News

  • NEWS

    NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index 2021 now published

    The NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index (SPI) for 2021 (SPI) has just been published. The SPI is Australia’s first publicly available index showcasing the proven environmental performance of the top 43 bui... more

  • NEWS

    Heritage panel to bolster Queensland protection

    The Queensland Government has announced a new advisory panel will be established to strengthen the state’s heritage register and provide expert advice on heritage places and spaces. Environment Minister Me... more

  • NEWS

    Urban planner shares solutions to improve liveability of Perth streets

    Local urban streets geared towards walking and cycling increase liveability and social interaction among the community. In Perth, however, many streets are designed using standards better suited to major roads ... more

  • NEWS

    Festival celebrates Australia’s built, natural and diverse cultural heritage

    Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts and the Minister for Heritage, the Hon. Don Harwin, has launched the Australian Heritage F... more

  • NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index 2021 now published
    19 Apr, 2021
  • Heritage panel to bolster Queensland protection
    19 Apr, 2021
  • Urban planner shares solutions to improve liveability of Perth streets
    19 Apr, 2021
  • Festival celebrates Australia’s built, natural and diverse cultural heritage
    19 Apr, 2021

Real world experience for Victoria’s next gen building surveyors

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) and Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) have joined forces to create the Building Surveyor Career Pathways Program. The initiative sees final year students and graduates apply their academic knowledge to real situations in a dynamic environment, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience. Recruits will spend six months at each of the organisations over 18 months with the inaugural six participants already hitting the ground running. VBA Chief Executive Officer, Sue Eddy, said Building Surveyors play an imp... more

2021 Victorian Architecture Awards entrants announced

The 2021 Victorian Architecture Awards have been met with a strong response from the profession, with 204 entries lodged. The entries range across 14 categories, from new residential projects to heritage architecture. More than 40 jurors will review the field and the Victorian winners will be announced via live stream on the Australian Institute of Architects’ YouTube channel on 18 June 2021. The Victorian winners will then progress to compete in the National Architecture Awards program. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Victorian Presentation to Juries held on 27 March was not open to the public ... more

New report reveals steps toward Australia’s CBD revival

The Property Council of Australia (PCA) and Ernst & Young (EY) have released a new report for CBD revival. The report finds that 82 per cent of Australians are confident their nearest CBD will continue to evolve and presents six ideas to start that evolution. Reimagining our economic powerhouses: How to turn CBDs into central experience districts draws on property industry data, interviews with business leaders and city shapers, and insights from 600 consumers. The report recommends that government, employers and landlords work together to facilitate the return of people to the CBD via a series of target... more

New apprenticeships body to build skills for Victorians

Thousands of apprentices and trainees will be better connected with real learning and job opportunities through Apprenticeships Victoria, a partnership between the Victorian Government, major project employers and the TAFE training system. Through the $33 million Big Build Apprenticeships program, the Victorian Government is providing 1,500 opportunities to Victorian apprentices and trainees each year for four years to kickstart their careers on some of the state’s largest projects, including the new Footscray Hospital, North East Link and Warrnambool Learning and Library Hub. At least 10 per cent of the... more

Victorian Appeals Court finds for builders in Lacrosse cladding case

After a month’s deliberations, Victoria’s Supreme Court of Appeal has agreed with a lower court finding that builders LU Simon should not be held accountable for $12 million in damages caused by combustible cladding that it installed on the Lacrosse building. The ruling upheld the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) finding that the fire engineer (Thomas Nicholas), building surveyors (Gardner Group), and architect (Elenberg Fraser) were liable for the aluminium composite panels (ACP). In November 2014, the panels used on the building were ignited by a cigarette on the eight-floor balcony... more

Jimboomba Central is City of Logan’s best in urban design

A shopping centre in the heart of Jimboomba, which utilises clever and practical design, has scooped a double at the Logan Urban Design Awards (LUDA). A record number of entries were received for the awards, which recognise the best in urban design that help create innovative and inclusive social environments. Jimboomba Central, designed by Interlandi Mantesso Architects, was named the 2020 LUDA Overall Winner after also collecting the Architecture Award. The Cusack Lane structure was described by judges as a ‘clever design’ that was likely to be a reference project for similar future retail projects a... more

Heritage CSA grants to preserve Queensland’s past into the future

The diversity, beauty and cultural importance of Queensland’s heritage will continue to be conserved through the latest round of Community Sustainability Action (CSA) grants. Grants of up to $40,000 are available from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) for projects which help conserve places on the Queensland Government’s Heritage Register. Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said Queensland has a proud history of conserving and protecting its heritage, and the grants will help more individuals and community groups to nurture the past. “Eligible owners and custodians of Queensland’... more