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Events Calendar
Nov 2008
Aged & Community Services NSW : O H S & HR Conference Novotel Brighton Beach, Brighton Le Sands  from the 6th Nov - 7th Nov
National Plumbing Regulators Forum Inaugural Conference Adelaide, Stamford Hotel, Glenelg  from the 10th Nov - 12th Nov
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Perth, City West Function Centre  from the 11th Nov - 12th Nov
AdvantAge 08: Annual Conference of the Retirement Village Asscociation 2007 Perth, Burswood Entertainment Complex  from the 11th Nov - 13th Nov
Building Industry Leaders Forum 2008:The Cheanging sustainability Landscape Sydney Powerhouse Museum  on the 11th Nov
Building Industry Leaders Forum:The changing sustainability landscape Sydney, Powerhouse Museum  on the 11th Nov
CRC Construction Innovation: Relationship Management in Project Delivery Brisbane, Cliftons Brisbane  from the 11th Nov - 12th Nov
CKS Solutions Seminar: 20 Contractural Problems & their Solutions Brisbane, Royal on the Park Hotel  on the 12th Nov
Safety Institute Australia: Visions Conference 2008 Cairns,Cairns International Hotel  from the 12th Nov - 14th Nov
CKS Solutions Seminar: 20 Contractural Problems & their Solutions Parramatta, The Sebel Parramatta  on the 13th Nov
RMIA Risk Management National Conference 2008 Perth, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre  from the 15th Nov - 18th Nov
ACAA 27th Annual Congress Grand Chancellor Hobart Tasmania Tasmania  from the 16th Nov - 18th Nov
RMIA: A Changing Global Economy-Perceived Risk in an Uncertain World Perth, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre  on the 17th Nov
HFESA: National Adelaide, UniSA  from the 17th Nov - 19th Nov
CKS Solutions Seminar: 20 Contractural Problems & their Solutions Sydney, Citigate Central  on the 18th Nov
WoodDesign International Sebel & Citigate Hotel. Brisbane  on the 18th Nov
CRC Construction Innovation: Relationship Management in Project Delivery Melbourne, Cliftons Melbourne  from the 18th Nov - 19th Nov
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Melbourne, Spring Street Conference Centre  from the 19th Nov - 20th Nov
RMIA: Risk Management in Local Government Seminar Perth, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre  on the 19th Nov
RMIA: Enterprise Risk Management Workshop-from Concept to Implementation Perth, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre  on the 19th Nov
Local Government OHS Conference Dockside Sydney  from the 19th Nov - 20th Nov
Legal Challenge to National OHS-Seminar Water Edge, Walsh Bay  on the 20th Nov
PCA: Existing Buildings The Green Building Blitz ACT,Hotel Realm  on the 20th Nov
API: Public Sector property Conference Sydney, NSW Parliment House  on the 21st Nov
AIBS:National Conference of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors: "On Track" Perth Convention Centre, WA  from the 23rd Nov - 26th Nov More Info
Clean Energy Council Conference and Exhibition 2008 Gold Coast, Queensland  from the 24th Nov - 26th Nov
CKS Solutions Seminar: 20 Contractural Problems & their Solutions Melbourne, The Sebel & Citigate  on the 25th Nov
CRC Construction Innovation: Relationship Management in Project Delivery Perth, Cliftons Perth  from the 25th Nov - 26th Nov
