Discover the latest updates and essential insights in the building and construction industry. For all significant news and developments, this is your go-to source.
Update on the CFMEU administration
Following a damning exposé by Nine media in mid-July (“Building Bad”), on Friday 23 August 2024, all Construction and General Divisions of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) were placed into a scheme of administration by the Albanese Labor Government. This was a truly historic event. The stated...
Silica training for workers
You must provide crystalline silica training to:
- any worker involved in processing of a crystalline silica substance (CSS) that is high risk; or
- who is at risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) because of that
If your workers are not undertaking high risk processing, you must still provide...
Importance of detailed geotechnical reports for soil parameters
Building Commission NSW encourages all design and building practitioners to seek and rely on a detailed geotechnical report and not assume soil parameters according to preliminary reports. The reminder comes after a recent audit found a final geotechnical report was missing before the construction of a multi-storey building.
Preliminary soil...
New position statements from Fire and Rescue NSW
On 9 October 2024, Fire and Rescue NSW published the following new position statements on their website.
The Fire hydrant system – single vs multiple position statement “emphasises that the NCC identifies the provision of a single fire hydrant system only, reminding building proponents to consider such in any hydrant system design”...
Understanding the types and impacts of banter and humour on women
The NSW Government is investing $20.2 million over three years in the Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program to create inclusive workplace cultures, attract and retain women in the construction industry, and support women in leadership roles. Master Builders Association of NSW has been awarded a grant under this initiative...
2-year study finds flexibility is key to work-life balance in building
A study on whether a five-day week will improve work-life balance in the building and construction industry has found workplace flexibility is a better approach than enforcing a shorter working week.
The Master Builders Association of New South Wales worked in partnership with the School of the Built Environment at...
It shouldn’t take this long to build a home
Master Builders Australia has today released new analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data which shows detached home and apartment building times continue to blow out.
Fifteen years ago, it took on average 9 months to build a stand-a-alone house. Fast forward to today and it now takes 12.7 months...
Promote scaffold safety
Unsafe scaffolds can be fatal
SafeWork NSW inspectors are targeting scaffold safety between October and December, as part of Scaff Safe 2024.
What are the risks?
Scaffolds that are poorly built or not managed properly by principal contractors/site supervisors can pose a serious risk to workers including:
- falls from heights...
2GB Radio interview - Addressing the Housing Crisis
Brian Seidler, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW, discussed on 2GB recently how the opposition’s $5 billion infrastructure plan could better meet Australia’s housing needs.
With 1.2 million homes planned nationally - and 377,000 in NSW - Seidler emphasised that infrastructure like roads, sewerage, and power is essential to meet...
Builders support the Opposition’s supply-focused housing policies
Peak building and construction industry association Master Builders Australia today backs new Federal Opposition housing policies to boost housing supply.
As the only industry association representing the residential, commercial, and civil construction sectors, Master Builders acutely understands the extent to which all three sectors have a role in ending the housing crisis...