In the media
Go8 supports PJCIS approach to protecting
Australia's critical infrastructure
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and
Security (PJCIS) recommendation to adopt a
two-step approach to protecting Australia's critical
infrastructure (29 September 2021). More...
Architects lay down challenge for carbon-neutral
building
Australia's debate about reducing carbon emissions has
widened to construction, with the lobby group for architects, the
Australian Institute of Architects, mounting a push for the
building industry to be net carbon zero in as little as nine
years' time (28 September 2021). More...
Fears wharf strikes will bring construction to its
knees
The construction industry has been dealt another blow as
industrial action cripples ports across Australia, adding pressure
to an already constrained construction materials supply chain (27
September 2021). More...
Strategic plan outlines vision for construction
industry
The ACA has released its Strategic Plan for the next three
years outlining priority areas for achieving a more sustainable
construction industry. The plan outlines a clear ambition to
strengthen each of the three pillars supporting the industry:
Culture, capability and capacity, and commercial frameworks (27
September 2021). More...
Industry first partnership to lead the way to achieve
net-zero transport in Australia
An industry-first partnership between Roads Australia, the
Australasian Railway Association and the Infrastructure
Sustainability Council has been announced, with the three bodies
united in their efforts to help reduce the climate change impact of
new and existing transport infrastructure. More...
$15 million to combat timber shortages
The Federal Government has invested an additional $15.1
million to combat the structural timber shortage faced by the
housing and construction industry. The investment will be used to
deliver bushfire-affected softwood to underutilised timber mills,
targeting timber on Kangaroo Island that could provide enough
timber for between 8,000 and 10,000 new houses (22 September 2021).
More...
The time to act is now - not in 5, 10, 15 years!
The much-anticipated 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan
did not disappoint with its recommendations, but it fell short in
one critical area - its implementation timeframes (21 September
2021). More...
New South Wales
New South Wales set to halve emissions by 2030
NSW is set to attract more than $37 billion in investment
while slashing emissions by 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030,
under updated projections and objectives released as part of the
Net Zero: Stage 1 Implementation Update (29 September 2021).
More...
New South Wales narrow down tenders for major Newcastle
Inner City Bypass works
Transport for New South Wales is seeking tenders from
shortlisted applicants for works on the $450 million section of the
Newcastle Inner City Bypass, the fifth section of the project
between Rankin Park and Jesmond (28 September 2021). More...
Dam safety alert following Victorian earthquake
It's an opportune time for licensees with dams in NSW
to check their dam structures after an earthquake and subsequent
tremors in Victoria (23 September
2021). More...
Industry welcomes decision to lift construction work
force caps
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia welcomes the NSW
Government's announcement to lift construction workforce caps
on sites. More...
New Western Sydney Airport design contract awarded
The contract to design and build the airfield at the new
Western Sydney International Airport has been awarded, with
innovative design and cutting edge technology to enhance the
airfield's efficiency,to the CPB and ACCIONA joint venture
following a competitive procurement process (20 September 2021).
More...
Queensland
Developers warned as contractor loophole closure
delayed
The Queensland government has postponed the closure of
what many see as a loophole licensing exemption misused by
contractors to enter into construction contracts and carry out
building work in the state without being properly licensed (30
September 2021). More...
Applications open for $70 million Building our Regions
program
The $70 million round six of the Palaszczuk
Government's hugely successful Building Our Regions program has
officially opened for construction projects focused on priority
regional water supply and sewerage system projects. (29 September
2021). More...
Getting on with delivering a City Deal for South East
Queensland
The Morrison Government stands ready to finalise a City
Deal for the people of South-East Queensland and deliver critical
infrastructure across the region with a list of projects having
been agreed to with the Council of Mayors (28 September 2021).
More...
Three new projects receive funding under Townsville City
Deal
The Morrison Government has announced funding for three
new projects to be funded as part of the Townsville City Deal (28
September 2021). More...
Gold Coast's first Diverging Diamond Interchange on
its way
Construction of the Gold Coast's first Diverging
Diamond Interchange has kicked off this month, as part of the $1
billion M1 Pacific Motorway - Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade (20
September 2021). More...
Victoria
Contracts awarded for Barwon Head Road upgrade
A trio of construction partners have been awarded
contracts for the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade, which is expected to
create around 500 local jobs and 1,400 indirect jobs. Decmil, BMD
Constructions and BildGroup will build the project, in partnership
with Major Road Projects Victoria (27 September 2021). More...
Expression of Interest open for Melbourne Airport Rail
bridge package
Pre-qualified contractors are invited to submit
Expressions of Interest for the construction of what will become
the second-highest bridge in Victoria, and will support the
Melbourne Airport Rail project.
The new bridge will replace a heritage-listed bridge over the
Maribyrnong River Valley, as part of the Maribyrnong River Bridge
Package (21 September 2021).
Practice and courts
Infrastructure Australia publishes proposal evaluation
summaries
Infrastructure Australia has completed business case
evaluations of the following proposals:
Coffs Harbour Bypass; Tonkin Highway (South of Roe Highway); Barwon Heads Road Duplication
As these business cases are funded, they have not been added to the
Infrastructure Priority List. Find the proposals that
Infrastructure Australia has previously evaluated here (24 September 2021).