42 Annual Conference Aust & NZ Arch Science Assoc University of Newcastle  from the 26th Nov - 28th Nov
ANZAScA:Innovation,Inspiration and Instruction: New Knowledge in the Architectural Sciences Newcastle, University of Newcastle  from the 26th Nov - 28th Nov
PCA: Sustainability in High Density Living Brisbane, Marriott hotel  on the 26th Nov
ASC Northern Regional Conference Ballina RSL, Ballina  from the 27th Nov - 28th Nov
HIA Sustainable Home Seminar HIDC-Vic  on the 29th Nov
Dec 2008
IIR: The 6th Annual Green Buildings Conference Marriott Hotel, Brisbane  from the 1st Dec - 2nd Dec
SIA:NSW OHS Reform Summit 2008 Sydney, Sydney Harbour Marriott at Circular Quay  from the 8th Dec - 9th Dec
Feb 2009
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Canberra, The Marque Hotel  on the 10th Feb
IQPC: Health Facilities Design and Development 2009 Workshops Brisbane, The Sebel and Citigate King George Square  from the 17th Feb - 20th Feb
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Sydney, Tattersalls Club  from the 17th Feb - 18th Feb
IQPC: Health Facilities Design and Development 2009 Conference Brisbane, The Sebel and Citigate King George Square  from the 18th Feb - 19th Feb
Tonkin: Property Financing & Investment Conference Sydney, Four Seasons Hotel  from the 23rd Feb - 25th Feb More Info
IQPC: Sustainable Facilities Mangement 2009 Conferenece Sydney, VIBE hotel  from the 24th Feb - 25th Feb
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Adelaide, Adelaide Convention Centre  on the 25th Feb
ACE Expo 2009 Sandown Racecourse Melbourne  from the 26th Feb - 28th Feb
Construct 2009 Novotel Manly Pacific, Sydney  from the 26th Feb - 27th Feb
AIB : CONSTRUCT 2009 Sydney, Manly Beach  from the 26th Feb - 28th Feb
Mar 2009
Green Cities 09 Brisbane Conven & Exhib Centre, Brisbane  from the 1st Mar - 4th Mar
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Brisbane, Royal on the park  from the 2nd Mar - 3rd Mar
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Darwin, Novotel Atrium Darwin  on the 5th Mar
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Novotel Atrium Darwin  on the 5th Mar
ABCB: BCA 2009 Information Seminars Hobart, Hotel Grand Chancellor  on the 16th Mar
Heathy Cities Conference: Making Cities Liveable Gold Coast, Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise  from the 25th Mar - 27th Feb
PIA: Northern Exposure 2009 National Congress Darwin, Darwin Convention Centre  from the 30th Mar - 2nd Apr
SafetoWork: Safety in Action Conference 2009 Melbourne Convention Centre  from the 31st Mar - 2nd Apr
May 2009
True North Australia 2009 Darwin, Sky City  from the 5th May - 7th May
FMAA: ideaction 09 National Conference Melbourne  from the 6th May - 8th May
National Plumbing Show & Designbuild Sydney, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre  from the 21st May - 23rd May
ACASPA: Expo2009 Convention and Trade Exhibition Melbourne, Melbourne Convention Centre  from the 30th May - 1st Jun
Jun 2009
PMI: Project Risk Mangement Melbourne, Hotel Charsfield  on the 22nd Jun
Jul 2009
Facility Management for Sustainable Commercial Buildings Brisbane  on the 21st Jul
Issue 55 - November 2008  

