In the media
Architectural practices show increased interest in
digital tools
New research aims to help future-proof architectural
practices with data to inform investment decisions as architecture
moves further into the digital realm. Survey respondents concluded
that BIM is the way of the future with 55 per cent expecting it to
be used on all projects in just five years' time (24 November
2021). More...
Lifting construction through workplace culture
At the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, we help our
members drive sustainability outcomes during the planning, design,
delivery and operation of infrastructure that can positively impact
the planet, people and their prosperity and progress a world class
industry (24 November 2021). More...
$110 billion in infrastructure projects will change how
we live
World-class infrastructure is critical to Australia's
economic productivity and to making our cities and regions more
liveable and easy to move around (23 November 2021). More...
Detached home building to remain strong throughout
2022
"Demand for new detached and multi-unit housing has
remained strong, suggesting that the current boom in home building
will be sustained throughout 2022," stated HIA Chief
Economist, Tim Reardon (19 November 2021). More...
New South Wales
Great Western Highway environmental assessment and
concept design released
The Review of Environmental Factors and concept design
have been released for the Australian Government's planned $2
billion upgrade to the Great Western Highway, with the community
invited to submit feedback (26 November 2021). More...
Work kicks off on Sydney's newest airport
terminal
The new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton)
Airport has hit another major milestone with construction now
underway on the world-class passenger terminal (19 November 2021).
More...
Green energy region given a green light
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has
declared the State's Central-West Orana region Australia's
first-ever Renewable Energy Zone. The Energy Corporation of NSW
(EnergyCo NSW) would be appointed as the infrastructure planner and
would coordinate the transmission, generation, firming and storage
projects (16 November 2021). More...
Queensland
Road and rail intermodal terminal to bring jobs to
Darling Downs
The Queensland Government has announced a new road and
rail intermodal terminal near Toowoomba, which is expected to
create jobs in the Darling Downs. The project, which is supported
by the Queensland Government with $12.6 million in loan funding,
will be built at InterLinkSQ in Charlton (25 November 2021). More...
Resources plan drives new minerals and industry
growth
A 30-year plan for Queensland's resources industry
proposes to fast-track new economy minerals production and
processing, trigger new regional industries, and cut red tape to
drive new projects and jobs (24 November 2021). More...
Builder appointed for first tower of $1.25B La
Pelago
GURNERT has appointed ICON Construction to build the first
68-level tower at its significant Gold Coast project La Pelago,
with a build price estimated to be over $350 million (23 November
2021). More...
Rockhampton Ring Road construction tendering process
begins
Pre-qualified contractors are invited to tender on the
much-anticipated, $1.065 billion, Rockhampton Ring Road project (18
November 2021). More...
Review to examine role of building industry
developers
The Queensland Government is set to examine the role of
property developers as part of a review of its nation-leading
building industry fairness reforms, following a recommendation from
the Queensland Parliament's Transport and Public Works
Committee. The Queensland Building Plan has already enhanced
construction sector payment protections and the review is part of
Queensland's comprehensive and balanced approach (16 November
2021). More...
Mirvac adds another tower to $1bn Newstead
masterplan
Mirvac has submitted plans for the sixth tower in its
$1-billion residential Waterfront Newstead precinct on the Brisbane
River. The project marks the second stage of Mirvac's "Sky
Precinct" at 57 Skyring Terrace in Newstead (16 November
2021). More...
Coomera Connector is good to go
Gold Coasters are a step closer to driving on the
'Second M1' as the first contract is awarded. Acciona
Construction Australia Pty Ltd and Georgiou Group Pty Ltd Joint
Venture, with WSP and BG&E as the designers, will undertake
enabling works and finalise the design for Coomera Connector Stage
1 North, between Coomera and Helensvale (16 November 2021). More...
Satellite Hospitals Program takes milestone step
forward
The Palaszczuk Government is a step closer to bringing the
Satellite Hospitals Program to life with the appointment of
Hutchinson Builders (Hutchies) as Managing Contractor (16 November
2021). More...
