In the media

Commonwealth

7 factors behind the demand for new TOD projects
What does the city of the future look like? As Australia's population increases to 35 million to 42 million by 2040, transit oriented developments (TODs) are vital to managing social and economic growth challenges (29 January 2016). More...

Major project investment slump to deepen: Access
The amount of capital spending in the pipeline has fallen by $177 billion in the past three years and is set to slump even further in the coming year or two, according to the quarterly Investment Monitor report released by Deloitte Access Economics (DAE) (29 January 2016). More...

Timber set to rise to eight storeys (and cut costs) under National Construction Code changes in May
A two-year consultation and research process spearheaded by industry group Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) will see the local industry join leading international markets in allowing timber construction in taller structures (28 January 2016). More... More...

Mineral sands miner Iluka says increased demand is being driven by steady property development in China
Mineral sands miner Iluka increased sales and revenue in the 12 months to December last year. A spokesman for the miner said the growth was thanks to steady property development in China, and sustained demand in other significant markets such as Europe (28 January 2016). More...

Regulatory failure – the biggest risk to a sustainable gas market?
Contrary to views that fossil fuels will fade from the energy scene, Australia's east coast gas resources are taking on an ever-more important role, underlining the need for durable policies and regulations to meet the needs of supply investors, consumers and the environment (28 January 2016). More...

Renewables sector on verge of revival: EY
The renewable energy sector is on the cusp of a $10 billion revival as infrastructure players from around the world get ready to pour funds into new wind farms and solar projects, according to professional services firm EY (25 January 2016). More...

Residential construction surges to fresh record
The latest ABS housing figures show new dwelling commencements reached a fresh high in the September 2015 quarter says the Housing Industry Association (20 January 2016). More...

Victoria

Improved licensing and registration process to launch on 1 February 2016
From next week, the VBA will be implementing an improved system of registration and licensing for plumbers and builders. The new process is designed to deliver better outcomes for Victoria's building and plumbing industries and consumers. More...

BBP new Strip Out Waste Guidelines out for comment
The Better Buildings Partnership has released a draft of its Strip Out Waste Guidelines for comment. The guidelines aim to assist tenants, building owners, property managers and demolition contractors to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill from defit projects by setting out a general methodology for best practice (27 January 2016). More...

VBA demands rectification on dangerous Footscray excavation site
An inspector from the Victorian Building Authority's (VBA) proactive inspection team has helped avert a potential disaster discovered during an inspection of a building site (28 January 2016). More...

New South Wales

New South Wales leads in large-scale solar as Australia's two largest solar plants go online
The NSW Government provided almost $65 million to support construction of the plants, as part of the Solar Flagships program. The Division has worked closely with the projects' proponents, AGL and First Solar, to help facilitate construction of the plants, delivering Action 9 of the Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP) (27 January 2016). More...

New South Wales housing reform to create "building bonanza"
NSW Public Housing Minister Brad Hazzard says reforms to the sector will bring about a $22 billion "building bonanza" and redress long-term estate neglect (25 January 2016). More...

Queensland

Building confidence in Queensland's construction industry
Everyone concerned about being paid in full and on time, every time in the construction industry, are being urged to attend Security of Payment consultation sessions and contribute to upholding confidence in a key industry (28 January 2016). More...

Practice and courts

Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2015

New South Wales Parliament: This month in committees
Inquiries receiving submissions. More...

Queensland: Have your say on the Security of Payment discussion paper
The Security of Payment discussion paper has now been released and is available for detailed feedback. This aims to improve security of payment for subcontractors in the building and construction industry. Submissions close on 31 March 2016. More...

Master Builders: Improving security of payments
The Department of Housing & Public Works is organising a series of meeting across the state for the industry to discuss how best to safeguard payments. Members are encouraged to attend the sessions and provide feedback to the Department. Consultation Sessions are outlined here (28 January 2016). More...

Cases

Medallion Homes Pty Ltd v Lares Homes Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 12
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for an interlocutory injunction restraining the reproduction of house plans by the respondent – where the applicant alleged that the respondents had copied its house plans in infringement of the applicant's copyright in the plans – where the applicant alleged that the respondents represented that the plans were original works – whether the applicant had made out a prima facie case – whether the balance of convenience weighed in favour of the injunction. held: Application dismissed. Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Australian Competition and Consumer Act 2010) (Cth). Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) s 35; Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). More...

Milburn Lake Pty Ltd v Andritz Pty Ltd [2016] VSC 3
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Injunction – Construction dispute – Payment claims –Enforcement of adjudication determination – Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), Division 2B, s 3, s 28 – Serious question to be tried – Balance of convenience favours granting of injunction. More...

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