2015 mb nsw magazine aug-sep

Of�cial Magazine of the Master Builders Association of NSW | Issue Four | August/September 2015

EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING& POOL AWARDS 2015T H E W I N N E R S R E V E A L E D I N S I D E Print Post Publication No. PP100003016

MASTER BUILDERS PRE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

CONTRACTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

DRAFT LEGISLATION FOR DEFECTS BOND

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*Recommended drive away price for the Kangoo Manual Short Wheelbase, Master Manual Short Wheelbase and New Trafic Short Wheelbase Single Turbo each with non-metallic paint. Valid for vehicles ordered between 01/07/2015 & 30/09/2015 while stocks last. Renault reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. Offer available to ABN holders only and excludes fleet & government buyers. †5-years/200,000km warranty (which includes two (2) years Extended Manufacturer Warranty) and 5 years/200,000km Roadside Assistance both apply to all new or demonstrator Kangoo models ordered between 1/07/2015 & 30/09/2015 while stocks last. Warranty and Roadside Assistance both valid for 5 years or 200,000km (whichever comes first) from new. Demonstrator vehicles receive balance of new vehicle warranty and Roadside Assistance. Renault reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. ‡3-years/200,000km warranty and 3 year/200,000km Roadside assistance both apply to Master and Trafic III models. Warranty and Roadside Assistance both valid for 3 years or 200,000km (whichever comes first) from new. Demonstrator vehicles receive balance of new vehicle warranty and Roadside Assistance. ^First 3 scheduled maintenance services capped at $349 per service on new and demonstrator Master, Trafic III and Kangoo models, based on standard scheduled servicing from new and on normal operating conditions. Scheduled maintenance services required every twelve (12) months or up to 30,000km (whichever occurs first) on Master and Trafic III, and twelve (12) month or 15,000km (whichever occurs first) on Kangoo. However, Master and Trafic III are subject to adaptive servicing requirements, as determined by the Oil Condition Sensor, and may require servicing prior to the standard twelve (12) months or 30,000km service interval. If Master, Trafic or Kangoo is not presented within three (3) months of when the scheduled service is required, right to that capped-price service under the program is forfeited.

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M A S T E R B U I L D E R S A S S O C I A T I O N O F N S W A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

contents

Disclaimer: The Publisher and the Master Builders Association

of NSW, their employees and agents take no responsibility for

any inaccuracies or omissions. The opinions are those of the

contributors and not necessarily of the Publishers nor of the

Association. No warranty is given and no liability is accepted.

Products and Services appearing in Master Builder are not

necessarily endorsed by the Publisher or the Association.

While every care has been taken during production, the

publisher(s) do not accept any liability for errors or omissions

that may have occurred.

SALES MANAGER: Peter Shepherd EMAIL: [email protected] SALES: Peter Shepherd, Craig Flenley, Dean Wedding, Rose Delosreyes and Liam Daly

EDITOR: Samantha Regan

LAYOUT: Michelle TrianaGRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM: Byron Bailey, Andrew Crabb

SALES TEAM: Toni Allen, Rose Delosreyes, Craig Flenley, Trish Riley, Peter Shepherd

EMAIL: [email protected]

PRODUCTION: Brooke Travers

PRINT: NewstyleDISTRIBUTION: Newstyle CONTACT DETAILSPO Box 824 Surfers ParadiseQLD 4217TEL: 1800 222 757FAX: 1800 063 151 EMAIL: [email protected]: www.crowtherblayne.com.au

IN THIS ISSUE:

REGULARS

Contact List 4

President’s Viewpoint 6

Executive Director’s Viewpoint 8

Newsbrief 10

Regional Roundup 11

FEATURES

Excellence in Housing and Pools Awards 29

Women in Construction 13

Investing in Women Funding Program – Round Two

Housing 14

More Flexibility for Apartment Development, but more Paperwork

Draft Legislation Establishes a Defects Bond

Apprenticeship 19

The Master Builders Pre Apprenticeship Program

Workplace Health & Safety 20

WHS Regulators Have Very Broad Coercive Information Gathering Powers

Master Builder Wins International Safety Management Award

Legal 24

Residential Contracting with Friends and Family

Traders Penalised for Unlicensed Work

Industrial Relations 28

Does the CFMEU Dare to Change?

GENERAL FEATURES

Unlocking hidden Capacity by Closing the Gaps 67

Consumer Kitchen and Bathroom Survey of Australian Consumer Wish Lists 70

Keeping it Real: Why Customised Replica Timber Cladding Makes Sense 72

Timber: The Natural Flooring Solution 74

DIRECTORY 77

WHAT’S NEW 79

Of�cial Magazine of the Master Builders Association of NSW | Issue Four | August/September 2015

EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING & POOL AWARDS 2015T H E W I N N E R S R E V E A L E D I N S I D E Print Post Publication No. PP100003016

MASTER BUILDERS PRE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

CONTRACTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

DRAFT LEGISLATION FOR DEFECTS BOND

2

Australia & New Zealand – October 2015

Call ACRS on (02) 9965 7216, email [email protected] or visit www.steelcertification.com

ACRS – The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd ABN 40 096 692 545

ACRS is your toolkit for steel compliance.To register for the free ACRS Seminar Series visit:

www.steelcertification.com or www.steelcertification.co.nz

• Avoid the risks of using Non-Compliant Steels• How to assure product conformance to standards

• National & International Speakers on Compliance Risks

• Australia and New Zealand are part of a global supply chain and building & construction products are now being sourced from both overseas and local manufacturers and suppliers. Alarmingly, there is increasing evidence that many suppliers of products, regardless of where they are made, are not providing evidence that they meet Australian and New Zealand Standards and building requirements, and hence they may not comply.

• Formed in 2000 by peak construction industry bodies, the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels, “ACRS”, independently assesses and third party certifies steel manufacturing & processing at over 150 locations in over 15 countries worldwide for construction steel products supplied to Australian and New Zealand standards.

PERTH – Monday October 12th, 5.30pm-8.30pmSYDNEY – Tuesday October 13th, 5.30pm-8.30pm

MELBOURNE – Thursday October 15th, 5.30pm-8.30pmCHRISTCHURCH – Monday October 19th, 5.30pm-8.30pm

AUCKLAND – Tuesday October 20th, 5.30pm-8.30pmBRISBANE – Thursday October 22nd, 5.30pm-8.30pm

SEMINARS ARE FREE TO ATTEND AND CPD POINTS MAY BE APPLICABLE.

Steel Compliance SeminarsACRS


contact list

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

52 Parramatta Road, Forest Lodge NSW 2037 / Private Bag 9, Broadway NSW 2007Tel: (02) 8586 3555 | Fax: (02) 9660 3700 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mbansw.asn.au | ABN 96 550 042 906

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Paul Maginnity PresidentRoss Mitchell Deputy PresidentGordon Leggett Immediate Past PresidentMartin Patience Vice PresidentSimon Pilcher Vice PresidentChris Calderbank-Park Vice President

EXECUTIVE

Executive Director Brian Seidler 8586 3503Executive Assistant Amanda de Vries 8586 3507

MBA INSURANCE SERVICES

State Manager Luke Hueston 8586 3519Senior Account Manager Edwina Lyall 0412 806 700Account Executive - General Aravinda Mathuran 8586 3556 Adam Myers 8586 3501 Dele Omisore 8586 3583 Erroll Wong 8586 3568Authorised Representative - Adam Fawcett 0466 770 910Capital & Construction Risk Managers Pty Limited Account Executive - Home Warranty Daniel Vine 8586 3566 Jayne Pan 8586 3528Account Executive - Warranty Joel Beater 8586 3565National Business Development Manager (Surety) Bill Korakis 8586 3541Business Development Manager (NSW) Leeanne Farmer 8586 3512

MASTER BUILDERS FINANCIAL SERVICES

Broker Ogarit Kelley 0414 919 194 1300 760 366

MEMBER SERVICES

Manager Member Services Graham McGuiggan 8586 3554Membership Coordinator Paul Love 8586 3540 0413 306 556Membership Representative Mark Shearwood 8586 3520Member Services - Administration Joan Ah-Hen 8586 3515Member Services - Administration Samantha Bell 8586 3572Member Services - Administration Susie Bell 8586 3581

TRAINING

Education Centre 8586 3588Training Manager Darin Grace 8586 3579 Quali� cations Coordinator Dean Edser 8586 3548Quali� cations Administrator Jade Lane 8586 3582 Cert III Coordinator Carson Gao 8586 3559 Cert III Customer Service Jason Kim 8586 3559Cert III Lead Trainer Andrew Turner 8586 3578 Short Course Coordinator Jake Curran 8586 3534 Short Course Administrator Vanessa Herrera 8586 3577Training Accounts /Administration Coordinator Sharon Eakin 8586 3553 MBA Skill Recognition Centre 1300 884 315

NORWEST EDUCATION CENTRE

5 Burbank Place, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Reception Laura Weston 8586 3588Executive Of� ce 8586 3557

APPRENTICESHIP SERVICES

Apprenticeship Services Manager Karen Kellock 8586 3538Apprenticeship Services Coordinator Perry Wynn 8586 3533Apprenticeship Payroll Supervisor Maria-Luisa Branezac 8586 3536Apprenticeship Payroll Of� cer Kelly Graham 8586 3542Apprenticeship Field Of� cer Teigen Morier 8586 3550Apprenticeship Field Of� cer Paulo Atienza 0423 025 380Apprenticeship Field Of� cer Ben Mitchell 0412 499 754Apprenticeship Field Of� cer Frank Luppino 0401 998 853 Apprenticeship Mentor Donna Seidler 0413 316 407

HOUSING

Director Housing Peter Meredith 4323 4588

LEGAL

Head Solicitor Robert Collings 8586 3517Solicitor Hannah Shephard 8586 3517Legal Assistant Daniel Schwebel 8586 3517

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND SAFETY

Director Construction Peter Glover 8586 3535Executive Of� cer Safety David Solomon 8586 3552Industrial Relations Of� cers Rod Grace 8586 3574 Nicholas Arends 8586 3573 Iain Jarman 8586 3502Safety Of� cer Chris Schultz 8586 3522IR Administration Of� cer Judy Macgregor 8586 3531Secretary Beverly Glover 8586 3523

EVENTS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Awards Coordinator Susan Manning 8586 3506Assistant Awards Coordinators Helen Harris 8586 3564Special Projects Of� cer Amanda Kelly 8586 3504Business Development Manager Juliet Pratley 0421 050 395

OPERATIONS

Director Operations Craig Donovan 8586 3537Government Projects & Programs Manager Omesh Jethwani 8586 3539Communications Manager Steven Swan 8586 3562IT Systems Manager Amanda Kernaghan 8586 3580 IT Support/Webmaster Alexander Ashley-Carrington 8586 3525

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Director Finance & Administration Arthur Johnson 8586 3508Accounts Supervisor Strebre Delovski 8586 3511Credit Control Manager Leon Kopcikas 8586 3509Credit Of� cer Frank Chevell 8586 3567Inventory & Property Administration Of� cer Rheannon Vea Vea 8586 3527Accounts Payable Of� cer Bridget Delmore 8586 3510Reception #2 8586 3526Fishbowl #2 8586 3530Charles Martin Room 8586 3546

RECEPTION

Receptionist Joanne Papageorge 8586 3555 Daniela Fraumeni 8586 3555

REGIONAL OFFICES

NEWCASTLE OFFICE

Level 1, 165 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Tel: 4953 9400Hunter Region Manager Len Blakeney 4979 0101Of� ce Administrator Sarah Croft 4979 0103Receptionist Amy Porter 4953 9400Industrial Relations Of� cer Ben Ziolkowski 4979 0107 Shona D’Arbon 4979 0116Safety Of� cer John McGhee 4979 0112Trade Events & Divisional Coordinator Haley Tibbetts 4979 0106Membership Representative Luke Reeves 4979 0109Events and Training Coordinator Kerri Richards 4979 0105MBA Insurance Services - Newcastle Leeanne Farmer 0466 777 057

NORTHERN REGIONS

Shop 1, 97 Tamar Street, Ballina NSW 2478Tel: 6681 4266Regional Coordinator Graham Marchant 0428 412 784Member Services Representative Marlee Rudgley

GOSFORD

Unit 7/4 Stockyard Place, West Gosford NSW 2250Tel: 4323 4588Director Housing Peter Meredith 0412 694 001Member Services Representative Zoe Gardnier 4323 4588

SOUTHERN REGIONS

Unit 1, 171 Princes Highway, Ulladulla NSW 2539Tel: 4454 1955Regional Coordinator Lynn Smith 0418 633 297Member Services Representative Debbie McDonald 4454 1955

ALBURY/WODONGA

35 Hovell Street, Wodonga VIC 3690Tel: 6058 2000 Regional Manager Steve Donaghey 0402 044 075Of� ce Manager Lesley Donaghey 6058 2000Administration Assistant Pauline Meade 6058 2000

PORT MACQUARIE

Unit 3, 12 Jindalee Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444Tel: 6581 4033Member Services Representative Kerrie Clark 6581 4033

WOLLONGONG

Unit 3, 29-35 Princes Highway, Unanderra NSW 2526Tel: 4272 9409Regional Coordinator Michael Hart 0419 140 126Member Services Representative Ruth Billington 4272 9409

ORANGE

Level 1, 296-298 Summer St, Orange NSW 2800Tel: 02 6362 6895Fax: 02 6369 0390Mob 0458 243 976Regional Coordinator Chris Dunn

MATES IN CONSTRUCTION

Hotline: 8586 3575

HEAD OFFICE

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president’s viewpoint

Federal Parliament is currently holding an

enquiry into non-conforming products and is

due to report by mid October 2015. The terms

of reference are all encompassing and include

the impact of these products on industry supply

chains, industry safety, and on the overall quality

of Australian buildings.

• Apprenticeship levels remain of

serious concern.

Master Builders calculates that some 300,000

new skilled workers will be required nationally

in the industry by the end of this decade,

to meet the demand for future new building

projects. In addition, some 30,000 workers will

leave the industry due to retirement or career

change annually.

As most of you would be aware in the past our

main feeder to replenish these tradespeople is

through the apprenticeship system, which at its

current rate will not satisfy the retirement rate

of trades people leaving a major shortage of

future trades.

It is critical that we as builders encourage our

contractors and tradespeople particularly in the

housing sector to embrace the engagement

of apprentices and that we push to make our

industry the fi rst choice career move for the

youth of tomorrow.

This issue has triggered an industry discussion

at a national level within Master Builders

movement to examine new options to boost the

number of apprenticeships – including rethinking

the apprenticeship model itself.

This rethinking could include for example:

• Greater opportunity to start industry-

standard trade studies while still in

secondary school;

• Greater fl exibility in the delivery of

apprenticeship training;

• More incentives to employ young people

as apprentices from governments, whether

that be State or Federal; and

• The introduction of a quota or ratio of

apprentices to tradespeople on specifi c

projects, are all to be considered.

The trend to buy-in the skill rather than training

our future needs is now certainly becoming

entrenched – a trend which we must resist, for

the sake of the future of the industry.

• Warranty Insurance, the third Item is an age-

old issue for the industry and government.

The past 12 months has seen some signifi cant

changes with the Home building Act, and

the NSW Government is working hard to

President Paul Maginnity

Statistics indicate building and construction

is going from strength to strength in NSW.

Our industry is a major pillar of the Australian

economy, and accounts for ¼ quarter of the

national value of work on its own.

NSW in the year up to the end of the March

quarter 2015, has seen some 50,000 dwelling

starts – NSW’s 10th highest level of starts on

record, and with housing fi nance commitments

in proportion to this number, this has contributed

to NSW being the nation’s number one economy.

Furthermore, growth is forecast for each sector of

the NSW building and construction industry over

the next 3 years to 2018.

There are however, three major issues which

will impact on our industry and the way we

undertake projects. These include:

• The issue of non-complying building

products and materials remains a major

threat for industry and governments across

the country.

The recall of defective imported electrical cable

as mentioned last year has been added to with

the unintentional use of non-conforming high-

tensile bolts, which failed in the construction

of a structural steel building, as well as the

discovery of asbestos in imported plasterboard

on separate projects.

Some examples of the nightmare confronting

our industry where we the builders and

contractors face onerous replacement costs

through no fault of their own, by simply relying

on products allowed to enter the market place

or utilised by our contractors.

A statutory warranty that materials will-be-fi t-

for purpose is written or implied into our NSW

State law, in particular the Home Building Act,

however there are no concessions offered

where a builder unknowingly uses or provides a

defective product or material.

rylock.comSydney | Factory & Showroom

More than 30 years delivering World Class light, views, lifestyle & energy efficiency

into quality Australian homes

3 Ellis Avenue, Alexandria8335 4400

Photo courtesy Sheridan Building Services

Which brand of window deservesto be in your next Master Build ?maintain an insurance scheme that is both fair

to consumers and builders alike, as well as

being self sustainable and allowing new young

builders into the industry in a controlled manner.

As mentioned last year we acknowledge the

NSW Government’s collaborative approach

on this front. But I put it to the industry that

perhaps it is time we should be looking to work

with the Government to offer alternatives to that

system and perhaps as an industry our housing

sector should seriously consider some form of

self- regulatory regime.

This type of system may see builders being

screened for professionalism, training and

strong business structure, and rewarded

accordingly with a more saleable product with

premiums refl ective of the risk to the consumer.

In simple terms an option where, not unlike large

tier companies self insure, warranty assurance

is driven through your Association membership,

with clear pathways of growth and support for

your business.

This edition of the Master Builder Magazine

showcases the winner of each category for

this year’s Excellence in Housing and Pool

Awards. These Awards are a celebration and

acknowledgement of excellence in building and

construction in NSW. This year the industry

has again produced magnifi cent quality

and exceptional levels of detail. Nine judges

commenced judging in May this year – and

concluded in July, some 3 months of full time

judging. Each building project entered was visited

and a site inspection conducted. The construction

value for all of the entries received this year

equated to some $867M, extraordinary amount

and an extraordinary feat for the judges to view.

I should add that according to the judges the

quality and detail in this year’s entries again

displayed some of the most extraordinary

building practices and fi nishes they have ever

had the pleasure of inspecting.

A special mention goes to the 2015 Master

Builder of the Year, Sammut Developments of

Caringbah NSW, and to Ciaran Goodman of

Bronxx Construction Management Pty Limited,

awarded Young Builder of the Year.

On behalf of the Master Builders Association of

NSW, I congratulate all of the entrants and winners

of the 2015 MBA/NSW Excellence in Housing and

Pool Awards. I would also like to thank the judges,

and the sponsors for supporting the industry and

such an important event.

Paul Maginnity MBA/NSW PRESIDENT

6

rylock.comSydney | Factory & Showroom

More than 30 years delivering World Class light, views, lifestyle & energy efficiency

into quality Australian homes

3 Ellis Avenue, Alexandria8335 4400

Photo courtesy Sheridan Building Services

Which brand of window deservesto be in your next Master Build ?


executive director’s viewpoint

Executive Director Brian Seidler

Executive Director Brian Seidler

It is interesting to recall that at this time last

year I refl ected on an industry survey that

Master Builders had undertaken regarding

apprentices and apprenticeship levels. With the

increased building activity in NSW unfortunately

we are not seeing a corresponding lift in

apprenticeship levels.

The construction industry is one of the key

growth sectors of the economy with average

real growth of around three per cent per

annum expected. This growth risks being

constrained by shortages of labour, including

in semi-skilled, skilled, para-professional and

managerial roles.

Master Builders predicts that the construction

industry will require an additional 300,000 people

over the next decade, a 30 percent increase on

the current workforce of 1,033,000 people.

The industry’s challenge is to meet the rising

demand for a skilled workforce against a

background of decreasing apprentices in

accredited training, high drop-out training rates,

an ageing demographic and a yearly exit rate of

existing workers at approximately 30,000.

The construction industry has experienced a

23 per cent drop in the number of apprentices

in training, from 56,000 to 43,100 since 2010.

In addition, the apprenticeship commencement

rate has decreased by 18.8 percent since

2010, from 22,100 to 18,000 commencements

in the past fi ve years.

The nature of construction jobs is changing

due to the introduction of new technologies

and pre-fabrication. This is leading to altered

work practices which no longer guarantee that

traditional career paths will generate the mix of

skills needed to meet the future demands of

the industry.

Switching to the Waterstop

Streamline system has been a

fantastic result for the company.

It ticks all the boxes by being

modern, sleek, easy to install

and failsafe.

Costly repairs associated with

leaking shower trays are now a

thing of the past.

Luke Pearce

QLD Construction Manager, Devine Homes

For more information, visit www.waterstopstreamline.com.au

Phone 07 5426 3700 • Fax 07 5426 3711 • Email [email protected]

WAT

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550_

MB

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Hear what our customers are saying about Waterstop Streamline

I am happy to give my recommendation to use Waterstop Streamline. It is the only modern looking product that I have seen that positively connects the shower screen to the waterproofing in a completely leak free way...Mr Albert Aeberhard Builder, Hotondo Homes Group ACT

Using Waterstop Streamline in all

our shower areas has made life easy

for waterproofing and our tilers.

