Reading RoomThe festive season is a common time for clients to be ‘ambushed’ by a security of payment claim. With many offices shutting down over the festive season, the risk of failing to detect the service of a payment claim under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) (the Act) and not serving a payment schedule within …
Panel contracts or 'standing offers' are commonly used by principals for the provision of engineering services to plan and design projects, as and when required, over a specified period. They can achieve substantial savings and benefits by reducing purchasing, administration and transactional costs. However, uncertainty can arise as to a consultant's liability …
Following a recent Federal Court of Australia decision, principals (including local governments) should take notice that prohibited cartel conduct occurs in the Australian construction industry and must be aware of the indicators of non-genuine tender prices and the ways to avoid paying an inflated price for a project. Contractors must inform themselves of statutory provisions that prohibit …
Residential building claims for defective works have grown exponentially over the past decade, in large part due to the increasing trend of Owners' Corporations commencing proceedings at the last possible time permitted by the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW).
The Home Building Amendment Act 2011 (NSW) received assent from Parliament on 25 October 2011. The Amending …
Modular construction is fast becoming a popular method of construction as construction costs in Melbourne soar for conventional builds. This timely explores modular construction, its application in Melbourne, its advantages and disadvantages and the legal considerations in modularising construction projects.
To read the full article please download PDF.
Building owners, operators and users are coming under increasing pressure to prepare their buildings for climate change. What are the legal obligations? Are there any regulatory constraints? What practical options are available to combat climate change?
Three power outages in the early part of 2009, two of which were likely caused by excavation work, provided the impetus for the Energy Legislation Amendment (Infrastructure Protection) Act 2009 (Amending Act), and associated regulations which came into force on 1 July 2010.
As part of COAG's commitment to introducing a comprehensive National Strategy for Energy Efficiency, the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010 (Bill) was introduced into parliament on 18 March 2010.
The Bill provides for the establishment of a new national scheme for the mandatory disclosure of commercial office building efficiency.
In …
On 26 October 2009, the bipartisan House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts (Committee) presented its report on the inquiry into climate change and environmental impacts on coastal communities –"Managing our Coastal Zone in a Changing Climate: the Time to Act is Now". There are a number of findings …
Urban Growth Boundary (UGB): Growth Areas Infrastrucutre Contribution (GAIC): Draft Exposure Bill October 2009.
On 16 October 2009 the Victorian Government released the GAIC Draft Exposure Bill for public comment.
To view the full Update, please download PDF.
