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Archived Articles

March

Boost for Geraldton’s residential land supply
Geraldton’s residential land supply is set to receive a boost with the State Government announcement of the construction of lots for approximately 100 homes at Bluff Point.
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Approval for Midland Super GP Clinic
Planning Minister John Day has announced approval of a new Super GP Clinic for Midland, expected to be operational by early 2011.
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Reid Highway extension opened
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has opened the extension of Reid Highway from West Swan Road to Great Northern Highway.
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February

Work starts on Onslow complex
Construction of the new $10.9million Onslow Sporting and Multi Purpose Complex and Precinct has started with the turning of the first sod by Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls.
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National standards for private bushfire shelters
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released for public comment a draft national standard for the design and construction of private bushfire shelters.
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Former Craigie High School site revamp moves forward
The development of land at the former Craigie High School has reached an exciting milestone with the community invited to attend an information session to outline the site’s future plans.
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A new water source option for Perth?
As the volume of wastewater produced each day continues to grow, there is considerable pressure to ensure every drop is re-used.
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Works to commence on Leighton Beach foreshore
Community amenities, including a picnic area, cycle path, barbeque facilities, landscaping and a safer car park, will soon be built at the Leighton beachfront.
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Innovative complex planned for Pier Street block
Housing Minister Troy Buswell has named Diploma Properties as the preferred proponent for an innovative affordable city housing project, which harnessed private sector investment and mixed residential and commercial use in a single complex.
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January

Construction to get under way at Perry Lakes Stadium
The transformation of the Perry Lakes Stadium site into a contemporary housing estate is about to begin.
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State revises terms on coal to support hundreds of jobs
The State Government will provide a pre-payment of up to $4million for the delivery of coal from Griffin Coal in a move designed to support the company’s employees.
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Grants available for improving WA cycling facilities
The 2010-2011 grants under the Perth Bicycle Network (PBN) and Regional Bicycle Network (RBN) programs are now open to all Western Australia's local governments who can apply for a share of $1.75 million to further develop their cycling facilities.
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Multi-million dollar upgrade for Barbagallo Raceway
The Western Australian motor racing fraternity will benefit from a multi-million dollar upgrade to Barbagallo Raceway.
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Fifteen South-West bridges to be refurbished
Two contracts have been awarded to repair the bridge decks, guardrails and structures of 15 bridges located in the South-West region of the State.
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Ningaloo nominated for world heritage list
The Ningaloo Coast has been nominated for World Heritage listing by the Australian Government with the support of the Western Australia Government. It has also been included in the National Heritage List - Australia's most prestigious heritage recognition.
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November

Joondalup Health Campus starts $317million expansion
The $317million expansion of Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) is now under way.
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Treasurer launches Perth’s next coastal centre
Western Australian Treasurer, Troy Buswell, has launched Perth’s next major coastal centre by releasing the first land at Peet Limited’s new residential development at Alkimos.
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Revolutionary urban development for Fremantle site
In one of metro Perth’s most exciting property development projects, a disused industrial site close to the heart of Fremantle would be transformed into a cutting edge residential precinct.
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Emergency department increases its efficiency
A last minute rush ahead of a cut to the First Home Owners’ Boost, saw home lending commitments surge in September according to the Housing Industry Association, Australia’s largest building industry organisation.
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Multi Unit Housing Code wants comment
Planning Minister John Day is proposing to introduce separate planning controls for higher density housing to facilitate and better regulate this type of development in urban areas.
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Deadline caused a surge
A last minute rush ahead of a cut to the First Home Owners’ Boost, saw home lending commitments surge in September according to the Housing Industry Association, Australia’s largest building industry organisation.
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October

Power goes underground in WA
Local councils have less than four months to submit proposals to replace overhead powerlines with underground power.
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Environmental issues cancels station expansion
The Whitfords Stage 3 train station expansion has been cancelled following environmental assessments and community consultation.
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New Northbridge developments to boost supply of rental housing.
115 new rental apartments in New Northbridge will help the shortage of long-term accommodation.
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September

