Better building systems: Modular living · Web: • Designed specifically for high speed production of roof truss, and timber framing components • Minimal footprint ... abundance

NO. 367 // FEBRUARY 2017

PAGE 18

ISO STANDARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE

PAGE 30

HYNE TIMBER SCALES UP GLULAM PLANT

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THE FINER POINTS OF TIMBER FLOORING

Modular livingBetter building systems:

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Innovation in timber engineering

The fastest and most versatile truss and frame component cutting machine ever

INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW SUPERCHARGED TIMBER COMPONENT CUTTER

www.hundegger.com

The fastest and

My Hundegger and me! Never change a winning team!

Hundegger Australasia Pty LtdCharlie Hutchings58A Whiteside Road Clayton South Victoria Australia 3169Tel: +613 9540 0130 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hundegger.com.au

• Designed specifically for high speed production of roof truss, and timber framing components

• Minimal footprint

• Latest technology

• ln built board-stretching optimisation = more yield, less waste

• Fast, accurate, flexible and affordable

most versatile truss and frame component cutting machine ever

The fastest and

TURBO-DRIVE

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www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / FEBRUARY 2017 3

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Editor: Alison Turner(02) 9126 [email protected]

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Circulation: proprietors, managers andexecutives in all sectors of the timberand building materials industriesincluding merchants, building materialcentres, hardware stores, timber windowand door manufacturers, truss andframe manufacturers, timber flooringretailers, stair, balustrade and solidtimber furniture manufacturers andtheir associated suppliers and industryassociations throughout Australia.

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PUBLISHERIan BrooksPhone: 02 9126 [email protected]

Editor:Alison TurnerPhone: 02 9126 [email protected]

The strength of Western Australia’s economy has traditionally relied heavily

on the fortunes of the mining/resource sector. This makes our state very different to most of the more populated eastern states.

The building and construction industry in WA contributes about 11% to the state’s economy, is the third largest employer of labour (with a current workforce of about 135,000) and is by far the biggest employer of apprentices in the state.

While NSW, Victoria and Queensland are currently enjoying high demand for housing and buoyant construction turnover, WA is experiencing a cyclical down-turn. Housing approvals in WA have fallen from over 31,000 per annum (a record) two years ago, to a forecast 20,000 in 2016-17. Our construction workforce has reduced by about 20,000, unemployment is approaching 7% and our population growth is now one of the lowest in the country (about 1.2%). But we remain optimistic about our prospects and future.

The building and construction industry is renowned for its peaks and troughs so we are accustomed to this volatility, which is exacerbated by the fluctuations in commodity prices and GST distributions.

It’s pleasing to report that the Barnett government recently announced changes to WA’s Keystart Scheme and First Home Buyers Grant, which will boost demand for new homes. Extending the income eligibility criteria for low deposit Keystart housing loans by $20,000 for singles (to $90,000 per annum), couples (to $115,000) and families (to $135,000) is a welcome gift to the building industry and prospective home-buyers. The Barnett government has also increased the First Home Owners Grant by $5,000 to $15,000 for 12 months from January 1, 2017, for any new homes or “off the plan” apartments up to $750,000.

These pro-active policy measures are likely to create 2000 new jobs for tradespeople employed in the housing industry.

First home buyers now have a great opportunity to own their own home during

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods Pty Ltd ........ 6

Bliss & Reels Pty Ltd ....................................... 33

Hundegger ......................................................... 2

Hyne Timber ...................................................... 9

McCormack’s Hardwood Sales .................... 5, 32

MiTek Australia Ltd .......................................... 40

Multinail Australia Pty Ltd ................................ 31

Outdoor Timber Treatment ................................. 8

Simmonds ....................................................... 19

Vekta Automation ............................................ 39

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX – FEBRUARY 2017

a time when the housing industry has an abundance of good tradies ready and willing to take on more work and complete the jobs within a timely construction period.

The flow-on benefits from increased housing construction should never be under-estimated in terms of providing jobs not only to builders, tradespeople and suppliers but also kindred industries. With 2017 being the Chinese year of the rooster, home buyers in WA now have something to crow about.

STATE ELECTIONWA goes to the polls on Saturday, March 11 this year. It promises to be a close election between a two-term Coalition government and active Labor Party. Here are Master Builders’ priority policies for our incoming government:1. Affordable housing• Reform housing indemnity insurance

to create a more sustainable scheme.• Introduce more realistic bushfire

regulations to increase the viability of new home purchases and renovations.

2. Fast track projects• Streamline the planning approvals

process.• Establish an Infrastructure WA body.• Consolidate the Planning and Local

Government portfolios.• Extend private certification to planning

approvals.3. Boost employment• Increase the payroll tax threshold

to $1m and/or provide a two-year exemption for new staff employed.

• Ensure that the Code of Conduct is effective in dealing with unlawful industrial relations practices, security of payment and union right of entry for safety purposes.

• Extend the Buy Local scheme from $5m to $10m in regional areas.

• Exempt first- and second-year apprentices from workers compensation contributions.

• Fast track state and local government capital works projects.

Michael McLean, Executive Director, Master Builders Association of Western Australia

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Innovation in timber engineering

The fastest and most versatile truss and frame component cutting machine ever

INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW SUPERCHARGED TIMBER COMPONENT CUTTER

www.hundegger.com

The fastest and

My Hundegger and me! Never change a winning team!

Hundegger Australasia Pty LtdCharlie Hutchings58A Whiteside Road Clayton South Victoria Australia 3169Tel: +613 9540 0130 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hundegger.com.au

• Designed specifically for high speed production of roof truss, and timber framing components

• Minimal footprint

• Latest technology

• ln built board-stretching optimisation = more yield, less waste

• Fast, accurate, flexible and affordable

most versatile truss and frame component cutting machine ever

The fastest and

TURBO-DRIVE

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4 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / FEBRUARY 2017 www.timbertradernews.com

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CONTENTSRegularsIndustry insights 3State of the industry 5

Association updateAssociation news 7

NewsNews in brief 10What’s new? 17News feature 18

Feature articleModular living 20

Association profi leTABMA 24

TimberFloor NewsBoral 26Brice on boards 28

AutoBuild NewsHyne Timber scales up glulam plant 30News update 32

FTMA newsletterWith Kersten Gentle 34

GN guidelinesAll about the cloud 36

Watt about the workplace 37

Truss talk With Paul Davis 38

NEWSLETTERWant the full story? Subscribe to the TimberTrader News newsletter for news, profi les on industry personalities, new products and features.To subscribe, go to www.timbertradernews.com/subscribe/newsletters.

AUSTRALIA’S MOST RELEVANT AND WELL-LOVED TIMBER INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

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State of the Industry January 2017Results from January show a noticeable decrease in budget performance in comparison to last month.

37.5% ExceededJANUARY: 25% Made 12.5% Just missed 25% Missed badly

MAR JULY SEP OCT NOV DEC 2016APR JUNEMAY AUGDEC 2015 JAN 2016 JAN 2017FEB

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KEY FINDINGSPerformance against budget

• 62.5% made or exceeded budget (2.5% higher compared to December) – consisting of medium businesses (44%) and small businesses (56%).

• 37.5% either missed budget or missed badly.

Staff hires• 25% employed more staff (5%

higher compared to December). Of companies who employed more staff, all exceeded or made their budget.

• 69% reported no changes (11% lower compared to December).

• 6% of respondents reduced staff.

METROPOLITAN vs. REGIONALThe majority of survey respondents were located in Victoria and NSW (both 31%), with respondents also from WA, the ACT and Queensland.

63% of respondents were from a regional area. Of these respondents 50% made or exceeded budget (30% lower compared to December), whereas 38% of respondents were from a metropolitan area. Of these, 50% made or exceeded budget (same as December).

Profile of survey participants this monthParticipants included Merchants (31%), followed by Frame and Truss Fabricators (25%) with respondents also being Wholesaler/Supplier/Machinery/Services and Flooring Retailer/Contractors.

PARTICIPANT COMMENTS“Market is still buoyant. A couple of opposition closed doors in last 12 months.”

“Large volume of plans coming into quote. Looks like the next six months will be really good.”

This survey is a guide only as to the ‘state of our industry’.

Sample size for January: 16

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Australian Sustainable Hardwoods

Beautiful. Strong. Durable. IRON ASH, from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, perfectly answers your exterior timber needs.

Using innovative technology, now you can specify Victorian ash throughout a home and outside too – seamlessly integrating the much appreciated beauty of this gorgeous product inside and out – instead of having to specify dense, heavy species externally. It’s all thanks to our unique Tru-Core treatment that gets deep into the core of the hardwood. We call this IRON ASH! This is much more than a mere surface treatment. IRON ASH is transformed so dramatically that it comes with a 25 year

durability guarantee. You’ll harvest a huge time, cost and labour saving when you specify the most affordable Australian hardwood fit for external use, easily stained or painted, straight line machined and durable to H3 classification. For your brochure, just speak to an IRON ASH specialist on 03 5139 7070 or head to vicash.com.au/ironash where you can download the PDF and request a sample.

Image supplied by Austim. IRON ASH cladding

and battens with a ‘walnut’ tint.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

ATIF John Halkett

Illegal logging RIS submissionAt the invitation from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, ATIF has made a submission on the regulatory impact statement Reforming Australia’s illegal logging regulations: consultation regulation impact statement (RIS).

The RIS seeks comments on options for amending the Government’s Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 to improve the trade-off between the costs of complying with the Regulation’s “due diligence” requirements and the risk of illegally logged timber entering the Australian market.

The ATIF submission reaffi rms the Federation’s continuing support of the headline intention of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012, plus the need for a robust due diligence system and does not support any watering down of existing requirements that would reward timber products importers who had not suffi ciently developed their due diligence systems.

ATIF does not support removing personal and/or non commercial imports from a requirement to comply with the Regulation. Further, that such an exemption is likely to present signifi cant challenges in determining how to defi ne and audit such an exemption.

