on-site insight 1-2012

8
The ACT was the strongest state or territory on construction performance but recorded the weakest retail and employment performance, according to Comsec. According to the quarterly Comsec study, which compares the economic performance of all states and territories for the last quarter of 2011, home building and construction was a major factor in the strength of the ACT economy for the quarter while employment and retail sales were major weaknesses. According to the State of the States report, it says, “The ACT is at risk of slipping as housing activity eases. Still, population growth remains above long- term averages, preventing any major slowdown of the economy.” The ACT’s employment picture (which is also impacting adversely on retail spending in the Territory) is a mixed bag: “while unemployment is low, it is now above its long term average”. Comsec says that construction work is higher than the decade average in all states and territories except the Northern Territory. Construction in the ACT was second strongest to WA, with construction work 49 per cent higher than decade averages. On employment, trend jobless rate of 3.8 per cent in the ACT is lower than in all other economies. But compared with its ‘normal’ or decade-average rate of 3.4 per cent, the jobless rate is actually higher in percentage terms than any other economy. So far as overall economic activity in the quarter, Western Australia continued to lead, from the ACT and Queensland. Western Australia’s economic output was just over 28 per cent higher than the state’s decade average level of output. Queensland’s output was up 19 per cent on its long-term average, followed by ACT, up 18.7 per cent. Population growth was above average in the ACT (current annual rate of 1.89 per cent) followed by Western Australia (1.44 per cent) and NSW (1.14 per cent). Western Australia and the ACT also have the fastest population growth rates in the land from Queensland (1.66 per cent). Across all states and territories, trend housing finance commitments were below decade averages. But the ACT was in top position with the number of housing finance commitments 0.4 per cent below the decade average. However home lending in the ACT was weakening, down 6.5 per cent over the year – the biggest decline of all state and territory economies. The ACT was well ahead of other economies on dwelling starts, supported by strong population growth. In the September quarter the number of dwellings started was up 68 per cent on the decade average. But dwelling starts peaked in December quarter 2010 and starts are up just 0.6 per cent on a year ago. The ACT was the only economy to post stronger starts compared with a year ago, followed by NSW (down 5.8 per cent on a year ago), Victoria and Queensland. “Australia has a three- speed economy. Western Australia leads the way with the ACT and Victoria in the second group and little separating the other economies in a third group.” Construction boosts Canberra’s GROWTH The ACT’s strong construction sector has boosted the Territory into equal second place in economic activity among all states and territories behind Western Australia, according to Comsec’s latest quarterly State of the States report. EDITION 1-2012 Master Builders Association of the ACT 1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609 Tel: (02) 6247 2099 Fax: (02) 6249 8374 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mba.org.au MASTER BUILDERS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL President – Ross Barrett Treasurer – Simon Butt Chair, Commercial Builders’ Sector Council – Valdis Luks Chair, Suppliers and Subcontractors’ Sector Council – Grace Ferreira Chair, Residential Builders’ Sector Council –Frank Porreca Chair, Civil Contractors’ Sector Council – Andy Crompton Chair, Professional Consultants’ Sector Council – Hans Sommer MASTER BUILDERS MANAGEMENT TEAM Executive Director – John Miller Deputy Executive Director – Jerry Howard Director Industrial Relations – Mike Baldwin Senior Management Accountant – Louise MacCallum Senior Manager - Marketing & Membership Services – David Leitch MASTER BUILDERS GROUP TRAINING General Manager – Wendy Tengstrom

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Master Builders ACT newsletter

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Page 1: On-Site insight 1-2012

http://www.mba.org.au/files/view/?id=594

The ACT was the strongest state or territory on construction performance but recorded the weakest retail and employment performance, according to Comsec.

According to the quarterly Comsec study, which compares the economic performance of all states and territories for the last quarter of 2011, home building and construction was a major factor in the strength of the ACT economy for the quarter while employment and retail sales were major weaknesses.

According to the State of the States report, it says, “The ACT is at risk of slipping as housing activity eases. Still, population growth remains above long-term averages, preventing any major slowdown of the economy.”

The ACT’s employment picture (which is also impacting adversely on retail spending in the Territory) is a mixed bag: “while unemployment is low, it is now above its long term average”.