Fair Work Act
Master Builders Australia and the Australian Government are working closely in assisting builders, subcontractors and employees to better understand the Fair Work Act.
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Home lending recovery
With the financial boost of the First Home Buyers Grant waring off, the number of owner-occupier loans for July in WA fell -3.3 per cent.
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Architecture in the spotlight
Architecture Week launches on October 12, showcasing the 2008 Venice Biennale WA entries, the Student Biennale Travelling Exhibition and the Australian Timber Awards display.
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July

Perth identity is new face for Venice Biennale
In a significant boost for Australian architecture, one of the nation’s most successful businesswomen and best-known patron of the arts.
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New members for Subiaco redevelopment board
Planning Minister John Day has appointed three new board members to the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority (SRA).
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Welcome Jamie Lea
My name is Jamie Lea Simms and I'm the receptionist at Times Publishing Group. I joined the team about a month ago… and I'm loving it!
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June

Free elevator and escalator planning tools
Kone, a leading innovator in elevator and escalator manufacturing, is offering architects and building planners free on-line tools to help during the building design phase. The tools - named Kone Quick Traffic, Kone Planulator and Kone Escalator Designers - enable architects to browse through various product offerings and find the optimal elevator or escalator solutions needed for their project.
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WA backs high design standards, say architects
The appointment of Steve Woodland (pictured) to the role of government architect will provide WA’s urban environment with ongoing design leadership, says Australia’s peak body for the architecture profession, the Australian Institute of Architects.
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First Green Star residential rating awarded
A WA residential apartment development has been awarded Australia’s first ever Green Star residential rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. 'The Summer' has been awarded a 4 star Green Star – Multi-unit Residential PILOT certified rating, following its participation as a national pilot project.
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May

Shiver me timbers, it's awards time
Designers in wood throughout Western Australia have the chance for their work to be recognised in the prestigious Australian Timber Design Awards. Download PDF (587 KB)
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MBA report - Build from lessons learnt
Prime Minister Rudd's housing stimulus deal will lead to the construction of 3000 new homes, but the programme will require careful monitoring and management to avoid repeating past mistakes says Gavan Forster of Master Builders Association of WA. Download PDF (295 KB)
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Art for art's sake
Art is often the last thing anyone moving into a new commercial space thinks about. The coffee cups are in the kitchen, computers have made it to the right desks and the phones are working, but something just isn’t right. That’s when you realise the walls are bare. Ara Jansen delves into the world of commercial art collections. Download PDF (629 KB)
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$4B to save jobs
Insulation contractors and solar hot water installers are set to benefit from homeowner grants aimed at improving household energy efficiency. Elizabeth Murray looks at some ways the stimulus package is helping employment growth in the construction sector. Download PDF (533 KB)
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Borders fall as licences go national
Think of it: a single license allowing tradies to work anywhere in Australia without a trail of paperwork. It's in the works. Architect and Builder reports. Download PDF (305 KB)
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AMCA report - Cash for infrastructure welcomed
Improving infrastructure delivery is essential to stimulate the economy, says Alan Layton of the Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Australia. Download PDF (314 KB)
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WA backs high design standards, say architects
The appointment of Steve Woodland to the role of government architect will provide WA's urban environment with ongoing design leadership, says the Australian Institute of Architects. Congratulating Mr Woodland on his appointment to the role this week, the Institute’s WA president Rod Mollett commended the Barnett Government for its ongoing commitment to good design and understanding its value for the quality of the state’s social, cultural, economic and built environments.
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Accolades for Perth builder
Congratulations to Perth builders, Jade Projects, who have won two national HIA Boral GreenSmart Awards this week for their 8 Star House display home (pictured). Proving that sustainable can also be affordable, the house picked up the Energy Efficiency Award and the Project Home Award in the HIA GreenSmart Awards, which recognise the importance of environmentally advanced housing.
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DesignBuild returns in 2010
DesignBuild Perth will become a biennial exhibition for WA's building and construction industry.
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April