However, the ATIF submission does support actions directed at improving the effi ciency of, and reducing the uncertainty and costs associated with, the due diligence process prescribed by the Regulation. ATIF endorses suggestions about including some “deemed to satisfy certifi cation schemes” in a revised Regulation as a way of reducing uncertainty and making the due diligence requirements more effi cient, less onerous and cost effective.

Timber import conditions reviewThe timber import conditions review team within the Plant Import Operations section of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has now completed an preliminary draft import conditions for a specifi ed range of timber products, and has established a BICON case scenario. ATIF has provided some initial feedback on the review process at the request of the review team.

It is intended that three new BICON cases will be launched that will replace existing BICON cases that cover timber and manufactured wooden articles.

Once feedback is received and reviewed Plant Import Operations is proposing to hold a briefi ng session in Canberra. ATIF will be encouraging relevant interests to attend this briefi ng.

TTIABrian Beecroft

When summer temps affect the workplaceI’m sure it’s not just me that feels it’s been a scorcher of a summer. This may be a good thing if you’re on holidays and close to an idyllic beach with a tropical drink and a decent book at hand, but not so good if you’re back at work trying to earn a living in this oppressive heat.

TTIA is often asked on our National Employment Enquiry Line if there’s a specifi c set temperature in the timber industry when it becomes too hot and employees should down tools and leave the workplace for home or an alternative destination. The answer is no – there is no specifi c temperature!

Does that mean business can operate as per normal in these intense hot conditions and we should just advise

employees to toughen up, suck it up and soldier on regardless? Not quite!

Various WorkCover authorities in the respective states often issue guidelines as to what steps businesses must take to protect workers from ultra violet radiation in sunlight and how to reduce hazards in connection with working in hot and sunny conditions.

WorkCover issues statistics which highlight the fact that a signifi cant number of claims (approaching 500 per year) are lodged against employers for workplace fatigue and heat stroke related to extreme heat conditions.

Further, long working hours in the sun can increase the likelihood of fatigue-related injuries. Fatigue and heat stress can affect a worker’s health, reducing performance

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Australian Sustainable Hardwoods

Beautiful. Strong. Durable. IRON ASH, from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, perfectly answers your exterior timber needs.

Using innovative technology, now you can specify Victorian ash throughout a home and outside too – seamlessly integrating the much appreciated beauty of this gorgeous product inside and out – instead of having to specify dense, heavy species externally. It’s all thanks to our unique Tru-Core treatment that gets deep into the core of the hardwood. We call this IRON ASH! This is much more than a mere surface treatment. IRON ASH is transformed so dramatically that it comes with a 25 year

durability guarantee. You’ll harvest a huge time, cost and labour saving when you specify the most affordable Australian hardwood fit for external use, easily stained or painted, straight line machined and durable to H3 classification. For your brochure, just speak to an IRON ASH specialist on 03 5139 7070 or head to vicash.com.au/ironash where you can download the PDF and request a sample.

Image supplied by Austim. IRON ASH cladding

and battens with a ‘walnut’ tint.

@sustainable_hardwoods Australian Sustainable Hardwoods

bygoodwood Australian Sustainable Hardwoods

Inside.Outside.

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Long working hours in the sun can increase the likelihood of fatigue-related injuries.



and productivity, and increasing the chance of workplace injury through reduced ability to concentrate, recognise risks and communicate effectively.

Recommendations:TTIA recommends employers take the following steps to help reduce workers’ exposure to UV radiation and prevent fatigue:• provide and maintain equipment and

shelter to protect workers from the sun;• provide sun safety information,

instruction, training and supervision;• rotate tasks to lessen exposure to

the sun as well as to mental and physical fatigue;

• schedule work at cooler times of the day;• use rest periods in addition to scheduled

meal breaks;• provide water and encourage workers

to stay hydrated;• provide personal protective

equipment such as: - clothing with UPF 50+ rating - loose shirts with long sleeves, collars, and long pants; - broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+); - sunglasses that meet Australian

Standards for UV protection.• use plant, machinery and equipment

to eliminate or reduce the excessive physical demands of the job.

Workplace health & safety implicationsIt is clear that the various state workplace health and safety authorities consider managing hazards such as hot weather and heat as an essential part of an employer’s duty of care.

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

The risks of extreme temperatures to staff often exists within the walls of manufacturing plants and especially in outdoor places.

Employers should give serious consideration to contacting TTIA as we can assist you on drafting a policy and guidelines on this critical issue. We have the timber product industry’s key in-house WHS unit that can guide you at a minimal cost. It’s worth utilising our expertise as extreme summer temperatures are clearly an issue that will reoccur. TTIA’s WHS unit can be contacted on (02) 9264 0011.

TABMA Colin Fitzpatrick

Building Trade CreditTABMA’s credit information bureau, Building Trade Credit (BTC), has been successfully servicing the building and construction industry since 1984. BTC provides members with factual trading information, both current and historical, in the form of consolidated trading balances obtained securely from members’ debtors aged trial balances. The information is only made available to members and is presented on a consolidated basis preventing any individual member from seeing individual trading balances of any other member. From a confidentiality basis, this set-up has been very suitable for members since BTC’s inception.

BTC has primarily been NSW-based providing information on approximately 30,000 trading entities representing in excess of $7 billion in supplier annual sales. Consistent with TABMA’s existing national representation, the decision was made late last year by the TABMA board to expand BTC nationally. Progress is well underway with many national suppliers now participating. As a result, the database has doubled in size with information on over 65,000 entities with supplier annual sales of over $15 billion.

To support this national growth, BTC’s name has been changed to Building Trade Credit Australia or BTCA. We are currently undergoing development of a significant new website with features that existing members will enjoy and encourage non-members to consider the service. For any information or to arrange a demonstration please contact John Theoharris at [email protected].

ECOWOOD with colour built in!

ColourWood IS DURABLE AGAINST DECAY AND TERMITE DAMAGE AND SAFE FOR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE IN CLOSE HUMAN CONTACT.IDEAL FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND CIVIC APPLICATIONS, WHERE OUTDOOR ABOVE GROUND AND IN-GROUND TIMBER IS SPECIFIED.

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stains to be applied after installation.

Build withconfidence.

Provide a 25 year termite guaranteewithout using ‘barrier’ systems.

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The best protection against termites.A dog kennel, garden bed or even long grass can form pathways for termites to breach barrier systems. Choose the proven, set-and-forget pathway to NCC termite compliance. For pricing and availability, call us now on 1300 784 963.

The decision was made late last year by the TABMA board to expand Building Trade Credit nationally.


Build withconfidence.

Provide a 25 year termite guaranteewithout using ‘barrier’ systems.

hyne.com.au

The best protection against termites.A dog kennel, garden bed or even long grass can form pathways for termites to breach barrier systems. Choose the proven, set-and-forget pathway to NCC termite compliance. For pricing and availability, call us now on 1300 784 963.



NEWS IN BRIEF

INDUSTRY NEWS

A. Austimber operator Laurie Trewin being presented with his FOLS Card by Stephen Wentworth from HVP. B. Austimber operator Alan Hegarty. C. Austimber operator Michael Jordan with Stephen Wentworth from HVP.

NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET? BIG NEWS? DON’T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF! If you are launching a product or your business has an announcement, send it to [email protected] for the chance to be featured here.

HVP and AFCA endorsements see more companies adopt FOLS

Several forestry contracting businesses have recently completed a move over

to FOLS – ForestWorks Licensing System. FOLS is an industry-led skills verification program for use by forest managers, forestry contractors and operators.

The following businesses have officially signed on all of their operators to the skills verification program. This move follows the initiatives of HVP Plantations (HVP) and the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA), who recently endorsed FOLS:

• Austimber Harvesting Gippsland • Forestry Services Logging Pty Ltd • Galzon Logging • Retreev Pty Ltd • Richards Harvesting & Haulage

All five companies undertake work for HVP Plantations, which this year endorsed FOLS as their preferred tool to manage operators’ high risk competencies.

John Dodson, HVP’s Human Resources general manager, says a further 13 forestry contracting businesses are also well

safety in the workplace.“A key benefit is how it has helped

us to manage risk. Through FOLS we are able to quickly know who is trained and skilled to undertake particular activities.”

AFCA became advocates of FOLS last year, signing an agreement with ForestWorks to provide their members with discounted FOLS fees.

Diana Lloyd, General Manager of ForestWorks, says the interest in FOLS has increased following the endorsement by HVP and AFCA.

“Word is spreading about the benefits of FOLS and we are pleased to see so many businesses getting behind the initiative,” she says. “We are committed to further developing FOLS, to provide a national platform for industry to demonstrate their safe practice standards and professionalism.”FOLS is a national industry-led program managed by ForestWorks. For more information about the FOLS Skills Verification Program, visit fols.forestworks.com.au

advanced in the process of moving their operators on to FOLS, which will see a total of 18 contracting businesses with over 140 operators moving over to FOLS in a six-month period.

“HVP has assisted contractors financially and by working one-on-one with them to bring their training and currency records on to FOLS,” he says. “With FOLS, we now have a consistent and accessible tool for working with contractors on their training and workplace health and safety requirements.”

The first HVP contractor to complete their transition to FOLS was Austimber, which is also a member of AFCA.

Ian Reid, director of Austimber and former chairman of the AFCA Board, says he is very pleased with the service FOLS has provided the business.

“In a world where systems and processes tend to be made more complicated, it’s pleasing to see a system become available that’s easy and simple to use,” he says. “It is such an effective system for managing the skills of employees and supporting

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Timberlink releases first sustainability report

Timberlink released its 2016 Sustainability Report late last year.

In this, the company’s fi rst Sustainability Report, Timberlink has tracked its social and environmental management and performance for the year. Highlights have been:

Forestry sourcing and traceabilityMore than 97 percent of Timberlink’s Australian log intake is certifi ed by either the AFS/PEFC or FSC® schemes (or both). The remainder is controlled through a Due Diligence System.

People and community In 2016 the indirect economic contribution made by Timberlink mills was estimated to be $180M for Tarpeena, $150M for Bell Bay and NZ$60M for Blenheim.