Culture in construction
The Cost of Doing Nothing report calculates that the
estimated economic cost of lost wellbeing from work-related
fatalities, injuries and illnesses in 2018 was $6.1 billion; the
productivity cost of employees consistently working overtime was
$708 million; the cost of mental ill-health was $643 million and
the cost of higher incidence of male construction worker suicides
compared to other industries was $533 million. This report and
other information about the Culture Standard are available on the
new Culture in Construction website (September 2021).
ABCB: Residential Energy Efficiency Consultation RIS now
open for comment
We are now seeking comment on a CRIS providing an analysis
of proposed amendments to the residential energy efficiency
provisions included in stage 2 of NCC 2022 public comment draft.
The CRIS will be available for comment until 7 November 2021.
More...
ABCB: National Construction Code 2022 public comment
draft (stage 2)
The National Construction Code is updated every 3 years,
based on industry research, public feedback and policy directions
from governments to the ABCB between publishing cycles. The
ABCB seeks comment on proposed amendments to energy efficiency
and condensation technical provisions, via this second and final
stage of public consultation, closing 17 October 2021. More...
Adoption of NCC 2022 to be delayed
The delayed adoption will also see adjustments to key
dates in the amendment cycle process for NCC 2022 to allow
stakeholders time to participate. These adjusted dates
include:
May - July 2021: NCC 2022 Public Comment Draft released for public
consultation
May 2022: NCC 2022 Preview published at ncc.abcb.gov.au
If you have any questions regarding the delayed adoption of NCC
2022, please submit an online enquiry.
New South Wales
The Net Zero Plan: Stage 1 implementation update
Sets out the NSW Government's action on climate
change, including the State's nation-leading EV strategy,
Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, the $750 million Net Zero
Industry and Innovation Program and the NSW Waste and Sustainable
Materials Strategy. For more information visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/climate-change/net-zero-plan (29
September 2021).
Dams safety legislative changes come into effect 1
November
Declared dam owners are reminded that new requirements
under the Dams Safety Act 2014 and Dams Safety Regulation 2019 come
into effect on Monday, 1 November 2021. More...
Guide for design practitioners and engineers
Consult Australia, Engineers Australia and the Australian
Institute of Architects have joined forces to develop the Guide for design practitioners and
engineers to help their members tackle the recent NSW Building Confidence reforms. There are
multiple new obligations on design practitioners, engineers and
building practitioners throughout the life of a building under the
NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Design and
Building Practitioners Regulation 2021.
Renewable energy and regional cities
Notification start-end date 13/09/2021 - 11/10/2021
The Infrastructure SEPP sets out the planning rules and controls
for infrastructure in NSW. As part of these ongoing improvements,
the NSW Government has proposed changes to the rules for where
renewable energy projects can be built. More...
Infrastructure Grants program opens
To be eligible for funding, applications must meet
eligibility conditions including, the project location, the
applicant and project benefit, purpose and development status.
There is also a requirement for local government applicants to
match funding. Applications are open from 1 November to Monday 22
November 2021. More...
Conflicts of interest - savings and transitional
arrangements
Clause 71 of the Regulation introduces savings provisions
for certain conflict of interest situations where the certifier was
appointed before 1 July 2020 and the work will be completed before
1 July 2022. The provisions relate to council-certified
developments and to developments where the certifier gave advice on
how to comply with the BCA deemed to satisfy provisions. For
all the changes, access the Amendment Regulation here
Queensland
MBA: New building forms
The new Building Regulation 2021 came into effect on 1
September 2021. All building forms have been updated to reflect the
new numbering and parts of the Building Regulation 2021. There are
two new Forms (12 and 43) that change how competent persons, QBCC
licensees and Building Certifiers use the aspect and inspection
certificates for a building development approval. View all forms
here (28 September 2021). More...
Draft State Infrastructure Strategy
The Queensland Government has released the Draft State Infrastructure Strategy and
the Queensland Government Infrastructure
Pipeline.
The draft vision anticipates the
State's infrastructure needs over the next two decades and will
be supported by seven regional infrastructure plans.
Reminder: Building Industry Fairness (Security of
Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (BIFOLA
Act)
To advise that the commencement of section 125A of the
Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other
Legislation Amendment Act 2020 has been postponed. As a result
of the regulation, section 125A will not commence until late
July 2022. More...
QBCC reminder: Extension to PI insurance cladding
exemption
The Building (Professional Indemnity Insurance) Amendment
Regulation 2020 commenced on 18 September 2020, giving effect to
the extension of the external cladding exclusion. Now, certifiers
can continue to obtain a licence to operate with PI insurance
containing exclusions in relation to non-compliant external
cladding until 30 June 2022. More...
Build-to-Rent update - approved
projects
The Queensland Government has approved two Brisbane-based
affordable housing projects by developers following a Request for
Detailed Proposals from shortlisted applicants from the Expression
of Interest Phase of the Pilot Project. It is anticipated
construction will commence mid-2021 following the finalisation of
designs for the projects, with operations expected to commence in
2023. More...
Victoria
VBA: Revised AS/NZS plumbing standards - transition
period
The VBA has applied a transition period for plumbers to
familiarise themselves with revised AS/NZS standards, before they
need to be applied to plumbing practices on 1 September 2022.
More...
VBA: Carpenters selected for first stage of trades
registration
Carpenters will be the first group of trades registered
under Victoria's recently developed trades registration
framework. Provisional registration and licensing for carpenters is
expected to commence in mid-2021. For more information and answers
to frequently asked questions, refer to the Engage Victoria website.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.