Victoria
Victorian Government provides $9.3b funding for Suburban
Rail Loop works
The Victorian Government is providing $9.3 billion in
funding towards major works on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) to
deliver twin rail tunnels and six underground stations, with the
project expected to create up to 8,000 jobs. The funding will also
be invested in new community projects and initiatives in the
broader areas around the stations (26 November 2021). More...
Sunraysia Water Efficiency Project Consultation
Opens
The Andrews Labor Government and Lower Murray Water are
seeking community input on a proposed $37 million infrastructure
modernisation project in the Sunraysia Irrigation District (19
November 2021). More...
City of Monash earmarked to receive first Build to Rent
development
Australian practice i2C Architects, in a global alliance
with international design practice Ryder Architecture, has plans to
deliver the City of Monash's first-ever Build to Rent
development in Oakleigh South, known as Fieldworks House (19
November 2021). More...
New research to understand mould risk in new
housing
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is
funding research to help minimise the risk of mould growth in new
energy efficient buildings. Due for completion in 2023, this
research complements work the VBA is already doing, including
investigating the nature and extent of moisture damage in Victorian
residential buildings (18 November 2021). More...
Building Authority builds 10-year record
Building permit approvals in Victoria during the last
financial year were at their highest level in the past decade,
according to new data from the Victorian Building Authority. The
largest increase in approvals was in regional Victoria, which saw a
32 per cent spike in the number of building permit approvals (18
November 2021). More...
BBA: Victoria hits record levels of building permit
approvals
Building permit data collected by the Victorian Building
Authority shows that approvals totaled 123,330 in 2020-21, an
increase of 18 per cent from the previous financial year (104,560)
and 13 per cent more than 2018-19 (109,396) (16 November 2021). More...
Victorian regulators emphasise compliance across the
building sector
Four Victorian regulators will join forces next week to
ensure construction and demolition operators across the state meet
safety, environmental, building and plumbing compliance obligations
(15 November 2021). More...
Practice and courts
ISCA: The Draft Culture Standard for the Construction
Industry
The ISv2.1 Rating Scheme tackles this head on through
workforce sustainability credits, rewarding projects for
effectively addressing strategic workforce planning and bringing
into focus the most material issues for people in the construction
workforce. The ISCA sees three areas that the Culture Standard
could further address: The IS wider view of diversity and
inclusion, Modern Slavery and nature of subcontracting.
The consultation period on the draft Culture Standard closes on 17
December 2021. Provide feedback on the draft Culture Standard here.
ABCB: Which version of an NCC referenced document
applies and when?
Knowing which NCC referenced document to use can be
confusing, especially when they are updated between NCC amendment
cycles. The use of A Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Solution must use the
version of the referenced document listed in Schedule 4 of the NCC.
Check out this article for more guidance on understanding NCC
referenced documents (18 November 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
EPA: National Asbestos Awareness Week: Think twice about
asbestos and know where to look
Your home might be the 1 in 3 that has asbestos so if
you're considering DIY renovations or maintenance the EPA wants
you to get in the know, take it slow and get a pro (23 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.
Infrastructure Grants program opens today
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 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
QBCC: Notifiable works tool
The QBCC has launched an online interactive tool allowing
users to identify if their work is permit work, notifiable work or
unregulated work. The tool works by asking the user to respond to
five questions, then, depending on your answers, the tool will
confirm if the work is notifiable work. It will also indicate if a
form 4 or 4A is required or if it is permit work. View the tool here (18 November 2021).
Next round of QBCC reporting
It's time to start preparing to submit the next round
of QBCC Annual Reporting information. You can submit your
information online via the myQBCC
portal or via the dedicated QBCC form. Contracting licensees
must submit Annual Reporting by the due date: 31 December 2021 -
Category 1- 7; 31 March 2022 - SC1 and SC2. No
need to wait for the due date, the myQBCC
portal is open and accepting your submission now.
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 reminder: Plumbing compliance
certificates protect your work
When plumbing work, including labour, materials,
appliances and fixtures, is valued at $750 or more, plumbers must
issue their customers a signed compliance certificate within five
days of completing the work. The VBA has an online consumer
resource portal with information for anyone who experiences issues
with builders or plumbers. To find a licensed or registered
practitioner, visit: vba.vic.gov.au/tools/find-practitioner
(2021).
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.