They are so simple to install and

always look very professional.

I recommend to all my clients

to use the Waterstop Streamline

system in their shower areas.

Mr Kerry Blake

Director, Blake’s Waterproofi ng

With so many new products

on offer in our industry it

is difficult to find time to

investigate them all.

We are very glad we made

time for this one.

Mr Dennis Wright

Building and Project Manager, Beazley Homes


By using Waterstop Streamline

I know the shower will be

perfect every time. It has

to be, because this product is

designed to dictate placement

of all of the other components

to make up the complete shower.

It’s virtually impossible to

stuff it up.

Mr Glen Whitehead

Managing Director, BJM Developments


is difficult to find time to on offer in our industry it




My business has expanded rapidly since we started using

the Waterstop Streamline hob and now I have tilers

voluntarily recommending the Waterstop system – and me –

to other builders. Everyone that uses it loves it.Mr Fred Meddings Managing Director, Watertight Australia

(Waterproofers)

Waterstop Streamline – Why would anyone use anything

else to build a shower? At last someone has got a product together that not only works,

but it looks good and is so easy for every trade to work with. It even comes with step by step

instructions on the protective tape.Mr Andrew ShailerAndrew Shailer Tiling


our shower areas has made life easy Using Waterstop Streamline in all


Waterstop is easy to order with efficient delivery.

It has given us the edge on our competitors and is our preferred method of waterproofing and

tiling showers.IF YOU ARE ONE OF OUR

COMPETITORS READING THIS AD PLEASE IGNORE.

Tony GloverTony Glover Tiling & Waterproofi ng

Employers have reported that apprentice

quality is the number one issue impacting on

their businesses. Employers report that there

is a lack of awareness of construction career

opportunities amongst teachers, parents and

students; apprentice candidates lack “soft skills”

such as communication, time management

and life skills; and apprentice candidates

do not possess the necessary literacy and

numeracy skills to successfully complete an

apprenticeship. New thinking and approaches

are required for skills development and

attainment suitable for the construction industry.

Recently the Master Builders produced a position

paper called, Towards 2020: Policy for Australian

Apprenticeship Reforms. This Document

identifi es the need to reform the current

apprenticeship system, the reform challenges, as

well as identifying reform benchmarks.

It is clear that a redesign of training packages

to deliver skill sets that match modern building

techniques, a redesign of early training delivery

to ensure that apprentices are site and job

ready, and industry engagement to not only

promote trade skills as a profession, but also

promoting the building industry as a great

place to work.

I encourage members to read Towards 2020 and

engage an apprentice for the future of the industry.

I would also like to take this opportunity, with

the President to congratulate all winners of this

year’s Excellence in Housing and Pool Awards.

Brian SeidlerEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

8


Streamline system has been a

fantastic result for the company.

It ticks all the boxes by being

modern, sleek, easy to install

and failsafe.

Costly repairs associated with

leaking shower trays are now a

thing of the past.

Luke Pearce

QLD Construction Manager, Devine Homes

For more information, visit www.waterstopstreamline.com.au

Phone 07 5426 3700 • Fax 07 5426 3711 • Email [email protected]

WAT

E12

550_

MB

A

Hear what our customers are saying about Waterstop Streamline

I am happy to give my recommendation to use Waterstop Streamline. It is the only modern looking product that I have seen that positively connects the shower screen to the waterproofing in a completely leak free way...Mr Albert Aeberhard Builder, Hotondo Homes Group ACT


our shower areas has made life easy

for waterproofing and our tilers.

They are so simple to install and

always look very professional.

I recommend to all my clients

to use the Waterstop Streamline

system in their shower areas.

Mr Kerry Blake

Director, Blake’s Waterproofi ng

With so many new products


is difficult to find time to

investigate them all.


time for this one.

Mr Dennis Wright



By using Waterstop Streamline

I know the shower will be

perfect every time. It has

to be, because this product is

designed to dictate placement

of all of the other components

to make up the complete shower.

It’s virtually impossible to

stuff it up.

Mr Glen Whitehead

Managing Director, BJM Developments






My business has expanded rapidly since we started using

the Waterstop Streamline hob and now I have tilers

voluntarily recommending the Waterstop system – and me –

to other builders. Everyone that uses it loves it.Mr Fred Meddings Managing Director, Watertight Australia

(Waterproofers)

Waterstop Streamline – Why would anyone use anything

else to build a shower? At last someone has got a product together that not only works,

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newsbriefnewsbrief

Master Builders National Conference | Jupiters, Gold Coast | 12-14 November 2015BUILDING AUSTRALIABUILDING AUSTRALIABUILDING AUSTRALIA

®

‘BUILDING AUSTRALIA’ – MASTER BUILDERS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

I am extending a personal invitation to join me

at Building Australia - Master Builders’ biennial

national conference.

The conference will be held at Jupiters on

the Gold Coast on 12-14 November. We

are returning to the Gold Coast by popular

demand. There is no need for me to ‘sell’ the

destination – it sells itself. If you have been to

our National Conference in past years, I look

forward to seeing you again and promise you

that this year’s event will be even better.

The program will focus on giving you tools

to grow your business. Speakers have been

carefully selected to cover a range of topics

important to the contemporary building and

construction industry.

We have enlisted high profi le speakers who can

give you the edge by sharing their knowledge

of topics and trends which affect businesses

large and small, commercial and residential. In

acknowledgement of the phenomenal rise of

social media, we have included a presentation

by an expert who will give you the confi dence to

harness the power of social media platforms to

extend your advertising reach. Some of you who

are daunted by social media will be surprised by

the benefi ts to be gained by ‘engaging’.

The XXI Commonwealth Games will be held

on the Gold Coast in 2018. Over 11 days

of competition, 6,500 athletes and offi cials

from 71 member countries and territories will

participate in 17 sports, including para-sports

for elite athletes with disabilities. It is one of the

biggest international multi-sporting events in

the world. The infrastructure associated with

the Games is currently under construction, and

builders involved have kindly agreed to share

their insights at a case session prior to a tour

of sporting and residential building sites. This

is a unique opportunity for members to see

fi rsthand the complexities involved in delivering

projects of this magnitude.

A comprehensive social program and special

Ladies Tour have been designed to entertain

and ensure that the event is an exciting

experience for everyone. The National

Excellence in Building and Construction

Awards presentation dinner on the fi nal evening

will be a spectacular fi nale.

The 2015 Building Australia conference and

National Awards ceremony promises to be

invaluable for your business and rewarding

for your social calendar and I look forward to

welcoming you to the Gold Coast.

For more information or to register your details or

book your place, visit

http://www.masterbuilders.com.au/events/

national-conference

By Wilhelm Harnisch

CEO Master Builders Australia

10


regional roundup

BRUSHING UP ON WATERPROOFING FOR THE CENTRAL WEST DIVISIONThe Central West Division recently conducted

a waterproofi ng course in Orange. The four

day course, which is tailored for experienced

practitioners to gain their formal qualifi cations

for their waterproofi ng contractor licence, was

presented by Andrew Golle and participants

received a full qualifi cation for Certifi cate III in

Construction Waterproofi ng (CPC31411) as

recognised by the Department of Fair Trading.

Practical exercises involved construction of full

scale wet area, frame and fi t, sheeting, levelling,

joint sealant selection and application, and

installation of class 3 membrane. Areas were

then demolished and assessed for fi lm thickness,

application faults, angle placement, connector

sealant function and bond breaker function.

Technical aspects covered were AS 3740-

2010 Waterproofi ng Domestic Wet Areas,

and AS 4654.2- 2012 External Above

Ground Waterproofi ng Membranes. Practical

application techniques were discussed

incorporating various waterproofi ng systems,

remedial waterproofi ng and defects.

Parex Davco and Sika generously provided

technical support and materials. These

partners have been a valuable support link

for participants, offering direct specifi cation

services and product knowledge.

11


Asbestos is a key issue for WorkCover NSW

on the mid north coast, due to the frequency of

renovations, including kitchens and bathrooms.

MBA Port Macquarie has run three Remove

Non-Friable Asbestos and two Supervise

Asbestos Courses in June and July due to a

high demand for them. The purpose built wall,

designed and built by our long time member

Jeff Walsh, has proven to be a resounding

success for use in the practical component of

the Remove Non-Friable Asbestos course.

Upcoming courses and dates for training in the

Port Macquarie offi ce are:

• General Construction Induction (White Card)

23 September 2015

21 October 2015

• Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment

12 October 2015

ASBESTOS TRAINING IN HIGH DEMAND FOR PORT MACQUARIE

ULLADULLA AWARDS PRESENTATION NIGHT

The Manning Great Lakes Divisional Information

Nights - the fi nal one for the year including the

AGM - will be on 13 October 2015

The Oxley Divisional Information nights

Information Nights - the fi nal one for the year

including the AGM - will be on 14 October 2015

The MBA Port Macquarie offi ce will be hosting

a WorkCover breakfast on Friday 30 October,

which will be a perfect opportunity to ask any

questions, whilst not on site, and hear about

any updates or issues WorkCover may have.

Also, save the date for the Oxley Division

Christmas Party, which will be on the Port

Venture’s “River Princess” on the picturesque

Hastings River, on Friday 20 November 2015.

The Master Builders Association of NSW,

Ulladulla Offi ce held the South East Regions

Building Awards Presentation Night on Saturday

20th June at the Ulladulla Civic Centre where

over 200 people attended and were entertained

by MC Clint Paddison, Comedian Darren Carr

and live music by Hipnoses.

The entries received from all over southern

NSW were entered into different categories

and a winner was selected by the judges from

each of these categories and awards were

presented on the night.

There were 3 Judges on the Panel, Jim

Greenshields, who has been judging these

awards since they began in 2008, new addition

Ross Meredith who is now a retired builder from

the Southern Highlands who has received the

MBA Gold Medal and just received Honurary

Membership for the services he has provided

for the Southern Highlands Division and Bruce

Cohen who has a Property Inspection Business

in Batemans Bay inspected every entry and

selected the winners.

Residential Builder of the Year was presented

to Richard Herborn, Puuka Constructions

from the Southern Highlands, Commercial

Builder of the Year went to Damien & George

Hoyland, Hoyland Constructions from Bega,

Encouragement Award was presented to

Shane Rofe, Rofebuild Pty Ltd from Southern

Highlands and the New Builder of the Year

was presented to Patrick O’Donnell, O’Donnell

Homes from Ulladulla.

We do encourage every builder to enter these

awards to showcase their work as they should

be very proud of what they achieve.

regional roundup12


women in constructionwomen in construction

INVESTING IN WOMEN FUNDING PROGRAM – ROUND TWOMaster Builders NSW had partnered with

Women NSW to successfully implement the

Women in Construction project to educate and

provide access to career pathway information

and dynamic online resources in the building

and construction industry for girls and women.

The project was funded by Women NSW to

provide opportunity for projects that lead to

economic empowerment of women through

training and employment in non-traditional

trades. Non-traditional trades are those with

25% or less participation of women.

The Investing in Women funding program

is about supporting key stakeholders to

encourage women into the trades and to

improve opportunities and outcomes for women

in the priority area of economic participation.

Furthermore, the project tailored and delivered

an accredited Certifi cate II in Construction

pre-apprenticeship course building course

delivering essential skills and key competencies

that linked and provided further career

opportunities in the building and construction

industry for girls and women. In addition, there

was access to mentoring, networking and

potential job placements for girls and women

looking for career opportunities in the building

and construction industry.

Over 100 posters were printed and mailed to

all females and co-ed high schools promoting

construction trade apprenticeships to girls and

women using the Girls in Trades branding.

Trade career information via 21 trade fl yers,

career pathway fl yer, job search booklets

and 12 fact sheets about the building and

construction industry were developed and

distributed at school presentations and career

expos. Furthermore Girls In Trades section was

developed in ALink NSW (www.alinknsw.org.au)

website to promote the building and construction

industry as a career choice for girls and women.

Master Builders NSW Women In Construction

Group assisted with promotions, marketing

and campaigns which assisted with

embedding cultural change to embrace the

participation of girls and women in non-

traditional trades through its 8000+ members.

Master Builders NSW currently has four volunteer

female mentors to provide mentoring to female

apprentices thereby enhancing the retention of

girls and women in non-traditional trades.

Four female participants completed the 8

weeks accredited Certifi cate II in Construction

pre-apprenticeship course which delivered

essential skills and key competencies that

linked and provided further career opportunities

in the building and construction industry.

The pre-apprenticeship course was delivered

at the Master Builders Education Centre at 5

Burbank Place, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153.

On completing the course, students had learnt

how to:

• work effectively and sustainably in the

construction industry;

• plan and organise work;

• conduct workplace communication

• carry out measurements and calculations;

• read and interpret plans and specifi cations;

• use constructions tools and equipment; and

• apply OHS requirements, policies and

procedures in the construction industry

Furthermore, the pre-apprenticeship

course assisted in building the participants’

confi dence, educated them on the various

career trade opportunities available and

encouraged them to consider a career in the

building and construction industry.

13


MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR APARTMENT

DEVELOPMENT, BUT MORE PAPERWORK

The three-year review of NSW’s apartment

design rules has fi nally drawn to a close, with the

publication of the new Apartment Design Guide

and fi nal amendments to the State Environmental

Planning Policy No 65 - Design Quality of

Residential Flat Development (SEPP 65).

The new rules commence on 17 July 2015.

Development applications lodged before

the announcement of the changes on 19

June 2015 will still be determined under the

old unamended SEPP 65 and the existing

Residential Flat Design Code.

The Apartment Design Guide (the Guide)

says that it is about introducing ‘greater

fl exibility into the design process to

encourage more innovation’. This fl exibility is

refl ected in the Guide’s four-tiered approach.

Design quality principles

At the highest level are nine design quality

principles. These replace (and are similar to)

the existing 10 design quality principles set out

in SEPP 65. These principles are very broad.

In development assessment, architects

will need to ensure that these principles

are ‘addressed’ by a residential apartment

development (under clause 50(1AB) of

the amended Environmental Planning and

Assessment Regulation 2000).

Objectives

The second tier is the 80 objectives (set out in

parts 3 and 4 of the Guide). The objectives are

very general qualitative (non-numeric) goals.

Architects will be required to explain how

these objectives are ‘achieved’ in their

design verifi cation statement. This is also

something that town planners will probably

also need to deal with in the course of a

typical approval process.

Design criteria

Sitting underneath some of the objectives

are ‘design criteria’. The purpose of ‘design

criteria’ is to provide measurable requirements

for how an objective can be achieved.

‘Design criteria’ are prescriptive and are similar

to the ‘rules of thumb’ under the existing

Residential Flat Design Code. The prescription

of the ‘design criteria’ is moderated by the

Guide’s explicit acknowledgment that it may

not be possible to satisfy the design criteria.

14 housing


The objectives with ‘design criteria’ relate to:

• Communal open space

• Deep soil zones

• Building separation between sites

• Car parking provision rates

• Direct sunlight

• Natural cross-ventilation

• Ceiling heights

• Apartment size and layout

• Private open space and balconies

• Common circulation spaces

• Storage.

The other objectives do not have ‘design criteria’.

Design guidance

The lowest tier is the ‘design guidance’. This

is ‘advice’ on how the objectives and (where

applicable) ‘design criteria’ can be achieved.

The Guide does not hold back on its ‘design

guidance’, with 278 individual items of

guidance littered throughout parts 3 and 4

of the Guide. Like the design criteria, each item

of design guidance relates to one of the higher-

order objectives (referred to above).

When the ‘design criteria’ for an objective

is not met by a proposed development, the

associated ‘design guidance’ can be used to

assist in demonstrating how the proposed design

response nevertheless achieves the objective.

For the objectives that lack ‘design criteria’,

the ‘design guidance’ must be referred to

when demonstrating how an objective is

being achieved.

Overall status of the Guide

While the Guide sets up this four-tier hierarchy,

it is important to understand that there is no

requirement for a consent authority to strictly

apply the provisions of the Guide.

Instead, the (amended) SEPP 65 merely

requires that, when development applications

are decided, the following matters must be

taken into consideration:

• Any advice from a design review panel;

• The design quality of the development

when evaluated in accordance with the

design quality principles (referred to

above); and

• The Guide (parts 3 and 4 of the Guide

being the most relevant to development

assessment).

These matters join a long list of other

issues that must always be considered in

development assessment, such as:

• The suitability of the site for the

development;

• The likely impacts of the development on

the built environment; and

• The likely social and economic impacts.

It is quite possible that, in some cases, there

could be tensions between the provisions of the

Apartment Design Guide and other matters that

must be considered. When these tensions arise,

it is open to a consent authority (or the Land

and Environment Court on appeal) to decide not

to apply a provision of the Guide (despite any

mandatory language in the Guide itself).

Having said this, there are three respects in

which the Guide becomes more than just a

guide. Clause 30 of the amended SEPP 65

prevents a consent authority from refusing a

development application - if the relevant design

criteria are met - in relation to:

• Car parking provision;

• The internal area of each apartment; and

• Ceiling height.

This is based on an existing provision in SEPP

65 for apartment sizes and ceiling height.

However, the new clause 30 is weaker than the

existing provision. This is because it requires

a consent authority to refuse development

consent if it thinks that the development does

not demonstrate that adequate regard has

been given to the relevant objective, even if the

design criteria has been satisfi ed. In practice,

it may prove diffi cult for consent authorities

to rely on this provision (and would probably

only be invoked in unusual circumstances).

Consent authorities must also refuse to

grant development consent if they think that

inadequate regard has been given to the

design quality principles.

It’s worth briefl y commenting on the way that

clause 30 deals with car parking (a new provision)

and apartment size (an altered provision).

Car parking

Some of the changes to car parking rules

fl agged when the draft Apartment Design Guide

was released last year have been abandoned.

The Guide’s design criteria for car parking

(under objective 3J-1) now sets the minimum

car parking requirement for residents and

visitors in certain areas as the lower of either:

• The requirement prescribed by the council;

or

• The amount set by Roads and Maritime

Services (RMS) in its Guide to Traf� c

Generating Developments.

In some areas, this will reduce (but not eliminate)

the requirement to provide car parking.

For example, the Hills Shire Council

requirement for two residential car parking

spaces to be provided for each two bedroom

unit located outside of a centre is higher than

the RMS’ requirement of 1.2 residential spaces

for two bedroom units in medium residential

fl at buildings. Clause 30 of the amended SEPP

65 effectively overrides the DCP and – for a

development of that kind - the RMS minimum

is the actual minimum in the areas nominated

in the design criteria under object 3J.

Apartment size

The new apartment size design criteria

effectively overturns a Land and Environment

Court decision handed down in April. That

decision said that consent authorities were

able to refuse development consent on the

basis of apartment size, even when the

minimum sizes set out in the existing rule of

thumb were satisfi ed (our earlier article on this

case is available here).

The new Guide contains only one single list

of apartment sizes (avoiding the problem that

arose under the State Residential Flat Design

Code, where there were two competing lists).

However, the new list is not exactly the same

as the existing ‘rule of thumb’ in the Residential

Flat Design Code. Namely:

• Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments

now have a recommended minimum

internal area of 75m2 (up from the previous

‘rule of thumb’ minimum of 70m2).

• Three-bedroom, single bathroom

apartments now have a recommended

minimum internal area of 90m2 (down

from the previous rule of thumb minimum

of 95m2).

The minimum internal area for three-bedroom,

two-bathroom apartments remains the same

(ie 95m2).

This will create a perverse incentive for some

developers to do away with the amenity

of a second bathroom from two bedroom

apartments. Other developers may feel forced

to maintain bathroom numbers due to market

sentiment, but reduce the number of new homes

in the development (and therefore reduce the

supply of housing coming onto the market).

15housing


Having said this, the Guide itself allows for the

merit assessment of proposed apartments that

are below the minimum size – meaning a non-

compliant development can still be approved.

For this merit assessment to take place, the

Guide expects that it be demonstrated that

proposed apartments are well designed with

useable and functional space.

It’s also worth noting that:

• The new design quality principle 1 says

that good design responds to context

(context is defi ned to include economic

conditions); and

• Housing affordability is an objective of the

amended SEPP 65.

In our view, this makes it possible for

applicants to argue (and provide evidence)

that strict adherence to the design criteria on

apartment size may have housing affordability

implications in high-demand areas, due for

example to demographic considerations and

market demand (or lack thereof).

Sunlight and daylight access

The Guide has some (potentially) signifi cant

new provisions on sunlight and daylight

access. At present the Residential Flat Design

Code’s rule of thumb envisages that at least

70 per cent of a development’s apartments

should have living rooms and private open

spaces that receive a minimum of three hours

of direct sunlight between 9 am and 3 pm in

midwinter. In ‘dense urban areas’ this can be

reduced to two hours. The Guide re-states

this rule of thumb as part of the design criteria

for objective 4A-1, however the two-hour

exception is extended to apply to the whole

Sydney metropolitan area and the Newcastle/

Wollongong local government areas. The

expectation is that the two hours be between

9am and 3pm (rather than say from 8am

and/or until 4pm) has not changed. There

is still scope to argue in favour of utilising a

different range of hours, but in those cases the

consent authority may be entitled to refuse a

development application on that basis.

