The winners of the 2019 National Retirement Living Awards have been revealed at a Gala Dinner on the Gold Coast, on 21 November. According to a report by the Property Council of Australia (PCA), approximately 184,000 Australians currently live in retirement villages, or 5.7 per cent of the over 65 population. This penetration rate is projected to increase to 7.5 per cent in 2025, which means that the need for comfortable, affordable and supportive retirement living options is on the rise. The National Retirement Living Awards aim to recognise high achievement across all areas of the retirement living s... more

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released ‘Green Star: A year in focus’, its first annual report measuring the impact of Green Star. Green Star has played a pivotal role in transforming Australia’s built environment since it was launched by the GBCA in 2003. It is Australia’s only national, voluntary and independently certified rating system for buildings and communities. According to the report, as at the end of June 2019, more than 2,350 Green Star certifications have been issued across close to 2000 assets in Australia. These certifications come in all shapes and sizes, ... more

The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, has announced the Western Australian economy will receive a $940 million boost in additional infrastructure funding over the next four years. The $868 million injection of Federal funding will increase total federal infrastructure investment in WA from roughly $4.5 billion to approximately $5.4 billion over the next four years. In addition, the Commonwealth and WA Governments have announced a new round of road and METRONET projects in Perth and surrounds to further bust congestion, boost jobs and improve safety. More than $200 million in Federal and State... more

ArchiTeam Cooperative’s Annual Awards program showcased the very best in architecture from Australia’s small, medium and emerging architects at its Awards Exhibition Opening Night on 13 November. This year, Lovell Burton’s Springhill House took out the coveted ArchiTeam Medal as the judges agreed it demonstrates excellence in response to context and brief. “While providing a strong and inviting sense of protected enclosure, the home is connected to and elevates the experience of the site,” they said. “Through the respect paid to the local vernacular, this project is linked to the Macedon Ran... more

Lenders are 'reluctant' to lend and buyers are not rushing to buy when it comes to high-rise developments, according to recent industry analysis by RiskWise Property Research following the high-profile cases of the Mascot and Opal towers in NSW. RiskWise CEO, Doron Peleg, said with cracks in both the Sydney towers, fears more will become apparent in other buildings and the need to replace combustible cladding in thousands of buildings throughout Australia, demand for units had dropped dramatically. “Lenders are proceeding much more cautiously too, and this includes non-bank lenders whose business model i... more

The Victorian Government recently introduced tough new workplace manslaughter laws which, if passed as drafted, will mean that employers, including organisations and senior officers, will be held responsible for workplace deaths. As many as 30 people are killed in workplaces across the state each year and 19 people have already lost their lives so far in 2019. If passed as drafted, a negligent employer will face jail time of up to 20 years and fines of up to $16.5 million.Workplace deaths including suicide caused by mental injuries caused in the workplace, as well as accidents caused by dangerous worksites... more

A Queensland Construction Manager has officially taken out the 2019 NAWIC National Crystal Vision Award, hailed for her tireless work in providing women the assistance and encouragement they need to advance their careers in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction's (NAWIC) National Crystal Vision Award aims to recognise a female, male, organisation or group who actively promotes and encourages participation and career progression of women in the construction industry. Cris Munoz, a Construction Manager in the Queensland Multiplex business, was presented the award at the... more