Professor Chris Bulmer OAM

State and territory building ministers met recently to discuss a range of topics including the shift towards achieving net zero, NCC 2025, and pre-fabricated housing. The discussion about pre-fabrication is particularly noteworthy, especially since it coincides with the Prime Minister's recent announcement regarding advanced manufacturing in Australia. 🏗️ 🏠 https://lnkd.in/gj3JaNEV Property Council of Australia chief, Mike Zorbas pointed out that industrialised construction is an excellent opportunity for Australia, but requires scalability. He emphasised the need for innovation, investment, and secure demand pipelines, especially during a time of increased construction, land, and capital costs. We agree. There are already many early adopters in #MMC here in Australia, but to capitalise on this opportunity at scale, we need greater support for industry now. This requires further government subsidy, support, and investment, just like any other innovation curve. It also requires further demonstration and pilot projects at key sites across the state and the country to prove what's possible, both in terms of volumetric and prefabricated components. This can be achieved either through direct investment, subsidies and incentives in design and procurement, or a combination. 🏡 What are the benefits right now? Speed. Not cost. 🏠 🏡 What are the benefits long term? Speed, cost, diversity of workforce, security over delivery timeframes. Just to name a few. It’s certainly an exciting space, and if we end up at the forefront of it, presents a significant opportunity to tackle future housing supply challenges. At the very least, it will enhance the supply chain resilience and responsiveness. Something we have witnessed the fragility of since covid. Footnote for those who often ask what is MMC: Modern methods of construction is a process which focuses on off-site construction techniques, such as mass production and factory assembly, as alternatives to traditional onsite building. #building #construction #offsite #modern #methods #housingsupply #residential #development #future #focussed #advanced #manufacturing Q Shelter Master Builders Queensland Building 4.0 CRC Property Council of Australia Queensland

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The construction sector performed remarkably well during the pandemic, managing to keep worksites open despite facing major hurdles. The mega projects we are all enjoying today, including Sydney Metro, simply would not have been delivered otherwise. Now as we emerge out of the pandemic, the sector faces a significant challenge to build the infrastructure our nation needs particularly as we prepare for growth in energy, defence and housing. Our ability to deliver these projects will hinge on our ability to lift our productivity. We need to be honest with ourselves about the challenge ahead - productivity in the sector has not improved in 30 years. Overall, Australia currently ranks 16th in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for productivity – our lowest in 60 years. We also recently slipped from 14th to 16th in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking. The good news is there is a great deal of appetite from industry to partner with government to support productivity growth and there is an equal ambition from government to collaborate more with industry. Meaningful productivity growth will take time but there is no shortage of practical ideas that we can implement quickly and collaboratively. Thanks to Infrastructure Magazine for continuing to shed light on this challenge.

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An important industry alert has been published by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) requiring building surveyors to familiarise themselves with the application of the Minister’s Guideline 15 (MG-15). MG-15 was issued by the Minister for Planning under the Building Act 1993 to provide guidance to Municipal Building Surveyors (MBS) and private building surveyors (PBS) when considering the suitability and risk of existing combustible external cladding. MG-15 reflects the Victorian Government’s policy for the adoption of a risk-based approach to the reduction of fire risk associated with combustible cladding. Read the VBA’s industry alert: https://lnkd.in/gFHEUkTk #Cladding #CladdingSafety

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The consultation process for updates to the National Construction Code (#NCC2025) opens today. Today also marks the official adoption of the #NCC2022 energy efficiency and condensation management provisions in Victoria.   Ferrars & York sits amongst a list of high-performing buildings around Australia that already meet and exceed both the NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 energy efficiency requirements; well ahead of the current and future regulatory frameworks.   Lifting minimum standards is important. But so too is pushing the boundaries and celebrating best-practice projects. And whilst the NCC’s role is not to mandate best practice, more can be done at a regulatory level to raise the bar, instilling confidence that building better can be both financially viable and commercially desirable.   In what ways can we set better, higher standards for our buildings? 💭 #wedeservebetter #NCC #energyefficiency

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🏥 BUILDING SURVEYORS CAUTIONED: The Building Services Board has found a Perth building surveying firm and its director engaged in misleading conduct while certifying a medical facility’s design and construction. The Board’s caution against the building surveying contractor and its nominated supervisor has prompted Building and Energy to emphasise that certifications must be thorough and accurate, particularly when there are changes to a building’s classification. #buildingsurveyor #certification #buildingcompliance #westernaustralia

