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OUR COVER

CONTENTS

MBAWA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT:President: Robert ShawSenior Vice President: John RippTreasurer: Chris LillisImmediate Past President: George AllingameBoard Members: Simon Birkhead, David Crothers, Jason Kunkler, Andy Peppercorn, Dan Perkins, Jack Pleiter, Robert Spadaccini, Michael Vermey

SENIOR STAFF:Director: Michael McLeanHousing & Economics Director: Gavan ForsterContracts & Administration Manager: Charles AndersonConstruction Director: Kim RichardsonMembership Services Manager: Veronica MillCommunications Director: Geoff CooperMarketing Manager: Kelly Dewar-MatusikEvents Manager: Pippa TearneTechnical Advisor: Romina De SantisTraining Director: Neil Du RandTraining Manager: Michael FitzgeraldRegional Operations Manager: Graham Bell

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES: Master Builder is

available for subscription at a cost of $55/year. Contact

Membership Services Manager Veronica Mill via email

at [email protected] for further information.

Master Builder is the official publication of The Master Buil-ders Association of Western Australia. It is produced five ti-mes per year and published by Crowther-Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd. Master Builders Association of Western Australia was established in1898 and is the state’s oldest building industry organisation. The MBAWA is part of the Australia-wide Ma-ster Builder movement. Master Builder is produced to keep members informed of matters affecting them. Opinions and/or statements in any editorial and/or advertisements are not necessarily those of the publisher and/or the MBAWA. The publisher reserves the right to reject any material deemed unsuitable for publication. Other than for the purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the copyright Act 1968, no part of Master Builder may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission from the MBAWA or Crowther-Blayne & Associates Pty Ltd.

HEAD OFFICE:35-37 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005Post: PO Box 167, West Perth WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9476 9800 (Country) 1300 550 262 Fax: (08) 9476 9801 Email: [email protected]: www.mbawa.com

MASTER BUILDERS TRAINING CENTRE594 Hay StreetJolimont WA 6014Phone: (08) 9441 8000Fax: (08) 9441 8001Email: [email protected]

REGIONAL BRANCHES:Albany-Great Southern: Linda Gibbs Ph 9841 6232Bunbury-South West: Geoff Bosustow Ph 9721 6547Geraldton-North West: Dianne Gilleland Ph 9921 5061Kalgoorlie: Jade Hayes Ph 0412 487 970Esperance: Doug Backhouse Ph 0437 184 366

MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: Veronica Mill Ph (08) 9476 9800

Forewords

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

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

Reports

Word from the Hill ............................................ 8

Master Builders General News ........................ 10

Master Builders Branches ................................ 32

Awards

Geraldton Midwest Awards ............................ 40

Great Southern Awards ................................... 46

Updates

Personal Pars .................................................. 50

Building Business ............................................ 55

Industrial Relations ......................................... 61

Technical ......................................................... 65

Membership ................................................... 68

Members’ Health ........................................... 70

Legal .............................................................. 72

Safety .............................................................. 75

Housing .......................................................... 77

Insurance ........................................................ 80

Training .......................................................... 81

Features

IT Communications ......................................... 87

Scaffolding ...................................................... 88

The Benefits of Shade Structures..................... 91

Bricks and Pavers ............................................. 94

Sustainability ................................................... 96

What’s New ................................................. 100

John Holland, Greg Leeder Homes, Rogers Building Contractors and Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets took top honours at Master Builders’ regional Building Excellence Awards recently. See pages 40-49 for details.

2 WA Master Builder

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Acknowledging the Support of our 2013 Partners:

This is a role I never expected to carry out or to be considered for. In the

process, I have learnt a lot about myself and other people. At the end of

the day, it’s all about communications, people and working together for

the betterment of our industry.

What tools do you need in your bag to be Master Builders’ president?

The basic skills I believe are most essential are:

• Willingness to listen, especially to members’ and stakeholders’

points of view with which you may not necessarily agree.

• A capacity to dedicate a few hours each week to Association

business in conjunction with your own business, family and lifestyle.

• An ability to understand a diverse range of policy issues and

represent the interest of the Association with politicians,

senior public servants and other stakeholders.

I feel particularly privileged to have served as president of a body as

prestigious as Master Builders. I have learnt a lot, met some incredibly

knowledgeable people and feel proud of what we have achieved during

my term of office. Some of the more memorable highlights that stand

out for me include:

• The opening of three new regional properties in Geraldton,

Albany and Bunbury, reflecting our strength in regional

WA. Each of these properties is purpose-built and already

is providing members with wider and better services.

• The establishment of a dedicated Training Centre in

Jolimont which has enabled our range of training

courses to be expanded significantly.

• An upgrade of our major asset in Construction

House with respect to air conditioning, windows,

lifts and newly fitted out offices for our staff.

• Being involved in judging of both state and national housing

and construction excellence awards which has reinforced

to me the quality of workmanship of WA’s builders.

• Celebrating Gavan Forster’s and Michael McLean’s thirtieth

anniversaries with our great organisation. Members

are very fortunate to have such loyal, committed and

knowledgeable staff as Gavan and Michael.

• Working with a Board of like-minded peers who are prepared

to have a go and make a difference even when the going

gets tough in finding solutions to complex industry issues.

It is heartening that our perseverance has paid off in helping to achieve

a more stable industrial relations environment, a better building

approvals process, avoiding an onerous safety regime and maintaining a

strong independent contractor regime.

Being such a dynamic industry, change will continue to be the norm.

Our industry may not be perfect but it generates some incredible

outcomes for our clients, economy and community and significant

opportunities for subcontractors and suppliers. It contributes to making

WA what it is to us and the world.

We should never under-estimate the importance of our industry and

never become complacent in fighting for what’s needed to keep it

efficient, viable and rewarding. The risks need to be recognised, threats

need to be dealt with, opportunities need to be taken and outcomes

need to be celebrated.

In conclusion, I would like to thank everyone who has assisted me

during my term as president over the last three years. Many of you

have become great friends. My wife, Penny, and business partner,

Mick Daly, have been incredibly supportive and understanding. Thank

you to Michael McLean and our metro and regional staff. It has been

a pleasure working with all of you. To our present and past Board

members, thanks for shaping the direction of Master Builders and for

the support you have given me. It has been a fantastic experience which

I will always reflect positively upon. I look forward to my new role on

Master Builders’ Board as immediate past president and to lending

support to our incoming president, John Ripp, from EMCO.

Robert Shaw

President

Reflections of an outgoing presidentCan a president, in three years, add value to an organisation that is 115 years old? By the time most of you read this, my three-year term as president will have come to an end. It has been a very interesting, rewarding and humbling experience which I recommend to anyone who has the inclination to give something back to their industry.

4 WA Master Builder

FOREWORD: President’s File

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Acknowledging the Support of our 2013 Partners:

A Building Act was on the radar in WA for over 20 years. Master

Builders supported the concept as we believed the building approvals

process needed to be made more efficient and we appreciated the

opportunity to consult with the Building Commission. The months of

consultations highlighted the problems that needed to be overcome

– lengthy delays in processing building approval applications, poor

customer service at some local councils and no consistency or certainly

during processing. Philosophically, some councils opposed the move to

private certification and weren’t too keen on co-operating with those

drafting the new legislation even though WA was the last jurisdiction

to introduce such a regime; South Australia and the Northern Territory

having some form of private certification dating back to 1993!

Since April 2012 when WA’s Building Act commenced, many building

surveyors have resigned from local government and established their own

private certification businesses. Some have chosen to work in both areas.

FeedbackHaving consulted with builder members about how private certification

is going, I have formed the following conclusions:

• It has taken some time to adjust to the new forms and

jargon and understand the new building approvals

system but it now has been generally accepted.

• In some areas it has given builders more certainty

regarding time lines in receiving building permits.

• The private certifiers have been competent,

responsive and enterprising.

• There is more front end consultation between the building

team to get the design of commercial buildings right.

• Private certifiers now are starting to specialise in different types of

buildings such as heritage, strata title developments and hospitals.

• Compared to the past, the new process is

more streamlined and efficient.

However, the system is far from perfect. Many builders have pointed

out that local authorities are exceeding prescribed time limits for issuing

building permits. No penalty is imposed for doing so. Other builders

have complained that local authorities are needlessly double checking

certified approvals or imposing additional fees.

Areas for improvementThe two areas that need to be sorted out are planning and Department

of Fire and Emergency Services approvals. Getting the building

approvals process right is one thing but the whole approvals process is

being hampered, corrupted and jeopardised by an inefficient planning

regime. The goal posts vary from council to council. Requiring planning

approval for single houses is unacceptable. Builders are experiencing

delays of three months and longer with no idea when council approval

will be forthcoming. Clients tend to blame their builders under these

circumstances which doesn’t help in maintaining a harmonious working

relationship. Why can’t the building process start while the planners

decide what to do? Better still, why not simply exclude single detached

dwelling units that comply with the Residential Design Codes from the

planning approvals process altogether? There are several planning reviews

currently under way which need to address this situation urgently. The

role of DFES in the approvals process for the commercial and industrial

sectors is equally concerning. While public safety is a critical concern for all

involved, there is simply no transparency, accountability or certainty in this

area. The potential for alternative solutions to the National Construction

Code on complex projects is often thwarted by DFES. It is a tragedy that

many builders have given up on innovative design solutions. The answer

is to enable qualified fire engineers or assessors to certify designs, just like

private building surveyors do.

ConclusionThe Building Act is a big improvement on the previous regime. Many

builders and clients already have benefited. It has created a new spirit of

co-operation among many builders and their private certifiers. However,

the planning approvals process and DFES require an urgent overhaul

before WA achieves a first class rating from builders. The potential

benefits to everyone are enormous. It only requires political will to make

it happen. Regrettably, we’ve already waited too long for those reforms.

Michael McLean

Director

WA needs a better approvals regimeThe Building Act has been in operation for over 18 months now. How do you think it’s measuring up? This question was posed to me recently at the state conference of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.

6 WA Master Builder

FOREWORD: Director’s File

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A strong, vibrant building and construction industry is

essential to our State economy, and the Master Builders

Association and its members are vital to its success.

The Department of Finance’s Building Management and

Works also plays an important role through its delivery

of the Government’s non-residential building program,

which last year involved the expenditure of almost

$740 million across some 300 capital works projects.

In recent years, the Western Australian building and

construction industry (like most other States and

Territories) has faced challenging economic conditions

- with a growing number of insolvencies that have

had a devastating impact on small local businesses,

families and communities. Many of you will be aware

of the Small Business Commissioner’s recent report

on the Construction Subcontractor Investigation,

which examined the extent of these issues on projects

administered by BMW between 2008 and 2012.

BMW has made a number of enhancements to its

internal processes that implement the findings of the

report, including improvements to its prequalification

and business risk assessment processes for construction

projects. I am also pleased to see at my initiative BMW

has commenced a trial of Project Bank Accounts

and launched a number of educational initiatives,

including the delivery of a State-wide program to raise

awareness of contractor rights and responsibilities.

I would like to thank Master Builders for its

continued support in 2013 and the input that they

have made towards BMW’s overall improvements

program. I would also like to acknowledge the

contribution made by its members, particularly in

the development of a model for the trial of PBAs.

It is clear from the consultation process and the

experience in the United Kingdom - where PBAs

have been successfully used for a number of years

now - that industry understanding is critical to their

success. Likewise, it is recognised that our model

will need to be refined as the trial progresses. PBAs

will provide a greater level of security of payment

for the supply chain, improve BMW’s management

of project risks, and enable subcontractors to

From time to time, Master Builder invites Government members to contribute on current topics and developments. Dr Mike Nahan faces challenges in his Energy and Finance portfolios. Builders are watching with interest as he oversees...

Big changes in Building Management and Works

better protect themselves in the event that a head

contractor experiences financial difficulties.

In simple terms, PBAs provide an alternative mechanism

for payments on a project – that involves the principal

depositing funds into a dedicated bank account, as

part of the normal payment cycle. Those funds are then

distributed by the bank, direct and simultaneously to

the head contractor and immediate subcontractors.

The head contractor continues to determine payment

allocations, as PBAs do not seek to alter the rights

and responsibilities of the parties to a contract.

The trial is expected to include up to 10 projects

– ranging in value from $2 million to $45 million,

in both regional and metropolitan locations. The

first PBA project was released as an expression

of interest on 11 November and a further two

EOI’s are scheduled for mid-December.

I strongly encourage you to become familiar with

the changes BMW is making to its processes

and the educational material that has been

developed for industry. More information on

these initiatives and the trial of PBAs can be

found on the BMW page of the Department of

Finance’s website via www.finance.wa.gov.au.

I look forward to continuing to work with Master

Builders on this important initiative and I would welcome

feedback from participants as the trial progresses.

8 WA Master Builder

REPORTS: Word from the Hill

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WA Master Builder 9

Anyone who considers the successful builders in WA over time will

see some common features that have led to their success. All of these

businesses have demonstrated their ability to adapt to changes in the

demand for buildings.

It is essential that businesses change their focus over time to deliver

better buildings and to move into areas where the work is. But this

requires moves to acquire different skill sets, different clients and

sometimes different construction delivery processes.

So successful builders in WA have demonstrated their ability to change,

or as it is sometimes called, innovate. Innovation can be defined as:

“Action undertaken to improve or create a product, process or service.”

The University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of

Management recently released survey research of almost 2500

respondents that shows that organisations that fail to embrace

innovation as a systematic performance tool are “likely to be chronic

under-achievers”. These under-achievers were found to have lower

levels of growth, fewer career choices for staff and had difficulty

attracting and retaining skilled people.

Respondents were classified into two groups - innovation leaders, that is,

the top performing 25 percent of respondents – and innovation laggards,

the bottom 25 percent. Revenue growth, profitability, productivity,

cash flow and other elements of business performance were higher for

innovation leaders when compared to the innovation laggards.

So what makes a business an innovation leader according to the

research? Innovation leaders embrace a structured, planned whole of

organisation approach to innovation where:

• Managers get involved in innovation projects.

• Innovation is prioritised in the business strategy.

• Business strategy and technology is strongly aligned.

• There is willingness to take calculated risks.

• Teamwork is emphasized.

• Employees are highly skilled.

• Clearly articulated employee capabilities relate to innovation.

• Employees are rewarded financially for innovation contributions.

• Competitors are benchmarked.

The conclusions of the report are worth highlighting – I’ve set them

out in the accompanying table. I wish you well in your commitment

to evolve your construction business. Send any comments to geoff@

mbawa.com.

Recently released research maps out some useful management tools to succeed in construction, says Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff Cooper.

Building a successful business: an innovation!

Achieving Innovation Performance and Business ResultsConclusions from the University of Melbourne-AIM report, October 2013, “Innovation: The New Imperative”:

“... In order to achieve... advantage, innovation needs to be the key focus of your organisation, as is the case in leading innovation-oriented organisations such as Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and 3M. Systematic innovation capability means that:

Business strategy must be centred on finding innovative solutions to your customers’ problems. From proactively solving these problems, one creates business opportunities. Strategies need to include looking for new and different ways to solve problems for clients and new and different ways to conduct your own business processes. This means developing brand new products and services too. This work and orientation also allows your firm to win the ‘war for talent’ because many talented people have a natural affinity for innovation and will be attracted to organisations which are demonstrating innovation leadership.

Systematic innovation needs to be properly resourced, and processes must allow for some experimentation, thinking outside the square, and taking carefully judged and calculated risks when needed. This includes stimulating creativity in all staff, which is a training and skilling-up opportunity. Knowledge management provides the means by which knowledge can be created, shared, disseminated and recombined to create new forms of knowledge. Human Resource Management to support innovation is an opportunity here too, requiring systems capabilities and forums for exchanging ideas between staff.

If a firm is serious about systematic innovation capability as against just paying a ‘lip service’ approach, then innovation must be measured and be a central part of the business key performance indicator system of the organisation. Remember the saying that is indeed a truism: What gets measured gets done!

The business innovation measures are even more powerful when they are then translated into personal incentives for all staff. This means that staff are recognised, rewarded and promoted at least partly on their contribution to innovation capability and innovations. Without this, staff can get away with not ‘buying in’ to innovation. However, with this factor in place, staff achieve personal gains while doing great innovative things in the business and for clients. When the business measures are strongly aligned with personal and team success drivers and incentives, a huge amount of energy is unleashed in the workforce!

Emphatic leadership of innovation behaviours and culture works wonders. When we see Australian senior executives thinking outside the square, trying new initiatives, demonstrating and encouraging some sensible appetite for risk and tolerating the occasional failure as a learning opportunity then fear is removed and people embrace innovation.”

10 WA Master Builder

REPORTS: General News

The proposed changes, if agreed, will see the number of metropolitan

local councils decrease from 30 to 14 by July 2015, with nine new local

government areas created through a series of mergers.

The Wanneroo, Joondalup and Rockingham local government areas

would remain unchanged, while Perth and Stirling would undergo

boundary adjustments and Vincent residents would become ratepayers

of either Stirling or Perth. Speaking at the Master Builders’ More

Homes Less Local Governments Breakfast Briefing in August, Local

Government Minister, Tony Simpson, informed the audience that

the change would decrease the number of duplicated and wasted

resources by grouping communities of interest into one local council.

“All levels of government face pressures to provide affordable services.

The mergers bring councils together to create economies of scale that

offer the best opportunity to keep rates down and deliver services,”

he said. “The transformation will encourage local councils to be more

open minded. The smaller the local councils are, the more likely they

are to have their blinkers on. Creating larger local councils should help

this issue.”

Mr Simpson said the local government amalgamations would not halt

the building process. He stated that he did not want a repeat of what

happened when the new Building Act was introduced, therefore, there

will be no initial changes to town planning schemes.

“A home being built will still be covered by the town planning scheme

of the original local council, even if that local council no longer exists,”

he said. On the argument that amalgamations will result in a loss of

local identity, Mr Simpson said: “It’s not about changing suburbs or

about changing what people love about their street; it’s about creating

stronger councils to serve them.”

More information on the changes is available at www.mediastatements.

wa.gov.au.

Time for government to lead on amalgamations: SimpsonThe WA Government’s preferred local government model for stronger, more efficient Perth local authorities will result in the structure of councils changing dramatically.

Part of the large audience drawn to Master Builders’ More Homes Less Local Governments breakfast function where Local Government Minister, Tony Simpson, and Environs Design Group MD, Ken Bezant, were guest speakers.

Ken Bezant told the breakfast audience that the omission of restrictions on overshadowing in the new R-Codes was a concern.

New Residential Design Codes: the good, the bad, and the uglyExperienced Master Builders’ trainer, Ken Bezant, from Environs Design

Group, told the breakfast briefing what in his opinion are the good, the

bad, and the ugly aspects of new R-Codes applying from 2 August. He

commended the reforms to allow significantly higher densities under

the codes. “Over time, we’ve realised we can design good homes on

small blocks,” he said. “Setbacks have been reduced, there has been

a reduction in open space requirements and there are reduced car

parking requirements. It will help us meet our population targets.”

Mr Bezant also praised the change made to the code relating to

ancillary accommodation (known as granny flats). “The person or

people occupying the granny flat are no longer required to be a relative

of the main householder,” he said, “and the maximum plot ratio for

ancillary accommodation has been increased from 60 square metres

to 70 square metres.” The most concerning area of the R-Codes, Mr

Bezant said, is that there is no legal right to solar access. “The provisions

to restrict overshadowing of existing roof mounted solar collectors and

north facing major openings to habitable rooms were omitted from

the final release,” he said. “This means that a home can have its solar

features blocked by a house built next door, if that house is built at a

higher floor level.”

For the current versions of the R-Codes, visit www.planning.wa.gov.

au/637.asp.

WA Master Builder 11


To ensure operations did not suffer and that

appointments and phone calls were dealt

with as normal, a second smaller session was

organised at a different time.

Secondary level training was equally well

attended, with 11 volunteers chosen from

throughout the different levels and divisions

of the organisation. Having supervisors

trained as ‘Connectors’ (who are able to

identify signs of workers having a tough time)

has the added effect of allowing Gemmill to

look after its tradespeople and subcontractors

on site.

It already has been worthwhile, with a

Connector-trained supervisor approaching

a stressed worker, speaking with him,

establishing his issues and connecting him

directly with a MIC WA field officer who was

able to provide confidential help.

Without the support of builders such as

the Gemmill Group, supporting workers in

the residential sector can be difficult. With

trained, alert supervisors on the ground,

problems can be identified on site and

connections to help can be established.

Gemmill Group backs MATESGemmill Group has become the first WA home builder accredited under the MATES in Construction program. In an impressive display of commitment to implementing the program, more than 110 staff, including receptionists, finance officers, site supervisors, designers and managers, attended MIC mental health safety training in one session at the HIA training rooms.

Gemmill general manager, Gary Wilson (left), with Godfrey Baronie of MATES in Construction WA.

Gemmill Group general manager, Gary

Wilson, is glowing in his praise of MIC WA.

“This program is one of the best safety and

welfare programs we have implemented

for our staff and trades,” he says. “We are

already reaping the benefits. I encourage

other builders in our industry to get behind

this safety and welfare initiative.” MIC WA

says that while Gemmill Homes’ marketing

pitch ‘we stand behind everything we do’ is

well known, the group is showing this also

applies to its concern for the wellbeing of

staff and trades.

The impressive sight of more than 110 Gemmill Group staff undertaking MIC general awareness training.



Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, chairs a panel session at the inaugural Master Builders-AIB conference with (l-r) Kelvin Ryan (BGC Residential), Master Builders’ president, Robert Shaw, Loris Moriconi (ABN Training) and CTF supremo Ralph Dawson, taking questions.

Lend Lease’s Murray Coleman (left) and the then director of Construction Code Compliance, Victoria, Nigel Hadgkiss (recently appointed by the Abbott Government as director of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate - right), with Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean.

Master Builders-AIB conference a winnerThe inaugural Master Builders-AIB one-day conference in September focusing on the future of building proved to be a popular event says Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff Cooper.

“Modular construction, labour force shortages, overseas procurement,

project management, economic volatility, political uncertainty and

building information modelling are all affecting the way we build and

invest in WA,” he said. “All these topics were discussed by expert

panellists at the one-day conference held at the WA Maritime Museum

in Fremantle. Attendee survey feedback was positive, with almost all

respondents ranking the event as very good or excellent.”

Mr Cooper said there was a diverse range of speakers at the conference

including the then Minister for Resources, Energy, Tourism and Small

Business, Gary Gray, and (at the time) shadow Defence Minister, David

Johnston, economists Peter Jones (Master Builders Australia) and Gavan

Forster (Master Builders WA), political journalist, Peter Kennedy, and

general practitioner, Dr Joe Kosterich.

Other speakers were:

• Stewart Darby, Housing Industry Forecasting Group.

• Nick Allingame, Pindan development management director.

• Robert Shaw, Master Builders’ president.

• Ralph Dawson, Construction Training Fund executive director.

• Kelvin Ryan, BGC Residential executive general manager.

• Loris Moriconi, ABN Training apprentice program manager.

• Lloyd Jenkins, BGC Modular executive general manager.

• Debra Tarabini, StratX CEO.

• Jon Stone, Brookfield Multiplex regional director infrastructure.

• Murray Coleman, Lend Lease construction managing director.

• Shane Brown, CSI BIM project manager.

• Nigel Hadgkiss, director, Construction Code Compliance, Victoria.

Mr Cooper thanked the conference’s major sponsor, Hays, and silver

sponsors, Access Rentals Australia, Alinta Energy, Austral Bricks, Instant

Waste Management and MBA Insurance Services. He said a follow up

conference is planned for 2014.

Part of the appreciative audience at the Master Builders-AIB one-day conference.



There’s no ‘I’ in teamGuests at the Master Builders Bankwest Support Staff Breakfast in August heard from West Coast Fever and former Australian Diamonds netball coach, Norma Plummer, who emphasised the importance of team work.

“There’s no I in team, it has to be the ‘us’ not ‘me’,” Ms Plummer

stressed. “Egos must be put aside.” She stated that there was little use

in her, as coach, having a vision, if it was not shared by the rest of the

team. This view helped her guide the Diamonds to victory in the 2011

World Championships, despite Netball Australia’s defeated attitude

towards the tournament, due to the strength of the New Zealand team

and the number of injuries to key Australian players.

To engage her team which then was under siege, Ms Plummer

discussed the team selection with the leadership group, as well as her

idea of including two rookies. The leadership group’s support of her

tactic allowed one of those rookies, Caitlin Bassett, to score the winning

goal in the final against New Zealand.

“Everyone knew their role,” Ms Plummer said of the World

Championship winning team.

Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff Cooper, said the

Support Staff Breakfast provided an opportunity for Association

members to thank and inspire staff. The function reverted to the

breakfast format this year with a mix of staff and their bosses enjoying

the hospitality of Royal Perth Yacht Club. Bankwest, Hays and Landgate

sponsored the event.

Master coach, Norma Plummer, addresses the Support Staff Breakfast.

With the morning sunshine slanting in, staff and bosses alike enjoy the Support Staff Breakfast.

Palfrey kicks winner in footy tipping comp

The South West general manager of WA Home Group, Shaun Palfrey,

has come within a whisker of topping the 495,000-participants ESPN

online footy tipping competition. He finished third, one point off the

leader and based on points margin. Some consolation for Mr Palfrey

was that he won an iPad Mini, donated by Bankwest, in winning the

Master Builders’ footy tipping competition. “Shaun’s was an amazing

achievement,” says Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff

Cooper. “He excelled in the competition – just one point off the leader

in Australia and third on points margin. Not surprisingly, he was best in

Master Builders’ competition.”

Shaun shared his top tip for picking winning AFL teams: “Tip with the

brain and not the heart. Go with favourites based on the TAB odds,

and hope you get the 50-50 games right!”

Mr Cooper thanked Bankwest for its support for the Master Builders’

competition.Gun tipper Shaun Palfrey (left) with Bankwest’s Paul Burnett



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The publication provides employers with comprehensive

and up-to-date guidance on the primary modern

award for the building and construction industry, the

Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010.

A companion publication, the National Employment

Standards (NES) Booklet as modified by the On-Site

Award also was published in August.

“These are must have publications for all employers

trying to navigate the complex industrial relations

safety net,” says Master Builders’ chief executive

officer, Wilhelm Harnisch. “This edition is the

essential workplace relations guide for employers,

helping them negotiate a maze of over 60 separate

allowances and a cut-and-paste collection of antique

provisions, particularly about outdated work health

and safety issues in the Building and Construction

General On-Site Award 2010 which can be a real

headache for employers.”

Mr Harnisch said the fourth edition of the manual has

been substantially expanded. It analyses the Building

and Construction General On-Site Award 2010 on a

clause-by-clause basis. Updated annually from 1 July for

the Fair Work Commission’s minimum wage decisions,

it also provides links to key interpretations by the Fair

Work Commission, practical examples and essential

historical and industrial relations perspectives. This time

it also includes an update from the 2012 Modern Award

Review decision that was handed down in July.

“The important matter for employers to understand

is that the Building and Construction General On-

Site Award 2010, together with the NES, set the

minimum standards for all employees in the building

and construction industry,” Mr Harnisch said. “Even

those employees on enterprise agreements must be on

terms which are ‘better-off overall’ when compared to

the 2010 Award. For this reason, all employers in the

industry need to have a solid understanding of that

Award and the NES.”

The Modern Award Manual and the NES publication are

available from Master Builders WA in West Perth (phone

9476 9800).

Updated Modern Award Manual vital for building employersMaster Builders Australia has published the fourth edition of its Modern Award Manual.

NATSPEC boss in townNATSPEC chief executive officer, Richard Choy, visited Perth recently for a shareholders lunch. NATSPEC is a not-for-profit organisation, owned by the design, build, construct and property industry through professional associations and government property groups. Master Builders has a stake through the movement’s national body. Master Builders Australia. NATSPEC’s major service is the comprehensive national specification system endorsed by government and professional bodies. The organisation was founded in 1975 and is impartial and not involved in advocacy or policy development. Master Builders WA director, Michael McLean (right), caught up with Mr Choy and Australian Institute of Architects state manager, Meino Mirkva, at the Perth lunch.

Architects, builders meetMaster Builders’ and Australian Institute of Architects’ representatives met recently as part of regular liaison between the organisations. Topics covered in the discussions included the state of the industry, building information modelling, quality of documentation and Building Management and Works reforms. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean (right) says exchanging information between peak industry groups is an important role for the Association. He is pictured at the meeting with (l-r) Charles Anderson (Master Builders’ contracts manager), AIA’s state manager Meino Mirkva and WA Chapter president David Karotkin.

Builders on show in Las VegasCommercial specialist with the US Consulate General in Perth, Donna Carter, met Master Builders’ director Michael McLean recently. Ms Carter is keen to promote the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas from 4-6 February to Master Builder members. More information can be accessed via the National Association of Home Builders’ website www.buildersshow.com/Home/.



Master Builders’ CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch says that every

day, thousands of small and medium building and

construction businesses are diverted from productive

activity by unnecessary regulation and over-regulation.

“The Productivity Commission’s recognition that the

impact of regulation falls most heavily on small business

is a good first step but must be followed up with a

structured deregulation process that seeks to remove

and reduce the compliance burden,” Mr Harnisch said.

“Regulation often overwhelms the limited staff, time and

resources available to small building enterprises, drowning

them in red tape and diverting them from what they do

best – driving economic growth and employing people.”

Mr Harnisch said that Master Builders also welcomes the

Productivity Commission’s recognition of the effectiveness

and efficiency of utilising industry association networks to

disseminate regulatory information to their members.

“But this should be kick-started at the front end of the

regulatory process by consulting with industry about the

likely effects of new regulation or increased compliance

processes,” he said. “We welcome the Report’s

identification of more efficient targeting of regulatory

resources to ensure lesser compliance costs, for example,

less onerous reporting requirements.

“An example is the thousands of contractors in the

building industry must who report each and every payment

to another contractor annually to the Australian Tax Office.

This is a classic case of legislation (passed by the previous

Government) requiring regulators to wield a big stick to

catch a minority who may be breaking the law.

“The new Government indicated during the election that

they would examine this particular requirement and Master

Builders looks forward to working with the Small Business

Minister, Bruce Billson, to advance measures to reduce

red tape for small businesses, boosting productivity and

resulting in more jobs.”

Productivity Commission red tape report wins praiseThe Productivity Commission’s research report ‘Regulator Engagement with Small Business’, released in October, should assist the Abbott Government’s push to slash red and green tape according to Master Builders Australia.

Diligence, hard work, resilience keys to Dockers’ futureGuests at the Master Builders Bankwest CEO and Managers’ Lunch late in October heard from Fremantle Dockers CEO, Steve Rosich, who said that hard work would help the club achieve its goal of sustained success.