Environment and effi ciencies The new technology contrafl ow drying kiln at Tarpeena is using 40 percent less electricity compared to Timberlink’s conventional batch kilns when drying its wood.

Compliance Timberlink passed its EPA on-site audit at Bell Bay with 100 percent compliance and was commended for the company’s environmental management practices

Timberlink’s economic success is focused on continuous and sustainable business improvement. This provides secure employment opportunities that deliver both environmental and community benefi tsthrough the use of plantation-based forests.

Timberlink is well on its way to becoming a zero harm, sustainable business.


NEWS IN BRIEF


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“We treat underpayment of young workers particularly seriously.”

A Queensland building and construction company and its director are facing

court over allegations they short-changed two young apprentices more than $32,000.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has filed proceedings in the Federal Circuit Court in Brisbane against Brendan Paul Angus and his company G.Q. Industries Pty Ltd.

It is alleged Angus and his company underpaid two young apprentice carpenters $32,450 for work performed on construction sites in Brisbane between September 2013 and June 2015.

The full-time apprentices, who were aged between 17 and 20 at the time, usually worked six days per week and regularly did overtime.

It is alleged the underpayments arose from G.Q. Industries’ failure to pay a range of minimum entitlements under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010 that the apprentices were entitled to.

This allegedly included some of the apprentices’ minimum wage rates, weekend penalty rates, overtime rates, public holiday pay, annual and personal leave entitlements, safety net contractual entitlements and travel entitlements.

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Angus and his company also took adverse action against one of the apprentices, refusing to provide him with 38 hours of work per week after he exercised his right to take personal leave, even though his training contract stipulated a 38-hour working week.

Laws relating to frequency-of-pay, record-keeping and payslips were allegedly also breached.

The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced an investigation into the matter after being contacted by the two apprentices.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says legal action has been commenced because of Angus’s failure to rectify the alleged underpayment and because he had previously been put on notice of the need to comply with workplace laws.

“We treat underpayment of young workers particularly seriously and we are concerned about the treatment of these vulnerable young people, who were seeking to become qualified in a trade,” James says.

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Angus and his company committed multiple contraventions of workplace laws. G.Q. Industries Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $51,000 per contravention, while Angus

Young workers at risk of underpaymentFair Work Ombudsman takes legal action after young apprentices allegedly short-changed $32,000

faces maximum penalties of up to $10,200 per contravention.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is also seeking court orders requiring Angus and his company to back-pay the employees in full and for Angus to undergo workplace relations training.Employers and employees seeking assistance can visit fairwork.gov.au or contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50.

Want the full story? Subscribe to the TimberTrader News fortnightly e-news at www.timbertradernews.com/subscribe/newsletters


NEWS IN BRIEF


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Australian Institute of Architects Awards

Nominations for the Australian Institute of Architects annual architecture award

programme closed on January 31. Included in the entries this year is BVN Architecture’s University of Queensland Synthetic Fields Precinct. This project is a real disaster-to-success story that resulted from the drastic 2011 Brisbane floods that decimated the old playing fields.

The new fields are not only synthetic pitches that are flood-proof, but by elevating them above the flood levels, space was made available below for a new 500 bay undercover carpark and space for 350 bicycles.

This elevation also enables the fields to be blended into the landscape setting

of the Alumni Gardens through landscaped swales, berms and architectural screens to the car park perimeter.

Some of the best views of play have been made available by adding a level to an existing two storey building to provide a top-floor function space with sweeping unobstructed views of both playing fields and precinct surrounds.

This building also includes new changing rooms, a catering facilities, up-to-date audio visual equipment and the opportunity to host events for up to 120 people.

If every cloud has a silver lining, the numerous benefits to the UQ students in their new sporting precinct make up for those massive 2011 rain clouds.

ASH sawmill in jeopardyCalls for premier Daniel Andrews to save jobs

The CFMEU is calling on the Andrews Government to intervene to save the

town of Heyfield and its surrounding community, by stepping in to secure the jobs at the Heyfield sawmill.

The Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) mill employs over 230 direct full-time staff and a further 30 contractors and it forms a critical part of the local regional economy. The mill’s wood supply contract is due to finish in June this year, and there is no guarantee of a future contract.

“The government must step in and find a solution,” says CFMEU FFPD Victorian Secretary, Frank Vari. “The loss of these jobs in a mill town like Heyfield would be devastating. It’s unacceptable for any government to let that happen.”

Tim Johnston CEO of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) also made a statement.

“VAFI strongly supports ASH, their workers, and their future in Heyfield,” Johnstone said in his statement.

“The forest, fibre and wood products industry is the lifeblood of many rural and regional communities across Victoria, and the loss of 250 jobs from Heyfield and surrounds would be devastating.”

Given the size, scale and product mix manufactured by ASH, the flow-on effects to indirect employment will be equally devastating to Heyfield, regional communities and businesses in the suburbs of Melbourne, Johnstone said.

“We also support a strong, secure and sustainable forest, fibre and wood products industry in Victoria, and the Heyfield mill is critical for the future,” he continued. “Importantly, all businesses in this industry need long-term security of resource to be able to make investment and product development decisions.

In addition to ASH, the forest, fibre and wood products industry employs 21,000 Victorians and supports another 40,000 to 50,000 local jobs, many of these in regional Victoria.

“Any further reduction, or stopping native forestry, would mean the loss of these jobs, and the closure of many businesses, affecting not only local communities, but all Victorians, in an economic environment where jobs are not easy to come by.” Johnstone said.

After taking a 2.5 per cent drop at the start of the financial year, tradie prices in

NSW are back up 9 percent to kick off 2017. The quarterly Tradie Price Index released

by jobs website ServiceSeeking.com.au, reveals a significant hike in the cost of hiring a tradie in NSW. The weighted average hourly rate currently sits at $64.46, over $5 more expensive than the previous quarter.

“Housing affordability in NSW is becoming increasingly dire and we’re seeing fewer properties on the market. It only makes sense that people are choosing to renovate rather than upsize to a new place” says Service Seeking.com.au CEO Jeremy Levitt.

So, as demand in the renovation sector

grows and prices rise, which tradie can you expect to pay the most for in 2017?

Plumbers still take the prize as the most expensive tradie, charging on average $70.46 per hour, up 5 per cent on last quarter.

Electricians take out second place across the state, with an average hourly rate of $75.43, a price which has increased by 7.2 percent since last year.

While most trades are looking towards a prosperous 2017, it appears that carpenters shouldn’t be so confident. The only trade to record a loss since last quarter (-1.8 percent), chippies are feeling the pinch after recording a massive 18.5 percent drop in hourly wage since last year. Weighted average hourly rate sits at $56.37.

Tradie rich list What NSW tradies charged last quarter


NEWS IN BRIEF


Growing strongForico completes 7 million seedling planting program

Forico has demonstrated its long-term commitment to the plantation forestry

sector in Tasmania as it completed its extensive 2016 planting program.

A total of seven million seedlings have been planted during the season from September to early January. That means more than 6300 hectares of fallow land and recently harvested plantation land has been replanted to create a new crop of high-quality wood fibre for the future.

“This is perhaps the largest current plantation establishment program by a single company in Australia,” says Forico CEO, Bryan Hayes.

More than 60 people have been engaged by Forico and its contractors to achieve the target area of reforestation at a cost of $15 million.

“We are especially grateful for the contribution of our service providers and staff in achieving this historic result,” says Hayes.

Since its establishment by forestry

About Forico Forico Pty Limited is the management company established by New Forests to manage a 181,000 hectare estate in Tasmania, comprising 100,000 hectares of plantations and 81,000 hectares of natural vegetation. The annual sustained yield of wood fibre from the plantations is 1.5 M GMT. The assets include two woodchip mills, a seedling nursery and a fibre technology laboratory. Forico is based in Launceston, Tasmania. For more information head to forico.com.au

About New Forests New Forests is a sustainable real assets investment manager offering leading-edge strategies in forestry, timber processing, infrastructure, land management and conservation. Founded in 2005, the company’s investment programs focus on the Asia-Pacific region and the United States, with more than AUD $3.6 billion in funds, assets under management and committed capital. New Forests’ clients include pension funds, superannuation funds and other institutional investors. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Singapore, San Francisco and New Zealand. For further information, head to newforests.com.au

investment manager New Forests in September 2014, Forico has planted 3582 hectares in 2015 and now 6300 hectares in 2016, clearly demonstrating that it’s here for the long term. All Forico land and forests, both plantation (100,000 hectare) and native forests (81,000 hectare) are certified against the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management standard and PEFC Australian Forestry Standard.

Forico provides high-quality wood fibre to Asian pulp and paper producers from its 100,000 hectare plantation estate.

All native forest is managed for conservation and ecological services under the unique Forico business model.


NEWS IN BRIEF


Leading the wayFraser Coast Council announces Wood Encouragement Policy

From left: Katie Fowden, Communications Manager, Hyne Timber, Chris Loft, Fraser Coast Mayor and Mick Stephens, CEO, Timber Queensland.

Timber Queensland has welcomed an announcement from the Fraser Coast

Council that they are Queensland’s first Council to adopt a Wood Encouragement Policy (WEP), delivering economic and environmental benefits for the region.

Timber Queensland’s CEO Mick Stephens says the Council’s WEP requires responsibly-sourced wood to be considered as a first-choice construction material in all new-build and refurbishment projects when it’s equally fit for purpose.

“Fraser Coast Council are to be congratulated for leading the way in Queensland with the introduction of this policy which not only supports the forest and timber industry but will generate significant carbon benefits,” Stephens says.

“Timber is a renewable material that uses little energy to produce compared to emission-intensive building materials such as steel and concrete. Trees use the sun and photosynthesis to produce timber rather than rely on fossil fuel inputs, and they remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere in the same process.

“This is part of an international trend to reduce emissions from the building sector and promote sustainable solutions through the increased use of timber.”