Welcome to the November edition of essential matters. Essential matters informs people involved in managing buildings, constructing new buildings and property, altering, occupying or maintaining existing buildings of the key issues, events and legislative developments that are critical to the industry.

You'll find topics of interest located under six broad headings - Building & Property, Safety Measures & Risk Management, Facility Management, Emergency Planning & OHS, Residential and Sustainability. Please contact our State offices for assistance regarding any of your consulting requirements.

building & property
Changes to the Act and Regulations
Antony Mee, State Manager in our Perth office, provides advice on changes to the Act and Regulations regarding who is permitted to approve Building Licences. On 1st July this year changes to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960 (the Act) and Building Regulations 1989 (HENDRY)    (more...)
 
Cost Plus Contracts - Commercial
Queensland Master Builders Manager of Legal and Contracts Jeff Poultney, explains that while most contractors would argue that it is impossible for a contractor to lose money on a cost plus contract, there are an increasing number of contractors who have learnt by painful practice experience that it is not only possible, but easy to do. (MBA website)   (more...)
 
Building Legislation - In Simple Language
Kylie Rowlands, Manager in our Brisbane office advises an understanding of the building control process can be daunting even for building surveyors, spare a moment of thought for property owners and managers entering the process (maze) for the first time. (HENDRY)   (more...)
 
BCA Illustrated - Now With Industry Links

BCA Illustrated provides the BCA online with over 3000 illustrations and explanations.  We now provide 'technical' industry links (Authorities, Institutes, Associations, Standards, Companies) that contribute further to explaining the clause you are viewing. (BCA Illustrated)

  (more...)
 
Fire Collars - BCA Compliance Options
There has been a great deal of discussion in recent times regarding fire testing requirements for fire collars for use on plastic pipes.  Some warnings have been issued to Certifiers (Building Surveyors) in relation to this issue.  This Technical Bulletin was prepared by FPA Australia's… (FPAA website)   (more...)
 
Adjoining Prop. & Exist. Condition Surveys
Greg Payne, our General Manager, reports that before commencing any protection work required for building works, an owner must make a full and adequate survey of the adjoining property and record in writing or by any other appropriate method, all existing defects and cracks in the adjoining property.  (HENDRY)   (more...)
 
safety measures & risk management
Latest on Certificates of Classification

Adrian Righele, Manager Safety Measures, advises that the Department of Infrastructure and Planning has released a publicly available fact sheet and guideline document in respect to the background, purpose and changes to the Certificate of Classification.  Commercial building owners, occupiers and contractors should read this information

  (more...)
 
Fire Safety
Hotels run the risk of fire every day, whether it be an overlooked pan in the kitchen, faulty wiring or guest-attributed damage.  As a result, it’s vital that hotels are equipped with a comprehensive fire management system enabling quick and efficient action in the event of a fire. (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
Annual Condition Report Is Mandatory
Geoff Vick, Safety Measures Manager in our Brisbane office, advises it is now mandatory for fire services maintenance contractors to provide a System Condition Report annually for all prescribed fire safety installations and systems (encompassed under AS1851-2005) tested and maintained in commercial buildings. (HENDRY)   (more...)
 
Managing Your Maintenance Dollar
The maintenance engineer needs to manage his meagre “allowance” very carefully to ensure the effective operation of the plant and facilities in his care.  Therefore any technique that will save him some money has to be given consideration.  He has at his disposal a number of maintenance (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
Ensure Insurance Is Available
Nathan Semos, Safety Measures Manager in our Melbourne office, advises facility and property managers that when engaging consultants or contractors to perform essential safety measure maintenance, inspections or reports, be aware that there is an extremely important distinction to make between the levels of protection afforded by each. (HENDRY)   (more...)
 
emergency planning & ohs
Planning the Great Escape

Nobody expects an emergency or disaster – especially one that affects them, their employees, and their business personally.  Yet the simple truth is that emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime, and anywhere.  You and your employees could be forced to evacuate your company when you least expect it. (sub. to mag.)

  (more...)
 
Manual Call Point (Break Glass Alarm)
Graeme Badrock, Manager Emergency Planning, advises that if you or your employees are concerned about the risk of injury from fragments of broken glass when activating a Manual Call Point (Break Glass Alarm) or your premises are located in a high risk vandalism area   (more...)
 
VIC: Designers Beware! - OH&S Act
“They key objective of this section of the OH&S Act is to eliminate workplace risks by looking at the source of the hazard.  The duty under Section 28 is intended to ensure that hazards and risks that may exist in the design of a workplace are eliminated or controlled at the design stage. (Lovegrove & Lord website)   (more...)
 
Emergency Exit Light Recall
Whilst Lite Industries has recalled 2 series of emergency exit lights due to the risk of electric shock.  The control box cover is not earthed nor securely attached.  There is also inadequate separation between mains supply and the accessible lamp battery circuit.   (more...)
 
Legionella Regulations and Guidelines

SA Health has released the Public and Environmental Health (Legionella) Regulations 2008 and Guidelines for the Control of Legionella in Manufactured Water Systems in South Australia.  Commencing on 1 October 2008, the new regulations and guidelines are an important step in reducing the incidence of community acquired legionellosis (Legionnaires’ Disease).