He said that the AFL’s equalisation of the league, through the National Draft

and the fixtures, made it the most competitive club sporting competition in

the world. Mr Rosich said the Dockers had undergone a severe overhaul of

management and players since he became CEO in 2008, and this had helped to

achieve a reasonable amount of success this year.

“Only seven of the 45 currently listed players and five of the 140 current staff

members were at the club pre-2008 in the same roles,” he said. “The way to beat

equalisation is through education of players, coaches and staff and by ensuring

all involved with the club are hard working and resilient. The team and staff must

commit to what’s possible and ensure they have the correct attitude and behaviour

to make that happen.”

More than 150 guests attended the function with pre-lunch drinks outdoors in

Kings Park in perfect spring conditions before the lunch inside at Frasers. The

highly successful event was sponsored by Bankwest, Cbus, Colorbond, Hanson,

Hays, LandCorp, ReddiFund and West Australian Mechanical Services.

Fremantle Dockers CEO, Steve Rosich, spells

out his club’s success strategies at the Master

Builders CEO and Managers’ Lunch.

Enjoying the brilliant spring weather in Kings Park over a pre-lunch drink are (l-r) Daniel Hunt (WA Mechanical Services), Matt Callaghan (WA Mechanical Services), Colin Emmott (HLB Mann Judd) and John Youens (MyLeave).



“There is just so much money floating around looking for premium

assets,” Cbus Property CEO, Adrian Pozzo, told the building industry

lunch guests. “Sydney is hot, you just can’t find sites. Land prices are

causing problems and are making developments cost prohibitive. Our

challenge is to find sites that will generate the returns required by

Cbus.” Mr Pozzo said that Australian assets have yield cap rates

above those in major overseas centres, where they are only about

three percent.

“Yields are getting too sharp and are sitting at low sixes,” he said. “Our

biggest competition is with overseas investors.” Mr Pozzo also said the

reduction in floor space ratios was putting downward pressure on the

office space required by major tenants. “Floor space ratios are now 1:8

square metres, plus some major employers have employees working

one day a week from home. The whole psyche is changed.”

Cbus eyes big office, retail projectsCbus Property has told a Master Builders’ boardroom lunch, hosted by RSM Bird Cameron, that it is on the lookout for quality projects in WA.

The award winning 140 William Street project is a standout Cbus project.

Cbus Property has responsibility for the strategic performance and

management of all aspects of the Cbus direct property investment

business. Over the last five financial years, Cbus Property has returned

an annual average of 9.31 percent. The fund has about 13 percent

of its assets in WA. Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff

Cooper, said Mr Pozzo would meet with the Association’s commercial

builder members where there was interest in exploring the criteria

used by Cbus to assess current prospective property developments

and opportunities in Perth. He thanked RSM Bird Cameron managing

partner James Komninos for chairing and hosting the lunch.

For further details on the topics covered at the lunch, contact Cbus WA

key partnerships manager, James Moore, on 0437 688 538 or email

[email protected]

Summit expandsSummit Homes Group has built a new client showroom at 83 McCoy Street in Myaree, behind its existing head office on Leach Highway. The purpose built facility will assist new home-buyers in their product selections.



Top award to Pindan’s AllingameThe man who has led one of WA’s most successful building companies for more than 35 years has been awarded Master Builders’ 2013 Robert Law Award for industry service.

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

1998 HomesWest1999 Graham Kierath 2000 Geraldton Building Company2001 Len Buckeridge2002 John Roberts2003 Plunkett Homes2004 Graham Glick2005 Ron Scott2006 Gervase Purich2007 Rob Torrance2008 Dale Alcock and Garry Brown-Neaves2009 Peter Hunt2010 Peter Bruechle2011 John Doust 2012 Julian Walter

Master Builders’ 2013 Robert Law Award winner, George Allingame (right), with Association president, Robert Shaw.

George Allingame was the founding CEO and director of Pindan Constructions in 1977.

The company started out building houses, caravan parks and small commercial projects

but now as the Pindan Group, has various divisions covering large scale commercial work,

remote and regional construction and individual and project homes.

It ranks in the top handful of WA’s commercial contractors and also is one of the nation’s

top 10 biggest multi-unit builders.

Mr Allingame originally trained as a metallurgist and was an outstanding student at the

South Australian Institute of Technology and the University of Adelaide. He worked for

Western Mining Corporation in WA in the early to mid-70s, and was senior nickel division

metallurgist when he took a right turn to start Pindan. He became the sixteenth winner of

the Robert Law Award with the announcement of the accolade at Master Builders’ industry

CEO lunch at Frasers on October 31. In accepting the award, Mr Allingame acknowledged

his successful 35-year partnership in Pindan with fellow director and co-owner David Pringle.

Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says the award, named after the Association’s

first president in 1898, recognises exceptional service to WA’s building industry over a

number of years.

“The Robert Law Award is judged by Master Builders’ board and George is a terrific

winner,” Mr McLean said. “Running an enormously successful business isn’t the only thing

that sets him apart. He’s been involved in industry affairs, particularly through Master

Builders, for more than 20 years.

He started with us in 1990 when he joined our Safety Committee. He served on it until

2009 including the last 16 years as chair. He also was the Association’s representative to the

WorkSafe Construction Industry Safety Advisory Committee between 1997 and 2008 and

since 2010 he’s chaired the peak WorkSafe Commission.”

Mr McLean said that, in addition, Mr Allingame was first elected to the Association’s

main governing body in 1993 and since then had served continuously in various roles,

including president from 2008 to 2010. Mr Allingame also was recently appointed as WA’s

representative to the board of brokers MBA Insurance Services.

The Pindan Group had won many state and national building excellence awards and,

reflecting Mr Allingame’s passion for workplace safety, was awarded a WorkSafe Platinum

Certificate of Achievement in 2006.

Pindan was committed to industry skills with scholarships through the Central Institute of

Technology and Curtin University and sponsorship of Master Builders’ Apprentice of the

Year Awards. At another level, Mr Allingame personally had contributed to the education

of hundreds of secondary students through his service on the Mazenod College board

including a decade as its chair.

“George is slowing down a bit now, indulging his fishing and golfing passions,” Mr McLean

said. “It’s fitting that Master Builders should recognise the contribution he’s made to WA’s

building industry and the wider community over the best part of four decades and the

unpretentious way he’s gone about it.”



MyLeave CEO, John Youens.

It is pleasing to detail that in the 2012/13 financial year, MyLeave delivered record breaking results against various key performance indicators. MyLeave has continued to deliver an increasingly valuable service for its stakeholders especially as the construction industry in WA has undergone a period of strong growth. The number of workers covered by the scheme continued to grow in 2013 and that growth is ultimately reflected in the number and value of payments made to workers. Monitoring of payments indicates that a large number of workers stay in the construction industry to achieve the benefit of an entitlement under the scheme.

In regards to workers, key performance highlights for the year include:

Workers 2012 2013 Growth

Total (average per quarter) contributed for:

69,619 76,748 +7,129 (+10%)

Number of benefits paid: 2556 3112 +556 (+22%)

Value of benefits paid: $20.5M $24.8M +$4.3M (+21%)

The number of registered employers has not shown any growth; in

2013 the number of employers was 4892 which was slightly less than

the 2012 level of 4912.

A key driver of the scheme is the number of workers and the ‘ordinary

pay’ paid to those workers. The growth in the number of workers

previously detailed, coupled with the annual average growth in ordinary

pay of +6.0 percent in 2013, has a direct impact on MyLeave’s balance

sheet. This affects the accrued long service leave benefit liability (as

calculated by MyLeave’s actuary) and also the underlying investment

portfolio required to fund the liability.

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

Record year for MyLeave

The investment portfolio (including cash deposits held by MyLeave), has

grown significantly over recent years and at 2013 it was $342 million.

In 2013 investment markets were volatile, especially during May and

June. However, at year end, markets had performed well above the

long-term average return. This had a positive impact on MyLeave’s

balance sheet which is now being restored following the increased

worker benefits legislated in 2006 and the Global Financial Crisis impact

in 2008 and 2009.

MyLeave’s balance sheet is summarised below:

Balance Sheet

2012 2013 Movement

Assets $268.9M $362.8M +$93.9M (+35%)

Liabilities $271.6M $300.5M +$28.9M (+11%)

Equity Surplus/(Deficit) ($2.7M) +$62.3M +$65.0M

As previously commented, investment markets were strong in 2013 and

MyLeave is pleased to report an investment return of 17.1 percent per

annum for the year.

The strengthened balance sheet has resulted in MyLeave improving

its funding ratio, that is, the ratio of the value of the investment

portfolio to the actuarial funding liability. This will be a factor when

board members make their recommendation to the Minister for the

Contribution Levy rate for 2014. With the continuance of significant

volatility in investment returns, board members have a very challenging

task with the annual assessment of the Contribution Levy rate.

New MyLeave board appointedCommerce Minister, Michael Mischin, has announced the composition of the new Construction Industry Long Service Leave Payments Board for the next 12 months.

The Board is a body corporate of seven members appointed by the State Government principally from nominations made by industry unions to represent employees, and Master Builders and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to represent employers.

The chairperson is a separate appointment by the Minister. The new board is:• Linda Gibbs (chairperson)• Michael McLean (Master Builders)• Ray Sputore (Decmil)• Warren Edwards (CCI)• Mick Buchan (CFMEU) • Steve McCartney (AMWU)• Les McLaughlan (ETU)

The portable long service leave scheme commenced in January 1987 and now operates as MyLeave. Building workers covered by the scheme are entitled to 13 weeks’ long service leave after 15 years’ service to the industry and pro-rata entitlements after seven years.

At the time of publishing Master Builder, employers currently contribute two percent of their eligible employees’ ordinary wages to fund the scheme.



MyLeave continues to strive for efficiencies in its operations and a key

aspect of this is the volume of worker data submitted online. MyLeave

is pleased to advise that this ratio has increased over the past year from

68 percent to 78 percent. The new website introduced during the year

has been well received by stakeholders and has assisted in the uplift in

online data. In 2014 MyLeave will continue to focus on demonstrating

to employers the benefits of online submission of quarterly returns.

Legislative changes proclaimed on 1 April 2012 included a key

initiative which now allows MyLeave to automatically register workers

when they appear on an employer’s quarterly return. This initiative

has resulted in a significant increase in the number of registered

workers and, in effect, the elimination of unregistered workers being

contributed for by employers.

As a result of the above, employers no longer need to follow up

with new workers for the completion and submission of registration

forms to MyLeave. From the worker’s perspective, upon automatic

registration they have immediate access to their service records online

and therefore can regularly check that employers are accurately

submitting service records on quarterly returns. Notwithstanding the

automatic registration of workers, it is important that both employers

and workers ensure that the workers are working in a prescribed job

classification covered by the scheme, otherwise a benefit will not be

payable to the worker.

Employers will be pleased to note that the cost efficiency of MyLeave

is confirmed in the level of average administrative cost per registered

worker of $27.44 per annum. This well below the average of $56.78 per

annum (2012) for other Australia-wide schemes.

Whilst it is pleasing to present an improved financial position to

stakeholders, MyLeave board members continue to maintain a cautious

outlook regarding investment markets to ensure MyLeave remains

in a sound financial position into the future. Finally, MyLeave board

members are pleased with the continued benefit that the scheme

provides to workers and therefore assists those workers to stay in the

local construction industry.

For further information employers should contact MyLeave on 9476

5400 or visit myleave.wa.gov.au.

The four projects in the program are prequalification and business

risk assessment enhancement, a trial of project bank accounts, tender

process improvements and an education program for industry and

BMW staff.

Improvements to the way BMW manages its builders’ prequalification

scheme and business risk assessment processes came into effect

in September. The improvements included the requirement for a

higher standard of financial information from contractors applying

for prequalification, expiry of prequalification after 12 months and

the introduction of random spot checks of subcontractor payment.

Full details of BMW’s new builders’ prequalification scheme can be

downloaded from the Department’s website on www.finance.wa.gov.

au/cms/content.aspx?id=3700.

BMW currently is trialling project bank accounts. It is the first time this

alternative payment mechanism has been used by a state government

agency in Australia. BMW’s monthly payments for the trial projects

are made into a quarantined bank account, from which the funds are

dispersed directly and simultaneously to the head contractor and the

immediate subcontractors.

The tender process improvement project includes a trial that broadens

the use of two-stage procurement for lower value projects. The tender

process starts with contractors being invited to submit expressions of

interest for a project. EOIs are assessed using qualitative criteria and

then shortlisted contractors are invited to submit priced tenders.

BMW reforms under wayThe Department of Finance, Building Management and Works has begun a process improvement program to address the recommendations of the Small Business Commissioner’s Construction Subcontractor Investigation Report released in June.

The education program includes documents and information sessions to

increase awareness of leading practices and understanding of BMW’s

processes. New brochures have been distributed to contractors and

subcontractors that regularly work with BMW, and information sessions

have been held in Perth and across regional WA.

For information on the program contact the BMW feedback officer on

6551 1888 or email [email protected].

Policy and practice general manager, Graeme McLean, presents information on BMW’s process improvement program at an October subcontractor awareness session.



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CEO Wilhelm Harnisch says the building and

construction industry is looking to the Abbott

Government to put as high priorities, sound economic

management, a return to sensible industrial relations

policies, bringing back the Australian Building and

Construction Commission and dealing with the under

supply of housing and the issue of housing affordability.

“The normalisation of engagement with the business

sector is another high priority that should include

wide consultation, the preparation of rigorous and

transparent regulatory impact statements and proper

parliamentary scrutiny for the introduction of new

legislation,” Mr Harnisch said. “This is crucial to

Master Builders Australia CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch.

Master Builders and Bankwest have signed an agreement that will promote careers in construction in WA.

Master Builders has high expectations of Abbott GovernmentWith the serious business of Parliamentary sittings getting under way, Master Builders Australia has restated what it hopes to see from the new Coalition Government.

restoring business confidence. Master Builders looks

to the Abbott Government to get the economy on

the right track, not just for the next three years but

for the next three decades. Building and construction

will be a key industry in generating economic growth,

building the nation’s infrastructure, creating jobs and

lifting productivity.”

Mr Harnisch said Master Builders was looking forward

to working with the Abbott Government to advance

reforms in the national interest and was encouraging

the government to properly recognise the contribution

of the building industry to the wellbeing of the

Australian community.

Bankwest and Master Builders agree to support apprenticeships

traineeships in WA. The initiatives include promotion

of careers, job opportunities, government incentives

and other relevant information. The plus for Master

Builder members is they have access-dedicated banking

contacts for personal and business loans. A 0.25

percent commission will apply on the loan amount on

all business, retail and private banking lending referred

(up to a maximum of $10,000). Master Builders’

director, Michael McLean, and Bankwest’s, Paul Burnett

(pictured), signed the final agreement in November.

“We look forward to promoting apprenticeships,

proudly supported by Bankwest, using the funds raised

by the referral program,” Mr McLean said. “There is

lots we want to do to promote the rewarding careers

in construction in WA, because there are many diverse,

well paid office and site jobs to be filled. The industry

needs more people to build homes, factories, shopping

centres and office towers.”

To find out more about Bankwest loans and products,

contact Bankwest’s business development manager

Christine Hutchins on 0457 541 200 or home loan

specialist Lisa Hutchins (0467 807 662).

Master Builders and Bankwest have signed an

agreement to facilitate a referral fee for business

and personal loans to members that will support

apprenticeships in the industry. Referral fees will be

put towards initiatives to boost apprenticeships and



Better Living Home Show hits 9000 visitorsMaster Builders had a large number of visitors at its stand at the 2013

Better Living Home Show. The show, held during August, attracted

around 9000 visitors overall. Master Builders’ stand featured extensive

information for consumers on how to find Master Builder members to

assist with their building or renovations. Information was provided on:

• Master Builders’ Find a Member online service at www.mbawa.com.

• Award winning builders from the 2013 Master

Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards.

• Master Builders’ DisplayHomesWA.com.au website.

• The Association’s BuildIT publication.

• The website A-Z Building Information Directory with

more than 200 helpful topics and links to members.

• Master Builders’ partners including Cbus and Bankwest.

The show featured a number of building products, sustainable energy

ideas, finance and legal advice.

Master Builders’ stand at the August Better Living Home Show.

The life membership award was the highlight of the

club’s annual general meeting at the Stirling Bowling

Club. Mr Maricic was a popular recipient of the honour.

He was described as always having a smile on his

face and making visitors to the club welcome. Over

the years, he has been active in different club roles

including sponsorship.

In accepting the life member’s medallion, Mr Maricic

said he was rather surprised but extremely proud

and humbled to be recognised by his peers in such a

way. “I have always enjoyed my time with the Master

Builders Bowling Club and believe it is the best club in

Australia,” he said.

The AGM saw Bill Pitt re-elected president for 2013-14

along with deputy president, Ross Stewart, secretary,

Carl Donaldson, treasurer, Frank Saliba and councillors,

Ivan Campbell, Cyril Dew, Roy Leonhardt, Brian Young,

Mel Lemos, Steve Matthews and Colin Rutter. Mal

Dempsey continues as immediate past president.

Games director, Ivan Campbell, reported that over

the past 12 months, the club hosted 10 games with

an average of 55 bowlers participating, making it the

largest Master Builders bowling club in Australia.

Next year’s interstate Master Builders bowling club

tournament, the James Wall Cup, will be held on the

Gold Coast in the week commencing 15 June.

Anyone interested in joining the Master Builders

Bowling Club, which bowls once a month on

Wednesday afternoons at different locations, is

encouraged to contact Carl Donaldson on 9246 3910.

Member for life: Master Builders Bowling Club president, Bill Pitt (centre), presented a life membership medallion to George Maricic (right) at the club’s AGM. They are pictured with another life member, Colin Rutter.

Life membership for bowler MaricicThe Master Builders Bowling Club has awarded life membership to George Maricic. Mr Maricic has been a member of the club, which was formed in 1966, for 34 years.



The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing

and Structural Steels, (ACRS)—previously known as

the Australian Certification Authority for Reinforcing

Steels— administers an independent, expert, industry-

based, third-party product certification scheme. ACRS

certifies manufacturers and suppliers of reinforcing,

prestressing and structural steels to Australian and New

Zealand Standards.

ACRS is supported and endorsed by member companies

ranging across engineering, inspection, manufacture,

government, and importantly, customer bodies.

ACRS has undertaken more than 750 factory

assessments of steel construction materials since

2003, and now certifies over 150 manufacturing

and processing sites across 41 steel companies

in 16 countries. ACRS provides the building and

construction industry on both sides of the Tasman

with the widest range of professionally witnessed and

assessed steel products available to Australian and

New Zealand standards.

ACRS certifies construction steels to six Australian/New Zealand steel standards:• AS/NZS 4671 – Steel reinforcing materials

(for both manufacturing and processing)

• AS/NZS 4672 – Steel prestressing

materials (bar, wire and strand)

• AS/NZS 1163 – Cold formed structural

steel hollow sections

• AS/NZS 3678 – Structural steel –

hot-rolled plates, floorplates and slabs

• AS/NZS 3679.1 – Structural steel

– hot-rolled bars and sections

• AS/NZS 3679.2 – Structural

steel – welded I sections

ACRS is currently assessing further AS/NZS construction

steel standards for future certification. These will be

advised in due course.

The ACRS difference: supplier test reporting and verificationReasons for the industry urging ACRS certification of these

materials is the observed increase in incidence of materials

failures, and the consequential financial and physical risk

to customers, building workers and general public.

The three major components of ACRS certification are:Testing of samples selected by ACRS, not the supplier,

and independent, expert review of results against AS/

NZS Standards.

Periodic review and approval by ACRS of the

manufacture of all material types supplied to the

appropriate Standard/s by each certified company.

This approval is a vital part of ACRS certification,

ensuring that anyone relying on ACRS certification can

be confident that ongoing supply by ACRS certified

company of the materials listed on an ACRS certificate

will consistently meet AS/NZS Standards.

Supply of any non-ACRS verified materials to the

certified Standard may result in termination of the

Firm’s certification.

ACRS – Compliance ChecklistsThe checklists have been designed by ACRS for the

guidance of engineers and building surveyors who verify

structural and reinforcing steels to AS/NZS Standards.

These checklists form a valuable part of a professional

verification process by highlighting the basic steps for

confirming the origin and specification of manufacture

of steel construction materials.

Compliance Checklists for Structural Steel and

Reinforcing Steel are available for download at http://

www.acrs.net.au/announcements/compliance-checklists

For more information contact: Website: www.steelcertification.com

ACRS Certification: Confidence in

Steel SupplyThe ACRS certification scheme for construction

steels delivers confidence in steel materials supply through independent third party product

certification of manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, on behalf of the construction industry.


ADVERTORIAL

Regret.(verb.) a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss,

disappointment, expressing regret for a poor choice.

Using non-compliant steel can take on a new meaning if something goes wrong.

Demand ACRS Certificates of Product Compliance. You won’t regret it.

• Don’t regret your choices. The ramifications from using non-compliant steel far outweigh the initial cost savings.

• Heavy losses and damaged reputations are just some of the ways you could be affected.

• It’s important to be confident that structures that are built comply with Australian/New Zealand Standards and the Building Codes.

• It’s your responsibility to check the steel you use to avoid penalties in the future.

• Just because it looks the same doesn’t mean it complies.

• Understanding how you can protect yourself is critical. You have the power to refuse to use non-compliant steel.

• Don’t leave steel compliance to chance, demand the ACRS Certificate of Product Compliance.

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

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Thirty-five year old Homebuyers Centre

building manager, Robert Leader, was

nominated by ABN Group managing

director, Dale Alcock. Mr Leader, who

has completed his Diploma of Builders’

Registration and also has a Certificate IV

in Construction, commenced employment

with Homebuyers Centre in the scheduling

department at 19 and was promoted

to construction manager six years later.

Currently, he is responsible for a large

construction management team which

includes 19 building site managers and

31 apprentices. Over the last 10 years, he

has overseen the successful completion of

nearly 9000 homes.

He has adapted construction methods

to create innovative home ownership

solutions, has developed electronic systems

for site managers and is proud of building

and developing a great industry team.

James Burrows (28) is a John Holland

deputy project manager nominated by

the firm’s regional operations manager,

David Marshall.

Mr Burrows completed a Bachelor

of Applied Science in Construction

Management and Economics with

Honours at Curtin University in 2006. He

also holds a Diploma of Building from

TAFE. He says he always wanted to be

a builder and has advanced his career

quickly and successfully through various

roles at John Holland such as engineer, site

manager and contracts administrator.

Innovative home improver wins Ric New MedalThe young owner of a home improvement business and contract supervisor with Daly and Shaw Building is this year’s Ric New Medal winner. Scott Fagan (33) beat a strong field of five other finalists for the prestigious medal which was presented in November at the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Named after the founder of Midland Brick

and a person whose success was achieved

largely through entrepreneurial flair and

innovation, the Ric New Medal for Excellence

focuses on the same characteristics. It

recognises innovation, creativity and

achievement of a young person (aged 35

or under) in the context of current and

potential contribution to the building and

construction industry in WA. Emphasis is

given to the person’s practical, rather than

academic, achievements.

Mr Fagan left school at 16 to work with his

father as a brick paver. Since then he has

completed his Diploma of Building at night

school and become a Master Tradesman

with the Master Builders Association. At 22,

he took a chance and established Dragonfly

Home Improvement to take on small

renovation jobs where he did most of the

labouring himself. This enabled him to acquire

additional skills in carpentry, bricklaying,

plastering, tiling and other trades. Renovating

bathrooms and kitchens are his specialties.

Three years ago, he branched out into

subcontract supervision for Daly and Shaw

This year’s Ric New Medal winner, Scott Fagan,

celebrates with Marylyn New and Michael McLean.

Building while continuing to run his own

business. His largest project has been a 16-

unit site in Aveley.

According to Master Builders’ director,

Michael McLean, Mr Fagan is a worthy

recipient of the Ric New Medal. “Scott is a

tenacious problem solver who has developed

an excellent relationship with all his

subcontractors to be able to resolve some

complex renovating challenges,” Mr. McLean

said. “This has enabled Scott to obtain

quality outcomes and value for money for

his clients. Finding the time and energy to

combine his home improvement business

with supervising projects for Daly and Shaw

is remarkable and demonstrates maturity

beyond his years.”

Mr McLean said Mr Fagan was the

unanimous choice of the judging panel

which comprised Marylyn New, 2006 Ric

New Medal winner and Cachet Homes

managing director, Chris Lillis, and Mr

McLean. Apart from the Ric New Medal,

Mr Fagan receives a return trip to London,

$2000 in expenses and a nomination for the

2015 WA Business News 40under40 Awards

Young industry championsSince its introduction nearly a decade ago, the Ric New Medal has highlighted the achievements and potential of leading young people working in the building industry. This year was no exception with eventual winner Scott Fagan facing serious competition from five other finalists.



In his most recent role, he is responsible for

the final stages of a $30 million segment of

the new Joondalup Health Campus. One of

his greatest achievements was the successful

completion of the Central Energy Plant which

is the heart of the Health Campus.

Holland’s Mr Marshall also nominated

project engineer, Joshua Benfatta (26),

another Curtin University Bachelor

of Applied Science in Construction

Management and Economics graduate. He

is currently employed by John Holland as a

project engineer at the Joondalup Health

Campus Redevelopment project; having

advanced quickly through the ranks.

He is responsible for the quality assurance and

code compliance of several critical parts of

the multi-million dollar project as well as the

structural elements of a three-level, 85 bed

ward and emergency department.

One of Mr Benfatta’s greatest achievements

was managing the demolition of existing

structural columns over live hospital wards

and the construction of new columns

in a live ward. It was largely through his

perseverance and ingenuity that the project

was so successful. He is now the main liaison

between the builder and client, consultant

and subcontractors which requires excellent

problem solving skills.

Ric New Medal winner Scott Fagan with judges Marylyn New and Michael

McLean and fellow finalists (l-r) Robert Leader, James Burrows, Ray Kershaw, Joshua Benfatta and Adam McArthur.

The principal of Mondo Exclusive Homes, Ray

Kershaw (29), is a former winner of the Ric

New Rising Star Award. He was nominated by

Tristan Kirkham, managing director of New

Home Building Brokers. Mr Kershaw started

out as a roofing and fixing carpenter before

completing his Diploma of Building.

Rebranding his building company from

Kershaw Construction WA to Mondo Exclusive

Homes (to focus on mid- to upper-level

homes) has resulted in a significant increase in

business over the last three years. In 2013 he

is on track to build 15 homes.

He attributes part of his success to the use of

social medial and a reputable building broker.

He is passionate about improving standards in

the building industry and is playing a practical

part in this as a member of Master Builders’

Housing Council and on the Association’s

judging panel for its housing awards.

He is a hands-on master builder who recently

engaged a business psychologist to enhance

his company’s productivity with great success.

Owner-director of Element Construction WA

Pty Ltd, Adam McArthur (33), was nominated

by fellow director, Ben McArthur. Adam

completed his carpentry apprenticeship with

Multiplex Constructions and progressed

through the ranks to become a supervisor

with the company. Exposure to industrial

relations issues and unions prompted him to

get his Diploma of Building and start his own

business with the support of his brother and

several mates.

Element Construction was formed in 2010

and specialises in residential renovation

projects but also builds new homes and small

commercial projects. Mr McArthur focuses

on the construction management side of the

business, with responsibility for 12 employees

and numerous subbies.

The company turnover is likely to grow sixfold

in just four years. Mr McArthur developed

the company’s logo and marketing strategies

to achieve widespread brand recognition. He

also developed the ‘Element Construction

Constitution’, a light hearted set of rules for

his staff and contractors which has increased

team morale.

He is aiming to have Element Construction in

the winners’ circle at the 2014 Master Builders

Housing Excellence Awards as a reward for

the team’s quality work.



In 2003, Ms Wong came with her mother from Malaysia to Australia

to complete her secondary education. She then spent four months in

Japan and seven months in the UK to broaden her horizons.

She completed an Arts and Civil Engineering Degree at the University

of WA before being accepted into John Holland’s graduate program.

Since 2012 she has been working as a graduate engineer on the

Children’s Hospital Project and has undertaken three rotations

including site engineering, contracts administration and planning. She

also has assisted with the procurement and administration of the key

trade packages.

The Ric New Rising Star is awarded to a high achiever aged up to 25

who demonstrates outstanding potential, work ethic and commitment

in WA’s building industry. As with its big brother, the Ric New Medal,

selection for the Rising Star focuses on practical achievements and not

academic results. The judging panel is Mr New’s daughter, Marylyn

New, Master Builders’ director Michael McLean and Cachet Homes

managing director, Chris Lillis.

The award was introduced by Ms New to recognise the enormous talent

in the building industry’s younger generation and to inspire others to be

successful. The winner receives a cheque for $2000 and a unique trophy

featuring one of the original bricks from Midland Brick.

Young engineer is rising starEileen Wong, a 23-year-old engineer, is the winner of this year’s Ric New Rising Star Award. She is the second female to win the award since it was introduced in 2006.

Ric New Rising Star Award winner Eileen Wong proudly displays her trophy with Mayrlyn New, award finalist, Patrick Hollingworth and Master Builders’ director Michael McLean.

According to Mr McLean, Ms Wong is a confident woman who is an

inspiration to her family and work mates. “Eileen has demonstrated

great initiative and her determination to learn has led her to excel in

all activities she has undertaken,” he said. “An example of Eileen’s

innovation is her use of four dimensional modelling to track the

progress of construction projects, which will benefit other John

Holland projects.

“Eileen’s achievements clearly demonstrate that young women can

succeed in the building industry if they have the right attitude and

commitment. She is an excellent role model and mentor for other young

women and has a very bright future.”

The other finalist for the 2013 Rising Star Award was Patrick

Hollingworth (25), a graduate contracts administrator at John

Holland. He completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction

Management with Honours at Curtin University and also is employed

in John Holland’s graduate program at the Children’s Hospital project

in Nedlands.

The Rising Star Award was presented at Master Builders annual

Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition

Centre in November.



AIB says the awards are the ultimate personal

achievement for a building professional,

recognising the contribution and leadership

shown by individuals to the successful

completion of construction projects and

reinforcing the fact that the success of any

building firm can be attributed to those

responsible for the construction projects.

The awards were presented at a dinner

attended by 250 of the building and

construction industry’s leading figures. Mr

Thompson received his top award for his

work on the Joondalup Health Campus

redevelopment.

The judging criteria for the AIB Professional

Excellence in Building Awards weight the

contribution of individuals and the challenges

they face. Awards are based on challenges

associated with the complexity of the project

AIB presents its top professional awardsThe WA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Building recently hosted the 2013 AIB Professional Excellence in Building Awards in Perth at which John Holland senior site manager, Paul Thompson, was presented with the WA Building Professional of the Year.

