’t know too much or even someone like me who’s been involved for a long while.

“We thought about how this could be a simple but effective tool for members, so we are really

information. It definitely can assist in cutting down the time it takes to search for even the simplest of topics, like the latest regulations for signage on building sites.” To visit the Information Hub and put it to the test, go to the Members Only section on the Association’s website. Ms DewarMatusik said anyone that can’t find what they’re looking for can email their request to her at kelly@mbawa.com.

“It will be handy, for example, when you know the name of something but don’t know which government department has the relevant

SEE, HEAR AND TASTE AT MEMBER NIGHT Bankwest presented Master Builders with a cheque at the Member Night. The Association’s referral program supports industry apprenticeship and careers initiatives.

More than 50 members gathered at the Northbridge premises of City Toyota in September for some industry updates and treats that engaged all the senses. Major sponsors were on hand to provide demonstrations and updates, including Cbus covering superannuation and self-managed funds, Liveable Homes on designs that work for everyone and Auto Control Systems’ KNX industrial and commercial-building automation. While there was pizza and a sausage sizzle to keep hunger pangs at bay, Hanson provided guests with chocolate replicas of the company’s new Mini Mix Truck during the presentation on the innovation.

City Toyota unveiled the new HiLux at the Master Builders’ September Member Night.

City Toyota unveiled the new model HiLux and took guests on a tour of the company’s service centre and Bankwest provided an update on the Master Builders’ referral program.

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LION’S SHARE OF WORK TO MASTER BUILDER MEMBERS Master Builders’ housing director Geoff Cooper says calculations based on members’ declared turnovers has revealed some fascinating insights Mr Cooper notes that the turnover figures have some inherent shortcomings and might err on the low side. Even so, the Association’s residential builders have of annual turnover of $5.364 billion out of a reported industry total of $7.337 billion in the year to March.

NEW ALLIANCE TO BENEFIT MEMBERS

“That is approximately 73 per cent of the residential building market in WA,” he said. “Our commercial builder members have of annual turnover of $4.106 billion out of a reported $5.397 billion in the year to March – an impressive 76 per cent of WA’s commercial building market. “The mathematicians among you will have worked out that Master Builder members oversee about $3 in every $4 of money spent on building in WA.”

Master Builders and the Motor Trade Association of WA have formed a new alliance that will boost business relationships and encourage support across the organisations’ respective sectors.

Mr Cooper said it is expected that this market share will increase in the current financial year due to the service levels and quality of Master Builders’ staff and membership growth strategies.

Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says the automotive industry is much more than simply selling new or used cars, trucks and motorcycles. MTA members cover such things as importing vehicles, servicing, repairs and repainting, spare parts, engine reconditioning, booking limousines or coaches, hiring vehicles, building trailers and selling fuel, tyres and gear.

WINBAC WITH BITE

Association members will be encouraged to visit MTA members when looking to purchase automotive related products and services. “The MTA brand represents industry best practice,” Mr McLean said. “By choosing an MTA member you can be certain that you’ll be dealing with the best the industry has to offer.” The MTA is the peak automotive industry body, representing 1800 member businesses located throughout WA. Eighty per cent of these members are small businesses keen to develop new business “Master Builders is asking MTA members to contact an Association member when looking for someone to carry out building industry work. Both Associations are seeking to develop closer ties that will deliver strong benefits and support our members,” Mr McLean said. “The Associations hope to host joint events in both the metropolitan and regional areas in 2015.” For information on MTA businesses, call 9233 9800 or visit www.mtawa.com.au.

Guests at the WinBaC Bites launch.

Master Builders’ membership manager and WinBaC driving force Veronica Mill (second left) is backing the Bites concept to further enhance WinBaC’s prominence.

Master Builders’ Women in Building and Construction network is now firmly established, according to the Association’s membership manager, Veronica Mill, with WinBaC members enjoying a variety of training seminars and networking events. “We were excited to launch a brand new event in September, WinBaC Bites,” Ms Mill said. “Many thanks to the Department of Finance’s Building Management and Works who hosted the event, and to Anna Rechichi, the assistant director of procurement services who gave a brief presentation outlining the process to contract with BMW, their builders’ pre-qualification scheme and some tips for tendering. “Members are invited to join us in 2015 for more ‘Bites’ where they can meet new and interesting people in a small, friendly environment and where the emphasis is on getting to know one another, making good business connections and friends. A short presentation by a guest speaker adds an element of personal and/or business development. “If you have a topic or a speaker you’d like to hear, then please let us know. Suggestions and feedback from members are a valuable part of the development of WinBaC, so do let us know what you’d like.” Email your thoughts and/or requests to Veronica Mill at veronica@mbawa.com.

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UPDATES membership DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

MASTER BUILDERS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS A Man at Hand Property Maintenance

1300 931 340

Howell Builders Pty Ltd

Affordable Carpentry WA

0452 227327

Jim's Fencing (Yangebup)

0427 075 461

All U Need Roofing Pty Ltd

0448 186 606

Kambos Commercial

08 9200 1354

Allpest

08 9416 0201

Aspect Construction (WA)

1300 793 343

Keystone Building & Developments Pty Ltd

08 9379 1442

Assured Certification Services

08 6102 6401

Kimberley Manufacturing

08 9192 6262

ATS Probuilt Pty Ltd

0418 936 420

Livingscapes

0427 755 312

B&R Group (Aust)

0419 025 765

Luxcom

0439 756 030

Bespoke Interiors

0402 262 838

Maintenance HQ

08 6394 3545

Better Homes WA

08 9444 8872

Bezant Consulting

08 9246 3779

Mark Oliver Property Renovations & Brickwork

0412 644 950

Men Behaving Handy

08 9418 5662

Millstone Homes Pty Ltd

08 9200 5830

BMC Home Maintenance Services

0407 818 393

Builton Commercial

08 9361 2622

Burmester Contracting

08 9272 9133

CBSA WA

08 9227 8679

CGI Solutions

0410 308 454

Chamberlain Design Homes Pty Ltd

08 9417 5135

Chartwell Construction Pty Ltd

0415 275 513

Choice by Projex

08 6160 8000

CIMC Modular Building Systems (Aust)

08 6214 3813

City Toyota

08 9221 0888

Concretus

08 6252 3700

Crown Integrated Systems

08 9400 6000

CS Residential

0422 121 663

DNA Ceilings and Walls

0427 678 897

Elitech Ceilings

0433 022 758

Evolve Builders Pty Ltd

0419 938 284

Four Seasons Gas and Air

08 9258 7831

Geoff Longwood Constructions

0421 049 995

GR8 Build Homes

0432 126 605

Hewlett Homes

0407 797 161

Hi-Point Roofing

08 6252 3700

08 9454 9364

Monzag Construction

08 9209 2245

Multi Living by Design (MLD)

08 9361 2622

Nathan Wignall Builder

0407 476 128

NES Global Talent

08 9426 7400

Niche Q by Projex

08 6160 8000

Oceanic Construction

0418 955 205

Perth Home Builders

08 9345 5060

Platinum Homes

08 9361 2622

Renovators Delight

0417 926 762

Rhombus Compliance Pty Ltd

08 9417 7466

Security Co WA

08 9964 3002

Simon Baggetta

0419 041 464

SMF Projects Pty Ltd

0428 741 879

Smithy's Concrete

0400 730 895

Solution 4 Building

08 6143 0094

Stormwater Drainage Pty Ltd

08 9388 3074

Taylor Construction Lawyers

08 9322 8786

Thermal Comfort Homes

08 9399 9001

WA Building Surveyors Pty Ltd

08 6161 4371

Western Construction Group

0410 539 891

JUST REWARDS FOR AN OLD MEMBER Seymour Roofing won Master Builders’ prize for early payment of it’s 2014-2015 membership fees. Their reward? To enjoy some great coffee brewed in their new Lattissima Delonghi+ coffee machine. Master Builders’ membership consultant Karl Millard (left) presents Joshua O’Brien with the company’s prize.

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MEMBER SAVINGS SCHEME Master Builders Members can save through our growing Master Builders Member Savings Scheme.

ACCOMMODATION

10% off daily accommodation rate Hyatt Regency Hotel Perth is offering Master Builders members 10% off its daily accommodation rate. To make a reservation phone 13 12 34 and ask for the ‘Master Builders Rate’. Offer subject to availability. Master Builder members also receive a 10% discount on 12-month Club Hyatt membership. www.hyatt.com

Exclusive discount on regional accommodation

BANKING

Help apprentices with every loan taken out Bankwest business banking has lots of choices for business finance for members. For every home or business loan through Bankwest a % will be put back in to apprenticeship and career promotion. For more information on commercial, business and private banking, contact Business Development Manager Gary Murphy on 0407 879 684. For discount home loan rates and product features, speak to Bankwest representative Paul Burnett on 0459 802 312. www.bankwest.com.au

FUEL

Members have access to an exclusive discount on accommodation at Oaks Broome and Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary. Visit Master Builders website for details. www.mbawa.com/member-savings/

ACCOUNTING AND TAXATION

Evaluate your current business model, receive a business improvement strategy valued at $990 RSM Bird Cameron offers members a free Business Assessment to evaluate your current business model and provide a business improvement strategy valued at $990. Members can also access free assessments of either your current tax planning strategies (valued at $400), the benefits of self-managed superannuation funds and the potential to use gearing strategies to invest in property within the fund (valued at $800), a free subscription to the SME Pathways electronic newsletter or a free initial financial services consultation to discuss your financial and retirement planning requirements (valued at $400). There is also a free business advice hotline on 1800 154 245. www.mbawa.com/member-savings/

Save 55% on your monthly fees with a Caltex StarCard You might not care how long it takes to record your fuel receipts, but someone in your business does! Do them a favour – get a fuel card that gives you one easy-to-read, ATO-approved monthly invoice. Plus, if you sign up under a Master Builders’ account you’ll save 55% on your monthly fees and receive a 3.5c per litre discount on unleaded petrol and 4c per litre discount on diesel petrol. Whether you have two vehicles or 200, there’s a Caltex StarCard to suit your needs. Visit our website for more information. www.mbawa.com/member-savings

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UPDATES membership DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

HEALTH

MOTOR VEHICLES

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Employees of members receive an ongoing 8.3% discount

Save thousands on Gold Fleet pricing

Exclusive range of products with genuine discounts (With MBT logo)

Members can receive an ongoing 8.3% discount when you join Medibank Corporate cover. You also have access to a 24/7 health advice line, cover for ambulance and no hospital excess for children. This offer also extends to employees of member companies. www.mbawa.com/member-savings

Master Builders’ members are now entitled to Gold Fleet pricing on all Toyota vehicles through any Toyota dealership statewide. Gold Fleet pricing savings are normally aimed at large, company-owned fleets. It could save you thousands. Talk to the fleet manager at your local Toyota dealer to find out how much you can save. They will then contact Master Builders to verify your current membership. www.toyota.com.au

Master Builders has partnered with Telstra and Insight Communications to offer marketleading telecommunication products and services. Speak to Master Builders Telco about our exclusive range of telecommunications products with genuine discounts. Master Builders also has a dedicated help desk to ensure you save money and time. Call us now on 1300 881 372 or email phonesales@ masterbuilders.asn.au. www.mbawa.com/member-savings

INSURANCE

RECRUITMENT

TV PROMOTION

Secure competitive insurances with a construction sector specialist Secure competitive insurances with a construction sector specialist, MBA Insurance Services. Using its construction market leverage, benefit from attractive premium pricing and better policy terms for your business and personal insurances. A strong service is part of this broker’s commitment to Master Builders’ members. Contact MBAIS now on 1800 150 888 to discuss your premiums and insurance needs. www.mbais.com.au

LEGAL HOTLINE

7% reduction on normal fee schedules Jackson McDonald/Master Builders Legal Hotline offer up to 15 minutes of immediate, free legal advice. The Hotline complements Master Builders’ ongoing services of standard form contracts, insurance products and safety training and auditing. When legal issues arise, the Hotline will offer quick and knowledgeable initial guidance. A 7% reduction on normal fee schedules also applies for members. www.jacmac.com.au

10% discount from their standard terms of business For all your recruitment needs, talk to the world-leading specialist recruitment company and enjoy a 10% discount from their standard terms of business. Contact Mark Lawton (Construction Labour Hire) on (08) 9259 4513, Lee Plant (Commercial Building) on (08) 9486 9553, or Natalie Punshon (Office Support) on (08) 9322 5383. www.hays.com.au

STATIONERY

10% - 25% off the standard price of popular items OfficeMax is offering Master Builders members 10 to 25% off the standard price of many popular office and stationery items. By buying through Master Builders, you will enjoy the benefits of combined purchasing pricing for the extensive range offered by OfficeMax. For further information, please phone Bronwyn Nicolaas-Ponder on 0488 625 234 or email bronwyn.nicolaas-ponder@officemax.com.au www.officemax.com.au

$400 discount when purchasing a 3-minute advertorial production Home in WA is the Master Builders’ very own TV series and is now into its 15th series! Members can receive a $400 discount when they purchase a three-minute advertorial production. Your business will receive statewide TV coverage on both GWN7 regional and Channel 7 in the metro area. This year, you will also be supplied with a free advertorial production YouTube link to post on your website! Phone Ron ‘Dingo’ Reddingius on 0417 279 103 or (08) 9246 5442, or watch the show on the website. www.homeinwa.com.au

(TERMS & CONDITIONS) * Scheme participants will generally require proof of membership through our membership card or other verification. We remind members that all benefits are subject to terms and conditions specified by the service provider and may be withdrawn at any time. It is recommended that you contact the service provider advertised to confirm the most recent offer available.

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SITE SAFETY A MUST FOR CHRISTMAS-NEW YEAR HOLIDAY

Work is needed here to prepare this site for the holiday break.

As construction sites make preparation to close over the Christmas period, Master Builders reminds managers of the need to give some thought to safety on their building sites.

heightened risk, particularly as there are more children in the vicinity due to school holidays. Make sure such sites are secure to prevent entry, theft or damage.

In preparation for the break The pre-Christmas period can be a busy time of year as many projects prepare to close and/ or try to make up time before the break. This time of year can lead to a loss of focus on the importance of safety, as building workers begin to think about the upcoming break rather than the job at hand and working safely.

Individual site risk assessments should be made to determine the following: • Electrical power is off. • Access to elevated floors, scaffolding, ladders and doors is locked, blocked or isolated. • All edge protection required has been installed. • Plant, equipment, chemicals and dangerous goods are securely stored. • Water drums are emptied or fitted with a secure lid. • Excavation areas are appropriately covered. • All slips, trips and fall hazards have been removed. • Star pickets and reo bars have been capped. • Footpaths are clear and materials and debris have been removed from verges. • All non-essential equipment has been removed from site. • Appropriate signage is displayed along with emergency telephone numbers.

Master Builders recommends builders and subcontractors remind building workers in toolbox or site meetings of the need to maintain a vigilant approach to safety right up until the last day of work when construction sites close down for the year. During the break Builders should assess their sites and take action to ensure unauthorised people are discouraged from trespassing. Construction sites in and around residential areas pose a

After the break It is recommended that site supervisors conduct site inspections before work commences. This includes inspections for deterioration or damage to structures, tampering with equipment or theft. The Master Builders’ Safety Department can help you with preparation for the holidays or completing site safety inspections prior to work restarting. Contact Michael on 9441 8000 or email safety@mbawa.com. Master Builders wishes all members, their employees, contractors and their families a safe and happy holiday period.

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UPDATES safety DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

REFORMS REINFORCE PRIMACY OF SITE SAFETY Reforms announced by the Federal Government in October to rebalance and fine-tune safety regulations in the building industry will lead to better safety outcomes, according to Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch. “The reforms will reinforce the primacy of safety on building sites,” Mr Harnisch said. “Eliminating counter-productive paper-based compliance and regulatory duplication will allow builders and contractors to focus on what is important – which is improving safety not sitting in site sheds completing unnecessary compliance paper work.”

Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch.

Mr Harnisch said the changes to the Government’s Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme would streamline regulatory requirements for builders

with good safety records, freeing them up to implement practical measures to enhance safety. “The reforms will improve the ability of the Federal Safety Commissioner to work with builders and contractors to improve compliance with safety laws, while lightening the regulatory load for those who do the right thing,” he said. “In addition to making the industry safer, the measures will provide further community benefits such as reducing unnecessary increases in building costs, which only exacerbate housing affordability pressures. “Master Builders fully supports the Government’s steps to improve safety by responsibly cutting red tape for building and construction contractors, particularly small firms that comprise 98 per cent of the industry.”

MASTER BUILDERS AND PARAPLEGIC BENEFIT FUND IN TALKS Master Builders’ director Michael McLean and marketing manager Kelly Dewar-Matusik recently met senior Paraplegic Benefits Fund (PBF) representatives Robyn Piesse and May Bowden to discuss the Fund’s many beneficial services. Ms Bowden, PBF’s general manager, is keen to further explore the relationship with Master Builders in promoting the PBFPrevention workplace initiative, which promotes and encourages worker participation in workplace safety.

“Mindfulness on the job is something that is so very powerful that we underestimate its potential,” Ms Piesse. PBF’s executive director, said at the meeting. “We have found that many in the building and construction industry just don’t think about the possible consequences of their actions in that split second before an accident occurs.” PBF promote the message via presentations delivered by speakers who themselves are paraplegics. Ms Bowden said the message

was even more powerful when it comes from a speaker who has personal experience. Master Builder is looking at using the speakers and working more closely with PBF to consider hosting joint presentations on workplace safety across the State. For further information about PBF or the PBFPrevention workplace program, call 1800 809 780 or visit www.pbf.asn.au.

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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN INSURANCE BROKER?