There is a new, additional, design criterion

that no more than 15 per cent of apartments

in a building may be without direct sunlight

between 9 am and 3 pm in midwinter. This

may complicate the approval process for

developments that include a signifi cant

number of lower level units that are shaded at

this time of day.

The Guide sets out design guidance (ie

‘advice’) on how objective 4A-1 and its

associated design criteria (above) can be

achieved. It says that ‘to maximise the benefi t

of direct sunlight within living rooms and private

open spaces, a minimum of 1m2 of direct

sunlight, measured at 1m above fl oor level, is

achieved for at least 15 minutes’.

This advice raises several practical issues.

For example, if the advice is to be followed,

it would require an analysis of what happens

to direct sunlight within a unit. Analysis of

this kind is not routinely required under

the existing Residential Flat Design Code.

Additionally, the advice seems to overlook the

benefi ts for room amenity of direct sunlight

that hits internal walls and other surfaces that

are not aligned with a hypothetical surface

one metre above the fl oor level.

Objective 4A-2 requires daylight access to

be maximised when sunlight is limited. The

design guidance for this objective suggests

that habitable rooms cannot rely on courtyards,

skylights and high-level windows (with sills

of 1.5 meters or greater) as their primary

light source. A ‘courtyard’ is defi ned to be

‘communal space at ground level or on a

structure that is open to the sky, formed by

the building and enclosed on 3 or more sides’.

This design guidance has the potential to

complicate the approval process for courtyard

apartment developments that include habitable

rooms whose only aspect is the courtyard.

Some provisions of DCPs wiped out

Requirements of a development control plan

(DCP) will have no effect if they relate to certain

objectives, design criteria and design guidance

set out in the Guide. These are:

• Visual privacy;

• Solar and daylight access;

• Common circulation and spaces;

• Apartment size and layout;

• Ceiling heights;

• Private open space and balconies;

• Natural ventilation; and

• Storage.

This should reduce the potential for provisions

in DCPs to compete with (and overlap with)

provisions in the Guide.

However, local councils have still been left with

the freedom to impose their own DCP provisions

in relation to other aspects of development.

Other new guidance

The Guide is littered with new and revised text.

Apartment developers may fi nd some text

encouraging and other text worrying.

For example:

• Habitable room depths are limited to

a maximum of 2.5 times the ceiling

height (although in open plan layouts the

maximum habitable room depth is still 8

meters from the window).

• Living rooms or combined living/dining

rooms have a minimum width of:

• 3.6 metres for studio and one

bedroom apartments; and

• four metres for two and three

bedroom apartments.

• When residential buildings are to be located

next to commercial buildings, the separation

distances for retail, offi ces spaces and

commercial balconies are to be measured

as if they are ‘habitable rooms’.

Apartment developers and their consultants

whose development applications are (to

be) lodged from 19 June 2015 will want to

study the new Guide closely to see if it has

implications for their proposed developments.

More paperwork

Performance objective 3A-1 requires the

Guide’s site analysis checklist to be addressed.

Additionally, the SEPP 65 design verifi cation

statements - which are now often only a

few pages - will need to be more elaborate.

This is because architects – in addition to

addressing the design quality principles - will

be legally obliged to explain how the Guide’s

80 objectives are achieved.

Increased DA fees

The development application fee (when there

is to be a referral to a design review panel) will

increase by $2,240 on 17 July 2015.

Need help?

Gadens’ experienced planning and

environment teamwork with a wide range of

urban developers.

Feel free to get in touch with Gadens’

partners Anthony Whealy on (02) 9931 4867,

Aaron Gadiel on (02) 9931 4929 or Christina

Renner on (02) 9931 4701.

16 housing

DRAFT LEGISLATION ESTABLISHES A DEFECTS BONDAs predicted in the previous edition of Master Builder (Call For Return of The Clerk of Work), the re-elected NSW Government under the Minister for Fair Trading, Victor Dominello has released for public consultation the draft Strata Schemes Development Bill 2015 and the Strata Scheme Management Bill 2015.

The reform process has been lengthy with a

Discussion Paper on proposed Strata Title

Law Reform released back in November 2013,

and consultations occurring well before this

commencing in 2011. The process of the

review of strata laws has passed through the

hands of four Fair Trading Ministers (Minister's

Roberts, Ayers, Mason-Cox and Dominello)

and it is expected there will be signifi cant

pressure on Minister Dominello to ensure the

draft Bills can successfully navigate Parliament,

unlike what occurred with the planning reforms.

Building Bond

Master Builders has from the outset

opposed the proposition of a defects bond

(Building Bond), with the view that it doesn’t

proactively address building defects during the

construction process. It has been estimated

that eighty percent of medium-density

apartments have defects.

Our concern is that the proposed Building

Bond will impose additional red-tape and

associated costs and is more likely to benefi t

those inspectors engaged to undertake

inspection and reports than delivering defect

free apartments to consumers. There is also

the issue of competition with other States and

jurisdictions to attract much needed investment

in apartments when no other jurisdiction has

moved to impose a defects bond.

At a recent industry meeting on the release of

the draft Bills, Minister Dominello and senior

Fair Trading staff made it clear that the Policy

position is locked in and that the consultative

process in relation to the draft Bills is about

the practicality on implementing the reforms

and identifying any unintended consequences.

In otherwords, NSW apartment developers

will be locked into a two per cent Building

Bond, unless compromise is required through

government negotiations to get the Bills

through Parliament.

Part 11 of the Strata Schemes Management

Bill 2015 provides for the introduction of the

Building Bond. The Bond will be two percent

of the contract price for the building work,

paid by the developer into a ‘Building Bond

Account’. The Building Bond Account is to

be administered by the Chief Executive of the

Offi ce of Finance and Services, under which

Fair Trading resides.

Amounts will be paid from the Building Bond

Account to an Owners Corporation to meet

the costs of rectifying defects identifi ed in a

fi nal inspection report provided no later than

two years after the completion of the project.

The Building Bond must also be released

within the same period or within sixty days

of the fi nal report being provided to the

developer, whichever occurs later and where

the fi nal report provides a clearance in respect

of defects identifi ed in an earlier report; or

otherwords defect free at the compilation of

the fi nal report.

It appears that interest on bond money will

be retained in the fund and used to offset the

administration costs of the fund, although this

proposition is yet to be clarifi ed.

The requirement for a Building Bond will apply

to residential building work which is exempt for

the requirements of the Building Compensation

Insurance Scheme (formally Home Owners

Warranty Insurance) including mixed use

buildings with residential parts. This is a

change from a previous version of the draft Bill

which included all residential strata projects,

including those already covered by insurance.

Inspection and Reports

Division 2 of the draft Bill provides that

developer of a strata scheme is required to

appoint and pay for a ‘Building Inspector’,

approved by the Owners Corporation to

undertake an interim and fi nal inspection and

report on any defective work. Should the

developer and the Owners Corporation fail to

agree on the appointment of the inspector, the

appointment of the Building Inspector will fall

to the Chief Executive of the Offi ce of Finance

and Services.

We have previously suggested that developers

are likely to default the appointment of the

Building Inspector to the Chief Executive

rather than enter debate with the Owners

Corporation on the appointment of the

inspector. Any subsequent grievances by the

Owners Corporation in respect of the conduct

and performance of the inspector would

subsequently lay with the Chief Executive

and could not be proportioned back to the

developer over the appointment.

Such details as the experience and

competency of the Building Inspectors,

insurance cover and indeed, the scope or

work covered by the inspection and structure

and content of reports is left to be detailed in

the supporting Regulations. We are advised

that Master Builders will be involved in the

development of the supporting Regulations.

The Building Inspector is to be appointed no

later than twelve months after the completion

of the building work and an interim report

outlining any building defects, and the likely

cause of the defects is to be provided no

later than eighteen month after completion.

A further and fi nal inspection and report must


17housing

be arranged by the developer no later than

eighteen months after the completion of

building work. The object of this report is to

identify if defects outlined in the interim report

have been rectifi ed and further defects have

been found.

Copies of the reports must to be provided

by the inspector to the developer, Owners

Corporation and the Chief Executive. The

developer in-turn must provide a copy of the

report to builder.

Bond no fi nality for future action

The proposed scheme for Building Bond will

not provide fi nality to any future or associated

action in respect of matters identifi ed in the

report or covered by the Building Bond. The

draft legislation makes it clear that Part 11

will not affect any other remedies (will not

extinguish Statutory Warranties) that may be

taken for defective building work. A future

Court or Tribunal must consider a report,

however are not bound by the report.

It appears it will be left to the Regulations to see

if a Building Inspector will be indemnifi ed for any

direct action in respect of conducting inspections

and subsequent reports. Master Builders recalls

that during previous discussion with Fair Trading,

it was suggested that inspectors would be

indemnifi ed. The Regulation will also address any

requirements for inspectors to hold professional

Indemnity Insurance.

Commentary

Master Builders is sceptical that the proposed

scheme will do anything to address the

continuing prevalence of defects in apartment

buildings. The Department of Finance and

Services engaged Ernst & Young to evaluate the

direct and indirect costs of the Building Bond

initiative. Master Builders is unaware of the results

of this work by Ernst & Young and no reference

is made to this work in relation to supporting the

requirements for a Building Bond.

We question as to whether indeed the

proposal of Part 11 of the Bill satisfi es the NSW

Principles for Better Regulation:

1. The objective of the Building Bond is

not clear, in that it has not been clearly

established if the objective is to compensate

aggrieved unit owners; or is it a process

to reduce defects in strata buildings. The

proposal in our view certainly does not target

the issue of preventing defects in strata

buildings if indeed this is a key objective.

The Bond targets defects via superfi cial

inspections after completion of the building,

it does not seek to address such defects

during the construction process.

2. The costs and benefi ts of the proposal have

not, as we understand been disclosed nor

the evaluation of any alternative proposals.

3. Part 11 goes against the simplifi cation

and consolidation of existing legislation by

providing a new mechanism for residential

building defects outside of what is

considered the host legislation for residential

building work, the Home Building Act.

A signifi cant concern for our members is that

the cost of the Building Bond will be passed

on to the builder by way of retentions sums.

This being the case, certain developers will

continue to pressure down on price, resulting

in the substitution of cheaper materials or

construction methods and consequently be

prepared to right off the bond due to holding

retention money. The new requirements for

retention trust currently apply to projects

exceeding twenty million dollars.

While we welcome the opportunity to

participate in the development of the

supporting Regulations in relation to putting

detail around the appointment of inspectors

and scope of inspection and reports, we will

watch with interest the passage of the Bills

through the Parliament.


18 housing


apprenticeshipapprenticeship

THE MASTER BUILDERS PRE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Karen Kellock, Apprenticeship Services Manager and Darin Grace, Training Services Manager have joined forces to create the Master Builders Pre Apprenticeship Program.

As an Industry Association, a Group Training

Organisation and a Registered Training

Organisation, we are signifi cantly invested

in seeing young men and women enter the

Building and Construction industry with a greater

understanding of their chosen trade, the safety,

the industry itself, and the people that make the

Building and Construction Industry strong.

The Master Builders Pre Apprenticeship Program

is designed to deliver this understanding.

Why did we develop this Program?

• Competency based progression means

an apprentice can progress to 2nd stage

with minimal on site experience, and in

some cases without setting foot on a

construction site.

• Some apprentices that we have

employed have been returned or left

their apprenticeship because they lack

experience or understanding

• We don’t believe in ‘training for

training’s sake’

The Master Builders Pre Apprenticeship

Program is the solution

Master Builders are taking a holistic approach

to preparing a new apprentice for day to day

life in this industry to create the best quality 1st

year apprentice.

Our program will include some of the

necessary skills and units of competency a 1st

year apprentice carpenter needs to learn, but

stops short of the 25% milestone.

During the Master Builders Pre-Apprenticeship

Program, participants will handle carpentry

tools and equipment, they will complete small

projects and learn to work as a team in a

simulated site and workshop environment.

This program will also deliver necessary training

in working safely at heights, fi rst aid, cultural

awareness, site safety, confl ict resolution,

communication skills, drug & alcohol

awareness, maths skills for site and how to

handle money through the Governments’

Money Smart program.

Another important part of this program is

hearing from people currently working in our

industry. We will ask Apprentices, Tradies,

Sub Contractors and Business Owners to

talk to our potential apprentices about their

story and answer questions to get a greater

understanding of what our industry is all about.

If you would like to come along and tell your

story, we’d love to hear from you.

Excursions are planned to visit work sites,

both residential and commercial, to enable

these new comers to understand and

appreciate the differences.

We’ll take them to trade suppliers to see where

a tradie, sub-contractor and builder goes to

buy building supplies, tools and equipment.

And the very best part – we will place them with

an actual Master Builders Training Employer for

2 weeks to get a feel of a real site.

The entire program lasts for 7 weeks including

the 2 week trial and will take place at Master

Builders Education Facility at Baulkham Hills.

The fi rst Program is planned to start in early

September 2015.

We’ll be posting updates on our Website with

images and information of their achievements

as the Program progresses.

WE ARE CALLING ON

INDUSTRY SUPPORT AND

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Each successful program participant will be

employed by Master Builders Apprenticeship

Service and offered to Master Builders

Training Employers under a Group Training

arrangement for the 2 week paid trial at a

greatly reduced hourly rate.

We’re hoping that these young apprentices

will impress and you’ll want to keep them!

Your 1st year apprentice will remain a 1st

year until their onsite skills marry their trade

course skills, which may take a full year. We

are not creating 2nd years.

YOU’LL BE ABLE TO

SELECT YOUR APPRENTICE!

Training Employers who have expressed

their interest will be invited to come to our

Master Builders Education Facility, enjoy a

BBQ lunch where you will meet all of our

apprentices, talk to them about their Program

experience, see their completed projects and

participate in a ‘speed interview’ system.

Call Master Builders Apprenticeship

Services to register your interest and

become part of the Master Builders Pre

Apprenticeship Program (02) 8586 3533.

19


workplace health & safetyworkplace health & safety

‘WHS REGULATORS’ HAVE VERY BROAD COERCIVE INFORMATION GATHERING POWERSThe Supreme Court of NSW has con� rmed the extensive scope of the ‘WHS Regulators’ coercive information gathering powers in terms of their scope of content, geography and timeframes, as well as their capacity to reach into the Boardroom (parent companies take note!).

In short, Regulators can obtain, on mandatory

basis, information that:

• is held in another Australian jurisdiction;

• does not relate to safety

• Pre-dates a relevant incident; and

• Is created for Board use (including that of a

parent company, rather than the subsidiary

operating the business in which the

relevant incident occurred).

What happened?

Perilya Broken Hill Ltd (PBHL) operated a

mine at Broken Hill NSW where an employee

suffered serious injuries when he fell 14

metres down a shaft in June 2012. The

NSW Department of Trade and Investment

investigated and in May 2013 an inspector

directed PBHL's holding company – Western

Australia-based Perilya Ltd (Perilya) – to

provide him with:

• The minutes from all Board meetings

convened between May 2008 and

December 2012

• The request was not confi ned to minutes

that dealt with safety; and

• Copies of all documents produced

between May 2008 and December 2012

for the purpose of advising its directors on

safety matters at the Broken Hill Mine.

Perilya provided edited versions of the relevant

documents, and then refused two statutory

requests to provide un-redacted copies,

claiming the omitted material was commercially

sensitive and confi dential information.

Perilya’s Argument and the

Supreme Court’s Finding

Perilya argued:

The jurisdictional issue – the notices

demanding the information were invalid

because the inspector's power to compel

the production was limited to documents or

matters that arise in, or are related to NSW,

and as Perilya’s head offi ce was in Perth, it

could not be the valid subject of a notice.

The Supreme Court found – The regulator's

power to obtain information under the model

WHS Act is not blocked by state borders.

The subject matter issue – the information

sought must be limited to ‘safety’ issues.

The Supreme Court found – The regulator's

power is not limited to documents that

specifi cally refer to safety matters - the absence

of safety information in documents may prove

that a WHS duty has been breached.

The time frame issue – documents created

between 2008 and late 2011 could not be

relevant to determining compliance at the time

of the incident in June 2012.

Perilya Limited v Nash [2015] NSWSC 706

(5 June 2015)

The Supreme Court found – Information

relevant to safety at the Broken Hill mine held

by the holding company of PBHL was within

the coercive powers conferred upon the

regulator under s155 to acquire 'information'

and inspectors had broad powers and could

request any documents or other evidence that

helped them monitor or enforce compliance

with the WHS Act.

The Board room issue – information held by

the holding company relating to the relevant period

was not relevant to the June 2012 incident.

The Supreme Court found – Holding

companies can hold information relevant to

breaches at operations conducted by their

operating companies and accordingly the

notice was valid in that regard.

Other key issues about coercive

information gathering powers

• These are "controversial and

extraordinary" powers that exceed police

powers in some jurisdictions.

• WHS duty holders should understand how

these powers work – duty holders regularly:

- Misunderstand their rights and hand over

information that is not required

-Participate in ‘voluntary’ interviews

thereby not engaging their abrogated

immunity against self-incrimination; and

- Do not fully appreciate that whenever

they give information to an inspector, it

can be used against them for the reasons

discussed below - so care should be taken.

• WHS Inspectors in the harmonised WHS

jurisdictions operate in a system "in which

they must serve two masters", they are:

- First, the acquisition of information for the

promotion of voluntary and preventative

programs; and

- Second, the acquisition of information for

enforcement action including prosecution.

• It can be unclear which stage of the

investigation continuum the inspector

is up to ("Are they after facts, or putting

together a prosecution brief?"). This makes

it diffi cult to know when to "lawyer up".

Think twice before:

• Agreeing to be fi lmed or audio recorded

during a WHS interview – notwithstanding

pressure to do so; or

• Signing any ‘statement’ or other similar

document; there is no legal obligation to

sign a statement – at the very least, ensure

the document has been comprehensively

reviewed and ideally, advice taken about

it. Statements signed in haste often

contain inaccurate information that can be

relied upon to support an "unmeritorious"

decision to prosecute duty holders.

Kindly provided by: Siobhan Flores-Walsh

Siobhan Flores-Walsh is a partner in Corrs

Chambers Westgarth’s workplace law practice.

She is one of Australia’s leading work health

and safety lawyers. To contact: Direct:

(02) 9210 6279

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Apprentices in Training

ABBTF Supported Apprentices

ABBTF Supported Commencements

ABBTF Supported Completions

Adult Apprentice Support

Work Ready Course Enrolments

Careers Expo Events Attended

Step Out Program and Try-a-Trade

Peak Monthly Websites Visits

Facebook Fans

2,474

1,641

890

302

63

385

105

2,193

16,832

11,100

2,042

1,302

595

478

35

80

127

2,616

8,308

7,800

OPERATING RESULTS 2014/15Nos.

2013/14Nos.

Revenue

Total Expenditure

Operating Surplus

Training Reserve

App Subsidies to Employers

Recruiting and Training Support

Taster and Work Ready

Promotion

Development

Administration

4,248

3,950

298

2,255

1,433

366

314

337

832

668

4,620

4,672

(52)

2,203

2,052

429

236

373

870

712

FINANCIAL RESULTS 2014/15$000’s

2013/14$000’s

105 careers events and promotions were attended to encourage young people into the trade. Many of the events included Try-a-Trade.

2,193 students were provided with Try-a-Trade and Step Out Programs at targeted schools.

2,841 schools were provided with regular trade and career information, including a student nomination web page.

An extensive recruitment program to fill apprentice vacancies was conducted with online promotion, job advertising and candidate assessment.

385 job seekers received short Work Ready bricklaying courses with an on-site trial and sign up of the new apprentice.

11,000+ Facebook Fans were reached via social media contact targeting Gen Y and Z.

Up to 200 apprentice job vacancies were identified through the support of bricklayers and Group Training Companies.

Introduced a Spotters Fee reward to past and current apprentices who nominated a new apprentice in bricklaying.

1,641 apprentices were supported with employment and training via the Brickstart Subsidy, an increase of 26% on the previous year.

63 adult apprentice bricklayers were supported with a $2,000 incentive for employers to partly offset the adult pay rate cost.

Surveyed 1st Year apprentices to identify the influences and reasons for deciding to become a bricklayer.

Contacted supported apprentices and their employers to provide support in line with the retention program.

19 e-newsletters, 8 print newsletters and 58 blog articles were created to inform the industry on brick and blocklayer and ABBTF activities.

Gained extensive media coverage on the bricklayer shortage leading to promoting and filling apprentice job vacancies.

Worked with a growing number of residential builders to share ABBTF strategies and address the bricklayer shortage.

Provided advice to Government and industry training organisations in some states on workforce participation and training strategies.

Supported quality apprentices participating in WorldSkills Australia competitions at regional, national and international level.

Provided a scholarship to support the training and preparation of the WorldSkills bricklaying competitor for the 2015 WorldSkills International competition.

ABBTF Operating Results 2014/2015During the year to June 2015 the Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF) achieved the following:

The full Statutory Annual Report will be available on the website or as hardcopy on request.Geoff Noble, ABBTF Chief Executive Officer August 2015

Supported by Brick & Block Manufacturers of Australia Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census compared with two prior Census Reports data.