Timber Queensland has been working in conjunction with Planet Ark Environmental Foundation to promote greater awareness of sustainable building outcomes. Planet Ark’s Make It Wood campaign aims to encourage the increased use of responsibly sourced wood as a building material.

“We are delighted to see the Fraser Coast Council show real environmental leadership in Queensland by adopting this policy,” says Planet Ark’s Make It Wood Campaign Manager David Rowlinson.

Stephens says the policy also supports jobs, growth and investment.

“The forest and timber industry makes a significant contribution to the Fraser Coast local economy, delivering over 500 direct jobs in the Fraser Coast region and a further 750 indirect jobs,” he says.

“A WEP will promote greater awareness of the beauty, versatility, strength and low environmental footprint of timber in Council construction projects as diverse as libraries and hospitals, playgrounds, wharves and bridges, mid-rise apartments and office buildings.”

Stephens says he is confident other Queensland Councils will introduce similar WEPs in the near future, given the strong level of interest in this innovative new policy.

Budget settings needed to underpin building activity

The ABS September quarter building activity data confirms the continuing

contribution of the building and construction industry in underpinning economic growth in Australia, despite the three major construction sectors – residential, commercial and engineering construction – being at very different stages in their construction cycles.

“The data highlights the need for this year’s Federal Budget settings to strengthen confidence and set the economy on a sustainable growth path,” says Matthew Pollock, National Manager – Housing.

Residential activity is strong but falling slightly, recording a moderate contraction of 3.3 percent in seasonally adjusted terms, and ending a run of five consecutive quarters of growth in the value of total residential building work.

“Master Builders expects home owners and investors to spend a record $66.7 billion on new housing in 2016-17, before activity begins to moderate in 2017-18 to around $59 billion,” Pollock says.

As expected, renovations continued to perform well in 2016 and Master Builders expects this to continue over the next 12 months. “The approaching slowdown in the residential cycle is expected to b e relatively moderate by historical standards, with a projected low point in 2018-19 of around $59 billion being broadly equal to the value of residential work done in 2014-15,” Pollock says.

The non-residential building sector continues to underperform, recording negative growth of 10.5 per cent during the September 2016 quarter.

“Forward estimates provide a more positive outlook with non-residential building work expected to grow by around 2 per cent in 2017-18, supported by around $5 billion of new office construction and $6 billion in retail and wholesale construction,” Pollock says.

“The better results recorded in the non-residential building sector earlier in the year turned out to be a dead cat bounce. The next 12 months is likely to put up more mixed results due to rising global volatility and its potential impact on the Australian economy. But the worst for the non-residential sector is likely behind us, with growth expected to average 2.3 per cent per year over next three years.”

“We are delighted to see the Fraser Coast Council show real environmental leadership by adopting this policy.”


NEWS IN BRIEF


Weathertex most trusted brand

Architecture & Design has announced the results of their annual Top Trusted

Brands 2016 survey, to once again reveal Australia’s best brands in the architecture, building, construction and design industries.

With 341 nominated brands and a total of 13,456 votes, Weathertex Australia has been voted Number One Top Trusted Brand for 2016.

The 2016 survey revealed the common themes associated with a trusted brand, including great service, products and reliability – as well as other socially driven themes of eco-friendliness and Australian made.

Companies competed for a place in the overall Top 10 Trusted Brands for 2016 with Weathertex placing fi rst, followed by Dulux Australia and Bluescope Lysaght.

Weathertex also won Number One Most Trusted Brand within the external cladding category.

“This is a fantastic and signifi cant result for Weathertex to be recognised by our customers as the number one trusted brand against such large reputable corporations,” says Jason O’Hagan,

Managing Director for Weathertex. “It demonstrates the hard work and commitment of our team and confi rms our customers are after high-quality building products that are sustainable and eco-friendly to our environment at no extra cost.”

2016 has been a year of achievements and wins for Weathertex, fi rstly being the fi rst manufactured product in the world to receive GreenTag Platinum certifi cation for their natural range and now ending the year being recognised as the Most Trusted Brand. Weathertex is committed to continuing providing the best service and high

quality products to our customers as well as play a crucial role in improving the sustainability of Australian construction products and practices. For more information, see weathertex.com.au

“This is a fantastic and signifi cant result for Weathertex.”

Eco-friendly natural product tops leading brands to win prestigious award.

CORRECTIONIn our January issue we mistakenly referred to Cumaru timber products featured on pages 17 and 18 as engineered timber. TimberTrader News apologises for this error. Porta is the main supplier of FSC Cumaru timber products (decking, beams, posts, custom mouldings are other products available soon), which are made from durable, attractive, non-leaching hardwood timber. See porta.com.au for more. 16 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / JANUARY 2017 www.timbertradernews.com

COVER FEATURE

Engineered timber is building a new future for the timber industry.

Forte Living in Melbourne is a 10 storey timber construction that was briefly the

tallest timber building in the world. Treet, in Norway, reaches 14 storeys. Brock Commons at the University of British Columbia in Canada is 18 storeys tall. All of these timber constructions were made possible through the use of engineered timber products.

“The benefits of timber are well known to the construction industry but the size and availability of traditional timber products meant that they couldn’t be used in mass construction,” says Daniel Wright, National Marketing Manager at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods. “Engineered timber products

make that possible from a renewable resource which offers ease of use, speedy and safe installation, carbon sequestration, low embodied energy, time savings and the ability to be constructed by your local chippy – with a little extra training.”

Developments in engineered timber such as CLT (cross laminated timber) and glulam are opening new doors for medium-rise timber construction, and the building industry is starting to pay attention.

“CLT has grabbed people’s attention,” says Dave Gover, CEO of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA). “It’s made it easier for people to make the leap to timber medium-rise construction.

Clockwise from top left: ASH wooden flooring; Melbourne’s Forte Living; Meyer cassette floor installation for

80 unit student accommodation in Port Macquarie.

Getting high

TTN366_16-20_cover feature_engenerred timber.indd 16 19/12/16 2:30 pm

COVER FEATURE

www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / JANUARY 2017 17

Left to right: Cumaru staircase;

ASH Australian Oak flooring.


COVER FEATURE

18 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / JANUARY 2017 www.timbertradernews.com

“Architects have always been drawn to the aesthetics of wood. Now they have the opportunity to express this as part of the structure for large scale buildings.”

“CLT has made it simple as a solution for timber construction. Where the future opportunities lie is being able to take some of the other engineered products and make them part of the solution for medium-rise.”

While the use of timber is becoming much more common in residential construction, there are still many challenges ahead for the timber industry.

“In residential construction engineered timber has got pretty good penetration and is widely accepted,” Gover says. “It’s been in that market since LVL was fi rst made in Australia in the late 1980s. The challenges are really around the medium rise – a different building industry with much bigger construction companies.”

However, some large construction companies, such as Lend Lease and Strongbuild are early adopters. With such big and infl uential names promoting the use of engineered timber products, other companies are sure to follow.

SAVE YOUR DOSH While the environmental benefi ts of using timber in construction are widely known, what many don’t realise is that from a construction point of view it can be more economically viable to use engineered wood.

“From the numbers that I’ve seen it certainly indicates that to be the case,” Gover says. “I’m not a quantity surveyor, but it certainly seems there are some good savings to be made.

“This is partly due to reduced foundation costs. With a lightweight structure you don’t need the same sort of depth of foundation to support it. There are also savings to be had from using prefab solutions, which reduce construction times and therefore costs.”

Construction time and cost-saving is a big selling point. To capitalise on these benefi ts, Tilling Timber has developed SmartStruct – a comprehensive range of engineered wood systems that are quicker to construct, safer and more cost effective. Using Tilling products, an Australand project saw an installation rate of 400 square metres per day, with four levels built within six weeks.

Use Determite® proven protection.

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Determined to Protect Your Engineered Timber against Termites ?

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Cumaru engineered decking.




WHAT’S NEW?

CLT breakthroughNew Zealand exterior wood specialist

Abodo has achieved another first – an exterior CLT panel made exclusively from thermally-modified radiata pine.

The CLT panel is made up of hundreds of 150 x 50 sections of Abodo’s Vulcan Cladding – a thermally-modified radiata pine product, which is engineered with a consistent vertical grain for superior weathering. Vulcan is typically used for high performance cladding and exterior doors.

The CLT panel at 3.0m high, 2.5m wide

and 150mm thick is being used for Abodo’s new showroom and factory sign, at 62 Ascot Rd, Mangere, Auckland, NZ. The panel itself was pressed and the Abodo logo CNC routered by Xlam in Nelson, and it has been protected with Sioo:x, a new generation weathering coating imported by Abodo from Sweden. Scioo:x will react with the thermally-modified pine to create a toughened exterior which will silver off over time, in keeping with the factory and showroom building.

“We have built our new showroom sign from solid engineered thermally-modified pine, as a testament to our belief in new generation wood technology,” says Abodo Marketing Director and Founder, Daniel Gudsell. “We will monitor the performance of the sign over time, with a view to commercialise exterior CLT for specific applications in the future.”

NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET? If you’re launching a new product, let us know! Email us at [email protected] for the chance to be featured here.

Vesta Timber and Hardware (VTH) and Hardware & Building Traders (HBT) are

pleased to announce an agreement has been reached between the companies that will greatly benefit members of the HBT/ITT and suppliers to the hardware group in 2017 and beyond. This agreement will see Vesta developing exclusively for HBT some ground-breaking technology that will allow HBT/ITT members to communicate and access information regarding suppliers’ products better than ever before. The Vesta Central Data Distribution Platform will power this technology.

Vesta is a company that provides e-commerce solutions for the industry and counts many HBT/ITT members already as customers. This agreement will make the

VTH and HBT announce new agreementprocess of creating an online channel for HBT/ITT members even easier. Specifically suited to the independent business, the e-commerce platform Vesta provides is affordable and easy for customers to set up.

This agreement will give these members the edge over their competition, says Justin Newman, CEO of Vesta Timber and Hardware. “We are extremely proud to be

given this opportunity to work with the HBT group in what will be their 20th year,” he says. “The agreement we have signed shows that HBT is committed to enhancing their digital offering by providing the best tools and resources to ensure their members and suppliers prosper now and into the future”.