New CEO for building industry peak body
The Australian Institute of Building (AIB) has appointed a new CEO, Mr Robert Hunt.
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Fire safe housing
A Melbourne-based architect has called for houses to be rebuilt using new design ideas following the recent Black Saturday fires. Download PDF (113 KB)
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What's on
Upcoming Events....
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March

Australia's first ever National Carpenters Day
Australia's first ever National Carpenters Day will celebrate the invaluable work that carpenters do nationwide, and also the role that carpenters play in combating the effects of climate change. This is because carpenters use wood and timber products which offer natural and sustainable carbon stores.
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February

Councils and architects collaborate
Architects are offering their services on an initial pro bono basis to local councils for projects worth more than $1 billion under a partnership between the Australian Local Government Association and the Australian Institute of Architects.
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New homes to rev up by 2010
Soft sales and credit rationing have put an estimated 34,000 new homes on hold, according to HIA.
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Coming soon
You asked for it, Times Publishing Group is delivering! Hitting the streets in just a few weeks is the first edition of a new magazine, Australian Construction Review a comprehensive overview of the commercial building and construction industries.
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ISO for energy efficiency
A new International Standard will help the building sector to contribute to energy saving by providing it with specific design guidelines.
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Mandurah health centre to expand
Mandurah residents are set to benefit from the expansion of local health services with the State Government undertaking a $3.4million redevelopment of the Mandurah Community Health Centre.
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First home buyers lift market
Lower interest rates and the first home buyer have provided a necessary boost for Australia's housing market.
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January

What's on
Green Cities 09 Green building innovators will gather in Brisbane from March 1-3, 2009, to launch new products and technologies, and explore new ideas in sustainable building.
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WA on the move
Despite the doom and gloom of recent weeks with the financial meltdown, it seems WA's building industry is remaining firm. And there will be plenty of activity over the coming year.
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Architect honoured
WA architect, Professor Warren Kerr (pictured), one of the leaders of the architectural consortium responsible for the design of the new Fiona Stanley Hospital, was appointed as a member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours list.
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Green Cities 09
Green building innovators from around Australia and the world will converge on Brisbane on March 1-3, 2009, for the Green Cities conference.
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New incentives needed to boost building
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) survey of the largest 100 residential builders in Australia found that new home sales in November 2008 declined by 1.1 per cent.
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CEDIA Expo
For 15 years the Australasian Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo has provided a platform the industry to further sales opportunities, broaden distribution channels and to deliver vital product information and training. This year's event will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 15 17.
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Library of Green Building Materials
The Ecolet website aims to provide a single, central library of sustainable materials that makes it easier for designers to be green.
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World First: Real-Time Environmental Calculator
The world's first real-time environmental impact calculator for commercial property.
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No More New Suburbs, say AIA
"Increasing the size of our larger cities is not a sustainable solution. Instead, improving services and infrastructure – especially public transport networks in existing medium density zones with untapped potential for future growth – is where attention and resources should be focused."
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8 Star House proves WA knows best
West Australian's are on the ball with energy efficiency solutions.
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Construction Site Fall Safety Improves
Fall prevention measures on construction sites have improved in regional Western Australia.
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December

Green Cities 09
Green building innovators from around Australia and the world will converge on Brisbane on March 1-3, 2009, for the Green Cities conference.
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Architects Mourn Loss of 20thC Visionary
The world lost one of the finest, most visionary architects of the 20th century with the death earlier thisi month of Sydney Opera House creator Jørn Utzon.
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More Pressure on Housing Starts
The HIA's report card on the residential sector points to a rough short-term outlook for construction.
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November