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Interesting article discussing Richard Crookes’ construction’s recent recapitalization by its owners. Richard Crookes is a high quality, Sydney-based contractor building schools, PBSA projects and apartments. The slow delivery of projects it reports is due to loss-making contracts with sub-contractors going bankrupt- older jobs bid on too low a margin before the surge in inflation of the past 3 years. It’s PBSA pipeline is a matter of concern, with some discussions around whether to go ahead (despite the low beds-to-student ratio in Australia) among stakeholders. This is the essence of Australia’s housing crisis: nothing is getting built, even for the students that are blamed for causing the tight metal market. https://lnkd.in/gK6cV5x8

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It will be no surprise to any interested observer that elevated construction cost conditions are persisting. But how has this situation come to be?    In WT’s forthcoming Australian Construction Market Conditions Report, our view is that the answer to this conundrum lies in a greater understanding of the construction sector itself, especially investment in its own capability and capacity.    Our construction economist Damon Roast, said today in an The Australian Financial Review article by Robert Harley that, on a three-year view, cost escalation in the building sector is set to increase around five per cent per annum across major capital cities.     Read Damon’s recent insights into what is driving persisting escalation in construction costs and sign up to be one of the first to receive the report: https://bit.ly/4bgW6vh      #CostEscalation #Construction #CostManagement #AFR #AustralianFederalBudget  

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🏗️ Australian Construction Update: Mixed Signals for Dwelling Approvals 🏡 The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data paints a mixed picture for the construction industry. On the positive side: Total dwelling commencements rose slightly (1.3%) to 38,397 dwellings in seasonally adjusted terms. New private sector house commencements saw a healthy increase of 3.0% to 23,597 dwellings, indicating continued demand for detached housing. However, a note of caution: New private sector other residential commencements (think apartments, townhouses) dipped by 2.7% to 13,738 dwellings. The value of total building work done also fell by 1.0% to $34.2 billion. What does this mean? While detached housing seems to be driving growth, the broader construction sector may be experiencing some softening. It's important to monitor these trends for a clearer picture of the industry's trajectory. Will the housing demand generate growth? #AustralianConstruction #ConstructionJobs #PreconstructionExperts #GEDON

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The National Construction Code proposes more changes for 2025   On 1 May 2025, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released proposed changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 for a two-month consultation period.   Housing Industry Association has stated that the primary focus of the proposed changes are on commercial and mixed use-residential buildings alongside changes which will impact housing and Class 1 buildings. The proposed changes will affect volumes one, two and three of the NCC.   At a time where the industry continues to adjust to the effects of the roll out of NCC 2022, it is an opportunity for industry members to get involved and have their say.   The proposed changes can be viewed by downloading the draft NCC proposals and supporting documentation via the ABCB Consultation Hub or website (found https://lnkd.in/gEE_w27X). If you are interested in recommending changes to the proposed NCC 2025, comments can be submitted via the ABCB online Consultation Hub and will need to be in by 1 July 2024 to be considered.   #constructlawgroup #smallbusiness #business #lawfirm #constructionlawyers #constructionlaw #nationalconstructioncode2025 #nationalconstructioncode2022 #nationalconstructioncode #housingindustryassociation

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A few months ago, I presented with one of the world's leading architects based in Melbourne, who (last week) set up a JV with the UK with the world's leading Cross-Laminated Timber construction Architectural firm to one of Australia's largest Superannuation Funds for a fast-to-market, fast-track solution to assist in solving Australia's worst affordable and social housing crisis. So far, there has been no response. Last year, sponsored by BusinessNSW to various State government agencies and Senior Executives of various NSW State government agencies, our scalable advanced modular construction platform capability was an all-day capability presentation at the CLT Adelaide Oval Hotel. The Adelaide Oval Hotel was built from renewable plantation forest trees into cross-laminated timber in less than 12 months, showcasing the speed-to-market typically achieved through traditional and 2.5-year inefficient custom construction methods. So far, there has been deathly silence from the NSW Government. Our Thrive Alliance consortia members demonstrated their scalable solutions, showcasing over 100,000 primary reference CLT urban projects worldwide. In Australia, we can scale up to 40,000 inclusive quality residential-grade mid-rise apartments per year ( Sydney alone has a shortage of around 25,000 quality mid-rise apartments today). Our plans included Australia's leading cross-laminated timber company cooperating with over 50% of the world's CLT supplier chain. This is a scale of the need to impact Australia's current shortfall of over 1 million affordable and social dwellings. We offered a whole new GDP growth industry opportunity in renewable plantation forest trees in the EU countries. 100% of their renewable plantation forest trees are utilised, and new export opportunities are created with a range of sustainable carbon-free products. Meanwhile, in Australia, up to 30% of our renewable plantation forest trees are wasted, either left on the ground to rot or, worse, burnt, adding to the pollution of Australia. In Australia, the Thrive Alliance consortia have been led by a proven "Placemaker" over the decades in all my previous major urban projects won at either State or Local Government tenders with no mandatory requirements just through my initiative and sense of social responsibility set aside between 30% to 50% for affordable housing an unmatched track record of "social responsibility" of any significant urban development group in Australia in today's values multi-billion dollar urban projects. I am off to Melbourne this week to meet our Thrive Alliance design architect and plan scale-up with his new JV specialist in the architecture group in CLT's worldwide leadership. #ThriveAlliance #AffordableHousing #SocialResponsibility #Inclusiveness #residentialgrade #midrise #fasttrack #fasttomarket #CLT #Harropfactor #Placemaker #essentialworkers #keyworkers #BabyBoomers #downsizingoptions #socialdwellings