Mike LoRicco, General Manager of HBT, says that the new Vesta alliance is an important step for HBT: “We are dedicated to providing tools for our members and suppliers that will help them to survive and thrive into the future,” he says. “We see Vesta as a great strategic partner who can help us provide effective e-commerce solutions for the group. We are very excited about the possibilities.” Further communication regarding this announcement will be distributed in early 2017 to HBT/ITT members and suppliers. If you are a member or supplier and want to discuss prior to this, please contact Justin Newman on 0457 457 354 or [email protected]

“We are very excited about the possibilities.”

An exterior CLT panel made from thermally- modified radiata pine.

WHAT’S NEW?

TTN367_17_Whats new.indd 17 19/1/17 2:54 pm


NEWS FEATURE

Global standardsFacilitating international trade of wood with ISO standardsBY CLARE NADEN

Where would we be without wood? In 2015 alone, we humans consumed

a whopping 310 million cubic metres of softwood lumber and 130 million cubic metres of hardwood lumber, totalling USD 129 billion. And the hunger for wood is increasing, with wooden buildings as high as 18 storeys starting to pop up. With the diversity of types of wood and the fact that not every country produces every type of wood, the global trade of timber is a huge and necessary business. But not all wood – nor import policy – is alike, making cross-border trade somewhat of a challenge. A range of ISO standards aim to help.

Lumber, or sawn timber, is often the material of choice for construction because of its diversity of properties and, if sustainably managed, is environmentally friendly. But international trade of lumber has its difficulties due to a lack of classification systems that are universal to all. And so the ISO technical committee on timber structures (ISO/TC 165), drawing on P

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the input of experts from over 60 countries, for the most part in timber-producing and -consuming regions, developed a suite of International Standards that help reduce these barriers to trade by producing standardised frameworks and ways of working that can be used by everyone.

WHY HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL LUMBER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM?“One of the challenges within the industry is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of timber species-grade designations, each with unique engineering properties, so choosing the most appropriate for a construction project is not easy,” says Erol Karacabeyli, Chair of ISO/TC 165.

“To address this ever-increasing problem, Europe introduced a lumber classification system that required all lumber species-grade combinations to be categorised into about 10 classes. The European system, Above: Erol Karacabeyli, Chair of ISO/TC 165.

TTN367_18-19_News feature.indd 18 19/1/17 5:10 pm


however, was not acceptable to the North American industry. But after years of work and negotiations, the committee was able to develop the framework for an international lumber classification system that is acceptable to all.”

WHAT STANDARDS?The standards developed by ISO/TC 165 are designed, therefore, to address grading and testing of both visually and mechanically graded lumber and provide a framework for an international strength classification system for both softwood and hardwood lumber. These include:• ISO 9709, Structural timber – Visual

strength grading – Basic principles

• ISO 12122-1, Timber structures – Determination of characteristic values – Part 1: Basic requirements

• ISO 12122-2, Timber structures – Determination of characteristic values – Part 2: Sawn timber

• ISO 13912, Structural timber – Machine strength grading – Basic principles

• ISO 13910, Timber structures – Strength graded timber – Test methods for structural properties

• ISO 16598, Timber structures – Structural classification for sawn timber

• ISO 18100, Timber structures – Finger-jointed timber – Manufacturing and production requirements*

*Under development

TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONThe real benefit of the standards will be realised when all countries adopt them nationally, and it’s anticipated that ISO 16598 for the structural classification of sawn timber will the trade of thousands of types of softwood and hardwood lumber.

LOOKING FORWARDISO/TC 165 also has a number of projects in the pipeline, including International Standards and related documents for:• Cross-laminated timber (CLT);• Vibration design method for timber floors;

• Shear connections for timber-concrete slabs, a hybrid system that gives designers new choice;

• A framework for self-drilling screws;• Long-term structural performance of

wood-based products;• Yield point for connections in timber

structures; and • Bamboo.

“In terms of relevance to Australia, I would like to indicate that I value tremendously the contributions, positive energy and wisdom of two individuals, Dr Geoffrey Boughton and Professor Bob W. Milner,” says Karacabeyli.

“The last meeting of ISO TC 165 was held in Melbourne. It was one of the most successful meetings of the TC and that meeting was only possible with the help of the team led by Dr Constantine Adam and Dr Berhan Ahmed from the University of Melbourne.”

Karacabeyli also wishes to acknowledge the support and sponsorship of the following organisations:• Forest and Wood Products Australia;• Glued-laminated Timber Association of

Australia (GLTAA);• Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH);• Innovative Timber Ideas (ITI Australia);• Fenning Bairnsdale (FB); and• Standards Australia.

NEWS FEATURE

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Not all wood –nor import policy –is alike, makingcross-bordertrade a challenge.

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*When 1st January (New Years Day) falls on a Saturday, there is to be an additional

public holiday on the following Monday.

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Monday 2 October Labour Day

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Monday 17 April Easter Monday Tuesday 25 April Anzac Day Monday 12 June Queen’s BirthdayMonday 25 December Christmas DayTuesday 26 December Boxing Day

www.simmondslumber.com.au www.dnalumber.com.au

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Red - National Public Holidays Only

BRISBANEP.O. Box 5, Northgate QLD 4013 146-164 Buchanan Rd, Banyo QLD 4014Phone (07) 3267 0244 Fax (07) 3621 7755

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MELBOURNEP.O. Box 293, Doveton VIC 3177 22-32 Nathan Rd, Dandenong South VIC 3175Phone (03) 9791 2241 Fax (03) 9791 2243










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6

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OCTOBER

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1 8

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NOVEMBER

6

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7

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1 8

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2 9

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512 19 26

M T W T F S S

DECEMBER

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6

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714 21 28

18

152229

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30 2* 9

16 23

31 3

10 17 24

4

11 18 25

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12 19 26

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13 20 27

7

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1 8

15 22 29

M T W T F S S

FEBRUARY

6

13 20 27

7

14 21 28

1 8

15 22

2 9

16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

512 19 26

M T W T F S S

MARCH

6

13 20 27

7

14 21 28

1 8

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2 9

16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

512 19 26

APRIL

3

10 17 24

4

11 18 25

5

12 19 26

6

13 20 27

7

14 21 28

1 8

15 22 29

2 9

16 23 30

M T W T F S S

MAY

18

152229

2 9

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4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

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7 14 21 28

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JUNE

5

12 19 26

6

13 2027

7

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1 8

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2 9

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3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

M T W T F S S














2017 JULY

31 3

10 17 24

4

11 18 25

5

12 19 26

6

13 20 27

7

14 21 28

1 8

15 22 29

2 9

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M T W T F S S

AUGUST

7142128

18

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3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

M T W T F S S

SEPTEMBER

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5 12 19 26

6

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M T W T F S S

OCTOBER

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31 3

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5

12 19 26

6

13 20 27

7

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1 8

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M T W T F S S

NOVEMBER

6

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7

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1 8

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2 9

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4 11 18 25

512 19 26

M T W T F S S

DECEMBER

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6

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3 10 17 24 31

M T W T F S S


30 2* 9

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6

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FEBRUARY

6

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7

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1 8

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2 9

16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

512 19 26

M T W T F S S

MARCH

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6

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2 9

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M T W T F S S

MAY

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JUNE

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6

13 2027

7

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1 8

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4 11 18 25

M T W T F S S














2017 JULY

31 3

10 17 24

4

11 18 25

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6

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1 8

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M T W T F S S

AUGUST

7142128

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SEPTEMBER

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

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OCTOBER

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31 3

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6

13 20 27

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1 8

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M T W T F S S

NOVEMBER

6

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7

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M T W T F S S

DECEMBER

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FEBRUARY

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MARCH

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2017 JULY

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“the home of DNA Lumber® merbau”

TTN367_18-19_News feature.indd 19 19/1/17 3:00 pm


COVER FEATURE

Modular building systems offer flexibility and huge savings in time and money. We meet two companies that are leading the way.

Mechanical engineer David Nicolaides was on the hunt for a new career

following the closure of the Holden plant in Port Melbourne. He decided to combine his skill set of engineering and property development, and last November launched a new modular build business, Tessellate Modular.

The business creates buildings out of old shipping containers, with products designed in Australia but built offshore in Malaysia.

“A lot of containers only get used once,” Nicolaides says. “The idea is to reuse the container to form the structure and the walls of the building. We have to modify the container to meet building codes and to allow for additions like windows.”

Nicolaides also utilises timber detailing to complement each buildings’ design.

“Timber is a material of choice,” he says. “A lot of the interior is done in ply. Externally we use timber such as Australian Spotted Gum for cladding and decking.

“The aesthetic properties of timber are one of the main reasons to use it, but also for external properties. For instance, Spotted Gum has a good bushfire rating, plus it’s also a sustainable product.

For Nicolaides, sustainability is a key part of his business plan.

“We reuse the container in a way that we need only minimal additional material,” he says. “The approach we take adds the minimal amount of new metal. In terms of what we night add, it might only be around 10 percent more metal. So we’re only adding a small amount of new material. And we’re using all the properties that the container offers for a building.”

Another company using timber modular systems is Woodform Architectural, which creates modular architectural linings with hidden fixings.

“Woodform designs and manufactures timber and aluminium lining systems for the commercial architecture market,” says

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TTN367_20-23_cover feature_modular.indd 20 23/1/17 1:05 pm

COVER FEATURE


Far left: AIIM Microscopy building. Clockwise from main pic: Epping Train Station, Sydney; National Australia Bank; Dandenong Mental Health Facility, Vic. All built with Woodform products.

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COVER FEATURE


“Taking our inspiration from Lego blocks, Woodform’s systems are developed to allow designers to build their own sequence, textures and shapes.”

Studios are supplied with all finishes and features included.

Nadia Godfrey, Woodform Marketing Manager. “Taking our inspiration from Lego blocks, Woodform’s systems are developed to empower designers and allow them to build their own sequence, textures and shapes.”