Aged-Care Goes Luxe
WA’s booming economy is not only boosting demand for luxury cars and boats, but also luxury retirement villages with the demand for five-star aged-care accommodation likely to continue unabated, according to award-winning construction company Pindan.
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Changing Educational Spaces
Two Melbourne academics have been awarded a major annual publication prize to study the potential of our rapidly changing educational spaces to support and enhance learning.
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Aussie Apprentices Learn from Migrants
An Australian recruitment firm will fund a new scholarship program at Swan TAFE as part of an on-hire labour agreement for the recruitment of overseas skilled workers, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans announced in late October.
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October

Women – Key to WA Labour Shortage
Almost 120,000 extra workers could be made available in Western Australia if women received more incentives to join the workforce, says a report produced by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WA.
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Tapping into the Earth’s Energy
A pioneering business that uses Australian-first technology to harness renewable energy from the earth for heating and cooling has won RMIT University’s prestigious 2008 Business Plan Competition.
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Rudd Government to fast track building agenda
In a statement earlier this month the Rudd Government announced its plan to fast track the nation-building agenda to help shield Australians from the global financial crisis.
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WA’s Adam Harry Young Achiever
The Australian Institute of Building (AIB) has named Adam Harry of Western Australia as the AIB Arup Young Achiever of the Year. Adam was selected from ten national finalists who were eligible to receive this award which is bestowed on a building and construction professional who is under thirty five years of age and demonstrated a level of expertise and accomplishment exceptional for somebody their age.
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Urban Forest and Bamboo Dweller in China
Award-winning Australian-based architect Paul Pholeros will visit Shanghai and Beijing in October to present on the development of a sustainable resort in the mountains of south east China.
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Top Architects in Perth for Architecture Week
The architect of Beijing’s spectacular Watercube aquatic centre and a prominent architectural critic will be in Perth this month to celebrate Architecture Week. Both are scheduled to talk in Western Australia at the Australian Institute of Architect’s week-long celebration of architecture (13-17th October).
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September

Construction Site Fall Safety Improves
The Department of Employment and Consumer Protection says fall prevention measures on construction sites have improved in regional Western Australia.
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Green Building Council releases CPRS Position Paper
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) have formally released its response to the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) Green Paper. In releasing the response, GBCA Chief Executive Romilly Madew described it as highlighting the key role the built environment has in climate change and greenhouse gas abatement.
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Designbuild perth experiences unprecedented visitor interest
Designbuild Perth 2008 has experienced a dramatic increase in visitor interest with pre-registration numbers up by 500 per cent compared to this time last year.
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August

Heritage vandals to face massive penalties
Property owners who illegally demolish heritage-listed places will soon face fines of up to $1million. Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts today announced the Government would significantly increase penalties for illegal demolition and other illegal works affecting heritage-listed places.
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The Emergence of New World Golf
The words Golf and Country Club don't exactly evoke images of trendy, lively hot spots. But it seems Zürich-based Architects, Smolenicky & Partner Architektur mightn’t have been told about this. Their latest design for the Sempachersee Golf Club located near Lucerne in Switzerland knock those old assumptions on the head not even giving you time to yell, ‘Four!
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July

The Emergence of New World Golf
Golf and boring are tantamount. The words Golf and Country Club make me want to run for the hills. But it seems Zürich-based Architects, Smolenicky & Partner Architektur mightn’t have been told about this. Their latest design for the Sempachersee Golf Club located near Lucerne in Switzerland knock those old assumptions on the head not even giving you time to yell, ‘Four!’
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Green Loans Open Doors for Building Industry
The federal government’s latest initiative to combat climate change looks set to reinvigorate the building industry, following a recent slump brought on by successive interest rate rises. Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, last month announced that home owners will soon be able to secure low interest green loans to assist with improving the energy and water efficiency of their homes.
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Heritage vandals to face massive penalties
Property owners who illegally demolish heritage-listed places will soon face fines of up to $1million. Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts recently announced the Government would significantly increase penalties for illegal demolition and other illegal works affecting heritage-listed places.
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June