1300 66 44 96www.abbtf.com.au | www.becomeabricklayer.com.au

ABBTF Strategy Achieves Younger WorkforceA comparison of ages of bricklayers at each of the past three Censuses shows a marked increase in younger bricklayers in the workforce. The ABBTF programs over past years have boosted apprentice numbers and younger people joining the trade. Joint contributions by Brick and Block Manufacturers and the building industry purchasing their products continues to be a sound investment in addressing the skill shortage in bricklaying.

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Bricklayers Ages - Censuses 2001, 2006, 2011

No

. of B

rickl

ayer

s

15 Ye

ars

17 Ye

ars

21 Ye

ars

25 Ye

ars

29 Ye

ars

35 Ye

ars

43 Ye

ars

45 Ye

ars

19 Ye

ars

23 Ye

ars

31 Ye

ars

37 Ye

ars

39 Ye

ars

47 Ye

ars

53 Ye

ars

55 Ye

ars

27 Ye

ars

33 Ye

ars

41 Ye

ars

49 Ye

ars

51 Ye

ars

57 Ye

ars

59 Ye

ars

61 Ye

ars

63 Ye

ars

65 Ye

ars

67 Ye

ars

69 Ye

ars

201120062001

20

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Apprentices in Training

ABBTF Supported Apprentices

ABBTF Supported Commencements

ABBTF Supported Completions

Adult Apprentice Support

Work Ready Course Enrolments

Careers Expo Events Attended

Step Out Program and Try-a-Trade

Peak Monthly Websites Visits

Facebook Fans

2,474

1,641

890

302

63

385

105

2,193

16,832

11,100

2,042

1,302

595

478

35

80

127

2,616

8,308

7,800

OPERATING RESULTS 2014/15Nos.

2013/14Nos.

Revenue

Total Expenditure

Operating Surplus

Training Reserve

App Subsidies to Employers

Recruiting and Training Support

Taster and Work Ready

Promotion

Development

Administration

4,248

3,950

298

2,255

1,433

366

314

337

832

668

4,620

4,672

(52)

2,203

2,052

429

236

373

870

712

FINANCIAL RESULTS 2014/15$000’s

2013/14$000’s

105 careers events and promotions were attended to encourage young people into the trade. Many of the events included Try-a-Trade.

2,193 students were provided with Try-a-Trade and Step Out Programs at targeted schools.

2,841 schools were provided with regular trade and career information, including a student nomination web page.

An extensive recruitment program to fill apprentice vacancies was conducted with online promotion, job advertising and candidate assessment.

385 job seekers received short Work Ready bricklaying courses with an on-site trial and sign up of the new apprentice.

11,000+ Facebook Fans were reached via social media contact targeting Gen Y and Z.

Up to 200 apprentice job vacancies were identified through the support of bricklayers and Group Training Companies.

Introduced a Spotters Fee reward to past and current apprentices who nominated a new apprentice in bricklaying.

1,641 apprentices were supported with employment and training via the Brickstart Subsidy, an increase of 26% on the previous year.

63 adult apprentice bricklayers were supported with a $2,000 incentive for employers to partly offset the adult pay rate cost.

Surveyed 1st Year apprentices to identify the influences and reasons for deciding to become a bricklayer.

Contacted supported apprentices and their employers to provide support in line with the retention program.

19 e-newsletters, 8 print newsletters and 58 blog articles were created to inform the industry on brick and blocklayer and ABBTF activities.

Gained extensive media coverage on the bricklayer shortage leading to promoting and filling apprentice job vacancies.

Worked with a growing number of residential builders to share ABBTF strategies and address the bricklayer shortage.

Provided advice to Government and industry training organisations in some states on workforce participation and training strategies.

Supported quality apprentices participating in WorldSkills Australia competitions at regional, national and international level.

Provided a scholarship to support the training and preparation of the WorldSkills bricklaying competitor for the 2015 WorldSkills International competition.

ABBTF Operating Results 2014/2015During the year to June 2015 the Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF) achieved the following:

The full Statutory Annual Report will be available on the website or as hardcopy on request.Geoff Noble, ABBTF Chief Executive Officer August 2015

Supported by Brick & Block Manufacturers of Australia Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census compared with two prior Census Reports data.

1300 66 44 96www.abbtf.com.au | www.becomeabricklayer.com.au

ABBTF Strategy Achieves Younger WorkforceA comparison of ages of bricklayers at each of the past three Censuses shows a marked increase in younger bricklayers in the workforce. The ABBTF programs over past years have boosted apprentice numbers and younger people joining the trade. Joint contributions by Brick and Block Manufacturers and the building industry purchasing their products continues to be a sound investment in addressing the skill shortage in bricklaying.

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Bricklayers Ages - Censuses 2001, 2006, 2011

No

. of B

rickl

ayer

s

15 Ye

ars

17 Ye

ars

21 Ye

ars

25 Ye

ars

29 Ye

ars

35 Ye

ars

43 Ye

ars

45 Ye

ars

19 Ye

ars

23 Ye

ars

31 Ye

ars

37 Ye

ars

39 Ye

ars

47 Ye

ars

53 Ye

ars

55 Ye

ars

27 Ye

ars

33 Ye

ars

41 Ye

ars

49 Ye

ars

51 Ye

ars

57 Ye

ars

59 Ye

ars

61 Ye

ars

63 Ye

ars

65 Ye

ars

67 Ye

ars

69 Ye

ars

201120062001


workplace health & safetyworkplace health & safety

MASTER BUILDER WINS INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT AWARDMaster Builders Association of New South

Wales is proud to announce that we have been

awarded an International Safety Management

Award from the International Safety Quality

Environment Management Association (ISQEM) a

United Kingdom based professional association.

This latest award is in recognition of Master

Builders Association of New South Wales

commitment to keeping its workers and

workplaces healthy and safe.

“As the primary employer association in the

state’s building and construction industry, MBA

prides itself on taking a leading role in the Work

Health and Safety space” said Brian Seidler,

MBA Executive Director.

“It is extremely gratifying that our experienced

safety team has been internationally

recognised for its initiative and drive for a

best practice approach to safety which is

taken both internally and externally by our

organisation” Mr Seidler said.

The International Management Awards seek

to celebrate and promote the success of the

winning organisations and their employees

in maintaining a safe and healthy working

environment for all. They are open to

businesses, public and third sector bodies of

all sizes and sectors.

The President of ISQEM Wayne Taylor

congratulates Master Builders Association of

New South Wales on its success.

“The International Safety Management Awards

rightly refl ects the importance of aiming

for good standards of health and safety at

work. Master Builders Association of New

South Wales should rightly be proud of its

achievement. Congratulations.”

International Safety Quality Environment

Management Association (ISQEM)

ISQEM is a UK registered non-profi t making

organisation contributing to the enhancement of

safety quality and environmental management

on a global scale. The association is fully

international with over 28,000 members from

the UK, USA, Europe, Asia, Africa and the

Middle East, who have joined together to ensure

that the three key areas of management Safety,

Quality and Environment are being raised and

improved worldwide.

2015

®


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legallegal

RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILYWe are � nding that a large number of the MBA’s legal enquiries begin with: “I did a job for a relative as a favour” or “I did some work for a friend trying to help him, or her out”.

Warning bells go off when we hear this as it is

usually the case that the Builder, in an effort

to be a kind family member or a helpful friend,

has cut corners to reduce the price or to make

life easier for the Owner.

It is nearly always the Builder who suffers when

these situations go wrong, not the Owner.

Quite often the Owner gets to save money –

but at the Builder’s expense.

A classic example is entering into a fi xed price

contract so the Owner can obtain funding

from their bank, if the bank will not accept a

cost plus contract, and then agreeing “on the

side” to carry out the works under a cost plus

arrangement instead. Don’t do this. It is a fraud

on the bank, and if the costs go over budget

under the cost plus arrangement, the Owner is

likely to blame the Builder and then try to hold

him to the fi xed price provided to the bank.

Another minefi eld for potential problems is

agreeing to supervise or manage a project for

an Owner-builder because they are a friend

of a friend or a cousin and just “need a bit of

a hand” or to do the job using the Builder’s

licence but the Builder doesn’t “formalise”

things. It is not impossible to work for Owner-

builders, particularly as a trade subcontractor,

but when a Builder gets involved with

overseeing a project, with or without using

his licence, he will invariably be held to be

performing the role of the Builder and Principal

Contractor. Avoid contracting with an Owner-

builder to manage a project. This article will not

cover all the risks involved in doing so but this

topic is briefl y mentioned because Builders will

quite often get themselves into such a situation

because the Owner-builder is someone they

know and think they can trust. If things go

wrong, however, the Builder will be blamed.

The Big Three

The three main things to remember when

contracting with friends or family to carry out

residential building works are:

1. Sign a contract which is compliant with the

Home Building Act 1989 (NSW);

2. Hold a current contractor licence for the

work to be carried out;

3. Take out insurance under the Home

Building Compensation Fund (“HBCF”)

(formerly Home Warranty Insurance) for the

scope of works in the contract.

Contract

The contract should be in writing, include all

the features required by the Home Building

Act and accurately refl ect what the Owner

has asked to be done. Don’t agree verbally to

carry out work or help out on a project for a

friend or relative – or anyone. It is illegal and it

is the Builder who suffers the consequences

if the proper procedures are not followed.

These consequences can include prosecution

by NSW Fair Trading and in some cases even

licence suspension. It is not worth jeopardising

your licence and future.

Licence

Holding a licence may seem straightforward

– but ensure the entity that contracts with

the Owner actually holds the licence. So if a

company is on the contract then the Pty Ltd

company must hold a licence. Don’t agree

to start work whilst waiting for a licence

application to be approved by Fair Trading just

because the Owner is a personal acquaintance

– this is a breach of the Home Building Act,

which a rogue Owner will happily use against

a Builder later on as an excuse not to make

payment. Similarly, never “lend” a licence to

an Owner to use on their project without direct

involvement in it. This is extremely dangerous

and not only carries risk for the length of the

construction period, but also for a number of

years after completion. Finally, don’t carry out

work which your licence doesn’t allow you to

do. This would be classed as unlicensed work

and is prohibited by the Home Building Act.

The risk is simply not worth it.

Insurance under the Home Building

Compensation Fund

When contracting with an Owner, be they

friend or foe or somewhere in between, the

requirements for insurance under the HBCF

are the same. If the work you are doing is over

$20,000.00 the insurance must be taken out.

If the Owner is an Owner-builder, the insurance

must still be taken out. If the contract is for

supervision of the works, the insurance must

be taken out for the relevant scope of works.

Again, if the Builder is managing the project for

an Owner-builder it is likely they will be seen

to be the responsible Builder. Appropriate

insurance should be in place.

The 2015 amendments to the Home Building

Act removed the ability of Owner-builders to

obtain insurance under the HBCF in order to

remove some of the confusion surrounding the

issue of contractors working for Owner-builders

failing to take out such insurance. The bottom

line is – when helping out a friend or family do

...continues on page 26

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legallegal

TRADERS PENALISED FOR UNLICENSED WORKTwo traders have recently received penalties of up to $8000 in the Parramatta Local Court for conducting work they were not licensed or suitably quali� ed to do.

Two traders have recently received penalties

of up to $8000 in the Parramatta Local Court

for conducting work they were not licensed or

suitably qualifi ed to do.

On June 12 Roselands trader Xiaoke (aka

David) Li, trading as Solar Island Energy Pty

Ltd (now deregistered) and also Rosh Home

Technology Pty Ltd was ordered to pay $8406

in fi nes and professional costs for contracting

and coordinating unlicensed specialist work.

The court heard Mr Li, through the two

companies, had allegedly made representations

he could supply and install solar panel systems

for hot water and electricity.

For a period of almost two years from December

2012 to June 2014, the trader allegedly procured

solar installation work from customers in the

Roselands and Mt Pritchard areas either carrying

out the unlicensed work himself or coordinating

third-party installers to do it.

Also in June, Bligh Park trader Neil Charles

Mitchell, trading as Great Australian Kitchens

and Joinery, was ordered to pay $2411 in

fi nes and professional costs for contracting

and conducting work without an appropriate

license, demanding and receiving payment

before residential work commenced and falsely

representing that he held a contractor license.

Mr Mitchell has not held a license since 25

July 2013. In January 2014 he applied for a

new license. Mr Mitchell’s application was

refused because he had failed to satisfy a NSW

Civil and Administrative Tribunal order for an

unrelated issue.

Despite being unlicensed, Mr Mitchell

contracted to supply and install a new kitchen

and TV cabinet for a Niagara Park customer,

with the total job valued at more than $17,000.

Mr Mitchell demanded and received an initial

deposit of $5,500 for the works, exceeding the

legally applicable limit, which is ten percent of

the overall contract price.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe

reminded consumers to check that traders are

appropriately qualifi ed and licensed, before

agreeing to work or making any payments.

“For many people the family home is our

largest investment, so it is important you

do your homework before you commit to

residential building work,” Mr Stowe said.

“Reputable traders should be able to provide

new customers with referees and contact

details of previous clients so they can check on

the trader’s past performance.”

For more information or to check a trader’s

license is valid visit the NSW Fair Trading

website, www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

not cut corners and fail – or forget – to take out

insurance under the HBCF. If the insurance is

not in place, the Owner can refuse to pay unless

the Builder can show exceptional circumstances

why they ought to be paid. It is simply not worth

the hassle or the risk to your licence.

Whilst it may seem all doom and gloom, the

harsh reality is that where money is involved,

friends and family can quickly turn into

enemies. Usually the Builder never expects

it and is, needless to say, disheartened and

frustrated by the turn of events. It doesn’t

always happen – but it happens all too often.

The best way for a Builder to protect himself

against time-consuming civil claims brought

by a disgruntled or devious Owner is to dot

the “i”s and cross the “t”s in relation to the

contract, the licence and insurance under the

HBCF. The contract will assist in determining

exactly what works – and subcontractors – the

Builder is responsible for, holding the correct

licence will eliminate any excuse not to pay

and having proper insurance in place will

also reduce the Owner’s reasons not to pay.

Adhering to all three requirements will prevent

prosecution by Fair Trading and/or penalties

being imposed for non-compliance.

Once a Builder has done the right thing in

relation to the “Big Three” he should ensure he

follows the contract. Just because the Owner

may be a friend or relative does not mean

contract administration should be left to go

down the drain. Notify the Owner of Extension

of Time Claims where applicable, claim

properly in accordance with the contract and

above all, get variations signed in writing.

This too, is a topic for another day, but it is

equally as important when working for personal

acquaintances so as to prevent things from

getting very messy as the works progress.

Doing things properly, and being careful even

where the Owner is known personally, can help

friends to remain friends and keep relatives on

speaking terms.

If you have any queries in relation to this article

please contact MBA Lawyers on

(02) 8586 3517 or [email protected]

26


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27


industrial relationsindustrial relations

DOES THE CFMEU DARE TO CHANGE?When it comes to normal community standards of behaviour the CFMEU just don’t get it.

The community doesn’t condone or tolerate

racism, yet the CFMEU and one of

its offi cials has just been fi ned for racially vilifying

a site representative on a construction site.

As a community we don’t tolerate violence

against women in the home; we don’t tolerate

intimidation and coercion in the workplace,

building sites should be no exception. Yet the

Royal Commission and the courts have heard

evidence of acts of aggression against and

denigration of women by some CFMEU offi cials.

In no other workplace are employees subjected

to the intimidation, abuse and coercion,

building sites should be no exception.

There is no place in the building industry or

the wider community for rogue operators who

use ‘phoenix’ companies to resurrect failed

businesses in a new corporate form to avoid

paying sub-contractors and worker entitlements.

Yet, the Royal Commission has heard that

the CFMEU repeatedly signed enterprise

agreements (EBAs) with the phoenix

companies controlled by underworld identity

George Alex, despite those fi rms owing

thousands in unpaid workers’ entitlements.

The community also has expectations that

its members will return home safely to their

families on completion of a day’s work,

building sites should be no exception. Safety

on building sites is paramount for Master

Builders and improving safety outcomes is a

responsibility that must be shared by both

employers and employees. Safety is a shared

responsibility and building sites are safer

workplaces when everyone works together.

Yet, when called to account for their unlawful

actions the union often seeks to excuse its

aberrant behaviour on grounds of promoting

safety, despite the fact that their abusive and

aggressive behaviour undermines a strong

safety culture on building sites.

Surely the community deserves better, particularly

as the CFMEU’s actions undermine both the

economy and key social policy aspirations.

There is no doubt that the CFEMU’s industrial

tactics drive up the cost of publicly funded

community infrastructure or that suppressing

CFMEU industrial thuggery delivers substantial

benefi ts from increased productivity, though

the extent is diffi cult to numerically quantify.

The Productivity Commission (PC) inquiry into

the cost of constructing public infrastructure

found a strong adverse link between the poor

industrial relations environment on major

project sites and the cost borne by taxpayers.

Less schools, hospitals, childcare centres,

aged care facilities and roads is the price

our community pays for the toxic culture of

the CFMEU. Liveability and more connected

communities are sacrifi ced in pursuit of the

union’s industrial agenda.

The PC also highlighted how the union’s

industrial tactics act as a barrier to increasing

the participation of women in the building

and construction industry. Our industry has

the lowest female to employment ratio at just

under 12 per cent compared with around

45 per cent for all industries. Worse, female

participation actually declined in the building

industry over the past 20 years, against the

trend in all other industries.

The PC suggests that the aggressive nature of

industrial confrontations in our industry might act

as a barrier to women’s increased participation.

This is hardly surprising when women in

construction can expect to be confronted by

CFMEU aggression and denigration, such in

the instances alleged to have occurred against

women FWBC inspectors heard recently by the

Royal Commission.

Women in our community pay the price of the

CFMEU’s cultural problems in lost opportunities

for rewarding careers in a key growth industry

just as the community pays in lost productivity

that results from gender diversity.

Master Builders strongly supports the return

of the powers of the Australian Building and

Construction Commission (ABCC) because of

its success in supressing industrial thuggery

and affecting cultural change, both essential

prerequisites to increased participation of

women in our industry.

The CFMEU protest that restoring the ABCC

would unfairly single them out from other

unions. In reality, that is achieved by the union’s

belief that they are above the law and exempt

from community standards of behaviour.

The union self-consciously declares that it

“dares to win”. The question is, does the

CFMEU dare to change? All that is asked is

that they behave like a normal union and its

offi cials like normal people.

28

excellence in housing & pool awards

EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING & POOL AWARDS The Master Builders Association of NSW’s Excellence in Housing and Pool Awards is the state’s most prestigious residential building awards, celebrating excellence in workmanship, innovation and quality.

The Housing Awards showcase the very best

in residential building and attract a broad cross

section of the residential building sector including

project home builders, contract builders, unit

developers as well as builders specialising in

additions, alterations and renovations.

2015 saw a huge number of projects entered

with the judges astounded by the quality of

workmanship and the many construction

diffi culties successfully overcome as well as the

excellent relationships between clients, builders

and sub-contractors.

The winners were announced at a gala

presentation at the Star on the 29th of August,

with the black tie event hosted by television

personalities Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Gilbert,

with entertainment provided by comedian Gary

Eck and the After Party Band.

The MBA congratulates all winners listed here

but in particular, the Master Builder of the Year,

Sammut Developments and the Young Builder

of the Year, Ciaran Goodman from Bronxx

Construction Management Pty Limited. The MBA

would also like to thank its dedicated panel of

judges who personally inspect each and every

entry as well as our generous sponsors.


Venue, THE STAR Event Centre, Pyrmont

Comedian Gary Eck Comperes Sylvia Jeffreys & Tim Gilbert

29



Master Builder of the Year Award – Sammut Developments

Master Builders Association of NSW, President Paul Maginnity

The After Party Band

Young Builder of the Year Award – Ciaran Goodman, Bronxx Construction Management Pty Limited

30



HOUSING AWARDS 2015 JUDGING PANEL

ALAN BROWNEAlan Browne has been a building consultant since 1988. Prior to this he was a licensed builder with a trade background in carpentry and joinery. He holds a Carpentry & Joinery Trade Certifi cate, Building Foreman & Clerk of Works Certifi cate, Building Certifi cate and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Building Surveying and Assessment from UTS. He has had a varied career, including being a part-time teacher at TAFE teaching the Building Supervision Course (now Certifi cate IV) and assessing earthquake damage for the Earthquake Commission of New Zealand following the earthquakes in Christchurch. He is a past president of the St George Division of the Master Builders Association, and has had a heavy involvement with local St George and Chullora TAFEs.

PETER COURTPeter Court is managing director of Concourt Pty Ltd, which he established in 1971. He graduated from the University of NSW in 1966 with a building diploma (ASTC Build). Peter has been a member of the Master Builders Association of NSW for 33 years and has sat on the MBA Council of Management and the Housing Sector Committee since 1990. Concourt Pty Ltd won three excellence awards in the 1990s and subsequently Peter became a judge for the MBA Excellence in Housing Awards. He has been judging for the past 19 years and was also a board member of the MBA of NSW for 10 years.

