Managing supply shortages and rising construction costs
As countries around the world counter the economic effects of COVID-19 by undertaking infrastructure projects and stimulating domestic construction, this has impacted global construction markets by creating: a shortage of some building materials; unpredictability in whether materials will be readily available when required; and upward pressure on labour and materials costs. To tackle these issues […]
ReadmoreCladding Safety Victoria Act receives Royal Assent
The Cladding Safety Victoria Bill 2020 (Vic) (CSV Bill) introduced 3 September 2020 has now received royal assent on 4 November 2020. The Cladding Safety Victoria Act 2020 (CSV Act) will come into operation on a day yet to be proclaimed, and at the very latest 1 July 2021. Key Features One of the main purposes […]
ReadmoreOwners Corporation Fees – How to recover when the lot owner fails to pay
In the current economic climate many lot owners may find it financially challenging to pay owners corporation fees. This can be problematic for an Owners Corporation where cash flow is crucial in order to fund the ongoing cost of maintaining the common property. Initiating the fee recovery process The Owners Corporation Act 2006 (Vic) (the […]
ReadmoreCombustible cladding – A flammable issue
A recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has provided some useful guidance in relation to the responsibility of builders and consultants to owners in respect of the installation of non-compliant aluminium composite panels on buildings in Victoria. On 28 February 2019, his Honour Judge Woodward handed down his decision apportioning liability […]
ReadmoreVictorian Municipal Councils to facilitate for finance rectification costs of combustible cladding
The Building Amendment (Registration of Building Trades and Other Matters) Bill 2018 introduces reforms to the Victorian Local Government Act 1989 to allow residential owners and owners corporations to access low cost finance to fund the cost of removing combustible cladding. Following the recommendations of the Victorian Cladding Taskforce, these reforms will introduce Cladding Rectification […]
ReadmoreExternal cladding – how to manage an emerging problem
Over the past 10 to 15 years many buildings have been constructed using Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP). ACPs are frequently used in buildings because of the need to improve thermal or acoustic aspects of the design and also because the panels are a comparatively cheap building material to use. ACPs typically have on each side […]
ReadmoreChanges to the Domestic Building Contracts Regulations
Effective from 1 August 2017 there will be a number of changes to regulations under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic) (Act). Major Domestic Building Contracts Major domestic building contract is now defined as a domestic building contract where the contract sum is more than $10,000 (previously $5,000).1 If the contract sum for […]
ReadmoreDeveloper left in the dark as builder garnishes $11 Million from developer’s bank account without notice
In the recent decision of Fitz Jersey Pty Ltd v Atlas Construction Group Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 53 a Contractor was able to garnish $11 million from the Principal’s bank account using the NSW security of payment legislation. The Principal was caught by surprise because at the time the money was garnished from its bank […]
ReadmoreSecurity of Payment Claims Following Termination or Suspension of the Construction Contract
The first High Court decision1 to consider the operation of the security of payment legislation found that a claimant may be unable to submit a payment claim after the termination or suspension of the construction contract. The Facts – Southern Han Breakfast Point Pty Ltd (in liquidation) v Lewence Construction Pty Ltd The facts are […]
ReadmoreCopying Building Plans – Cost Savings…or Costly Mistake?
A recent Federal Court decision1 serves as a reminder that copying building plans can be an infringement of copyright, which may attract significant financial imposts on both the landowner and the builder. Background Mr and Mrs Mistry (Mistrys) and building designer, Henley Arch Pty Ltd (Henley) were in discussions to design and build the “Amalfi […]
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