The company originally manufactured cedar Venetian blinds, however, in 2005 the decision was made to move over to architectural timber lining systems.

“This was prompted by the company CEO’s experience with off-the-shelf products when building his own house as well as a cubby house for his kids,” Godfrey says. “He had a fascination with concealed fixings and the beautiful qualities of timber. The move allowed us to use similar technology and production processes to manufacturer our expression cladding products.”

The company has recently experienced unprecedented growth. Starting out in 2005 with six team members, Woodform now boasts a staff of more than 50.

“Our systems have been used in a variety of building types across many industries including healthcare, education transport, sporting, workplace and retail,” Godfrey says. “Application and use is limited only

by a designer’s imagination.”While the product that Tessellate

Modular launched last November was a studio, this company also plans to move into larger buildings in the future.

“We’ve started with a smaller product – office spaces, building extensions,” Nicolaides says. “The idea now is to scale it up. I’m already looking at what we can do with homes and also larger commercial buildings. My partner in Malaysia has already done two- and three-storey offices.

“This product is more about starting with something simple that we think there is a need for, and the primary need we are trying to fill is people who need a space to work – an office space that feels like more than just a site shed.”

One of the many benefits of utilising a modular structure is that the building can easily be moved or dismantled.

“Say you’re a business that rents a factory,” Nicolaides says. “If you bring in a structure like ours and set it up as an internal office, you can move it around or on-sell it so the capital benefits you and not the owner of the factory.

“This also applies to the homeowner, as they can on-sell it and don’t have to

Above: the awe-inspiring design at the Scotch College Centre for Science in Melbourne, designed by Cox Architecture Melbourne and built by Kane Constructions with Woodform Concept Click products.

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COVER FEATURE


demolish it – they can lift it out and move it.”The flexibility of modular structures

like these is only one of the many benefits. There are also massive savings in time and reduced labour costs as everything is pre-fabricated.

“When it’s delivered on site it’s basically ready to go except for whatever is needed for the foundation,” Nicolaides says “All the wiring and everything is done.

“In terms of site time you’re talking about saving months – you can basically install it in as little as two days, ready for use.

“There is also reduced disruption to the site and surrounds, and then there are the safety considerations. You don’t have to manage site access with contractors coming in, people with permits to sign off for months at a time. Managing all of that goes away, as you’re only managing access for two to five days. It’s a massive time management and money saving.”

Woodform’s products also offer flexibility and cost-saving. Modular systems like Woodform’s Concept Click – a timber and aluminium batten system which affixes to tracks with a “snap and click” motion – are inherently quicker and easier to install, saving builders time and money.

“From an architectural perspective. modular systems provide certainty around outcome and finish,” Godfrey says. “Aesthetically it also provides a much nicer result.”

Modular building is a big growth area for the construction industry, with many of the major construction companies exploring the option. There is also a group at Monash University working on a national construction code for modular buildings, which will

ultimately change the way businesses like Tessellate Modular operate.

“With the challenges that a business like this faces, a new code would be one obstacle out of the way,” Nicolaides says.

“The way that we build buildings is not really designed in a production sort of mindset. In the automotive industry, cars are mass produced. In building, everything installed has to be recertified. You can buy a car for $20,000 – we now mass-produce cars, and you get a lot of content for your dollar. All the safety features and all the technology. That much might get you a new deck and pergola with a traditional build process.”

But things are moving in the right direction. Ultimately, at the end of the day business is about delivering more value for more people.

“If you can pay less for housing and it more efficient to produce, everyone wins,” Nicolaides says. To find out more, head to tessellatemodular.com.au and woodformarch.com

Above: Ernie Cropley Pavilion, designed by Cox Architecture Melbourne and built by Kane Construction with Woodform products.

Above: A Tessellate Modular studio, complete with Spotted Gum timber detailing.

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“With the challenges that a business like this faces, a new code would be one obstacle out of the way.”



ASSOCIATION PROFILE

TABMA helps members grow their business.

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The Timber and Building Materials Association (TABMA) represents timber

and building material merchants, suppliers, manufacturers, frame and truss fabricators, wholesalers and timber importers. TABMA’s aim is to help members better manage and grow their business, offering a range of benefits and services.

“TABMA started in 1940, founded by a group of timber merchants who were finding it difficult during WWII to obtain timber, so they got together and called themselves the Sydney and Suburban Timber Merchants Association,” says TABMA CEO, Colin Fitzpatrick, who joined the organisation in 2008.

“They looked to form a group to source timber from around the world. It has since morphed into what it is today, which is really nothing like it was when it started. The organisation didn’t expand outside of Sydney until 2001, when it started up in Queensland. And now we’re in every state, with around 250 members.”

TABMA currently has six divisions:• Membership• Workforce and Career Development• FITEC Australia• Building Trade Credit• Timber Tallying• TABMA Investments

“Today our main business is the placement and training of trainees and apprentices,” Fitzpatrick says. “The trainees are directly employed by us, even though they don’t work directly for us – they work for a host employer.

“Say you have any sort of business and you want a trainee, we can get the trainee for you. TABMA has a list of trainees, and constantly runs advertisements on seek.com.au and in papers seeking trainees.

“If you’re a business seeking a trainee, TABMA will first ascertain what sort of trainee you’re looking for. We then send three trainees to the employer to choose from,” Fitzpatrick continues. “The chosen trainee is employed by TABMA. We cover long service leave, holiday leave, salary, all

Better benefits

Colin Fitzpatrick, TABMA CEO.

costs. But the trainee works for you, in whatever role is specified by you.”

Trainees and apprentices are also trained by TABMA’s training division, which is a registered training organisation. Training is undertaken both on-site and at TABMA’s head office.

“We started with 43 placed,” Fitzpatrick says. “Today we have 318 trainees placed. We’re very proud of the efforts that go into our training and we’re very proud of the trainees. The vast majority of trainees stay on with the employer after training.”

While there are many benefits to becoming a member of TABMA, Fitzpatrick

TTN367_24-25_profile_TABMA.indd 24 19/1/17 3:03 pm


ASSOCIATION PROFILE

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believes the main benefi t is networking. However, other benefi ts – including industrial relations advice and workplace health and safety audits also help members to run a smarter, safer and happier business. TABMA can also protect your business.

“Building Trade Credit acts as a credit bureau for the building and construction industry – a bureau which keeps up to date with people who are a bit dodgy,” Fitzpatrick says. The not-for-profi t organisation supplies credit information about entities that receive supply of goods and services on credit in the building and construction industry in NSW.

TABMA advice lineTABMA’s Workplace Advice Line offers advice on:

• Leave – personal, long service, parental and annual leave and public holidays.

• Wage rates – allowances and payment of wages.

• Termination of employment – redundancy, notice of termination, disciplinary procedures, unfair dismissal and misconduct.

• Employment – contract of employment, award interpretation, hours of work, overtime, casual employment, union matters and superannuation.

• Workplace health and safety.• Workers compensation.• Discrimination and

harassment.

Call TABMA’s Workplace Advice Line on 1300 564 309.

Timber Tallying is responsible for the unloading, sorting, stacking and gaining quarantine approval of break bulk timber brought into Australia from Canada and the USA’s west coast, which is unloaded in Port Kembla, NSW.

TABMA also offers technical advice relating to the correct use and/or specifi cations of timber products, DIY project sheets, a quarterly publication and regular networking events, including a very popular annual gala dinner.

Members can also access savings on insurance, fuel, corporate clothing, personal protective equipment, business

consulting and website design.“Extra divisions may be added in

future,” Fitzpatrick says. “There is huge potential for growth. TABMA has grown exponentially over the past six or seven years.” To fi nd out more or to join, head to tabma.com.au or call 1800 822 621.

Above: 2015 TABMA Trainee of the Year Mark Smith.

TTN367_24-25_profile_TABMA.indd 25 19/1/17 3:03 pm

VICTORIA NEW SOUTH WALES

TimberFloor News is proudly endorsed by:

R

TIMBER FLOOR NEWS


Take the floorWith over one hundred years of experience, Boral offers its customers variety, quality and peace of mind.

manufacture within our own business.”According to Travis, current timber flooring

trends are leaning towards wide board products such as 180mm wide flooring in engineered flooring products.

Boral also offer an extensive range of timber species.

“We currently sell a very wide range of east coast hardwood species across our flooring categories,” Travis says. “The most popular species include Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Brush Box and Iron Bark.

“These species have a very distinct colour palette and grain structure which creates a very unique appearance.”

Boral also has its own set of grading rules which are either in line or more specific than the published Australian Standards.

“Timber is unique, with a range of colour and characteristics for each species,” Travis

Boral Timber has been developing and producing wood products for more than

a century, and has become one of Australia’s largest suppliers of suppliers of certified hardwood and softwood. The company offers a wide product range, from cladding and furniture timber to a broad variety of timber flooring products – all suitable for both residential and commercial projects.

“Boral Timber has a wide selection of 19mm solid flooring, 13mm overlay, engineered flooring and parquetry, available in a range of East coast Australian hardwood

species,” says Leon Travis, Boral’s National Sales and Distribution Manager – Hardwoods. “Boral Timber has been manufacturing and selling hardwood flooring for many decades.”

Boral’s main customer segments include timber merchants, flooring specialists, hardware groups and timber wholesale businesses.

“Our 19mm flooring range is our most popular product group,” says Travis. “Engineered flooring is rapidly growing due to consumer demand.

“We design and manufacture the majority of our new products from within our business, targeting areas of the market which are lacking. We also work with overseas manufacturing facilities to introduce new products to our range which we cannot

Timber flooring brings a unique and natural appearance to any residential or commercial building.

TTN367_26-27_Timber floors news.indd 26 20/1/17 3:37 pm


COMPANY PROFILE

says. “Timber is not a man-made product with uniform colour like carpet. That is what stands our products out from the crowd. No two pieces of timber look the same!”

Of course, as anyone in the industry knows, a lot can go wrong with timber fl ooring installation. Travis says that Boral’s advice to customers is to always ensure the rights steps are carried prior to the timber fl ooring being delivered to site.