PETER HAIKALISPeter Haikalis has a background in project

management for domestic, commercial, and

industrial projects. He graduated with an

Associate Diploma in Applied Science Building

and then a Bachelor Degree in Building from the

University of NSW. He is managing director of the

project management fi rm, Home and Investment

Property Services Pty Ltd, and acts as a defects

inspector as well as providing contract project

management services. He is involved in his own

property development of luxury residential homes

and multi-dwelling projects.

MAX MOSHERMax Mosher is an energy consultant and has

worked in the energy industry for more than

35 years. During that time he has gained a

wealth of knowledge and experience, especially

in relation to solar and energy-effi cient house

design, including energy utilisation in the

domestic sector and thermal performance

assessments. Max has been a committee

member on a Standards Australia Review

Committee BD/058 titled “Materials for the

Thermal Insulation of Buildings”. He has been

on the judging panels for the Building Designers

Association Annual Design Awards, the Master

Builders Association Excellence in Housing

Awards, the Master Builders Association

Excellence in Construction Awards, The Master

Builders Australia National Excellence in Building

and Construction Awards, and the Local

Government Association Environment Awards.

Max is a founding member and former director

of the Association of Building Sustainability

Assessors (ABSA).

MICHAEL O’DONNELLMichael O’Donnell is a licensed builder and is

currently chairman of the MBA NSW Housing

Committee. He is also the NSW representative

on MBA Australia’s Residential Builders

Council, is one of four industry representatives

on the NSW Government’s Home Warranty

Insurance Fund Underwriting Committee and

is the builder representative on the TDA’s

National Timber Design Awards. Michael joined

NSW homebuilder Huxley Homes in March

1976 after nine years in the Australian Army.

In 1979 Michael took over Huxley Homes’

newly established Regional Building Division.

Michael resigned from Huxley Homes in

1995, which enabled him to establish his own

building business, MKO Constructions, which

specialises in the design and construction

of residential extensions, renovations and

fi rst fl oor additions. Since establishing MKO

Constructions, Michael has completed more

than 300 new homes and extension/renovation

projects in the Baulkham Hills, Hornsby and

Ku-ring-gai council areas.

STEPHEN RAYNERStephen Rayner has been a member of the

Master Builders Association for the past 36

years. He is a past president of the MBA

Northern Suburbs Division and has held the

position of treasurer since 2008. Stephen

holds a Carpenter and Joiner trade certifi cate

along with a Clerk of Works certifi cate. He

is the director of Stream Constructions

Pty Ltd, which specialises in architect-

designed projects, domestic and commercial

renovations. His most recent project was a

$2m home renovation at Longueville. During

his building career, Stephen was a part-time

teacher at Hornsby TAFE, teaching the building

component of the Real Estate Certifi cate. He

received the MBA Divisional Gold Member

award in February 2012.

DANIELLE TOWNSENDDanielle Townsend is a freelance editor at

Universal Magazines, a well-known publisher of

niche titles for the Australian and international

markets. She has worked on numerous home

titles including Grand Designs Australia, Pool

+ Spa, Australian Period Style, Build Home,

Poolside, Kit Homes Yearbook, Master Builders

Association Excellence in Housing Awards

Annual, Renovate, Kitchens and Bathrooms

Quarterly, and Home Design. This is her

12th year as editor of the Master Builders

Association Excellence in Housing Awards

Annual. She was previously features editor at

a country newspaper, where one of her main

roles was as real estate editor.

JOHN WORTHINGTONJohn Worthington has been a member of the

Master Builders Association of NSW since

1976. He graduated from Sydney Technical

College in 1971 and holds a building diploma.

He also received a Timber Pest Certifi cate from

TAFE in 1989, Master of Dispute Resolution

from the University of Technology in 1998,

Professional Certifi cate in Arbitration and

Mediation from the University of Adelaide in

1999, Accredited Certifi er Program (BSAP)

from the University of Technology Sydney

in 2004, and is an associate member of the

Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators. He was

awarded national accreditation in 2008. John

is chairman of the Building Consultants Council

and a member of the Council of Management

of the MBA. He is currently engaged as a

building consultant, acting as an expert witness

in the Consumer Trader & Tenancy Tribunal and

the court system in Australia.

31


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MASTER BUILDER OF THE YEAR

www.sammutdevelopments.com.au02 9542 7366 | [email protected]

2015 MBA Winner | Multiple MBA Award WinnerBoutique Builder and Developer of Luxury Homes and Prestige Apartments.

Sammut Developments are a Sydney based company and hold 25 Major Industry Awards.

DevelopmentsSammut

Sammut Developments A SOUTHERN SYDNEY ICONNautilus could be considered one of the most amazing homes in Sydney, if not Australia, and has already become an icon of Sydney’s southern suburbs. Set over four lots on the foreshore of Burraneer Bay in Cronulla, it consists of six levels, from the waterfront heritage-listed two-storey boathouse with private beach through to the porte cochere and extensive forecourt at street level.

Despite boasting approximately 3950m2 of roofed area, Nautilus has been designed to nestle within the site so as to sit comfortably with its neighbours and not impact the foreshore. Even though the home is generous in size, it has been designed to accommodate easy accessible living in a warm, cosy environment.

From the street, the residence is hardly noticeable, screened by extensive landscaped gardens and mature trees. Two private driveway tunnels lead to underground garages plus two driveways access the visitor parking and entrance. Almost half of the area of the home is below natural ground level, thus the subtle appearance from both the street and the water.

Collaboration between Sammut Developments and consultants allowed amazing clear span structures and cantilevers, ensuring that the inside flows to the extensive garden and entertaining areas. The entry has a feature stair based upon the geometry of a Nautilus shell, and took hundreds of man-hours to ensure millimetre precision.

The contemporary design has been enhanced with extensive use of natural stonework as well as feature zinc roofs. Expansive terrace areas and the extensive use of glass, including clerestory windows, has created a light-filled home that serves as a hub for the large extended family.

The seven-bedroom dwelling incorporates three lifts, one accessing a 15m-long and 8m-deep tunnel that allows the occupants to access the water from the porte cochere without needing to climb, or descend even one step. Sammut believes it’s the only residence in the Southern Hemisphere to have three separate lifts.

On the waterfront, a sea pool was demolished and a new beach added. Extensive renovations to the heritage boatshed were also carried out.Nautilus features a remarkable 20 car spaces, eight living areas, extensive entertaining rooms, an underground music room, two separate guest pavilions, two studies, six kitchens, an outdoor Teppanyaki kitchen, a commercial bar, 20 bathrooms and four laundries.

For relaxation there’s the choice of a gymnasium, a two-lane completion bowling alley, state-of-the-art cinema, 2000-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, 25m-long lap pool, two spas, a day spa with steam room, outdoor futsal court and access to a private beach.

The design and construction statistics for this residence are quite staggering. The first sketch concept was done in January 2010 and more than 5500 man hours were spent on the architectural planning of the residence, not including interiors and structural design. Construction commenced in September 2011 and 750 tradesmen worked on the site, which peaked at around 100 separate tradesmen in a single day.

Approximately 2300m3 of concrete was used to construct the structure. There’s also 300 tonnes of reinforcement steel in the concrete slabs and footings. The excavation itself exceeded 6500m3.

The house has more than 200 individual windows with an accumulative area of 950m2. The lower floor has sliding doors that span a distance of 13m clear. The sliding doors in the main living were custom built in Switzerland and are one of the largest door units, at 4.2m high, in an individual home, with a tolerance of 0.1mm.

More than 1000 individual light fixtures and 4.5km of pipes were laid during construction.

Outside, more than 6000 individual plants were installed, and some trees were even craned in, the heaviest being magnolias at 3.5 tonnes.

An astounding amount of custom joinery features throughout, with 68 individual customised joinery items for the six kitchens, two bars, wine tasting room, Teppanyaki bar and 20 bathrooms.

More than 2400m2 of tiles were sourced from around the globe, in 13 different styles.

Nautilus has to be seen to be believed, and truly is a remarkable collaboration between owner, architect and builder.

Judges’ comments: Sammut Developments was founded in 1995 by brothers John and Allen Sammut, who followed in the footsteps of their father, who was also a builder. The works carried out on their entry this year took more than three years to complete and Sammut Developments has now produced one of Australia’s most beautiful homes. Congratulations to the Master Builder of the Year for 2015 and a very much-deserved prize.

32 excellence in housing & pool awards

www.sammutdevelopments.com.au02 9542 7366 | [email protected]

2015 MBA Master Builder of the Year | Multiple MBA Award WinnerBoutique Builder and Developer of Luxury Homes and Prestige Apartments.

Sammut Developments are a Sydney based company and hold 26 Major Industry Awards.

DevelopmentsSammut


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YOUNG BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Bronxx Construction Management Pty LimitedSTEADY PROGRESSION

Director of Bronxx Construction Management, Ciaran Goodman, has worked in the construction industry for the past 16 years, primarily with tier-one and tier-two construction companies Laing O’Rourke and Baulderstone (respectively). He has worked across a broad spectrum of construction projects ranging from large-scale retail, commercial, residential and specialist projects to medium-scale refurbishment and residential projects.

His commercial work includes roles as site manager of Pinnacle Office Park in North Ryde; the Dapto Mall extension in Dapto; the Westpoint Shopping Centre refurbishment in Blacktown; the Apple Store upgrade at Castle Towers Shopping Centre; and the Nepean Hospital extension at Penrith.

As director, his work includes the design and construction of a one-off 500m2 home at Bingara Gorge; the design and construction of four two-storey townhouses, known as Lighthouse Mews at Breakfast Point; and the design and construction of 16 three-storey terraces – Ashmore Terraces – in Erskineville.

Ciaran has worked his way up the ranks, starting as apprentice carpenter, leading hand carpenter, before moving to sub foreman, foreman, site manager, project manager and director. He comes from a trade background of carpentry and progressed through the ranks, which provided him with a strong grounding and skills in design management, construction and trade procurement, construction programming and construction management, EH&S and quality management and relationship management.

Bronxx Construction Management is a positive and dynamic residential construction company which provides design and construction services. Ciaran founded the company in 2011 to offer clients a business they can engage with, and manages all aspects of construction projects. It has progressively grown each year as a result of the passion and desire instilled by Ciaran.

The company’s core capability is multi-residential projects where Ciaran can take the lead role in design management and shape the project vision. He takes pride in working to a vision and ensuring the client’s expectations are delivered. “The best results are founded on strong teamwork and the ability to re-create the project vision on-site,” says Ciaran.

His company focus is repeat business throughout all facets of the project life cycle. “Relationships with developers, architects, other project consultants and subcontractors are a focus that we work hard to maintain and foster,” says Ciaran. “The end product is a direct result of this hard work, thus ensuring delivery of projects where quality is paramount.

“Each project team member embraces our company focus of repeat business and ensures we are proud to showcase our completed projects to existing and new clients.”

Judges’ comments: In awarding the title of MBA Young Builder of the Year, the first consideration for the nominee is to be under 40 years of age. The other consideration is that the nominee must have won a category in the Excellence in Housing Awards for 2015. The judges took into consideration the type of building work, the value of the build and the variety of construction. The history of the nominee and the future works provided a picture of a young man who has methodically planned the company’s growth and built a team who is taking the company forward. From an apprentice carpenter progressing through all the roles in the building industry and holding Advanced Diplomas in Building Construction, Business Marketing and Business Management, we are confident that our winner is well experienced and qualified to be our Young Builder of the Year. Congratulations to Ciaran Goodman from Bronxx Construction Management Pty Limited.


www.hammerstone.com.auScott Reidy: [email protected] 0414 853 014

Eris Dufficy: [email protected] 0424 144 388

Our experienced construction team will build you a high end architecturally designed home or commercial space for you or your clients to enjoy. We provide impeccable service and quality workmanship, taking a project seamlessly from the initial concept through to completion.

Services include:• Renovations and additions• New builds• Project management

and construction of architecturally designed projects

• Commercial office and showroom fit outs

• Commercial café, bar and restaurant fit outs


WINNER

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EXHIBITION / PROJECT HOMES UP TO $100,000COMPANY: MASTERTON HOMES ENTRY: HAVEN 2, WARWICK FARM

Who said we could not get something new out of something old? Well we have! With Jim Masterton again looking outside the square to come up with a creative and functional home called the Haven granny flat design. This detached granny flat design is a true haven that includes all the features any one could ever need in a home with its open plan living and dining areas and kitchen at its heart - complete with a breakfast bench. It has two bedrooms, a foldaway laundry and clever storage space tucked away. The Haven is a compact clever design that packs a lot of punch and craftsmanship and is ”Master-one”!

EXHIBITION / PROJECT HOMES $100,001 - $200,000COMPANY: FAIRMONT HOMES NSWENTRY: HAMPTON 23, DENHAM COURT (WILLOWDALE ESTATE)

Built in Denham Court by a family owned business operating since 2000, this home was inspired by the Hamptons beach house style. The judges were impressed with the smooth finishes to the home in the adaptable areas combined with the superior quality of the workmanship. The resort style theme of this home has features such as an oversized ensuite and large master bedrooms with a further three generous sized bedrooms. The kitchen, meals and family areas open up to the rear corner with a flow that is seamless through to the alfresco area. The home theatre is conveniently placed in the middle of the house creating the flexibility to be used as a children’s playroom.

EXHIBITION / PROJECT HOMES $200,001 - $250,000COMPANY: FAIRMONT HOMES NSWENTRY: CARMEL 27, DENHAM COURT (WILLOWDALE ESTATE)

The Carmel 27 stands out from other homes because it’s uniquely produced style which uses a mixture of materials inside and out. The well laid stonework to the front facade creates an external ambiance which is continued internally with the sandstone look porcelain tiles. The use of Hebel paneling with an acrylic render creates a smooth finish and also increases the speed of production for a much cleaner and safe site. The Carmel 27 creates a feeling of space and grandeur as you walk through the entry with a large foyer oversized front door and free flowing floor plan design. Natural lighting has been incorporated into the house with two large skylights, one in the centre dining area and the other letting natural light into the main bathroom.

EXHIBITION / PROJECT HOMES $250,001 - $300,000COMPANY: BEECHWOOD HOMES (NSW) PTY LTDENTRY: ASQUITH 36, SHELL COVE

This home is an entertainer’s delight. It features four bedrooms. The master has an ensuite as well as a guest suite with its own ensuite. The home features huge living, dining, kitchen areas as well as a media and theatre room. It all adds up to a very livable family home with ample separate bedroom, bathroom and informal living areas. The judges were impressed with the amount of natural light and ventilation and the overall quality of finish.



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EXHIBITION / PROJECT HOMES $300,001 - $350,000COMPANY: ANSTEY HOMES PTY LTDENTRY: SORRENTO 5.5, CASUARINA

This single level home has open plan living with emphasis on the alfresco entertaining space and is ideally suited to the New South Wales north coast. The neutral colour scheme maximises the coastal location with natural light and ventilation. Energy efficiency is incorporated with rainwater tanks, solar passive design aided by external screening and cooling airflow. The mix of new and innovative materials creates an interesting feel to the home. The craftsmanship complements the excellent design and feel of this house.

EXHIBITION / PROJECT HOMES $350,001 & OVER COMPANY: ANSA HOMESENTRY: THE ASTAIRE, EDMONSON PARK

This double storey home with an attached garden apartment or granny flat caught the judges’ attention not only for the functional design but also that it can, in most cases, be approved as a complying development on the average size block of land. The design in its current format is mostly suited to a corner block of land but is sufficiently adaptable to suit most average size blocks. The home contains all of the features the market has grown to expect in a double storey four bedroom home and the attached two bedroom garden apartment - which is fully self-contained and separated from the main home - would suit any parent or grandparents. The builder has achieved an above average standard of construction and finish and the judges had no hesitation in awarding the “The Astaire” by ANSA Homes this award.

02 6680 9333 ansteyhomes.com

WINNER OF BOTH REGIONAL AND STATE AWARDS FOR THIS DISPLAY HOME! BESPOKE HOME DESIGN AND 30 YEARS OF AWARD WINNING CONSTRUCTION.

INTERIORS BY A DZGN.

37excellence in housing & pool awards


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JOINT WINNER JOINT WINNER

DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – HOUSE UP TO $500,000COMPANY: LIVING GREEN DESIGNER HOMES PTY LTDENTRY: AVOCA BEACH HOUSE

This house gives you the feeling of being on a beach holiday. It is full of natural light with great window design and positioning to give good cross flow ventilation. The house has been built to minimise its carbon footprint. There is clever use of materials and design keeping costs down but not changing its livability. The house wraps around the deck on three sides, creating a courtyard feel. Large opening aluminium sliding doors create a good flow of internal/external space.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – HOUSE $700,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: PIONEER BUILDING GROUP PTY LTDENTRY: FAIRFIELD

Looking from the street, this house has many separate roof sections, which show very clever flashing detailing. The house has high ceilings, a large living area and a gas fireplace. The plastering on the high raked ceiling was well executed. An impressive staircase with glass balustrading sits in the foyer and with the 6 metre high ceiling and glass chandelier, gives a definite ‘wow’ factor. The ceiling in the dining room has an interesting lowered section over the table area, which disguises air-conditioning ducts. Good use of stainless steel, marble and timber can be found in the kitchen. All finishes throughout the house are of a high standard.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – HOUSE $500,001 - $700,000COMPANY: HATCHWAY DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTDENTRY: OYSTER BAY ECO HOUSE

This design is excellent with all trade finishes perfect and demonstrating excellent workmanship. This beautiful home consists of four bedrooms, a two car garage and a swimming pool. Another great job carried out by a young builder.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – HOUSE $700,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: PETER O’BRIEN CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: ORANGE

Another young builder who has designed and built this most outstanding home. The inclusions comprise full air conditioning, four bedrooms and two bathrooms with under floor heating. None of the internal doors even rattled. Great work and well deserved.



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DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – $1 MILLION - $2 MILLIONCOMPANY: ZAC HOMES PTY LTDENTRY: TOYNTON, ST IVES

This house features a great sense of space and openness with high ceilings and large open areas. A high standard of finishes can be found throughout the house. Hardwood timber flooring is used in all common areas. The kitchen is well laid out, featuring excellent joinery work and includes a butler’s pantry. The kitchen and family room open out directly to the pool. This provides great family and entertaining areas. The roof is cleverly cantilevered over a section of the swimming pool creating shade for hot summer days.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – $4 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: CHATEAU ARCHITECTS + BUILDERSENTRY: COLLAROY BEACH RESIDENCE

This house took 16 months to complete and made great use of new products giving the building durability and low maintenance. Examples of this include the Danpalon wall paneling, the Alucabond eaves sheeting and Zinc roofing. A great deal of time and effort has been put into the European glazed pyrolave bricks in a bright teal colour which is a central feature of the staircase. A job well done.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCT – $2 MILLION - $4 MILLIONCOMPANY: BUILD-IT DEVELOPMENT ENTRY: CHATEAU DE VIE, MOUNT VERNON

A most impressive grand entry, which gives you the appearance of a French Chateau. Finishes throughout were perfect. Much of the wrought iron work was manufactured in China. Congratulations to the builder.

CONTRACT HOUSES UP TO $500,000COMPANY: RENXTEND PTY LTDENTRY: RENWICK RESIDENCE

The builder was hired to complete the project from design stage up to the landscaping, with the challenge of keeping the house on one level with no split. The 25° pitch of the trust roof and the trusses spanning 15 m the apex was 3.5 m high and there was difficulty in construction. Even with all the site difficulties, the project was completed within 21 weeks and all the council conditions such as no soil being removed from site and a maximum cut not exceeding 750 mm combined with a 2.1 m for from back to front allowed the builder to show his true craftsmanship. The attention to detail was excellent and typified by the head course over the opening and expensive ensuite.



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CONTRACT HOUSES $500,001 - $650,000COMPANY: CONTEMPORARY HOMESENTRY: ORANGE

This entry is a 477m2 home built on a 1000m2 block of land. The east-west design and elevated position has enabled the builder to capture the northern winter sun into all of the living areas of this splendidly designed home. All windows are double glazed and the frames have been sealed to minimise drafts. Two 2.0m high retaining walls were constructed on the northern side of the home to achieve sufficient elevation to ensure the views and northern exposure would not be hindered by any future development on the northern side of the home. The home features 2700mm high ceilings and 2340mm high doors adding to the feeling of spaciousness in the home.

CONTRACT HOUSES $650,001 - $800,000COMPANY: MICRAH PROJECTS PTY LTDENTRY: FOREST LODGE

This house only took ten months to complete even though the whole footprint had to be raised due to the flood affected area. Sandstone extends up to the floor level and continues with rendered brickwork and cladding. The large kitchen and family room is full of natural light. The marble work and joinery are to a high standard as is the tiling and painting. The house has many good design features and finishes demonstrating good value for money.

CONTRACT HOUSES $650,001 - $800,000COMPANY: HORIZON HABITATS PTY LTDENTRY: WOOLLAHRA

This weatherboard house entry was built on one of the smallest sites the judges had seen to date. The builder’s trades people were excellent, with exceptional painting and tiling work.