Institute active in Curtin degree course accreditationIt’s been a busy time for AIB’s WA

Chapter recently, hosting the AIB

Course Accreditation Team from

Canberra, Sally Allen (AIB education

manager), Professor Hisham Ekardi

(Deakin University) and Atul Kumar

(Village Building Company).

The team has the task of rolling

out the AIB Accreditation Program

at 13 Australian universities.

This includes the Construction

Management and Economics

Degree at Curtin University. Course

accreditation is valid for four years

and during this time there are

annual reviews and face-to-face

meetings including with industry

to ensure what is being delivered

is current and relevant to meet

industry and professional standards.

The Chapter also hosted a

meeting attended by 25 senior

representatives from leading Perth

builders to discuss important

changes in the way the Degree

program will be delivered in the

future as universities take on

more of a research stream. This

will see the need for industry in

conjunction with the profession to

engage and develop programs to

enhance the quality of graduates

and to ensure they are job ready.

Chapter president, Graham Teede,

also explained the Tertiary Education

Quality Standards Agency and

how the role of the profession is

enhanced by way of establishing

sound programs for undergraduates

and graduates as they develop into

well rounded building professionals.

in its construction phase as opposed to the

characteristics of the completed structure.

AIB general manager, Robert Hunt,

congratulated the winners, noting that the

quality was testament to the high level of

professionalism that exists in the construction

industry across WA.

Recipients of Professional Excellence Awards

from the WA Chapter attended the National

Awards held in Melbourne in September

where Mr Thompson received a Professional

Excellence Award as did Leonard Mundy for

his work on the Dumas House refurbishment.

High Commendations at the National Awards

went to Frank Dilizia of Georgiou Group for

the Birrabirra Village, Cape Lambert project,

Andrew Lea (PS Structures, City of Canning

Leisure and Community Centre) and Andre

Conradie (PS Structures, 32 Kings Park Road).

Building Professional of the Year, Paul Thompson (second from right) with (l-r) AIB national president, Robert Whittaker, Jay Whitman and WA Chapter president, Graham Teede.

The PS Structures team show off their High Commendation Awards.



He succeeds Rade Ristovic who oversaw the redevelopment of the

Association’s Bunbury premises during his tenure. Mr Davis said he was

honoured to lead the Association’s South West regional operations in what

will be a most exciting year, building from solid foundations and the valuable

investment made back into the region with the establishment of the South

West Building Training and Function centre. Master Builders’ regional

manager, Geoff Bosustow, says the Association’s focus has strengthened in

the last few years through a passionate and committed committee.

“The committee is made up of members who are leaders in their

respective fields, be they residential, commercial construction or

the supply of trades, labour and products,” he said. “It is truly

representative of the entire South West with members operating in

areas such as Manjimup, Dunsborough, Busselton and Bunbury. Their

The new South West Branch

committee poses together in front of

the Association’s refurbished

Bunbury premises, due to be officially

opened early in December.

New South West Branch committeeGraeme Davis has been elected chairman of the Master Builders South West Branch for 2013-14. Mr Davis, of Ventura Homes Group, was elected unopposed at the Branch’s recent annual general meeting.

combined commitment to Master Builders has ensured that members

have benefited by being kept up to date with information surrounding

their legal, contractual and employment obligations and through the

successful events that take place annually.”

Other Branch officials are Rade Ristovic (past chairman, WA Country

Builders), Shaun Palfrey (vice chairman, WA Home Group), Andrew

McIntyre (treasurer, Smith Constructions) Committee members are Jaco

Bosman (Perkins Builders), Christine Pidgeon (Innovest Construction), Dean

Baker (Smith Constructions), Phillip Best (PB Design & Construct), Sam

Karamfiles (Karamfiles Builders), Wayne Oldfield (Building South West),

John Buckingham (Bunbury Building Company), Shaun Scadden (Pindan

Construction), Alan Migliore (Plunkett Homes South West), Anton Smith

(Bluewater Building Company, Oscon) and John Hovey (Australind Premix).

Call for industry supportA joint industry sundowner information night with Master Builders, the Construction Industry Training Fund, the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation and the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council was held at the Master Builders’ Geraldton Branch recently with strong attendance by industry. Representatives from Durack Institute of Technology, Geraldton Regional Community Education, Apprentice & Traineeship Co, Skillhire, Skilled, ApprentiCentre, builders and trades were all enthusiastic about the outcomes of the night.

Master Builders’ Construction Apprentice Mentoring Scheme engagement officer, Nathan Szkoruda, was well received, demonstrating the Midwest’s support for apprentice training. “This event has shown the genuine passion from business owners, enhancing the need for mentors, not only in the building and construction industry but in every avenue of business,” says Master Builders’ regional manager, Di Gilleland. “The amazing amount of information available for industry is all there for the taking. Sincere thanks to everyone for their attendance and fantastic support.”

Geraldton sundowner participants (l-r) Ian Fitzgerald, Peter Kelsall, Scott Thomson, Vicki Buscomb, Nathan Szkoruda and Sharren Holt.


REPORTS: Branches

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Judging up, up and far awayJudging Master Builders’ Building Excellence Awards project home and commercial building entries throughout the Midwest region requires judges with dedication and expertise.

The Association has such capable people

in head regional judge, Charlie Baggetta,

and joining him this year with many years

of experience in the Metropolitan awards,

registered builder, Kevin Sale.

Mr Baggetta, a registered builder from

Harvey, takes time away from his company

each year to judge Master Builders’ five

regional building award entries.

Master Builders Geraldton-based regional

manager, Di Gilleland, says Mr Baggetta has

been judging the Midwest region awards for

the past 12 years and has seen many changes

and clocked up thousands of kilometres and

many hours’ flying and driving.

“Location of properties sometime can be a

challenge,” she said. “As time is always at a

premium, especially this year with an excess

of 15 entries on last year, Shine Aviation

offered their assistance. This is the second

time they have supported our regional

Branch and we certainly appreciate their

generosity. Additionally, corporate sponsors,

Toyota, provide all regional managers with

a comfortable vehicle during the judging

period, which makes it very hard to go back

to driving our regular vehicles after a week on

the road.”

The winning builders and trades in the 2013

Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence

Awards were presented in October at the

Geraldton Grammar School.

Branch backs Holmes’ charity fundraiserMaster Builders’ Albany premises were pressed into philanthropic use in October with local Association member, Marina Holmes, raising nearly

$4000 for charity Canteen through a quiz night. About 120 people from the Great Southern Branch and wider Albany community turned up for the

event. Canteen supports, develops and empowers young people living with cancer. Ms Holmes first foray into fundraising for the cause was when

she cycled 270 kilometres from Perth to Bunbury in March.

Productive visit by Young chairmanMichael Young, chairman of Master Builders’ Goldfields-Esperance Branch, took time out of his busy schedule to visit staff at Construction House during a recent Perth trip.

After being initially greeted and briefed by Association director, Michael McLean, Mr Young then

met staff from several departments.

“His ideas and comments were well received,” Mr McLean says. “Mr Young was very insightful

about the region and the challenges that lie ahead. He is looking forward to working with our

regional representatives, Jade Hayes in Kalgoorlie and Douglas Backhouse in Esperance, to ensure

the continued grown of Master Builders in his region.”

Mr Young’s visit also meant the chance to meet the Association’s newly appointed regional

operations manager, Graham Bell.

“Michael has a wealth of local knowledge about his community and the building industry and

combined with his proactive approach, will be an asset to our regional representatives,” Mr Bell

said. “I’m looking forward to working with him.”

When not wearing his Master Builders’ hat, Mr Young works for Westralia Homes in Kalgoorlie.

All smiles after a successful visit to Construction House (l-r): regional operations manager, Graham Bell, Master Builders’ Goldfield-Esperance Branch chairman, Michael Young, and financial controller, Tony Taverner.


REPORTS: Branches

The candidates were contesting the 1.5 million square kilometre seat,

the largest electorate in Australia, larger than some Australian States

and reportedly the second largest single member electorate in the

world. They faced off on a range of issues including skills development,

foreign ownership, infrastructure investment and tax reform.

Nationals’ candidate and Geraldton Councillor, Shane Van Styn,

highlighted several policies that impact on the construction industry.

He said government needed to better support the use of 457 visas, the

extension of the CTF levy to incorporate the mining sector, a review

of taxes and a Fair Share Fund modelled on the popular Royalties for

Regions funds. Liberal candidate, Melissa Price, discussed her party’s

Candidates’ bout in seat of DurackLabor, Liberal and Nationals candidates for the House of Representatives seat of Durack participated in a feisty round of policy questioning at Master Builders’ Geraldton HQ in the lead up to the Federal Election.

reform agenda including abolition of the carbon tax, a tax white paper

reform process, a policy for northern Australia to promote investment

and a plan to cut debt. Labor candidate, Daron Keogh, prioritised

infrastructure investment and said more had to be done to tackle the

housing shortage with more land and more social housing.

Master Builders’ regional manager, Di Gilleland, provoked a discussion

around the major community issue of housing affordability and what

could be done to tackle the problem which is locking young people out

of home ownership. Master Builders’ acting director, Geoff Cooper,

who chaired the discussion, said the candidates provided a refreshingly

honest view on the policy topics.

Smiling faces across the political divide (l-r): Melissa Price, Di Gilleland, Shane Van Styn, and Daron Keogh.

One year up for Albany HQMaster Builders Great Southern Branch celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of its Graham Street, Albany premises in October. About 70 members descended on the headquarters for a celebratory barbeque (and some birthday candles) to mark the special occasion. The premises provide the Association with modern offices, training facilities and a display centre. They were developed with significant input and involvement of local Master Builder members providing labour, materials, planning and coordination.

Great Southern Branch member, Rob Buegge, of BDI Wall and Ceiling Contractors, lends a hand adding some decoration to the Association’s Albany centre hallway with a display of Building Excellence Awards memorabilia.


REPORTS: Branches

Sociable Bunbury golfers up to the challenge

The October Master Builders South West Branch Bankwest Golf Day at

the Bunbury Golf Club was an at times challenging, but for the most

part, relaxing day for members and associates according to regional

manager, Geoff Bosustow.

“Teams comprising suppliers, subcontractors, builders and professionals

all took to the course with much gusto and friendly camaraderie,” he

says. “Team Holcim – David Thornton, Russell Lines, Tony Booth and

Rob Hewison – took out the competition with S&J Excavation and

Australind Premix rounding out second and third spots. Last place was

Beyond Bricks representing Midland Brick. I’m pretty sure the Midland

Brick crew were very happy with that result!”

Players were treated to a light lunch on arrival. The sustenance was

maintained on course with a barbecue provided by Kingspan Insulation

before things were wrapped up with dinner presentations at the

clubrooms. Event sponsors were Bankwest, MBA Insurance Services,

S&J Excavation, Australind Premix, Midland Brick, Combined Metal

Industries, Kingspan, Hays Recruiting, WAMS and Holcim.

Out on the course: Master Builders’ Gavan Forster, Charlie Baggetta, Bankwest business development manager, Paul Burnett, and Peter Davies.

The Bankwest team in relaxed mode – Peter Jurgenson, Deon Paoliello, Eddie Nietrzeba and Shane Earl with Master Builders’ regional manager, Geoff Bosustow, in the background.

Friday Thirteenth lucky for Broome golfers

The date – Friday the thirteenth – didn’t deter eager golfers (and

non-golfers) attending September’s Master Builders’ third annual

Broome Golf Day. More than 80 participants came together for the fun

Ambrose event in perfect weather and a light breeze.

The day began with lunch, then out onto the course which bore witness

to some interesting shots and antics including a few young golfers

caught taking a short nap. Along the way, the smell of sausages drew

the golfers to the barbecue tent where Brodie Proctor and Adam

McPherson provided a welcome stop. Afterwards, it was back to the

fairways to complete the round.

Winners on the day were Tim Ford, Mick Smyth, Troy Dahlstrom and

Chris Lane and runners up, Patches Fiorenza, Martin Long, Paul Hope

and Mark Ronwick. Master Builders’ regional manager, Di Gilleland,

thanked the many sponsors and golfers for making the day such a

success. Association staffers, Megan Parker and Crystal Bagley, who

abandoned their regular posts in Geraldton for their first trip to Broome,

said they loved the event with the competitors providing a modicum of

skill and great entertainment and humour.

Broome golf winners, Tim Ford, Mick Smyth, Troy Dahlstrom and Chris Lane.

On course and in charge: Crystal Bagley, Zoe Marsh, Megan Parker and Di Gilleland.


REPORTS: Branches

“Securing a strong future for the building industry can only be achieved

by making sure that we take on the role of looking after young people

in the industry, to encourage, lead and provide them with the skills

necessary for their future career pathways,” says Master Builders’

regional manager, Di Gilleland. “The very successful Broome evening

was held for the second year to provide all key partners with up to date

information on available initiatives and funding support.”

Speakers at the forum were Broome Senior High School principal,

Saeed Amin, Scott Thomson (Construction Industry Training Fund),

Sharren Holt (Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council)

and Melissa Hawk (Master Plumbers).

The forum presented awards to successful first, second and third year

apprentices training through Kimberley Training Institute.

Service with a smile: Broome High School Year 11 and 12 students catered at the industry forum. The school is looking forward to continued partnerships in 2014, with Try-a-Trade in April coinciding with the West Kimberley School-on-Board Careers Week.

Broome forum looks at training optionsIndustry providers met at the Broome Trade Training Centre in September with a strong group of Master Builder members, keen to learn about funding and support available in taking on apprentices, funding for up-skilling staff and more.

“It was an extremely appropriate forum for the awards to be

presented,” Ms Gilleland said. “It up-skilled the Department of

Education practitioners on the huge value of these pathways that

commence at school and the partnerships that are created when

working collaboratively with industry.”

The evening also was an opportunity for Master Plumbers to launch

the VET in Schools initiative which starts in 2014 at Broome SHS with a

Certificate II over two years. The program will complement the already

popular Construction Trades Pathway Certificate II program.

Hospitality for the evening was provided by Broome SHS Year 11 and

12 catering students who demonstrated their skills with professionally

presented finger foods.


REPORTS: Branches

The hazards and risks associated with wall chasing are well

known and outlined in the Concrete and Masonry Cutting

and Drilling Code of Practice. Amongst the most serious

of these hazards are toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide

from petrol-powered saws, hazardous dust by-products of

cutting and chasing such as crystalline silica, and violent

kickback forces from using hand-held saws.

The hazards explained:

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless and odourless gas

emitted from petrol-powered saws commonly used in

wall chasing. CO exposure results in symptoms such as

headaches, nausea, impaired judgment, heart and lung

damage and, in extreme cases, convulsions, coma and death

can occur. CO also has significant detrimental long-term

health effects. Monitoring domestic worksites has revealed

that CO can quickly build up to dangerous levels, even when

the roof is off. This puts chasing operators directly at risk

if fumes are not evacuated away from the operators’ work

area. In May 2005, Worksafe in Western Australia notified

the industry of the requirement to use exhaust extraction

systems when using petrol-powered saws for wall chasing.

Crystalline SilicaCrystalline Silica is a by-product of cutting bricks and

concrete and is present in the dust generated from the

cutting process. Studies have revealed that repeated

exposure to Crystalline Silica can lead to silicosis, a serious

disease involving scarring and stiffening of the lungs. The

effects are irreversible and can result in death. Short-term

effects of this exposure are throat irritation and bronchitis.

Saw Kick-BackKickback is a potentially violent force that can be difficult to

control and can occur when using hand-held saws, especially

in wall chasing situations. This kickback can result in serious

injury and death to operators.

How does Enviro Chasing Services mitigate these risks?Our purpose-designed wall chasing saws and associated

equipment reduce these key risks in a number of ways:

All carbon monoxide is evacuated from the operator’s work

area through the use of the FUME TUBE and a vacuum

Enviro Chasing Services – serious about

workplace safetyWall chasing operator, Enviro Chasing Services mitigates wall chasing hazards using its unique

range of purpose-designed equipment

system that safely disperses the poisonous gases outside the

building structure. This eliminates the risk associated with

this deadly gas.

Water is supplied to the cutting surface to reduce the amount

of Crystalline Silica dust in the operator’s work area. The

resulting slurry and most remaining dust is safely and powerfully

vacuumed away, through the FUME TUBE from the cutting area,

using a specially designed blade guard and suction system.

The use of purpose-designed blades that are smaller than

standard general purpose blades reduces the kick-back

forces associated with cutting masonry and concrete with

hand-held saws.

We also employ a large blade guard and a longer saw

arm for additional operator protection. Since 2005, Enviro

Chasing Services has made over 1.25 million chasing cuts

with no reported cases of kick-back. This is the equivalent of

chasing over 40,000 homes.

What’s in it for you, the site operator or contractor?The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 states that

main contractors, and the people in control of worksites,

are also responsible for workplace safety. As part of this

responsibility, the associated regulations require main

contractors and people in control of workplaces to identify

all hazards, assess the injury risk and take action to control or

reduce this risk. Enviro Chasing Services, through the design

and deployment of its specialist equipment can assist you

with managing this responsibility.

The benefits of using Enviro Chasing Services include:

• Risk mitigation of workplace hazards associated

with wall chasing and concrete cutting on

work sites you are responsible for.

• Peace of mind for you that workplace

hazards are controlled and risks are reduced

as required by the Code of Practice

• Potential cost benefits from reduced financial

risks associated with poor safety practices

• Reputation and brand benefits

What can you do now to ensure you are complying with the OSH regulations and protecting your business?• Ask your contractors how your wall chasing

is currently being conducted

• Compare your current practices with those

outlined above and with the Code of Practice

• Act to protect your workplace and reputation,

especially if you can see non-compliant

practices or better ways to reduce risks

• Call Enviro Chasing Services for additional

information or assistance

For more information contact:Phone: (08) 9399 1644Website: www.envirochase.com


ADVERTORIAL

The Southside Service and Tyre Centre has been located

in Cannington for over 40 years. The brand new service

department and workshop is newly fitted out with state-

of-the-art equipment and now boasts 28 service bays. With

this immense capacity, Southside Service and Tyre Centre is

able to service all fleet vehicles, passenger and commercial,

quickly and efficiently.

Servicing and repairs Knowing that the technicians at Southside Service and Tyre

Centre are factory trained gives customers peace of mind

that their vehicles are in safe and reliable hands. Along with

conducting log book servicing, Southside Service and Tyre

Centre also offers a free six months AHG Roadside Assist

which is renewed at every scheduled service.

Log booked servicing isn’t where it stops, we can repair and

service all parts of your vehicle including tyres, batteries,

engine rebuilds, timing belt changes, brakes, filter changes,

fluid flushes, air-condition re-gas and 120 point safety check.

The parts department stock all genuine parts which are used

on your vehicle.

With every service at the Southside Service and Tyre Centre

we carry out a 120 point safety check on your vehicle. We

assess over 120 items including all lights and indicators, air

conditioning and heating, load test your battery, check your

tyre tread, seat belts, fluids and filters. This comprehensive

report enables our factory trained mechanics to identify any

problems with your vehicle big or small. If anything that is

cause for concern is identified we call you on the day, advise

you of the issue and offer the option for you to get it fixed

that day.

We make it easyIf you are unable to bring your vehicle into the Service and

Tyre Centre we have a mobile mechanic that is able to come

to your home or work and can perform the service on site.

All costs are upfront so you know how much each service

will cost. If you have a few vehicles we can send the mobile

mechanic out to service your entire fleet on the same day.

This means that your fleet will experience less downtime and

will be more cost effective.

Southside Service and Tyre Centre

The brand new state-of-the-art 28 bay service and tyre centre offers its customers, retail and fleet, the

complete servicing experience.

As a part of our outstanding customer service to you we also

offer loan vehicles that you can hire. There is a huge range

of vehicles for hire which include utility vehicles. There is also

a courtesy shuttle bus that runs daily and is able to take you

back to home or work within the local area. If you would

prefer to wait in the service lounge there are complementary

WIFI facilities and coffee available with TV entertainment.

Competitive pricing The cost of servicing and repairs are very competitive and

if you find a cheaper comparable quote we will beat it by

10%*. That is how confident we are in the services we

provide. Southside Service and Tyre Centre has services

starting from a low $125 and tyres starting from $85.

Make Southside’s you preferred Service and Tyre CentreThe team at the Southside Service and Tyre Centre pride

themselves on offering first class customer service, being

able to meet all your needs and ensuring that we remain

your preferred service and tyre centre for everything

automotive. The friendly team are there to answer any of

your motoring questions.

Book your next service at the Southside Service and Tyre

Centre in Cannington to experience better deals and even

better service.

For more information contact:Phone: 9358 9549Email: [email protected]: www.southside.com*Ask in store for terms and conditions


ADVERTORIAL

Jungle fever gets awards treatmentWhile elephants, leopards and zebras were on the prowl, big-game hunter Tim Rogers bagged himself a trophy of a different kind at the Master Builders Bankwest Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards in October.

The awards decor set the tone for the night’s theme – jungle fever.

Steve Nanninga (left) and Tim Rogers of Rogers Building Contractors accepted the Best Country Home Award from Master Builders’ president, Robert Shaw (right).

Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets took out the Best Commercial Building Award. Pictured are Master Builders’ president, Robert Shaw (second from right), with (l-r) Angelo Biviano, Steve Biglins and Paul Pollard representing the winners.


AWARDS: Geraldton Midwest

WITH A JUNGLE FEVER theme,

the 300 guests at the awards

participated by dressing in stripes

and patterns to add to the night’s

highlights which also included

Rogers Building Contractors

continuing its run of wins in the

Mitchell & Brown sponsored

Best Country Home Award.

A decal-liveried Toyota Landcruiser

from the philanthropic African tour

company, Safaris-R-Us, set the scene

for guests arriving at the entrance

to the awards venue, the Geraldton

Grammar School, with its Batavia

Hall decked out in the jungle theme.

In his last trip to the region

as Master Builders’ president,

Robert Shaw opened the night’s

proceedings, commenting on

how much he enjoyed his visits

and the knowledge he gained

along the way. Speaking as a

chief judge of the metropolitan

Housing Excellence Awards, he

also had some handy hints for local

builders on how to put together

their future entry submissions.

Rogers Building Contractors’ award

for the Best Country Home was the

company’s fifth win in succession.

The Parmelia Boulevard, Park Falls

Estate project first was judged the

winner of the $750,000-$1 million

contract homes category before

going on to take the overall gong.

On the non-residential side of

the ledger, Geraldton Building

Services and Cabinets also

continued a winning run, taking

off the Bankwest Best Commercial

Building Award for the third

successive year, this time for the

Nagle Catholic College Gymnasium

in Geraldton. The company also

had wins in a number of other

category and subcontractor awards

including Best Customer Service

(small to medium builder).

Regional awards judges Charlie

Baggetta and Kevin Sale reported

they were impressed by the calibre

of projects in the 2013 awards

with the evenness of entries

making final decisions most

difficult. Master Builders’ Geraldton

regional manager Di Gilleland

commented that it was pleasing

to see a number of new faces

emerging at the awards this year.

Mandosio Homes won both Best

New Builder and the Judges’

Innovation Award. Steele Campbell

Building won the Brian Neil

Award, named after the Geraldton

Branch founding member and

Association life member. Mr

Neil served the Association in a

variety of roles over many years

and the commemorative award

recognises the winning company’s

overall pursuit of excellence.

The Kevin Giudice Apprentice of the

Year Award for the best regional

apprentice was won by carpenter

Jackson McClurg, employed by

ATC Midwest and working for host

employer Port Denison Builders.

Apprentice of the Year was

presented by Mayor Ian Carpenter

representing the award sponsors

City of Greater Geraldton, and the

Durack Institute of Technology. The

award is named in honour of the

late Kevin Giudice, a chairman and

long-serving committee member

of Master Builders’ Geraldton

Branch and a great supporter

of the apprentice system.

The ABBTF Bricklaying Apprentice

Award winner was Mirzap Manap,

employed by A & D Basto and the

Apprentice Encouragement Award

went to painter Andrew Hunter

(Associated Painting Enterprises).

Employer Trainer of the Year was

Glass Co WA, the Best Customer

Service Award for volume builders

went to Plunkett Homes and

Gavin O’Malley from WA Country

Builders was the recipient of the

Supervisor of the Year Award.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter (right), with Apprentice of the Year, Jackson McClurg, and Matt Silvester (Durack Institute of Technology).

Looking like anything but victims of jungle fever, Geraldton Branch chairwoman, Serena Giudice (right), and Tahnee Smith add some cool glamour to the awards evening.



Gym has it allThe Nagle Catholic College gymnasium, which won Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets its third successive Best Commercial Building title at the Geraldton Midwest Building Excellence Awards, is a sophisticated project incorporating multiple sporting areas and additional facilities.

The new gym has an international-sized basketball court, three volleyball courts, three badminton courts and two junior basketball courts. It has seating for 1200 and also includes a teachers’ administration area and five classrooms overlooking the gym. There are separate male and female showers and toilets and an electric fold out stadium.

Fine detail in award winning house

The Geraldton Midwest Best Country Home

winner, built by Rogers Building Contractors,

is a luxurious single-level residence on

acreage in the Park Falls Estate providing

expansive views of Geraldton’s coastline.

It was designed by David O’Meara.

Main features externally are painted, rendered

walls, extensive use of cedar-lined ceilings and

exposed aggregate concrete to the alfresco and

portico areas. Inside, there is open plan living

including the entry, kitchen, living and dining

with polished concrete floors throughout.

The centralised kitchen has Caeserstone

tops, lacquered door-fronts, glass splash-

backs and top-of-the-range white goods.

The main bedroom and walk-in-robe,

with their marri floors, and the associated

ensuite are separated from other bedrooms

and the living areas to provide privacy.



BEST COUNTRY HOMESponsor: Mitchell & BrownRogers Building ContractorsParmelia Blvd Park Falls EstateDesign: David O’Meara

BEST COMMERCIAL BUILDINGSponsor: BankwestGeraldton Building Services & CabinetsNagle Catholic College GymnasiumMaitland St Geraldton

BRIAN NEIL AWARDSteele Campbell Building

JUDGES’ INNOVATION AWARDSponsor: CMIMandosio HomesSpindrift Vista GlenfieldDesign: Blend Residential Designs

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE SMALL TO MEDIUM BUILDERSponsor: BankwestGeraldton Building Services & Cabinets

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE VOLUME PROJECT BUILDERSponsor: BankwestPlunkett Homes

EXCELLENCE IN BUILDING PRACTICESponsor: Building CommissionSteele Campbell Building

KEVIN GIUDICE APPRENTICE OF THE YEARSponsor: City of Greater Geraldton and Durack Institute of TechnologyJackson McClurgEmployer: ATC MidwestHost Employer: Port Denison Builders

BRICKLAYING APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsor: ABBTFMirzad ManapEmployer: A & D Basto

APPRENTICE ENCOURAGEMENTSponsor: Ray White Andrew HunterEmployer: Associated Painting Enterprises

EMPLOYER/TRAINER OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Bunnings WarehouseGlass Co WA

BEST NEW BUILDERSponsor: Market CreationsMandosio Homes

SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Sponsor: Patience SandlandGavin O’MalleyWA Country Builders

Awards Honours List

CONTRACT HOMES under $200,000Steele Campbell BuildingDesmond Rd Walkaway

CONTRACT HOMES $200,000 - $250,000WA Country BuildersLincoln St Deepdale

CONTRACT HOMES $250,000 - $300,000Kevin Giudice & CoStrathalbyn Rd Strathalbyn

CONTRACT HOMES $300,000 - $350,000Mandosio HomesSpindrift Vista Glenfield

CONTRACT HOMES $350,000 - $400,000Sponsor: Western PowerPlunkett HomesEndeavour Dr Wandina

CONTRACT HOMES $400,000 - $450,000Sponsor: Western PowerShane Crothers HomesChivers Concourse Dongara

CONTRACT HOMES $450,000 - $500,000Sponsor: BrikmakersPlunkett HomesEliza Shaw Dr White Peak

CONTRACT HOMES $500,000 - $750,000Sponsor: BrikmakersRogers Building Contractors Cargeeg Bend Park Falls Estate

CONTRACT HOMES $750,000 - $1,000,000Rogers Building ContractorsParmelia Bvld Park Falls Estate

RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS under $100,000Coral Coast Homes & ConstructionsBellimos Dr Wandina

RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $100,000 - $200,000Geraldton Building Services & CabinetsGlengarry HomesteadGlengarry Rd Moonyoonooka

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS under $1,000,000Sponsor: ToyotaWA Country BuildersHill Way Geraldton

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS $1,000,000 - $2,500,000 Sponsor: ToyotaPlunkett HomesDerna Pde Wandina

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS $2,500,000 - $6,500,000Crothers Construction Pty LtdHillcrest Lodge ExtensionOnslow St Geraldton

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS over $6,500,000Crothers Construction Pty LtdBatavia Mixed Use DevelopmentMuseum Pl Geraldton

COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $1,000,000 - $2,500,000Geraldton Building Services & CabinetsSt John AmbulanceLot 600 Magee Cres Kalbarri

COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $2,500,000 - $6,500,000Crothers Construction Pty LtdCity of Greater Geraldton Civic Accommodation UpgradeCathedral Ave Geraldton

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $2,500,000 - $6,500,000Crothers Construction Pty LtdOutback Travel Centre Roadhouse North West Coastal Hwy Carnarvon

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING over $6,500,000Geraldton Building Services & CabinetsNagle Catholic College Gymnasium Maitland St Geraldton

BEST APPOINTED KITCHENSponsor: CbusWA Country BuildersGilmore St Wandina

BEST APPOINTED BATHROOMSponsor: TradelinkSteele Campbell BuildingSeahaven View Drummond Cove

WATERWISE HOMESponsor: Water Corporation Crothers Construction Pty LtdHillcrest Lodge ExtensionsOnslow St Geraldton

MOST AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOUSINGSponsor: Department of Housing Redink Homes MidwestRifle Range Rd Rangeway

LIVEABLE HOMESponsor: Disability Services Commission Shane Crothers HomesSwordfish Vista Sunset Beach



SILVER TROWELSponsor: Midland BrickZahnatu Bin Abdul ArnieStrathalbyn Rd Strathalbyn

EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY (EXTERNAL/INTERNAL)Sponsor: Jackson McDonaldTerry WatsonDefiance Cnr Wandina

EXCELLENCE IN CABINET MAKINGSponsor: The Laminex GroupGeraldton Building Services & CabinetsGilmore St Wandina

EXCELLENCE IN CEILINGSSponsor: GIBS and CSR GyprockPatten CeilingsParmelia Blvd Park Falls Estate

Awards Honours List

Sponsors

EXCELLENCE IN PLASTERINGSponsor: MBA Insurance ServicesTotal PlasteringParmelia Blvd Park Falls Estate

EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETINGSponsor: HolcimGeraldton City ConcreteBellimos Dr Wandina

EXCELLENCE IN PAINTINGSponsor: ValsparDes FowlerDefiance Cnr Wandina

EXCELLENCE IN WALL & FLOOR TILINGSponsor: Geraldton Ceramic CentreT & M McGinnis Parmelia Blvd Park Falls Estate

EXCELLENCE IN METAL CLADDING/ROOFINGSponsor: HaysGeraldton Carpentry & PatiosDesmond Rd Walkaway

EXCELLENCE IN STEELSponsor: Bluescope Steel Crothers Construction Pty LtdNorth West Coastal Hwy Carnarvon

EXCELLENCE IN BRICK & BLOCK PAVINGSponsor: Geraldton Natural Limestone Batavia Classic Paving Stormking Loop Wandina

EXCELLENCE IN GLAZINGSponsor: Alspec – Aluminium Systems SpecialistsGlass Co WANagle Catholic College GymnasiumMaitland St Geraldton



The Training Fund has introduced a range of new incentives

for eligible employers of apprentices in construction trades,

with up to $19,000 in cash now available to help reduce the

costs of adding a new apprentice to your business.