“Check that the subfl oor is suitable to receive the fl ooring,” he says, “and make allowances – for example, seal the concrete slab if necessary prior to the timber installation, or improve the subfl oor ventilation to allow moist air to be released rather than absorbed into the fl ooring.”

So what sets Boral apart from its competitors?

“As the largest hardwood manufacturer on the east coast of Australia, we’re able to offer our customers the broadest range of internal and external hardwood products in the market,” Travis says. “All our products carry PEFC chain of custody certifi cation, which provides peace of mind that the material has been responsibly managed from sustainable sources.” For more info, head to boral.com.au

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!TimberTrader News is the industry’s top resource, including sector news, profi les on industry personalities and in-depth features.12 month subscription is only $99. www.timbertradernews.com/subscribe

AUSTRALIA’S MOST RELEVANT AND WELL-LOVED TIMBER INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

Boral’s wide range means you’ll be sure to fi nd the perfect fl ooring solution to complement your home. Plus, it’s sustainable and proudly Australian.

TTN367_26-27_Timber floors news.indd 27 20/1/17 3:37 pm


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

ran out of kerosene, so he left the property and proceeded to the nearest service station to purchase more. While he was away from the building, the homeowner returned home after picking up her son from school. She entered the house and stopped by the room, crossing the safety barrier to observe the progress. The contractor returned just as she lit a cigarette. Their joint negligence resulted in the death of two people.

As an industry we frequently use flammable materials and solvent-based polyurethane coatings. Their toxic nature poses a number of occupational health and safety risks and, while the details and warnings about these risks are listed on the containers and in “product disclosure statements”, organisations selling to non-professionals are also required to verbally alert consumers to potential risks and safe handling requirements, such as turning off pilot lights and wearing breathing apparatus during the application of toxic coating.

Consumers, on the other hand, are required to provide by transfer of information details of pilot lights or other substances that may pose a risk. For the duration of the project the consumer must also observe all safety measures and barriers put in place by the contractor.

Less tragic but by no means less devastating was one floor flashing case. In his statement, a contractor told the court that the coating had “flashed”. Through questioning it became apparent that the solvent-based coating caught fire, causing an explosion that took out the side and roof of the building. His defence? No one had informed him that the pilot lights on the gas heater had to be turned off. But as a professional it is his responsibility to check the work site for hazards, neutralise potential hazards and establish safety perimeters where necessary. This information is readily available on solvent-based coating containers, technical data

“Large hardware chains regularly hire equipment to customers with little or no instruction. Where is the duty of care?”

BRICE ON BOARDSwith Sharon and Ray Brice

The devil is in the detail“If you don’t understand the details of your business you are going to fail.”

- JEFF BEZOS, FOUNDER, AMAZON

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With a Bachelor of Science Engineering and degrees in electrical engineering

and computer science, it would be fair to say that founder of internet-based business Amazon, Jeff Bezos (reported to be the fourth wealthiest man in the world), knows that “the devil is in the detail” – a belief that clearly remains in focus across his diverse range of personal and business interests.

It’s a pity a few more of the practitioners in our industry don’t share his focus. Like many trades these days, the flooring industry continues to attract its fair share of opportunists, individuals who shouldn’t be working in this field, who lack the knowledge or skills to competently carry out the tasks necessary to ensure the integrity of the work they are undertaking.

Needless to say, during our time in the industry we have encountered a number of individuals who have little regard for the details – the small things noted in plans, standards and manufacturer’s

instructions that when overlooked have resulted in problems before, during or after an installation.

We recall one such instance. While decorating her home, a mother was talking with her daughter about the pros and cons of sanding and finishing her timber floor. Eavesdropping on the conversation from atop his ladder, an opportunistic painter working at the house interrupted the conversation, suggesting that he could undertake the work. After all, he could sand and paint a wall, it wouldn’t be that hard to sand and paint a floor.

It sounded like a good deal all round so he hired a drum sander and got to work. We got a phone call from the women when the drum sander fell through the floor between two joists. We think it fair to say that said painter lacked the skills to sand a floor and, after a short discussion, it became apparent that he also lacked the knowledge. He hadn’t checked the floor boards to confirm there was sufficient material to sand and maintain the structural integrity of the floor and had applied the wrong sanding strategy.

This is not an isolated case. Large hardware chains regularly hire equipment to customers with little or no instruction. Where is the duty of care?

In tort law, a duty of care is a legal obligation, which is imposed on an individual requiring adherence to a standard of reasonable care while performing any act that could foreseeably harm others.

For this purpose, harm refers to emotional, physical or financial damage. As a licensed tradesman this painter was censured under duty of care and had to finance the repair/replace sanding and finishing of the floor.

Everyday habits and occasional practices can have a devastating effect, and this next story puts a new spin on the idea that smoking can kill you: a flooring contractor was using kerosene to remove a black Japan border on an old timber floor. He

TTN367_28-29_Brice on boards.indd 28 19/1/17 3:05 pm


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

Ray and Sharon Brice specialise in mediation training and project management. They have four decades of experience in the flooring industry. Phone: 0407 591 697 | Email: [email protected]

sheets and in the relevant standards.Even our industry’s policemen – flooring

inspectors – are prone to fall down on the details, as was evident when a report written by an industry-accredited flooring inspector was reviewed by one of his peers. The issue at hand was lipping tolerances in laminate floating floors which he suggested was 0.5mm. Our reviewer sought out the manufacturer’s technical data, cross-referencing it with the European Producers Of Laminate Flooring Code of Practice, which recommends a tolerance much less than those given by our industry expert, thereby calling into question his finding and his credibility.

As inspectors, we have to be accountable for what we say and write. Unless we can produce industry-recognised documents to support the comments of a report it’s only

an opinion. Opinions cannot be measured and will not stand up in a dispute or in court. Manufacturers’ instructions and standards are written for a purpose and, in most instances, cannot be disputed.

We’re not sure of the context of Jeff Bezos statement, “If you don’t understand the details of your business you are going to fail”, but we believe it was actually aimed at the decision-makers in business, like the product manager of a well-known flooring group who routinely placed the burden of addressing consumer concerns on the respective manufacturers without attempting to solve the issues in-house. Challenged on the practice, the manager replied with, “I didn’t know that there were manufacturer instructions or standards associated with some products sourced for our franchises”.

“As inspectors, we have to be accountable for what we say and write.”

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To be successful in business, regardless of the role you play in an organisation, you will need to be aware of the details for the tasks you undertake. Make it your own responsibility to address the finer points in a process. After all, people remember fondly the little things that make their project or experience a pleasure.

TTN367_28-29_Brice on boards.indd 29 19/1/17 3:05 pm


AUTOBUILD NEWS

Hyne Timber invests in state-of-the-art Hundegger machine, boosting productivity and efficiency.

Hyne scales up glulam plant

Hyne Timber’s glue-laminating plant (glulam) in Maryborough, Qld, is

scaling up ahead of the Mass Timber Construction boom in Australia.

The plant has recently commissioned their new, state-of-the-art CNC machine called a Hundegger K2i which will make the supply of engineered timber even quicker and cost-efficient.

Robert Mansell, Hyne Timber’s Business Development Manager – Commercial, says it’s an automatic joinery machine that can cut, drill, slot and profile timber dimensions ranging from 50mm x 20mm to 1200mm x 300mm up to 19m long.

“It can be programmed from CAD drawings to give a high level of accuracy, increasing the fabrication services capability, reducing the time it takes to quote and complete a prefabricated timber project,” he says.

“Its revolutionary handling system with two gripper and guide wagons guarantees maximum precision during processing.”

The K2i can perform all cutting and milling operations required in the shortest possible

time, including special operations such as dovetail milling to allow elements to be assembled more easily, saving time on-site.

This high-performance joinery machine is advanced manufacturing at its best.

“It has timber designers and engineers frothing at the mouth and opens up a whole range of cost-effective structural and aesthetic solutions for designers and architects alike,” Mansell says.

The universal, flexible machine is used around the world by leading timber companies for a range of timber solutions

and is adaptable to specific requirements of the customer, due to its modular construction.

“These qualities combined are what attracted our investment,” Mansell says. “We have a strong focus on delivering customer solutions, and the capabilities of this machine can be discussed from the early design stages of construction projects, so together we can deliver the best possible outcome for the client.

“We are resourced to provide expert advice from hidden or expressed connections, treatments and coatings in order to maximise durability while complementing the design.”

The machine is understood to be one of only three in Australia, and the only machine of its type in Queensland.

Hyne Timber’s glulam has the strength and durability to complement both lightweight timber and cross laminated timber (CLT) panels, including wide span applications.

It has a further, unique competitive

“It has timber designers frothing at the mouth.”

Mark Sawtell and Adrian Karslake with Hyne Timber’s new CNC machine.

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AUTOBUILD NEWS

advantage where pine is specified because, unlike other engineered timber manufacturing plants, it takes its plantation grown softwood feedstock from the company’s own sawmill just 15 minutes away.

Experts claim responsibly-sourced timber is the only truly sustainable construction material for our future.

At Hyne Timber, for example, the bark by-product from its Queensland operation is sold to Bassett Barks on the Sunshine Coast who, in turn, create potting mix which is sold back to HQ plantation every year for the next round of nine million seedlings!

No other construction material has that sustainability cycle, a fully-closed loop to start the process again, while locking up carbon.

KEEPING IT LOCALIn November 2016, the Turnbull Government passed the Australian Building Construction Commission legislation.

The Bill features an amendment which requires government projects worth more than $4 million to show preference for local suppliers, sources and labour, and to ensure materials meet local standards.

This type of legislation sends a clear message to the industry while securing local manufacturing jobs and growth. Thanks to environmental credentials and the push for higher green star ratings coupled with amendments to the Building Code to build up to eight storeys in height using timber, Mass Timber Construction – including glue-laminated timber structures – is on the rise, literally.

