In the media – National
Project proposals show shrinking cost of big
solar
The latest step in an ARENA program to support the construction of
large-scale solar photovoltaic plants in Australia has shown how
quickly the cost of building new plants is falling as momentum in
the sector builds (22 June 20216).
More...
Policy priorities for jobs and skills for the
future
Master Builders today is formally launching its Jobs and Skills for
the Future policy as part of its Strong Building: Strong Economy
campaign for the next term of government (20 June 2016).
More...
In the media – Victoria
More Lacrosse Building Practitioners to face
disciplinary action
The Victorian Building Authority, the regulator of the building and
plumbing industries, has referred two more building practitioners
involved in the building of the Lacrosse Apartments in
Melbourne's Docklands, for disciplinary action by the Building
Practitioners Board (30 June 2016).
More...
Master Plan sets future direction for City
Road
The Melbourne City Council has endorsed a seven-year capital works
plan to transform City Road. The master plan, with its focus on
encouraging more people to walk, cycle and take public transport,
is consistent with Council's
Transport Strategy 2012. (22 June 2016).
More...
Metro Tunnel transport project moves
forward
Major work on the biggest public transport project in
Victoria's history will begin early next year. John Holland has
been awarded the first major Metro Tunnel contract,
which now includes excavating massive shafts in the centre of
Melbourne as part of preparations for the tunnel and five new
underground stations (22 June 2016). More...
World class shortlist for vital second river
crossing
A world-class field of construction firms has been shortlisted to
build Melbourne's second river crossing, with the Government
announcing three consortia chosen to tender for the design and
construction of the $5.5 billion Western Distributor (21 June
2016).
More...
In the media – New South Wales
Single resources regulator for New South
Wales
The Department for Industry has announced an internal restructure
to create a Resources Regulator to undertake compliance and
enforcement of a broad range of activities within the resources
sector (01 July 2016).
More...
Lendlease to build 60 Martin Place
Lendlease Building will construct Investa and Gwynvill Group's
$300 million 60 Martin Place development in Sydney, with
construction to commence in July 2016 (30 June 2016).
More...
New South Wales budget boosts jobs and investment in
construction industry: ACA
The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has welcomed the New
South Wales' Budget as providing a major job and investment
boost for the construction industry in the state (23 June 2016).
More...
In the media – Queensland
Deloitte report warns unions driving up Queensland's
cost of living
Queensland's cost of living will rise if unions are not brought
to heel, according to a new report into the state's
construction sector (29 June 2016).
More...
Palaszczuk Government commits $800 million to kick-start
Cross River Rail
The Cross River Rail is charging full steam ahead with the
Palaszczuk Government providing an in-principle commitment of $800
million towards building Queensland's number one infrastructure
project. The move comes as Building Queensland, the state's
independent infrastructure adviser, declared Cross River Rail ready
for state investment in its Infrastructure Priority Pipeline Report
(01 July 2016).
More...
New regulatory body starts work for Queensland
plumbers
Queensland's plumbing industry now has a new dedicated
regulatory body made up of experts who hail from industry
organisations, union and government (01 July 2016).
More...
Deregulation brings competitive electricity pricing to
South-East Queensland
South-East Queensland electricity users are set to have access to a
wider range of innovative products and deals as a result of the
deregulation of the retail electricity market, which came into
effect from 1 July 2016.
More...
Palaszczuk Government's $20,000 First Home
Owners' Grant starts 1 July 2016
Queensland first home buyers will receive a $5,000 boost to the
Queensland First Home Owners' Grant from 1 July 2016, giving
them $20,000 to get into the market (01 July 2016).
More...
Gold Coast region natural resources projects get
$600,000
The Gold Coast's creeks, rivers, farms and bushland will be
better protected with $600,000 in natural resource management funds
from the Palaszczuk Government for the strategic project to be
carried out under the Queensland Regional Natural Resource
Management Investment Program 2013-18 (19 June 2016).
More...
Published
Big miners are the ultimate
'leaners'
Rod Campbell; New Matilda: 24 June 2016
The mining lobby was up in arms after the Queensland government
delivered its latest budget. It shows just how entitled the
industry has become.
Mine
2016: slower, lower, weaker ... but not defeated
PricewaterhouseCoopers: 24 June 2016
Mine is PwC's annual review of the top trends in the global
mining industry. The analysis is based on the financial performance
of the top 40 global mining companies by market capitalisation.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Engineering Construction Activity, Australia, Mar 2016 (cat no.
8762.0) - 29
Information Paper: Update on the Development of an Oil and Gas
Extraction Producer Price Index, June 2016 (cat no.
6427.0.55.009) - 23
ACI Construction Brief
ACI Construction Brief: Brexit anybody? (20 June 2016)
IPA: Australian Infrastructure Metric March
2016
The March 2016 quarter saw a collapse in civil construction work
won; brought down by record low contract signings across non-mining
sectors (01 July 2016).
More...
In practice and courts – National
AIBS: External Wall Cladding Systems - use of
non-conforming products and external wall cladding
systems
In reviewing the situation, AIBS has undertaken a comprehensive
investigation and, as a result, two documents have been developed -
the report plus a detailed technical analysis (01 July 2016).
AIBS Report - Issues Relating to the Use of External Wall Cladding
Systems in Australia
AIBS Technical Discussion Paper - External Cladding Systems &
the BCA
ABCB Advisory Note: Protection of penetration for gas
pipes
The ABCB has been made aware of uncertainty among practitioners
about the deemed-to-satisfy provisions for maintaining the
performance of fire-resisting building elements that contain
penetrations for gas pipes. For more information, please visit the
ABCB website (30 June 2016).
In practice and courts – Queensland
QBCC Disciplinary actions
Licensees excluded - 19 June to 26 June 2016 (PDF)
Licensees suspended or cancelled - 19 June to 26 June 2016 (PDF)
2016 Major Project Series launch in
Brisbane
In Brisbane on 12 July for the launch of the Department of State
Development launches the
2016 Major Projects Series. With guest speakers from The Star
Entertainment Group, hear first-hand about how Queensland
businesses can access new markets and opportunities for the $3
billion
Queen's Wharf Brisbane Integrated Resort Development.
Cases
Colin R Price & Associates Pty Ltd v Four Oaks Pty Ltd
[2016] FCA 764
CONTRACT – formation – intention to enter legal
relations – whether parties agreed that standard form
building contract signed by both parties would only be used to
obtain finance – whether building contract was void for
uncertainty
TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct –
alleged representation that builder would be paid the cost of all
materials and labour plus margin of 15%
CORPORATIONS – agency – authority of agent to bind a
company – authority of a single director to bind a company
which has more than one director
TRADE PRACTICES – unconscionable conduct – where
director of unit holder under significant financial and emotional
pressure – where document in effect required unit holder to
give up its right to share in large part of proceeds of project to
pay for cost overruns Australian Securities and Investments
Commission Act 2001 (Cth), s 12CC; Corporations Act
2001 (Cth), ss 126, 127, 129, 184, 1307, 1308; Domestic
Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic), ss 13, 31, 133.
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.