The minimum standard grant available to an eligible

employer is now $4,000 (for a 12 month traineeship), rising

to a maximum of $10,000 for a 48 month apprenticeship in

core construction trade areas. In addition to the standard

grants, the Training Fund can provide a one-off bonus

to an eligible employer of up to $4,000, depending on

trade qualification. Existing allowances for employment

of indigenous and regional trainees/apprentices remain,

bringing the maximum grant available to a total of $19,000.

Construction Training Fund

Members of MBA know how the Construction Training Fund can reduce the costs of

employing apprentices in WA’s building and construction industry.

Employ and register a new apprentice or trainee in a recognised qualification after 1 July 2013 and you may be eligible to claim a grant of up to $19,000 from the Construction Training Fund.

Visit bcitf.org or call 9244 0100 to find out how you can reduce your training costs.

RECEIVE UP TO $19,000 CA$H WHEN YOU

EMPLOY A NEW APPRENTICE

The new grants are available to employers of trainees/

apprentices registered with the Department of Training

& Workforce Development on or after 1 July 2013. Direct

indenture employers receive the grant in three equal

instalments. The first is paid after probation and six months

of employment; the second at the half-way point of the

indenture and the final payment is made after successful

completion of the qualification.

Trade bonus payments – up to $4,000 – are paid to the

employer together with the first instalment.

You’ll also receive the grant from the Training Fund if you

host an apprentice through a group training organisation

(GTO). The GTO claims the grant on your behalf each month

and then passes it on to you in full as a reduction in the

GTO’s hire-out rate. Look for the note on the GTO’s invoice

that says “Less Construction Training Fund subsidy”. The

new one-off trade bonuses will be claimed by GTOs after

the apprentice has completed six months of employment,

and then passed on in full to the host(s) that employed

the apprentice.Visit bcitf.org or call 9244 0100 for more

information about the Construction Training Fund’s

apprenticeship grants and other support programs for the

construction industry.

It’s your training fund.


ADVERTORIAL

Most of the guests got into the spirit, tailoring their

eveningwear with an eye to Paris fashion of the 1950s

and enjoying the delicious Gallic cuisine. Completing

the atmospherics, a violinist entertained the diners with

French music and song. While Janet Snell and Noel

Mickle were judged the most authentically attired, and

Denise and Steve Amato took the honours as the best

dressed couple, nothing overshadowed the success of

Greg Leeder Homes on the night. For the second year in

a row, the company picked up the night’s major award,

the Laminex Group 2013 Best Country Home.

The Kalgan home was the top entry in the over

$1 million contract home category, but Greg Leeder

Homes projects also topped two other contract home

categories and the under $1 million commercial

alterations and additions division. The company also

took out an energy efficiency award and was named

the winner of the important Excellence in Building

Practice award.

John Holland was this year’s major winner in the

non-residential sector, taking out the Bankwest Best

Commercial/Industrial Building award with its Albany

Health Campus project. It also won the over $6 million

commercial/industrial building category.

Other winners on the night included Skillhire Apprentice

of the Year, Brett Jefferis (Byron Bird Plumbing and

Skillhire), who just pipped fellow plumbing finalist Kirsty

Willis (Active Plumbing and Skillhire) and Corey Hill

(Tectonics Construction Group). Luke Leeder was named

Jackson McDonald Supervisor of the Year.

Two new awards were included in the 2013 judging.

The Judges’ Innovation award was won by Schlager

Homes for its La Perouse Road Goode Beach project and

the Judges’ Special Commendation went to Robinson

Buildtech for Padre White lookout.

The judges reported that the quality of entries in 2013

once again was of a high standard making for a difficult

task to pick the overall winners.

The Dog Rock Convention Centre again was the

venue for the Great Southern industry’s big night

with about 170 guests turning out for the occasion.

And if pulling off awards wasn’t the order of the day

for some, regular updates on a couple of other minor

events – the Dockers’ historic win over Geelong in the

qualifying final, and the Federal election – provided

something for everyone.

Prize winning builder, Greg Leeder (right) celebrates his company’s Best Country Home Award with (l-r) Master Builders’ vice president, John Ripp, Luke Leeder and Mark Weldon.

Where would a French-themed night have been without the can-can?

Great Southern builders can-can do.Can-can dancers opened the night at the September Master Builders Bankwest Great Southern Building Excellence Awards heralding a night of French-themed frivolity and serious celebration of the region’s most accomplished builders.


AWARDS: Great Southern

Bankwest’s Bronwyn Oreo presented Jason Nelthorpe of John Holland with the award for Best Commercial/Industrial Building.

Brett Jefferis, flanked by finalists Kirsty Willis and Corey Hill, was named the Great Southern Region’s 2013 Apprentice of the Year.

Winning home mixes modern and traditionalThe 2013 Great Southern Building Excellence Awards Best Country Home is a custom built house on the banks of the Kalgan River. It showcases meticulous attention to detail, highest quality materials and skilled workmanship. A cedar lined entry tower allows natural light to filter through the home which includes an opulent kitchen with marble bench tops and European appliances. The kitchen is the heart of the house, surrounded and complemented by entertainment and lifestyle areas integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. A feature of the Greg Leeder Homes project is a hand-crafted, curved timber staircase with rustic wrought iron balustrade blending modern design and traditional eras.

Health Campus sets new standardsThe $171.5 million Albany Health Campus, the Great Southern Building Excellence Awards Best Commercial/Industrial Building winner, is the biggest public health construction project undertaken in regional WA. John Holland was contracted to design and construct the 21,000 square metre state-of-the-art hospital capable of providing secondary care to 55,000 residents and visitors to Albany annually. The result is a contemporary, environmentally sustainable facility able to provide enhanced services to the community. The campus, replacing the ageing Albany Hospital, was built on the existing hospital site with the original facility remaining in operation throughout construction. The project requirements included design and construction of an emergency department, a four-bed short stay observation unit, inpatient mental health ward and secure unit, purpose-built surgical centre, maternity unit, ambulatory care centre, cancer centre and 15-bed rehabilitation ward. The new facility also required 134 beds for patients, up from 117 in the former site, and substantially more car parking. To achieve the complex brief, John Holland entered a collaborative process with the State Government through the Office of Strategic Projects and worked closely with the hospital and other stakeholders to ensure the development could be completed with minimal disruption to hospital operations.



BEST COUNTRY HOMESponsor: The Laminex GroupGreg Leeder HomesSouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

BEST COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGSponsor: BankwestJohn HollandAlbany Health CampusAlbany

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICESponsor: BankwestRyde Building Company

JUDGES’ INNOVATION AWARDSponsor: Soil SolutionsSchlager HomesLa Perouse Rd Goode Beach

JUDGES’ SPECIAL COMMENDATIONRobinson BuildtechPadre White LookoutMt Clarence

APPRENTICE OF THE YEARSponsor: SkillhireBrett JefferisEmployer: SkillhireHost Employer: Byron Bird Plumbing

SUPERVISOR OF THE YEARSponsor: Jackson McDonaldLuke LeederGreg Leeder Homes

EXCELLENCE IN BUILDING PRACTICESponsor: Building CommissionGreg Leeder HomesSouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

CONTRACT HOMES under $200,000Ryde Building CompanyLancaster Rd McKail

CONTRACT HOMES $200,000 - $275,000Ryde Building CompanyGrevillea Way Yakamia

CONTRACT HOMES $275,000 - $350,000WA Country BuildersMorilla Rd Lower King

CONTRACT HOMES $350,000 - $425,000Schlager HomesLa Perouse Rd Goode Beach

CONTRACT HOMES $425,000 - $500,000Ryde Building CompanyGreenwood Dr Willyung

Awards Honours List

CONTRACT HOMES $500,000 - $575,000Schlager HomesNockolds St Denmark

CONTRACT HOMES $575,000 - $675,000Greg Leeder HomesBushby Rd Lower King

CONTRACT HOMES $675,000 - $850,000Greg Leeder HomesMermaid Ave Emu Point

CONTRACT HOMES over $1,000,000Greg Leeder HomesSouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS over $1,500,000Daly & ShawQueen St Little Grove

RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS over $200,000Tectonics Construction GroupHill St Little Grove

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $1,000,000 - $2,500,000Smith ConstructionsNorth Albany High School Trade Training CentreAlbany

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING $2,500,000 - $6,000,000Smith ConstructionsGreat Southern GrammarKalgan

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING over $6,000,000John HollandAlbany Health CampusAlbany

COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS under $1,000,000Greg Leeder HomesAmaroo Club HouseAlbany

COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS $1,000,000 - $2,500,000Plantagenet Sheds & SteelMt Barker Co-operativeMt Barker

SILVER TROWELSponsor: Austral BrickLombardo’s BricklayingPrideaux Rd Lower King

WATERWISE HOMESponsor: Water CorporationSchlager HomesLa Perouse Rd Goode Beach

POLE HOMETectonics Construction GroupChampion St Albany

TRANSPORTABLE HOMESponsor: ToyotaKent CorporationJade Park Home Denmark

BEST STEEL BUILDINGSponsor: MetroofJohn HollandAlbany Health CampusAlbany

LIVEABLE HOMESponsor: Disabilities Services CommissionReal ForceTrio Cres McKail

MOST AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOMESponsor: Department of HousingReal ForceTrio Cres McKail

EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION ON A CHALLENGING LOTSponsor: Structerre Consulting EngineersRobinson BuildtechPadre White LookoutMt Clarence

EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCYGreg Leeder HomesChurchlands Rd Kalgan

EXCELLENCE IN BRICK/BLOCK PAVINGSponsor: BoralSouth City PavingGrevillea Way Yakamia

EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY (INTERNAL/EXTERNAL)Coffey CarpentrySouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

EXCELLENCE IN CARPENTRY STRUCTURALSponsor: The Laminex GroupSchlager HomesLa Perouse Rd Goode Beach

EXCELLENCE IN CABINETRYSponsor: The Laminex GroupGreat Southern CabinetsGreenhills Rd Katanning



EXCELLENCE IN CEILINGSG Taylor CeilingsSouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETINGSponsor: HolcimAlbany FormworkPadre White LookoutMt Clarence

EXCELLENCE IN FLOOR & WALL TILINGSponsor: Bathroom DécorDG Casa ConstructionsGreenwood Dr Willyung

Awards Honours List

Sponsors

EXCELLENCE IN PAINTINGSponsor: Hayme’s Paints (Neville’s Hardware)Chris Liron Painting ServicesSouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

EXCELLENCE IN PLASTERINGSponsor: MBA Insurance Service David Cook Plastering and RenderingSouth Coast Hwy Kalgan

EXCELLENCE IN PLUMBINGSponsor: CbusCooke & DowsettAlbany Health CampusAlbany

EXCELLENCE IN ROOFING METALSponsor: Combined Metal IndustriesDek’s DeckingGreenwood Rd Willyung



Personal Pars proudly sponsored by Hays

David Tjhung has left Landcorp as one of its youngest ever project managers to work with a private investment group developing an entertainment hub in Malaysia.

Garry Itzstein has taken Peter Tuck’s role as CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association in Perth. Garry is a former president of NECA in WA and previously worked for Downers.

Condolences to the family and friends of Jack Best who died in August, aged 95. Jack was a foundation member of Master Builders’ South West Branch and a well-known builder in the Bunbury region over many years.

Congratulations to Master Builders Australia chief economist, Peter Jones, who has been rated a Gold Medallist in the annual Fairfax Economist Review for his forecasts for the building industry in 2012-13.

Congratulations to Robert Travers and his team at Addstyle Master Builders on celebrating their twenty-fifth year in business. As a consistent winner of Master Builders’ Housing Excellence Awards, Addstyle has built an enviable reputation as a leading renovation company.

September was a month when several members celebrated milestone wedding anniversaries: Dean and Natalie Wauters (Wauters Enterprises) 20 years, Robert and Penny Shaw (Daly and Shaw) 30, Colin and Terri Emmott (HLB Man Judd) 30. Kelvin Ryan (BGC Residential) celebrated his pearl wedding anniversary (30 years) in August.

Richard Udinga, the president of the Airconditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association, is now working with the MPM Group as its special projects manager. Former AMCA executive director, Alan Layton, is working for the Department of Commerce at WorkSafe WA. Alan had a brief stint at the Pony Club Association before obtaining a job closer to home in West Perth.

Condolences to the family and friends of Brian McCubbing (BMC Properties) on the passing of his father, John, in August. John McCubbing was a former state manager of the ANZ Bank in Perth.

Richard McAllan is now working as a housing consultant with Wilson and Hart after leaving OfficeMax.

Peter Iancov has resigned as CEO of Doric. Vince Mulholland has been appointed as general manager, commercial.

Congratulations to the Brookfield

Multiplex team on being named Overall

Winner at the 2013 WA Engineering

Excellence Awards for their Brookfield

Place project in Perth. At the time

Master Builder was going to print,

Brookfield Multiplex were waiting to see

whether they also would be winners at the Master Builders National Excellence

in Building and Construction Awards

in Canberra.

Retired secretary to a string of Master Builders’ executive directors, Carroll Brown

(centre front), visited the Association recently to catch up with old workmates and to inspect

the refurbished offices. In the 1980s, Carroll worked with EDs John Mander and Harvey McLeod before smoothing the way for the

incumbent Michael McLean (right) in the mid-90s. She is pictured with former colleagues

who survive with the Association even to the present day (l-r), Charles Anderson, Gavan Forster, Veronica Mill and Kim Richardson.

Congratulations to Hays Recruitment’s Mark Lawton and his wife on the birth of their first child, Oliver, in September. On the work front, Mark also was on top of the world, winning a leadership award – one of only four given across Australia and New Zealand – at Hay’s recent National Sales Conference.


UPDATES: Personal Pars


Congratulations to Denise and Andy Peppercorn (Built Environs) on the safe arrival of their third grandchild, Grace Margaret, in September.

Mahesha De Silva, RSM Bird Cameron marketing manager, is on maternity leave until September 2014. Kellee Crabtree is her maternity cover.

Adam Harry has resigned as general manager of John Holland’s western region. David Marshall, the regional operations manager, building, has been appointed acting GM. Adam Harry also has resigned as president of the Construction Contractors Association. Paul Broome from McConnell Dowell is acting president.

Dean Goodliffe has been appointed CEO of Broad Construction in WA. Dean is from the UK and previously worked for Leighton in NSW. Nick Cater has left Broad to work for ADCO Constructions as its WA manager.

Martin Huber, a traditional master builder working in Perth for many years, passed away peacefully in his home country, Switzerland, in August, aged 87.

Bill Scanlon has left the Economic Regulation Authority after completing a review of WA’s housing indemnity scheme, to become a senior consultant with ACIL Allen Consulting. Bill currently is assisting the Department of Finance with a review of the building and planning approvals process.

Congratulations to Master Builders Bowling Club member, Doug Leicester, who celebrated his eightieth birthday this year.

Glenn Smith has left Daly and Shaw and is now working for Niche Developments.

Congratulations to Master Builders Australia CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch, who married his partner Elaine in Canberra in September after a lengthy apprenticeship.

Former KPMG Partner, Jason Berry, has been appointed chairman of Keystart which is forecast to generate a $45 million dividend to the Department of Housing in 2013-14. John Coles continues as Keystart chief executive.

Peter Haxby has left Silver Trowel Trade Training as its general manager.

Eric Lumsden has been appointed chairman of the WA Planning Commission for a three-year

Condolences to the family and friends of Don Cousens, the founder of Merym (now EMCO) who died in October after a short illness, aged 65. Don was a qualified engineer and builder who was highly respected throughout the building industry. The project he was most proud of was the St Marys Cathedral refurbishment which won a Master Builders’ Construction Excellence Award several years ago. Don, and his business partner, John Ripp shared the construction, financial, technical and administrative responsibilities at EMCO for more than 20 years. The large gathering at Don’s funeral in October reflected the high esteem in which he was held by those who worked with him and knew him well. He also was active in the Australian Institute of Building in pursuing higher professional standards. Don represented WA at baseball and leaves behind wife, Sue, and three children and several grandchildren.

Judge Alton Jackson QC, a former partner of Jackson McDonald Lawyers from 1968-1981, died in October, aged 72. Judge Jackson joined the independent bar in 1981 and took silk in December 1989. He served as a District Court judge from 1992 until retirement in 2004. His Honour was the son of another distinguished partner of Jackson McDonald and former Chief Justice of WA, Sir Lawrence Jackson.

Condolences to family and friends of former Master Builders’ executive member, Peter Ratty, who died in Perth in October after a long illness, aged 65. Peter was born in Birmingham, one of eight siblings. He was a keen guitarist and singer who played in a band called Batman and Wonder Boys. At 19, he left to go to the Mexico Olympics but his travels took him to Perth where he married on his twentieth birthday and subsequently brought up his family. In partnership with John Abrusci, he established commercial building company, Keywest. The company built Queensgate in Fremantle and many other projects, including several restaurants for Umberto Tinelli who became a long-standing friend. Peter was also a judge of Master Builders’ Excellence in Construction Awards and at various times was an Association vice president, chairman of the Contracts Committee and member of the Council of Management. He was a true gentleman and high achiever who will be sadly missed. He is survived by wife, Stella, seven children and seven grandchildren.

Master Builders’ past presidents were entertained by the current Board recently at one of the periodic gatherings put on for the former Association leaders. Pictured (l-r) are Ron Doubikin (president 1988-89), Ray Sputore (1998-99), John Doust (1968-70), Tom Oxley (1981-83) and Max Rivett (1995-97). Immediate past president, George Allingame (2008-10), is in the background.




term. Mr. Lumsden has resigned as director general of the Department of Planning, effective from early November, after a five-year term.

The Real Estate Institute of WA has elected David Airey as president for a second year. Other members on the REIWA council of management include Hayden Groves (deputy president), Sarah Kingsey, Joe White, Ian Cornell, Brett Thorpe, Krys Tully and Peter Lawrence.

Mel Congerton has been appointed to chair the Local Government Advisory Board which is responsible for determining the new local government boundaries.

Congratulations to Alwyn Even who celebrated his thirtieth anniversary with the Alcock Brown-Neaves Group in August. Well done Alwyn, you’ve seen a lot of great homes built in 30 years.

Congratulations to Jane Vallance (Building Commission) and her husband Michael, on their pearl wedding anniversary in October. Privately certified no doubt!

Bob Wilkie (Bobrik) has retired from bricklaying and is now a proud grandfather.

Former Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, has been re-appointed chairman of the Cbus Superannuation Board which now has more than $23 billion in funds for over 700,000 members.

Peter Davis has accepted an appointment with Newcastle University and has relinquished his role as head of the School of Built Environment at Curtin University. A replacement is being recruited.

A big cheerio to Rhonda Roe (True North Energy) who is making good progress in recovering from illness.

Condolences to the family and friends of Ray Sputore (Decmil) on the passing of his father in October – sadly one day before Ray’s birthday.

After 17 years’ service, Andre Gillet has left the City of Stirling to establish his own private certification practice, Fastrack Approvals. Andre still is actively involved in the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors and its annual state conference.

James Pearson has left CCI as its CEO over the last six years to head up Shell’s communications and government relations team.

Pen portrait: Pippa TearneOver the years, the number, size and range

of events and functions Master Builders runs

annually for members and the industry has

boomed. Organising the program calls for

hard work, dedication and professionalism

from the small events team. Heading things

up is events manager, Pippa Tearne.

How long have you been at Master Builders?Approximately two-and-a-half years.

I started as a very green, wide-eyed

assistant and worked my way up

through every events-based role, from

officer to coordinator to manager.

What were you doing before joining Master Builders?I spent three years studying at Curtin

University, and eventually came out with

a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing

& Business Law. To fund my live music

habit, I worked at Balloon World, creating

and delivering bunches of helium fun to

unsuspecting birthday celebrators. I also

interned at Sunset Events, working on some

of Perth’s major music and arts festivals.

“Never laugh at your own jokes,” they say, not an adage which Master Builders’ events manager, Pippa Tearne subscribes to.

What are you working on now?Time flies when you’re having fun, which is a

fairly regular occurrence in Events HQ. We’re

already knee-deep in entries for the 2014

Master Builders Bankwest Housing Excellence

Awards, and have some pretty exciting ideas

for the awards night in February, so watch

this space. As always, there’s a plethora of

fun, educational and informative functions

coming up before the end of the year for

members, so make sure you’re on the

mailing list for ‘What’s New in Events HQ’!

When you’re not at Master Builders, what keeps you busy?I spend most of my time laughing at

my own jokes and drinking tea. I like

to watch Friends with my friends and

eat soup. It’s superb. (Editor’s note:

suspected pun which doubtless had Pippa

cracking up over her own sublime wit.)

What made you choose an events life?I’m not entirely sure. I started off at university

intending to graduate as an accountant, and

somewhere along the way got distracted and

changed paths. I have an inability to go to

any kind of function without wanting to take

control, or at least hand around drinks; so the

events life is probably a good choice for me.

What’s your favourite event?I’m pretty proud of our events calendar

in general, and get a bit of a kick out of

everything from breakfasts to cocktail

sundowners. My favourite though, would

probably have to be the Housing Awards. It’s

a yearlong process for us, and having all the

data-entry, judging schedules and hair-pulling

moments end in a massive party is pretty fun.

I also love seeing the builders take such great

pride in their projects. The passion they have

for their work gives me passion for mine.




Condolences to George Allingame (Pindan) and his family on the passing of his wife Mary’s mother in Adelaide in October.

A big cheerio to Master Builders Northern Territory executive director, Graham Kemp, who is recovering from a period of ill health.

Phil Milne and Don Fowlie have joined Cbus Superannuation as employee coordinators in WA following Alan Hughes’ retirement. James Moore is the employer contact in WA (phone 9463 3934).

As well as her role as ReddiFund business development manager, Jill Dixon recently has been appointed to the WA Chapter council of the National Association of Women in Construction as membership chair. Jill’s aim is to grow NAWIC membership in WA. NAWIC is an international not-for-profit organisation that seeks to support the endeavours, and raise the profile, of women in the construction industry.

Condolences to the family and friends of Peter Eden, a past president of Master Builders South Australia, who has died after a courageous battle with melanoma. He established Galaxy Homes in 1979 and went on to develop the Eden Living brand. Peter was a free thinker who was always ready to challenge tradition and look for an alternative and better way to improve the industry.

When did you start working in the

building and construction industry?

When I was 17 years old in Wagga

Wagga, New South Whales.

When did you decide to become

a builder instead of continuing on

with your carpentry trade? This was

a very natural progression for me, as

I was doing a lot of contracting and

work for a builder over many years.

How did you and Mick Daly join forces

to form Daly and Shaw Building? Mick

and I met when then girlfriend, now wife,

Penny, and I were travelling around Australia

on a working holiday when I was 24.

What inspired you to become a part

of Master Builders? We joined to keep

a Master Builders’ staff member who was

calling on us happy. He was very insistent

membership would add value to our business.

After joining the Association what

encouraged you to become more

actively involved? Master Builders’ staff

member, Veronica Mill, was very persistent

to get me to attend a Housing Council

meeting just for a look. The rest is history.

Who was the President when you joined

the Board of Management? Dan Perkins.

What have been some the greatest

challenges you have faced being Master

Builders’ president? It’s always time

management but that’s one of the challenges.

I love fitting in as much as I can into a day.

What will be your favourite memory as

president? The opening of our first regional

Master Builders’ building in Geraldton.

What has been the biggest challenge

being president and running your own

business? I have had to utilise technology to

make sure I am across things and contactable.

My iPad and I have become very close!

What do you do to relax? Spending time

with my wife and two daughters, travel,

boys’ fishing trips, boating, AFL and netball.

Are you involved with any other

organisations? Yes, I’m current

president of Netball WA.

As president and business owner what

has been the most novel place you have

visited? The Kimberley’s Horizontal Waterfalls

and El Questro Homestead and Niagara Falls.

Who do you admire most in the

industry? Len Buckeridge.

What are the biggest challenges

confronting our industry? Without a

doubt, red tape is my number one, and then

followed by the looming trade shortage.

What have you enjoyed most about

being president? Working with the

Association Board, our CEO and our staff

to improve the future of our industry.

If you could change one thing in the

building and construction industry, what

would it be and why? I would make the

planning and building approval process

After three years: 30 questions

for ShawAt the end of his three-year tour of duty as

Master Builders’ president, we sat down with Robert Shaw and asked him the tough

(and not so tough) questions:

Master Builders’ outgoing president, Robert Shaw,

the passionate West Coast Eagles supporter (and

seafood connoisseur?).




totally private. This would remove a lot of

red tape and delays and reduce costs. It

works well in other States so why not here?

Who has been your biggest influence to

get you to where you are today? Without

a doubt, my business partner, Mick Daly.

Who would you say has been

the biggest contributor to the

building and construction industry

over the years? Dale Alcock.

Which football team do you

support? West Coast Eagles.

If you weren’t a builder, what would

be your job? Race car driver.

Which has been your favourite event

to attend at Master Builders? The end-

of-year members’ Christmas functions.

Who has been the most interesting

person you have met since

being President? Joe Hockey.

How much longer do you intend

to keep going in the industry? I am

a big believer in work-life balance so

if I can keep that going, 20 years.

Working in the building and construction

industry, have you experienced

any shocking moments that have

taken you by surprise? No.

Do you have any regrets? Not having the

opportunity to spend more time with my dad.

If you could be the Premier for the

day what would you do? I would make

the resource sector pay the CTF levy.

What has been the best advice anyone

has given you to help you with working

life? When I was 17, a man said to me are

you teachable? I said yes. His reply was,

good, then I can do something with you.

What is your family status? Married

for 30 years to my wife, Penny, with two

daughters, Kalistah (25) and Narissah (22).

What advice do you offer people who

want to start a career in the building

and construction industry? Work hard,

learn as much as you can from your peers,

take your opportunities, always build

relationships and never burn your bridges.

Now that you have completed your

term as president, what are you going

to do with your spare time? Work, family,

fishing trip and a trip to South America.

On holidays, horsing around on the hay wain.



When is it a good idea to purchase software?It’s a good time to purchase software:

• As soon as you recognise a need or

disturbance within your day-to-day

operations that begins to question your

processes, your costs and your ability

to forecast a profitable outcome; and

• When the cost of the software

package is less than the benefit your

company will receive from having

the software up and running.

• Simple - or so it seems.

What are the problems with adopting a simplistic approach?Changing software programs can be

very difficult, disruptive and expensive.

A simplistic approach means that your

company cannot adapt as you grow. The

solution to this problem is foresight –

knowing where your company is heading

and by when. You need to know not only

how the software would help you run your

business better by reducing risk, increasing

productivity and profitability through

process improvement, but also how it will

continue to help you well into the future.

Separate programs and systems for

estimating, accounting, service and project

management etc. may be suitable for smaller

companies but create significant room for

error and lower productivity for emergent or

larger established companies.

Who does construction software help and how?Begin with the end in mind; the purpose is

to integrate and streamline all aspects of

your business. Different software packages

impact different areas of your company’s

day-to-day operations and its resource

capabilities. The image accompanying this

article shows some of the key personnel that

make up a medium to large construction

company. It lists the modules/functionality

Why would you spend money on construction software?Construction software can be categorised as anything from a simple estimating package to a full accounting module or even a company-wide fully integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. Your construction software is a valuable asset and the right software should save you money and increase profits from day one.

that staff would find useful when operating

an ERP system for example. And, because

all the information captured is within one

system, the reporting functionality and levels

of access granted allow decision makers to

make the right choices.

So why would you spend money on construction software?It is worth investing in construction software

when the benefits outweigh the time and

monetary costs of implementing the system

AND, when the implementation will assist

your company to reach its potential. When

looking to purchase software, both of these

are extremely important considerations if you

are to achieve the highest benefit to cost ratio

in the long term.

For more information, contact Master

Builder member Levesys’s business

development consultant, Neil Newman, on

07 3004 6100 or visit www.levesys.com.

Levysys – Smarter Construction Software.


REPORTS: Building Business

The more we can understand our own

natural preferences and behaviour and that

of others, the more effective we can be in

getting things done through people. After all,

people respond to people they like and the

more they think you are like them, the better

they will respond.

A simple system I use with my clients is the

DISC personal analysis tool. This looks at

human behaviour in two dimensions. Are people more extrovert or

introvert? And are they more task or people focused? There are four

main styles, represented to different degrees in each of us:

Dominant ProfileThe Dominant style refers to extrovert and task focused people. This

style is very driven, focused and ambitious. They like to take charge and

be in control. They often are innovative with lots of ideas. The D style

is very goal oriented, determined and competitive. This style prefers

to lead and often moves up the corporate ladder. They fear loss of

control or being taken advantage of. If you are communicating with

someone with this style, you need to be direct and to the point, provide

choices and never force them into a losing situation. They tend to make

decisions fast so provide them with the facts, let them feel like they are

in control and it is their idea.

Influencer ProfileThe Influencer style refers to extrovert and people focused people. This

style is very social with peo-le who like to be the life of the party. They

tend to be high energy people who attract others and get work done

through people. They are great at building rapport and friendships

and inspire the people around them. They are very persuasive and

optimistic and very open in communicating their feelings. They fear

social rejection or not being accepted. When communicating with an

Influencer style, be social and spend time socialising and being chatty.

Have fun and let them tell stories. Be more open and speak about

people and feelings.

Rueben Taylor

How to communicate effectively in your businessCommunication is a critical skill in business – after all we are communicating with staff, subcontractors, suppliers and clients every day. Problems can arise as we tend to communicate with others in ways we like to be communicated with. This can lead to misunderstanding, arguments and costly errors.