Comsec says that construction work is higher than the decade average in all states and territories except the Northern Territory. Construction in the ACT was second strongest to WA, with construction work 49 per cent higher than decade averages.

On employment, trend jobless rate of 3.8 per cent in the ACT is lower than in all other economies. But compared with its ‘normal’ or decade-average

rate of 3.4 per cent, the jobless rate is actually higher in percentage terms than any other economy.

So far as overall economic activity in the quarter, Western Australia continued to lead, from the ACT and Queensland. Western Australia’s economic output was just over 28 per cent higher than the state’s decade average level of output. Queensland’s output was up 19 per cent on its long-term average, followed by ACT, up 18.7 per cent.

Population growth was above average in the ACT (current annual rate

of 1.89 per cent) followed by Western Australia

(1.44 per cent) and NSW (1.14 per cent). Western Australia and the ACT also have the fastest

population growth rates in the land from

Queensland (1.66 per cent).

Across all states and territories, trend housing finance commitments were below decade averages. But the ACT was in top position with the number of housing finance commitments 0.4 per cent below the decade average.

However home lending in the ACT was weakening, down 6.5 per cent over the year – the biggest decline of all state and territory economies.

The ACT was well ahead of other economies on dwelling starts, supported by strong population growth. In the September quarter the number of dwellings started was up 68 per cent on the decade average. But dwelling starts peaked in December quarter 2010 and starts are up just 0.6 per cent on a year ago.

The ACT was the only economy to post stronger starts compared with a year ago, followed by NSW (down 5.8 per cent on a year ago), Victoria and Queensland.

“Australia has a three-speed economy. Western Australia leads the way with the ACT and Victoria in the second group and little separating the other economies in a third group.”

Construction boosts Canberra’s GROWTH

The ACT’s strong construction sector has boosted the Territory into equal second place in economic activity among all states and territories behind Western Australia, according

to Comsec’s latest quarterly State of the States report.

ED

ITION

1-2012

Master Builders Association of the ACT1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609

Tel: (02) 6247 2099Fax: (02) 6249 8374

Email: [email protected]: www.mba.org.au

MASTER BUILDERS EXECUTIVE COUNCILPresident – Ross Barrett Treasurer – Simon Butt Chair, Commercial Builders’ Sector Council – Valdis Luks Chair, Suppliers and Subcontractors’ Sector Council – Grace Ferreira Chair, Residential Builders’ Sector Council –Frank Porreca Chair, Civil Contractors’ Sector Council – Andy Crompton Chair, Professional Consultants’ Sector Council – Hans Sommer

MASTER BUILDERS MANAGEMENT TEAMExecutive Director – John MillerDeputy Executive Director – Jerry HowardDirector Industrial Relations – Mike BaldwinSenior Management Accountant – Louise MacCallumSenior Manager - Marketing & Membership Services – David Leitch

MASTER BUILDERS GROUP TRAINING General Manager – Wendy Tengstrom

Page 2: On-Site insight 1-2012

In a climate of uncertainty where reduced activity can be verified by actual data, how is it that one side can accuse another of talking the industry down?

It’s one thing to ignore the facts; it’s another to add to the pain. At a time when it is abundantly clear that building and construction activity in the Territory and around the country has slowed, the CFMEU presses ahead making ridiculous claims for reduced working hours and higher wage rates through the EBA process. They then suggest all is fine with the world.

There was a recent press article in The Australian lamenting a drastic drop off in mining-related manufacturing business for Australian companies. The article explored Chinese investment companies directing manufacturing work associated with Australian projects to international companies.

Who were the ones at the forefront asking the Commonwealth to intervene to stop this from happening? You guessed it – the Unions. The very same ones who purport to be looking after the interests of the workers are creating an untenable environment for workers to stay in employment.

There’s no real lack of evidence to demonstrate the gradual collapse of manufacturing in this country brought on by extraordinary demands placed on business through the union movement. Surely common sense will tell you that there is only so much that can be absorbed before a business has to look at alternatives in managing costs.