WA state manager Nick Vernon heads the local team of building industry specialists, part of the larger Australiawide MBA Insurance Services.

Insurance brokers are professional advisers who work on behalf of their clients. They help clients identify their exposures and risks by understanding their business, to determine what needs insuring and what can be managed in other ways. Insurance brokers may specialise in specific types of insurance or industries. Similar to a mortgage broker not being the actual lender, insurance brokers are not the insurer, but liaise with the insurers on behalf of their clients.

Brokers are also available to assist individuals and businesses in specifically designing for their needs, a customised insurance/risk management solution. Insurance brokers have knowledge of the insurance market and are able to negotiate competitive premiums on your behalf. A broker also will explain your policy and advise you of any special situations of which you need to be aware. Brokers also provide professional and technical advice in the event of claims, which can be extremely useful.

Why use a broker? Insurance brokers have access to a variety of insurance products and have the ability to deal with a range of insurance companies directly. Brokers will be aware of the benefits, exclusions and costs of competing policies to enable the best possible outcome for their clients. The broker’s role extends to include arranging and placing covers with the chosen insurers and brokers often will provide advice on how to make the most of their clients’ insurance budget and covers.

Why use MBA Insurance Services as your broker? MBA Insurance Services is a general insurance broker that has been providing the building and construction industry with professional advice and comprehensive products for more than 20 years. As general insurance brokers, we are able to service all of your insurance requirements, whether it be construction risk and liability, professional indemnity.

When arranging insurance, many people take shortcuts without seeking proper advice, understanding the fine print or considering whether they are getting value for money. An insurance broker can help you determine the level of cover that is required so you can ensure you are properly protected and are able to make a well-informed decision.

As expected, MBA Insurance Services has an experienced and specialist team, focused solely on servicing your needs by taking the time to understand your business and tailor the right solution for you. When you need specialist industry knowledge and the right advice, look no further than MBA Insurance Services and have us review your current insurance program.

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UPDATES legal DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

HIGH COURT CLARIFIES BUILDERS’ DUTIES TO SUBSEQUENT PURCHASERS AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS Matthew Lang

Builders can reduce the prospect that they may owe a duty of care by ensuring that all contracts with developers contain detailed terms regarding defective works.

In October, the High Court in Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 61288 & Anor [2014] HCA 36 (Brookfield) unanimously held that the builder of a strata-titled apartment complex (Builder) did not owe a duty of care to the Owners Corporation to avoid causing economic loss resulting from defects in the common property.

Tom Jacobs

Previous High Court decision Since the decision of Bryan v Maloney (1995) 182 CLR 609 (Maloney), builders have potentially owed a duty of care to subsequent purchasers for latent defects in residential properties. In Maloney, the High Court held that a builder owed a duty of care to both the original owner and a subsequent purchaser of a residential house to prevent economic loss arising from defects in the property. The existence of a common law duty of care, separate from statutory or contractual warranties, is a risk for builders as it potentially creates a long tail liability that can be difficult to predict or manage. However, more recently, in Woolcock Street Investments Pty Ltd v CDG Pty Ltd (2004) 216 CLR 515 (Woolcock), the High Court held that a builder did not owe subsequent purchasers of a commercial property a duty of care where the subsequent purchasers were sophisticated, commercial investors who were not “vulnerable”. “Vulnerability” used in this legal sense means the inability of an owner to protect themselves from the builder’s lack of reasonable care. Brookfield decision In Brookfield, the Builder and the developer (Chelsea) entered into a design and construct contract (D&C contract) to build a mixed-use, serviced-apartment building. Chelsea intended to sell the serviced apartments to investors. The

standard form contract of sale for the strata lots was annexed to the D&C contract. The D&C contract provided detailed provisions governing the Builder’s obligations to Chelsea in relation to liability for latent defects. The standard contract for sale gave the buyers of the serviced apartments specific contractual rights in relation to the defects in the property, including the common property. The common property was vested in the Owners Corporation as manager of the strata scheme and as agent of the owners of the serviced apartments. The High Court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal and found that the Builder did not owe a duty of care to either the purchasers of the lots from Chelsea or the Owners Corporation (as their statutory agent). The Court held that the purchasers of the lots from Chelsea were effectively investors in a hotel venture under the standard form contracts, which contained specific provisions relating to the construction of the building and Chelsea’s obligations to undertake repairs. This meant that neither the individual subsequent owners, nor the Owners Corporation, could be regarded as “vulnerable” as they had bargained for contractual protections against the risk of defects in the work and to impose an additional duty of care would be to alter the allocation of risks effected by the parties’ contracts. Further, the Court referred to the decision in Woolcock and noted that to impose a greater liability on a subsequent purchaser than the party for whom the building was built and by whom the defendant was paid for its work, (the developer, Chelsea) would create an incoherent result. The Court noted that in addition to contractual warranties as to quality of work, Chelsea was not “vulnerable” as it was the superintendent under the D&C contract and was responsible for supervising and assessing the Builder’s work.

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Implications for builders It remains unclear whether a builder will owe a duty of care to avoid reasonably foreseeable economic loss from defects to subsequent purchasers of a purely residential complex, as opposed to a hotel or other commercial property (as was the case in Brookfield). Purchasers of residential properties may be more likely to be considered to be “vulnerable” in that they may be less sophisticated, are heavily reliant on the builder to carry out the works correctly and may not be in a position to negotiate terms. Depending on the circumstances, however, builders may be able to argue that subsequent purchasers are either protected by contractual terms regarding liability for latent defects, had the opportunity to negotiate for contractual protections or had the opportunity to walk away from purchasing the property. The decision in Brookfield may make it difficult for subsequent purchasers of residential apartments to establish that they are “vulnerable” in the requisite sense to establish the existence of a duty of care. The Brookfield decision also makes it difficult for an owners corporation to argue that it is owed a duty of care by the builder. The Owners Corporation in Brookfield was regarded by the High Court as statutory agents of the subsequent purchasers, and the Court did not agree that the Owners Corporation was in a vulnerable position simply by reason of the fact that it was created by statute and did not have an opportunity to inspect the property prior to that creation. Builders of apartment developments can reduce the prospect that they may owe a duty of care by ensuring that the building contract with the developer, and the developer’s proposed contracts for sale, contain detailed terms setting out the parties rights and obligations with regard to defective works. The decision in Brookfield does not detract from a builder’s obligations under the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011 under which an owner (including a subsequent purchaser) may make a complaint about a “regulated building service not being carried out in a proper and proficient manner or being faulty or unsatisfactory”, with any complaint required to be commenced within six years of completion. This article was prepared by Jackson McDonald partner Tom Jacobs and special counsel Matthew Lang. For more information, they can be contacted on 9426 6611.

PRIVACY REMAINS PARAMOUNT Jackson McDonald have reminded businesses that new Australian Privacy Principles and a number of important amendments to the Privacy Act came into effect in March. Businesses with a turnover exceeding $3 million per annum are affected and should ensure they are familiar with the Privacy Principles. The aim of the Act is to protect the personal information of individuals. A corporation’s privacy policy needs to be documented to comply with the legislation. Master Builders recommends that it be permanently publicised on company websites. For more information, contact Rachel Webber at Jackson McDonald on 9426 6611. Jackson McDonald have had a close association with Master Builders and its membership for more than 25 years. As part of the links, the firm provides 15 minutes of free general legal advice to Association members through a telephone hotline. Jackson McDonald is a full service commercial law firm and covers the broad range of legal services, meaning Association members can obtain advice on most legal issues.

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UPDATES industrial relations DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Master Builders’ construction director Kim Richardson says the evidence so far makes it appropriate to extend the Heydon Royal Commission. Master Builders’ construction director Kim Richardson.

ROYAL COMMISSION EXTENSION MORE THAN JUSTIFIED The inquiry has uncovered telling evidence of union corruption, organised crime, intimidation and contempt for the rule of law.

CFMEU CONDONES BULLYING Evidence before the Heydon Royal Commission has revealed CFMEU officials bullied and threatened Federal public servants, including making offensive sexist remarks to a female FWBC inspector. The national union secretary made light of it by saying swearing on building sites is common. Such union conduct has no place in today’s workplace and cannot be condoned.

ACTU REDUNDANCIES While the ACTU says it’s making redundancies as part of a restructure, some in the union movement say it’s more about underperformance and reduced income stream as unions haemorrhage numbers.

SHOW US THE MONEY! The decision by the Abbott Government to extend the Heydon Royal Commission into Union Governance is well known by now. Predictably, the Federal Labor Opposition and union movement quickly criticised the move as a stunt, while conveniently overlooking the evidence presented so far, which has been damaging to the CFMEU and other unions. The criticism also skips over what Commissioner Heydon put to the Federal Government in a letter dated 2 October. Notably, while this letter was published, a second letter by the Commissioner remains confidential. In essence, Commissioner Haydon indicated he would be able to provide a report to the Government by the end of 2014 on those sections of the Commission’s Terms of Reference that deal with so-called slush funds set up by unions. However, the Terms of Reference which deal with corrupt or illegal behaviour were problematic, as the truncated duration of the Commission’s inquiries was constraining what evidence the Commission was able to assess, meaning any report on those matters would not be as complete as it might be. An important portion of the Commissioner’s letter of 2 October says: “The Inquiry thus far has revealed evidence of criminal conduct, which includes widespread instances of physical and verbal violence, cartel conduct, secondary boycotts, contempt of court and other institutional orders, and the encouragement of others to commit these contempts. Some officials appear to regard the unions as having immunity not only from

the norms and sanctions of the Australian legal system, but also from any social or community standard....” Commissioner Heydon also raised the disturbing aspect of interference with witnesses appearing before the Commission. The Commissioner’s observations to date are telling, but have been glibly discarded by the CFMEU as irrelevant, while the Labor Opposition has been silent other than to say the Commission is a political stunt. Commissioner Heydon’s observations show the evidence put to the Commission – revealing a consistent level of behaviour by some union officials that treats the rule of law with contempt – is anything but a stunt. In line with the Commission’s inquiries into corrupt behaviour, it is establishing a task force comprising Federal and State police to inquire into alleged links between unions and organised crime. Judging by the evidence so far presented to the Commission about this type of conduct, few could reasonably argue that the Commission ought not be allowed to properly make its inquiries. The potential benefits for the wider labour movement are significant and something the union movement would want.

The national CFMEU wants a $40 annual levy on members that could generate about $1.2 million to combat the construction industry reforms designed to reinforce the rule of law within the sector. One wonders why the CFMEU is fearful of complying with the law, after all the rest of us have to.

EASY COME, EASY GO The CFMEU (Victoria) lost an appeal against $1.25 million in fines imposed against it for breaching court injunctions in 2012 associated with the ugly 2012 Grocon dispute in Melbourne. The union reportedly indicated penalties like this were part of how it does business. Another levy on the cards?

KETTLE-POT? The sad HSU affair involving Craig Thompson, Mike Williamson and whistleblower Kathy Jackson refuses to go quietly. The union is claiming almost $1.4 million from Jackson for alleged unauthorised expenses while running the union, including paying her former husband’s divorce settlement.

IT’S ALL ABOUT VISAS The CFMEU has attempted to deflect the damning evidence against it in the Heydon Royal Commission by calling for greater scrutiny on 457 visa workers. The union claims visa workers undercut Australian workers wages and conditions and that is what Heydon should be looking at, not the union or its contempt for the rule of law.

MUA DOUBLE STANDARDS The MUA is usually happy to be in the media, but unsuccessfully fought to have a non-disclosure order issued by FWC preventing the union and its officials being named in two bullying claims by MUA female members. The union claimed being named would damage its reputation, something the MUA has little regard for when making claims against employers.

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FWO STARTS AUDIT CAMPAIGN With employers sometimes struggling to understand the complex system of construction industry modern awards, there is a growing consensus that they should be rewritten to help avoid inadvertent errors. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office (FWO) is embarking on a national campaign in the building and construction industry in which it intends to visit hundreds of employers across all States to check compliance in relation to award wages, allowances and other employment conditions such as superannuation. The FWO will be making its inquiries in metropolitan and regional centres and will cover commercial and residential construction businesses. The campaign started in October and continues into early 2015 when final results are expected. Similar building industry audits undertaken by the FWO in previous years have shown some underpayments by small employers in WA, but in the main these have been genuine errors as employers struggle with understanding the

cumbersome and complex Federal construction industry modern awards. On that score, FWO and Master Builders agree the construction industry modern awards must be rewritten by the Fair Work Commission to make them more user-friendly for employers. Awards which are unintelligible to employers having to apply them fall well short of best practice. Master Builders Australia has warned that “accessorial liability” will be part of the FWO campaign. Accessorial liability is where a company might be liable for breach of workplace laws by a contractor or subcontractor. Section 550 of the Fair Work Act broadly defines being involved in a contravention. It includes aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the contravention, inducing the contravention, being knowingly concerned in or party to the contravention, or conspiring with others to bring about the contravention.

“An example recently published by a major law firm is when engaging with a labour hire company whose workers are not paid at an hourly rate that meets the minimum modern award rate of pay,” Master Builders Australia reported in a recent CEO Update. “If this was done in the knowledge of the principal, or they required this rate of pay to be offered by the labour hire company, this would mean the principal was involved in the contravention with the contractor.” However, the CEO Update advises that accessorial liability is not a dominant focus of the FWO-compliance campaign. “If anything were to arise in an examination of time and wages records that caused the FWO concern, it would be looked at on a case by case basis,” it said. “All parties would be made aware of any potential action on this front as early as possible.”

UPDATED MODERN AWARD MANUAL RELEASED Master Builders has published the fifth edition of its Modern Award Manual. The publication provides employers with comprehensive and up-to-date guidance on the primary modern award for the building and construction industry – the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010. A companion publication, the National Employment Standards (NES) Booklet, as modified by the On-Site Award, is also available.

Master Builders Australia national industrial relations director Richard Calver says the latest edition of the Modern Award Manual is a vital tool for employers.

“This edition is an essential workplace relations guide for employers, helping them negotiate a maze of more than 60 separate allowances and a cut-and-paste collection of antique provisions, particularly about outdated work health and safety issues,” says Richard Calver, Master Builders Australia’s national industrial relations director. “The Building and Construction General On-Site Award can be a real headache for employers,” he said. “This edition of the Modern Award Manual has been substantially expanded. It analyses the Building and Construction General On-Site Award on a

clause-by-clause basis. Updated annually from 1 July for the Fair Work Commission’s minimum wage decisions, it also provides links to key interpretations by the Fair Work Commission, practical examples and essential historical and industrial relations perspectives. This time it also includes an update from the major changes to apprenticeship conditions that started on 1 January 2014. “The important matter for employers to understand is that the Building and Construction General On-Site Award, together with the NES, set the minimum standards for all employees in the building and construction industry. Even those employees on enterprise agreements must be on terms which are ‘better-off overall’ when compared to the Building and Construction General On-Site Award. For this reason, all employers in the building and construction industry need to have a solid understanding of the Award and the NES.” The Modern Award Manual and the NES publication are available from Master Builders WA. To obtain a copy, please call 9476 9800.

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RESIDENTIAL BUILDING COSTS SET TO RISE Housing affordability in WA is under attack on several fronts, according to a panel at the Master Builders Residential Breakfast Briefing in September. Attendees were given a fastpaced overview of current industry changes, including increases to the waste levy and indemnity insurance, changes to the bushfire requirements, theft and the NBN roll-out.

Jack Pleiter of Genesis Homes Master Builders (left) and Medibank’s Stephen Lee at the Residential Breakfast Briefing.

Building Commissioner Peter Gow said that the home indemnity insurance model would stay the same for the next two to three years. However, premium rates could increase.

“Home indemnity insurance cannot be removed without causing serious damage to the industry,” he said. “The only alternative to the model is to encourage homebuyers to purchase already existing homes.” Changes to bushfire planning regulations and building requirements are also set to increase the cost of building, according to director of RUIC Fire Greg Penney. “From 1 May 2015, every new home that is built within 100 metres of one hectare of vegetation will require a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) assessment,” Mr Penney said. “This will include areas such as Subiaco and Trigg. It’s important to make sure your assessor has the relevant qualifications, as the industry is currently unregulated. “It can cost anywhere between $5000 to $10,000 to ensure a new home in a BAL 12.5 area complies with the policy, and between $11,000 to $60,000 in a BAL 40 area.” Master Builders’ waste reduction consultant Michael Norris told the breakfast audience that the waste levy is set to rise on 1 January 2015.

“Inert waste, including sand, concrete and builders’ rubble, will rise from $8 to $40 a tonne, and putrescibles waste, including plasterboard and cardboard, will rise from $28 to $55 a tonne,” Mr Norriss said. However, according to Mr Norriss, it’s not all bad news. “There are ways to beat the levy increase,” he said. “A significant amount of money can be saved by avoiding, reducing, reusing and recycling building materials. There are currently a lot more recycling options available in the marketplace for builders and subcontractors to use than has been the case in previous years.” Theft, which costs the building industry more than $40 million a year, was a hot topic at the breakfast, with WA Police Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Panaia explaining the importance of preventing it rather than simply apprehending criminals. He also highlighted the importance of reporting building theft. “Crime is significantly under-reported. Without being aware of the offences that are taking place in the community, it is difficult to tackle the issues,” he said. “You no longer have to walk into a police station to report an offence. We encourage builders to report a crime by calling 131 444 and then visiting www. onlineservices.police.wa.gov.au.” On a positive for the building industry, Scott Edwards updated attendees on the National Broadband Network, which is being rolled out across Australia over the next few years. Standard installation of the standard NBN connection box is currently free of charge. To find out which areas the NBN is currently available or soon to be, visit www.nbnco.com.au. While the changes happening in industry could hit at housing affordability, there are ways to reduce building costs. For more information visit www.mbawa.com. The breakfast was supported by Bankwest, Cbus, Crown Security, MBA Insurance Services, Medibank, Midland Brick and ReddiFund.