Stability ProfileThe Stability style refers to introvert and people focused people. They

value security and do not like change. This style is very loyal and is

the glue that holds the team together. They resist change and will

bring order to chaos. The S style are very patient, good listeners and

dependable. They like harmony in the workplace. They fear change

and confrontation. Take your time when communicating with an S

style profile. Build trust and present information step by step. Do not

dominate. Be sensitive to their needs. Focus on people and be patient.

Compliance ProfileThe Compliance style refers to introvert and task focused people. They

are detail people with the ability to research, analyse and interpret

information. They tend to be perfectionists and like to dot the I’s and

cross the T’s. They have high standards of themselves and others and do

not like to make mistakes. The C style prefers to work on their own and

is very careful and systematic. They tend to be serious and disciplined.

They fear criticism and confrontation. The Compliance profile likes

detail so be prepared to provide plenty of it. Focus on the facts and not

personal issues. Do not pressure into a decision and be patient and slow

down your approach (they often need to time to analyse and process

any information you provide).

As you can see each style is very different and in some cases opposite.

Some ways of communicating will just not work with different styles.

Take the time to understand your profile and become a more effective

communicator in your business.

For 13 years, Rueben Taylor has helped Perth businesses achieve

sustainable growth, strong cash flow and to run smoothly without

the business owners constantly being there. He is offering a free

DISC Personal Style Analysis to Master Builder members:

email [email protected].










July marked the beginning of the Federal Government’s Stronger Super

roll-out. Stronger Super aims to improve outcomes for both employers

and employees by introducing two major reforms:

• MySuper – a simple, low-cost super product.

• SuperStream – a package of measures to improve the back office of

super, making super transaction processing easier, cheaper and faster.

What does MySuper mean for employers?From 1 January 2014, employers must pay compulsory Superannuation

Guarantee (SG) contributions into a MySuper product for employees

who haven’t chosen a super fund or made an investment choice. Cbus

officially launched its MySuper product on 1 October. Cbus employers

don’t have to do anything, as our default investment option, Growth

(Cbus MySuper), is MySuper compliant.

What does SuperStream mean for employers?If you have 20 or more employees, from 1 July 2014 you’ll need to

pay their super electronically under the Government’s SuperStream

requirements. For small employers with 19 or fewer employees, the

requirements take effect from 1 July 2015. Using the Cbus Clearing

House will mean you are ready for these changes.

What is the Cbus Clearing House?The Clearing House is an online tool which allows Cbus employers to

pay into multiple super funds. Cbus Clearing House then distributes

employer super payments to all funds (including Cbus) on the

employer’s behalf. If your employees have choice of fund, you’re

probably paying super into several different funds – increasing the time

and complexity of super administration.

Super obligations have changed – are you ready?

Cbus Clearing House lets Cbus employers pay super for all their

employees in one simple payment, so they’ll have more time to spend

on their business and less time doing administration. It is a free service

for registered Cbus employers.

How will you know contributions have been successfully paid?Employers can log onto Cbus Clearing House at any time to confirm

when the super payments have been sent to the relevant super funds.

Those super funds will then use their normal systems to allocate

payments to their members’ accounts.

Who is the Cbus Clearing House provider?Cbus has chosen Westpac Banking Corporation to deliver the Cbus

Clearing House. Both Cbus and Westpac know how important it is to keep

information received for Cbus Clearing House confidential and secure.

For information, call the Cbus Service Centre on 1300 361 784 or go

to www.cbussuper.com.au/registernow and follow the prompts to

join. Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL

233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262. Read the relevant Cbus Product

Disclosure Statement to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Contact

Cbus for a copy.

457 visa holders can save on school fees

The WA Government recently announced proposed changes that will

result in parents working in the State on 457 visas being forced to pay

up to $4000 per year for each of their children to attend public schools.

The policy change is likely to place a severe financial burden on many

employees. However, there may be an opportunity to reduce the overall

cost to affected employees with the right salary packaging strategy.

Many 457 visa holders would qualify as ‘overseas workers’ under the

Fringe Benefits Assessment Act 1986 and, as such, an opportunity

exists for them to take advantage of an FBT concession for the

education costs of the children of these employees.

An eligible employee might be able to salary sacrifice education costs

such as tuition fees, books and tutoring without triggering an FBT

liability for the employer.

There might be considerable income tax savings for an eligible 457

visa employee in salary packaging these education costs, but also

potential savings for the employer (for example, payroll tax, retaining

experienced employees).

For advice or assistance with salary packaging in general or with

packaging benefits for 457 visa holders, contact RSM Bird Cameron

on 9261 9100.



The data says residential building will continue to grow by 22 percent in

2013-14, 17 percent in 2014-15 and nine percent in 2015-16 while the

non-residential and engineering construction sectors will contract.

What does this mean in terms of how you set your sails? The wind is

changing. It will be up to you to adapt. Get ready to change the set of

your sails.

How to set your sales and marketing sails in this environmentThe good news is that for the first time in years, on the front page of

a recent edition of the West Australian the headline read ‘Business

Confidence Bounces Back after Abbott Election Win’. Inside, the West

reported consumer shopper confidence up by 4.7 percent to a three-

year high.

The challenge for builders and sales and marketing managers is to

harness this sentiment to get as big a slice of the pie as possible.

What we see successful builders doingAs a sales and marketing coach, I see successful builders maximising

their share of market growth by:

• Being very clear about which market sector they are targeting

(new homes, first homes, premium homes etc.).

• Creating powerful campaigns that speak to the needs of

their target markets – not one shot-one off marketing.

• Recruiting, training, incentivising and managing sales teams to

follow proven sales conversion systems to optimise leads.

• Creating a high performance, service based team culture.

Five costly mistakes in building industry sales teams• Sales teams being run like individual ‘lone rangers’

rather than a team of professionals learning, sharing

and competing in a healthy environment.

• Little or no sales training – but left up to the individual’s personality

or experience to close the sale – the ‘sink or swim’ culture.

• Little or no building of team, culture or service

attitude. The ‘prospects as pawns’ culture.

• Ego driven salespeople living on past success.

• Salespeople forgetting that when you’re green

you’re growing and when you’re ripe you rot.

How to set your sails to increase building sales in the current marketThere is an old saying, we cannot change the winds, but we can change the set of our sails. As I look at the stats from a presentation by Master Builders Australia chief economist, Peter Jones, this saying keeps ringing in the my ears.

Six costly facts you can take advantage of• The fact is 90 percent or more sales managers have been good or

very good salespeople then get promoted to sales and/or marketing

manager with little or no training in how to manage a sales team.

• In most cases, the only training they have had is from the

manager they worked under/with for the past 5-10 years.

• In over 70 percent of cases, the last sales training a sales rep

had was a half-day or one-day three or more years ago.

• In over 80 percent of cases, there is no agreed sales system or best

practice system to help reps in taking an interested prospect and

converting them to high margin, highly satisfied customer sale.

• Over 90 percent of sales reps cannot and do not articulate the

uniqueness, benefits or compelling value transfer of their companies.

• When asked ‘why should I buy from you

compared to your competition?’ most undersell

or bumble their way through the answer.

Test it with your team for yourself.

Three powerful tips to set your sails (and sales)• Capture your best practice sales system so reps have clear

guidelines and checklists to help maximise their chances of truly

uncovering needs and closing sales. We have a tool we call the

‘Sales Color Zones – Sales Circle of Life’. This is a Color Zone

system of guiding reps through sales to maximise chances of

converting leads into not just high paying-high margin, satisfied

customers, but referral generating advocates of your business.

• As part of your sales management system, have clear,

documented expectations of what is acceptable and unacceptable

in your team. We call them ‘Red and Green Zones’.

• Even though many builders and sales managers say it’s about the

reps as a group of individuals (not really a team), there is great power

and value in effective sales team meetings and training. Have a

powerful, positive structure to your team meetings – meetings that

engage, enthuse, excite and educate are a critical part of the success

jigsaw puzzle. Never underestimate the power of a champion team.

Leigh Farnell is a Perth-based sales team consultant and coach with over

30 years experience around Australasia coaching over 300 different

sales teams to be more innovative, productive and profitable. He

will be conducting his one day training ‘The Sales RevUP’ and Sales

Management Masterclass days early in 2014. These will be customised

and tailored for the building industry to provide systems, ideas, skills

and strategies that will increase sales for your building business.

Leigh Farnell



This means employees are entitled to redundancy payments if their

employment is terminated or if they resign after one year’s service. All

employers in the construction industry are required to pay redundancy

pay, including small businesses and sole traders employing workers.

Employees are entitled to redundancy pay under the award based on

the amount of time they’ve been working for your business.

The redundancy entitlements in the National Employment Standards

do not apply to employees covered under the modern federal award.

It is important to note that ‘weeks’ pay’ is the ordinary time rate of

pay an employee was receiving when their employment ended. Any

period of service with the employer as a casual employee will not

count towards years of service for calculating redundancy entitlements.

Apprentices aren’t entitled to redundancy pay while they’re under

a training contract. If you keep employees on after they complete

Redundancy payments – employers must be compliantDid you know that employees could be deemed to be redundant if their employment ends for any reason other than misconduct or refusal of duty?

their apprenticeships, however, the period of the apprenticeship will

be counted as service for the purposes of notice of termination and

redundancy. The same applies if they are terminated at the end of their

apprenticeships but re-hired within six months. See the Apprenticeship

clause in the Award for more details.

ReddiFund can help you to meet your

obligation while reducing your tax liability,

easing your administration burden and

avoiding a potential cash flow crisis – and at

no cost to you or your employees. For information, contact ReddiFund

business development manager, Jill Dixon, on 9481 0259, 0437 554330

or email [email protected].

PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE REDUNDANCY PAY

Less than 1 year1.75 hours per week of service (doesn’t apply if the employee resigns)

1 year but less than 2 years

2.4 weeks’ pay plus 1.75 hours pay per completed week of service after 1 year Maximum of 4.8 weeks’ pay.

2 years but less than 3 years

4.8 weeks’ pay plus 1.6 hours pay per completed week of service after 2 years Maximum of 7 weeks’ pay.

3 years but less than 4 years

7 weeks’ pay plus 0.73 hours pay per completed week of service after 3 years Maximum of 8 weeks’ pay.

4 years or more 8 weeks’ pay.

Rawlinsons Australian Construction Handbook and Rawlinsons Construction Cost Guide

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Master Builders’ construction director, Kim Richardson, takes a swipe at a recent Fair Work Commission decision destined to adversely affect building industry skills.

Fair Work Commission lets down apprentices

Kim Richardson

In August, the Fair Work Commission seriously undermined the prospects of

many young people who want to take up trades in the building industry as

apprentices in 2014 and beyond. In essence, FWC awarded to new apprentices

commencing from 1 January 2014, wage increases of between 5-10 percent in

the first year of the apprenticeships. The wage differential set by the FWC is based

on whether or not the new 2014 apprentice has completed year 12. If the answer

is yes, the first-year apprentice will be paid 55 percent of the trades wage rate

increasing to 65 percent in second year. If no, the first-year apprentice wage rate will

be 50 percent of the trades rate increasing to 60 percent.

Notably, no party to the lengthy FWC proceedings which commenced in 2012

proposed this outcome. The FWC asserts the new apprentice wage rates protect the

employment prospects of apprentices while encouraging young people to complete

year 12. This aspect of the decision defies all logic. The parties have been directed to

confer and reach agreement in a report back to the FWC. Given the breadth of the

FWC decision (which also encompasses developing a competency based learning

model founded on the two decades-old metals training system) and other labour

cost increases involving payment of text book costs by employers and training course

costs, the task is not easy.

While the significant increases in new apprentice wages will be hard to swallow

for employers, the fact is the ACTU, along with several unions including the

CFMEU, made ambit claims for much higher increases. Disappointingly, the former

federal Labor Government strongly supported the union claims with significant

legal representation during the hearings but ignored the adverse impact the claim

will have on meeting Australia’s future skills needs. The employer groups in part

succeeded in clawing back the unions’ dangerous claims as well as persuading FWC

to dismiss much of the red tape duplication sought by the unions of existing State

and Territory apprenticeship regulation being inserted in federal awards.

Employer groups, including Master Builders, strongly opposed the extreme wage

claims on the basis of making apprentices simply unemployable and doing little

to add to the skills debate. Regrettably, FWC dismissed much of the employer

opposition to the union-inspired, Labor Government-supported wage increase,

and naively found increasing apprentice wages will magically increase apprentice

numbers. Master Builders will lobby the new Coalition Government to increase

employer support to soften the major blow to those wishing to take on apprentices.

The new wage costs are expected to commence on 1 January 2014 but the proposed

competency based training regime is realistically some way off given the need for

input and agreement as to the end product from many stakeholders. Sadly, the FWC

decision will likely mean fewer building apprentices employed from 2014.

Safety first, notA Victorian CFMEU official was fined $1500 for assaulting a site manager. In an extraordinary defence, the union lawyer said the official “lived for safety” and only assaulted the site manager in frustration. Seems the union has a unique view of work site safety.

FWC did what?A recent Fair Work Commission appeal saw it find a Victorian flight paramedic unfairly dismissed following his delaying an urgent flight by 35 minutes due to his shift ending. The overriding edict of patient care was forgotten. One wonders what the outcome would have been if a FWC commissioner was the patient.

CFMEU shops workersPluto construction workers recently were fined a total of $1 million for unlawfully defying a 2008 Australian Industrial Relations Commission return to work order. They also disregarded directions by the construction unions to return to work. The local CFMEU labelled the fines “vindictive”. This conveniently ignores the union’s own court action that proved it did not organise the stoppage. The construction workers were exposed to their own fate as the union deflected all responsibility. What did the union expect?

MUA misses boatRecent legitimate criticism of the MUA about its excessive wage claims in the local oil and gas industry caused it to prepare a report on the industry’s profitability. Trouble is, that has little to do with escalating labour costs in offshore oil and gas construction and maintenance in WA, declining productivity and the much better return to investors overseas markets are offering. The loss of the Browse mega gas project should have been a wake-up call for the union.

FWC sillinessA FWC Full Bench recently unbelievably allowed a former employee claiming unfair dismissal to present his case in a separate room from the employer’s lawyers. A security guard was put in place to prevent the employee seeing the employer’s lawyers. Why? The employee claimed stress in being in the same courtroom as the employer. A ridiculous, embarrassing decision by FWC.

No strike order extends 12 monthsWith one month remaining to run of a six-month no strike order issued by FWC against the CFMEU on the $1.2 billion Children’s Hospital, the union for its own reasons, ignored the order and again took strike action at the project. The result was FWC extending the order for another 12 months. How the union can argue it was not breaching the initial order remains to be seen. Oddly, the union did not contest the extension order.


UPDATES: Industrial Relations

Courts highlight ABCC scrapping follyThe misguided decision of the Gillard Government to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission in early 2012 again has been brought into sharp relief by recent court decisions around the country and an economic report.

Illustrating the need for, and success of the ABCC, in August the

Federal Court imposed $184,000 in fines and penalties on the

Queensland CFMEU and Queensland CEPU for unlawful industrial

action in 2011. In early October, the Court also imposed $230,000

in fines and penalties on the Victorian CFMEU for unlawful

industrial action in 2010. The charges were filed by the ABCC.

Also in August, the Fair Work Commission in Perth issued an

extended no strike order against the local CFMEU on the new

Children’s Hospital for another 12 months. In February the FWC

had issued a six-month order against the union for the site, an

order which the union breached.

In Victoria, the Supreme Court heard from Grollo Construction in

August on a $5 million damages claim arising from seven contempt

of court breaches by the Victorian CFMEU in connection with the

ugly 2012 Melbourne dispute. Notably, the union did not contest

any of the contempt charges and concedes fines will be imposed.

However, it argues the fines should be only 10 percent of that

claimed or about $500,000 of union members’ funds.

The conclusion is that construction unions have lost just over

$415,000 in members funds for pointless industrial action and this

could increase to almost $5.4 million if the Grollo claim is sustained.

Adding to support for the position of the Coalition Government in

resurrecting the ABCC are the economic benefits that again have

been validated in relation to the ABCC’s impact in the construction

industry. A report commissioned by Master Builders Australia by

Independent Economics shows the ABCC was a major contributor

to the construction industry saving an estimated 9.4 percent per

annum since 2005 and improving the sector’s industrial relations

culture. The savings alone represent about $7.5 billon per year. The

report also indicates the savings generated since 2005 are being

eroded by the previous Government’s 2012 decision.

The new Government has indicated it wants to restore the ABCC

as a priority and as part of its national productivity measures, a

move which Master Builders supports. For vested reasons, the

Labor Opposition and Greens continue to oppose the ABCC

indirectly defending the reckless industrial relations conduct of

construction unions.

Master Builders supports Hadgkiss appointmentMaster Builders has strongly supported the Abbott Government’s appointment of Nigel Hadgkiss as the new head of the Fair Work Building and Construction Inspectorate.

Association construction director, Kim Richardson, says Mr

Hadgkiss has a proven track record in dealing with deeply

embedded problems in the construction industry where

unlawful conduct is considered the norm. His previous

experience as deputy commissioner of the Australian Building

and Construction Commission and other law enforcement

agencies places him well in his new role.

“This appointment is welcomed but the Coalition Government

needs to follow through with its election commitment that

it will restore the former ABCC and its governing laws,” Mr

Richardson said. “Recent months have seen the Courts impose

over $400,000 in fines and penalties on construction unions

for taking unlawful industrial action. One case even cited

the CFMEU choosing not to adopt lawful means to pursue

its grievances but, rather, intentionally taking unprotected

industrial action. Conduct like this clearly shows the CFMEU

and other construction unions continue to see themselves as

above the law, accountable to no-one and unwilling to follow

the industrial relations laws and even their own enterprise

agreement dispute provisions.”

Newly appointed Fair Work Building and Construction Inspectorate head, Nigel Hadgkiss (right), pictured recently at the Master Builders-AIB conference in Fremantle with BGC Residential executive general manager Kelvin Ryan.



Val Gostencnik, the former director of Fair Work Building and Construction, visited Perth in August to meet key industry stakeholders including Master Builders. Mr Gostencnik has 30 years’ workplace relations experience with the Australian Nurses Federation and Corrs Chambers Westgarth where he acted for several major construction companies. He is pictured (second from right) with (l-r) Master Builders’ construction director, Kim Richardson, Madeline Jones (FWBC Perth operations) and Cliff Pettet (FWBC Perth legal team) after the August meeting.

What are they up to?Following his retirement as President of the Fair Work Commission in 2012, former Federal Court Judge, Geoff Giudice has been working as a legal consultant with international law firm, Ashurst.

At an Industrial Relations Society function in Perth earlier this year,

Judge Giudice was the guest speaker. One of his comments was that

Australia needed a more stable IR system with more predictability.

Judge Giudice felt that IR legislative change was extremely costly via

lobbying, advertising and employing additional public servants. Not

surprisingly, he commented that IR had become too politicised and

tended to exaggerate the differences between the parties.

Interestingly, Judge Giudice believed unions exerted more influence than

their percentage of the workforce (less than 20 percent) suggested.

Perhaps their strong financial position and links with the Labor Party

contribute to this. Speaking of the Industrial Relations Society, former

Confederation advocate and Deputy President of the Federal IR

Commission, Jack Gregor, is the organisation’s patron. His daughter,

Melanie, is the current president. Most members of the Society are now

academics and lawyers, with a sprinkling of employer representatives

and very few union officials – a lot different to 20-30 years ago.



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Master Builders’ technical consultant, Romina De Santis, was in Brisbane for the 2013 ABCB Building Australia’s Future Conference.

For the first time, the program included sessions for the new Plumbing

Code (Volume 3 of the National Construction Code), and also covered

discussion on the performance-based approach, access for people with

disabilities and climate change.

Delegates from a cross-section of industry were in attendance from

each State and Territory to hear from local and international speakers

on matters impacting the built environment and its regulation for

healthy, safe and sustainable buildings.

Future demographic and social trends were discussed, taking into

account future needs for the built environment and workplaces where

the different generations – baby boomers, generation X and generation

Y - work together creating challenges for businesses to maintain

productivity through very different motivators for each group.

ABCB Brisbane conference hits the markThe 2013 Australian Building Codes Board Conference, Building Australia’s Future, in Brisbane recently included a number of important topics for the delegates in attendance.

The theme of the first day of the three-day conference was managing

risk and liability. Building commissioner, Peter Gow, spoke on the

implementation of the Building Act in WA. The Victorian bushfires and

Queensland floods also were discussed looking at insurance, life safety

and regulation.

Day two looked at understanding Codes and Standards and focused

on climate change and fire safety and day three covered topics around

trends and the future including sustainability, Building Code trends and

national licensing.

The ABCB holds its conference on the National Construction Code and

related matters every two years. Master Builders’ technical consultant,

Romina De Santis, who also operates a private building surveying and

consultancy business, attended the Brisbane conference.

Plan reading course a WinBaC winnerSince 2010, Master Builders has regularly run a training seminar for residential plan reading and building basics. More than 30 participants attended technical adviser Romina De Santis’ Plan Reading and BCA Basics seminars in September and October.

The three hour seminar in a workshop format is tailored for newcomers to the building industry and support staff who often are expected to read and understand plans, but often are not provided with formal training. Participants work through building plans, take

a walk through the approvals process, and get a basic overview of the Building Code of Australia. The seminar package includes the Master Builders’ Bag of Tricks for the many terms and abbreviations used as industry vernacular – demystifying the shorthand many use without thinking.

Feedback from attendees is always positive, with increased confidence in understanding plans, basic building terminology and WA construction practices. Master Builders will run the seminars in 2014, so keep an eye out for the next course to be plan reading-ready.







www.octagonlifts.com.auWA Master Builder 65

UPDATES: Technical

Stair treads and landings, balustrades and handrails and upper level

windows, already restricted by planning requirements, recently have

had added compliance requirements in the Building Code for minimum

safety for occupants - mainly children.

Getting back to basics - stairsThe BCA requires a flight of stairs have a minimum of two and a

maximum of 18 risers. These need to be constant through the flight and

meet a minimum size and slope ratio. This means that you cannot split

a half landing into two quarter landings with a single riser, and winders

need to maintain a constant ratio for safe movement of occupants.

Treads must be slip resistant or provide a non-skip strip at the edge of

the nosing. As the builder, you are required to ensure the stairway is

safe. Discussing the compliance requirements of stairs is essential so

clients can compare surface finishes or provide the necessary edge strip

for safe movement along the stairway. Stairs at a door threshold often

occur between garages and carports and the main dwelling. A landing

is not required where there are not more than three risers (maximum

height of 570mm). Where this is exceeded a minimum 750mm landing

is required from the doorway. Figure 1 below shows the requirements

of the BCA for compliance with Clause 3.9.1.3.

Steps to safe movement in residential buildingsA consequence of smaller lots is the increased demand for two-storey homes. Most builders now build both single and two-storey homes and must be across the construction requirements for stairways, balconies and upper level windows for the safety of occupants.

HandrailsAt least one handrail must be provided where a flight has a change

in level greater than one metre (where a balustrade is provided). It

is no longer sufficient to have the stairway bound by walls and only

a balustrade, there must be a separate handrail, or the top of the

balustrade must provide suitable construction to be used as a handrail.

Construction as per Figure 2 below is no longer compliant with the

new handrail requirements. The handrail must be continuous, and only

be interrupted by a newel post or stanchion. Parts 3.9.1 and 3.9.2 of

the BCA (Housing Provisions) detail the minimum requirements for

stairs, balustrades, handrails and openable windows. However, other

Standards are applicable - as suggested AS1170.1 and AS1288.

Figure 1 - Landing requirements at doorways

BalustradesBalustrades need to be a minimum of one metre high from a floor that

is more than one metre from the level beneath, landing or balcony and

a minimum 865mm along a stairway. A transition is required where

there is a landing to ensure the minimum one metre height is provided

for the balustrade at the intermediate and top landing and floor level.

The BCA does not nominate the load requirements the balustrade

must resist. This is covered by AS1170.1. Builders should obtain design

compliance certification from the installer that the balustrade is

designed and installed to meet the requirements of AS1170.1.

Wire balustrades are not as popular now as they were a few years ago,

but construction requirements for strain or deflection are noted in

the BCA. Again, it is recommended the builder obtain a Certificate of

Design Compliance. It is important to note where a glass balustrade is

installed; the Building Code does not provide compliance requirements.

Builders must refer to AS1288 (Glass in Buildings). Where the balustrade

is protecting an area with a floor level below greater than one metre,

the balustrade must include a handrail in accordance with the Standard.

Enhancing safety in stairwaysWhat the BCA doesn’t cover is illumination in stairways of residential

buildings. Considering stairs are one of the common places for

accidents in the home, it is wise to discuss lighting in stairways with

your client. Consider the installation of handrails or balustrades in areas

that are less than one metre high. Falls from verandahs and on lower

parts of stairways still occur and result in injuries and sometimes death.

Openable windowsOpenable bedroom windows, where the level beneath exceeds two

metres, are required to be suitably protected from falls. A new clause

included in BCA 2013 provides that windows with a sill height greater

than 1.7m require protection. When the finished level beneath is greater

than four metres, the requirements are more stringent for climbable

elements between 150 and 760mm.

Although WA provides a 12-month transition for the implementation

of the BCA, it is recommended the requirements of this clause be

considered in the design and construction of multi-storey residential

buildings prior to its adoption from 1 May 2014.

Figure 2 - Previously acceptable to provide walls as a barrier for a stair without a handrail


UPDATES: Technical

To make this happen, the pathway to get the services to the premises

is more important than ever. For builders, this means that the choice

to provide the pathway has a direct impact on the lifestyle of the

occupants. To minimise the impact on construction, the conduit is best

put in prior to concrete paths and driveways and before the landscaping.

With the National Broadband Network rollout, builders need to take

into consideration providing for the appropriate ‘lead-in conduit’. This is

the way the cable gets from the street to the home. Whether builders

and developers are dealing with projects that have the new optical

fibre, traditional phone cabling or might have fibre in the future, the

conduit is the method that allows different cables to be used.

Mr Crocket says there are there definite requirements which need to be

maintained. This gets down to making sure the pathway can be used by

the network provider, so it needs to be fit for purpose and undamaged

when the technicians come to connect the premises. The network

providers give guidelines for preparing lead-in conduits. There are some

minor differences between them, but in the main, the concept is common.

One example of a special requirement for NBN Co, is that a pit cannot

be placed in a driveway. Developers take driveways into account in

the telecommunications plans to avoid pits being placed in proposed

driveway locations.

Connecting to the national broadband systemGetting broadband, communications and entertainment into the home is vital for home buyers, says Doug Crocket from Master Builder member Electronic Interiors. Broadband, communications and entertainment are now high on the wish list of the modern home resident.

Below is an example section from a network provider guideline.

This comes from NBN Co Doc NBN-NO-GDE-0011 V8 Residential

Preparation and Installation Guide SDU’s & MDU’s, found at

www.nbnco.com.au.

There can be confusion within the building industry that you need more

than one lead-in, if you were thinking about getting fibre broadband

later. One lead-in is sufficient in the event that copper has been laid and

the NBN will not rollout within the near future in that area. You can use

the guidelines above in new builds and run current services through the

same conduit. When the NBN comes to an existing area, NBN Co will

arrange to use the existing Lead-in Conduit.

New lead-in conduits are required to be physically connected to

the Developers Starter Pipe. Be sure to use solvent cement to bond

the conduit lengths and bends that form part of the pathway to the

premises where the network provider’s utility box will be mounted

on the outside of the premises. This reduces the risk of the pathway

coming apart before the technician arrives, along with other planning

measures like going a bit deeper in the trench under a driveway, are all

good tips for being fit for purpose.

The network provider will fit the utility box at the end of your lead-in. You

may have also aligned an internal conduit for new broadband networks

such as NBN Co fibre. The work you have done to make the broadband

available to your customers will be greatly appreciated, your Lead-in

Conduit, is actuality a great investment, because as a pathway, it can

evolve and allow cables to come and go during the long life of a building.


UPDATES: Technical

Master Builders welcomes

the following new members

March date for IFAWPCA Jakarta conference

Earlier this year, Master Builders Australia had a 20-person delegation at the IFAWPCA convention in Kochi, India. For 2014, WA membership services manager, Veronica Mill, is looking to put together a WA contingent to visit our closest and important northern neighbour, Indonesia.

The International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors

Association’s next conference, in Jakarta in March, will offer top speakers and

business opportunities in a great venue, the Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel.

“If you’re looking for an industry convention that is close to home, provides

an opportunity to exchange important information with representatives

from across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, hear from professional

speakers and open the door to new business opportunities, you need to be

in Jakarta in March,” says Master Builders’ membership services manager,

Veronica Mill.

“IFAWPCA’s forty-first convention will include discussion on various

infrastructure issues, both technically and financially. It will cover numerous

funding options, as well as providing insights from countries with successful

infrastructure development experience.”

The convention will be held in the plush surroundings of the five-star Grand

Hyatt Jakarta Hotel. Attendees can choose a suitable accommodation

package either at the Hyatt or other designated hotels and can round off their

trip with one of the pre- or post-convention tours. IFAWPCA offers a unique

platform for the building and construction industry across the Asia-Western

Pacific region, fostering shared information, building innovation and business

and social relationships.

“Are you open to the possibilities?” Ms Mill asks. “WA members are invited to

join Master Builders’ representatives and your Australian industry colleagues

at the Jakarta conference hosted by the Indonesian Contractors Association.”

To discuss participation in a WA delegation, contact Veronica Mill by email

[email protected]. Further information is available from the Indonesian

Contractors Association, phone (62-21) 7200794 / 72790672, fax: (62-21)

7206805, website www.aki.or.id/ifawpca2014.