This is the car industry being resuscitated momentarily with rescue packages. There’s only so long that this will be on offer before the realisation hits home that it’s not sustainable and the car manufacturers move totally off-shore in the absence of financial support.

In an industrial relations climate strongly favouring the union movement, it is little wonder there has been a sharp increase in disputation around employment negotiations. Bargaining in good faith is one thing, bargaining with both hands tied behind your back is another thing.

It is little wonder employers are locked into accepting some of the claims. For some it is a matter of making sure that they don’t go so far backwards as to go out the back door.

Some of those Unions doing the bidding for the workers might begin to consider how far over the line they are stepping. For every victory they might claim in the short term, they might ask themselves how much future activity have they just exported? There’s no escape from the global village. Protectionism will only go far before you find yourself isolated in a range of areas. Regrettably, we’re not as big as we think we are on a world stage – certainly not to the point where we can dictate terms.

There is a whole host of conditions needed to ensure business survival. One is the right people but you also need to manage costs. Sure, it’s in nobody’s interest to talk things down but sometimes you have to face reality. In the end, if you don’t, and you don’t make the necessary adjustments, you just end up getting hammered.

HAMMERTHE

hits the nail on the head

We’re just witnessing the last throes of another Australian industry in decline and nearing mortal injury.

Page 3: On-Site insight 1-2012

Advice from the ABCB informing of recent decisions of the ABCB Board in relation to proposed changes to regulation to reduce the risk to the community, and particularly to children, of falls on stairs, from windows and over balustrades in new buildings:

The ABCB has consulted extensively on this matter. Draft changes to the NCC have been available for public comment since June and a public consultative RIS process was undertaken followed by a stakeholder Forum in August. The purpose of the Forum was to provide

an opportunity for stakeholders to gain an understanding of the reasons for the proposed changes, voice concerns and suggest improvements. The ABCB aimed to better understand the views of stakeholders and identify the most appropriate way forward. The Forum confirmed that the risk of falls, and in particular the risk to children, remains a sensitive issue. Strong and opposing views about solutions to the issues were expressed.

The Board considered the Forum outcomes, feedback from its earlier consultations, its own earlier deliberations on the issues and the life safety and industry impact issues. Based on this information the Board has decided that -

1. new provisions for handrails forprivate stairs be included in NCC2012;and

2. amended provisions for barriersfor openable windows andbalustrades be included in NCC2013.

For handrails, the changes will require a handrail to be installed on at least one side of a stair within a house or residential unit.

For window barriers, the changes will require all openable windows in early childhood centres and in habitable rooms in residential buildings, where the floor is more than 2m above the surface beneath, to be either fitted with a screen or have the window opening limited to 125mm. The current option of a window is sill height of at least 865mm will be removed.

For balustrades, where the floor of the veranda, deck or the like is more than 2m above the surface beneath, the balustrade would need to be non-

climbable, that is, horizontal elements in the balustrade could have horizontal elements if, for example, the handrail was kinked inwards, making it difficult for a child to climb. Other suitable solutions will be investigated in consultation with industry.

The Board agreed to commence the window barrier and balustrade measures from NCC 2013 to allow time for industry to prepare for the changes and for the ABCB to engage with stakeholders to finalise appropriate solutions, such as the kinked handrail option for balustrades. However, the Board wishes to make it clear that the above changes will commence as scheduled to provide certainty for industry and the community.

The Board is mindful that the issue of child falls is an on-going problem and is likely to see increased risk to life with the significant expansion in apartment living underway unless preventative measures are taken. The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in NSW reported that from 1998 to 2011 there have been 113 young children admitted after falling from windows, mostly from a window in their own home, and a similar number from balconies. 80% of cases resulted

in significant or severe injuries. The NSW Government also recently reported that around 50 children are admitted to hospital because of falls from windows and balconies each year.

The Board was also mindful of the need to explore the impacts of its decision. The ABCB Office therefore prepared an addendum to the final regulation Impact Statement to address these impacts.

The RIS addendum finds that while the openable window barrier proposal had a small net benefit under the Final

Decision RIS it becomes a small net cost under the Board’s decision, where the cost of locks and/or screens to a degree exceed the estimated benefits. While a small net cost, the amended proposal means that children will largely be prevented from falling from openable windows in new dwellings. This is a significant life safety outcome.