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MASTER BUILDERS’ HOUSING DIRECTOR GEOFF COOPER LOOKS INTO BEDROOMS AND ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS. WA’s jump in birth rate growth has significant implications for the building industry and is driving an increase in housing demand. Using 2.5 per dwelling, the growth in bedroom activity in WA means that builders need to produce an extra 4000 homes a year – assuming all other factors remain the same. However, we cannot claim to be the most productive in the bedroom. Our fertility rate of 1.87 births per woman isn’t as high as several other States and Territories, with Northern Territory and Tasmania leading the way. There must be something about those hotter or colder climates respectively.

Getting under the sheets Statisticians are revealing some surprising results from what is happening in WA bedrooms. Well, I am assuming it happens in bedrooms. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics findings show that WA couples led the nation in birth rate growth in 2013. WA achieved a 2.6 per cent growth rate in births, beating all other States and Territories. The second highest, NSW, grew at two per cent, while rates in Victoria fell by 4.4 per cent. Looking longer term, the past decade has seen a large annual increase in the number of births in WA. The total number of births in WA has grown by more than 10,000 in 10 years. We have hit a new high of 34,516 births a year. This comprised 17,674 males and 16,842 females. Maybe this is nature’s way of compensating for the higher death rates of younger males.

The past decade has also seen a dramatic shift towards children being born to older parents. The number of births per 1000 women has fallen for the 15 to 19, 20 to 24 and 25 to 29 age categories. Meanwhile, the 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 45 and 45+ categories all had increased births per 1000 women over the past decade. There was a particularly large 59 per cent increase in births per 1000 women in the 40 to 44-age category. No wonder medical specialists are expressing concern about this trend. The 10,000 jump in births per year in WA over the past decade has substantial implications for building in WA. It has created an increase in housing demand, both in terms of house children now and for their own dwellings in the future. But it is also has great longer-term news for retail and education construction. Hopefully it won’t spike demands for prisons though (our community’s wealth and social structures will be more important determinants).

One bedroom’s fine You might have heard reports of a draft Victorian plan to mandate a minimum 37-square-metre apartment size. Fortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any plans to introduce this in WA. I say fortunately because this would be a retrograde step in WA. Builders will supply product to the market that they can sell. In fact, if they don’t secure substantial presales, most projects will not proceed at all. So they must supply product that will sell to occupiers or investors. If investors cannot rent a one-bedroom apartment, they will be facing a loss on their investment. They have a strong financial incentive to ensure they invest in a product that they can fill with a tenant. One-bedroom apartments are also important to offer more affordable homes in WA. Smaller footprints allow more homes to be delivered at a lower total cost. This is critical in the WA property market where escalating land costs have meant that homebuyers are reducing home sizes to meet constrained budgets. Government intervention to introduce minimum sizes will inevitably restrict the capacity of the market to respond to affordability concerns for lower-paid workers, students and other purchasers. Homebuyers with limited budgets face a tradeoff that between size and distance from major employment areas. If the Government were to step in and limit sizes, it would limit the range of people within our community who can afford to live near their place of work to minimise travel time and transport costs. Besides, apartments smaller than 37 square metres are provided in many other major cities to encourage diversity of residents and create a critical mass to support amenity. There are some really innovative designs in the market to maximise the use of space in small areas.

What WA couples are up to.

Let’s hope WA regulators don’t fall into the trap of trying to limit choice. They must let the market decide what housing options it wants. A diversity of permitted housing types, underpinned by market demand, will deliver good housing choices for homebuyers.

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INSTANT START WON’T BRING INSTANT RELIEF Master Builders has welcomed the recent announcement by Planning Minister John Day and Commerce Minister Michael Mischin to fast-track planning approvals for new homes. According to Master Builders’ director Michael McLean, the reform to WA’s planning regime is good news for builders and homebuyers alike. “With the housing sector generating a lot of activity at the moment, it is timely and makes sense for single, detached housing that complies with Residential Design Codes to be exempt from the uncertain planning approvals process,” Mr McLean said. “This announcement has been a long time coming and is a step in the right direction.”

Master Builders’ director Michael McLean approves of fast-tracked new home planning approvals.

Mr McLean said that both new and renovated single-detached housing is generally a straightforward process, which has become unnecessarily complicated and drawn out because some local Councils want to impose their own peculiar planning requirements on unsuspecting builders and clients.

“Although the announcement will overcome some of the housing industry’s frustrations, local Town Planning Schemes and policies will continue to impose additional layers onto the building and planning approvals process,” Mr. McLean said. “Local government planning departments are still requiring ridiculous add-ons to new homes, which are having an adverse effect on affordability and slowing down the whole approvals process. “Regrettably, the goal posts keep changing so builders still don’t know what response they will get from some Councils when they submit their building applications. Unfortunately, the Ministers’ ‘instant start’ initiative won’t solve the day-to-day frustrations and uncertainties that builders are currently experiencing with overzealous Council planning departments. This issue needs to be addressed urgently for everyone’s benefit.”

GERALDTON LIVEABLE HOME SETS STANDARD Geraldton Builder Devpro Unit Developments has taken out the Liveable Home Award at the 2014 Master Builders Bankwest Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards. Master Builders and the Disability Services Commission sponsor the award for the home that best meets Liveable Home design principles. The winning Geraldton home is a great example of incorporating universal design features to provide maximum accessibility and functionality for existing and future occupants, no matter what their age. Devpro spokesman John Crothers says the design brief strongly emphasised the need for the home to be modern, functional and stylish. “Designing for access is a challenging but rewarding process where listening to the client’s brief is of utmost importance,” he said. “A well designed and built renovation changes the way you live. We love visiting our clients after they have moved into their new homes and see how much they enjoy their space.” Research has shown that most people want to remain living in their own homes for as long as they can, and not repeat the cycle of their parents of moving into nursing homes or retirement villages. The State Government Liveable Homes initiative provides a wealth of information on including universal design features in homes.

Universal design features incorporated in this bathroom provide for different users and for the long term.

The Commission says that as the population ages and people live longer, Liveable Homes are more of a necessity than an alternative. “The number of Australians aged 65 and over is expected to double in the next 25 years,” the Commission says. “However, disability can be acquired at any age, though the prevalence increases with age. This means the inclusion of universal design features will become increasingly important. “Universal design features include level entry, a hobless shower, hallways and door entrances that are wide enough for prams and wheelchairs

and solid walls in bathrooms and toilets to enable grabrails to be fitted if needed in the future. “Liveable Homes universal design features work for everyone: young children, pregnant women, families using prams, people with temporary or permanent disability and older people. Liveable Homes are more economically and socially sustainable over the life of the home.” Visit www.liveablehomes.net.au for more information.

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An impression of the emerging Elizabeth Key project. Landgate says strata title reform is necessary, among other things, to attract investment in large developments.

STRATA REFORMS TO MAKE INVESTMENT, BUILDING MORE VIABLE Landgate gives the background to a Strata Titles Act consultation paper currently out for public comment.

WA is expected to be home to more than 3.5 million people by 2031 – so you may well ask where are all these people going to live and work? There’s no doubt we need to get ready for an increased demand for affordable and sustainable housing, and it’s been said that it’s well and truly time for WA to start focusing on building up in our cities and regions rather than continuing the traditional urban sprawl. Landgate has been developing proposals to reform the Strata Titles Act, reforms that aim to improve share-living environments, provide more options for owning and using land and buildings, as well as create better industry standards and dispute resolution. A consultation paper outlining proposed changes to the Act has been released for public comment. Shortcomings of the current Act are causing delays in the building of large, complex developments and the redevelopment of existing schemes where the site is being underutilised. Developers also are choosing to build in the eastern States over WA, as there simply isn’t a suitable regime that gives them the flexibility they need for more innovative developments. It is hoped these reforms will address this and encourage investors to see WA as a viable and preferred place to invest and build.

Landgate CEO Mike Bradford says the reforms are not aimed at changing current strata owners’ land titles and boundaries, but are intending to improve the way strata schemes work. “We know that developers and the real estate industry are keen for these reforms and there has been a high level of engagement from various government departments and private industry,” he said. “But these reforms will also go some way to making strata a more attractive option for buyers, and aim to give people more viable options – so they can live closer to where they work, with better access to transport, shops and services. “It’s important that everyone in the industry, as well as strata owners, buyers, builders and residents, participates in the consultation to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for everyone that this will impact.” The main areas being considered for reform include: • New forms of Tenure – this includes Community Title, to encourage largescale and mixed-use developments, Community Title in a building, Leasehold developments, and staged developments. Community Title will also have a significant impact on the types and number of schemes constructed in WA.

• Vendor Disclosure – this is being examined to improve the materials that vendors are required to provide to potential buyers. • Dispute Resolution – simplifying dispute resolution by further empowering the State Administrative Tribunal to deal with all strata disputes in WA. • Management of Strata – aims to clarify the role and functions of strata companies, strata councils and strata managers with the introduction of an industry Code of Conduct. • Termination of Schemes – aims to determine when to replace old housing stock and develop a model to terminate strata schemes if 100 per cent ownership agreement is not reached. The consultation paper can be accessed on Landgate’s website at www.landgate.wa.gov. au and comments can be provided up until 16 January.

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Master Builders Australia chief economist Peter Jones.

HOUSING MARKET COOLS

The slight fall in ABS national housing finance data released in November is further evidence that claims of an unsustainable housing boom are exaggerated, according to Master Builders Australia chief economist Peter Jones. “The fall of 0.7 per cent seasonally adjusted in the total number of owner-occupied housing finance commitments for September shows such fears to be misguided,” Mr Jones said. “Builders welcome the slight cooling as excessive speculative activity can lead to undue price pressures and difficulties sourcing materials and labour inputs.” Mr Jones said that for new building, what was needed was a solid and sustained flow of finance over a number of years to redress the previous period of under-building, which had resulted in the current housing undersupply and affordability pressures. “This is why the good news story in the latest data is the 2.1 per cent increase in owneroccupier new housing construction and purchase of new building in September that confirms a sustainable annual increase of 10 per cent,” he said. “Investor commitments for new building continue to trend higher, up by more than 20 per cent through the year, increasing their share of new borrowing. Builders remain concerned at the continuing absence of first homebuyers from the market.”

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HEADS IN THE CLOUD AT ALBANY MEETING The Albany-Great Southern Branch held a quarterly dinner in October, with guest speaker RSM Bird Cameron’s Joanne Gilbers covering the topic of cloud accounting. About 40 members attended the dinner. Kevin Davies of Haymes Paints was another Perth visitor at the function. Pictured enjoying the dinner are Bernadette Duell, Cameron Bergsma, Kaj Neilson, Asher Schlager, Russell Schlager, Esther Schlager and Hanna Quinn.

Looking sharp on the course, the Smith Constructions team of Geoff Hill: Hayden Smith, Kyle Davis and Simon James.

BUILDERS LINK UP FOR GOLF Builders from across the region gathered in October for the Bunbury-South West Branch’s golf day. Sponsors included AIC Building Inspections Services, Bankwest, Holcim, JAK Civil, Electsales, Australind Premix, Midland Brick, Hays Recruitment, Kingspan, Combined Metal Industries, West Australian Mechanical Services and major regional partner MBA Insurance Services, with plenty of guests also travelling from the metropolitan area to participate. Held at the picturesque Bunbury Golf Club on a surprisingly sunny Friday, the Ambrose

event attracted a capacity crowd. The Bunbury Building Company team were overall winners, LGA (WA) second and The Dream team third. Smith Constructions rounded out the top four. Competitors came from the trades, commercial and residential builders, the professions and a variety of other support businesses. Electsales supplied a 50-inch flat-screen television to be raffled, with proceeds going to the Bunbury Men’s Sheds project. Ron Billett was the lucky winner. Bunbury Building Company’s winning team Leigh Cresswell, Roy McDowal, Steve Garnett and John Buckingham.

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Lunch guests Dan Perkins (acting president, Master Builders Australia), Geoff Bosustow (South West Branch regional manager), Forrest MP Nola Marino, Satterley Property Group CEO Nigel Satterley and Master Builders’ president John Ripp.

Kristy Robinson, Daryl Brough and David Berglund.

SOUTH WEST TURNS OUT FOR SATTERLEY Master Builders’ Bunbury-South West Branch held its annual President’s Luncheon at the Lighthouse Beach Resort recently. Keynote speaker Satterley Property Group CEO Nigel Satterley addressed a cross section of nearly 100 of the region’s business community. Mr Satterley was optimistic about future economic prospects for both the South West and Perth economies. After nearly 40 years in the housing and land development industries he remains passionate about housing affordability. Smaller lot developments and more compact homes have been popular and there have been some timely innovations to get first homebuyers into the housing market. The Association’s regional manager, Geoff Bosustow, highlighted the success of the Master Builders brand in the region in attracting one of WA’s notable property developers to the lunch.

Mr Satterley was joined by a number of important guests, including Master Builders’ president John Ripp, director Michael McLean, housing director Geoff Cooper and recently elected South West Branch chairman John Buckingham. Prominent Bunbury builder and Master Builders Australia vice-president Dan Perkins, who was also acting national president at the time, was in attendance, as was Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino. Master Builders’ principal partner Bankwest was represented by John Reilly and MBA Insurance Services’ national technical director Richard Grounds, who was on a flying visit to WA, also attended. Mr Bosustow said the South West region is set to continue positive growth in the years to come. The average lot size has decreased over the past decade and the style of home now being constructed has also been adapted.

Although skill shortages across the region will add pressure to construction times, Master Builders is addressing the issue with efforts to promote careers in construction.

“There are many opportunities available for people looking to build a successful tradebased career,” he said. BlueScope, MBA Insurance Services, Midland Brick and WA Mechanical Services sponsored the lunch.

INFORMATION IS THE KEY IN ESPERANCE According to Master Builders’ regional liaison officer Doug Backhouse, the Esperance building industry is in recovery mode, evidenced by the extent of new building works taking place around the region. Esperance information forum participants included (l-r) Steve McMullen (Bankwest), Graham Bell (Master Builders), Sarah Karel (Bankwest), Linear Architectural Systems managing director Bruno Staltari, Kate Frawley (Bankwest) and Doug Backhouse (Master Builders).

More than 30 local Esperance builders and contractors attended a Master Builders’ information forum in the town in September, hearing from guest speakers from Linear Architectural Systems, Bankwest and RSM Bird Cameron.

“There are many issues that Master Builders is currently working on for the betterment of members and the building and construction industry, including trade shortages, the future of home indemnity insurance, recycling building waste, planning reforms and safety training to name a few,” Mr Backhouse said. “Holding information evenings for members gives us the opportunity to hear their point of view about the local challenges they face on a daily basis in the Esperance region. These evenings also

allow us to keep our members up to date with the latest building products and techniques, as well as providing important information to reduce risk in their businesses.” Master Builders has liaison officers in both Kalgoorlie and Esperance, providing excellent links to the Perth head office and other major regional areas. “With more than 30 per cent of our members based in regional WA, it is important that representatives from our Perth office visit places like Esperance on a regular basis,”Mr Backhouse said. “In fact, we are one of the few industry associations that attach such importance to this membership service.”

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A big group of employers gathered at the Kimberley Training Institute’s new Broome campus workshop.

WASTE GUIDE FOR SW Master Builders is releasing its first Smart Waste Guide South West edition to help the region’s building contractors reduce construction waste and cut costs. The guide includes information on how to cut transport costs, reduce purchasing costs and avoid wasting money on landfill disposal. Master Builders South West regional manager Geoff Bosustow says there is a lot builders do can to avoid waste being disposed to landfill. “This new guide will give our members lots of information on how to go about cutting waste,” Mr Bosustow said. “It includes a list of recycling facilities, consultants, demolition providers and bin companies to help South West and Perth builders and subcontractors looking to avoid waste. “All through the guide we’ve included practical examples of recycling from our award entrants, showing what can be done. There are additional benefits for builders in reducing waste – it helps create a safer workplace, shows environmental responsibility and helps avoid future punitive environmental regulation.”

NEW VET PATHWAYS AT KIMBERLEY TRAINING INSTITUTE A recent construction industry evening hosted by Kimberley Training Institute in partnership with the Construction Training Fund and Master Builders at the Institute’s new Broome campus workshop provided information on 2015 VET civil construction pathways.

The guide includes information for residential and commercial builders. With the support of the Waste Authority, Master Builders introduced a Building Excellence Awards recycling award in 2014 to recognise South West builders that are doing a good job of cutting waste in the region. Master Builders’ waste reduction consultant Michael Norriss is also available to assist builders and subcontractors with information on recycling. For more information, email wasteless@mbawa.com. The initiative is financially supported through the Waste Authority’s Waste Avoidance and Recovery Account.

More than 30 employers from the region attended and also learnt about a new campaign to encourage women into trade careers. Scott Thompson from the Construction Training Fund outlined the new VET pathways, as well as benefits and incentives on offer for hiring apprentices. During the evening, six students and apprentices from the Institute received $500 as part of the Construction Training Fund Excellence in Funding awards.

JACK JOINS TEAM Jack Powell is the Albany-Great Southern Branch’s new office administration trainee. Having started in October, he is working Wednesdays to Fridays, while Emily Rowley works Mondays and Tuesdays as training coordinator.