Absolute Painting (WA) 08 9965 4919

Alpha Wall & Floor Tiling 0406 126 854

Andy Pollard Homes 08 9315 9276

ARB Carpentry & Construction 08 9140 1871

Aspireon Homes 08 9361 2622

Associated Shopfitters Pty Ltd 08 9249 3090

Assured Homes Pty Ltd 0412 000 820

Aussie Fencing 08 9242 8555

Bartlett Consulting Engineers 0439 923 045

Beyond Bricklaying Pty Ltd 0416 363 307

Blueprint Building Inspections 0421 665 337

BMT Constructions 08 9192 7906

Carpets By Design 08 9331 4956

Cartman Designs 08 9071 1255

Eclipse Refrigeration 08 9842 1072

Goldmanor Design 08 9295 0005

Instant Roofing 0404 569 859

Jim’s Fencing (Melville) 08 9414 8580

Kullarri Building Pty Ltd 08 9192 7755

Meales WA Concrete Pumping 0433 684 837

Mi Construct (WA) Pty Ltd 08 9228 9699

Next Level Extensions 08 9240 5888

Opes Construction & Building Supplies 0419 855 549

Outdoor World Bunbury 08 9725 6166

Past Investments 0407 980 036

PB Design & Construction 08 9721 5435

Promenade Construction Pty Ltd 08 9349 8004

Protek Total Facility Management 08 9399 8660

Psaros Pty Ltd 08 6380 3030

Q Residential New Homes and Improvements 0424 007 344

Ray White Broome 08 9192 2122

Renew Perfection Pty Ltd 08 9447 5541

RJD Contracting 0439 703 010

Scho Homes 08 9240 5000

Sermac Contracting 0418 811 291

Seymour Roofing Pty Ltd 08 9407 8052

Solar Dwellings 08 9444 4400

South West Roof Painters 08 9725 2525

Swan River Constructions 0421 273 330

Trevor James Grant 08 9448 0001

Trumos Building Services 0418 915 675

Ubuntu Developments Pty Ltd 0439 006 615

WDM Construction 0428 734 343

Wells Building Designers and Consultants 08 9071 5178

West End Fabricators 08 9844 7007

Western Building Pty Ltd 08 9470 9779

Wholts Contracting 08 9758 7645


UPDATES: Membership

CALL 1300 88 13 72 TO GET CONNECTED

QMBA-17803 09-13

TELSTRA $130 CAPPED

MASTER BUILDERS $90 CAPPED

TELSTRA FOR LESS

QMBA-17803 Telstra capped 190x132 ad 09-13.indd 1 27/09/2013 11:40:50 AM

The story is all too common: builders coming back from overseas and

being hit with a huge bill for global roaming on their mobile phone. In

some cases, the travellers have not even used their phones, but in failing

to change their settings, have been downloading emails or other data

without their knowledge. We all know global roaming can be expensive,

but there are so many valuable uses for Smartphones when travelling,

including airport apps, hotel bookings, restaurant information, checking

emails and staying in touch with family and friends.

Telstra has launched an SMS-alert system to keep customers informed

on how much data they are using while overseas. Travellers will be

automatically sent an alert for every 20 megabytes of data they use

overseas so they can keep track of their usage. (The exception is

Hong Kong, where the 4G phone network is not compatible with

Telstra’s 3G alerts.)

Aside from turning your phone off altogether, an easy way to avoid a

big bill is to turn off data roaming (you will find this under the settings

or options menu in your phone) and only use wi-fi. Free wi-fi hot spots

have become easy to find in most countries, although you do need to

pick and choose which ones you use. Unless you like receiving spam, try

Using a Smartphone or tablet overseas can result in an horrendous bill, but you don’t have to turn it off. Here are some tips for managing your usage.

Beating bill shock of global phoning

to avoid any that ask for your phone number or email address and stick

to more reputable providers such as city councils and libraries. Coffee

shops are one of the best options for getting connected - and many

hotels now offer free wi-fi in guest rooms or at least in public areas.

If you want to have data access at all times, the best option is to buy

a data roaming pack from Master Builders Telco before you leave

Australia. The other key way to manage your data usage is to refer to

maps and other apps that work offline. Simply type ‘free offline maps

USA’ or similar into your online app store and see what you can find.

If you do it before you leave home, you can download a few different

ones at no cost and then try them out when you are there.

Many travel guides and city guides also are available as offline apps, so

you can download them before you go and avoid using any data while

away. The trip planner, Tripomatic, for example, has an iPhone app that

integrates city guides and offline maps so you can update your travel

plans as you go, without needing internet access. The free app includes

more than 30,000 attractions in more than 300 destinations around the

world and is only one of many such apps on offer.


UPDATES: Membership

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MASTER BUILDERS HEALTH ALLIANCEHolyoake (www.holyoake.org.au), Perth Integrated Health Clinics (www.pihc.com.au), Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (www.prostate.org.au), Conan Fitness (www.conanfitness.com), The Well Men Centre (www.wellmen.com.au), Usana Health Sciences (www.cheeseman.usana.com)

Cheerful tips for a safe and happy festive seasonChristmas is a fun time of holidays and happy family get-togethers, but it also can be stressful for many people. Families do not always get along and some of us will dread having to get together with certain relatives. It also can be a tricky time for estranged members of the family, step families and in-laws.

The pressure to shop at this time of the year can add financial stress on families. A recent study by Roy Morgan revealed that 60 percent of Australians dislike Christmas shopping.

All this build-up and stress can cause people

to over-indulge or turn to alcohol or drugs as

a coping mechanism. This can be particularly

difficult for those who are struggling to deal

with their own, or someone else’s, alcohol/

drug dependency.

Stress and anxiety are not unusual during

the festive season; it would help to try and

manage them as best we can. We can lower

our expectations, be more realistic and decide

what we really want to get out of Christmas

for ourselves and those we care about. Here

are some practical tips for various situations:

Remember you have choices• Decide what is right for you; do

not be influenced by others.

• Remember you have the right to say no.

• Trust your feelings; if it doesn’t

feel right then it usually isn’t.

Keep yourself safe• Set up a plan before leaving home,

organise who will drink and who will drive.

• Do not get into a car with a driver who

is under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

• If someone is acting aggressively,

remove yourself from the

situation if it is safe to do so.

• Have enough money for a taxi

in case the need arises.

• Keep emergency numbers in case you

need assistance (family, friends etc).

Be self-responsible with alcohol• Know the people you are partying

with and look out for one another.

• Space your drinks out, drink

water at regular intervals and be

conscious of eating well.

• Do not mix your drinks and do not

let anyone keep refilling your glass.

Know how much you are drinking.

The office Christmas party• Do not use alcohol as an excuse for bad

behaviour and do not accept this from

anyone else.

• If you are responsible for the party, know

your responsibilities. Provide water, soft

drinks, food, low alcohol beverages, and

talk with guests about how they are going

to get home safely.

• Office parties are well-remembered for

what should not have happened. Be

mindful of your reputation at work.

If you are concerned about your own, or

someone else’s, alcohol/drug use, try talking

to someone about it. Holyoake offers a wide

range of customised programs for people

who are affected by substance misuse –

directly or indirectly. Call 9416 4444, email

[email protected] or

visit www.holyoake.org.au for more details.

It is worth noting that drink driving is

responsible for more than 30 percent of the

1400 lives lost due to road accidents across

Australia each year. So please be safe this

festive season.


UPDATES: Members’ Health

Dr Joe Kosterich MBBS has some good news for smokers…

Quitting is easier than you might think

It is little wonder that people get confused about health. The messages

can be contradictory. Worse than that, the messages might reflect

vested interest which is not declared. Many “news” stories are pushed

by those who might have a product to sell or an agenda to push. So

it was that a survey reported that long-term smokers could take up to

seven goes before successfully quitting. Unless you’ve been living under

a rock for the last 40 years, you will know that smoking is not good for

your health.

Around 75 percent of poll responders reported two unsuccessful

attempts to quit. This prompted an expert to suggest that nicotine

addiction was as powerful as heroin addiction. Strong words and not

likely to inspire smokers that they could quit unaided. The thrust of the

report was to encourage smokers to seek help in quitting. In particular,

it recommended pharmaceutical aids, which could help smokers.

A pharmaceutical company commissioned the survey.

However, an earlier report showed that stopping smoking is not actually

that difficult and that the vast majority did so without any assistance or

‘stop-smoking aid’. This was shown in over 500 studies. Essentially 70

percent of quitters did so unaided. Many reported finding it less hard

than they had expected.

Dr Joe Kosterich. Visit www.drjoe.net.au.

It is also worth noting that the biggest reductions in cigarette smoking

occurred during the 1960s and 70s when there were no stop-smoking

aids. And this is long before plain packaging or even packs with disease

photos, which are designed to (but don’t) turn people off smoking.

The availability of various stop-smoking aids can help some smokers.

However, it comes as a surprise to many smokers that the highest

success rates in quitting come from just doing it - without aids. We

often overlook the most simple and obvious solutions.

One of the problems for people seeking to quit smoking is that if

you believe you can’t do it then it is unlikely you will. There is also the

problem of being seen as a ‘victim’ of tobacco. Seeing yourself as a

victim is disempowering. Hence, if you are led to believe that you cannot

quit by yourself, you are more likely to fail. In the studies on successful

quitters, many remarked that it was easier than they expected. The main

reason they would have thought it hard, is because of messages telling

them that.

Also the fact that it may take a few goes to succeed is not a problem. It

is said that Thomas Edison had 10,000 failures before inventing the light

bulb. There is no issue with not succeeding if you learn the lessons and

apply them next time. Eventually you will succeed.

So to those of you who want to stop smoking, the news is actually

good. You can do it if you want to, even if it takes a few goes. It will

almost certainly be easier than you have been led to believe.

Healthy partnershipMaster Builders’ director, Michael McLean (left), signs the documentation for an alliance agreement between the Association and Medibank Private while the health insurer’s business relationship manager (sales and services alliances), Stephen Lee, looks on. Mr McLean says the alliance is a national partnership which Master Builders is confident will provide members with many benefits, including an 8.3 percent reduction in Medibank Private premiums.


UPDATES: Members’ Health

Scope of new lawsThe requirement to comply with the new anti-bullying

measures extends to all organisations which are

‘constitutionally covered’. Generally speaking this will

include all Pty Ltd companies. The new laws will allow

‘workers’ who reasonably believe they have been

bullied at work to apply to the Fair Work Commission

(the FWC) for an order to stop the bullying. ‘Workers’

are defined to include not just employees, but also

contractors, subcontractors, work experience students

and volunteers.

The new changes do not create an offence of bullying in

the workplace. Instead, the amendments identify actions

and behaviours that may constitute workplace bullying

and provide for the FWC to make orders directed at

stopping that behaviour.

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) will provide that

a worker is ‘bullied at work’ if an individual (or group of

individuals) ‘repeatedly behaves unreasonably’ towards

the worker and that behaviour creates a risk to the

health and safety of the worker. The definition expressly

excludes reasonable management action carried out in a

reasonable manner. However, ‘reasonable management

behaviour’ is not defined.

The role of the Fair Work CommissionThe new provisions will require the FWC to start dealing

with a bullying complaint within 14 days of receiving an

application. The FWC will have the power to require an

employer to provide it with documents, including any

internal anti-bullying processes, and information about

any management action that may have been taken. The

FWC also will have the power to convene a conference

between the parties or hold a formal hearing.

If the FWC is satisfied that the worker has been bullied,

and there is a risk that the worker will continue to

be bullied, it may make an order preventing bullying.

However, the FWC cannot order reinstatement or the

payment of compensation. Furthermore, an individual

cannot be subject to criminal or civil sanctions as a result

of an application unless that person fails to comply with

an order made by the FWC.

If a person fails to comply with an order, a penalty may

apply. The maximum penalty is $10,200 for an individual

or $51,000 for a corporation, per breach.

Preparing for new anti-bullying lawsBusinesses should start preparing for the new anti-bullying laws due to commence on 1 January 2014.

Preparing for the new laws These provisions are another reason why businesses

ought to review their internal processes for dealing

with bullying. Employers can benefit greatly from

developing and implementing a clear anti-bullying policy

that ensures that any allegation of bullying is promptly

dealt with before it has a chance to negatively impact

on a worker’s health and wellbeing or on the other

individuals within the organisation.

Proposed amendments Although these amendments to the FW Act were

enacted by the previous Labor Government, the current

Coalition Government has said that it will retain them

subject to two proposed variations. The Coalition

proposes that:

• Before applying for an order to stop bullying, a

worker ought to first seek preliminary help, advice

or assistance from an independent regulator; and

• The new anti-bullying laws should be expanded

to include union officials and their conduct

towards managers, employers and workers.

As no Bill has been put before Parliament, there is no

indication of when these proposed changes are likely to

be passed or come in to effect.

This article was prepared by Jackson McDonald Partner Stephen Kemp. For further information, contact the Jackson McDonald Workplace Relations & Safety team: Partner, Stephen Kemp, or Senior Associate, Joanne Alilovic, on 9426 6663 or [email protected] or [email protected].

Stephen Kemp


UPDATES: Legal

The changes, which took effect from 1 September, now require

additional financial information from all contractors who are applying

for prequalification, renewing prequalification, participating in a tender

process, or at any other time at the request of BMW.

Some of the key changes to the financial information requirements for

prequalification are:

• All levels (1-5) must provide management accounts which

are less than three months old and signed by a director.

• All levels must provide financial reports

prepared by a qualified accountant.

• Level 5 contractors also must have their financial

reports audited by a registered auditor.

The additional financial information is designed to enable BMW to more

accurately assess a contractor’s financial capacity and specifically, allows

BMW to determine the contractor’s ability to meet the following tests:

• Five percent of turnover in net tangible assets (NTA).

• Ten percent of upper band of prequalification

level represented by working capital.

• Tenders limited to maximum aggregate contract value (MACV).

While these financial ratios may appear easy to assess, there may be

some financial traps lurking in their calculation methodology that

contractors should be aware of.

Net Tangible Assets TestContractors are required to have greater than five percent of turnover in

net tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets less total liabilities).

Intangible assets, such as goodwill, are excluded for the purposes of the

NTA test.

Working Capital TestContractors are required to have greater than 10 percent of the upper

band of prequalification level in working capital. It is important to note

that the calculation for working capital (current assets minus current

liabilities) disallows any intangible assets or related party balances.

Related parties are broadly defined as directors and their family

members, and other entities with common ownership.

Maximum Aggregate Contract ValueBuilding contractors will be ineligible to tender for work in excess of

their MACV. The MACV is calculated by taking the average turnover

from the previous three years and adding 30 percent. A trap for

contractors who have experienced significant growth in that three year

period is that their MACV might actually be less than the turnover they

recorded in their most recent financial year.

Take a close look at BMW prequalification changesThe Department of Finance’s Building Management and Works recently made changes to the Builders’ Prequalification Scheme, arising out of the Small Business Commissioner’s Construction Subcontractor Investigation Report.

Twelve tips for improving your application for prequalification or renewal• Account for work-in-progress to recognise percentage of completion.

• Ensure your accounting system records all assets, such as

prepayments, retentions receivable and tax assets.

• Ensure assets and liabilities are correctly classified

between current and non-current amounts.

• Where possible, manage (collect) related party receivables.

• Manage dividends (declared) to maintain adequate financial capacity.

• Source alternative security to supplement your balance

sheet (if you don’t otherwise meet the tests).

• Ensure financing facilities expire in a period greater than 12 months

from year end so they can be classified as non-current liabilities.

• Consider the most appropriate legal structure for

your business, eg company versus trust.

• Consider borrowing against non-current assets

to improve your working capital position.

• Calculate your financial ratios prior to

submitting your application to BMW.

• Ensure all required information is submitted to

BMW in the first instance. It will be an expensive

use of your time re-submitting information.

• Ensure you have appropriate accounting systems

to carry out activities described above.

Project Bank AccountsFinally, it is also worth noting that the Department is about to

commence trials for the use of project bank accounts (PBAs). Briefly,

PBAs are trust accounts that contractors will be required to maintain,

with the aim of ensuring all subcontractors are paid for work

performed. The PBAs will restrict a contractor’s ability to make progress

claims until subcontractor payments have been made. We will provide

further information on PBAs in a future edition.

At the time of writing, RSM Bird Cameron met with and has

subsequently written to representatives of BMW raising a number of

queries about the practical implication of some of the measures for

prequalification assessment. We look forward to being able to obtain

clarity surrounding these issues and communicating our findings with

affected contractors.

RSM Bird Cameron is offering complimentary consultations to contractors to assist in reviewing their submissions for prequalification and to discuss options for improving their financial position. To take advantage of this, contact James Komninos on 9261 9376.

RSM Bird Cameron Perth Managing Partner, James Komninos.


UPDATES: Legal

She says the Commonwealth Personal

Property Securities Act introduced a new

system drastically affecting the rights of

ownership in property and because of the

WA Construction Contracts Act, the WA

building industry has been left at a major

disadvantage.

In a paper on the issue, Ms Dowley says the

Personal Property Securities Act introduces

the concept of apparent ownership arising

from possession or apparent possession of

property.

“Anyone who places property into the

apparent possession of another is taken to

have a ‘Security Interest’ in the property and

may lose the property if they do not register their interest,” the paper

says. “Actual ownership of the property is irrelevant.”

The paper then introduces two “example victims”:

Contract for the supply and install of roof sheetingRoof Company delivers roof sheeting to a construction site in the

possession of Builder Company. Roof sheeting is on the site wrapped in

protective plastic and not yet installed. Builder Company is taken to have

granted a Security Interest to Roof Company in relation the roof sheeting

that is on the site wrapped in protective plastic. Note: the goods have

not been paid for and so they are still owned by Roof Company.

Contract for the hire of scaffoldAccess Company erects scaffolding on a construction site in the

possession of Builder Company under an arrangement for weekly

hire (for an indefinite period). The scaffolding is being provided under

an arrangement that will constitute a ‘PPS Lease’. Therefore, Builder

Company is taken to have granted a Security Interest to Access

Company in exchange for possession of the goods that are owned by

Access Company.

The paper argues that under the PPSA, unless Roof Company and

Access Company register their Security Interest in their own property,

then regardless of the fact that Builder Company is NOT the owner

of the goods, if it defaults on any finance arrangement secured by

a Security Interest over its property or becomes insolvent, then the

financier or liquidator of Builder Company can take Roof Company’s

and Access Company’s property and sell it to satisfy Builder Company’s

debts leaving the actual owners of the property as unsecured creditors.

WA building industry falls victim to PPS ActLawyer Alana Dowley of Encore Legal Pty Ltd has criticised legislation which she says leads to Government sanctioned stealing.

Security of Payment – State BiasMs Dowley’s paper then turns to the issue of security of payment in

the building industry where, over about a decade, State Governments

have legislated to overcome the problem of slow or non-payment and

problems of businesses failing all the way down the contracting chain as

a result of payment disputes. The paper says:

“The Eastern States legislation is based on a different model to that

adopted in WA and the NT. In WA, the policy was to preserve freedom

in contracting but to imply into any insufficient contracts, certain terms

that would protect businesses from non-payment. Three relevant terms

were provided to cover retention of title in unfixed goods, obligations

on company liquidators to ensure that unfixed goods are preserved and

a term to provide that retention monies are held on trust.

“In the Eastern States model, the legislation provides a statutory right

to payment (apart from any contractual right) and security for that

payment is provided partly by the conferral of a ‘statutory lien’ over

unfixed goods.

“Why does this difference matter? Section 8 of the PPSA provides that

certain interests do not need to be registered including ‘statutory liens’.

Interests arising under statutory liens (and therefore those goods) would

not vest in the liquidator of the person in possession of the goods.

Further, section 73 of the PPSA provides that those statutory liens (if the

legislation conferring those liens so provides) will enjoy super-priority of

other general ‘Security Interests’.

“So, in the case of our example victims:

• If this contract is for works in NSW then the supply is protected

by a statutory lien conferred by section 11 of the Building and

Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW).

• If this contract is for works in WA then current opinion is

that the goods would be forfeit to a financier of Builder

Company with a general security interest or to a liquidator

of Builder Company in the event of insolvency.”

Dowley’s SolutionMs Dowley says that for the WA building and construction industry,

the answer is a simple amendment to the Construction Contracts Act.

“The CCA currently provides for contractual terms securing payment

obligations that are rendered entirely irrelevant by competing interests

under the PPSA,” her paper says. “If the CCA were to provide a

statutory lien (as the Eastern States model does) then the industry in

WA would be protected.”

Encore Legal has prepared a proposed amendment and is inviting those with an interest to express their support by emailing the firm ([email protected]). Ms Dowley says all emails will be submitted along with the CCA amendment to Shadow Treasurer, Ben Wyatt.

Alana Dowley of Encore Legal is proposing an amendment to the Construction Contracts Act to overcome a disadvantage WA building operators have under the Commonwealth’s Personal Property Securities Act.


UPDATES: Legal

Mr Hardman received the award for his cool handling of a situation

where, on only the second day of his apprenticeship, his trainer

suffered a seizure on site. Apprentice Awards master of ceremonies,

Karl Langdon, told the audience that Mr Hardman didn’t panic when

confronted with the crisis. “He stayed calm and phoned an ambulance

while comforting his trainer, something which would have been very

difficult [at the best of times], let alone on your second day on the job,”

Mr Langdon said.

“Thanks to John’s quick thinking and ability to stay calm, his trainer was

stabilised and has made a full recovery. Amazingly, John has since had

to prevent two more similar scenarios where his host trainer has gone

into diabetic shock and he has handled each situation in a very calm,

confident manner.”

Mark Allen was a young union organiser tragically killed in a workplace

accident. Nominations for the Mark Allen Memorial Fund Award were

open to all apprentices and trainees who displayed an exceptional

contribution to workplace health and safety either in the workplace or

the community. Mr Hardman received a prize of $500 and a framed

certificate provided by the Mark Allen Memorial Trust. Mr Langdon said

the judging panel for the award also wanted to make special mention

of Zac Caffrey-Kerr who had been an apprentice for only a few months

when he stepped up and volunteered to be site safety officer. “Zac

leads by example when it comes to safety, and takes initiative to ensure

that the workplace is compliant with standards,” Mr Langdon said. “It is

remarkable that someone of Zac’s years has such confidence, pride and

ability in a voluntary role, and does it so well and so passionately.”

Cool-headed apprentice wins recognitionABN Training painting and decorating apprentice, John Hardman, has been named the winner of the inaugural Mark Allen Memorial Fund Occupational, Safety and Health Award at the 2013 Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards at the Perth Convention and Entertainment Centre in November.

MC Karl Langdon interviews inaugural Mark Allen Memorial Fund Occupational, Safety and Health Award winner, John Hardman, at the 2013 Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The first High Risk Work licences with a five-year expiry date were

issued in October 2007, so licence holders need to check expiry dates

and take action to renew licences or risk being unable to work in their

chosen field. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch recently

issued a reminder to workers that it was their responsibility to check the

currency of their licences and to keep their contact details up to date.

“WorkSafe sends a renewal letter to every licence holder to remind

them of the need to renew, but obviously this reminder will not reach

someone who has changed their address and failed to notify WorkSafe,”

Mr McCulloch said. “Our best advice is to treat your High Risk Work

licence in the same way as your Driver’s Licence – ensure you know your

renewal date and take action while your licence is still current. WorkSafe

makes it very easy to keep your details up to date by telephoning us or

filling in an online change of address form on our website.

“In agreeing to adopt the national licensing standard back in 2007,

we acknowledged the important role high-quality training plays in

helping provide workers with the skills to perform high risk work safely

and competently. These licences apply to anyone engaged in work

considered to be ‘high risk’, including forklift operation, scaffolding,

dogging and rigging work and the operation of cranes, hoists and

pressure equipment.

“Workers who allow their licences to expire risk not only being banned

from performing tasks classified as high risk, but also having to be re-

trained, an expensive and time-consuming exercise.”

Further information on High Risk Work licences can be obtained

by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 424091 or on the website at

www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

High Risk Work licences coming up for renewalWorkSafe has issued a reminder to workers engaged in high risk work that they need to check the renewal dates on their licences and ensure they are renewed.

Workers in high risk tasks such as scaffolding need to be conscious of renewing their licences.


UPDATES: Safety

As the entity in control of the workplace, Cochrane & Sons Pty Ltd

pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the workplace was safe for a

person who was not an employee and, by that failure, causing the

death of a worker. It was fined in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court.

In March 2011, Cochrane & Sons began construction of a 28 metre

long, 18 metre wide and seven metre tall steel shed at Wye Farm in

Salmon Gums near Esperance. On May 31, the steel frame of the shed

had been erected and the wall cladding and roof sheeting (made up of

zincalume sheets and polycarbonate skylights) was being installed, with

five workers involved in the task.

During the morning, the roof sheets and skylights had been put into

place and ‘tacked’ down with a small number of screws to temporarily

hold them in position. After lunch, the workers proceeded to

permanently fix the sheets in place.

In the mid-afternoon, one of the workers needed to cross the roof to

retrieve the screws for the polycarbonate skylights from the other side

of the roof. In the process, he stepped from a zincalume sheet over

the ridge and onto a polycarbonate sheet. The sheet gave way and the

worker fell around seven metres to the ground, suffering fatal injuries.

The court heard that safety mesh had not been installed under the roof,

despite the requirement on the plans to do so. No edge protection had

been installed on the building, and there were no harnesses available

on the site for workers performing tasks at height.

Construction company fined $65,000 over fall deathA Great Southern construction company has been fined $65,000 in October over the death of a man who fell seven metres through a skylight in the roof of a shed under construction near Esperance.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner, Lex McCulloch, expressed his

disappointment that court cases involving falls from height were still

arising. “It’s really disappointing that employers and persons in control

of workplaces are still neglecting to protect workers against falls from

height when falls are so easily preventable and it need not be difficult

or costly to ensure that safe systems of work are in place,” he said. “In

this case, there was no mesh, no edge protection and no harnesses – it

really was just a tragedy waiting to happen.

“After the incident, the company bought two rolls of safety mesh that

cost $80 a roll, along with two roofer’s kits containing static lines and

harnesses for $450 each. This is not a huge outlay to prevent a fall,

and unfortunately it was made too late for the worker who lost his life

on this job. Falls are a significant cause of workplace death, and 17

Western Australian workers have died as a result of falls in the last four

years. Many others have been seriously and permanently injured as a

result of preventable falls.

“A Code of Practice on fall prevention has existed in WA for more than

20 years. The current code is comprehensive, providing information on

the identification of common fall hazards. I urge any person or entity in

control of a workplace that presents a risk of falls to ensure safe systems

of work are in place and that this code is available in the workplace at

all times.”

Further information on the prevention of falls can be obtained from

WorkSafe on 1300 307877. The Code of Practice on the Prevention of

Falls in Workplaces can be downloaded from the WorkSafe website at

www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Crowther Blayne is an Australian leader in business-to-business online and print publications for a variety of industries worldwide.

Crowther Blayne publications provide businesses with the broadest possible audience and target the most relevant decision-makers.

By providing a platform of the highest quality, products and services are presented in the best possible light to the marketplace.

If you have a specific enquiry about our services, or simply want to get in touch, please contact:

Trish Riley | National Sales & Marketing Manager | P: 1800 222 757 | [email protected]

crowtherblayne.com.au


UPDATES: Safety

Our media is periodically filled with dire reports of traffic congestion,

petrol costs, public transport costs, State Government debt blowouts,

mosquito-borne diseases, growing education costs and unaffordable

housing. A significant contributor to all these community problems is

our current planning system in WA.

Our planning system imposes multilayered restrictions that push

new home buyers to the suburban fringes. Height limits, plot ratio

restrictions, set back requirements, heritage impositions, design

guidelines, zoning laws, local councils and permitted uses conspire to

limit the capacity to develop more homes in popular established areas.

These planning laws ensure that the costs of delivering inner city homes

are a lot higher than should be the case. Meanwhile, our population

continues to boom, demanding more than 20,000 new homes each year.

The most affordable option for most new home buyers, then, is to build

in a new estate on the suburban outskirts. To achieve the Australian

dream of home ownership, families are setting themselves up in new

subdivisions that are often a long way from their employment and

places where they grew up.

While the good news is that these families are being accommodated

in new homes that are often more energy efficient, with modern

amenities and flexible living spaces, all the various factors have made

the Perth metropolitan area one of the lowest density cities in Australia

or indeed the world. You can jump in your car and it will take you more

than an hour and a half to travel along the freeway spine of Perth

through the coastal suburban strip.

Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff Cooper, looks at problems facing the rapidly expanding metropolitan area and regional centres and concludes that...

... higher densities are inevitable in WA

Perth, and our regional centres in WA, inevitably will have to change.

In new subdivisions, the developer and the community are having to

supply new social and economic infrastructure. This includes power,

water, roads, rail, schools, libraries, health services, police and public

open spaces. Further, subdivisions are having to occur on more difficult

to develop land. Challenges include high water tables, restrictions

on clearing, proximity to wetlands, endangered species protection,

conflicting nearby uses, sand limitations and transport availability.

The upshot is that that low density development is becoming more

costly. Unless we want dramatically higher cost homes, we are going to

have to allow for more higher density development.

The WA Government’s rhetoric, under both the Coalition and Labor, has

recognised this for more than a decade. Some commendable steps have

been made to improve the R-Codes, but otherwise the WA Government

has been slow-moving in its attempts to reform the planning system -

I’ve seen faster moving millipedes in the garden.

The heavyweight planning restrictions on development in established

areas remain. They are unnecessarily limiting the market’s ability to

deliver high density homes. WA families deserve more choices, so

planning reform is keenly awaited to accommodate our inevitably

higher density living in the decades ahead. Master Builders is actively

working to push for more flexible planning laws in WA.

Email your thoughts to [email protected].

More than 70 apartments will be built by Georgiou as part of the LandCorp Claremont on the Park project. Development of the site will provide medium to high density apartments and townhouses for more than 1000 people as well as a number of specialty boutiques, cafes and offices on an under-utilised parcel of land in the heart of the sought-after suburb.


UPDATES: Housing

“Liaising with members of the community about what is significant to

them in their local area and what they would like to see highlighted

through public artwork is ensuring residents connect with, and embrace

the work that will enhance their local streetscape,” LandCorp chief

operating officer Nicholas Wolff says.

A recent consultation process in Craigie provided local artist and Craigie

Senior High School alumni, Trevor Bly, with inspiration for the sculpture

he has been commissioned to create at The Vive, an estate being

developed at the site of his former school.

“Generations of locals have shared their thoughts with me, which I’ll

use in the design, with the end result being a sculpture that represents

Craigie through the eyes of the people who live here,” Mr Bly said.

“Craigie is a great place to live. Having grown up here, I have a strong

attachment to it and the feedback we received highlights why locals

love their suburb, and rightly so.”

Among the top things locals revealed as their favourites were the beach,

the parks, the great schools and the friendly community. In addition to

the sculpture planned for the central park in the development, Mr Bly is

creating an artistic representation of Craigie’s 6025 postcode which will

be positioned at the entrance to The Vive.

Putting art at the heart of new communitiesResidents are having a greater say in the creation of public art in their communities as part of a LandCorp commitment to give people a sense of place and ownership in newly developed neighbourhoods. For LandCorp, significant emphasis is placed on community consultation before public art works are designed and created in key areas of new estates.

Commissioned for Craigie – local artist Trevor Bly’s sculpture will draw on the thoughts of generations of locals in its design.

Mr Wolff said public art played a key role in LandCorp’s place-making

philosophy. “It has become an integral feature of all new residential

communities and commercial developments, creating a point of

interest and a sense of place for new home owners and businesses,”

he said. “It also enables the developer to pay homage to the history

and culture of the area. For example, at Perry Lakes we have paid

respect to the sporting history of the site through the artwork we have

commissioned there, while at Springs Rivervale local artist Lorenna

Grant has used the Swan River as inspiration for a meaningful sculpture

which creates a connection between the land and the river.”

