STATEWIDE NEWS

November 2019

Apprentice awards keep trade skills alive 04/11/2019

The fall in apprentice numbers in recent years has sparked concerns about a future skills crisis but Master Builders WA is resisting the decline by championing the skills of the next generation. Master Builders Apprentice of the Year awards celebrate new talent in the industry and are open to trainees in construction trades such as plumbing, carpentry, bricklaying and electrical work.

October 2019

Payroll tax cuts are a gift for builders 31/10/2019

More than 90 per cent of Western Australia’s building businesses are small and family owned so reducing the payroll tax burden for these employers will bring them welcome relief during the ongoing construction industry decline. Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis welcomed the payroll tax cuts announced by the McGowan Government today, saying small building businesses across the state were prime generators of jobs and deserved support, especially in these tough economic times.

Builders hope for opportunities in Perth City Deal 28/10/2019

Talks between the Federal and State Governments to strike a Perth City Deal have been welcomed by Master Builders WA as a lifeline for the struggling construction industry. Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis said the deal would put focus on the important areas of housing, infrastructure and jobs.

Builders welcome stamp duty breaks 23/10/2019

The stamp duty relief for new apartment buyers announced by the WA Government today has been welcomed by the Master Builders Association of Western Australia. Executive Director John Gelavis said the tax break would remove a major obstacle for buyers and promote multi-storey apartment construction.

Drop the debt and raise housing construction 21/10/2019

The call for the Federal Government to forgive old loans for social housing and release money for new construction in WA has the full support of the Master Builders Association of Western Australia. Housing Director Jason Robertson says WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt’s proposal to drop the debt and lift spending on social housing projects has the potential to kick start the economy.

Mid West builders put skill and creativity on display 15/10/2019

Builders in the Geraldton region are defying the industry downturn by showing impressively high standards of quality and innovation at the regional building awards. Judges of the 2019 Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards, presented at Geraldton Grammar School on October 12, said anyone looking to build an original and top-class home in the Mid West region was spoilt for choice.

September 2019

Great Southern builders show innovation and style 14/09/2019

A preconception-busting aged care centre and a unique bush home in Albany have won the top prizes in the 2019 Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards for the Great Southern. Regional awards judge Charlie Baggetta said the range and quality of building work in the area was impressive. Judges assessed houses valued from under $200,000 to $1.5million and commercial projects ranging from $1million to $3million. The total value of projects entered in the awards came to almost $59million.

August 2019

Builders support better safety, not bigger penalties 28/08/2019

Industrial manslaughter laws are not a proactive measure to improve safety and will not stop worker deaths, say Master Builders Western Australia.

Builders support planning reforms 13/08/2019

The new strategy to improve WA’s planning system announced by the State Government today has been praised by the building industry.

The end is in sight for WA building slump 12/08/2019

New building industry forecasts released today by Master Builders suggest Western Australia is beginning to recover.