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NORTH WEST CONTRACTORS TEE UP GREAT GOLF Master Builders has joined the colour, celebrations and festivities of the annual Broome Shinju Matsuri Festival by bringing the regional social golf day into the Association’s September calendar. The Master Builders McKeno Blocks and Pavers annual golf day was held at the Broome Golf Club. Lunch was followed by the perfect blend of the elements, boisterous builders and suppliers and a competitive round on the Broome club’s prime location course. Master Builders’ regional manager Di Gilleland says there were many new faces at this year’s event.

“The golf day offers an opportunity to network, as well as a chance for well-earned relaxation,” she said. “It certainly was hailed as a great success.”

Enjoying Broome Golf Club’s lush course (l-r): Courtney Garnham, Spencer Lim Joon, Shelley Ratliff, Paul White, Terry Holmes and Joel White.

The day’s winners were the Mitie Construction team of Greg Sherwood, Alan Goldsmith, Bob Handsley and Chris Carter. Runners up were Tjallara Building, represented by Paul White, Kim Loxton, Terry Holmes and Joel White. Doubtful golfers Steve Norman, Perry Goodchild, Rhys Egan and Victor Butera held off challengers for the NAGA award. Other regional golfers were also in action at the inaugural Master Builders Lysaght Karratha golf day at the Karratha Country Club in August. Ms Gilleland reports that the weather was perfect and the day set the standard for future Karratha golf events. A broad range of industry contenders gathered for the pre-competition lunch and the nine-hole Ambrose event.

Winners of the Broome golf day Greg Sherwood, Bob Handsley, Alan Goldsmith and Chris Carter, flanked by McKeno’s Nat Giancono and regional manager Di Gilleland.

The winners came from Land Surveys (Jason Armitage, Wayne Hourquebre, Grant Slater and Alan Macpherson), with runners up Jos Darvall and Brett McDonald (Timik), Marlene Boundy (Pilbara Institute) and Rick Cowan (Karratha Tray and Towing).

Karratha winners’ circle (l-r): Wayne Hourquebre, Alan Macpherson, Serhat Pukyaz, Jason Armstrong, Nigel Slater and Grant Slater.

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NO SHORTAGE OF PADDLES BUT STILL UP THE CREEK

A group of Broome builders participated in the 2014 Broome Rotary Club Dragon Boat Regatta in September, showing considerable talent to be one of only two teams not to capsize in the preliminary races and thus to finish in second place. Unfortunately, that’s where Team SOS’s luck ended, receiving a dunking in the first round of the finals and a call-out to the mercy boat. The winner’s flag went to perennial finalists Broome Surf Life Saving Club, but Team SOS is already in training to take on next year’s competition.

Kevin Archer, Anthony Cross, Michael Chester and Paul Denton at the Geraldton quarterly meeting.

New Master Builder member Security Co and long-standing member Sun City Plumbing jointly hosted the Geraldton Midwest Branch quarterly meeting at Security Co in September. Security Co WA supplies and installs stainless steel and aluminium security doors and window screens, roller shutters and Eurowood. Hosts Anthony and Tania Cross have built up the business and now cover the State’s North West. National sales representative Paul Denton from Queensland also joined them at the meeting. Michael Chester spoke on the growth of his well-established Sun City Plumbing business and the new inclusion of hire equipment. Michael and wife Jo are strong supporters of industry training and actively engage apprentices in the business.

MEMBERS HOLD COURT AT QUARTERLY MEETING

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Andrew Hunter receives his Master Builders Regional Apprentice of the Year Award from Construction Training Fund executive director Ralph Dawson.

GERALDTON APPRENTICE THE BEST OF THE BUNCH Geraldton painting and decorating apprentice Andrew Hunter is the 2014 Master Builders Regional Apprentice of the Year. The award was announced at the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards in Perth in November. The 23-year-old, who is now fully qualified, started his apprenticeship in 2010 with Associated Painting Enterprises. He tried a number of different trades in high school, eventually choosing painting because of the art and decorating aspect. According to Master Builders’ training director Neil Du Rand, Mr Hunter was a stand-out nominee who ticked all the selection criteria in terms of work and trade skills, personal attributes, ability to work unsupervised, a good relationship with other workers and competency in decision making.

“Andrew’s keenness to learn and strong work ethic made him a cut above the other nominees,” Mr Du Rand said. “Some of Andrew’s greatest strengths are his positive attitude and natural ability to perform under pressure. With activity levels in the building industry being buoyant at the moment, Andrew is assured of a very bright future in pursuing his career as a painter.”

Mr Hunter has previously won a number of Master Builders’ Midwest awards, including the 2014 Kevin Giudice Apprentice of the Year, the 2013 Master Builders Apprentice Encouragement Award and the 2012 Best First Year Apprentice for the Midwest region. The Master Builders Regional Apprentice of the Year is determined from among the best apprentices in regional WA. Mr Hunter competed against Anthony Brien, a carpenter from the South West, Jayde Ralph, an electrician from the North West, and Bradley Mostert, a Great Southern carpenter.

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Congratulations to Queensland Master Builders’ executive director Grant Galvin on raising funds for charity by walking the Kokoda Trail in September.

John Glasson, the CEO of Incolink – the largest redundancy fund in Australia – retires in December after 25 years’ service. John previously was employed at MBAV as its deputy director and IR manager.

Congratulations to Ellen and John Wauters (Wauters Enterprises in Albany) on celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in September.

An interested visitor at the World Skills Competition in Perth during September was Geoff Noble, the general manager of the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation, based in Melbourne. Geoff was particularly interested in the bricklaying competition, which included three apprentice bricklayers from WA. The overall winner was from NSW. Nicholas Coci from WA was placed third, which was a fantastic result across the whole of Australia.

Robert Wilson has been appointed director of training with Master Builders Australia. He replaces Dr Alex Maroya. Robert has also been appointed to the Construction Industry and Property Services Industry Council (CPSIC).

Master Builders’ director Michael Mclean met business coach, professional speaker and author Graham Harvey in September. Graham presented Michael with a copy of his fi rst book ‘Seducing the Vigilante Customer – 101 winning strategies to attract and retain happy customers and healthy profi ts’. Master Builders is planning a seminar featuring Graham Harvey in 2015. Stay tuned.

Thanks to Grant Rodoreda from Jackson McDonald who visited our West Perth offi ces twice a week to assist members with their contractual queries while Charles Anderson was on annual leave. Jackson McDonald is our legal partner, which members can access at any time through the Legal Hotline 1300 651 959.

Congratulations to Master Electricians Australia 2014 excellence awards winners Aurora Electrical Service (Accredited Master Electrician of the Year), CB Electrics (Residential Project of the Year) and S & K Electrical Contractors (Commercial Project of the Year).

The Construction Training Fund has appointed Kath Soumamis from John Holland to its board.

Darryl Lathwell is now working with Perkins Builders as business improvement and strategy manager, based in Perth.

The Australian Institute of Building has elected the following builders as Fellows: Jason Kunkler (PACT Construction), Peter Moore (Broad Construction), David Marshall (John Holland), David Eden (Brookfi eld Multiplex) and Wayne Dixon (Austindo). Congratulations to Mike Toohey (Broad Construction) on winning the WA Building Professional of the Year at the 2014 AIB Professional Excellence Awards. Mike was employed on Terminal 2 at Perth Airport.

The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia has appointed Dermott Costello as its CEO.

Congratulations to our life member Hub Mainwaring in Geraldton on becoming an octogenarian on the AFL Grand Final day.

Georgiou Group has employed Chris Cobin as organisational development manager and Travis Kingdon as national health safety environment and quality offi cer.

MBANSW executive director Brian Seidler has replaced Alex Maroya as a director on the board of the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation.

Leo Crohan has been appointed general manager at Ausco Modular.

Patrick Bohan, former chairman of our Geraldton Branch (1966-1968), died in August aged 81 after a long illness. Pat was a respected builder who was a member of our inaugural Geraldton Committee.

Congratulations to Greenco, this year’s Cbus Subcontractor of the Year, on celebrating its 50th anniversary in business this year.

JAXON has formed a multiresidential division within its business and was recently awarded a $19 million Department of Housing contract to build an 86-unit development in Queens Park. Kane Williamson will head up the multiresidential division at JAXON.

Paul Whyte has been appointed acting director general of the Department of Regional Development. Paul was previously the general manager commercial and business operations at the Department of Housing. Prior to that he was acting CEO at Landgate. He takes over from Paul Rosair who held the position for the past six years. Michael Rowe returns to his role as executive director policy and planning at the Department of Regional Development.

Mark Lawton has left Hays after fi ve years to be the general manager of another business. David Irvine, Chris Kent and Adam Cordery continue as Master Builders’ contacts at Hays Recruitment.

Rohan O’Grady has been appointed executive general manager at BGC Contracting.

Condolences to Phil and Mark Di Masi (Ventura Homes Group) on the passing of their father, Jack, in September after a long illness.

Maisonette Homes has been established to specialise in maisonette apartments. The company is part of the JWH Group of Companies.

Condolences to George and Mary Allingame (Pindan) and family on the passing of Mary’s father in September after a long illness.

Michael Neal has left the Trades North Clarkson Campus where he worked as a lecturer in carpentry to work as a building supervisor in the housing industry.

Offi ceMax has merged with Offi ce Depot to become a global company providing clients with a comprehensive range of offi ce stationery, furniture and other products. Master Builders and Offi ceMax have formed an alliance, offering members a great deal on the latter’s products. Contact Bronwyn at Offi ceMax on 9320 6976 for more details.

Former local government building surveyor Tony Monteleone died in September aged 70.

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David Rowe has been appointed executive general manager corporate affairs with BGC.

Scott Park and his team have launched B1 Homes to target the fi rst homebuyer market. The offi ce is located in Frobisher Street in Osborne Park. Darius Doutch has been appointed sales manager with B1 Homes.

Condolences to Phil Faigen, one of our arbitrators and the principal of All Points Building Consultants, on the passing of his father, Harry, in October.

Peter Parker has left APG after more than a decade with the ABN Group.

Stephen Aradt has been appointed general manager of Pindan Asset Management.

Former CEO of the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) of Australia Kirsten Rose has been appointed WA state manager of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dermot Costello is the new CEO of SEA.

A cheerio to Master Builders’ South West regional manager Geoff Bosustow who is making a good recovery from a short period in hospital in October.

Bill Pitt, the president of Master Builders Bowling Club, has returned from a three-month holiday to the

A get well message to Jeanette Doust, the wife of past president John Doust, who hasn’t been

USA and Canada with his wife Faye. The highlights were Connecticut, Alaska and the Inland Passage, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park. Bill has been reelected president of the Bowling Club for 2014-2015. Ivan Campbell has replaced Ross Stewart as deputy president and continues as games director, while Peter Bradbrook has been appointed secretary and Frank Saliba has been re-elected treasurer. Other members of the Club council are Cyril Dew, Roy Leonhardt, Colin Rutter, Brian Young, Mel Lemos and Steve Matthews. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean continues as Club patron. Any builders, contractors or suppliers interested in joining the Club or just playing a game of lawn bowls are encouraged to phone Bill on 6278 4755. The Club plays on the second Wednesday of most months at different locations, mostly north of the river.

enjoying the best of health in recent months.

Congratulations to Sharon Warburton, the executive director of strategy with Brookfi eld Multiplex, on winning the Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award for WA.

Jeffrey Knowles has been appointed operations manager with MPA Skills, based in Maylands.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt has replaced Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones on WA’s Heritage Council.

Former Northerley general manager Phil Helberg is now employed with Building Management and Works as an executive manager.

Leanne Hardwicke, executive offi cer of Engineers Australia has resigned. Alexandra Sparvell has been appointed acting general manager.

Long Serving DORIC-JAXON supervisor Jim Coburn died in October aged 76.

After a long innings spanning 33 years, Kilcullen Constructions (formerly Kilcullen and Clark) has ceased trading.

Darryl Whiteley is the managing director of Utilibiz, a consulting fi rm focused on delivering ‘sustainable business performance’ to its clients. Darryl was previously employed with the Water Corporation, Clough, Concrete Constructions and Interstruct-Kajima, as well as in overseas positions.

The Lexus Ball, which is held to raise funds for Telethon, had a new major sponsor this year – Perkins Builders, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015.

Paul Carpio has been employed by ReddiFund as its accounts and offi ce manager, replacing Norman Rose whose tenure was very short.

Gary Fitzgerald has joined Troy Olds from South Australia as a director of TECON Australia. Gary will manage Perth and Bunbury offi ces of TECON, a town planning consultancy fi rm.

Troy Galante has been appointed sales manager with Beaumonde Homes, which was established in 1986 by Troy’s father, Elio.

A big cheerio to ReddiFund CEO Murray Rzepecki who is recovering from shoulder surgery a few weeks after experiencing a mini stroke. Now into his 26th and fi nal year with the State’s redundancy fund, Murray’s health is his fi rst priority. Get well soon, Muzza.

Former BLF organiser Tony MacParland died in November. He previously unsuccessfully contested a union election against former secretary Kevin Reynolds.

Kris Green has been appointed senior electrical inspector with Energy Safety.

Condolences to Eddie Roe (True North Energy) on the passing of his mother in November.

Mates in Construction recently won a Life Award from Suicide Prevention Australia for its pioneering work. The award for Community Engagement was collected by Mates in Construction WA. To organise suicide prevention training for your company contact the organisation on 9463 6664.

IFAP, the Industrial Foundation for Accident Prevention, has been conducting Safe Way Awards for the past 35 years, the purpose being to reduce work-related injuries. Award recipients have either achieved 150 days free of lost time due to work injury or an agreed percentage reduction in work injury rates. Congratulations to the following Master Builder members on their Safe Way Awards this year: Georgiou Group (Platinum Status), Decmil Australia (Gold), BGC Contracting (Silver) and Paraplegic Benefi t Fund Australia (Silver). For more information about IFAP’s Safe Way Awards, visit www.ifap.asn.au.

Knight Frank has appointed Jenni Smith as an associate director in asset management services. Jenni is property manager for Master Builders’ Construction House.

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CHANGES AT WAGTS Donald McKenzie has taken over from Frank Allen as CEO of the WA Group Training Scheme. Tony Fitzpatrick replaces Andy Peppercorn as chairman of the board. Carly Bradley is general manager. Mr McKenzie (right) and Ms Bradley are pictured at a recent meeting with Master Builders’ director Michael McLean.

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY The late Ronald Douglas Scott, who passed away in September, was one of those remarkable West Australians who led an active life and achieved a lot in a most humble and unassuming manner. Born on 30 March 1928, Ron was an only child whose father was an electrician who died in a workplace accident. Ron grew up in the Fremantle area and took an interest in others at an early age. He loved fishing and once held the record for the largest dhufish caught in WA. Holidaying in Augusta with his family was a favourite leisure pursuit. Unbeknown to many, Ron was the 1968 state clay target shooting champion. He was a keen marksman and loved to show off his gun collection to the boyfriends of his three daughters. It was an example of Ron’s subtle way of communicating. Ron went to Fremantle Boys School and Wesley College before starting a carpentry apprenticeship with his stepfather. He studied at night school for his builder’s registration. With Tom Matyear (a Master Builders life member and past president), Ron formed Jaxon Construction. The company built many of the homes in Goldsworthy and the North West. ‘Scotty’, as some called him, served on Master Builders’ Council of Management and always had an interest in apprenticeship training, which he identified as the future generation of builders. Master Builders recognised Ron’s significant contribution to the building industry by presenting him with the Robert Law Award in 2005. He was extremely proud to receive the prestigious award. Ron married the love of his life, June Wagner, 60 years ago and they had three daughters and a son, as well as grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Sadly, June died just two months after Ron in November.

Ron and June Scott on the occasion of the presentation to Ron of Master Builders’ Robert Law Award in 2005.

Ron was a member of Booragoon Probus Club and a former director of the Royal West Australian Institute for the Blind. Above all else, however, he was a committed family man and caring neighbour who loved his family home in Bullcreek. His integrity and other personal traits have been universally admired by everyone who had the pleasure to meet him and get to know him. He was honest, affectionate, helpful, welcoming, non-judgemental and always believed in the best in people. Ron died peacefully after a long illness on 26 September 2014. We will be better off for knowing just one or two of his characteristics have rubbed off on us during our lives. Master Builders was represented at Ron’s funeral at Fremantle Cemetery by Association director Michael McLean, life member Bob Greaves and past president John Doust.

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CURTIN CALL Curtin University is renowned for its practical teaching and producing some outstanding graduates in its Construction Management program. To maintain its stature, Curtin has appointed Professor Steffen Lehmann as its new Head of the School of Built Environment in the Humanities Faculty. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean recently met Professor Lehmann and Dr Monty Sutrisna with a view to discussing how Curtin and the Association can work more closely together. Professor Lehmann previously lectured at Adelaide University and enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Master Builders South Australia. An important priority for Curtin is to expand its research capacity. Mr McLean says Master Builders is keen to bring forward relevant research projects, which will benefit Association members and industry. “Should you have any suggested topics for research, please let us know,” he said. “One research project we are keen to progress is how our industry will look in 20 to 30 years. This will have a big bearing on the type of skills required to carry out the jobs being undertaken.”

New Head of the School of Built Environment at Curtin University Professor Steffen Lehmann (centre) with Dr Monty Sutrisna (right) and Michael McLean.

Mr McLean said formalising a strategic alliance between Master Builders and Curtin University is next on the agenda.

VALE JACK KIRKNESS Jack Kirkness died in September following a battle with an asbestos-related disease. He was a much respected and admired person who had assisted Master Builders for about a decade by providing safety inspections and safety training for members. Master Builders’ safety team staff who worked with Jack included Darren Ridley, Michael Fitzgerald, Michelle DeGalt-Rohlf, Carolyn Fitzgerald, Neil Beer and Wayne Richards, all of whom benefitted greatly from Jack’s friendly and humorous personality, as well as his knowledge and expertise in the building industry, particularly his approach to safety. “I found Jack to be a pleasure to work with,” says Michael Fitzgerald who was Master Builders’ safety manager from early 2006 to mid2009. “His knowledge, friendly personality and dedication to safety within the construction industry were a tremendous help to me and to Master Builder members.”