Mr Wolff said LandCorp recognised the importance of creating a sense

of vitality and creativity around its new communities.

“LandCorp has embraced the philosophy of place-making,”

he said. “This is all about using a multi-pronged approach to

planning, designing and managing public spaces. It ensures we

make the most of the public space within our communities to

promote health and wellbeing and to foster a sense of community.

Integrating public art within these spaces is just one way we can

contribute to this philosophy.”


UPDATES: Housing

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the abolition of

the NHSC while launching a range of measures to boost

productivity and deliver more effective and efficient

government. Mr Harnisch says housing affordability is the

elephant in the room and affects, and will affect, millions of

Australians now and in the future. The Abbott Government,

he said, must seriously address supply and affordability

challenges if the next generation is to realise the dream of

home ownership. Mr Harnisch said Master Builders welcomed

the Social Services Minister, Kevin Andrews’ strategic

approach to supply and affordability outlined in a closing

address to the National Housing Conference in November.

“In his speech, Mr Andrews set out the Government’s plan

to energise housing construction and work with the public,

private and community sectors to avert the social crisis we

face if we do not act now to address these challenges,” Mr

Harnisch said. “The important thing is that the Government

is properly and purposefully informed. It must now follow

through on its commitment to receiving advice through

genuine engagement with industry and community

stakeholders.”

Mr Harnisch said the building industry must be a key partner

if the Government’s plans to tackle housing supply and

affordability are to succeed. The NHSC had performed a

valuable role in raising such vital issues and in conducting

research to identify the key factors in undersupply and the

affordability challenge.

“The abolition of the NHSC leaves a gap which the

Government must urgently fill by moving ahead with the

establishment of a building industry Ministerial advisory

council,” he said.

Master Builders Australia CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch, says the Government needs a Ministerial advisory council if it is to properly engage with industry, particularly on the matters of housing supply and affordability.

Master Builders calls for Ministerial advisory councilMaster Builders Australia says the Federal Government must ensure housing supply and affordability issues remain a high priority despite the demise of the National Housing Supply Council. National CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch, has called for a Ministerial advisory council to be formed.

The ERA’s 145-page final report on its Inquiry into Western Australian’s Home

Indemnity Insurance Arrangements has recommended that insurance risk be

restricted to construction period only as part of a package to attract new insurers

to the market. Since the introduction of indemnity insurance in 1997, private

insurers gradually have exited the WA market arguing poor profitability. The

collapse of HIH Insurance in 2000 and the withdrawal of Vero more recently

triggered mini crises in the home building industry with builders unable to

access the mandatory insurance and commence work. Currently, only two

providers operate in the WA market, QBE and Calliden, the latter of which has

a tiny market share. The ERA has recommended that a safety net through the

Building Commission be introduced for builders unable to access insurance in

the private market. Industry associations would be able to offer indemnity cover

for the warranty component which is part of the current policy. Insurers have

suggested that this ‘tail’ of contingent liability is a disincentive for them to offer

the product. Insurance premiums are also likely to be higher under another ERA

recommendation that the full cost of government underwriting of the scheme is

recovered. Under current arrangements, the State Government acts as a reinsurer

to the private insurers for any one event over $10 million. The ERA recommends

that the full cost of this reinsurance should be charged to the insurers.

Readers interested in the ERA’s report should look at www.erawa.com.au.

Stop press: The State Government has announced new transitional arrangements for indemnity insurance while it considers the ERA recommendations. A 40 percent increase in premiums will apply from 1 January 2014, and the Government will provide 100 percent reinsurance to the insurers QBE and Calliden.

Reform home indemnity insurance: ERASweeping changes to the State’s home indemnity insurance arrangements are proposed under recommendations released recently by the Economic Regulation Authority.

Tiered builders’ registration on the way

The WA building reform process continues with the likely introduction of tiered and State-wide registration of builders in

the near future. The Building Commission has initiated a series of discussions with training institutions and industry bodies to establish

the possible tiers of registration and education and experience requirements for each tier. It seems likely (and arguably is well

overdue) that WA will adopt some sort of limited registration for residential construction only. As many industry operators are only interested in residential building, it is logical to create a category

of registration for this sector, with lower benchmark requirements than for an unrestricted ticket. The introduction of State-wide legislation for registration of building practitioners is another overdue part of the reform process. The need arises from an

historical anachronism under the previous Builders’ Registration Act which required registration in only certain areas of the State.


UPDATES: Housing

Nick Vernon

Builders’ Home Indemnity, Builders’ Home Warranty, Home Indemnity

Insurance…It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s all the same product

and anyone undertaking domestic works over $20K must have it!

Let’s call it Home Indemnity Insurance (HII) for the purposes of this

article. We know it’s a consumer product that offers protection to the

home owner to repair defects or complete unfinished works if the

builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent. The builder is responsible

for taking out this insurance each time a contract for domestic building

works is entered into.

So what’s in a name? Well, it’s everything when it comes to HII. Firstly,

it’s the entity name that you, the builder, use to sign your domestic

building contracts, and then, the entity name you use on an HII

application form. If these names don’t match (and we mean EXACTLY)

you are headed for delays, additional documentation requirements and

frustration before your HII certificate will be released.

In the paragraphs following, we’ve provided some guidelines and

information to help you understand the importance of ‘what’s in a

name’ and to help you avoid unnecessary delays.

Firstly, the entity name in which you sign your domestic building

contracts must hold a current HII eligibility facility. The entity may be a

sole trader, a partnership of two or more individuals, an incorporated

company or one of these three as trustee for a trust. This is dictated

by the ABN number attached to the business. Whatever your trading

structure, you must have HII.

Then, whenever you are looking to change your trading structure (for

example, from a sole trader to a company, a company to a trust, and

so on), you will also need to notify your HII broker in advance. This is

to ensure that the HII is not voided when you sign domestic building

contracts with your new entity name.

Once the broker receives the information, it will be passed onto your

insurer, who’ll assess the viability of the new trading entity. Depending

on the annual turnover limit requested, the insurer might take between

8-40 business days to respond (however, the majority of applications

get assessed in between 8-15 business days). Following the completion

of the assessment, eligibility will be held under your new trading entity

name and ABN. (Note: depending on the information supplied there

might be a request for further information at which time your broker

will contact you to discuss this.)

MBA Insurance Services’ WA state manager Nick Vernon and his team are experts in building industry insurance. When it comes to the cover required under the Home Building Contracts Act, he has some tips in response to the question....

What’s in a name?

If there is a change in the entity name, but no change to the ABN,

you are still required to advise your broker and provide them with the

ASIC Name Change Certificate. This ensures the entity name in which

you sign contracts will be identical to the entity name displayed on

your Letter of Eligibility. Depending on the timing of your previous

assessment you might be required to provide updated financial and

business information to support this change.

At all times, the builder’s name and/or its ABN on both the certificate

of insurance and the domestic building contract must match EXACTLY.

Further, the entity being used MUST have an active eligibility facility.

Here are some examples of what’s acceptable and what’s not.

Certificate of Insurance

MA

TCH

Both nam

e of builder and A

CN

or A

BN

match.

Domestic Building Contract

Carried out by the builder:

ACME CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD

Builder:


ACN: 12 345 678 ACN: 12 345 678


NO

MA

TCH

A

BN

or AC

N does not m

atch.




Builder:


ABN: 12 345 678 ACN: 87 654 321


NO

MA

TCH

N

ame of b

uilder does not m

atch.



JOHN CITIZEN

Builder:

CITIZEN CONSTRUCTIONS

PTY LTD

ABN: 12 345 678 910 ABN: 12 345 678 910

For further information, contact our office on 9476 9898, or email us at

[email protected].


UPDATES: Insurance

The Apprentice of the Year Awards were presented at a gala event in

November at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with a record

crowd of more than 340 guests. The Awards recognise outstanding

apprentices employed directly by builders and by three group training

schemes – Skill Hire, ABN Training and The Apprentice and Traineeship

Company. They include metropolitan and regional apprentices and

there are specialist awards to bricklaying and wall and floor tiling

apprentices. Master Builders’ communications director, Geoff Cooper,

says the awards are a great opportunity to recognise the diversity and

skills of the next generation of the building industry.

Mr Lewis won a cash prize and automatic entry into the Master

Builders Australia national awards, competing against the top

apprentices from all other States. He was described by the WA judges

as a hard working young man producing strong tradesman-quality

work every day and Mr Cooper added that Mr Lewis has leadership

qualities that impress other workers.

Donna Leigh Paull, a painting and decoratorating apprentice from MPA

Skills, won the Best Female Apprentice Award, and Jonathan Falconer, a

carpentery and joinery apprentice from KJ’s Construction in Broome, won

the Most Outstanding Regional Apprentice Award. Along with Mr Lewis,

they were joined as finalists for the Apprentice of the Year Award by:

• Lawrence Adamos (Skill Hire).

• Brodie Douglas (Element Construction).

• Matthew Ilsley (Apprentice and Traineeship Company).

• Mick Ivey (West Wide Tiling Service).

• Dylan Laudehr (ABN Training).

Brickie takes home top apprentice awardBricklaying apprentice, Samuel Lewis, has been announced as the winner of the 2013 Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Award. Mr Lewis is employed by ABN South West and is expected to finish his three-year apprenticeship in January.

Nominations for the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Award

were assessed on overall standard of achievement in studies and on-

the-job training. Judging criteria include personal skills, trade skills,

relationships with fellow workers and contractors, ability to work

unsupervised, ability to make decisions, level of competency, academic

results and awards, non-academic awards, prizes or achievements and

community work.

Judges in 2013 were Spadaccini Homes managing director, Robert

Spadaccini, who also chairs Master Builders’ Training Committee, the

Association’s training director, Neil Du Rand, and Construction Training

Fund executive director, Ralph Dawson.

The highly successful awards night was supported by major sponsors

Cbus and Department of Finance Building Management and Works.

Other sponsors were ABBTF, Abenra Construction, Aurenda, Apprentice

and Traineeship Company, Austral Bricks, Construction Training Fund,

Department of Training and Workforce Development, Genesis Homes,

Masters Home Improvement, Just Tile and Stone, MEGT, Pindan, Skill

Hire and Steel Blue.

For information on the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards

or to get involved in 2014, contact the Association’s marketing

manager, Kelly Dewar Matusik, on 9476 9800.

Master Builders 2013 Apprentice of the Year, Samuel Lewis, with chairman of the Association’s Training Committee, Robert Spadaccini.


UPDATES: Training

Training and Workforce Development Minister, Terry Redman, addresses the Apprentice of the Year audience.

Talented Apprentice of the Year lineup (l-r): award judge Robert Spadaccini, major winner Samuel Lewis, Dylan Laudehr, Brodie Douglas, Jonathan Falconer, James Moore of major sponsor Cbus, Lawrence Adamos, Donna Leigh Paull and Matthew Ilsley. (Absent: Mick Ivey.)

Comedian Gary Steele added humour to the celebrations.

Oriental was the theme for the awards night event and guests were entertained by a spectacular lion dance by members of the Chung Way Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe.

Donna Leigh Paull (second left) was named 2013 Best Female Apprentice. She is pictured with Training and Workforce Development Minister, Terry Redman, and award finalists Danealle Geddes and Brooke Pannell (right).

Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards 2013 Results

Master Builders Association

Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Samuel Lewis

Outstanding Regional Apprentice Johathan Falconer

Best Female Apprentice Donna Leigh Paull

Outstanding Direct Indentured Apprentice Brodie Douglas

Outstanding Wall & Floor Tiling Apprentice Mick Ivey

Outstanding Brick & Blocklaying Apprentice Samuel Lewis

ABN Training

1st Year Chris Murray

2nd Year Jason Gerritsen

3rd Year Dylan Laudehr

Most Improved Reece Walters

Host Trainer of the Year Colin Healey

Skill Hire

1st Year Jack Jones

2nd Year Jackson Fleay

3rd Year Ky Van Nguyen

4th Year Lawrence Adamos

Safety Award Ross Gibson

The Apprentice and Traineeship Company

1st Year Mathew Murphy

2nd Year Jordan Sibbald

3rd Year Benjamin Hingston

4th Year Matthew Iisley

Host Employer of the Year Geoff Allison Carpentry

Mark Allen Memorial Fund

Safety Award John Hardman


UPDATES: Training

Johnny Falconer and proud employer, Victor Butera, from KJ’s Construction.

Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards 2013 Sponsors

Mr Falconer left school at the end of year 11 to commence a carpentry

and joinery apprenticeship with KJ’s Construction in Broome and

according to Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, was a stand-

out nominee for the regional award, ticking all the selection criteria.

“He obviously has been trained and mentored well as he is very

resourceful and confident on building sites,” Mr McLean said. “Some

of Johnny’s greatest strengths are his energy, accuracy and ability to

motivate younger apprentices.”

Master Builders’ North West regional manager, Di Gilleland, was thrilled

that for the third time in eight years, an apprentice from the Kimberley

had won Master Builders’ top regional apprentice award.

“Johnny’s win reinforces the quality of training being carried out by

KJ’s Construction and is a fantastic reward for the effort that he has

put into his apprenticeship,” Ms Gilleland said. “In the North West,

Broome carpenter is top regional apprenticeCarpentry and joinery apprentice, Johnny Falconer, was named 2013 Master Builders Regional Apprentice of the Year at the Association’s Apprentice Awards at the Perth Convention and Entertainment Centre in November.

most tradesmen are multi-skilled and Johnny has demonstrated his

capabilities beyond the carpentry and joinery trade.”

The Regional Apprentice of the Year is determined from each of the

best apprentices announced at Master Builders Building Excellence

Awards in the North West, Midwest, South West, Great Southern and

Goldfields-Esperance regions each year.


UPDATES: Training

Michael McLean

The building industry urgently needs an injection of youth. Employers looking for apprentices could benefit from the new Certificate II in Building and Construction Pathways qualification which gives secondary students the opportunity to begin a career in the building industry as part of their WA Certificate of Education and aims to bring on Year 11 and 12 students to a productive workplace level.

Master Builders’ Board is continually looking at ways to

boost the number of apprentices being trained in our

industry. No one strategy will be enough to ensure we

have enough apprentices to meet the future needs of our

industry. It is both a supply of apprentices and demand for

apprentices issue.

We are concerned that a 30 percent reduction in

apprentice commencements over the last two years will

contribute to serious skill shortages in the foreseeable

future. The Construction Training Fund, which collects

more than $30 million from our industry annually, has an

important role to play in developing and implementing

effective strategies to boost apprenticeship training in WA.

We believe they are on the right track with their careers

promotions initiatives which include a new vocational

education training program in schools. This already is

receiving positive feedback from school principals, parents

and students alike.

Master Builder members are encouraged to show

leadership in finding ways to train more apprentices. It’s

easy to do nothing but the cost of not doing anything will

be horrendous in the future. We are very fortunate in WA

that we have the Construction Training Fund to subsidise

the employment of building apprentices and trainees. For

some of our trades in particularly short supply, such as

bricklayers, plasterers and tilers, these subsidies can be as

high as $19,000.

Master Builders has set our members a target of employing

an additional 100 building apprentices between now

and the end of February. We also intend to promote

each of our members who currently employ and/or train

apprentices or trainees via our website and Master Builder

magazine. The future of the building industry lies in the

hands of builders. Unless we are all prepared to stand up

and be counted, we deserve to cop what lies ahead and it

won’t be good for anyone.

Please give this matter your serious consideration. Within

your own business, please discuss how you might be

able to take on an apprentice or trainee on one of your

construction projects. If you already train an apprentice

or trainee, please let Skye McCartney ([email protected])

know at Master Builders so we can record your details.

Apprentice commencements are falling, the workforce is aging and some sectors of the building industry are on the up and up. It’s a recipe for serious skill shortages in the near and long-term future. Master Builders’ director, Michael McLean, has a plea to industry.

We need more apprentices


UPDATES: Training

ABN Training Group

A E Hoskins and Sons

Active Plumbing

Advance Formwork

APG Homes

Associated Painting Enterprises

A.T Brine and Sons Pty Ltd

ATC Worksmart

Australian Brick and Blocklaying Foundation (ABBTF)

Australand Property Group Pty Ltd

Aquatic Leisure Technologies

Badge Construction

Baggetta Builders

Batavia Constructions

BGC Residential

Bill Pitt and Sons

Boeing Plumbing

Brolga Developments and Construction

Brown Brothers Furniture

Built Environs

Cachet Homes

Capella Constructions

Carter Roofing and Slating Pty Ltd

Ceiling Solutions

Celebration Homes

Civilcon (WA) Pty Ltd

Coastal Ceilings

Colgan Industries

Concretus

Cooling Bros Glazing Pty Ltd

Cooper and Oxley Builders Pty Ltd

Cottesloe Constructions

CPD Group

Crown Construction Service Pty Ltd

Cuccovia Contractors

Dale Alcock Homes

Dale Alcock Home Improvements

Dale Alcock Homes South West

Designer Building Pty Ltd

Devlyn Constructions Pty Ltd

Diploma Plumbing Services

EMCO

Envar Engineers and Contractors Pty Ltd

Fox United Building

Fremantle Engineering

Gemmill Homes Pty Ltd

Genesis Home Master Builders

Geraldton Natural Limestone

Global Decorating

Grandwood Homes

Green Choice Painting and Decorating

Gregory Gibson Plumbing Pty Ltd

Higgins Coatings Pty Ltd

Highbury Homes (WA) Pty Ltd

Hi Point Roofing

Home Buyers Centre

HS Hyde and Son

Interior Building Solutions

John Holland

Just Tile and Stone

Kimberley Group Training

Longreach Building Services

Majestic Stairs Pty Ltd

Martell Builders Pty Ltd

McGrath Homes Pty Ltd

Mosman Bay Constructions Pty Ltd

MPA Skills

Northcraft Construction

NYFL Housing and Construction

Pendlebury Constructions

Perkins Builders

Perth Tiling and Stone Company

Pindan

Quicklock

Redink Homes Midwest Pty Ltd

Robinson Buildtech

Simply Unique Constructions

Skill Hire

Spadaccini Constructions

Star Plumbing Pty Ltd

Stepnell Carpentry

Summit Home Improvements

Summit Homes

Sun City Plumbing

Tara Constructions and Homes

The Apprentice and Traineeship Company

The Maker

Tooltime Constructions

Top Gun Roofing and Restoration

Total Project Solutions

Trac Building Services

Trasan Contracting Pty Ltd

Troy Leeman Building

T & T Plumbing Air-Cond and Gas

The West Australian Group Training Scheme Inc

Universal Constructions Pty Ltd

WA Ceiling Industries

WA Country Builders (Geraldton)

Warner Bricklaying Services Pty Ltd

Water Corporation (Geraldton)

Webb and Brown-Neaves

Master Builders recognises the role that the following 101 members are playing in employing and/or training apprentices in WA:

If you aren’t on this list and believe you should be, advise Skye McCartney. Phone 9476 9808 or email [email protected].


UPDATES: Training

Genesis Homes sets an example

Genesis Homes has awarded a scholarship to help train the future

construction workforce, and to promote careers in construction.

The new builder has offered a Homes Building Scholarship to Calvin

DeBruin enabling him to complete his Certificate IV in Residential

Drafting in 2014 with all expenses paid, and also providing him with the

opportunity for some paid work in between his studies.

“We are encouraged by his enthusiasm and wish him the best in his

chosen career,” says Genesis Homes principal, Jack Pleiter. “We hope

colleges and other businesses get behind initiatives like this to provide

our students with alternatives in their career aspirations. The building

industry not only provides great apprenticeship and traineeship schemes

on-site but also para-professional pathways from the office.”

The initiative is commended by Master Builders and complements the

Association’s plans to push to increase apprenticeships and traineeships

in WA.

“We are proud of the members who are recruiting apprentices and

trainees and are joining our Association’s campaign to boost apprentice

and trainee numbers,” says communications director, Geoff Cooper.

“We have reached a total of 272 apprentices, beating our target of 100

before Christmas already.”

Master Builders’ website (mbawa.com) now features an honour roll

of builders who already are taking on apprentices this financial year.

Genesis Homes is one of the members on the honour roll. “It is a credit

to the industry, and we look forward to more builders featuring on the

honour roll,” Mr Cooper said.

Jack Pleiter presents a Homes Building Scholarship to Calvin DeBruin.

The Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation, which strives to support a strong bricklaying workforce, also has concerns about the apprenticeship system. In the lead up to the September election, the organisation’s CEO, Geoff Noble, issued this media release making some telling observations.

Apprenticeship policies do not create jobs

ABBTF’s efforts to increase training numbers for bricklaying

apprentices are being thwarted by Government policies which

appear to assist young people in their apprenticeship, but not

employers who provide the employment and training.

We welcome support for apprentices, however, with apprentice

numbers falling in the construction sector, more needs to be done to

create jobs and support employers in the residential housing sector.

Bricklaying apprentice numbers have fallen 30 percent in the past

two years and the following policies have only centred on assistance

to apprentices:

• Liberal Party promise of interest free loans to apprentices.

• Labor Party promise of additional Trade Training Centres.

• Pay increased for apprentices – up to 31 percent.

• Apprenticeship Mentoring Program investment of $80 million.

• Increased Tools for Your Trade Payment to $5500 per apprentice.

Government support of employers has been $4000 in subsidies

which has remained unchanged for the past decade. Two temporary

periods of Kickstart bonuses over the past five years have not been

extended and do not provide the ongoing certainty that small

business desperately needs.

Many employers have also had to pay higher training fees for

their apprentices due to State Government cuts to TAFE funding.

The lack of support for employment and training comes at a time

when residential housing is depressed and the small businesses

of contractors cannot cover their costs due to lower rates and

uncertainty of work.

There is now a real risk of a skill shortage in future years when

housing commencements are expected to recover. There is also

the concern that with the ageing workforce, many contractors

are close to retirement or likely to leave the trade to take up less

physical occupations.

The [new] Government... will need to examine their policies in relation

to vocational training and jobs to ensure a serious skill shortage in

bricklaying and other construction trades does not occur.


UPDATES: Training

Information made possible through MOBILE DEVICESIn the competitive environment that is the Australian construction industry, up to date and accurate information about your business and projects is a must. This is now being made even easier through clever mobile technologies.

Immediate, accurate information is often the source of success in today’s

competitive construction industry . A punter with intelligence on a horse’s

racing history, preferred weather conditions and warm up on race day, will

undoubtedly make a more informed bet than a punter who bases their

flutter on horse name or jockey’s racing colours. A driver armed with a

GPS device will undoubtedly arrive at an unknown destination faster than

someone relying on street signs and instinct. Similarly, the construction

company with timely information on project progress and costs will make

better informed decisions than the construction company running on best

guesses or yesterday’s information.

Within the construction industry, the use of real-time information

revolves around capturing information from the field and getting it

back to Head Office at the time events occur – and vice versa. Having

accurate and timely information available in an easily understood

format, sees head office decisions made faster, significantly reducing

paperwork getting lost or detail being hidden on complex jobs. By

increasing speed of intelligence to and from field operatives, job

effectiveness is improved and job efficiency is markedly improved.

Having a suitable software package in use at your construction company

is the best way to ensure your company runs in a sustainable and

streamlined way. For a smaller construction company, basic payroll,

project or standalone estimating packages can work effectively. Once

your construction company reaches a certain size however, an end-

to-end, industry specific ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software

solution becomes necessary if you are to reduce your risk and costs,

increase revenue and stay competitive and sustainable for the long-term.

ERP software brings together the financial and the project management

sides of your company. In terms of the data captured into your ERP

package and the information reported to your company’s decision

makers, yes, information is presented to your internal project teams

in real time. The information that lags behind, however, without a

mobile device connecting to your ERP, stems from the time it takes to

get project and job information from the field, back into the software

system at the office.

For example, say one of your contractors is sent to complete a simple

job on a construction site. However, they arrive to find that the job is

far more complicated than first thought. Until this contractor sends the

updated information regarding any variation in hours materials and

requirements for other tradespeople to complete the job, Head Office

(and associated project reports) will continue to show that a routine job

is in progress on a project via the internal job boards with no variations

to the electronic, financial data at that point in time. When a business

takes days or indeed a week for Head Office to learn of the issues

on site and adjust their reports accordingly such timeframes have a

significant impact on projects, maintenance schedules and overall costs

to the business if they cannot be claimed as a variation and otherwise

effectively managed.

What real-time technology exists for construction?The key to value-adding real time technology for construction lies in

mobility. The idea here is that the operative in the field can use their

smart phone or tablet to send immediate, real-time information about

what is going on in the field to Head Office. Further, having this real

time information able to be sent direct from the mobile device to the

associated job within your construction company’s ERP system will

see real time savings and truly real-time information available for the

company’s decision makers.

Examples of functionality that real-time mobile data capture devices

might be able to send back to Head Office includes:

• Time-sheets

• Stock entry

• Purchase order

• A task list

• Photo and video capabilities

• Job notes

• And much more.

Who is currently using this technology?Mobile data capture solutions that link to your ERP software are proving

particularly beneficial for electrical and service contractors. While the

technology is relatively new on popular Android and Apple™ devices, it is

apparent that information captured on site via mobile devices will become

the norm within the next few years for all types of construction businesses.

For more information on real-time

information via mobile technologies,

please contact LEVESYS or visit

www.levesys.com.au.


IT COMMUNICATIONS

Having scaffolding erected by a licensed scaffolder is one of many steps

required to ensure that scaffolds are erected and maintained in a condition

that is safe for all workers on site, as well as the public. Builders must

remember that there are four key requirements for a safe scaffold:

• The scaffold must be appropriate for the task

• All scaffolding components must be compatible

• There is safe and clear ladder access and

egress to all working platforms

• The scaffold must be complete

This article is designed to assist builders manage the safety of

scaffolding and scaffold users on site, from the time an order for

scaffolding is placed, to the day it is dismantled and taken away.

Procurement of scaffoldingOnce it has been established that scaffolding is required, the type

and configuration of the scaffold needs to be considered, including

determining what the scaffold will be used for, so that a ‘fit for purpose’

scaffold is designed and erected. Different trades will require differing

duty/load ratings. Bricklayers, concreters and demolition workers need

heavy duty scaffolds, which can support up to 675 kg per bay.

Carpenters and general trades may need medium duty scaffolds that

can support up to 450 kg per bay. This information must be specified

to the scaffold supply company so that the load rating, including point

loads, can be determined with consideration to the number of allowable

working platforms per bay. The minimum/ maximum width of platforms

is also critical for material stacking and access. Specific designated

bays or special duty platforms may also need to be factored in to the

design, that might be wider that the standard bay. Such bays might be

required for specific tasks, such as for storage of materials or as a loading

platform for the loading of materials by crane. Note that no materials are

permitted on platforms 450mm wide or less.

The required height and existing ground and/or supporting surface

conditions are also considered in the design process. The main

contractor and the scaffold company should assess the location of

underground drains or pits, or recently filled trenches. Work should be

planned to avoid excavation work under, through or adjacent to areas

scaffolding is likely to be needed. If hoarding, shade cloth or brick

guards are required, the scaffold must be engineered for the different

Safer SCAFFOLDSBoth main contractors and scaffolding companies engaged to erect scaffold have a duty of care to ensure the scaffold is erected in a safe manner. The responsibility to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose rests with the main contractor and the person who caused the scaffold to be erected.

types of loads that will apply to the scaffold structure. The supplier

should also be informed of any access points for brick and tile elevators

or materials hoists so that appropriate fall prevention measures can be

included adjacent to them.

What the scaffold supply company should be providingWhen engaging a scaffolder or scaffold supply company to supply

and erect scaffolding on your site, it is imperative that you ensure the

workers are suitably qualified to do the task. Anyone constructing,

altering or dismantling any scaffold from which a person or materials

could fall more than 4 metres (including mobile scaffolds), must

have an appropriate class of, and current, high risk work licence for

scaffolding work.

A register of workers’ license numbers (with expiry dates) and

Construction Induction card (Blue or White card) numbers should be kept

as part of the site induction process. An area should be set aside on site

for the set down of scaffold components. The scaffold supply company

should supply a set of design drawings for the erectors on site to build

in accordance with. Scaffolds fitted with containment sheeting have

increased dead loads and are exposed to increased wind and rain loads.

The design of such scaffolds and ties must be approved by a competent

person, such as an engineer experienced in structural design.

Where construction work is performed that involves a risk of a

person falling more than 2 metres, a safe work method statement is

required. This is something that the scaffolder must supply to the main

contractor, describing how the scaffold will be erected in a safe manner.

It should also cover off on any alterations required on the scaffold, and

the dismantling processes.

“Scaffold Incomplete” signs should be displayed around the perimeter

of the scaffold while it is under construction. The WA Code of Practice

AS/NZS 4576:1995, Guidelines for scaffolding, recommends that

the scaffolder should supply a scaffold handover certificate after the

initial erection and each time alterations are made to the scaffold. If

one is not supplied, ask for one. The handover certificate will contain

such important information as the duty rating of the scaffold, type of

scaffold, size, the number of lifts, number of working platforms and

a sign-off that the scaffold has been erected in accordance with the

design specifications. The handover certificate should be kept on site

until the scaffold has been dismantled. If a person or materials could

fall more than 4 metres from the scaffold, the scaffolder must place

scaffold tags at each access point. The scaffold tag is important for a

variety of reasons; it informs the users of the scaffold’s erection date,

the last inspection date and most importantly, the duty or load rating

of the scaffold.

Protection from vehicular trafficIf the scaffold is to be built in an area that is used by vehicles and other

mobile plant, the following precautions are recommended to prevent or

minimise exposure from the hazards of mobile plant and traffic:

• Re-route the traffic away from the location of the scaffold,

• Provide physical barriers, guards and signs to

prevent contact with the scaffold,

• Assign a person to direct the traffic.

• Ensure scaffolding does not have any unnecessary protrusions, such

as over-length transoms, putlogs, tie tubes or over-height standards.


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equipment for both hire and sales with guaranteed quality,

reliability and expert advice. Oldfields Advance Scaffold is a

preferred Australian supplier because:

• We make scaffolding easy

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• We are located in all major cities

• We are compliant with Australian Standards

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registered with WorkCover and backed by

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Oldfields Advance Scaffold Oldfields Advance Scaffold has a range of Australian

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ADVERTORIAL

Isolation of the public and unauthorised usersThe public and other workers must be isolated from the work area

and protected from any potential hazard. The following precautions

are recommended:

• Install physical barricades or divert unauthorised

personnel away from the work area

• Obtain advice and the appropriate permits from

the local council and/or power companies.

• If necessary perform the work outside normal work hours.

• Prevent access when the scaffold is left unattended.