CONTRACT HOUSES $800,001 - $900,000COMPANY: JAKIN CONSTRUCTION GROUPENTRY: MIDDLE COVE

This entry submitted by a young builder has the most appealing finishes the judges had seen to date. The features include white oak flooring, ducted floor heating, very detailed skirting features, high ceilings and Versiclad roofing. A great job.



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CONTRACT HOUSES $900,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: RAWSON HOMES PTY LTDENTRY: NORTHBRIDGE

This house has a very impressive kitchen and family room both opening out onto a covered entertaining area, which flows down to the pool. High quality finishes and clever design features are found throughout. The design and installation of the stainless steel and glass handrails on staircases and balconies were excellent. Well done.

CONTRACT HOUSES $1.2 MILLION - $1.5 MILLIONCOMPANY: VALIDVS CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: HUNTERS HILL

This site, although in a great position, proved challenging to the builder in getting materials on site due to the narrow and winding roadway. The house features good use of timber flooring and marble in large slabs on the walls. Clever detailed tiling work both inside and out and a marriage of stone, timber and glass work well to create a good impression. The house has ducted air-conditioning with a gas fireplace to give a comfortable living environment. A job well done.

CONTRACT HOUSES $1 MILLION - $1.2 MILLIONCOMPANY: ORBIT BUILDING PTY LTDENTRY: BELLEVUE HILL

This entry has been well constructed and the finishes throughout were perfect. The house design is an interpretation of a traditional bungalow. Excellent work.

CONTRACT HOUSES $1.5 MILLION - $1.7 MILLIONCOMPANY: JOHN NEWTON BUILDING PTY LTDENTRY: PACIFIC HOUSE, PALM BEACH

This entry is stunning and superbly built with all trades exceptional. The builder should be very proud of this entry.



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CONTRACT HOUSES $1.7 MILLION - $2 MILLIONCOMPANY: LOCHBUILDENTRY: PADDINGTON

This entry has been beautifully finished and it was a very difficult site. Both judges felt that the builder had constructed a great home for himself and his architect partner. A job well done.

CONTRACT HOUSES $2.5 MILLION - $3 MILLIONCOMPANY: MORMANIS CONSTRUCTIONENTRY: SOUTH COOGEE

This house took two years to complete and has wonderful street appeal. The tiling on the suspended internal staircase was cleverly detailed as was the tiling throughout. Plasterwork and paintwork is of a very high standard. The house features high ceilings, a good floor layout and large spacious entertaining areas. There is ducted air-conditioning, a gas fireplace and great finishes throughout the house with excellent attention to detail.

CONTRACT HOUSES $2 MILLION - $2.5 MILLIONCOMPANY: CUMBERLAND BUILDING PTY LTDENTRY: WARRIEWOOD

This house has great street appeal with a very interesting curved garage door and from the rear, looks over the ocean. The house is environmentally friendly with solar power, LED lighting, IGU glass and water tanks. Finishes, including timber, steel, copper and concrete, are widely used to great effect. These materials create interesting proportions on the exterior of the house. An impressive staircase uses vertical slats, which raise the height of the stair, and encases it along the hallway. The design and placement of windows ensures there is ample natural light throughout the building. Well designed bathrooms and a kitchen using various materials creates a warm and inviting family environment.

CONTRACT HOUSES $3 MILLION - $4 MILLIONCOMPANY: PACIFIC PLUS CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: ‘K’ HOUSE, VAUCLUSE

This entry was designed to fit within the local planning envelope controls. It was an extremely complex design with a zig zag profile on the northern facade. The builder has produced a wonderful entry.



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CONTRACT HOUSES $4 MILLION - $5 MILLIONCOMPANY: F.S. HOUGHENTRY: YOORANA, MOSMAN

The first thing noticeable about this is the attention to detail between the random sized block sandstone walls and the timber lined eaves with built-in lighting. Timber windows have very detailed glazing, giving a great effect. The house is full of outstanding finishes installed to the highest standard. Great job.

CONTRACT HOUSES $7 MILLION - $10 MILLIONCOMPANY: YUNCKEN BUILDERS & PROJECT MANAGERS PTY LTDENTRY: PIRRAMIMMA, WENTWORTH FALLS

The design of this project is truly unique. This includes many distinctive features such as a curved zinc roof, used recycled timber throughout, a rammed earth wall, cambered beams and extensive Class1 off-form concrete. The finished home is perfect.

CONTRACT HOUSES $5 MILLION - $7 MILLIONCOMPANY: BELLEVARDE CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: BALMORAL HOUSE, MOSMAN

This house is something out of the ordinary with no window visible from the street and a natural colour of formed concrete. The extensive use of internal concrete has been lifted by the warmth of the timber floors and joinery. The detailing of the junctions where concrete, timber and brass meet is excellent. There is innovative engineering that makes this house contemporary. Attention to detail with lighting cast into the concrete ceiling was excellent. It was a pleasure to see such exacting standards in the concrete formwork.

CONTRACT HOUSES $10 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: SAMMUT DEVELOPMENTSENTRY: NAUTILUS, BURRANEER BAY

This entry, if not Australia’s most amazing home, has already become an icon in Sydney’s southern suburbs. The home is set over four lots on the foreshore of Burraneer Bay and comprises six levels, three lifts and a 20-car space garage as well as a two-lane bowling alley. The builder has produced a stunning entry and is a most worthy winner.



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TOWN HOUSES OR VILLAS / DUAL OCCUPANCY UP TO $250,000COMPANY: TORI PETER GROUP PTY LTDENTRY: VICTORIA HOUSE, MUDGEE

Although a Sydney-based company the Tori Peter Group has concentrated most of its building works in the booming mid-western region of New South Wales. The house is modern, innovative and functional with aesthetic features that are complemented by the excellent quality of the construction. Victoria House is an attached single-storey dual occupancy located on a battle-axe block in the heart of Mudgee town CBD. The clever use of recycled railway sleepers in the retaining walls and boundary fencing along with the old Mudgee handmade convict bricks that were found on the original site all form part of the boundary fence to create an aesthetically pleasing backdrop. The placement of stones in the Gambion style wall with its white cages is a simple but effective feature.

TOWN HOUSES OR VILLAS / DUAL OCCUPANCY $400,001 - $600,000COMPANY: QUINCE’S QUALITY BUILDING SERVICES PTY LTDENTRY: MORTDALE

The builder has been established since 1989 and began business as a small family building company. The duplex project at Mortdale is the result of over 25 years of experience and this is reflected in a home that demonstrates superior appearance, design and finish. Due to the orientation, the builder has saturated the formal living and dining areas with abundant winter sun, which the judges found unusual with duplex projects that are a mirror image of each other. This together with a high degree of finish has earned this builder the award for this category.

TOWN HOUSES OR VILLAS / DUAL OCCUPANCY $250,001 - $400,000COMPANY: LYNCH BUILDING GROUPENTRY: MUDGEE

One word can describe this entry - Wow! The design is sleek and modern with high raked ceilings and skillion rooflines along with the contemporary combination of timber and brickwork. The residence has open plan living and dining areas, which are functional, spacious and practical for a family home. The 70 mm stone bench top to the kitchen and mirrored splashback incorporated into the innovative design are functional and looks out onto an open plan living area and beyond to the outdoor entertainment area and backyard. The builder has addressed the most challenging components of construction with the truss design, which incorporated skillion rooflines to achieve a dramatic, open-living feel inside the house.

TOWN HOUSES OR VILLAS / DUAL OCCUPANCY $600,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: BRONXX CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITEDENTRY: 7B3 LIGHTHOUSE MEWS, BREAKFAST POINT

The project consisted of the construction of four double story Torrens title townhouses including external courtyards and common driveway. There were a number of difficulties in construction such as the ceiling heights requested by the client, which resulted in restricted zones for the floor joists and services. This was further exacerbated by the request to have a column free environment internally around the centre courtyard and glazing sweets. This posed issues due to the long spans between the external walls and also having the requirement to support the second-storey facade elements with no columns. Special attention was required to the roofing design, which consisted of both concrete tiles and metal deck roofing intertwined to create the roof membrane.



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TOWN HOUSES OR VILLAS / DUAL OCCUPANCY $1 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: CRITHARIS CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: THE WAVE, DOVER HEIGHTS

The residence was built on the site of the owner’s childhood home and therefore included the demolition of the existing single-storey brick house and construction of the new three-storey duplex. With its flowing lines and curved surfaces in the balconies and large glass windows, the residence gives the feel of a magnificent ocean liner and its location close to the heads with views over the ocean and Sydney Harbour. Spread over three generous levels, the main living area has a large open balcony with entertainment areas and an uninterrupted view use Sydney Harbour Bridge. The quality of the building is first class with the builder paying particular attention to all the joinery works, which continue the seamless flow from room to room and level to level.

HOME UNITS $300,001 - $500,000COMPANY: CEEROSE PTY LTDENTRY: DNA, CAMPERDOWN

This development comprises a range of studios, one and two bedroom units and three bedroom garden apartments. This new generation design fuses urban style with green sensibilities. The finishes throughout are first class.

HOME UNITS UP TO $300,000COMPANY: TAYLOR CONSTRUCTION GROUP PTY LTDENTRY: PUTNEY HILL FIGTREE APARTMENTS, RYDE

This unit was surprising. As soon as you walked in there was a terrific sense of space and light. A 2.7-meter high ceiling and a great floor plan opening out to a balcony creates a wonderful and spacious feel. Incorporating the highest level of detail, the unit has quality fittings and fixtures throughout including ducted air-conditioning and LED lighting. Biowood was used on the deck to help keep maintenance to a minimum. A great job.

HOME UNITS $500,001 - $700,000COMPANY: WESTBOURNE CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: MONACO APARTMENTS, RHODES

This unit has two levels, entering from the top floor to the bedroom level. The lower level reveals a large kitchen and family room opening out to a large covered area overlooking the Parramatta River. From this level you can enter the two-car garage through the laundry, which features a skylight looking through to the garden above. This design made it a winning entry.



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HOME UNITS $500,001 - $700,000COMPANY: CROWN GROUPENTRY: VIKING BY CROWN, WATERLOO

This unit complex is most outstanding in both its design and construction on a long narrow site and included in the design is a 25m pool and a fully equipped gymnasium. A most impressive entry.

HOME UNITS $1 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: HORIZON HABITATS PTY LIMITEDENTRY: BELLEVUE HILL

This unit was one of two in the block with an outlook over the city. On two levels and featuring an internal lift, the layout is spacious with good natural light. The marble work on the stairs is very impressive with handrails made of glass and stainless steel. The selection of materials and finishes throughout the unit are a standout. The generous sized balcony is made for entertaining!

HOME UNITS $700,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: GROWTHBUILT PTY LTDENTRY: AURORA, LANE COVE

A most impressive block of apartments. The design uses materials and textures such as concrete, brickwork, sandstone, timber and aluminium screens. The unit in this category was superb. Well done.

HOME UNIT RENOVATION / OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: PURE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PTY LTDENTRY: SYDNEY

Situated overlooking Sydney Harbour, this internal apartment refurbishment was perfect. A very difficult job indeed and congratulations to the builder.

Photography by Product K - Kata Bayer



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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS UP TO $150,000COMPANY: ASPIRE CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: MOSMAN

The entry was principally a renovation project but due to the transformation that the home undertook, the judges felt this project and home was well deserving of the award. The renovation of this five-bedroom home was carried out while the owners remained in the residence. The builder was able to manage the project so that the inconvenience to the owners was significantly minimised. The renovation of the bathrooms and the small additions to the ground floor involved the removal of some structural members and were all completed to a very high standard.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $150,001 - $250,000COMPANY: NEWLAND CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: ERSKINE PARK

This entry is resort living in the heart of Sydney’s sprawling western suburbs. The home was originally a three bedroom, single bathroom, double garage brick veneer home. The builder has transformed this fairly typical home into a “5 star resort” comprising four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a three-car garage. Added to this is an indoor gym, pool and separate outdoor entertaining areas. The owner’s sister was up from Canberra when the judges were inspecting the property and she commented that why should she pay to go and stay in a resort when she can come and visit her brother and stay here for free!

WINNERMERIT

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $250,001 - $350,000COMPANY: M G HUDSON PTY LTDENTRY: NORTH ROCKS

A merit award was granted for proven consistency on all projects, over many years. This project had a good match of new and existing brickwork.Mr Hudson’s work was an example of a proven builder with high values.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $250,001 - $350,000COMPANY: CAPE COD AUSTRALIAENTRY: BRONTE

The work was sympathetic to the original dwelling with a seamless fusion with the original house. “Cape Cod Australia” provided good value for money.



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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $350,001 - $450,000COMPANY: THE BUILDING GUILDENTRY: SOUTH COAST HAMPTONS ESCAPE, GERROA

An interesting use of hardwood timber to the exterior facing the ocean. The use of hardwood was also brought into the house as a feature.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $450,001 - $550,000COMPANY: ASPIRE CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: ALEXANDRIA

The young builder hand manufactured his own beams and doors on site using plywood material. The judges were impressed with the rear circular studio as it was acoustically perfect indicative of the accuracy involved.

JOINT WINNER

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $450,001 - $550,000COMPANY: NORDACON PTY LTDENTRY: WEST PENNANT HILLS

The young builder took on a project that was difficult from an engineering aspect. The original architectural design of the 1970’s house had to be respected, and this was achieved. The judges were impressed with the stability of the freestanding deck and bridge. The glazed triangular windows were also impressive.

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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $550,001 - $700,000COMPANY: PIN POINT CONSTRUCTION PTY LTDENTRY: JEN WHITE DESIGN, MARRICKVILLE

Good value, well finished and with site difficulties. The builder overcame major sewer and heritage concerns.



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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $700,001 - $800,000COMPANY: EXPRESSION CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: CALYPSO, MOSMAN

Great use of recycled bricks. The builder’s workmanship was very detailed and complementary to the architectural character required by the client.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $800,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: BUILDABILITY CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: CROWS NEST

High finishes with large format tiling posed great difficulties when it came to the internal resilient finishes. The best part of this project was the fact that the old heritage listed house which was completely dilapidated was salvaged and fused into the new work.

OWN YOUR OWN HOUSE PROGRAM• RESIDENTIAL• COMMERCIAL• INDUSTRIAL• DEVELOPMENT

Call: 1300 720 594www.peterobrienconstructions.com.au

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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1 MILLION – $1.3 MILLIONCOMPANY: STUDIO NINE ONE EIGHT PTY LTDENTRY: WEST RYDE

A blend of the old house and the new modern extension, FC work at the rear looked like concrete. The judges were impressed with the remediation of the composite precast stone blocks that were part of the original structure.

WINNER

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1.3 MILLION – $1.5 MILLIONCOMPANY: RECONN PTY LTDENTRY: BALMORAL HOUSE, MOSMAN

Difficult site conditions were solved without the use of a crane. There was significant structural work to be completed, in conjunction with good finishes and detailed interiors.

Refurbishment – Construction – Civil

First Floor, 32 Clarke Road, North Sydney NSW 206099224667 | [email protected]



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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1.5 MILLION – $1.8 MILLIONCOMPANY: CITY RENOVATIONS NSW PTY LTDENTRY: SPRINGETT HOUSE, BRONTE

Exceptional off-form concrete finishes to walls and ceilings. The set out was very precise and near perfect.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1.5 MILLION – $1.8 MILLIONCOMPANY: HOME CONSTRUCTENTRY: CREMORNE

The additions were complementary to the original house. What impressed the judges was the value for money, the extent of the work and the high level of finishes.

AustrAliA www.databuild.com.au 1800 800 860

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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1.8 MILLION – $2 MILLIONCOMPANY: B-MAC CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: VAUCLUSE

The project was well built, with the style of this house similar to the Hampton style. The level of detail and finishes were consistent throughout.

JOINT WINNER

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1.5 MILLION – $1.8 MILLIONCOMPANY: BAILEY AND MORRIS CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: BELLARIMBAH, PALM GROVE

The project was heavily influenced by the use of recycled timber in all aspects, featuring internal finishes and structural components.

Winner House Additions/Alterations/Renovations

$1.8 Million - $2 Million VaucluseMulti Award Winning Construction Company - Commercial & Residential Construction Management - Design & Construction - Project Management - Building Construction & Maintenance

T: (02) 9457 7866 M: 0438 56 4066 E: [email protected] W: www.b-mac.com.au

B-MAC Constructions Pty Ltd is proud to be associated with the MBA Excellence in Housing Awards 2015

Over 40 years building experience



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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $1.8 MILLION – $2 MILLIONCOMPANY: VANDA CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: ST IVES

Exceptionally unique features that satisfied the client requirements. The effort by the builder to convert the original building was evident to the judges.

WINNER

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $2 MILLION – $2.5 MILLIONCOMPANY: COUNTY CONSTRUCTION (NSW) PTY LTDENTRY: PALM BEACH

Heritage imposition was placed on the site after works commenced. A significant amount of stone and site work was involved. The work completed by the builder met the requirements of council’s original heritage impositions. An extremely detailed and complex project.

Ausdrain Suite 10, 2-4 Bells Ave, Cammeray NSW 2062Tel: (02) 9929 7650 Fax: (02) 9929 7655www.ausdrain.com

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Exclusive stockist of Buzon products in NSW/ACT www.buzon.com.au

Create raised timber and paved floors on balconies, roof tops and ground level outdoor areas.



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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $2.5 MILLION – $3 MILLIONCOMPANY: PAUL KING PTY LTDENTRY: DOUBLE BAY HOUSE

This site was well built. The judges acknowledged the builders effort and the high level finishes throughout.

WINNER

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $3 MILLION – $5 MILLIONCOMPANY: SYDCON BUILDING SERVICES PTY LTDENTRY: POINT PIPER HOUSE

Exceptional Bronze copper features and glazing works. The detail and workmanship is an example of what is expected in this price range.

Hugh Rhodes-White established Sydcon Building Services Pty Ltd in 1989 with a view to carrying out high quality residential projects.

Today the company holds an enviable position in the market place undertaking large, demanding, high quality residential renovations, additions and new houses for several of Sydney’s best known architects and high profile clients.

Sydcon is committed to providing its clients with high quality projects completed on time and within budget and the business continues to grow on the back of this commitment.

Suite 40, 47 Neridah St, Chatswood, NSW 2067

Ph: 02 9412 [email protected]

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Images: courtesy Gold Coast Tourism

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Master Builders National ConferenceJupiters, Gold Coast,12-14 November 2015

Register Early and Save $200

The Master Builders biennial National Conference is heading to the Gold Coast in November, for what will undoubtedly be the industry event of the year once again. ‘Building Australia’ focuses on assisting members to make informed decisions in continuing to grow their business whilst developing and maintaining strong leadership attributes within their business ethos. The lineup of high profile speakers includes Olympic Gold Medalist, Alisa Camplin OAM and Chris Richardson of Deloitte Access Economics. The site tour of the XXI Commonwealth Games Infrastructure offers a unique opportunity to inspect facilities currently under construction. The program includes a balance of business sessions and social activities — something for everyone!

Early Bird is now open. Save $200 on the standard rate by registering early! www.masterbuilders.com.au/Events/national-conference

The Master Builders Excellence in Building and Construction Awards will be presented as part of the National Conference on the Saturday evening as the grand finale to an exciting conference on the Gold Coast.

We look forward to seeing you there!

conf ad full page Master Builder mag NSW.indd 1 28/07/2015 10:57:33 AMUntitled-3 1 28/07/2015 11:13 am


PLATINUM SPONSOR

BUILDING AUSTRALIABUILDING AUSTRALIABUILDING AUSTRALIA

Images: courtesy Gold Coast Tourism

®

Master Builders National ConferenceJupiters, Gold Coast,12-14 November 2015

Register Early and Save $200

The Master Builders biennial National Conference is heading to the Gold Coast in November, for what will undoubtedly be the industry event of the year once again. ‘Building Australia’ focuses on assisting members to make informed decisions in continuing to grow their business whilst developing and maintaining strong leadership attributes within their business ethos. The lineup of high profile speakers includes Olympic Gold Medalist, Alisa Camplin OAM and Chris Richardson of Deloitte Access Economics. The site tour of the XXI Commonwealth Games Infrastructure offers a unique opportunity to inspect facilities currently under construction. The program includes a balance of business sessions and social activities — something for everyone!

Early Bird is now open. Save $200 on the standard rate by registering early! www.masterbuilders.com.au/Events/national-conference

The Master Builders Excellence in Building and Construction Awards will be presented as part of the National Conference on the Saturday evening as the grand finale to an exciting conference on the Gold Coast.

We look forward to seeing you there!

conf ad full page Master Builder mag NSW.indd 1 28/07/2015 10:57:33 AMUntitled-3 1 28/07/2015 11:13 am


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HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $7 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: ALVARO BROS BUILDERS PTY LTDENTRY: BLOOMFIELD, BOAMBOLO

An expansive project with many varying facets. The builder succeeded in replicating the character of the original house.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $7 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: LOVETT BUILDING COMPANY PTY LTDENTRY: CLAREVILLE

Extremely detailed and high level finishes, including very intricate tiling. The work was very detailed and substantial in its proportions.