Jack’s expertise was also appreciated by other organisations for which he worked. In 2001 and 2003 Jack won individual Safety Awards while working for the Office of Facilities Management at the University of Western Australia. The November 2003 UWA News stated: “This year, his nomination came from BGC Construction, and was signed by seven of their management, supervisory and safety nominated personnel. The construction managers, site foremen and various tradespeople from BGC have been associated with Jack over the past four years and said they always found him to be extremely knowledgeable and professional in matters of safety. ‘His approach to issues of safety and health are of a no-tolerance approach, which we, as responsible builders, appreciate,’ they said.” Jack worked for a number of builders, including Landmark Constructions, Geraldton Building Company, Comco Constructions, AV Jennings and James Hardie Remote Housing Division. He also worked for UWA as a senior technical building officer from 1998 until he retired. One of his OSH duties was to point out the dangers of working with and removing asbestos from worksites and the importance of doing so with care and the highest levels of safety. His final lecture dealt with this in depth. It is ironic that it was this very product that caused his death. Jack was a friend of Master Builders, and part of the team. He will be missed by many in the industry who knew him. Master Builders was represented at his funeral by Michael and Carolyn Fitzgerald.

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In 2009, Peter Hunt was presented with Master Builders’ Robert Law Award. He is pictured receiving the award from George Allingame.

INDUSTRY THE POORER FOR LOSS OF HUNT Doyen of his profession, Peter Hunt, who died in November, will be missed not only by his architect colleagues, but also by WA’s and the wider building industry. Peter was the founder of the eponymous, vastly experienced and highly regarded architectural practice Peter Hunt Architects. He started his pursuit of architectural excellence at the Perth Technical College in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He won the Morawetz Travel Prize, which allowed him to study and work overseas during which time he was employed by two of London’s foremost architectural practices and travelled widely in Europe. On his return to Perth, he resumed his career with the Public Works Department, lectured at the Perth Technical College and then set up his own practice in 1970. Many WA and Eastern States design awards demonstrate Peter’s reputation for architecture of excellence. He collected nine Australian Institute of Architects awards in three States, including WA’s top architects’ accolade, the George Temple Poole Award, presented to him in 2002 for the WA Police Academy. His firm designed 15 WA and NSW Master Builders’ construction excellence winners and Master Builders WA named his firm the State’s best architectural practice three times. Other award-winning projects Peter was associated with include Challenge Stadium, the Department of Land Administration offices, Subiaco Oval Southern Stand, the Town of Vincent Council offices,

Hobart’s Derwent Entertainment Centre, Townsville’s Breakwater Entertainment and Convention Centre and several major Sydney complexes. Peter strongly believed in nurturing young architectural students and graduates. He was involved in the architects’ mentor scheme in the 1980s and his practice has a philosophy of encouraging and employing architectural students and graduates. In 2000, the same year he was made a Life Fellow of the Institute of Architects, Peter initiated a $10,000 annual prize for Curtin University architecture students for overseas travel, research and study. He was awarded the 2007 Architects’ Board Award for this contribution to architectural education. In 2009, Master Builders honoured Peter with the Robert Law Award, the annual award presented by the Association in recognition of exceptional service to WA’s building industry over many years. At the time, Master Builders’ director Michael McLean said Peter not only strove for the highest quality in design and workmanship, but also had a passion to share his knowledge and encourage promising individuals. Peter died aged 76. Despite battling cancer, he worked on almost to the end. A memorial service in Subiaco drew hundreds of mourners who came to pay their respects.

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Since starting at Master Builders Skye McCartney has happily fulfilled a number of changing roles. In the past 12 months she’s settled for an important new challenge as executive assistant to the director and also racked up something of an employee longevity milestone. Executive assistant Skye McCartney says every day at Master Builders brings fresh challenges.

PEN PORTRAIT: SKYE MCCARTNEY What is your current position at Master Builders? I am the executive assistant reporting to director Michael McLean. How long have you been working at Master Builders? My first day with the Association was 20 October 2009, so just over five years. Who has been your biggest work inspiration? I would have to say my boss, Michael, has been a big inspiration. He gave me the chance to work as his executive assistant over a year ago and having the opportunity to learn everything he knows about the industry has been amazing. Also having the chance to work with other senior staff at Master Builders has been a great experience because the wealth of knowledge at the Association is just huge, which means I am always learning. Over the years who inspired you the most? That would be my dad’s mum and dad. My grandparents were very family orientated and taught me the most valuable thing, which is that you never know what is around the corner so you have to enjoy life while you can with no regrets. I would also have to say my mum because after she had her stroke she has been a big inspiration showing me that anything is possible and can be achieved no matter what the odds are. What do you enjoy most about working at Master Builders? Every day is something different and there is always a new challenge along with new things to be learnt. What would you say is your biggest achievement over the years? My biggest achievement has been grasping the opportunity to work in the executive assistant position. Working with Michael has been such a great chance to learn so much more about the building industry and also to understand a lot more about what Master Builders has to offer the industry. Another achievement has been to be a driving force to promote the Master Tradesman Classification and brand. I really believe in this initiative by Master Builders to help those tradies who want to show

consumers and the industry that they are different to the average Joe working in the industry. Master Tradesmen are tradies who are committed to delivering customer service and quality workmanship’. What is the most interesting thing about working in the construction industry? The most interesting thing about working in this industry is the different types of characters you get to meet. What’s your favourite part of your job? Being a part of a family. Working at Master Builders is like having a second family. I would also have to say being involved with something that is trying to make life better for an industry that is a massive driver in the community. What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy doing many different things depending on the time of year. In summer I enjoy going to the beach and just getting some sunshine, but if it is winter I don’t mind staying in and watching movies or reading a good book. Otherwise I normally use my spare time to catch up with friends and family. I also like spending time with my puppy, Kyza, who gets a lot of my attention on the weekends and nights after work. Where is your favourite place to visit? My hometown of Geraldton is top of the list, but I also love going down to Margaret River and finding good places with great food and wine. What has been the best advice/quote you have received? “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present”, and also “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” What would say is the best part of your job? It’s all the interesting people I get to meet and deal with on a daily basis. I have met some amazing people who have such interesting stories and have achieved some amazing things in their working lives. I would have to say that’s the best part of working at Master Builders.

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BALCONY COLLAPSE BRINGS PAIN FOR BUILDER AND COUNCIL Builders, building surveyors and designers have an important role to play in the supply and maintenance of safe, energy-efficient buildings.

Builders need to be aware of the importance of their role in the building process, and how decisions they make might have an impact on them years after they have completed the work and moved on to new projects. A balcony collapse in 2004 has resulted in a liability ruling against the local Council and the builder. The judge cleared the owner of any liability for the injuries sustained by people on the balcony at the time of the collapse, or duty to have the structure regularly inspected by a structural engineer. Focusing on the technical issues rather than delving into the legal aspects of the situation, it was concluded that the balcony design and/or construction and the approval were inadequate. As builders, you rely on the designer, structural engineer and ultimately your supervisors and tradespeople to ensure a building is completed in accordance with the relevant building standards. In WA, only electrical and plumbing contractors, builders, building surveyors and painters are registered contractors and practitioners. For obvious electrical safety and sanitary requirements, electrical and plumbing installations cannot be undertaken by unlicensed contractors. The remainder of industry is widely self-regulated.

Permit. The execution of the building work rests with the builder. It is here that failure might result from the lack of documentation detail or inadequate supervision of all aspects of the construction to the minimum building standards indicated (or implied) on the plans and specifications making up the Building Permit approval. The implementation of the Building Act has seen an improvement in the quality of documentation for approval. However, this is only where improvements have been demanded by the building surveyor or builder. It remains that there are no minimum standards for design documentation.

of documentation, as often they are not prepared to pay for the work required. Designers need to speak up when they are not sure about compliance with building standards. Listing compliance with the BCA, ‘relevant standards’ or ‘builder/manufacturer specifications’ does not provide sufficient detail for the construction. Advise clients of the importance of the structural engineer, and ensure the suitability of the design for the environmental exposure, as well as the actual requirements of the noted standard. Material durability, corrosion protection, wind terrain category and soil conditions should all be taken into account.

Broadly referencing the BCA and Standards has become the norm where details are not provided. This is problematic when the drawings actually conflict with a BCA or Australian Standard reference or notation. The builder or contractor is left to determine what is compliant and how to resolve any design and compliance conflicts.

Assess the main risks of the proposed work and ensure the higher risk aspects are covered; for a balcony the framework needs to detail the member sizes and fixings, as well as any bracing required. Work with a building surveyor so the proposed work will be documented to a suitable standard for the builder to construct.

Returning to our real-life example of the balcony collapse (which caused serious injuries), minimum standards are in place to protect the occupants of buildings from this exact hazard. Had the plans been suitably documented, the Council requested more suitable details, and the Builder checked the timber and fixings used, the outcome would have obviously been quite different.

Checking for compliance Building surveyors need to demand more information to document compliance rather than relying on the Australian Standards and Building Code of Australia references. Work with the builder, the client and the designer to ensure the end product will achieve compliance, rather than provide advisory notations and conditions for the minimum standards.

Adopting the ‘She’ll be right, mate’ attitude might be okay for low-risk no-consequence decisions made on-site. But unfortunately, she won’t be right when one of these incidents results in complaints, disputes and, sadly, injuries or death.

The builder should ask questions Builders need to ask questions of the design documentation and use their experience to identify issues with design. Push back substandard documentation for clarification and check contractors are not taking short cuts. Accepting substandard documentation and work puts your registration and reputation at risk. As the builder, you are ultimately responsible to ensure the construction of the building meets building standards. In submitting the BA7 form to the Permit Authority within seven days of completing building work the subject of the Building Permit, you are declaring and signing that each building you build is compliant.

The designer documents plans and provides a general specification for the proposed building work to address the client brief, compliance with Council planning and other conditions, and makes reference and details the plans for compliance with the main BCA and Standards requirements.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and this should serve as a wake-up call to all builders, building surveyors and designers as to the important role they have in the supply and maintenance of safe, equitable and energy-efficient buildings. Occupants of a building throughout its lifetime rely on this design, approval and building expertise.

Building surveyors, either in Council or as private certifiers, check the design documentation is compliant with relevant building standards. At times, they include a further set of compliance requirements to satisfy themselves the design can be issued with the BA3 (Certificate of Building Compliance) required for the Building

Getting the design right Registration or qualifications might not be the answer to improving the standard of plans and specifications. Designers need to set the benchmark for minimum standards of building work documentation. Unfortunately, consumers are the drivers in the quality

Master Builders provides training for builders and supervisors on the BCA and standards at the Jolimont Training Centre. Contact Master Builders Training on 9441 8000 or visit www.mbawa.com for the Association’s training calendar.

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STEPS TO TAKE WHEN BUILDING WORK ENDS Master Builders’ technical adviser Romina De Santis looks at a number of situations builders need to keep in mind at the conclusion of their projects.

Completed building work Builders would be aware of the requirement to submit a BA7 (Notice of Completion) to the Permit Authority. But builders must remember that practical completion and compliance with a Building Permit might or might not occur at the same time. Builders must ensure that on completion of building work the subject of the Building Permit, the BA7 notice, is lodged with the Permit Authority. This might be independent of PC. The Notice of Completion must be lodged within seven days of completing the work. Sometimes things don’t go to plan, and unapproved amendments can occur during the construction process. The builder must ensure that these amendments are checked for compliance and potentially require a Certificate of Building Compliance from a registered building surveyor. This process must be completed before the BA7 is lodged. This is because the BA7 is a declaration from the builder that the work is completed in accordance with the Building Permit and approved plans. If this is not the case, do not lodge the BA7 until these issues are resolved.

Penalty for not providing a BA7 to the Permit Authority: $10,000. Building permit expiry The Building Permit has a shelf life of two years. This is important to remember when, due to the scale or any delays that occur, you have a long duration project. Keep an eye on the time, as a Building Permit needs to be extended or you will be building without a valid permit. Reapplying may mean that your development needs to be reassessed for compliance with a more recent edition of the Building Code or other applicable building standards, as it would require a new Certificate of Design Compliance. Renewing your existing Building Permit means the work continues with the original documentation and any imposed conditions. Use the BA22 – Application to Extend a Building or Demolition Permit. Dispute leading to cessation of building work Not all projects go as planned, and when a dispute causes the builder to cease work before it is completed, it is important the builder protects his/her interests and lodges a Notice of Cessation (BA8).

This ensures no further building work can occur on the site, as the builder to whom the Building Permit issued is no longer responsible for the site. The form requires details on the stage construction has reached, allowing for any future Building Permit to be issued for the works required to complete the development. Penalty for failure to provide Notice of Cessation to Permit Authority and building owner: $10,000. All forms are available on the Building Commission website. For queries regarding these forms or processes, contact Romina De Santis at Master Builders on 9476 9800 or email Romina@mbawa.com.

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TOP APPRENTICE AWARD TO YOUNG BRICKIE Nicholas Coci, a third-year apprentice bricklayer employed by ABN Training and working for Celebration Homes, is the 2014 Master Builders Apprentice of the Year. Mr Coci was one of eight finalists and a record number of more than 100 entries from around WA entered in the prestigious awards. His win and a range of other prizes were announced at the annual Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in November with a record crowd of more than 420 apprentices, builders, contractors, trainers, sponsors and other supporters, including family members attending. Winners came from among apprentices directly indentured to employers and through the Department of Finance Building Management and Works and apprentice schemes ABN Training, Skill Hire and The Apprentice and Traineeship Company. The Ric New Medal For Excellence and Ric New Rising Star awards were also presented on the night. The awards’ judging criteria included personal skills, trade skills, relationship with fellow workers and contractors, ability to work unsupervised, ability to make decisions, level of competency, academic results and awards, non-academic awards, prizes or achievements and community work. According to Loris Moriconi, ABN Training’s apprentice program manager, Mr Coci always displays a positive attitude towards anything he does and approaches life with a can-do attitude. “It makes me proud that Nicholas is one of our apprentices because of all the great work he has achieved during his time with us,” Mr Moriconi said. Mr Coci also competed in the 2014 National World Skills competition in Perth against the best young apprentices in Australia and came third in the bricklaying category. In recognition of winning the Master Builders’ top apprentice award, he received $1000 and was automatically nominated as WA’s representative in the National Master Builders’

awards in Canberra, where he competed against the best apprentices from all States and Territories. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean congratulated Mr Coci on his outstanding achievements in the most competitive field in the 10 years the apprentice awards have been running. “At a time when good bricklayers are in high demand, Nicholas Coci is entering his trade at the perfect moment to showcase his talents,” Mr McLean said. “Nicholas is a stand-out apprentice who possesses all the skills and personal attributes to have a successful career in the building and construction industry. It is also a credit to his employer and trainers through the years to produce such a fine apprentice and role model for the bricklaying trade.” The awards judging panel was Ralph Dawson (executive director of the Construction Training Fund), Robert Spadaccini (Master Builders’ senior vice-president and managing director of Spadaccini Homes) and Neil Du Rand (Master Builders’ training director). Other finalists for the top apprentice award were: • Jackson Fleay (carpentry, Skill Hire). • Robert Southwell (carpentry, The Apprentice and Traineeship Company). • Aiden Longbottom (electrical, The Apprentice and Traineeship Company). • Damien Harrington (plumbing, Select Plumbing). • Emma Burgess (bricklaying, Home Group WA). • Jarett Lim (wall and floor tiling, APG Homes). • Andrew Hunter (painting, Associated Painting Enterprises). Mr Harrington was named the year’s best direct indentured apprentice. Ms Burgess was awarded Outstanding Female Apprentice and Mr Hunter was judged Outstanding Regional Apprentice. Mr McLean said Master Builders acknowledged the generous support of the award sponsors, especially Cbus and Building Management and Works which were the major partners.

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MASTER BUILDERS APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2014 RESULTS MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Outstanding Regional Apprentice Outstanding Female Apprentice Outstanding Direct Indentured Apprentice Outstanding Wall & Floor Tiling Apprentice Outstanding Direct Indentured Brick & Blocklaying Apprentice Outstanding Group Scheme Brick & Blocklaying Apprentice Excellence in Recycling Award

Nicholas Coci Andrew Hunter Emma Burgess Damien Harrington Jarett Lim Emma Burgess Nicholas Coci Josh Branchi

ABN TRAINING 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year Most Improved

Hanz Xavier Toby Polkinghorne Nicholas Coci Andrew Riddiough

SKILL HIRE 1st Year Electrical 1st Year Carpentry 1st Year Bricklaying 2nd Year Electrical 2nd Year Carpentry 2nd Year Bricklaying 3rd Year Electrical 3rd Year Carpentry 3rd Year Bricklaying 4th Year Electrical 4th Year Plumbing & Gasfitting Safety Award

Jordan Boyd Mason Griffiths Nontachai Wetchayan James Cam Luke Rawlins Jack Jones Brandon Nuttell Jackson Fleay Ben Stewart Pare Jones John Sciacca Cable Logic

THE APPRENTICE AND TRAINEESHIP COMPANY 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year Host Employer of the Year

Zachary Rainsford Robert Spence Aiden Longbottom Mark Moodie Andel Plumbing and Gas

BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND WORKS Outstanding Electrical Apprentice Outstanding Plumbing Apprentice Outstanding Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice Outstanding Female Apprentice

Dion Brayshaw Alex Sweeney Robert Southwell Alicia Hodson

MARK ALLEN MEMORIAL FUND Apprentice Safety Award Employer Safety Award

Dale Abbott Cable Logic

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The 2014 Apprentice of the Year was Nicholas Coci from ABN Training, who also took out the Brick and Blocklaying Award (group schemes) and ABN Training’s Outstanding Third Year Apprentice.