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Great little feature here on MMC in the Australian Broker. There is lots of terminology kicked about in this space and they all have a different meaning— MMC, industrialised building, prefabrication, offsite manufacturing, modular construction, DfM, DfMA, alternative construction techniques, smart building etc etc Let's consider Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as an overarching category. By doing so, the focus shifts to identifying the specific aspects of MMC that we are investigating, funding, and investing in, understanding their current stage of development, and assessing their potential impact on housing supply in both the short and long term. Naturally, it's easy to focus on whether to view some of this as a cost or an investment. Of course, low-scale production of modular homes will be expensive right now if the market (orders are low). Similarly, investing in the development of an entirely new industry is expensive when there is so much need now. However, I'm sure we considered that when we invested in the light bulb, motor vehicle, computers, and mobile phones. It seems to me that government and industry both have a role to play in delivering right now and developing for the future. We should also acknowledge that many of these techniques have been embedded into private sector development for many, many years. I am largely referring to the role govt and industry should play together here 🤝 I like the direction of the national advanced manufacturing agenda, and that is the sort of visionary thinking this second part of the MMC equation requires in my opinion. Our state govt was one of the first out the gates with a modular program, but let’s lead hard on this whole agenda before someone else swoops in and beats us to the prize. Q Shelter Master Builders Queensland Building 4.0 CRC Property Council of Australia #MMC #ModernMethods #FutureTech #InvestNow #AdvancedManufacturing

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Early Engagement on the Wollondilly DCP Review Wollondilly Shire Council is seeking feedback on the Wollondilly DCP 2016 prior to undertaking its comprehensive review. Council is seeking feedback from planners, architects, developers, builders and others who use the Wollondilly Development Control Plan (DCP) 2016, or who have an interest in the outcomes of the DCP. Comprehensive Review of Wollondilly DCP 2016 The review of the Wollondilly DCP 2016 does not apply to DCP's relating to the Wilton or Greater Macarthur Growth Areas, as these growth areas are not within the Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011. Feedback received from the questionnaire will guide the development of a new Wollondilly DCP, which will contain new and revised objectives and controls. Council is seeking feedback on aspects of the Wollondilly DCP 2016 which need improvement (e.g. controls which are frequently varied, or where there are gaps in controls), areas which should be retained for the new DCP (e.g. aspects which work well or are useful), and the structure of the DCP. A Draft Wollondilly DCP will be prepared and will undergo further engagement in accordance with the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979. Share Your Thoughts Complete the questionnaire below to provide feedback on the Wollondilly DCP 2016. Consultation closes on 31 October 2024. Jeff Mead Sophie Perry Troy Loveday

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New regulation of building professionals in Victoria, #Australia, represents a dramatic change proposed to improve consumer outcomes. The Victorian Government has announced that the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) will be replaced by a new regulator following the publication of ‘The Victorian Building Authority - The Case for Transformation’ report. The report utilised seven case studies to highlight the shortcomings in the VBA's management of complex building work complaints. Ross Donaldson and Monique Naumovski unpack what this means 👉 https://lnkd.in/gZArny3U #Insurance #Risk #Construction #Regulatory