Scaffolding used for demolition workScaffolding used for demolition work should be no less than heavy

duty class. Care should be taken to prevent damage to scaffold planks

and components from falling debris. Damaged planks and components

should be removed and replaced by the scaffold supplier or licensed

scaffolder. The scaffold should be dismantled progressively as the

structure is demolished, otherwise what will remain above the structure

will be an unstable scaffold with increased risks of internal falls.

Ongoing maintenanceScaffolds will fail structurally for generally one of three main reasons:

• The supporting surface gives way (backfilling,

flooding, excavations, lack of support), or

• The scaffold is overloaded (too much material

or too many working platforms), or

• Insufficient ties or bracing (which results in distortion of

the standards and general instability of the structure),

• or varying combinations of all three.

Other factors may include mixing different brands or components in

modular scaffolds that are not compatible with each other, or wind

loads on shade cloth that was not factored into the original design.

For these reasons, main contractors and all others involved with its use

need to ensure the scaffold remains safe for the duration of the time

it remains on site. All workers on site need to be made aware of the

requirement and importance of keeping the integrity of the scaffold

intact. Also important is that once erected, the scaffold must only be

used for the purpose for which it was designed.

Training and induction of usersAll persons using the scaffold should have sufficient knowledge and

training to use the scaffold correctly. Users must understand the load

limitations and restrictions relating to the particular scaffold (as per

the scaffold tags). They must be inducted about work practices for

the safe use of the scaffold, including maintaining clear access along

the full length of platforms, not climbing on guardrails to gain extra

height, not altering the scaffold in any way, such as removing planks,

ties, guardrails or signage and the emergency procedures relating to

the scaffold.

Alterations to the scaffoldWhere an alteration to a scaffold is required, the scaffold supply

company or the scaffold designer should be consulted prior to

any alterations made. Ideally the persons that erected the scaffold

should be the ones that alter the scaffold, due to their knowledge

of the original structure. All scaffold users must understand that any

unauthorised modification or alteration to any part of the scaffold

may result in catastrophic collapse. There are times when certain

alterations can be critical to the stability of the scaffold structure (e.g.

the removal of ties or braces, or the addition of bays, lifts or shade

cloth). Procedures therefore need to be put in place to ensure users

understand who, when and how modifications may be permitted.

This information should be passed on to workers as part of their

site induction, but it would also be beneficial to occasionally remind

workers of these procedures as part of a toolbox meeting. Any

alteration without management approval should be strictly forbidden

and also regularly discouraged through toolbox meetings.

All alterations must be coordinated through site management to ensure

that control and management of the scaffold is not haphazard. The

“innocent” removal of the odd tie or handrail for access purposes

may seem innocuous enough. However, a series of small alterations

of individual components can lead to a very dangerous piece of plant.

“Do Not Alter Scaffold” signs should be placed around the scaffold to

reinforce the issues discussed during inductions and toolbox meetings.

Alterations to a scaffold of any height, but particularly scaffolding

from which a person or materials could fall more than 4 metres,

should only be made by a suitably licensed person. Upon completion

of a major alteration such as the addition of an extra bay or lift,

another hand over certificate should be issued to the builder. The

scaffold will need to be inspected by a suitably licensed person and

the scaffold tag updated.

Inspection of scaffoldsVerification that the scaffold has been inspected and complies with the

appropriate sections of AS/NZS 4576 parts 1 to 6 should be obtained for

each of the following events:

• Before first use of the scaffold

• Prior to use following repairs or modifications

• Prior to further use following an incident or dangerous occurrence

or other occurrence that could have affected the integrity,

stability or adequacy of the scaffold, such as severe storm

conditions or being struck by mobile plant or similar, and,

• At regular intervals not exceeding 30 days.

Discuss appropriate intervals for inspection with the supplier when the

scaffold is first installed. The scaffold supply company should be invited

back to conduct inspections of the scaffold on a monthly basis, to make

any repairs or alterations as required and to provide the builder with a

copy of the inspection report. It is prudent to inspect the scaffold more

frequently, especially after adverse weather or climatic conditions.

Any unauthorised alterations or other site hazards are best picked up by

conducting an inspection prior to commencing on-site activities, rather

than only relying on a formal monthly inspection. Weekly inspections

are recommended to ensure the scaffold continues to remain safe and

fit for purpose and it should be combined with the builder’s normal

housekeeping inspection program.

Reproduced with permission. This article is an extract from The Guide to Safer Scaffolds, a publication produced by the Victorian Scaffolding Safety Committee. It has been amended by Master Builders WA to reflect local requirements.


SCAFFOLDING

Why is shade important?Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with Western

Australia second only to Queensland (AIHW, 2008).

At least two in every three Australians will be diagnosed with skin

cancer before the age of 70 (Staples et al 2006). Over 1,800 Australians

die each year from skin cancer (ABS, 2012) and the Australian health

system spends more money on the diagnosis and treatment of skin

cancer than on any other cancer, estimated at over $500 million each

year on non-melanoma skin cancer alone (Fransen et al 2012).

Skin cancer is a serious public health issue but one which could

largely be prevented. Skin cancer is usually caused by overexposure to

ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Shade provides good protection

from the sun and it can be easy for people to use. Most forms of shade

can reduce UV exposure by up to 75 percent (Parsons et al. 1998).

When used in conjunction with other protective measures, such as

sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, shade can

be the best route to maximum UV radiation protection.

The provision of shade has also been identified as an important

component in the design and creation of safe and healthy communities

(National Heart Foundation of Australia 2004).

A resource is available to assist individuals, organisations and local

governments who wish to increase the provision of quality shade in a

range of Western Australian community settings, such as playgrounds,

pools, sporting venues, beaches, parks, schools and childcare centres.

The Shade Handbook: A practical guide for shade development

in Western Australia is an updated version of Shade for the public

- Guidelines for local government in Western Australia, written

by Ann Blunden and Jude Comfort and first published in 1999 by

Cancer Council Western Australia (formerly the Cancer Foundation of

Western Australia).

The resource guide will assist you to appreciate the importance of

providing quality shade, to develop an understanding of the issues

associated with sun and shade, to identify your shade needs, including

how to conduct a shade audit, and to plan, implement and evaluate a

shade project.

This extract from The Shade Handbook addresses built shade.

An overview of built shadeBuilt shade can be stand-alone or it can be built onto existing

buildings or structures. All built shade consists of two parts. Firstly, the

The benefits of SHADE STRUCTURES

supporting structure which keeps the shade structure in place and holds

it up. Secondly, the primary shading element, which is the material that

makes up the canopy or roof of the shade device.

Built shade structures have the following advantages over natural shade:

• The shade they cast is more predictable.

• They can provide protection from the rain.

• Some types can be erected quickly.

• They have a range of alternative uses, for example, to collect

rainwater for irrigation or to support a solar power device.

For all built structures, no matter what the size, it is vital to seek

professional advice. Certification from a qualified structural engineer

may be required to ensure structural integrity and safety. Additionally,

to build any permanent shade structure, you will need to gain

approval from your local government to ensure compliance with local

planning requirements.

Different types of built shadeBuilt shade structures are often described using one or more of the

following terms:

• Permanent systems.

• Demountable systems.

• Adjustable systems.

• Tension membrane structures.

• Portable shade.

Permanent systemsPermanent shade systems are those that are designed to last for at

least ten years. It is very important that permanent systems are durable

as they need to withstand the harshest of weather conditions, such

as exposure to the sun, rain and wind. Regular maintenance of these

systems is essential to ensure their long life span. The various parts of a

permanent shade system should be cheap and easy to replace.

Demountable systemsA shade structure is considered demountable if it can easily be

put up and pulled down. Examples include tents, marquees and

lightweight tension membrane structures. A demountable shade

system is ideal when:

• A site only needs shade occasionally.

• Temporary shade is required at different places at the same time.

• A permanent structure would not be suitable, given

the type of activities that take place at the site.

Demountable systems need to be strong enough to withstand frequent

transportation, assembly and dismantling. It is important to have a

strong and easy-to-carry bag to transport it in, as well as a suitable place

to store it. Some demountable systems can be placed on a variety of

ground surfaces, such as grass, sand or concrete. The temporary nature

of demountable systems means they are less likely to be vandalised.

Adjustable systemsAdjustable systems offer a high degree of flexibility as they allow the

way the shade falls to be modified in response to the movement of

the sun during the day and at different times of the year. Adjustable

systems are often attached to buildings or existing structures. Examples

include retractable devices, such as a canvas awning, or a louvered

device on a roof or wall.


THE BENEFITS OF SHADE STRUCTURES

It is essential that adjustable systems are easy and convenient to

operate. If operating the device becomes time-consuming or difficult

people will be discouraged from using it. To ensure that the adjustable

system remains in good condition it is important to buy stainless steel

parts so that pulleys and cables will not rust or wear out quickly.

Tension membrane structuresTension membrane structures, or shade sails as they are commonly

called, are increasingly being used in shade projects. These often

impressive structures are used to provide shade as well as enhance

the aesthetics of an outdoor area. Tension membrane structures can

be permanent or demountable. They usually require minimal support

structures due to the combined effect of tension and the curved fabric

used in the design. They can be a cost-effective option where shade

is required for large areas that need to be column-free, such as over

playgrounds and swimming pools. However it must be remembered

that UV radiation can still enter the site through the open spaces that

often exist between the sails. The design and construction of tension

membrane structures is a very specialised field and professionals will

need to be engaged if you choose to use this type of shade structure.

Portable shadePortable shade is ideal for places where other shade options are not

available, such as on the beach. These structures provide a quick and

often cheap solution to a shade problem. There is a wide range of

portable shade structures available in many different sizes, shapes

and designs, such as small tents, beach shelters and umbrellas. While

For further information and statistics on skin cancer and sun protection:

SunSmart, Cancer Council Western Australia

15 Bedbrook Place, Shenton Park WA 6008

Phone: (08) 9388 4333, Fax: (08) 9388 4399

www.cancerwa.asn.au

Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20

Reproduced with permission. This article is an extract from: Cancer Council Western Australia. 2012, The shade handbook: A practical guide for shade development in Western Australia, Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth. ISBN: 1 876628 61 8 November 2012

portable shade can be ideal for individuals or small groups, it generally

offers limited protection from indirect UV radiation.

Selecting the right shade materialFor guidelines to help you select appropriate materials for your shade

project, please refer to the publications section of the Cancer Council

WA website for comprehensive information.

ReferencesAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) & Australian Association of CancerRegistries (ACCR). 2004, Cancer in Australia: an overview 2008, AIHW Cat. no. CAN46, Canberra.Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of death 2010. 3303.0. Commonwealth ofAustralia: Canberra, Australia 2012.Fransen, M., Kahalios, E., English, D., Giles, G., Sinclair, R. 2012, ‘Non-melanoma skincancer in Australia’, Medical Journal of Australia, vol 197, no.10, pp 565- 568.National Heart Foundation of Australia (Victorian Division). 2004, Healthy by design: Aplanner’s guide to environments for active living, National Heart Foundation of Australia(Victorian Division), Melbourne.Parsons, P., Neale, R., Wolski, P. & Green, A. 1998, ‘The shady side of solar protection’, Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 168, pp. 327-330.


THE BENEFITS OF SHADE STRUCTURES

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INSPIRING INNOVATION

BRIK051_Master Builder WA_DEC-JAN_A4.indd 1 4/10/13 11:34 AM

Colour expressionBecause clay bricks are a natural material, made naturally in a kiln, each

one has a unique character. This allows you to design a home with

a very distinctive character. There are more than 800 different brick

colours, from the lightest of whites and creams to the darkest blues and

purples - and an unlimited opportunity to blend or accentuate. New

generation colours offer a range of monochromatic tones for a more

subtle appearance. Clay brick pavers enhance any outdoor space with

their natural appearance.

Think brick for pavingThe benefits that clay pavers can bring to your outdoor living and other

exterior spaces - include inherent colourfast quality through to their

strength and longevity. Permeable brick paving is a technique designed

to limit environmental issues caused by water runoff. Permeable

paving can be applied to improve the sustainability of outdoor spaces,

including patios, parking spaces, walkways and roads.

Mortar Generally the mortar represents about 15 percent of the total visible

brickwork area and can dramatically change the look of the brick and

the home. For example, mortar coloured to match the brick will give the

impression of a large area of one colour, whereas a contrasting mortar

colour will highlight the shape and colour of the bricks. The overall

appearance is also determined by the joint, with raked and rolled joints

being most commonly used to achieve the ‘character’ look in a new home.

Types of mortar joints When selecting bricks it’s necessary to also consider the mortar colour

and joint type. This will profoundly affect the end product, as will

the combination of other building materials and colours used in the

building. Three important points when selecting bricks

• Customers should research bricks from a variety of sources:

ie display houses, display centres, display boards and sample

packs, but ultimately it is best for the customer to choose

bricks from an actual building or house to ensure they

understand what the brick looks like in a finished wall.

• Select mortar colour and joint type with reference to the actual brick

being used.

• Select the correct grade of brick.

Typical mortar jointsTip: Order all the bricks, sand and

materials for mortar required at the

start of the job to avoid batching

colour differences.

Choosing BRICKSBricks are available in many textures that can set a home apart. The texture of brick can add contrast or define a feature, such as an alcove or porch, and bring out the natural colours of the bricks. There are many variations in texture from modern and sleek to more traditional quarry styles.

Prevention is the best cureAs a builder, your goal is a straightforward flow of work on the site

to deliver the project in line with your customer’s expectations. For

brickwork, a few important guidelines will help:

• Always discuss mortar colour and bond with the customer at the

time of choosing the bricks, not afterwards. Avoid the term “natural

mortar” as sand supply can vary the mortar colour considerably and

if in doubt, samples should be made up from your sand supplier.

• Be clear about the environment of the project and whether any

special consideration is needed. For instance, if the project is

marine-based then the brick and mortar grades must be suitable.

• Make it as simple as possible for customers to select bricks. Use

display homes and/or actual walls to assist them with their selection.

• Explain to customers examples of incompatible combinations of

brick, mortar colour and joints, and why. Some examples include:

• A rough face brick with flush joints because it is difficult to

clean, especially with a high contrasting mortar colour.

• Rolled edge tumbled bricks with flush joints. These

emphasise the irregularity of the bricks and reduce

the attractiveness of the finished wall.

• Surface coated and glazed bricks with a raked joint. These

can expose the body colour beneath the coating.

Tip: Once the customer has selected their bricks, ask the brick sales rep

for the locations of other houses with the brick so the customer can

confirm their choice, when in a whole wall, is correct.

The four classes of mortarIn Australia, the Masonry Standard AS 3700 specifies the requirements

for mortar in terms of a series of classes from M1 to M4. Class M1

mortar, lime mortar with no cement, is only permitted for use in the

repair of heritage structures. The other three classes, M2, M3 and M4,

can be used in a range of structures depending on the requirements

for strength and durability. The most commonly used mortar is M3,

which typically has a composition of one part cement, one part lime

and six parts sand. While it is the most common type of mortar, it is

a misconception that it is the ‘standard’ mortar ratio. M3 mortar is

only required in marine environments between 100m and 1km from a

non-surf coast, or between 1km and 10 km from a surf coast. Inland of

these areas M2 mortar, which is one part cement, two parts lime, and

nine parts sand, is sufficient. M4 mortar is required for severe marine

environments, which are up to 100m from a non-surf coast and up

to 1km from a surf coast. Brickwork below a DPC or in contact with

the ground may require a different class of mortar (and brick) than

required for brickwork above, eg. M4 with exposure grade bricks are

required in aggressive soil.

Profiles and sizes Although the most common face brick size is 230mm x 76mm x

110mm, you can order square bricks, elongated 50 mm bricks, double

height bricks or modular sized bricks. There are rounded bricks, bricks

for window sills, bricks for lintels, lightweight bricks and accent bricks.

Article by Think Brick reproduced with permission. Think Brick Represents Australia’s clay brick and paver manufacturers. We aim to inspire contemporary brick architecture and building design in all areas of the built environment: commercial, residential and landscape.

For more information go to: www.thinkbrick.com.au


BRICKS & PAVERS

To discuss the Lloyd Wright Collection’s potential to make your next project stand out, email [email protected] or visit brikmakers.com or simply call 1300 360 344.

The

INSPIRING INNOVATION

Brikmakers Romanbrik enabled me to create a comfortable 21st Century space with classic design integrity and style.

Emiliana Vanni

Project Architect | JCP Construction

BRIK050_Master Builder WA_A4.indd 1 18/09/13 12:14 PM

The costs of solar to consumers

1 MYTH: Solar panels are very expensive. FACT: Solar panels are an increasingly affordable option that

will save households money in the long run.

The cost of producing and installing solar power systems has fallen

dramatically over recent years, and continues to fall. The solar panels

installed on rooftops today are more than 500 times cheaper to

produce than the first solar cells of the mid-1950s and costs are still

coming down fast. Four years ago a solar system could cost as much as

a small car; now it costs about the same as a big TV.

But how does solar compare to traditional energy, such as coal and gas?If you count the cost of setting up a fossil-fuelled power source by

including the return on investment, operation costs, fuel and maintenance

over its entire life, solar is close to the cost of fossil fuel-based energy and

will be the cheaper option within a few years. Solar is an insurance policy

against the rising costs of fossil fuels like coal and gas.

Solar panels are already affordable and cost-competitive.

The costs of solar panels has been falling by about 45 per cent per year, and in some countries is already competitive with diesel-generated power 1.

Australian Government:

“Strong growth in peak or maximum daily demand over recent years has been a significant contributor to rises in electricity costs... the main drivers of the growth in inefficient peak demand are the increased use of relatively low-cost, energy-intensive domestic appliances, such as air conditioners and large-screen TVs...”Energy White Paper 2012

Australian Energy Regulator (AER):

“The main driver of higher retail energy

prices has been rising charges for using energy

networks - that is, the poles and wires, and gas pipelines that transport

energy to consumers.”AER State of the Energy

Market, January 2013

2 MYTH: Subsidies for solar and ‘green schemes’ are why electricity bills are going up. FACT: Subsidies for

domestic solar power account for only around 6 per cent of the average household electricity bill now and this is forecast to fall by 20202.

The cost of deploying renewables across Australia is just a small

proportion of electricity bills. By far the largest component of electricity

bills is network costs (40 to 50 per cent of bills)3 – that is, upgrading

transmission and distribution infrastructure such as poles and wires to

handle rising peak demand and replace old equipment.

The growth in ‘peak demand’ – those few times a year when demand

for electricity is the highest (usually the hottest few days in summer)

is a major factor driving up costs. More houses, more air conditioners

and other gadgets, all being used at the same time for just a few hours

a year, puts enormous strain on the system. To avoid blackouts during

these few hours we need to build extra power plants – at considerable

cost. This is the real issue that Australia needs to confront if we want to

stop power price rises. The next largest component of electricity bills is

the wholesale price of electricity (20 to 30 per cent of bills)4. Solar is an

insurance policy against rising costs.

Solar PV myths and facts

Household solar power in AustraliaMany myths exist about solar power to do with what it costs, what it can do and whether governments should support households and businesses in going solar. This article by Clean Energy Council sets the record straight.


SUSTAINABILITY

3 MYTH: Solar panels are often installed badly. FACT: The solar industry is well regulated and safe.

Solar panels and inverters (the component that converts the power

generated by the panels into a form compatible with the electricity

system) have to comply with the relevant Australian Standards, and

every solar installer must first be qualified as an electrician, and then

undergo additional training and accreditation in solar systems.

The Clean Energy Council has a free consumer guide on its website

to help people ask the right questions of their solar installer and get a

quality product and installation 5.

4 MYTH: Household solar is just ‘tinkering round the edges’ of the electricity market. FACT: Household

solar is helping reduce our overall demand for energy.

In mid 2012, the Australian Energy Market Operator revised its annual

forecast for energy demand down by 5 per cent, driven partly by the

increased uptake of rooftop solar power as it acts to reduce overall

demand. This trend of declining demand is suppressing wholesale

electricity prices which, roughly speaking, are around half of what they

were five years ago.

5 MYTH: Solar systems drive the need for expensive grid upgrades. FACT: The need for grid upgrades is driven by rising peak demand and insufficient investment in the electricity network over the last 20 years.

The single largest reason for rising power bills is the cost of upgrades to

transmission and distribution infrastructure (for example, the poles and

wires which in some cases are decades old). This makes up about 40 to

50 per cent of the average household power bill, and would exist with

or without the addition of solar power systems.6

The call on our electricity supplies at peak times during the day and

year (for example, on really hot days when people come home from

work and turn on their air conditioners) is a key driver of power price

increases. This is known as ‘peak demand’ and it’s getting worse thanks

to population growth and the rising use of energy-hungry appliances.7

It is estimated that 25 per cent of retail electricity costs are created

by peak events that occur over less than 40 hours per year.8 Meeting

this demand requires enormous investment in infrastructure that is

sometimes only turned on a few times a year. On rare occasions in

some remote places, network upgrades are needed to handle solar.

But in most areas, solar can be connected to the grid without requiring

network upgrades. It is estimated that the installation of a 2 kilowatt

reverse-cycle air conditioner costs a consumer around (on average)

$1500 yet imposes costs on the energy system as a whole of up to

$7000 when adding to peak demand. The $7000 system-wide cost

must then be spread across all other customers.9

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SUSTAINABILITY

6 MYTH: Solar panels are an expensive way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. FACT: Cutting emissions

is just one of solar’s benefits.

Solar power helps households offset the impacts of increased electricity

prices resulting from a price on carbon, while many other cheaper forms

of carbon reduction do nothing to help households adjust to the impact

of the carbon price. Compared to the former Government’s $23 per

tonne carbon price, the effective price per tonne of reduced carbon

emissions through small-scale solar power can look expensive. But the

two things are not the same. Solar power does two things: it reduces

emissions and produces electricity, compared to companies purchasing

carbon offsets which reduce global emissions but do not help supply

Australians with electricity.

The solar power industry brings another benefit: it supports a lot of

local jobs. When viewed holistically solar stacks up well as not just a

method of reducing emissions, but of simultaneously providing other

social and economic benefits.

7 MYTH: Solar can only ever make a small contribution to our energy needs because it doesn’t produce

power at night. FACT: Solar already makes a significant contribution and it’s just getting started.

Solar power and energy efficiency schemes are helping cut our overall

demand for electricity. Data released in 2011 by the Australian Energy

Market Operator (AEMO) shows that overall demand for electricity in

Australia actually fell for the first time in decades.10 “It is becoming

apparent that electricity consumers are changing their energy use in

response to rising electricity prices, adopting energy efficiency programs

and the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems,” AEMO

Managing Director Matt Zema has said. 11

The Federal Government’s Energy White Paper, released in November

2012, projects that by 2035 solar PV will provide 17 per cent of

Australia’s energy and 29 per cent by 2050. Already, over one million

Australian households have solar panels installed, a number that will

continue to grow as prices become more and more competitive. This

just goes to show that solar is already a mainstream part of Australia’s

energy mix.

8 MYTH: Renewable energy can’t compete economically with burning coal for power. FACT: The

fossil fuel industry is heavily subsidised.

The energy market in Australia is not a level playing field. The fossil fuel-

based electricity system we have today is built on government subsidies,

and fossil fuels continue to enjoy government assistance. For example,

the Tamberlin Inquiry in NSW revealed that the government-owned

Cobbora coal mine sold coal to power stations ‘at cost price’ (roughly

30 per cent of the price paid by other generators on the open market),

which meant that: ‘...State-owned generators and gentraders [had]

access to coal at a lower price than would have been available to them

had they had to source such coal through a tender process.’ 12

This amounts to a subsidy of around $4 billion over the life of the

contracts, and it is just one example of where taxpayers are footing

the bill. On top of that, fossil fuels have been subsidised by not having

to pay for the greenhouse gases they produce, and for the other

health and environmental impacts they cause. Analysis published in

the American Economic Review calculated that the economic damage

caused by air pollutants from coal burning (in terms of health impacts

and local pollution) exceeds the value of the electricity produced.13

The economics of solar

9 MYTH: All the solar panels are made in China so there are few Australian jobs in solar. FACT:

Thousands of Australians are employed in the solar industry

It is true that most of the solar panels in Australia are produced

overseas. However, there are thousands of Australians employed in

the local solar industry. It is estimated that there are 39 jobs directly

supported in Australia for every 1 megawatt (MW) of solar installed.

In 2011, 500MW were installed, taking the national total to over

1000MW. This equates to around 14,000 jobs.

Jobs in the Australian solar industry:

Research and Development – 3 per cent Manufacturing – 3 per centInstallations and customer service* – 64 per cent Distribution – 6 per centUtilities – 2 per centOther (financial, legal, training etc) – 21 per cent

*includes companies performing installations, though this likely understates the utility staff supporting installations through call centres, billing, system inspection and meter changes.14

Due to rounding figures do not add up to 100 per cent.

10 MYTH: We need big breakthroughs in solar research and development to push the price

down further, so government subsidies in Australia make no difference. FACT: Government subsidies help build local economies of scale, not reduce technology cost.

While there have been some important technology breakthroughs over

recent years, the primary driver for the recent cost reductions in solar

has not been technical, it has been a result of competitive pressures and

economies of scale.

An independent report from the University of Melbourne confirms this

assessment: Photovoltaics (PV) and wind power have historically shown

that a large proportion of cost reductions have come from the increased

knowledge and economies of scale associated with large-scale global

deployment – not just improvements in technical efficiency.15


SUSTAINABILITY

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In other words, winding back or shutting

down government assistance in Australia will

not have much impact on the global price

of solar panels, but it will have a substantial

impact on the local installation costs by

affecting the scale of the industry and

therefore levels of competition in the market.

11 MYTH: Green schemes help the rich buy solar, subsidised

by the poor. FACT: Lower and fixed income households are driving the solar boom.

The suburbs with the highest percentage

of solar installations are overwhelmingly

low- to middle-income suburbs and places

with a high proportion of retirees. These are

the households that are the most concerned

about rising electricity prices.

In 2012 the top 10 solar postcodes were: Dubbo, NSW – 28 per cent of houses with solar

Caloundra QLD – 27.3 per cent

Victor Harbor, McCracken, Hindmarsh Valley, SA – 25.9 per cent

Pinjarra, Oakley, Ravenswood, WA – 24.7 per cent

Currency Creek, Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, SA – 24.7 per cent

Aldinga, Port Willunga, Silver Sands, SA – 24.1 per cent

Jimboomba, North & South Maclean, QLD – 23.9 per cent

Ellenbrook, Brigadoon, The Vines, WA – 23.8 per cent

Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park, SA – 23.6 per cent

Ormeau, Jacobs Well, QLD – 23.2 per cent

Masters, Australia’s newest player in the

hardware market, is pleased to launch its 2014

Masters Trade Diary exclusively for members

of the Trade Program, to help trade members

get off to a fresh start and stay ahead of the

game in the new year.

Available free of charge, the 2014 Trade

Diary is available to all Trade members when

they shop in store at Joondalup, Ellenbrook,

Baldivis, Bibra Lake or Forrestdale and scan

their Trade Member card, but stocks are

limited so grab your copy today.

If you’re not a trade member yet, come in

store and talk to a Masters Trade specialist

who can show you how to make running

your business easier. Find out how easy it is

to become a Masters Trade member and take

advantage of exclusive trade promotions.

Discover how a Master Trade Account^ will

give you access to an ongoing 5%* trade

discount across the store.

Masters is a joint venture between

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improvement retailer Lowe’s.

* 5% Trade discount excludes gift cards, commercial quantities, trade packs and quotes.

^American Express approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Charges may apply. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited. American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). Registered Trademark of American Express Company.

NOTES:1 ‘Re-considering the economics of photovoltaic power’, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, 16/5/122, 3, 4 CEC analysis5 www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/resourcecentre/Consumer-Info/solarPV-guide6 CEC analysis7 Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland Energy Management Plan, Queensland Government,Brisbane, 20118, 9 R. Fraser, ‘Demand side management’, paper presented at the Australian Institute of Energy symposium, NSW’s Electricity Future 2020 (and beyond): What will it look like and how do we get there? 24 May 2010, Sydney10 Statement of Opportunities, August 2011, AEMO11 AEMO reports power usage dip, Climate Spectator, 6 March 201212 Special Commission of Inquiry into the Electricity Transactions, p.9.13 Environmental Accounting for Pollution in the United States Economy, American Economic Review, Vol. 101, No. 5, August 201114 Review of the Australian solar PV industry 2011, Clean Energy Council, p.18.15 Renewable Energy Technology Cost Review, Melbourne Energy Institute, March 2011, p.1.The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is the peak body representing Australia’s clean energy sector. It is an industry association made up of more than 550 member companies operating in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For more information visit

cleanenergycouncil.org.au

Specialise in supply and lay of housing, unit and semi commercial developments:

• Ground slabs • Suspended slabs• Retaining walls and cavities • Hard stands

QUALITY CONCRETE CONTRACTORS

(WA)PTY LTD

4 Cubley Street, Carine WA 6020

M | 04 2222 6865 P | 08 9246 7808 F | 08 9246 0113

E | [email protected] ABN 54 114 712 122 | ACN 114 712 122

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Beams Prospects focuses on presales where the relationship between a company and the customer is managed. This includes capturing leads from the website, emails and other correspondence, and tracking them until they are closed.

Beams Administration is where the backend office work can be managed, allocated and tracked. The system will enable you to put in prescribed practices, procedures and requirements to ensure clients are managed in a consistent manner.

Beams Customer Portal is where all the web based communication between a customer and the company is managed. Customers are given a username and password so that they can check their job status and request more information via the internet.

ESTIMATING from Beams allows you to estimate an entire job in minutes, produce a quote, create variations and a fully detailed addenda, maintain a full diary on all comunications and track all tasks leading up to contract.

CAD Image takeoff allows you to simply load a plan, whether it be PDF, BMP, PNG or a JPEG file directly into Beams and begin doing the take off of all the required items directly from your screen. It is as simple as click and build.

CONTRACTS in Beams refers to jobs that you have estimated and have been awarded the job. You can automatically create a construction time line to keep track of all on site activities, prepare contract variations, raise purchase orders and monitor construction costs.

BeamS Mobile is an app for iPhone or iPad that connects the office to the site. You can access the plans, orders and construction time lines on your remote device from the office in real time. Plan changes now only need to be in one location at the office. You can even upload photos from site directly into the works folder back at the office. How’s that for conveni-ence.

ACCOUNTS completes the package with full accounting funcionality. Process all creditor and debtor transactions, issues progress claims, maintain and track all your BAS, GST and PAYG obligations. Beams Payroll with timesheets allows you to allocate your employees pay directly to jobs. You can maintain an asset register and produce full accounting reports plus Work in progress, Cash�ow and Pro�tability reports automatically created from Beams.

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