The non-climbable balustrade proposal had a high net cost under the Final Decision RIS. Under the proposed amendment, it is possible for industry to innovate and by so doing deliver a small net benefit overall. As noted above, an innovative kinked handrail option has already been suggested by industry, and while yet to be market-tested, the benefits of innovative approaches such as this are compelling.

On balance, the Board has weighed its responsibilities for child safety as paramount and is confident the proposed changes will go a long way to reduce the incident of child falls from buildings.

• Jerry Howard Deputy Executive Director

Newprovisionsforhandrailsinhousesandunits.FromMay2012

"The Board agreed to commence the window barrier and balustrade measures from NCC 2013"

Page 4: On-Site insight 1-2012

There has been a lot of recent confusion in the industry regarding the qualifications/licenses required to remove up to 10m2 of bonded asbestos. I will try to simplify the complexity of the regulatory requirements associated with asbestos removal, with particular emphasis on those removing small amounts of bonded asbestos.

If you work in the trades, maintenance and services sector of the construction industry, there is a good chance you will need to work with small amounts of bonded asbestos, as part of your daily work activities. In the ACT, you must be trained to work with and remove any amount and type of asbestos. It is important that you get the skills you need to handle it safely and avoid health risks, otherwise, engage a licensed asbestos removalist.

The legislation relating to the removal of asbestos commenced on 01 July 2006, however, the provisions, namely, the transitional arrangements, commenced on 18 November 2006.

So what are you allowed to do with bonded asbestos if you have undertaken the appropriate training?

Builders, tradespeople, maintenance and services providers in the construction industry can work with, or remove, asbestos if required in the course of their daily work activity, as exempt building work only if:

• Theasbestosisbondedasbestos;and

• Notmore than 10m2 of asbestos is handled during the activity; and

• Each person who handles the asbestos works in aprescribed occupation; and

➢ Has a relevant asbestos qualification; and

➢ The asbestos is handled by each person whohandles it in the course of their occupation

How do you obtain the relevant asbestos qualification?

Through MBA Group Training. We regularly conduct training courses for those who work in these prescribed occupations and you can register for this course by contacting Norma Inglis on 6280 9119 or email [email protected].

For more information on the safe removal of bonded asbestos of less than 10m2, the ACT government has produced a fact sheet (please see URL below).

http://cdn.justice.act.gov.au/resources/uploads/Asbestos/Publications/Fact_Sheets/ASB_Trade_PPE.pdf

For training course dates please refer to the back page of this newsletter, alternatively you can visit: www.mba.org.au/training

CLARIFYING THE CONFUSION REGARDING

REMOVAL OF LESS THAN 10M2 OF

BONDED ASBESTOS

SENSIBLE CO-OPERATIVE OUTCOME

ACHIEVED FOR OUR CIVIL SECTOR

MEMBERSThe Master Builders, with the cooperation of its civil contractors, have successfully lobbied the ACT government and the Work Safety Commissioner to review the requirements for a dogging licence, especially as it has applied to the civil sector of our industry.

This was a victory for a common sense approach to a practice that has been undertaken safely in the industry for several years. The new legislation and especially the interpretation for the requirements of a dogging licence was causing a lot of grief in the industry. Following extensive consultation with our members, we successfully lobbied key government personnel on behalf of our members. The end result being the publication of a workable guidance document which has now been released by WorkSafe ACT.

This guidance document is available via the link below.

http://cdn.justice.act.gov.au/resources/uploads/Worksafe/Publications/Guidance_Notes/WSACT_GN_0079_-_Dogging.pdf

Guidance Note from WorkSafe ACT

A dogging licence is not required to sling and direct a load when the load remains in clear view of the plant operator and there is no requirement to exercise judgement in relation to:

• which sling to use

• how to sling the load

• the condition of the sling or the load and its centre of gravity

Therefore for a simple load, such as a standard or typical pipe section, if the PCBU has the following, a dogging licence is not required:

• predetermined instructionsonhow to attach the specificload, eg. prescriptively how to connect and what slings to use

•aninspectionprogramtoensuretheliftinggearprovidedforthe lift is inspected regularly by a competent person and is in a suitable conditino for use

•theloadandtheearthmovingequipmentarepositionedsothat the load remains in sight of the operator at all times during the lift. (this does not prevent a person giving directions, eg. final alignment).

