The ACT Government has introduced a suite of reforms which will benefit Canberrans that are living, buying into or running a business in mixed-use buildings. The Managing Buildings Better reforms will overhaul how apartments, townhouses and mixed-use buildings are managed - clarifying responsibilities between residents and business owners. As Canberra grows, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Gordon Ramsay, said that more and more people are choosing to live in mixed-use developments in their town centres. “As people are making this choice, the Government has been listening to feedback on what... more

The City of Melbourne is inviting heritage building owners to apply for a brand new $260,000 fund that will provide support to undertake restoration works on community-owned and landmark buildings. Expressions of interest in the Landmark and Community Buildings Fund are now open to not-for-profit, charity, or community-owned or occupied heritage buildings, and privately-owned heritage buildings that are considered landmarks, a feature of their local area or well-known meeting places. Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio Chair Councillor, Rohan Leppert, said the new fund was part of the $600,000 multi-year ... more

Adjustments to Melbourne CBD planning controls to promote commercial office developments could support more than 9,500 Victorian construction jobs, according to new analysis produced by the Property Council of Australia (PCA). At a recent PCA luncheon, Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP, confirmed that changes to C270 planning controls can be expected before the end of the year. Changes to the C270 planning controls were introduced in 2016. These changes saw the addition of mandatory requirements in relation to building setbacks and restrictions relating to plot ratios and shadow controls. ... more

The Institution of Structural Engineers has revealed the shortlist of the 2019 Structural Awards, featuring 49 exceptional projects from around the globe. Now in its 52nd year, the Structural Awards are the world's foremost celebration of structural engineers as innovative, creative design professionals and the guardians of public safety. Past winners include iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House, the Pompidou Centre and the Severn Bridge. Following strict judging criteria, shortlisted entries were selected for excellence, creativity and innovation, as well as elegance and detailing. Sustainabil... more

The Victorian Government is urging employers to take care of its youngest workers, following a recent spate of workplace injury claims for 15-24-year-olds. Young workers make up a substantial proportion of the workforce. However, young workers are particularly vulnerable to being injured at work because they have not yet had time to develop knowledge, skills and experience. The number of young workers injured seriously enough to make a WorkSafe compensation claim rose to 2472 last financial year. This is 130 more than the previous financial year. Tragically, seven young people lost their lives as the re... more

The appointments to the inaugural Infrastructure WA (IWA) Board have now been finalised - a significant milestone toward driving change and reform in how Western Australia plans and delivers infrastructure. The establishment of IWA was a key election commitment as part of the McGowan Labor Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’. Infrastructure WA’s purpose is to provide advice and assist the Government on infrastructure-related matters. The primary focus of IWA will be the development of a 20-year strategy, which will identify infrastructure needs and priorities to support the State's growing population. ... more

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has been directed by the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to investigate possible changes to the National Construction Code’s (NCC) energy efficiency provisions, with a focus on residential buildings in the 2022 edition of the NCC. This work is to be carried out in consideration of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council’s Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings (the Trajectory). The Trajectory proposes incremental changes to the NCC to reduce the operational energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions of buildings. To commence this ... more