The crowd was entertained by one-man band James Wilson.

The Outstanding Regional Apprentice was Andrew Hunter (second from right), pictured with finalists Anthony Brien and Bradley Mostert and judging panel member Ralph Dawson.

Outstanding Female Apprentice winner Emma Burgess (left) and finalists Alicia Hodson, Martika Moffat, Kayla Huggins and Kylie Beard with Master Builders’ director Michael McLean. North Metropolitan MLC Peter Katsambanis, representing Training and Workforce Development Minister Kim Hames, addresses the Apprentice of the Year audience.

Talented line-up: the Apprentice of the Year finalists with winner Nicholas Coci (third from left).

Comedy hypnotist Matthew Hale created an unlikely orchestra on stage at the awards.

The Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrated a world of colour.

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APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD SPONSORS

Crowther Blayne is an Australian leader in business-to-business online and print publications for a variety of industries worldwide. Crowther Blayne publications provide businesses with the broadest possible audience and target the most relevant decision-makers. By providing a platform of the highest quality, products and services are presented in the best possible light to the marketplace. If you have a specific enquiry about our services, or simply want to get in touch, please contact: Trish Riley | National Sales and Marketing Manager | P: 1800 222 757 | trish@crowtherblayne.com.au | crowtherblayne.com.au

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TRAINING REVIEW SETS PRIORITIES A review of Master Builders’ training business has found that most members are happy with the quality of the training provided by the Association and are keen to see those standards maintained, but with more accredited qualifications and units of competency to be offered. Curran Consulting was appointed to conduct the review and a working group has since formulated the strategic purpose for training. This includes delivering relevant, quality training that is efficient, affordable and sustainable to increase the WA building and construction industry’s skills and knowledge. The Association’s Board has approved the strategic purpose and an implementation plan. The first priority is to grow the number of nationally accredited qualifications on the Master Builders Registered Training Organisation’s scope. Other priorities are to conduct a needs analysis on a regular basis and to improve the business’s marketing strategy. Addressing industry training (l-r): Association Board member Jack Pleiter, director Michael McLean, Janet Curran of Curran Consulting, Association senior vicepresident Rob Spadaccini and training director Neil Du Rand.

The aim is to deliver greater communication with Association members and for Master Builders’ Training to become the training provider of choice.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON COURSE Master Builders Australia has given a tick of approval to a range of recently announced Federal Government training objectives.

mentoring, which has a proven record of reducing apprenticeship cancellations,” Mr Harnisch said.

“Government reforms will put the vocation back into vocational education and training,” CEO Wilhelm Harnisch said recently. “The Industry Minister has correctly focussed the Government’s reform of the VET sector to provide relevant training with a job as the outcome. The reforms elevate trades and vocational education as an essential part of Australia’s economic future and of equal value to a tertiary degree.”

Master Builders welcomed the Government’s Australian Apprenticeships Support Network, which will focus on delivering outcomes for employers and apprentices and reducing red tape and paperwork compliance.

Mr Harnisch said builders want to employ more people to help meet strong current and future demand and they welcomed the high priority to be placed on connecting employers with appropriately skilled workers and apprentices. The industry has seen significant change in the way buildings are constructed, requiring different skill sets for which there are no appropriate accredited training courses. Current full trade qualifications needed to be complemented by different skill sets. “The initiatives announced by Industry Minister Ian McFarlane are in line with Master Builders’ calls for a new apprenticeship model. This needs to tackle declining apprenticeship commencements and completions through demand-driven training relevant to employers’ needs, through better career advice and pathway programs and through apprentice

“The Government’s initiative will be positive for the building industry to help boost recruitment and retention of apprentices,” Mr Harnisch said. “Just as youth unemployment has been rising, apprenticeships in the building industry have continued to decline, resulting in the numbers currently in training being less than half what is needed for the industry’s ongoing skilled workforce requirements.” Mr Harnisch said Master Builders had been calling for a sustainable apprenticeship model that better meets the needs of young people and the industry, with the Australian Apprenticeships Support Network an important step in this right direction. He also said the Training for Employment Scholarship and Youth Pathways programs would be a welcome boost for young people and building industry employers in regional communities. “Those initiatives will enhance the ability of regional builders to invest in the futures of young people in their communities and their businesses,” he said.

Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch.

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KAZAKHS LOOK TO CHALLENGER FOR TRAINING EXPERTISE

The Kazakh delegation at Challenger’s state-of-theart Building Technologies Training Facility.

When the first and only president of Kazakhstan issued a decree to improve the country’s vocational education system, a perfect partner was found on the other side of the world. Challenger Institute of Technology was one of just a handful of global partners enlisted to assist. With a remit to develop and reform the training sector in the ninth largest country in the world, Kazakh company Kasipkor was enlisted to scour the globe in search of the right institutions to guide the important transformation. It was a search that recently culminated in a delegation of Kazakh educators paying a twoweek visit to Challenger, including a multi-day tour of the institute’s new Building Technologies Training Facility in Rockingham. Challenger was the only Australian TAFE partner selected by Kasipkor. Other international partners came from the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and Canada. With its capital Astana one of the fasting growing cities in the world, an adult literacy rate of almost 100 per cent, a debt-free and

resource-rich economy growing at a faster rate than China’s, Kazakhstan is the envy of much of Asia and the world. The partnership between Challenger and Kasipkor focuses on improving curriculums, course delivery and assessment methods in the construction and information technology sectors. Two Challenger lecturers, Colin Wilkins and Peter Owen, earlier visited Kazakhstan to deliver a professional development program to 50 Ministry of Education teaching staff. The construction and IT lecturers offered insight into the modern approach of technical and vocational trainers within their respective specialty areas. A delegation of the 12 highest achievers from that program in Kazakhstan have toured Challenger, taking part in workshops, seminars and campus visits to learn more from Challenger and how to bolster their own vocational training infrastructure. Speaking through an interpreter during a visit to the Rockingham campus, delegate member Saken Zhanatuly said one of the differences he had noticed between his own country and his Australian host was Challenger’s close relationship with industry.

“Your students have a much closer link to employers through apprenticeships and other programs, and you consult with industry in the formation of your curriculum, whereas we have far less of this sort of cooperation,” Mr Zhanatuly said. Course specialisation was another area in which the visitors were keen to follow the Challenger and Australian model. “Our students spread their training over a whole industry, but do not always acquire the specialist skills required to produce quality work, so it has been refreshing to see how your students focus on one specialty, such as plastering or plumbing, rather than everything related to construction,” delegate Almagul Mukasheva said.

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MASTER BUILDERS’ TOP APPRENTICES EXCEL AT WORLDSKILLS

Wall and ceiling fixer Luke Montford (24), a graduate apprentice from Ceiling Solutions, represented WA at the WorldSkills competition. Master Builders’ 2013 Apprentice of the Year Sam Lewis (20), a graduate apprentice from Dale Alcock Homes South West, competed in the WorldSkills bricklaying category.

Perth hosted the 13th national WorldSkills Australia competition in September, with Master Builders’ award-winning apprentices featuring prominently.

Master Builders’ training director Neil Du Rand says there were a number of apprentices who were finalists in the 2013 and 2014 Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards.

WorldSkills Australia aims to encourage Australians to celebrate vocational education and training, as well as promote the benefits to young people of learning a skill or pursuing a skill-based career. Organisers say WorldSkills Australia is the nation’s premier showcase of youth skill and trade excellence. Competitions alternate on a two-year cycle. Regional competitions flow into national events and national competition winners, if eligible, can become members of the Team Australia Skillaroo.

“They showed that they were deserved finalists with Jarett Lim being judged the best wall and floor tiler in Australia,” he said. Mr Lim (22), a second-year apprentice with APG Homes, was a finalist in this year’s Master Builders Apprentice of the Year and was named Outstanding Wall and Floor Tiling Apprentice at the awards. He was presented with the WorldSkills Gold Medal in his trade and was the Tjerk Dusseldorp Best in Nation Recipient for the highest-scoring competitor among about 500 apprentices in all trades.

WorldSkills Australia says the event is more than the country’s largest and most prestigious trade and skill competition. It unearths ‘Skill Ambassadors’ – perfect role models for young Australians who are contemplating their futures, and examples of what can be achieved in a trade or skills-based career.

The 2014 Master Builders overall Apprentice of the Year, Nicholas Coci, has a string of accolades to his name, including ABN Training’s best third-year apprentice. He also took out the trophy in the WorldSkills Gun Trowel speed test, involving building a fourbrick pier in spiral pattern with red and cream bricks, with his work being judged best in terms of line, level and plumb and height.

The event is held biennially, with the venue alternating among States. The three-day competition at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre provided entrants with the opportunity to benchmark their skills against their peers in more than 50 specialised competition categories, including the construction trades.

Outstanding wall and floor tiling apprentice Jarett Lim with the work that earnt him the title of best in Australia.

Gun Trowel speed test winner Nicholas Coci at work.

He was presented with a golden trowel engraved with the title of fastest trowel – no mean feat for an 18-year-old – and also won a bronze medal for bricklaying.

Mick Ivey (20) hard at work on his way to a bronze medal after placing third in the WorldSkills National competition. Mr Ivey completed his wall and floor tiling apprenticeship in 2013 while working for West Wide Tiling Service. He was Master Builders’ 2013 Best Wall and Floor Tiler.

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APPRENTICE COMMENCEMENTS ON THE RISE The Construction Training Fund’s (CTF) publication ‘Construction Industry Snapshot Western Australia’, released in November, shows that on a year-to-year comparison to the end of August there was an increase of nearly 23 per cent in construction apprentice commencements (excluding electrical) and an increase in electrical apprentice commencements of almost seven per cent. “Following a peak in 2010 and decline in the following two years, the trend has been a small increase in commencements in most trades since 2012,” the CTF report says. “The marginal increase of commencements during this period will impact on the number of apprentices in training over the next 36 months. Given the recent significant growth in industry activity it is important to encourage an increase in commencements in order to sustain the industry’s future skilled workforce needs.”

The snapshot says that although at a lower level than previous highs, construction apprentice commencements (excluding electrical) during the year September 2013 to August 2014 have improved by 22.9 percent compared to the same 12-month period the previous year. “Overall, commencements have increased by 16.3 percent comparing the year September 2013 to August 2014 to the same 12-month period September 2012 to August 2013,” it says. “The electrical apprentice commencement figures have recovered after declining in the first half of the year. Latest figures now indicate a growth of 6.82 per cent. All trades have seen an increase in apprentice commencements, with bricklaying increasing by 45.1 per cent and wall and ceiling fixing increasing by 68.3 per cent.”

The report provides up-to-date data on economic, employment and training issues affecting WA’s construction industry. The construction industry employs 10.45 per cent (annualised) of the overall State workforce. There were 146,610 people working in the construction 12-month period. The industry workforce increased by 9100 people in the last quarter.

DON’T WASTE YOUR SKILLS

COMMUNICATION EDGE FOR VENTURA Master Builder member Instant Waste Management had an impressive display at this year’s Skills West Expo at PCEC. In attendance when Association director Michael McLean passed by was Jake Hickey, Instant Waste Management’s state resource development manager. According to Mr Hickey, there was keen interest among students and teachers about recycling options. Most people didn’t realise how much waste the building and construction industry generated, he said.

Ventura Home Group recently engaged Master Builders’ Training to improve communication for 60 of the company’s employees. Association training director Neil Du Rand reports that Heartware Group trainer and managing director Dawn Russell conducted four training sessions. “These included a number of exercises, group work and discussion with everyone participating and actively contributing while achieving positive outcomes for all,” he said. “The courses were conducted at Master Builders’ Training Centre in Jolimont and the feedback from the participants was very positive. They felt that it was one of the better courses they had attended and had given them a lot of ways to improve and have better communication.” Master Builders can provide a range of private training for companies. Contact the Training Centre on 9441 8000.

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BUILDING INDUSTRY REDUNDANCY FIGURES HIGHLIGHT VOLATILE SECTORS The ups and downs of the building and construction industry means many companies face laying off employees or closing their doors.

ReddiFund (formerly the WA Construction Industry Redundancy Fund) has marked its 25th anniversary by releasing some surprising figures on WA’s construction industry redundancies. ReddiFund, established in 1989 to manage the Construction Industry Award’s eight weeks’ pay for four years continuous service where an employee’s employment was severed, has paid out a staggering $151,317,826 to employees during its period of operation. In releasing the figures, Jill Dixon, ReddiFund’s business development manager, said a total of 50,165 employees working in many areas of the construction industry have benefitted from the fund. The fund was established with a dual purpose: • To protect employee entitlements to ensure workers had financial security between periods of employment. • To retain skills within industry during periods of low construction activity. The highest payment made to an individual was $49,742, while the highest employer claim ever made was $900,677 in August 2012 on the winding up of Global Integrated Resources. Many people have the impression claims are primarily for high-rise construction workers, however, the highest amount of money paid out, $38,392,898, has been for carpenters made redundant. This demonstrates the ups and downs within the industry. Labourers were next with $13,861,734 worth of claims. Others in the top 20 are ceiling fixers, riggers, plumbers, scaffolders, sprinkler fitters, steel fixers, crane drivers, painters, bricklayers, concreters, wall and ceiling fixers, duct installers, plasterers, roofers, building supervisors, dogmen and glaziers. Ms Dixon says she is often asked by employers why the redundancy fund exists when they are able to make redundancy provisions themselves. She says the reality is that while most employers have good intentions, sometimes these funds get consumed when a

ReddiFund business development manager Jill Dixon.

company runs into troubles. This results in the employees missing out on their redundancy entitlements and the company directors putting themselves at risk of fines up to $51,000 if they are found to be in breach of the Award. She says that owing to the nature of the building and construction industry, many companies have to either temporarily lay off employees or close their doors. Fortunately, there are good employers who ensure that their staff entitlements are protected from the unforeseen, by depositing the funds with ReddiFund. The fund holds payments in trust and provides workers who have been made redundant with the financial relief they are entitled to when it is needed. Over the years, 2825 companies have registered with the fund, with the current number of contributing employers being a little under 1000. The fund not only pays out employee entitlements when redundancies occur, but carefully invests the money to make substantial profits, which have been ploughed back into the local building industry via a range of grants.

These include: • A grant to Master Builders to establish an initial training centre. • Funds for the MPA Training Centre for acquiring tools and equipment. • Provision of the initial IT system at the training centre in Maylands. • Provision of a spray-painting booth and simulated high-rise plumbing facility at the Bayswater site of the Master Plumbers Association. • Funding to Master Builders to establish and enhance its website and associated IT equipment. Employers interested in joining the fund should contact Jill Dixon on 9481 0259 or jdixon@ reddifund.com.au.

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KEEPING ABREAST OF SUPER CHANGES Superannuation continues to evolve. A snapshot of recent changes and announcements shows that the super guarantee rate increased to 9.5 per cent on 1 July, with the rate proposed to be frozen until 20 June 2018. Thereafter it will increase by 0.5 per cent a year, reaching 12 per cent on 1July 2022. Other changes: • Excess non-concessional contributions – proposed to apply retrospectively from 1 July 2013. In the 2014 Federal Budget, the Government announced the ability to withdraw excess non-concessional contributions made after 1 July 2013, instead of being taxed at the top marginal tax rate. • Concessional contribution caps – 1 July 2014. There are caps on how much can be contributed to super and taxed at the concessional rate of 15 per cent. (A tax rate of 30 per cent applies if your income is more than $300,000.) The caps for 2014/15 are

$30,000 for those less than 49 years old as at 30 June 2014 and $35,000 for those aged 49 or over. • Flexibility in the SuperStream implementation date for employers. The Government announced it is focused on helping employers to comply with the SuperStream data and payment requirements. To assist with this implementation they have relaxed the date employers must meet the requirements. For employers with less than 20 employees, the date is 30 June 2016. For those with 20 or more employees, it is 30 June 2015. Insurance update Insurance cover offers peace of mind for insured Cbus members and their families. Cbus has paid out in excess of $1 billion to members and their families in insurance benefits, with over $170 million paid out in the 2012/13 financial year.

Cbus celebrated its 30th anniversary on 1 July. To bring Master Builders up to date with the fund’s performance in 2013/14 and its new self-managed superannuation product, Chris Lockwood (centre) visited Perth in November. James Moore (right), Cbus partnership manager in WA, joined Master Builders’ director Michael McLean at the meeting.

BUSINESS OWNERS CONFIDENT OF GROWTH PROSPECTS RSM Bird Cameron’s thinkBIG 2014 study shows businesses are anticipating growth and the stabilising national economy is inspiring confidence.

Small to medium-sized enterprise owners are more confident about business growth thanks to a stabilising national economy, according to RSM Bird Cameron’s thinkBIG 2014 study. Of those surveyed, 64 per cent of business owners anticipate growth in the next 12 months, while 46 per cent also reported revenue growth in the past 12 months, 34 per cent reported no change and 20 per cent reported a decline. The study measured the pulse of the Australian SME sector for nine years. It benchmarks business growth and profitability, business planning, exit planning and superannuation. The 2014 study saw 504 business owners participate, providing insights into how Australian SMEs feel about their businesses. RSM Bird Cameron business solutions director Craig Ridley says increased revenue growth might be a result of the market entering a period of recovery. “The increasing stability in the nation’s economy inspires confidence in SME owners, and this is reflected in the upward trend of revenue growth,” Mr Ridley said.