To achieve the required competencies in the above you can undertake a nationally accredited course through MBA Group Training. For more information please contact Norma Inglis on 6280 9119 or email [email protected]

Page 5: On-Site insight 1-2012

Electronic lodgement of DAs now MANDATORYDevelopment Applications and changes associated with building projects, including amendments can now only be made using ACTPLA’s online eDevelopment portal.

ACTPLA (now part of the Government’s Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate) will no longer accept DA lodgement or changes over the counter, by post or email, the authority has announced. They will be accepted only via the eDevelopment portal.

Using eDevelopment applicants can upload plans and documentation, lodge additional information and amendments and see the status of their application at any time, according to ACTPLA. In the past 12 months over 60 per cent of DAs were lodged using the eDA portal.

From Tuesday 3 January 2012 Development Applications and associated processes (amendments, further information, satisfying conditions of approval etc) must be lodged by the eDevelopment portal.

Computer terminals will be available in the ACTPLA Dickson Customer Service Centre at 16 Challis

Street and the Mitchell Customer Service Centre at 8 Darling Street for applicants who still want to visit the centre to lodge an application, ACTPLA said. Staff will be able to help applicants through the process.

To register for eDA applicants will need to complete the Request for Access to Online

Services form and bring it into the Dickson Customer Service Centre. Like a bank, users need a

unique confidential identifier – like a PiN – for security of information, including commercial in confidence documents and the like. The customer service staff will need to see a user’s personal and/or company ID before finalising the registration process and providing access to the eDevelopment portal.

SECURITIES REGISTER OPERATING FROM JANUARY 2012After several postponements, the new Federal Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) commenced operating on Monday 30 January 2012.

The new arrangements affect businesses leasing goods secured against personal assets.

The new PPSR will replace existing state and territory-based securities registers.

The introduction of the PPSR will affect businesses and individuals that provide finance secured by personal property and those that lease personal property, according to accounting firm Peak Partnership. The PPSR has special implications for businesses that supply goods on credit terms under a Retention of Title (ROT) basis, Peak Partnership said.

Under the new laws, businesses supplying goods on credit subject to ROT clauses are at particular risk if they do not take steps to register their ROT interests on the PPSR. In those cases, the business could risk losing assets to competing creditors (such as banks) who have registered their interests, should the business’s customer become insolvent.

The migration process to transfer existing security interests to the new PPSR began on 21 November 2011. It is expected that all existing registers will close on 29 January 2012, allowing the transfer of all existing data to the PPSR by 27 January.

The Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon announced the new register will open for business on 30 January 2012. Stakeholders, including the major banks, have confirmed that they are ready to proceed.

Businesses and individuals that hold security interests will have up to two years to register their security.

The PPSR reform aims to make it easier for businesses to use assets to obtain finance, whilst promoting SME credit, through clearer rules for protecting and enforcing secured interests in property, according to Ms Roxon.

The PPSR will also allow lenders, suppliers and any other party with a “secured interest” to attach their security to a particular property and record their interest on the Register. The PPSR excludes real property, which will continue to be subject to state-based legislation.

The PPSR will replace and migrate 28 Commonwealth, State and Territory registers, including registers of encumbered vehicles and ASIC’s Register of Company Charges.

Page 6: On-Site insight 1-2012

SECURITIES REGISTER OPERATING FROM JANUARY 2012A new nationally uniform Australian Consumer Law which came into operation in all states and territories (including the ACT) on 1 January 2011 gives new codified rights to consumers in all their dealings with businesses and imposes potential new legal obligations on builders, including in their contractual arrangements with clients.

According to Richard Calver, Legal Counsel for Master Builders Australia, the new ACL permits courts to examine the substance of terms in standard form consumer contracts to determine whether they are unfair. A term found to be unfair will be void, while the contract itself continues to operate to the extent that it can without the unfair term.

“The ACL acts as an overlay to the current domestic building contract laws, which the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments have announced will be reviewed and replaced with harmonised legislation in the future,” he said.