HOUSE ADDITIONS / ALTERATIONS / RENOVATIONS $5 MILLION – $7 MILLIONCOMPANY: PIMAS GALE CONSTRUCTION PTY LTDENTRY: CLAREVILLE

Beautiful workmanship which matched perfectly the era of the original house, great terrazzo finishes and significant structural work within constricted time frames.

ROOF & ATTIC CONVERSIONS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: LIGHTHOUSE LOFTS PTY LTDENTRY: STIBBARD LOFT, CENTENNIAL PARK

The site and the type of terrace posed many height restrictions that were overcome by the builder.



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RESTORATION UP TO $500,000COMPANY: IDEAL BUILDING PTY LTDENTRY: SLATE ROOF RESTORATION, BELLEVUE HILL

This project involved initial work to straighten the rafters and install new timber purlins and rafters to achieve a perfect even plane and pitch. Canadian Glendyne slate tiles were laid to sit flat. The gable ends were rebuilt with new V joint eave linings and weatherboards featuring many details. Well done.

WINNER

RESTORATION $500,001 - $1 MILLIONCOMPANY: AEA CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: WOOLLAHRA

This 1870’s sandstone home has been restored to its original finish. The trades have carried out their works perfectly. A wonderful result.

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RESTORATION $1 MILLION - $2 MILLIONCOMPANY: CHASE PROJECTS PTY LTDENTRY: GOONOO GOONOO HOMESTEAD

This historic cattle station is situated on the outskirts of Tamworth.The homestead has now been restored to its original beauty. Wonderful work.

WINNER

RESTORATION $2 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: ARANAC (CONTRACTING) PTY LTDENTRY: THE ABBEY, ANNANDALE

This house is known as The Abbey. The stable, as part of the restoration, was challenging as it had seen many different uses in the past 100+ years. Now the stable features garages and store areas and an upper loft one bedroom apartment. Some of the ornate steel trusses in the stable were remade to match existing. A new external timber and steel staircase with wrought iron handrails and a curved corrugated iron roof was installed to give access from the stable walkway to the house. In the walkway and over the staircase to support the roof, turned timber posts were specially made to match the existing. Arches along the wall of the walkway as well as new timber windows in the stable were also made to match existing. The outside restorations excellently blend old with new. Terrific attention to detail.

P R O J E C T S

www.chaseprojects.com.au ADDRESS / 1/12 Ethel Ave, Brookvale 2100 EMAIL / [email protected] MOBILE / 0450 095 777

INNOVATION BY DESIGN

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ADAPTIVE RE-USE $2 MILLION & OVERCOMPANY: NOVATI CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: HENRY, LILYFIELD

This old warehouse and factory has been transformed into a boutique apartment complex, with building kept within the shell of the existing factory walls. The one, two and three bedroom apartments are over two levels with great use of natural light. They are well appointed with detailed finishes. Excellent landscaping enhances the appeal of this complex.

ADAPTIVE RE-USE UP TO $2 MILLIONCOMPANY: PIVOTAL CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: ANNANDALE WABI-SABI

This 1950’s architecturally crafted warehouse and panel repair shop has been converted into a grand home. The builder has produced a most stunning entry. The trades’ workmanship is perfect.

INTEGRATED HOUSING OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: ICON CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA (NSW) PTY LTDENTRY: URBANEST CENTRAL STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, ULTIMO

The existing site consisted of two street frontages and was bounded by neighbouring buildings on the north and south boundaries. The development consists of five separate buildings that vary in height from three to wake levels and includes 430 rooms to accommodate 665 students. The built form consists of a structure that is founded on C A piles with reinforced concrete slabs at ground level and post-tensioned suspended slabs. Prefabricated pod bathrooms can be a great advantage- when they arrive at their programmed date. When the prefabricated pod bathrooms failed to be delivered this resulted in the builder rescheduling works whilst the clients sourced a new modular pod manufacturer. The quality of workmanship and materials along with the design make this a worthy winner of this category.

WINNER

AGED CARE BUILDINGS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: LIPMAN PTY LTDENTRY: ARV LOBER SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT STAGE 1, CASTLE HILL

The Anglican retirement village organisation is certainly a showpiece for excellent building construction and this entry is no exception. The contract at work for the ARV stage one project comprised the demolition and removal of the existing buildings, trees and all miscellaneous structures within the development zone including bus shelters, carports and sheds and the construction of 35 independent living units. The judges were impressed that even though this entry involved many facets, the underlying theme was one of quality of build, design and cooperation and is a worthy winner.



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AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: RICHARD CROOKES CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: NORTH EVELEIGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The judges highly praised this development as very livable and solid low maintenance affordable housing that takes advantage of its vista and orientation. Built on the site of the old North Eveleigh Rail workshops, this 88 unit development fully integrates with the surrounding neighbourhood. The landscaped common areas feature artworks that are relics from the old workshops. The building has a range of louvres and sunshades along the balconies, windows and galleries, which enhances orientation and livability for the residents.

WINNER

LIFESTYLE LIVING OVER 55’S OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: GRINDLEY CONSTRUCTION PTY LTDENTRY: THE BRIGHTON, CROYDON

The construction consists of 101 independent living units over five buildings with a mix of two and three bedroom apartments, and associated community facilities including a day spa, theatre, indoor heated plunge pool and a dining hall. The contract was a design and construct with all consultants retained by the builder, which involve working closely with the client and achieved considerable savings for Catholic Healthcare without compromising the built project. One significant item was a change of brick type and manufacture. The rationalisation of services rises and cores and incorporating the same into a DINCEL core structure, freed up the floor space and lobbies. The judges were impressed with the attention to detail and the obviously good working relationship between client, builder and adjoining owners

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SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY HOUSING OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: WESTBURY CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTDENTRY: 137 PICADILLY, RIVERSTONE

The owners, McCall Gardens Community Limited, have been providing care and accommodation for residents for over 50 years in their home at Box Hill. As part of their urban living project, being carried out in conjunction with the NSW government, 40 existing residents are being provided with new homes within the local community. The residence in Riverstone is the first of such homes to be constructed and was designed as a single storey home with easy access to functional and livable outdoor living and entertaining areas. Internally, the privacy and dignity of the residents is paramount and has been designed with well-zoned bedroom areas and open plan living areas. Internal finishes were selected to provide a calming and contemporary feel with stimulus control assisting resident’s behavior.

WINNER

ENERGY EFFICIENCY HOUSING OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: GRAYBUILT PTY LTDENTRY: 2 CORNER HOUSE, MONA VALE

The 2-corner house is a solidly built refuge high on an exposed sloping shale site overlooking Warriewood Beach. The floors on all three levels are polished concrete structural slabs to provide thermal mass, but also with integrated hydronic heating. The reverse veneer walls with concrete internal and timber cladding, high levels of insulation to the walls ceilings roof and floors, north orientation and double glazed (low E argon filled) timber framed windows and doors, ceiling sweep fans in the bedrooms, all contribute to a remarkably stable thermal environment which does not require any active cooling. The house is fitted with a 4.5kW solar power system, 10,000 litre rainwater tanks, electric induction cooktop and LED lighting throughout.

WestburyConstructions Pty Ltd

• Construction • Refurbishment • Heritage Restoration“SPECIALIZING IN: • SPECIAL NEEDS ACCOMMODATION • AGED CARE • RETIREMENT LIVING”

Suite 2.02 - Level 2, 33 Lexington Drive, Norwest Business Park,

BAULKHAM HILLS NSW 2153P: (02) 9186 2580 | F: (02) 9659 1377

www.wbury.com.au



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BEST USE OF ZINC COMPANY: YUNCKEN BUILDERS & PROJECT MANAGERS PTY LTDENTRY: PIRRAMIMMA, WENTWORTH FALLS

The project was around 600 sqm and the wall was twisted. The zinc was Rheinzink Graphite grey and the system was a double standing seam. The cross seams to the facade had to remain at a constant level which meant each facade sheet was tapered and a different length. The fascia cladding was also very tricky. A very complex project.

BEST USE OF TIMBER COMPANY: F.S. HOUGH ENTRY: YOORANA, MOSMAN

As you step through the gate onto the walkway to this house you notice the spectacular use of red ironbark in the eaves lining, the windows and exterior door. At the rear of the house, full height timber sliding panels stack to each side of the living area, allowing the room to open up completely to the outside. The back verandah has a timber panel ceiling, matched to the eaves, with timber sections of louvre privacy screens. The interior staircase timber balustrade is something special, made from Euro oak. The cellar has vaulted recycled timber in three separate sections. A wonderful use of timbers!

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT HOUSING OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: STEELE ASSOCIATES ENTRY: GREEN COPPER HOUSE, CLOVELLY

The Green Copper House is an exemplary representation of intelligent modern building design, bringing together style, livability and both passive and active energy saving measures, ensuring a house that is comfortable year round with minimal environmental impact. A large 7.4 kW photovoltaic (PV) system is installed on the roof, which is complemented by a 6kWh battery bank. Due to the large size of the PV system installed, electricity is used to drive heat pumps for water heating, swimming pool and the hydronic space. Rainwater is harvested and stored in 10,000-liter tanks for use in the laundry, toilet flushing, gardens and topping up the swimming pool.

BEST USE OF CONCRETE COMPANY: BELLEVARDE CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: BALMORAL HOUSE, MOSMAN

Concrete has been used for all external walls in this house with most of the ceilings and internal walls in off-form concrete. The kitchen bench also makes use of concrete with a waterfall end. A concrete vanity top and bare concrete in the shower area feature in the bathroom. The house has some amazing concrete spans and cantilevers throughout. A very impressive use of concrete.



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TRADITIONAL OR GEOMETRIC CONCRETE POOLS UP TO $50,000COMPANY: ALL NORTHERN CONSTRUCTIONSENTRY: RUNDLE, COLLAROY PLATEAU

This winning traditional pool is made entirely from natural stone – basalt (charcoal) throughout the pool surrounds and Sukabumi Indonesian green stone that the owners sourced and imported from Bali for the interior. A customised waterfall was also designed using the basalt tiles, with a custom-made stainless-steel reservoir housed behind the wall to feed the stone overhang with a very natural flow of water. The Sukabumi tiles, once laid and grouted, were ground and honed smooth for a great underfoot feel. All of the pool’s mechanics have been cleverly incorporated into a daybed seating area that houses the Jacuzzi and overlooks the koi pond. Overall, this classic and timeless pool brings together attention to detail, bespoke design and the individuality of the owners and their home.

BEST ROOFINGCOMPANY: DA CONSTRUCTION GROUP PTY LTDENTRY: JALNA, DURAL

The new roof material was sourced from Koramic, which is based in Austria. The terra cotta shingles are not available in Australia. The entire roof had copper flashings guttering and downpipes with also lead flashings, which were measured, folded and welded onsite by craftsmen. Exceptional finishes.

BEST USE OF BRICKS THE BRIGHTON, CROYDONCOMPANY: GRINDLEY CONSTRUCTION PTY LTD

One look at this project and you will see the vast variety and combination of bricks used in this building. A closer inspection will also reveal the very high quality of bricklaying. The builder is deservedly proud of what he has achieved. The project manager needed to have a specialist foreman on site to ensure the pattern and bricklaying bond was strictly adhered to and an award winning finish has been achieved.

JOINT WINNER

TRADITIONAL OR GEOMETRIC CONCRETE POOLS $50,001 - $100,000COMPANY: FREESTYLE POOLSENTRY: PADDINGTON

This elegant pool offers a big, bright look in a small space in inner-city Paddington and has been designed to maximise the available area without compromising functionality for the family, so they can enjoy the water, entertain and relax. The most inspiring aspect is the inclusion of the acrylic panel in the end, which, combined with the frameless glass fencing, really adds to the visual impact. Fibonacci stone is used on the patio area to provide a seamless transition between spaces. The pool also boasts three jets with multi-coloured lights – at night, these look like fibreoptic cables bending the light and creating a visual effect and pleasant water-trickling sound to drown out city noise.



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FREEFORM OR NATURAL CONCRETE POOLS UP TO $50,000COMPANY: ACG BUILDING PTY LTDENTRY: DRAGON EYE, CHIPPING NORTON

This winning design, named Dragon Eye, is part of a completed garden transformation for a family of five. The client was after a simplistic but unique setting, including 40mm sandstone coping, with a mosaic trim. This is highlighted with each colour change from the brilliant remote-controlled LED lights that shimmer throughout the pool and water feature. A great effort from ACG Building.

TRADITIONAL OR GEOMETRIC CONCRETE POOLS $100,001 & OVERCOMPANY: PREMIER POOLS PTY LTDENTRY: VAUCLUSE

This modern, fully mosaic tiled spillway pool uses the cliff it sits on to give a sense of never-ending water, with the ocean in the background. It really is “swimming on the edge” and is the ideal way to complement an enviable home and location. Absolute perfection from Premier Pools – it doesn’t get much better than this.

TRADITIONAL OR GEOMETRIC CONCRETE POOLS $50,001 - $100,000COMPANY: PREMIER POOLS PTY LTDENTRY: SOUTH COOGEE

This small, modern pool demonstrates that it is possible to create an oasis in a small space, with the combination of good pool design and beautiful landscaping. A standout feature is the bridge that links the outdoor area with the pool in a very interesting and harmonious way. A great achievement by Premier Pools.

FREEFORM OR NATURAL CONCRETE POOLS $50,001 - $100,000COMPANY: SPLISH SPLASH POOLSENTRY: LANE COVE

A deluxe raised round spa, rock water feature and timber deck around the pool make this winning pool from Splish Splash Pools a real standout. Splish Splash has created a highly impressive backyard space for these homeowners – just beautiful.



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FIBREGLASS POOLS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: BOSTOCK POOLS & SPASENTRY: WOONONA

The customer brief was to create a contemporary pool to complement their existing home. This was somewhat challenging due to the triangular-shaped yard and existing large curved alfresco. This gave the Bostock team the opportunity to take the Compass fibreglass ceramic pool to the next level of customisation. Bostock requested the factory to rebate two areas – doing this allowed for the construction of a tiled bench seat and sunpod water feature area, adding an additional 4m2 to the overall finished pool. The natural tones of the existing rich green foliage are offset by the combination of tumbled travertine and green jade interior, creating a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation. Bostock Pools always impresses in this category, and this year is no exception – the company has shone once again.

DISPLAY POOLS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: AWARD POOLS GROUPENTRY: SEAFORTH

The oasis pool was designed to make the most of the backyard’s natural features. The L-shaped pool, with an integrated spa, is edged by leafy foliage along two sides in a raised planter box, with a stunning granite block wall surround. Frameless glass provides an uninterrupted visual link to the garden. A glass feature panel at the front of the pool extends 400mm below the waterline to highlight the Tuscan turquoise interior. Porcelain coping pavers and rich warm timber decking, with subtle lighting, provide a stunning and welcoming ambience, both day and night. A much-deserved award for Award Pools.

FREEFORM OR NATURAL CONCRETE POOLS $100,001 & OVERCOMPANY: LAND FORMS PTY LTDENTRY: PALM BEACH

This pool was constructed in a landslip hazard zone and as a result, the first stage was the construction of retaining walls to support the site and the existing house perched above the pool. The pool shell was formed using carefully constructed suspended plywood shutters to achieve the desired curve of the infinity-edge pool wall. The poolside deck was built with custom-profiled ironbark decking boards, cut with a 3mm cricket bat profile on the top face to ensure water runs off. The pool was then tiled with 48mm Crystal Glass mosaics, in a colour, which blends perfectly with the Pacific Ocean beyond. A stunning result from Land Forms, who should be commended for the high level of effort this construction required.

POOL RENOVATIONS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: AWARD POOLS GROUPENTRY: PALM BEACH

Situated on the edge of Pittwater and nestled between two private jetties, this absolute waterfront pool provided a challenge for Award Pools Group. Environmental considerations and beachfront construction required careful planning and consultation, while access difficulties meant that manual labour was required for many tasks and tide times had to be considered. The final result is a stunning work of art, with shades of aqua blue complementing the sky and surrounding water perfectly. The aged timber deck completes the natural look.This truly magnificent pool is a testament to the design and project management skills of Award Pools.



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COMMERCIAL SPAS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: CRYSTAL POOLS PTY LTDENTRY: VIRGIN ACTIVE SPA, ZETLAND

One of many Virgin Active spas that Crystal Pools has built, this hydrotherapy spa in inner-city Sydney relaxes and soothes clients’ aches and pains. The sophisticated spa combines spa jets, hydro seats and a massage showerhead in a full-sized aqua therapy solution. Tiled with mosaics, the 8m-long spa also features four lounges, stair entry and water cave. A top effort from Crystal Pools.

COMMERCIAL WATER FEATURE OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: CRYSTAL POOLS PTY LTDENTRY: TURRELLA

There are two water features in this southern Sydney apartment complex – one below the main pool, and one standalone feature that’s fully tiled with 20mmx20mm mosaics. The water feature incorporates a wet wall and tiered design - the perfect finishing touches from Crystal Pools.

COMMERCIAL POOLS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: CRYSTAL POOLS PTY LTDENTRY: TURRELLA

This fully tiled and heated rooftop lap pool services many apartments in this southern Sydney complex. For exercise or play, the 25m-long pool has it all, including a wading section with stepping stones, black granite coping and a fully automatic cleaning system. Modern and chic, this is a real winner, both for Crystal Pools and the apartment dwellers.

RESIDENTIAL SPAS / PORTABLE SPAS / HOT TUBS OPEN PRICE CATEGORYCOMPANY: SPLISH SPLASH POOLSENTRY: DURAL

Nestled between the house and outdoor entertaining area, this deluxe glass spa spills over into the pool. The overheard waterfall adjacent to the spa creates a transparent barrier between the spa and the remainder of the pool area. With mosaic tiling and porcelain surrounds, the spa is an excellent example of modern design and construction integrated with the highest-quality materials and workmanship. An extraordinary result for Splish Splash Pools.



AustrAliA www.databuild.com.au 1800 800 860

Build your business

Complete business management softwarefor the Building & Construction Industry

3 Faster, Accurate Estimating

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3 Price File Reporting

3 Price File Management

It is vital to understand all aspects of a

construction business and its processes,

to track the work being carried out and

to close gaps to increase your capacity

without increasing your workforce. The

gaps include but are not limited to the deep

disconnect between the offi ce and onsite

activities, consistent execution of policies and

procedures, poor communication and separate

silos of information.

Offering the same consistent and effi cient

experience to all clients every single time is

extremely important but it is diffi cult. Each

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that infl uence a client’s experience, such as

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Successful businesses understand how

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requires consistent policies and procedures

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Due to its intricate nature the building and

construction industry operates in a diffi cult

communication environment with a number of

stakeholders including your clients, in-offi ce and

on-site staff as well as trades/subcontractors

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management creates the challenge for effective

and effi cient communication that is faced by

every construction company big or small.

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it is impossible to monitor every aspect of the

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UNLOCKING HIDDEN CAPACITY

BY CLOSING THE GAPS

67building software/communication

Miscommunication or a lack of effective

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expensive mistakes. Well-organized

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increased satisfaction about the job process/

experience and the quality of the build. Not

knowing exactly where each job is up to, or who

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68 building software/communication


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Beams Customer Portal - Communication between your customer and your company is managed. They are given a username and password so that they can check their job status and request more information.

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69


The Kitchen and Bathroom Designers

Institute of Australia, in conjunction with its Media

Sponsor, Kitchens and Bathrooms Quarterly,

has recently carried out the largest survey of

consumers in the kitchen and bathroom market

for a decade. Their purpose was to fi nd out what

consumers are looking for when renovating or

building these increasingly specialised areas, and

the results are encouraging for designers and

manufacturers alike.

Whilst other studies in the kitchen and

bathroom industries tend to focus on volumes/

economics or trends, this survey sought out

a more practical ‘wish list’ of consumers who

were planning for an upcoming project, or in

the early stages of a build or renovation.

The survey attracted signifi cantly more

‘renovators’ than new home builders, and the

participants were mostly undertaking projects

for homes they intended to occupy (rather

than sell or rent out). Not surprisingly, a new

kitchen topped the list for those undertaking

new home builds and whole home renovations,

but laundries were very close behind in an

unexpected swing, even ousting ensuites from

the renovation hit list!

Kitchens

Appliance manufacturers and suppliers would

be pleased to know that a third of survey

participants were planning to invest over

$10,000 on appliances for their new kitchen,

indicating that high-end appliances are both

desired and valued. New rangehoods and

cooktops topped the list, closely followed

by refrigerators. Permanent hot/cold water

dispenses have taken hold too, with 24

percent of consumers looking for this option,

while an impressive 39 percent consider a

coffee machine to be a must have!

Not surprisingly, 84 percent of the consumers

questioned would expect casual dining

and/or entertaining areas to be included in

their kitchen space. For almost a quarter of

participants, a small offi ce/workstation or

homework/study nook would need to be

factored in as well.

Bathrooms

The average number of bathrooms in

Australian homes has risen signifi cantly in the

last decade, and the list of desired inclusions

in ensuites, main bathrooms and ‘boot rooms’

has grown, too. A shower/bath combination is

far less desirable than a shower cubicle, with

only 14 percent looking for this space saver

Consumer kitchen and bathroom survey focuses on the ‘wish lists’ of Australian consumers

in the main bathrooms, and only 6 percent in

ensuites. This is not to discount the desire for

a bath; 57 percent of consumers want a stand

alone bath in their main bathroom, and 16

percent seek a soak in the ensuite.

