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| 6 Jun 2013 Planning Approvals & Offsets
When a proposal’s impacts on biodiversity and/or ecological function cannot be fully mitigated, an offset package could be considered to support developments to become ecologically sustainable. Environmental offsets or environmentally beneficial activites can be determined in conjuction with proactive mechanisms such as use of best practice environmental management to ensure impact avoidance is the primary […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Building Sites and Theft
Under most building contracts, the builder controls the site until practical completion. During the construction period a builder is usually responsible for theft, vandalism or other damage that occurs on the site. A builder may be able to claim on its insurance policy or may absorb the cost, depending on the amount involved. If your […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Concrete Cancer
Concrete cancer often occur in coastal areas where sea salt can cause unwelcome reactions in brickwork, mortar and concrete slabs. Efflorescence is a powdery white salt deposit that can form on cement-based products like bricks, mortar and sometimes concrete. It usually appears when dry, hot weather follows a period of cool wet weather. Evaporation of […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Construction Costs
Construction costs have risen strongly in recent years and it is important that your building is accurately valued at replacement cost for insurance purposes. If you have not reviewed the “sum insured” on your home recently, then you should do so. To give you a general guide as to recent trends in building costs, you can […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Construction Starting Date
Defining the length of a construction period is not such a simple matter as it might appear. It is critical that you read your building contract carefully as the construction period probably does not commence from the date of contract signing. In order to determine the construction period, you need to make sure that you […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Development Conditions
Development conditions are sometimes attached to the purchase of land. These conditions are set to protect the interest of buyers and are centred around building strong, vibrant and sustainable Western Australian communities. How conditions protect the buyer Stipulating a time frame for completion prevents land speculation by buyers who are only interested in land value […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Defects Liability
Under many building contracts, you have a contractual right to have defects addressed. The contractual rights can be exercised by the property owner, but not usually by a third party. There are general entitlements under the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011 that allows a person to make a complaint about defective building work. […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 European House Borer
As of September 2009, the presence of the pest, the European House Borer (EHB), has been detected in 152 finds across 52 suburbs in the Perth metropolitan area – mainly in the Mundaring, Ellenbrook, Gnangara Pine Plantation and Southern River areas. There has also been one discovery in the State’s south, in Albany. The beetle […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Environmental Due Diligence
Environmental Due Diligence is a key tool in managing risks prior to, or at the outset of projects. Key legislation, as it applies to the industry, includes the Environmental Protection Act 1986, Town Planning and Development Act 2005 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. An environmental due diligence assessment defines opportunities and […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Enterprise Resource Planning & Strategy
A company’s strategy is key to achieving a competitive edge in the highly competitive Australian construction industry. Therefore making the most informed strategic decisions as fast as possible can be of utmost importance. Informed decisions however stem from having access to up to date and accurate information. Many companies may think they have this, however […]