In the media
Raising the bottom line: New report finds opportunities
in new homes
Simple energy efficiency improvements in new housing stock can
slash energy bills, cut Australia's emissions by 10.8 million
tonnes, and deliver comfortable and resilient homes, finds a new
report. The Bottom Line – Household impacts of delaying
improved energy requirements in the Building Code, has been
developed by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council
(ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia (08 February
2018).
More...
ASBEC: Expert report: Improve home energy standards or
risk bigger bills, more emissions
Implementing changes in the report now could deliver Australians
savings of up to $150 per household per year on energy bills, with
savings more than offsetting additional capital costs. It could
also deliver more comfortable homes, reduce stress on the
electricity grid, and cut emissions by around 10.8 million tonnes
to 2050 (08 February 2018). More...
New South Wales
New tool to empower homeowners
A new online tool was officially launched by the NSW Government
today that will help protect homeowners against uninsured and
unlicensed building work. Minister for Finance, Services and
Property Victor Dominello said HBC Check will enable homeowners to
independently verify if any building or renovation work over
$20,000 has a valid insurance certificate (09 February 2018). More....
Second phase of Social and Affordable Housing Fund
opens
The NSW Government has officially opened the Expressions of
Interest for the second phase of its Social and Affordable Housing
Fund (SAHF), which will deliver up to 1,200
additional social and affordable homes (07 February 2018).
More...
Be fire-safety aware: Campaign commences for residents
of apartment buildings with cladding
The Fire Safety and External Wall Cladding Taskforce will launch
an advertising campaign aimed at residents and tenants of high-rise
apartment buildings in NSW that may have cladding installed. The
new laws require dangerous building products to be located and
removed (06 February 2018).
More...
Consumers warned: do not deal with Matthew Rixon
Consumers should not deal with unlicensed building
contractor Matthew Rixon who's been permanently banned from
working in the home building industry, Minister for Better
Regulation Matt Kean said today (02 February 2018).
More...
NSW housing approvals continue to soar
Housing approvals across the state continue to soar with
over 70,000 home approvals granted in 2017, according to the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (01 February
2018).
More...
Published
Australian Bureau of Statistics
01/02/2018:
Building Approvals, Australia, Dec 2017 (cat no. 8731.0).
The Bottom Line: The household impacts of delaying
improved energy requirements in the Building Code
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council
(ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia (Interim
Report) February 2018. The full report will be released in early
2018.
The report finds that simple energy efficiency changes –
such as sealing air leakages, installing ceiling fans in warmer
climates, and improving insulation in cooler climates – could
cut energy consumption for heating and cooling by up to 51 per cent
across a range of housing types and climate zones.
More...
Practice and courts
ABCB: NCC 2016 Volume One Amendment 1
The Amendment preview and Evidence of Suitability
handbook are now available. Accompanying the preview is a
summary of changes, the
Consolidated Performance Requirements preview and a new
Evidence of Suitability Handbook. NCC 2016 Volume One Amendment
1 is scheduled for adoption by all States and Territories from 12
March 2018.
ABCB: NCC 2019 Public Comment Draft is now
available
The consultation period for proposed changes for NCC 2019
is now open and the ABCB is seeking your feedback. Full details of
the changes are provided in the
NCC 2019 Public Comment Draft. Feedback should be
submitted using the
NCC response sheet and uploaded to the
online form located on the ABCB website. Submissions close
13 April 2018 (08 February 2018).
More...
ABCB: NCC 2019 Public Comment Draft addendum
An addendum has been issued for NCC 2019, Volume One -
Version 1.1 (08 February 2018).
More...
Registration is now open for the 2018 NCC Information
Seminars
In February and March 2018, a representative from the
ABCB will be coming to a capital city near you. Don't miss out
on your opportunity to hear about the following BCA initiatives:
NCC 2016 Volume One amendment addressing fire safety; NCC 2019
public comment draft; The improved CodeMark scheme; and The
practical development and assessment of Performance Solutions. Register
here...
Economics References Committee Inquiries
Non-conforming building products
Status: Submissions Closed Date Referred: 11 October 2016.
Reporting Date: 30 April 2018.
ABCC Code for the Tendering and Performance of
Building Work 2016
The Code for
the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016
applies to companies who wish to undertake Commonwealth-funded
building work. Building industry participants covered by agreements
made prior 2 December 2016 have until 29 November 2018 to ensure
their agreements are Code compliant.
New South Wales
NSW BPB: 5-minute survey about our services
Building Professionals Board invites you to complete an
anonymous, 5-minute survey about their accreditation, investigation
and advisory/education services (05 February 2018).
5-minute survey about our services
NSW BPB: Approved E1 CPD activity worth 6 hours
The Board has approved the University of Technology to
deliver a continuing professional development
(CPD) activity worth 6 CPD hours for E1 certifiers
(31 January 2018).
More...
HBC Check
HBC Check will enable homeowners to independently verify
if any building or renovation work over $20,000 has a valid
insurance certificate. HBC Check also protects licensed builders
and tradespeople against unfair competition and weeds out
unscrupulous operators. The HBC Check includes details of more than
460,000 projects (09 February 2018). More...
Proposed Reforms for Buildings with Combustible
Cladding
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment
(DPE) has released a package of proposed reforms
requiring owners to: register their building/s with the NSW
Government and engage an expert to do a fire risk assessment of the
cladding. The package is on exhibition until 16 February 2018.
More...
Cases
Roberts v
Morphett Constructions Pty Ltd [2018]
NSWCATAP 33
Appeal – Home Building – dispute clause in
contract – whether clause had been complied with –
clause imposes no substantive requirement – no basis for stay
of proceedings – Leave to appeal – interlocutory
decision to refuse an adjournment – no error of principle
– Content of contract – issue of fact – no
error.
B & M Mitchell Pty Ltd v Mikell Investments Pty Ltd &
Divlist Pty Ltd t/as Contemporary Homes
[2018] NSWCATAP 35
Appeal dismissed. Building contract – fixed price
– cost plus. Applicants are builders that brought proceedings
for payment by the respondent (the homeowner) of an amount said to
be owing under a home building contract. Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW); Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Rules 2014 (NSW).
Rockwall Constructions Pty Ltd v Nayak (No 2)
[2018] NSWCATAP 32
1. A hearing on costs is dispensed with pursuant to s
50(1)(c) of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act
2013.
2. Rockwall Constructions Pty Ltd is to pay Srinivas Nayak and
Deepti Nayak's costs of the appeal, on the ordinary basis until
25 April 2017 and on an indemnity basis thereafter.
COSTS – r 38A – successful party – indemnity
costs.
Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act; Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Rules 2014; Home Building Act 1989; Legal
Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.
Deacon v National Strategic Constructions Pty Ltd; National
Strategic Constructions Pty Ltd v Deacon (No 2)
[2018] NSWCATAP 31
COSTS – cl 38A – indemnity costs. Civil
and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013; Civil and Administrative
Tribunal Rules 2014; Home Building Act 1989.
Singh v Verdi Group Pty Ltd
[2017] NSWCATCD 94
Home Building – Breach of Contract –
misleading and deceptive conduct. Competition and Consumer Act
(2010); Fair Trading Act 1987; Home Building Act 1989
(NSW).
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