RSM Bird Cameron director of business solutions Craig Ridley.

Another possible hallmark of increased activity and recovery in the marketplace is the potential for interest rates to remain constant or increase. Ninety-four per cent of business owners agree, according to the study.

Mr Ridley said that while the rate of recovery continues to be patchy across the WA economy, there are certainly signs of improved conditions within the building and construction sector, which should lead to growth.

“This is a double-edged sword,” Mr Ridley said. “At a micro level, among those expecting an increase, it is widely anticipated (by 77 per cent of SMEs) that increasing interest rates will negatively impact the business with a direct effect on cash flow. In 2013, significantly fewer SME owners indicated that their business would be negatively impacted by increasing interest rates.

“The focus of all business owners now is to make sure this growth phase is profitable and that those profits are used to improve the sustainability and capacity of the business,” he said. “Businesses that have not taken the opportunity in recent years to reduce debt levels will be more vulnerable to the impact of potential interest rate rises.”

“Given the economic downturn of recent years, businesses have been focused on consolidation and survival rather than growth. As a result, those businesses which have been profitable have worked to pay down their debt, in turn reducing the potential impact of interest rate rises. Currently, there are signs of increasing activity in the market, and the economy is showing signs of recovery. This encourages SMEs to start shifting their focus and resources towards growing their business.”

For an objective assessment of your profit and growth opportunities, contact Craig Ridley at craig.ridley@rsmi.com.au. As a special offer to Master Builder members, Mr Ridley will help develop an initial strategic growth plan free of charge.

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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FORECASTS FOR 2015 AND BEYOND In a must-read summary, LEVESYS has compiled the latest data from the most reputable industry bodies.

This year was forecast to be one of big change for the Australian construction industry. And it certainly has been a big year! But as 2014 draws to a close, what are our most reputable forecasting bodies expecting to happen in 2015 and beyond? And how do things differ for WA compared to the east coast? We have compiled all the latest information below to assist you in your 2015 preparations. The big picture Over the next year, total construction work, including all sub-sectors across all States, is set to decline overall by 3.9 per cent in current dollar terms, according to Australian Industry Group forecasts. The decline is projected to continue at a slower rate of 1.2 per cent in 2016. This forecast decline follows more than a decade of sustained growth, driven by Australia’s previously booming mining sector. However, as you can see below, while mining is decreasing, real opportunities still remain in numerous other sub-sectors across the country. A Master Builders nation-wide survey has shown a clear improvement throughout 2014 in business conditions and profitability (Graph 1). This survey has also shown that builders continue to have positive expectations for the building industry and that their business activity will improve over the next six months.

Graph 1. Business Conditions 2014. (c) Master Builders Australia.

The most recent Australian Industry Group-Housing Industry Association Performance of Construction Index indicated there was consecutive monthly expansion in the construction industry for almost half a year now (AIG and HIA, 2014). So which industry sectors are expanding and where is the work? AIG director of public policy Peter Burn summed up the situation, saying “residential and commercial construction continued to lead the rebalancing of the economy away from the emphasis on mining investment”. This idea is reflected in more detail below. Residential construction Residential construction, particularly the construction of apartments, is set to be the big growth area over the next few years. As its own industry sector, residential construction saw “stellar growth” in 2014, and while projections are extremely positive, the forecasts show maintenance of these elevated levels, rather than future growth (Harley Dale, HIA, 2014). New housing starts are forecast to reach 190,000 nationwide in 2015, which will beat the previous peak in the 1994 boom (Dr Kim Hawtree, BIS Shrapnel, 2014).

The driving demands for residential construction stem from Australia’s rapid population growth (1.7 per cent per annum), strong price growth and record low interest rates (HIA and BIS Shrapnel, 2014). Renovations are expected to increase by 1.1 per cent in 2015 and 2.1 per cent in 2016 to become a $28.7-billion construction subsector. The true leader is, of course, apartment construction, forecast to rise by another 11.5 per cent in 2015 and 6.3 per cent in 2016. Commercial construction Across the country the value of commercial construction work is expected to grow by 6.1 per cent in 2015 and 3.2 per cent in 2016 (AIG, 2014). These forecasts stem from a range of large projects in the pipeline across the States, with major developments underway. The large commercial construction projects are increasingly privately funded toward 2016. Master Builders has previously stated that by the end of 2014, nonresidential construction would recover to its highest level since the Global Financial Crisis set in (Graph 2). Master Builders has cautiously suggested that this may be the anticipated transition towards nonmining business investment.

Graph 2. Non-Residential Conditions. (c) Master Builders Australia.

Engineering construction Overall, the engineering construction industry is expected to experience a decline of 7.5 per cent in 2015 and 3.4 per cent in 2016. The numbers in this sector are somewhat deceptive, however, as the sector is clearly divisible into two groups: mining construction and infrastructure construction. As we are all aware, mining construction in Australia is decreasing at an accelerating rate. During 2015, the value of mining sector work is expected to contract by 15 per cent and at an increased rate by 2016. The oil and gas-processing sub-sector is providing the biggest drag on mining activity, a decrease of 25.1 per cent in 2014 (AIG, 2014). Infrastructure construction, however, presents a brighter picture. There is forecast to be an increase of 8.2 per cent in the telecommunications sub-sector and a 6.1 per cent rise in other civil construction projects in 2015. By 2016, infrastructure work is set to experience a five per cent growth due to rail and road construction, telecommunications and other civil projects. (Graphs 3 and 4 present the forecasts for construction industry sub-sectors for 2015 and 2016).

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Graph 3. 2014-15 Forecasts by Construction Type. (c) AIG.

Graph 4. 2015-16 Forecasts by Construction Type. (c) AIG.

Graph 5. Western Australia by Sector. (c) Master Builders Australia.

Western Australia WA saw significant momentum from the mining boom. However, with the boom over and rapid decline occurring in this sub-sector, what is in store? Firstly, the decline in engineering construction is not all doom and gloom. The level of engineering construction activity will remain at healthy levels. It is mostly mining-related categories that will experience the steep decrease over 2015 and 2016.

Next steps Remember, your business is individual and flexible. Much opportunity exists across WA and nationwide. In the competitive construction industry, staying streamlined in terms of costs and business practices is a must. Take the time to review your business processes, software systems and broader business plans to ensure your company is continually improving its competitiveness.

The State’s residential building recovery, fuelled by the mining boom, will struggle to maintain its momentum. However, it will continue to be positive and strong. Falls in population due to those from other countries and States returning home as their mining-related work ceases will also impact the residential building industry and drive the reduction in demand. It should be noted though that while residential construction is forecast to fall by one per cent in 2015 and two per cent in 2016 (Master Builders, 2014), these are only slight reductions and come amid significant growth in this sector, so opportunity still remains quite strong for residential builders.

For more information about these forecasts or streamlining your construction company, contact LEVESYS on 07 3004 6100 or at info@levesys.com.

Non-residential building is also forecast to trend down following the strong growth phase. Master Builders is expecting a 12 per cent reduction in 2015 and a nine per cent reduction in 2016. A three per cent increase, however, is currently forecast for 2017. This therefore shows a decelerating reduction with light at the end of the tunnel. Not ideal for non-residential builders, but not catastrophic (Graph 5).

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Why Brick? LONGEVITY, DURABILITY

Think Thermal Comfort Human thermal comfort is the state of mind that expresses satisfaction with the surrounding environment and was first explored by Ole Fanger in the 1970s. Fanger’s studies of thermal comfort found that not everyone will be satisfied by a particular set of environmental conditions, but in ranges of conditions about 80 per cent express satisfaction. The then Australian Greenhouse Office defined thermal mass in the following way: “Thermal Mass is the ability of a material to absorb heat energy.” A lot of heat energy is required to change the temperature of high-density materials like bricks, concrete and tiles. They are therefore said to have high thermal mass. Lightweight materials such as timber have low thermal mass. Appropriate use of thermal mass throughout your home can make a big difference to comfort and heating and cooling bills. • Correct use of thermal mass moderates internal temperatures by averaging day/night (diurnal) extremes. This increases comfort and reduces energy costs. • Poor use of thermal mass can exacerbate the worst extremes of the climate and can be a huge energy and comfort liability. It can radiate heat all night during a summer heatwave, or absorb all the heat you produce on a winter night. • Incorporating materials with inherent thermal mass into buildings will reduce their reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, which saves on energy consumption while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. • Research currently underway at the University of Newcastle proves this and has shown double brick or ‘cavity’ brick construction to be the most effective way of building thermal mass into the average family home. • The research found that an insulated cavity brick home was almost 18 degrees Celsius cooler than the outside temperature without any artificial cooling. Think Sound Insulation Whether between rooms within a home or from noise outside, brick provides superior sound insulation. So whether it’s the garbage truck outside at 5am or your teenager’s drum kit at 11pm, you can enjoy

more peace and quiet in your own home. The heavy mass of clay brick masonry is ideal for acoustic insulation, particularly for low-frequency noise, while cavity masonry walls have the added benefit of isolating impact sounds. It possesses an inherent resistance to the passage of airborne sound, which makes it a superior performer in attenuating low-frequency, airborne noise caused by building mechanical systems, elevators, amplified music, traffic and aircraft. Although some alternative systems may perform as well as masonry for frequencies in the speech range, these lower mass systems have difficulty insulating against lowfrequency noise. Think Durability Brick is permanent. Once it’s built it remains weatherproof and age proof. Brick doesn’t get tired like man-made materials, so it requires virtually no upkeep or repairs, giving you both peace of mind and a sound home. Bricks don’t rust or erode, rot or decay, bend, twist or warp. Australia is a country of extremes. At any one time, different parts of our continent can be experiencing bushfires, floods, severe storms and drought. And climate change researchers suggest that conditions may soon become even more harsh. Brick is a great protector against all extremes of the Australian climate – heat and cold. Many brick buildings only improve their appearance with age – The Great Wall of China is still looking great after more than 2,000 years. Brick doesn’t need paint or other treatments to maintain aesthetics and durability. Even after 50 years it is still strong, reliable and relatively maintenance free, saving you on the cost and time required to upkeep lighter-weight materials. Most brick colours and textures hide rain streaking, whereas plain or painted wall finishes such as render tend to show these, and if damaged are expensive and time-consuming to repair. If you are building within 1km of surf coast and 100m of non-surf coast, or on harsh soils (such as former tip sites or converted industrial land) you should use Exposure Grade bricks. These bricks are made to withstand high salt conditions. In conditions like these, Exposure Grade bricks are the most affordable building material and have been designed for harsh Australian conditions.

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Think Sustainability Bricks have thrived over thousands of years because of their longevity, durability and a number of factors that contribute to their inherent sustainability. They require minimal maintenance, create highly energy-efficient buildings and perform multiple functions, reducing environmental impacts from other materials. Think Energy Efficiency If you’re about to build a home, you have a lot of things to think about. And none more important than the material you build your home from, at which point we urge you to Think Brick. Brick insulates in a way most materials do not. It keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, saving on energy bills and making your home a more comfortable place to be. Did you know heating and cooling make up 39 per cent* of the average home’s energy use? By combining bricks and insulation in your home, you can save on heating and cooling, decreasing your energy bills by up to 25 per cent *. That’s around $500 a year in savings. What’s more, with energy bills predicted to rise in the next few years, these savings are only going to get bigger. (*Sources: Australian Greenhouse Office; Sustainability Victoria; Industry & Investment NSW) By using bricks in conjunction with good solar, passive design and insulation, homeowners can now create a house that requires no artificial heating or cooling in nearly all parts of Australia, significantly reducing energy use. Building with brick helps reduce internal temperature fluctuations, ensuring comfortable living and working conditions throughout the day or year. Brick’s exceptional thermal mass means that it absorbs heat and slows down heat transfer. In summer, brick gradually absorbs heat from the sun and keeps the building cooler during the hottest part of the day. In winter, the brick holds the building’s heat longer, keeping occupants warmer. For more information, go to www. designingforclimate.com.au. Over a 50-year period, life-cycle analysis (LCA) shows that most energy (89 per cent) is used in the operational phase of a house, rather than in the building process. In particular, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning represent a bigger source of greenhouse gas emissions than manufacture and construction, so it makes sense to focus on building your house to reduce operational energy by using materials with a high thermal mass such as brick. Think Fireproof Bricks are non-combustible and don’t assist the spread of fire, making them ideal for building in bushfire-prone areas. Clay bricks normally do not suffer any structural damage after a fire and can be reused, even as load bearing walls. After all, Bricks are kiln-fired at temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius (a standard kitchen oven operates up to about 250 degrees Celsius). Bricks alone won’t fireproof a building –timber and plastic are flammable and glass shatters in the heat – but building in brick will provide a strong foundation to protecting your investment. Brick has long been a popular choice with architects and building designers because it blends easily with existing buildings, while offering endless sculptural capabilities, as well as intricate detailing. The latest trends in open-plan living are easily achieved with brick and there is the added benefit of excellent sound insulation. There are now over 800 colours to choose from and many different finishes from sleek glossy blacks and metallics to rough-hewn rustic bricks with a hand-crafted appearance. Whether the site is a contemporary cliff-top retreat, innercity live/work terrace, school, art gallery or heritage-restoration project, there are bricks to suit any building style.

Think Life-Cycle Performance Life-cycle analysis is not just about the energy used to create a material (embodied energy), but also the energy used once the house is built (energy efficiency). Thanks to brick’s thermal mass, a brick house performs across all areas of a life-cycle analysis: durable and long lasting, energy efficient and low maintenance. So, if you assume a brick home will stay standing for 50 years, then brick’s overall energyefficiency performance is similar to that of other popular building materials. But the longer a brick home stands beyond that the more energy efficient it becomes across its life.

ABOUT THINK BRICK Think Brick Australia represents Australia’s clay brick and paver manufacturers. We aim to inspire contemporary brick architecture and building design in all areas of the built environment: commercial, residential and landscape. Think Brick Australia undertakes extensive research, provides technical resources and training to ensure clay brick is recognised as a pre-eminent building material by leading architects, developers, builders and property owners. In Australia the brick industry is worth $2.8 billion to the economy and creates employment for 30,000 people nationwide in the manufacturing and installation of its product. Bricks have been produced in Australia since the arrival of the First Fleet and are intrinsically linked with the great Australian dream of home ownership. After all, property is often referred to as ‘bricks and mortar.’ THINK BRICK AWARDS We inspire new thinking in building design and architecture. Each year we run the Think Brick Awards to encourage architects, designers and builders to rethink brick, concrete masonry and roof tiles as contemporary and sustainable design materials. SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH We invest in research to ensure brick products and forms of construction lead the debate on sustainability. In partnership with the world-ranked University of Newcastle we are undertaking Australia’s most extensive research into the thermal performance of masonry and other materials. The findings of this research will assist Government and the building and construction industry to create more energy-efficient buildings. TECHNICAL RESOURCES Think Brick Australia can offer a wealth of technical resources, including technical manuals, case studies, general reference guides and research findings.

For more information visit: thinkbrick.com.au.

Two new ways to stand out in a world of reds, browns and creams.

The use of grey is one of the strongest designer trends in decades, it’s also one of the world’s most enduringly chic, complementary colours. That’s why we’ve created two, brand-new, premium-quality grey bricks. Nouveau Grey is available in our Traditional Collection and Shale is the latest edition to our popular Contemporary Collection. For all the impressive details of these two, innovative and reassuringly affordable Brikmaker products, call 1300 729 933 or visit brikmakers.com now. South Guildford

Subiaco

Myaree

Armadale

Neerabup

1/260 Kalamunda Road

Home Base Expo, 55 Salvado Road

1/98 Norma Road, Cnr McCoy Street

33 Stone Street

Lot 31, Turnbull Road, Cnr Avery Street

INSPIRING INNOVATION

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FEATURE interiors & fitouts DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

STONE CLADDING

a natural choice for interiors In the competitive hospitality industry, a well-designed space can mean the difference between customers walking past and coming in, and is vital to creating an enticing overall dining experience. Commercial properties seeking upmarket European-inspired design, particularly hospitality venues, can achieve an elegant, rustic setting with the use of stone cladding. The versatility of stone cladding also extends to walls, fireplaces, water features and wine cellars, as well as landscaping design elements. Sultan Amasheh at Oliver & Co Design, who specialises in restaurant fitouts, used a European-inspired design for a recent café fitout in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly. “On-trend design was important to set French Twist Café apart from other food outlets in a busy environment,” Mr Amasheh said. “We wanted to create a relaxing, yet prestigious experience and an interior that would transport patrons to Europe.

“We were seeking finishes that would add texture to the space, complement the colours of the classic brasserie fare and be a natural backdrop for our French-inspired metal, wood and leather interiors.”

“We wanted to create a relaxing, yet prestigious experience.” “The stone walls are the distinguishing feature of the café’s design, and have a strong visual impact that brings the whole space together. The feedback has been overwhelming – customers and centre management regularly comment on how relaxing and inviting the space is,” he added.

Visual appeal Designed to be used for exterior and interior areas, manufactured stone cladding is also well suited to composite architectural designs, complementing materials such as brick, timber and glass, and helping to create dramatic visual appeal. While natural stone can deliver a design element to residential and commercial projects that is unmet by other building materials, the downside is that it is often a costly and difficult material to build with due to its weight and inaccessibility. David Bird, general manager of Boral Bricks East, said architects and builders are increasingly embracing the benefits of manufactured stone cladding as a highquality, affordable and accessible alternative to natural stone. “Cleverly engineered to look like traditional stone, the manufactured stone cladding product has a number of benefits that technology can provide,” he said.

interiors & fitouts FEATURE 93 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

“The manufactured stone cladding product has a number of benefits.” “As a manufactured material, Cultured Stone is light in weight, low post-installation maintenance and, in most applications, does not require painting, coating or sealing after installation. It also has 54 per cent recycled content, making it practical for many commercial and residential projects. “People want to be in touch with nature. There is a growing interest in the use of naturallooking materials, especially the look and feel of natural stone,” commented Mr Bird. Stand out interior designs Michael McCann, principal of award-winning architects Dreamtime Australia Design, used stone cladding throughout in Manly’s Whitewater restaurant on Sydney’s northern beaches.