The ACL is a schedule to the national Competition and Consumer Act and has been adopted by each State and Territory. Some aspects of the ACL commenced prior to 1 January 2011, for example the national unfair contract terms law covering standard form contracts which commenced on 1 July 2010.

The ACL provides new statutory consumer guarantees which replace the statutory warranties that were in the Trade Practices Act and State fair trading laws. These consumer guarantees apply when consumers buy goods and services and include goods and services provided by builders.

The new guarantees exist in addition to any other warranties provided by a builder in the course of their work or in the supply of goods. Builders will generally be treated as suppliers because they sell goods or services to a consumer.

Under the new laws suppliers must guarantee that goods are:

• Of acceptable quality (safe, durable and free from defects, acceptable in appearance and finish and do all the things that the goods are ordinarily used for);

• are fit for any disclosed purpose; and

• matching their description or a sample.

A supplier must also guarantee that a consumer is buying goods:

• that have clear title, unless otherwise stated;

• do not have undisclosed securities; and

• with the right of undisturbed possession

The consumer guarantees also require that suppliers must abide by any express warranty they make about goods. There are three guarantees in relation to the supply of services which are also relevant to builders:

• services must be carried out with care and skill

• must be fit for any disclosed purpose; and

• where a contract does not specify a timeframe for the services, must be carried out within a ‘reasonable’ time.

Consumer guarantees apply to goods and services bought on or after 1 January 2011 by a consumer from a supplier or manufacturer in the course of trade. They apply to any type of goods or services costing up to $40,000 and goods or services costing more than $40,000 which are normally used for personal, domestic or household purposes.

“This could catch builders unaware because that definition means a consumer will often not be a householder but could be someone to whom, say, in a commercial situation, a builder has supplied $50,000 worth of carpet; this is because the courts have said that carpet is a product always of a kind that is used for personal, domestic or household purposes. Many other building products will be similarly defined.” Mr Calver said.

Another aspect with the potential to affect builders is the requirement that a consumer is entitled to invoke a 10 day cooling off period where they have signed a contract which is the result of an unsolicited sale.

The ACL introduces new national enforcement powers, penalties and remedies. The enforcement of these laws will be undertaken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Offices of Fair Trading in each State and Territory.

Page 7: On-Site insight 1-2012

`

MASTER BUILDERS ACT EXPANDS INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TEAM

Master Builders has expanded its industrial

relations department with the addition of a

new industrial relations advisor – John Nikolić.

John will be working with Mike Baldwin, the

Director of Industrial Relations at Master

Builders, from early February 2012.

John has moved across from Master Buiders’

national office, where he worked as an employment

lawyer and policy analyst in industrial relations.

John has been heavily involved in award

modernisation and the drafting of various Master

Builders publications, such as the Modern Award

Manual and the Human Resources Manual.

John studied law at Sydney University (with

an emphasis on workplace relations) and has

also previously worked for the Department of

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

John was attracted to a career in industrial relations

by its dynamic nature, which he says ‘makes it

a fascinating and challenging area to work in’.

However, he acknowledges that employers would

probably like to see ‘greater simplicity and stability

in the federal industrial relations system’. John is

continuing his studies in policy at the Australian

National University, where he is undertaking a

Masters of Public Policy. He hopes to study

comparative labour policy, potentially overseas.

John is excited to have commenced with Master

Builders ACT, particularly due to its proximity to

DFO! He welcomes the opportunity to enhance

his policy expertise by encountering the on-the-

ground industrial issues faced by members,

who he is looking forward to meeting.

John may be contacted on:

Tel: 02 6175 5921

email: [email protected]

Included with this On-site Insight mail out is a registration form for the Certificate IV in On-site Environmental Management. This course will be conducted at the Master Builders Skills Centre in Fyshwick between 19th - 23rd March 2012.