Heritage Building takes WA’s Top Architectural Prize
An iconic building of great historic significance has taken out the top architecture prize as well as awards for conservation and lighting at this year’s Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Western Australia Architecture Awards.
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BPIC Humanises Green Ideals
The Building Products Innovation Council (BPIC) are making Green Products human through the introduction of their Life Cycle Inventory.
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May

Report into work/life balance of construction workers
A draft report has been released containing new insights into barriers and opportunities to improve the balance between work and family, social and recreational life for construction industry employees.
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Government kicking goals in State Budget
Long awaited stamp duty relief and a strong infrastructure program are growth dividends to homebuyers and builders from the State budget, according to the Master Builders Association.
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Plumbers and sparkies most in demand
Of 100,000 calls received by Service Central, plumbers proved to be most in demand by Australians, closely followed by electricians and handymen.
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Brick industry takes training to the cleaners
The brick industry has held the first accreditation course for brick cleaners and building supervisors in an effort to address the considerable costs, time delays and disruption caused by poor brick-cleaning workmanship.
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Riverside development to transform Perth eastern CBD
The eastern end of Perth’s CBD will undergo a massive transformation, with housing for 5800 residents and commercial space for 1700 workers.
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April

Architectus wins for BIM
An Australian architectural firm has won a sustainable design award for building information modelling on the “Space at 1 Bligh” project.
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New facilities taking shape at AK Reserve
A facility to replace the former Commonwealth Games buildings at Perry Lakes is being built by BGC Construction.
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Young architects rub shoulders with British greats
Five emerging young Australian architects met with distinguished British architects in London this month after being awarded an inaugural Dulux Study Tour Prize.
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New RAIA partners
Australia’s peak body for the architecture profession has welcomed Virgin Atlantic and AutoDesk to its corporate partner community.
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Launch of affordable eco-village
A 30ha site in WA’s south-east corridor will be developed to include 250 lots with the potential for 640 sustainable homes and 40 businesses.
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WA defies reports of national construction downturn
The WA building and construction industry is operating at full capacity, with no downturn in sight.
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Leading architects to get critical on global challenges
Leading architects from the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, China and Australia will converge in Sydney next week to debate the growing challenges facing architecture today and into the future – including globalisation and environmental crises.
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Builders named and shamed as worst trade service
Dodgy roof job? Wonky flooring? Drafty windows? Everyone knows someone with a bad builder story right? The anecdotes become a reality as a national survey names and shames builders as the worst trade service in Australia.
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Apprentice campaign
There are more than 35,000 apprentices and trainees in WA but only 10,000 employers who train them
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March

Builders celebrate major awards
Builder Celebration Homes has won the ‘Most Affordable Family Housing’ Award at the Master Builders Association - BankWest Metropolitan Housing Excellence Awards. Housing Minister Michelle Roberts announced the winner at the gala awards dinner at the Perth Convention Centre on 15 March. Full details of winners. Download PDF (60 KB)
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‘Living Smart’ to act on climate change
Premier Alan Carpenter this week launched the world’s first large-scale household programme designed to help combat climate change.
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Designs for Armadale’s Aboriginal Interpretive Centre revealed
A distinctive Aboriginal Interpretive Centre will be built at Champion Lakes in Armadale, providing a facility for cultural events and traditional performances for the local Nyoongar community.
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February

Building industry health initiative
A new health project for construction will target mental health and sun safety, two of the leading health concerns in the industry.
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Design competition for WWI and WWII memorials
After nearly a hundred years, the nation’s capital will have memorials dedicated to World War I and World War II.
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New masonry plant
Boral will build a new $33million concrete masonry plant at its Middle Swan (Midland Brick) site.
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EOI for factory-built homes
The State Government has called for expressions of interest for constructing, delivering and installing 200 factory-built houses in regional and remote WA.
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December