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It is inspiring to see young and established architectural firms getting involved with good design solutions for affordable and social housing and project designs that could be scaled up with fast-to-market and fast-track solutions. The design competition render featured in the Guardian (Pic) features stunning architecture that could appeal to a broad range of residents in inner-city Adelaide's Unley. These would include the existing community looking for a downsizing option in the community they love, essential workers with easy access to Public Hospital, and lower-income residents looking for affordable rental accommodation with a good bus service on the front doorstep. Who inspired me to do good things as a “Placemaker,” including my major urban projects, setting aside between 30% to 50% for affordable housing over the last 50 years on all vacant land won at either State/ Federal Govt tenders, with no mandatory requirements just through my initiative a sense of “social responsibility”. Late Alexander Maurice Ramsay MBE (1914-1978), public servant “The Public Service as a Vocation', published in Public Administration (1969), he asserted that 'man realizes the finest quality of his nature when he forgets himself . . . and concerns himself with his neighbour'. Arguing that the state provided the essential infrastructure for the operations of the market economy, he merged his economic training and Christian principles in public service that was 'both in keeping with the highest ideals of a Christian society and essential for its progress'. He described his work as having two dimensions: honest stewardship of the resources entrusted to him and care for the public good.” “ It gave him satisfaction that the Housing Trust ran at a profit" https://lnkd.in/dW9qD_8 This is what a scalable plan looks like to help solve Australia's worst affordable /social housing crisis in history. Our "Thrive Alliance" Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) in Australia and Internationally is made from renewable plantation forest trees. CLT=stored carbon capacity is up to 40,000 inclusive “residential grade” inclusive midrise apartments per year, targeting the “Baby Boomers” and "Essential Workers " including social housing on a scale (including disability workers) across Australia, including Regional Australia, built in up to 75% less time than current custom construction methods, up to 65% less skilled workforce on site. This capability was presented to various NSW departments last year in an all-day capacity presentation sponsored by Business NSW. "Speed to market "is the market opportunity for CLT advanced modular construction. The Thrive Alliance has over 100,000 major CLT urban reference projects worldwide. Led in Australia by a proven Placemaker, I have emphasised a sense of social responsibility in all my previous major urban projects. #ThriveAlliance #CLT

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I was a bit bemused to read the comments of Liane Dalziel in Newsroom NZ about the Earthquake Prone Buildings review, whose terms of reference I recently announced ... Ms Dalziel accuses me of neglecting the role of local government in that document, which she says she finds "utterly disappointing but sadly not unexpected". The former MP and Mayor bemoans the "absence of a single reference to the local authorities that have the role of implementing the EPB framework on the ground". This isn't even close to being true. There are no fewer than seven explicit references. Among other things, we're asking about the consistency of “territorial authority processes and practices”. Territorial Authorities (or TAs) are councils. We're also asking whether “the balance between national and territorial level implementation [is] adequate?” In my time as the Minister I've personally met with various mayors and other council representatives from Auckland to Invercargill, discussing seismic risk. In fact, the government's decision to review the seismic settings was prompted by councils petitioning me on the subject. It's precisely because I acknowledged the difficulties they were facing - as enforcers of the current policy settings, as well as owners of many such buildings themselves - that I suggested to fellow ministers that we pause enforcement and take another look. All in all, Ms Dalziel's stern admonishment that "local government is again absent from an ‘all of government’ approach" is hard to justify, to put it mildly. And then we had Ms Dalziel reproaching me on the basis that managing seismic risk is "not just a simple cost benefit analysis – it can be about life and death". Absolutely. But again this is well covered. Indeed the very first bullet point of the terms document includes the phrase, "the risk of injury and death in the event of an earthquake". And the second poses a question revolving around "balancing life safety risks". So many Kiwis are directly or indirectly affected by the practical challenges posed by the current Earthquake Prone Buildings framework. It's well intentioned but the passage of time has shown that many building owners simply aren't able to meet the requirements. That's the problem we are determined to solve. I welcome the view of everyone who is keen to contribute, particularly those in areas with recent seismic history such as Christchurch. We will be very sensitive to people and places with much at stake. And criticising decisions made by government is the right (perhaps even responsibility) of citizens in a democracy, not least of all those who have held representative roles themselves over many years. It would be helpful, though, if such criticisms were grounded in facts. An evidence basis is needed if we are going to get this right. Let's start in the spirit that we mean to go on, op-ed writers included. https://lnkd.in/gRBcc-8v

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Continued pain across the NSW development industry is reflected in new August approvals numbers released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) which show a 14% decline in building approvals to August 2024. “The decline in approvals is a warning that the path to reach our state’s housing targets is getting steeper by the month,” said Stuart Ayres, CEO, UDIA NSW. This pressure continues to be felt across the whole state, and across all dwelling types. As UDIA NSW analysis shows below, all typologies reported an annual decline, with apartments again showing the most dramatic of declines of 30% over the last twelve months to just 10,300 approvals. UDIA NSW is continuing to advocate for more action to speed up the delivery of housing, including the Government adopting key recommendations made in the Productivity and Equality Commission’s Review of Housing Supply Challenges and Policy Options for New South Wales. Our full media release can be found at this link https://lnkd.in/gGJFaC5F #udiansw #housingtarget #buildingapprovals

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Project consultancy makes UK acquisition A private equity-owned construction sector project consultancy that was involved with planning Canberra's Light Rail (picture) has made an acquisition in the UK. Read more about this, and much more about private equity and venture capital, at: https://lnkd.in/gE-aPUTb #privateequity #venturecapital

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