Environmental issues currently dominate our industry. It is therefore crucial that you have a demonstrated understanding of the environmental issues that we are confronted with on a regular basis. This Nationally Recognised Certificate IV in On Site Environmental Management (30657QLD) will provide you with the skills and knowledge. You will:

• Improve environmental performance and apply correct policies and procedures

• Gain hands-on experience and practical management skills

• Avoid penalties with relevant up-to-date legislative knowledge

• Confidently complete environmental surveys and risk assessments

• Develop and implement environmental management systems

• Effectively manage and minimise emissions, waste, and stormwater

• Feel secure knowing that you are fulfilling your environmental responsibilities

• Correctly manage incidents and hazards and ensure a safe workplace

• Introduce sustainable work practices by minimising environmental impacts

Rebate MBA Group Training will provide a $1,400 training grant rebate on completion of this course through the ACT Training Fund Authority.

CERT IV ON-SITE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Page 8: On-Site insight 1-2012

MILLION

// To Insert New Data Goto Object/Graph/Data• Copy and Paste Pivot Table Data into Data

$0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

Dec-11Nov-11Oct-11Sep-11Aug-11July-11Jun-11May-11Apr-11Mar-11Feb-11Jan-11

Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11Additions and Alterations (Residential) 0.345 5.7 17.3 14.87 4.97 10.00 5.52 0.3 0.6 0.58 0.82 1Commercial Building Work 20.42 12.5 22.50 41.42 14.20 12.3 7.91 85 60.9 17 8.19 51.5Garages, Pools, Decks and Similar Structures 3.96 4.7 7.16 5.14 6.90 6.00 7.0 7.35 10.5 7.1 9.02 7.05Multi Unit 5.92 50.4 53.62 54.66 8.81 66.5 96.0 7.7 24.89 15 13 16.5New Housing 6.02 15.2 19.05 12.82 7.43 5.00 5.5 1.07 2.8 0.4 1.8 11.4

The above graph and table below summarise private sector building activity for the various building sectors in the ACT over the past 12 months. The values for each month are depicted in millions of dollars.

ACT PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING ACTIVITY

COMING EVENTS FOR 2012

MBA Group Training Apprentice and Cadet Awards

Date: 30 March Where: Ainslie Football Club

The MBA Group Training Apprentice and Cadet Awards is an opportunity for industry professionals and industry bodies to come together to support and recognise outstanding work by the current MBA Group Training apprentices and cadets.

Industry Dinner incorporating the CCF Earth Awards

Date: 9 May Where: Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

Incorporated into the Industry Dinner are the CCF Earth Awards. The Earth Awards have the specific aim of recognising outstanding work in construction and environmental excellence which reflects development and use of the best technologies and practices by Australian civil contractors.

Master Builders Excellence in Building Awards

Date: 29 June Where: National Convention Centre, Canberra

The Master Builders Excellence in Building Awards are largely regarded as the premier awards and networking event for the building and construction industry throughout Canberra and the surrounding region.

Master Builders Excellence in Building Awards

Date: Now - Entry Kits Available Date: 16 March - Entries Close Date: 16 April - 11 May - Judging Period Date: 29 June - 2012 Master Builders Excellence in Building Awards

TRAINING DATES FOR MARCH 2012

IDENTIFICATION AND SAFE HANDLING OF ASBESTOS (UP TO 10M2 BONDED)

Date: 22 March / 19 April (Contact Norma Inglis at [email protected] to book your place)

The aim of this course is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to identify when and where Asbestos may be present and the precautions that need to be taken to safely remove and dispose of the Asbestos.

ASBESTOS AWARENESS Date: 22 March / 19 April (Contact Norma Inglis at [email protected] to book your place)

This is a nationally recognised course, approved by the ACT Government, to satisfy the regulatory requirements of the ACT Building Act, designed to meet the needs of tradespeople, services workers, builders, building certifiers and community members.

SECTOR COUNCIL MEETINGS 2012

COMMERCIAL 21 FEB 24 APR 26 JUN 21 AUG 23 OCT - -

CIVIL 7 FEB 1 MAY 7 AUG 13 NOV

RESIDENTIAL 21 MAR 2 MAY 13 JUN 25 JUL 5 SEP 17 OCT 28 NOV

SUB-CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS 17 APR 19 JUN 14 AUG 16 OCT - - -

PROFESSIONAL 15 FEB 18 APR 20 JUNE 15 AUG 17 OCT 12 DEC