Builders chosen for Champion Lakes
Five leading building companies have committed to a project to build almost 30 new prestige display homes at Champion Lakes to launch stage one of the 26ha waterfront residential estate.
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Industry plan to encourage more builders
A new initiative has been launched to address chronic industry skill shortages and increase the number of registered builders operating in WA.
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Diploma to build Murray Street high-rise
The Diploma Group has won contracts to both develop and construct a 24-storey apartment tower at 101 Murray Street.
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China Green plans released
Plans for a development to house 600 residents and offices for about 2800 workers in Subiaco are available for public comment.
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Design for biosecurity research facility
The design of a new $200million world class Biosecurity and Agricultural Research Facility has been awarded to Perth architectural firm Woods Bagot.
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November

New managing principal for HASSELL
Andy Sharp has been appointed managing principal of HASSELL’s Perth studio. Until the end of the year, Sharp will continue to work alongside the man currently in the role, Tony McCormick.
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Mirvac chosen as Hedland hotel developer
Mirvac will build s $100million landmark hotel and residential development in Port Hedland.
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Woods Bagot research programme
New research to be undertaken by Perth architects will tackle the skills shortage in Australia by identifying strategies to keep ageing baby-boomers at work longer.
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Spotlight on Hames Sharley
The spotlight is on Hames Sharley with two of its projects, the Mandurah War Memorial and the Carnarvon Town Centre receiving top awards at the Illumination Engineering Society Awards (5 November) and the Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Planning Excellence (9 November) held earlier this month.
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Courageous ideas to transform Perth skyline
Bold concept plans by well-known Perth architect, Steve Woodland, "bring back the river" and heal the scar caused by the freeway.
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Gresley Abas architects awarded
WA’s new Emerging Architects Award has been won by the Perth-based partnership, Gresley Abas.
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Fire safety in an existing high-rise building
Stockland’s headquarters proved to be a giant leap forward for fire safety when they became the first Australian project to use horizontal fire curtains.
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October

Revamped Elischer building opened
The iconic Elischer building in Nedlands was officially reopened as the new headquarters of the Royal Australia Institute of Architects’ WA chapter on October 22.
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September

Good interest in retirement village development
Seven non-profit organisations have expressed interest in developing a 350-unit retirement village in Dalyellup, south of Bunbury.
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Perkins to build Manea College
Perkins Builders has won the tender to build the $27million Manea College in Bunbury.
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New TAFE equipment
Swan TAFE’s Balga campus will receive $1.5million of new building and construction equipment.
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August

Interest rate hike likely to boost renovations market
The Master Builders Association of WA says the latest interest rate hike is another blow to first homebuyer confidence but could stimulate further home renovation activity.
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First train runs on new city railway
The first trial of a train running in the New Metro Rail tunnel was completed over the weekend. Planning Minister Alannah MacTiernan said that ‘proving trials’ were tested for the recently installed overhead line.
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Foundations laid for building conference
The Australian Building Codes Board has announced the fifth National Conference, Building Australia’s Future to be held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort from 23 to 26 September 2007.
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New training project takes to the road
A new $330,000 project will take trades training off campus and on-site.
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Architecture student heads welfare project
Kate Ferguson is leading a team of 30 Australian and Papua New Guinean volunteer architecture students in building a community health centre in Papua New Guinea.
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Triangle form for Albany theatre
A distinctive triangular design has been unveiled for the new Albany Entertainment Centre.
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CCN goes regional
Cameron Chisholm Nicol (CCN) has opened its first regional office for the South West in Busselton adding to the network of offices in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.
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Trades shortages despite less activity
Despite an easing in new home and renovation activity, the availability of key home building and renovation trades remains stuck in the red.
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Women prefer tradies: survey
Aussie women would rather have a tradesperson than a white collar worker, a new survey has found.
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Work begins on Metro Markets site
Construction has begun on the $81million Wellington Central office development in West Perth, one of the largest office projects to be undertaken in WA outside of St Georges Terrace.
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Developers sitting on blocks: coordinator
The woman appointed to fix WA’s land supply crisis has confirmed longstanding suspicions that developers are sitting on blocks rather than putting them on the market, a practice which critics say is designed to keep prices high.
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June