He sought out stone cladding in rich brown and golden tones, not readily available in natural stone. “Our objective for Whitewater was to create an outstanding beach house-style restaurant on a café strip. The look included lime wash boards and lots of white, so we needed to balance that with the relaxed, natural feel of stone,” he said.

What’s new? In the wake of emerging trends and changing design styles, Mr Bird said a range of effective stone cladding solutions continue to be available in a wide choice of colours, shapes, sizes and textures, specially crafted to achieve the look of stone. “Housing styles, including cladding colours and textures, are constantly changing,” he said.

“The beach house design included a backdrop of stone-behind-glass in the kitchen and an open fire as a focal point in the restaurant,” he added.

“This ensures builders and architects nationally can confidently offer their clients a natural stone look alternative that meets evolving interior and exterior design trends,” he added.

The stone cladding used was easily adaptable to all these applications as it’s easy to cut, has a flat back for a flush fit against walls and includes corner pieces to finish sharp angles.

Credit: Article kindly provided by Boral

94

FEATURE steel DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

DEMOUNTABLE STRUCTURES: a game-changer for the construction industry

New research has revealed that reusing steel in its existing form is not only more cost effective than recycling methods, but also has enormous environmental benefits. Producing steel The amount of steel used in a country is an indication of the standard of living, since it is a major component of all infrastructure developments1. But it can also be expensive, accounting for a high proportion of construction costs. Producing steel, like many other building materials, comes at a high environmental and financial cost. Using Australian-made steel can reduce some of the impact on the environment since the steel does not have to be freighted from overseas, plus the high quality means there is less reworking and maintenance required. Australia is also a world-class recycler of steel, but remelting the steel consumes only marginally less energy than producing steel from scratch. The increased focus on sustainability in the building industry, coupled with the ever-increasing need for more steel for infrastructure projects, prompted the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Faculty of

robust components and connections is a potential roadblock in building demountable structures intended for long-term use. However, some encouraging results have been seen from testing and analysis carried out to compare demountable forms with traditional structural forms and this issue may be straightforward to overcome. Mitigating risk factors In reusing the materials from dismantled buildings, it is vital to be able to trace the materials for safety and compliance purposes. Damaged components can be a hazard and it would be essential to mitigate this risk. These are issues that can be addressed relatively simply. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a relatively new technology that has been widely adopted in the design and construction industry. Put simply, it lets designers and builders visualise the structure in three dimensions, then adds two further dimensions to help in the planning process, including time and cost. Manipulating one dimension affects the other four, resulting in a detailed and comprehensive view of the project. The BIM makes it possible to trace the materials that are used in a project and then potentially reused in the future. This would be done by barcoding the steel and including those details in the BIM as a matter of routine. Thus the industry can develop and manage a list of used materials that are available for use in new projects.

“Reused steel can cost effectively speed up the building process and protect the environment.” Engineering to research ways to reduce the environmental impact of steel and the cost to building projects. The research found that demountable structures could be a game-changer for the construction industry. Because demountable buildings can be taken apart at the end of their life, the components can be reused. This type of recycling does not involve remelting the steel because it is simply reused in its existing form. In this way, reused steel can cost effectively speed up the building process and protect the environment. Demountable classrooms were a feature of most people’s school days, and demountable structures were also used for travelling shows or other temporary purposes. These were usually built for short-term use, but if they could be constructed for bigger, longer-lifespan projects then they could potentially reduce the cost and environmental impact of these projects significantly. Like anything designed for short-term use, most demountable buildings were not built to withstand the test of time. Developing stronger, more

Because this happens in the earliest planning stages, it has the potential to reduce overall project costs significantly. The environment would also benefit from the ability to easily reuse materials without producing new steel or re-smelting existing steel. New structures using old steel could be unstable or dangerous if the steel used was previously damaged. Without recording the damage, this steel could be used in critical parts of the building without anyone knowing, presenting an unacceptable danger. This can be overcome through structural health-monitoring techniques. These techniques make it possible to gather information about stresses, strains and deformations throughout the structure’s life. This could be recorded against the steel’s barcode so that unusable steel was removed from the construction process. Creating a viable market Used steel is already a part of the new project construction process by way of falsework, but is removed once the building is stable. For used steel to become an integral part of new projects, it is necessary to

Can you take the risk that you might be using non-compliant steel?

Liable. (adj.) Legally obliged or responsible; answerable. Liable to happen.

• • • • •

As construction professionals using non-compliant steel could be your worst decision. Engineers, certifiers or suppliers have the responsibility and power to refuse the use of unidentifiable or non-compliant steel. You manage the risk to human safety, reputation, livelihood and cost. Control your risks of non-compliance. Reduce your liability through simple web downloads of ACRS Certificates at www.steelcertification.com Check your steel products’ compliance to AS/NZS Standards and building codes.

ACRS rigorously certifies steel product compliance at over 150 locations in 15 countries and is accredited by JAS-ANZ For more detail, register for STEEL CERTIFICATION NEWS at www.steelcertification.com

Non-compliance is just not worth it. Get the facts. Demand the ACRS Certificates of Product Compliance.

Call ACRS on (02) 9965 7216, email info@steelcertification.com or visit www.steelcertification.com ACRS – The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd ABN 40 096 692 545

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FEATURE steel DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

create a viable reused steel market. Much like the used car market, it would need to be regulated and transparent. New steel stockists could potentially include reused steel in their inventory, making it simple for builders to access the steel they need.

Cradle to Cradle initiatives have been adopted in places like Malaysia, which in addition to industrialised building systems has seen quite significant effects on the construction of urban infrastructure. Australian organisations would be highly encouraged to emulate this type of example or risk being left behind when it comes to sustainable building practices.

“Rethinking and reusing steel is far less energy intensive than recycling.” For a used steel market to be successful, designers and construction companies would need to work together. The amount and type of reused steel would need to be specified in the original design and it would need to be accessible for builders. A successful market would also depend on smart regulation, effective collaboration and industry support. Government incentives would provide a strong impetus for a used steel market.

There needs to be a refocus on the four Rs: Rethink, Reduce Reuse and Recycle. Much of the past discussion has focused on reducing and recycling, but rethinking and reusing steel is far less energy intensive than recycling and will result in far greater benefits overall. Article kindly provided by Brian Uy, Professor of Structural Engineering and Director of the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety at UNSW. End Note: 1 http://steel.org.au/about-our-industry/

Refocus needed in Australia Current green building ratings do not go far enough but, if modified, green building rating schemes can encourage the reuse of steel. The Sustainable Construction Panel of the Institution of Structural Engineers in the UK, of which I am part, has put forward proposals on this topic. The industry must take some responsibility for driving this concept forward. The Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard offers a standard for developing products according to quality categories relating to human and environmental health. The Netherlands and USA are leading the world in steel reuse initiatives through this standard.

Goodwill Engineering’s manufacturing facility is able to provide a wide range of building hardware that services both housing and commercial construction. Our range of products can also be made from stainless steel to satisfy the requirement of withstanding a higher corrosion environment. We also supply Hoop Iron (roof tie down straps) that meets the BCA & WA Building Commissions requirements. Galvanised Z600 coating and marine grade 316 stainless steel; both are available in 1.8m, 3m or rolls in varying lengths. Our manufacturing capabilities allow us to provide a wide range of light engineering processes that can service both commercial construction and the mining industry. Our head office is located at:

337 Victoria Rd (cnr Camboon Rd) Malaga WA 6090

Telephone: (08) 9249 3444

E-Mail: gwe@goodwillengineering.com.au

Facsimile (08) 9249 3573

www.goodwillengineering.com.au

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Lysaght remains trusted name in Australian steel From humble beginnings 157 years ago, Lysaght is now the trusted experience in steel, delivering excellent products and customer service. Lysaght is a proud division of BlueScope, Australia’s largest steelmaker. Our products are made from industry-leading brands such as Colorbond, Zincalume and Galvaspan. For generations, Australians have relied on our 100 per cent Australian-made steel products and iconic brands such as Custom Orb, Klip-Lok and Bondek, which have become the industry benchmark. Our quality products undergo extensive performance testing, and also come with a BlueScope warranty for our customer’s confidence and peace of mind. For more than 150 years Lysaght has been the trusted experience in steel: you only have to look at the iconic designs of corrugated roofs to see the impact we’ve had on Australian communities. In 1857, 25-year-old Irishman John Lysaght first saw the potential in corrugated iron sheeting and started exporting to Australia under the trademark “Orb.” Sixty years later, Lysaght opened its first manufacturing mill in Newcastle and has been manufacturing highquality, Australian-made steel-building products ever since. Today, we work with people across all sectors of the construction, industry, including residential, commercial and community. We’ve never rested on our laurels though, because it’s our commitment to making

WE’RE LYSAGHT WE’RE THE TRUSTED EXPERIENCE IN STEEL • • •

Roofing Solutions Walling Solutions Rainwater Goods www.lysaght.com Ph: 08 9454 1111

quality products and delivering genuine and helpful customer service and support that has guided us since John’s humble beginnings to the national network we have today. As a company we’ve always seen the big picture. We’ve helped shape Australia’s landscape and the Australian way of life, and we like that our work intersects with the lives of so many every day. It’s the reason we continue to work closely with customers and communities. Our teamwork has created new jobs, supported growing local businesses, and even helped rebuild after devastating cyclones and bushfires. When you’ve been in business as long as we have, your people become your best asset. We know our customers value knowledge, experience and personal service, which is why Lysaght staff are trained to think across multiple disciplines and contexts and work in partnership with you. Whatever the solution you’re looking for, our people are located throughout Australia and are always ready to assist you. For more information contact: Phone: 08 9454 1111 Website: www.lysaght.com

98

FEATURE training & recruitment DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Boosting women’s

participation in industry Recruiting more women to male-dominated industries such as construction and manual trades is vital to addressing projected skilled labour gaps.

The building, construction and property services industries are generally perceived to be ‘male dominated’, with the representation of women remaining low across all levels. Key contributors include; industries struggling to attract women to consider and apply for jobs and challenges in engaging and retaining the women who have chosen to work in these industries. However, the stimulus for change is growing and there is now a focus on increasing the representation of women in these industries. The organisations that embrace these changes, and actively develop and implement strategies to attract, recruit and retain women, will reap the economic benefits of gender diversity and equality and be the most competitive and sustainable in the long term.

Recruitment challenges ahead Women represent around 11 per cent of the workforce in the construction sector and as little and one per cent of the manual trades, presenting serious problems on the horizon for the construction industry. Approximately one in five workers is approaching retirement age, and a further 26 per cent are between 45 and 55 years old; replacing these retirees alone renders a big recruitment challenge. In addition, research by the Construction Industry Training Board 2014 estimated that 182,000 extra jobs will be created in the next five years as the economy improves.

“Women represent around 11 per cent of the workforce in the construction sector.”

Women underrepresented in industry Women represent almost 46 per cent of all employees in Australia and in many sectors there is continuing growth of women in leadership positions. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency reports that in 2011 over 33 per cent of managers reporting in organisations were women. Industries that have the greatest representation at all levels include health care, education, training and retail trades. In industries described as ‘male-dominated’, including mining, construction and utilities, the picture is vastly different. Not only are women underrepresented in leadership and managerial roles, they are also underrepresented across all levels of organisations.

Given the projected loss of skilled labour over the next few years, it is clear the construction industry cannot just sit back and do nothing. The sector does face a challenge in recruitment, with most young people having little idea of the wide range of employment opportunities available. The industry must overhaul its recruitment campaigns and change its image and culture if it is to become an attractive modern employment choice. Culture change is essential to make the industry more welcoming of women. Working on this would enhance the image of the construction sector, showing it as a modern, diverse and inclusive industry: a career destination. To achieve substantive gender equality and the resulting economic benefits, key stakeholders need to increase representation of women and to strengthen the pipeline of female talent within all industries, including those that currently have a primarily male workforce pool.

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

Designing a career in the building industry A range of professional, nationally recognised building and construction courses are now available online through the Open Training and Education Network. What’s the difference between a ‘drafty’ and a building designer? Well, it’s all about a professional approach to design in the building industry. With Australians becoming increasingly more discerning when it comes to building and design, the Building Designers Association, Australian Institute of Building and Australian Institute of Building Surveying continue to play an active role in raising the profile and professionalism of building industry practitioners across Australia. BDA has been instrumental in the development of the new, nationally recognised building design courses. Building design is also moving towards recognition as a profession through TAFE qualifications rather than university degrees. TAFE NSW has moved away from lower level trade training and is now at the forefront of the increasing professionalism of the building industry. You can now study a building industry course online through the Open Training and Education Network (OTEN). As the specialist distance education centre at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, OTEN has over 100 years of experience delivering quality online education and training to currently over 90,000 students across Australia and internationally.

OTEN also delivers a number of nationally recognised building and construction courses. These include Certificate IV in Building, in Estimating and in Site Management, the Diploma of Building, the Diploma of Building Surveying and Diploma of Building Design. With OTEN, you can enrol in any of the building industry courses offered at a time that suits you, so there’s no need to wait until the start of semester. Professional teachers with years of industry experience are also available by phone or email to help you progress through your course. The good news for those currently working in the industry is that your experience and knowledge could be recognised, allowing you to fasttrack your way to an industry qualification For more information contact: OTEN Building and Construction Teaching Section Phone: 02 9715 8557 Website: www.oten.tafensw.edu.au.

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FEATURE training & recruitment DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

“Culture change is essential to make the industry more welcoming of women.” Addressing current barriers for women Earlier this year, the Australian Human Rights Commission held interviews and round-table discussions with employees in the mining, construction and utilities industries that highlighted a number of barriers that must be addressed to increase women’s representation. These barriers include: • Lack of family role models: Girls are not exposed to career paths in the mining, construction and utilities industries as early or as often as boys. Many boys learn about potential roles in these industries from their fathers or other male relatives. However, girls are not likely to come across these opportunities until later in life. • Stereotypes and gender bias starting at school: Career decisions are reinforced with educational choices made during school and postsecondary education. Given this role stereotyping, girls are more likely to consider education and careers in the humanities or social sciences rather than engineering or technical fields. • Negative perception and lack of awareness: Even with the ‘right’ education, relatively few women are choosing to consider and apply for roles within traditionally male industries. Part of the reason is a negative perception of the industries or anecdotal feedback from others. Another factor is a lack of awareness of the career paths that are available within these industries. • Stereotypes and myths about women in the workplace: Organisations within these industries are not addressing the stereotypes and assumptions about the sort of work women can do, have the skills to do, their potential performance and their commitment to their careers. Fostering interest among employers from the top-down, regardless of whether SME’s or large organisations, to embrace gender diversity as a positive workplace culture is essential if we are to increase job placements for women and streamline job transitioning and career advancement.

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT The following is a snapshot of women’s representation across non-traditional industries in Australia: All industries: Construction: Mining: Utilities:

45.7% of employees 33% of managers 11.8% of employees 16% of managers 15.1% of employees 13% of managers 22.6% of employees 16% of managers

By identifying barriers that inhibit women’s representation and facilitating initiatives to improve outcomes for women, we can improve corporate outcomes, women’s outcomes, and when we improve outcomes for women we improve family outcomes and community outcomes. Non-traditional industry stakeholders, enterprise, educators and government (of all levels) need to be focusing more attention and resources on location, attraction, inclusion, engagement, encouragement, empowerment, development, retention and visibility of women. There is great social benefit, in attracting women to underrepresented industries, by enabling career development through additional education, training, assistance in job transitions and engagement. * Article by Sam Sheppard OAM, founding director, Buildmore Group. Originally published on www.constructmycareer.com.au.

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Scott Cam - To do a good job, it is so important to have the right tools. To run a successful business, it is just as important to have the right software. Beams has all of the features and functions in one software package and it just works. Beams has been around for over 20 years and they know what is needed.

ESTIMATION The Estimation module of BEAMS with CAD Image, provides all the necessary tools to complete and produce accurate, cost-effective and personalized estimates for your clients before contract.

CONTRACTS Including all the features of the Estimates module, plus create variations and purchase orders. Time Line Scheduling allows you to track all onsite activities. With BEAMS Mobile for your Supervisor, the office and site is connected and you’ll never suffer scheduling nightmares again.

JOB TRACKING - From Sales leads – this is now integrated with Beams. Beams Prospects - Focuses on presales where the relationship between a company and the customer is managed. This includes capturing leads from the website, emails and other correspondence and tracking them. Beams Administration - Once a lead is won, the administration work begins on that lead and it is tracked as the job progresses to contract or conversion. The software allows you to customise as many processes as necessary to cover all your different business requirements. Beams Customer Portal - All communication between your customer and your company is managed. Customers are given a username and password so that they can check their job status and request more information. BEAMSBuild Software | ph. (08)9454 7760 | fax. (08)9454 7782 web. www.beamsbuild.com.au | email. enquiries@beamsbuild.com.au

ACCOUNTS Full accounting functions allowing you to enter all invoices, make payments, issue progress claims and receipts effortlessly. Progress Automated Taxation processing. Payroll with job allocation timesheet. Detailed financial reporting including Cashflow projections, Work In Progress and Profitability Reports.