And More

The study uncovered an overwhelming increase

in the desire for an ‘Alfresco Room’ in New

South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory,

along with some very interesting fi nds regarding

consumers’ changing attitude to design fees.

KBDi Members can access the full survey

results from the Members area on our website.

Powder Room | Boot Room | Mud Room |

What Room?

Australia may be an island, but we’re far from

isolated when it comes to interior design,

with a plethora of international design blogs

streaming to Aussie phones, tablets and PCs

every day.

70 kitchens & bathrooms


And when these American and European

interiors are ‘pinned’ and � led by your clients,

so too is the foreign terminology, adding a few

more tweaks to our complex vernacular and

more opportunities for confusion.

In this feature, we’ll look at the subtle

differences between the terms gaining

popularity in Australia today.

Powder Room

‘Powder Room’ has been used by Australians

for some time, most often for the small

bathroom to be used by guests. The room

essentially houses a toilet, basin and mirror,

and often adjoins the living/entertaining areas

of a home. The Powder Room is by no means

losing its favour, but has some growing

competition with the incoming Boot Room.

Boot Room

The term ‘Boot Room’ appears to have

originated in the UK, de� ning the room that

football teams broke to for their post-game

cheers or commiserations. As home-owners

looked for a similar room to facilitate muddy

boots, wet sporting gear and the necessary

ablutions, the Boot Room made its way on to

the home design wish list. Over the years it

has evolved to become a bathroom near an

entrance way that houses a bench to sit on

while you pull off your muddy boots, along

with coat hooks and storage, a basin, toilet

and shower or bath. For obvious reasons, the

Boot Room is best � nished with hard-wearing,

easy-to-clean products, but by no means need

it look like the ‘man cave’ some would imagine!

Mud Room

The Mud Room is virtually the American

equivalent of the Boot Room without the

amenities and until the last few years, has most

often been found in snowy, damp northern

American climates. The sensibility of such

a room can be appreciated in any climate,

however, and as a place to store outerwear,

boots, sports gear and the like, could be

considered a practical must have. The location

of the Mud Room will generally dictate its

contents and � nish. By the back door it may

contain storage bins and shelving, and a

� oor � nish well suited to muddy ingress and

egress. By the front door, a more welcoming

arrangement would be required, with

decorative hardware and cabinetry.

The Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute

KBDI is a not for pro� t industry association

representing Australia’s � nest kitchen and

bathroom designers.

The Institute’s primary goal is to develop,

encourage and recognize the highest standards

of design and business practice in this

specialised � eld. KBDi is achieving this through:

• Facilitating continual professional

development for its members

• Encouraging participation in recognized

and quality training

• Co-ordinating a highly esteemed annual

awards program

• Delivering a comprehensive accreditation

program — suitably quali� ed and

experienced designers are approved

to use the post nominal letters CKD Au

(Certi� ed Kitchen Designer) and/or CBD

Au (Certi� ed Bathroom Designer). These

Certi� ed Designers must maintain industry

currency with Continuing Professional

Development, and adhere to a strict code

of ethics.

To learn more about KBDi, visit

www.kbdi.org.au, on phone 1300 253 223.

71kitchens & bathrooms

Introduction

Heritage restoration projects can deliver beautiful

results in a fi nished product when undertaken

with attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Builders and architects are among the industry

specialists who understand that there are

many competing requirements to satisfy when

working on a heritage property if an authentic

result is to be achieved. In part, this can be

because of the stringent legal requirements for

heritage restorations that the different Australian

states have legislated to protect their own

unique history and character. But it can also

be due to the diffi culty in sourcing building

materials which closely complement the various

materials and designs used in previous historical

periods. Working with a reliable provider of

quality replications for weatherboards and

shingles can improve the ease of completing a

heritage restoration project, as well as deliver an

authentic-looking and solid building to be enjoyed

for years to come.

A Highly Regulated Field

Perhaps the most obvious challenge that

anyone involved in a heritage restoration

project can encounter is the need to comply

with the heritage legislation applicable to the

particular Australian State in which the property

is located.

While each state has different specifi c

requirements, they share in common a legal

requirement on behalf of the owner of the

property to ensure that any building work

undertaken on a heritage-listed property must

preserve the historical signifi cance of the

building. Similarly, all states mandate signifi cant

penalties for failure to comply with heritage

legislation. This can range from monetary fi nes,

to having to demolish non-heritage-approved

work. In Queensland, for instance, entire areas

rather than single properties can be heritage

listed. This means that properties neighbouring

those of historical signifi cance may be

required to ensure that any new building

projects complement the period character of

the neighbouring property.3 This means that

property owners, architects and builders must

work in close consultation with the relevant

government authority, and pay close attention

to the types of building materials used in

such projects. The most commonly available

building materials today may, in fact, be

unsuitable for use on a heritage property. Apart

from the heritage compliance objective, some

buildings simply require a transformation or

upgrade of features to compliment the building

era i.e. Restoring to their former glory rather

than trying to make something old look new.

KEEPING IT REAL: WHY CUSTOMISED REPLICA TIMBER CLADDING

MAKES SENSE IN HERITAGE RESTORATIONS

Good Quality Saves Time and Money

An inability to successfully match modern

building materials to the type and style of the

period materials in the property being restored

can have enormous impact on a project. In

the fi rst place, a failure to obtain a building

permit for a heritage building can mean that

the project is delayed while the legal situation

is rectifi ed. This can, in turn, affect the length of

time that the project takes to complete, which

will increase the cost. Further cost increases

can be caused by fi nes given for failure

to comply with heritage legislation, and in

demolition of building work undertaken without

permission. A less-obvious, but important,

cost in a heritage restoration project can be

the loss of value to a property where materials

have been used in the construction that are

less authentic to the period style of the original

building. For instance, the appearance and

therefore value of a weatherboard home can

be improved when it is restored using genuine

weatherboards that have been cut from timber,

as the weatherboards in previous historical

periods were.

This article was kindly provided by

Healy’s Building.

More information is available at:

www.healysbuilding.com.au



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Available in many product types, timber flooring can be laid over a variety of substrates from timber board products to concrete slabs.

This makes timber flooring ideal for renovation work as well as new homes.

However, with all the choice available, the task

could seem a little daunting. The Australian

Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) is a natural

place to start. The ATFA is the industry’s

leading body for timber fl ooring and from their

website you can download lots of information,

fi nd out the benefi ts of using an ATFA member

to do your fl oor and easily source an ATFA

member in your local area. But before going

there, let’s have a look at some of the product

types and aspects that need to be considered.

Traditional solid timber fl ooring is often chosen

and is available in many Australian species

from different parts of the country. For example

Spotted Gum and Blackbutt from the central

east coast, Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash

from the southern eastern states or Jarrah from

the west. These species provide some of the

best fl ooring timbers in the world and can be

laid on most substrates. Their natural beauty,

adding both warmth and elegance, has made

them the feature of many an Australian home.

Recycled timber fl ooring provides yet another

option, where perhaps an even more rusticated

appearance is desired that accentuates the

timbers past use as a bridge girder or the like.

In addition to solid timber fl ooring engineered

pre-fi nished products play an important role.

Made in either Australia or overseas, they

utilise either Australian hardwoods on the

exposed surface or some of the many species

from around the world. These products are

manufactured by bonding a number of timber

layers together and this improves stability to

seasonal weather changes. These products

can be laid over most substrates either as

a structural fl oor, overlay or fl oating fl oor

and have the benefi t of not requiring on-site

sanding and fi nishing after installation.

The character of timber fl oors is determined by

the grade, which can refl ect the entire history

of the tree containing striking features such as

gum veins, knots and burls. In other grades the

cleaner natural lines and fi gure of the timber

will dominant, with fewer and smaller features

present and with a subdued fi nish it almost

allows you to see inside the wood.

When purchasing a timber fl oor, you will need

to consider the colour, grade, board width and

the fi nish. Photos and samples do not always

provide a good representation of colour or

grade and it is important to realise that fl oors

of the same species can differ markedly in

both colour and appearance. Grading rules do

not cover either colour or colour variation and

therefore this aspect needs to be discussed

with your supplier and installer. Timber fl ooring

comes in a wide variety of colours and tones

from rich deep reds to lighter straw browns,

some have a vibrant range of colours that

naturally blend together and in other instances

a mix of species of similar tones are available.

It is necessary that fl oor owners have an

understanding of what can be expected

during the installation of the fl oor, its ongoing

performance and the care that will preserve

its life. You may live in a drier location, the

coastal hinterland or in the moist tropics. You

may have refrigerated air-conditioning, heating

systems or large expanses of glass with a lot

of direct sunlight. To accommodate all these

variables different methods of installation are

going to be appropriate to different homes and

therefore practices used in your installation will

differ from others. For this reason it is important

that you select a qualifi ed contractor to install

and fi nish the fl oor.

Timber the

Natural Fl ooring Soluti on

74 fl ooring


The installation and fi nishing should not

be rushed as the condition of the timber,

climate and internal environment all need

to be assessed, possible building issues

rectifi ed before installation and sometimes it is

necessary to just wait for the timber to settle

to the installation environment. Timber is a

not a man made product, it is totally natural,

renewable and recyclable and as such, with

seasonal changes in weather conditions, it

will absorb moisture from the air and swell

a little, while during drier conditions it will

lose moisture to the air and shrink a little. It

is therefore quite normal for timber fl oors to

show small gaps at board edges, particularly

during dry periods. This will be less so with

an engineered fl oor. Similarly, where there

is intense sunlight on a fl oor, a wood fi red

heater or air-conditioning, drier conditions

will be experienced and the fl oor will respond

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 27 Ashford Avenue, Milperra, NSW, 2214

Cypress • Hardwood • Treated Pine • WRC • Plywood • Reclaimed Hardwood Panelling • Hardware

P: (02) 9774 2944E: [email protected]

www.abbeytimber.com.au

• Sydney’s Largest range Decking/Screening • Huge Range of Timber Flooring & Accessories• Large Hardwood Posts, Beams & Framing• Builders Discounts On All Products We Sell

Sydney’s Largest range Decking/Screening •Sydney’s Largest range Decking/Screening Hardwood Panelling Premium & RusticSydney’s Largest range Decking/Screening Hardwood Panelling Premium & RusticSydney’s Largest range Decking/Screening • Custom Milling Services• Hardware & Accessories• All External Timbers and Much More…

TIMBER FLOORING AND DECKING SPECIALISTS

accordingly. All timber fl ooring products require

allowance for seasonal expansion that occurs

and in many cases owners will be unaware of

the expansion and the expansion gaps that

have been provided as these are located under

the skirtings along the walls.

There are many simple things that owners

can do to maintain the character and beauty

of their timber fl oor. Curtains, tinted glass or

similar should be used to protect fl oor areas

from intense sunlight and mats both inside

and out are an effective means of trapping grit

which can scratch fl oor surfaces. Heavy items

of furniture need to be carefully positioned

without dragging them. Similarly, it should be

ensured that the feet of chairs and tables etc

have felt pads or protectors applied.

A regular cleaning program should also be

considered to ensure that your fl oor remains

in pristine condition. Antistatic mops are

effective for collecting dust and grit. When it

comes to other types of mopping to provide

a deep clean, it is best that your ATFA fi nisher

be contacted. There are many fi nishes on the

market and different products are suitable for

different fi nishes.

Each solid timber fl oor is unique and for this

reason these fl oors are the feature of many

homes. If you require more information on

timber fl ooring, whether it be solid tongue and

groove or parquetry, engineered, laminate or

bamboo, you can visit the ATFA website at

www.atfa.com.au.

Kindly provided by:

David Hayward ATFA Technical Manager and

Timber Flooring Expert

75fl ooring

Australia & New Zealand – October 2015

Call ACRS on (02) 9965 7216, email [email protected] or visit www.steelcertification.com

ACRS – The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd ABN 40 096 692 545

ACRS is your toolkit for steel compliance.To register for the free ACRS Seminar Series visit:

www.steelcertification.com or www.steelcertification.co.nz

• Avoid the risks of using Non-Compliant Steels• How to assure product conformance to standards

• National & International Speakers on Compliance Risks

• Australia and New Zealand are part of a global supply chain and building & construction products are now being sourced from both overseas and local manufacturers and suppliers. Alarmingly, there is increasing evidence that many suppliers of products, regardless of where they are made, are not providing evidence that they meet Australian and New Zealand Standards and building requirements, and hence they may not comply.

• Formed in 2000 by peak construction industry bodies, the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels, “ACRS”, independently assesses and third party certifies steel manufacturing & processing at over 150 locations in over 15 countries worldwide for construction steel products supplied to Australian and New Zealand standards.

PERTH – Monday October 12th, 5.30pm-8.30pmSYDNEY – Tuesday October 13th, 5.30pm-8.30pm

MELBOURNE – Thursday October 15th, 5.30pm-8.30pmCHRISTCHURCH – Monday October 19th, 5.30pm-8.30pm

AUCKLAND – Tuesday October 20th, 5.30pm-8.30pmBRISBANE – Thursday October 22nd, 5.30pm-8.30pm

SEMINARS ARE FREE TO ATTEND AND CPD POINTS MAY BE APPLICABLE.

Steel Compliance SeminarsACRS


directorydirectory

Pump more profit.Pump more profit.PumpMaster PG-35

Pump masonry grout, mortar, pea gravel, shotcrete and more to the exact point needed, easily and efficiently, with your own PumpMaster PG-35. Compact and powerful, this 35 HP work-saver fits on the job site and empties a ready-mix truck in an hour, reducing labour and equipment rental costs as it increases efficiency and profitability.

SALES LOCATIONS:

Melbourne: 03 9768 3111 Sydney 02 9905 5675

American Owned.American Built.

www.airplaco.com/blockfill

•35 HP Petrol Engine

•Compact size for easy placement on the job

•4” swing-tube valve delivers smooth flow from fine to coarse grout

•Exclusive hydraulic driven, self-propelled manoeuvring

www.brunswicksales.com.au

(02) 9972 93001014 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy NSW 2097

[email protected]

collaroykitchen.com.au

• Family owned and operated in the local area for 17 years

• Specialising in custom made designer kitchen & complete joinery packages

• We do not compromise on quality. We work with you and your client to create something really unique for your space

License 185107C

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THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONOF HIRING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Perfect Hire is the first company that integrates skilled labour with equipment hire services.

NO.1SYDNEY’S

HIRE COMPANY

4/8 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville NSW 2204 | 02 8021 1784 | www.perfecthire.com.au

GENERAL TOOLSHEAVY PLANTCONCRETE CUTTING/CARETRUCKS/TRANSPORT + MORE!

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Free Quote: 1300-889-585 www.endless-solar.com.au

Why Choose Endless Solar?• Advanced Evacuated Tube technology

• Greater Savings on your hot water bill

• Smarter solar hot water designs

• High quality products backed with genuine warranties

• Quality Controlled - Certi� ed to the ISO 9001 Quality Management System

• Proven credibility and expertise

• Expert advice in solar thermal solutions

• Simply looks and works better than other systems

• Solid reputation and many years experience

• Personalised service

• Australian Standards® Certi� ed designs, processes and components

• Ready for rebates

• Frost Protected

• Self Cleaning

• Built to Last

Endless Solar has been supplying to builders and plumbers in the industry for nearly 10 years.

Endless Solar uses evacuated tube technology for our solar hot water heaters, which are more ef� cient than � at plate collectors, especially in the winter months. These collectors are covered by a 15 year warranty.

Our tanks use marine grade stainless steel, are Australian made and are also backed by a 15 year warranty. If you would like your system to have gas boosting Endless Solar provides Bosch instantaneous boosters as a back up for the solar system.

Endless Solar is located in Auburn in Sydney and deliver all over Sydney and surrounding area

SELF CLEANINGNo climbing on your roof to wipe away grime, mould and pollution

Morning after the 2009 Sydney dust storms.

Morning after the 2009 Sydney dust storms.

LABOUR AND EQUIPMENT HIRE

SOLAR

78


what’s newwhat’s new

THE BAYER PROTECTION PROGRAM OFFERS HOMEOWNERS TOTAL TERMITE PROTECTION

A first for the termite industry in Australia, the Bayer Protection Program offers homeowners total termite protection -- a combination of regular termite inspections (e.g. annually) to detect the presence of termites; and a physical barrier (Kordon®) to prevent entry via areas that can’t be inspected.

The Bayer Protection Warranty starts with an inspection of the home by a Bayer Accredited Timber Pest Inspector. If the home is termite-free, and possible conditions which may be conducive to termite attack are addressed, your Bayer Protection Warranty can be renewed. The same inspection takes place each year to give the homeowner total termite protection. This warranty can be renewed annually (fee applies) for the life of the structure.

The Bayer Protection Warranty covers homeowners for up to $1 million worth of termite damage due to product failure or any other means of termite entry.

To activate your Bayer Protection Warranty visit www.kordonwarrantycentre.com.au or for further information contact the Bayer Protection team on 1800 552 802.

SEA CHANGE PENDING WITH BUILDING SUCCESS ON THE MID-NORTH COAST

Specialising in home additions this New South

Wales business is a premium opportunity to step

into an established, growing operation while

experiencing the superb lifestyle available on the

state’s mid north coast.

As a valued regional distributor for Spacespan/

Stratco - Australia’s leading supplier of outdoor

living systems - the business is able to offer

clients a range of high quality home addition

solutions including:

• Patio Awnings

• Glass Enclosures

• Screen Enclosures

• Carports

• Opening Roofs

• Decks

• Louvres

First established almost 25 years ago and lead

by a licensed builder, the business has developed

a reputation for exceptional workmanship and

reliable service. A key factor in its success and

longevity has been its experienced team of

installation professionals with the business ‘strong

referral and word of mouth network continuing to

drive client growth and commercial relationships.

Servicing a wide geographical region, the

business is a popular choice for both trade

commercial and private clients. As one of the

largest operators of its kind in the region it

boasts signifi cant market share and generous

income. Based in the thriving coastal city

of Port Macquarie it operates from a leased

main road premises in the industrial district. A

central location with excellent exposure and

accessibility to a long-term lease will ensure

continuity moving forward.

Having undergone consistent growth since

inception the business is well placed to

continue its long running success story with

work a plenty secured for the future. A new

owner with a building industry background will

fi nd a host of growth opportunities within its

extensive service area.

For those seeking a coastal lifestyle minus

the big city congestion the local area will not

disappoint. Schools, shopping, health facilities,

dining & entertainment – everything is within

easy reach. Port Macquarie hosts a laid back

lifestyle which is a perfect match for a builder

seeking that sea change.

For more information contact Kylie Brown:

Phone: (02) 6581 1556


79


what’s newwhat’s new

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH?

For over 18 years Roof Extenda Pty Ltd has been known for their second to none superior products!

New Product:

ROOF EXTENDA‘SAFETY ANCHOR’(PATENT PENDING)

Our fixed single point fall-arrest safety anchor, designed for use on timber roof trusses/rafters, has been tested for static and dynamic load capacity in accordance with the new AS/NZS 5532:2013 standards

For more information:

Phone: 03 5978 8755

Fax: 03 5978 8016


Website: www.roofextenda.com.au

QUALITY DRAINAGE BY STORMTECHThe selection of quality drainage is crucial not

only to the wellbeing and amenity of building

occupants, but to the integrity and value of a built

project as a whole.

Poor or untimely drainage selection can have

costly implications for owners, placing the home

or building at undue risk of ruinous inundation

Faced with the competing challenges of

today’s ultra-modern building designs, aging

infrastructure and a litany of Building Code of

Australia (BCA) requirements, today’s specifi ers

and builders must navigate a myriad of planning

and regulatory hurdles.

Whilst the importance of meeting mandated

compliance measures (such as BCA

waterproofi ng standards AS-3740 & AS-4654)

must not be discounted, it is crucial for any

implemented solution to accord strictly with the

unique built and natural landscaping features

of the property. This includes provisions for

adequate grading and a thorough understanding

of drainage fl ow rates, particularly in areas prone

to excessive downpours.

Moreover, all outdoor drainage projects should

aim to incorporate best practice in sustainable

design (encapsulated in Australia’s Waster

Sensitive Urban Design, or WSUD, principles), to

ensure water is discharged cleanly into sensitive

catchment areas.

As one of Australia’s most respected drainage

manufacturers and suppliers, Stormtech is

committed to delivering the highest quality

drainage solutions for today’s unique

building projects.

Stormtech’s skilled specialists work closely with

specifi ers and builders to offer tailored drainage

solutions, including bespoke drawings and

plans for customised drainage designs for all

Australian environments.

Stormtech works proactively with plumbing

advisory services to ensure drainage is not only fi t

for purpose, but meets stringent Building Code of

Australia (BCA) compliance measures.

To learn more about the selection and

implementation of superior drainage solutions,

visit www.stormtech.com.au and download

Stormtech’s guide to expert drainage selection

for architects, specifi ers and builders.


Phone: 1300 653 403

Website: www.stormtech.com.au

80



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2015 mb nsw magazine aug-sep

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