  (more...)
 
facility management
FM and Change
Bruce Chaplin, Director Facility Management Essentials asks; how often do you need to review the structure of your FM Team? Lots of organisations have never really taken a good look at why they have, who they have. The FM Team often grows over the years… (fme website)   (more...)
 
Property & Facility Management Software
fmXpert is a fully integrated Property and Facilities management system. Using the latest technology this system provides a simple user interface, web access, and mobile technology. Key features include Lease Management, Asset Management, Job Management and Document Management.   (more...)
 
No Quick Fix in Disaster Recovery
When a serious incident threatens a facility it is vital to act quickly, with preparedness very likely to mean the difference between annihilation and survival.  Employers need to be trained to implement plans under extreme pressure in an invariably chaotic environment (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
Corporate Fitout in the Built Environment
Interior design practices and Corporate Fitout companies have seen an increased demand for their services in recent times as companies seek to maximise their staff attraction and retention rates, enhance their branding, convey their corporate ethos, optimise their spatial assets and provide functional healthy environments for their workforce.   (more...)
 
Labour Gains
Employing people who have spent years in the dole queue may seem like a leap of faith, but it can provide loyal, hard-working employees.  And the FM sector is in a prime position to benefit. Taking in staff from the ranks of the long-term employed… (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
residential
Breaching Copyright and Personal Liability
Recent copyright cases involving housing plans highlight how copyright can exist in seemingly ordinary and standard design elements and how personal liability can be imposed.  Commonality of design in the home volume building market is almost an accepted industry hazard.  As home designs are principally dictated by practical requirements. (Sparke Helmore website)   (more...)
 
Wet Area Fact Sheet
Kylie Rowlands, Manager in our Brisbane office advises the Department of Planning and Infrastructure has issued a Building Advisory Services – Fact Sheet titled “Refurbishing and renovating wet areas’, highlight building approval and plumbing certification requirements   (more)...
 
BCA Illustrated - Now With Industry Links
BCA Illustrated provides the BCA online with over 3000 illustrations and explanations.  We now provide 'technical' industry links (Authorities, Institutes, Associations, Standards, Companies) that contribute further to explaining the clause you are viewing. (BCA Illustrated)   (more...)
 
Residential Timber Framing Standard

Standards Australia has issued an amended set of AS 1684-2006 Residential timber – framed construction.  The amended Parts are 2, 3 and 4 and are offered in loose leaf or binded form.

  (more...)
 
Just Relocate Mate
Just how easy is it to move a pre-loved house from one block of land to another?  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  Buy a block of land, find an unwanted house being given away by a developer who wants to build something else on the land and relocate it to your patch.  (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
sustainability
Cooling Tower Water Supply
An ongoing drought and severe portable water shortages in many areas of Australia, combined with the relentless push for environmentally sustainable design, is driving innovation in cooling tower water  both the source and its reuse.  Along with greater focus on minimising excess water consumption. (AIRAH website)   (more...)
 
'Sustainability', the word on everyones lips
Back in April 2004 the Australian Government declared it the ‘Year of the Built Environment’.  It had aimed to encourage the development of a sustainable, energy efficient, safe, healthy and comfortable built environment.  Since then State Governments, industry (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
Rebuilding the Concrete Jungle
An alterative to ordinary Portland cement offers an excellent opportunity for reducing the carbon footprint of the world’s second most used material.  In an environment of… well, all things environmental… it’s easy to develop a slightly cynical attitude towards the avalanche of ‘green’ that has hit the building industry in recent times. (sub. to mag.)   (more...)
 
Energy Standards for Chillers
Energy Standards for chillers: coming July 2009.  Australia’s Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) continue to roll out for a host of end-user products, with MEPS for Chillers finally set for implementation next year.  This article reports on the detail of the program and its likely effect on the industry. (AIRAH website)    (more...)
  

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