Calling on developer for TAFE project
The State Government is seeking expressions of interest from private sector developers for the redevelopment of the former Carine TAFE campus.
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New lease on life for the old Treasury buildings
The State Government has revived an eight-year-old plan to convert the heritage-listed Old Treasury building into a luxury five-star hotel and called for expressions of interest from the private sector.
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Niche in green building product market
Most WA architects and contractors are have difficulty finding green suppliers. Despite the clear business opportunities and a largely sympathetic industry, still too few suppliers are tapping into it.
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Aussie verandah home shows up architecture awards
Luxurious rooms for ‘high rollers’, an exquisite residence in Applecross and a community venture in the small rural town of Ongerup are among WA’s top architecture of the year.
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Multiplex to build 80-storey Dubai hotel
WA construction giant Multiplex Group is building a $715million twin-tower hotel in Dubai. Construction of the 80-storey Emirates Park Towers Hotel for Dubai-based carrier Emirates Airlines is set to begin next month.
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Burswood plaza takes State’s top urban design prize
Three WA projects took home awards in the 2007 CCAA Public Domain Awards this month. Peninsula Plaza at Burswood was named WA’s best urban landscape project.
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May

Intelligently designed office spaces influence ideas
One of the consequences of life speeding up is that people have less and less time to think. The culture of business has also shifted, to the point where instant communication and solutions are deemed to be more important than real insight or rigour, both of which require periods of study and reflection.
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Earthquake-proofing a religious jewel
St George’s Cathedral has undergone its biggest structural change since it was built by convicts in the 1880s. The completed cathedral project is a culmination of Perth’s central historic precinct’s refurbishments over the past decade.
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140 William Street work to begin: $200million green design unveiled
The main challenge in the 140 William Street development was always going to be dealing with the new railway station beneath.
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Master planning excellence in Mandurah
WA's only integrated marina has won a prestigious national award for excellence in master planning. Mandurah Ocean Marina won the national Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) award in late March.
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Designing out crime: improving building security
As criminal networks become increasingly sophisticated, a primary focus on commercial security by design is essential, to ensure minimal risk of loss and liability.
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April

Training guarantee for youngsters
Every unemployed Western Australian under 19 years of age will be guaranteed a training place under a new plan announced by Premier Alan Carpenter.
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Building company fined over electrocution
A Perth building company was fined $7500 with $5000 costs after live electrical cables were left exposed on a demolition site. Prada Developments has found guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court.
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Green pledge for new KPMG offices
Almost half of Perth CBD offices have been rated under the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) scheme, more than any other State capital city. The developers of the Bishops See development site in central Perth were the latest to commit to the scheme, and were awarded a 4.5-star energy efficiency rating.
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March

Second safety fine for Diploma
A Belmont construction company has been fined $8000 for failing to provide edge protection around the open edge of a lift shaft on a construction site. Diploma Construction pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to not providing edge protection around a lift shaft.
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Tenders for new fire station
The tender process has been opened for construction of the new $9.5million city fire station is to be built in Wellington Street, Perth.
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Green target for new Raine Square office
The proposed Raine Square office development has become WA's biggest commercial building to commit to a 4.5-star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating.
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February

Conference next week: latest trends in building materials and methods
New Frontiers: This one-day conference will examine the latest trends in alternative residential building materials and methods.
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Be featured in WA's leading design & construction magazine
The Architect & Builder magazine is calling on architects, builders and developers to submit projects for showcase in upcoming issues. There is no charge nor obligation to advertise.
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Skills shortage plagues business: survey
A critical skills shortage for engineers, building professionals and tradespeople continues to plague business, a survey shows.
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$80 million police station for Northbridge
Northbridge will become home to one of the most advanced police and court facilities in WA with the construction of an $80million complex in the heart of the busy nightspot.
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Coordinator to speed up land release
Experienced planner Matt Riordan has been appointed South-West Land Release Co-ordinator to free up residential land in the region.
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