It goes without saying that significant research was undertaken prior to the amendments to the Building Code,

including fire engineering analysis. Indeed, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council were members of the Australian Building Codes Board Technical Committee.

Furthermore, the Queensland government recently released their Building Plan discussion paper, including a goal specifically set to improve the sustainability performance of Queensland’s homes and buildings.

Engineered timber in mid-rise and tall construction goes far beyond the sustainability benefits, realising significant cost efficiencies including less on-site time/quicker, lighter construction benefits especially in built-up areas with improved safety.

Australia is now playing catch-up to European countries, as well as America and Canada, who have been realising these benefits for many years.

Sustainability is key for our future; timber is key to sustainable construction. Hyne Timber was established in Maryborough in 1882 and is a known leader throughout the industry for innovative and quality products. For more information on Hyne Timber, visit hyne.com.au, contact the product information service line on 1300 304 963 or email [email protected]

Hyne Timber’s pine beam connection drilling using new CNC machine.

Sustainability is key for our future; timber is key to sustainable construction.

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AUTOBUILD NEWS

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BDAV response to new Better Apartments standards

Building Designers Association of Victoria acknowledges the Victorian

Government’s release of its new Better Apartments standards, and the efforts made to provide greater fl exibility and educate all professionals responsible for improving the design, standards and liveability of apartments.

Local governments will also receive guidance and advice about how to assess more complex apartment developments, while a guide will be introduced to help buyers and renters make informed decisions.

BDAV president Lindsay Douglas says that while the organisation did have some concerns with the new design standards, it was pleased that the Victorian Government had adopted a “top down, bottom up” approach to address issues facing apartment design, standards and living.

“Building designers comprise

New standards aim to improve the liveability of apartments in Victoria.

From March 2017, a series of best-practice design guidelines for designing and assessing apartment developments will be introduced, which will include examples of how the standards can be applied by building professionals in different urban contexts.

The Victorian Government will also provide assistance and professional development to help all building professionals design, prepare and assess applications, and consider alternative design solutions.

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AUTOBUILD NEWS

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A series of best- practice design guidelines for designing and assessing apartments will be introduced.

New CEO for MiTekMiTek adds new CEO to its corporate leadership team.

MiTek Industries has announced that it has added Mark Thom to its leadership

team as the new CEO. The current CEO, Tom Manenti, will assume the role of Executive Chairman for 2017. Manenti will continue to report to Warren Buffett.

Thom has a rich background of executive leadership and achievement in management and sales. For 16 years, he led teams within the former Tyco Healthcare, a nearly $12 billion global manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical products, where Thom received top honours as a sales person.

He began his career at Tyco Healthcare after graduation from Miami University and rose to the role of president of the Tyco’s Vascular Therapy division in 1998, just eight years after he left college. Soon after Tyco Healthcare acquired Mallinckrodt Medical, Thom was named president of Mallinckrodt’s Diagnostic Imaging business, and he was later named Group President, Tyco Healthcare in early 2003. In recent years he served as leadership consultant to the MiTek senior leadership team, where he learned the MiTek business and its culture.

Thom assumes the CEO role at MiTek at a fortuitous time for the company. With notable acquisitions, diversification and organic growth, MiTek has doubled in size since 2011, and has a strategic plan in place to double again over the next five years. His addition now provides leadership continuity as Manenti retires in January, 2018.

“The naming of Mark to the CEO position

addresses one of my key business imperatives – Leadership Development and Succession Planning – a well-developed and widely used road map for MiTek leadership into the future,” said Manenti. “More importantly, Mark is simply a top performer, in the very elite class of executives in multiple categories of corporate operations and effective leadership. I was thrilled when Mark accepted the CEO position. It was a banner day for MiTek worldwide!”

approximately one-third of the state’s building design community and we look forward to working with the Victorian Government to help improve our members’ capacity to implement these new measures,” Douglas says.

“BDAV supports any policy, guidelines or initiatives that improve the quality of design in Victoria – and at the same time, gives consumers greater confidence in the state’s built environment.”

The Better Apartments project is a joint initiative of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA), to target higher standards and ensure greater transparency and consistency for the community and building industry.

Since February 2016, BDAV has been part of a reference group of peak industry, consumer and local government bodies to provide a sounding board for DELWP and OVGA in shaping potential implementation measures for the Better Apartments project.See planning.vic.gov.au for more.

Mark Thom is MiTek’s new CEO.

TTN367_32-33_autoBuild_BVC.indd 33 23/1/17 1:46 pm


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FTMA NEWSLETTERwith Kersten Gentle

FTMA Australia in conjunction with Multinail, Pryda and MiTek put forward

a proposal to Forest Wood Products Australia to fund the formation of a new Mid-Rise Timber Construction Supply Chain Market Implementation Group (MIG) and we are pleased to announce the proposal has been accepted.

FTMA Australia will contribute $10,000, with each of the nail plate companies contributing $1000 and FWPA providing 90 cents for every dollar which will give us a great funding pool to implement this new program.

FTMA will engage the services of Alastair Woodard through Wood Products Victoria to coordinate a forum (MIG) of fabricators and nail plate companies to collectively and collaboratively investigate and work through the technical and market issues/opportunities for supplying off-site manufactured, prefabricated timber system elements for the new 4-6 storey mid-rise construction market. Effectively building a “lightweight supply capacity” for this new market opportunity.

The importance of this type of program for the frame and truss industry arose from the FTMA National Roadshow, where fabricators asked the question: what came fi rst, demand or supply? FTMA members raised a range of other key issues that were seen as possible barriers for our sector making the most out of the new market opportunities that have come about due to the 2016 National Construction Code changes that now allows, under the deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) provisions, the use of lightweight and massive timber construction up to an effective height of 25m (approx. 8 storeys) for Class 2 (apartments), Class 3 (hotels) and Class 5 (offi ce) buildings. These new DTS requirements now open up signifi cant new market opportunities beyond the traditional existing Class 1 residential markets where timber products, particularly frame and truss products, are extensively used.

It’s anticipated that the most signifi cant new market opportunity will be multi-residential apartments, particularly 4-6 storeys in height, in mid-suburban areas, as governments around Australia look to

encourage higher urban densities around existing public transport hubs. In these types of projects the most cost effective construction system will be lightweight timber framed systems (above 6 storeys). As structural loadings increase, massive timber systems such as cross-laminated timber are likely to become more economical in the higher loaded levels. Each project will be different depending on location and site conditions, and the optimal structural solution is likely to be a mix of various materials and construction approaches, but there is no doubt that the lion’s share of this new market development opportunity is likely to be in lightweight construction systems.

This new program will complement the work being carried out by the new WoodSolutions Mid-rise Advisory Team working in Queensland and Victoria. This team is actively targeting developers, builders, architects, engineers, estimators, building surveyors and regulators. The overall objective of this program is to educate and assist building professionals on mid-rise timber construction and to convert new projects from concrete to timber – effectively a major “market demand encouragement” exercise.

It’s anticipated that the most signifi cant new market opportunity will be multi-residential apartments.

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AUTOBUILD NEWS

These new 4+ storey apartment market requirements are very different to the traditional Class 1 market, which the frame and truss sector is familiar with, and as such has different demands and requires different approaches, not just around technical, fire and acoustic detailing requirements but also around finance, insurance, OH&S, and on-site supply requirements, amongst others.

Similarly to the very successful FTMA facilitated prefabricated ground floor cassette market implementation group project undertaken back in 2014-15, the aim of the new Mid-rise Timber Construction Supply Chain Market Implementation Group would be to provide a forum for key organisations,

manufacturers and stakeholders to collectively and collaboratively investigate and work through the technical and market issues/opportunities for supplying off-site manufactured prefabricated timber system

For more information contact Kersten Gentle on 0418 226 242.

The group will only be open to fabricators and nail plate companies.

elements for the new 4+ storey mid-rise construction market – effectively building a “lightweight supply capacity” for this new market opportunity.

The new Mid-Rise Timber Construction Supply Chain Market Implementation Group will only be open to fabricators and nail plate companies with the intention of holding open forums for timber suppliers during the process, however, at the start it’s important to focus on the needs of the fabricator only.

FTMA will distribute further information seeking fabricators who wish to be part of the Market Implementation Group in the coming weeks. For further information please call me on 0418 226 242 or email me at [email protected]

The new market implementation group will explore new opportunities

for fabricators and nail plate companies. This

image is from Multinail.

TTN367_34-35_FTMA newsletter.indd 35 19/1/17 3:51 pm


Visit mitek.com.au for all guidelines

AUTOBUILD NEWS

Daniel Heathershaw, IT Manager

ANOTHER MITEK ADVANTAGE – FEBRUARY 2017

GN GUIDELINES NO.235

Microsoft has a cloud. Apple has a cloud. Amazon has a cloud and

so do Telstra and DropBox. Even MiTek has a cloud! Just what is a cloud and how can you take advantage of this technology?

Get off of my cloudLack of mobilityWhat happens if you want to switch from one cloud provider to another? What if the cloud provider goes out of business? Can you move your data?

OwnershipWho actually owns your data? Are you signing it over to the cloud provider? Can they sell your personal data to third parties?

Where is your data actually stored?Most big cloud providers have data centres all across the world. This provides redundancy, by replicating your data to a number of different data centres, so your data could be stored in Europe, Australia or Asia. Asking the following three questions of any potential provider can save headaches:

1. Is the vendor appropriately certified? (There are a number of certifications related to data handling, security, etc. SOCS 1 and 2 are the most common.)

2. Can you confirm that your data is still your data when stored on the cloud provider’s servers, ie, do you retain ownership?

3. Can you confirm that when you exit the agreement with the provider you can retrieve all your data from their servers?

CONCLUSIONDon’t be scared of the cloud. It’s now a very mature industry that can provide many economic and efficiency benefits to businesses and individuals, but you must do your due diligence when selecting a cloud provider as they are not all equal. And don’t rush to move everything across. Instead move the things that make the most sense and are the easiest to do. It’s best to first dip your toes in to get a feel for it and then increase your own knowledge and awareness.

Hybrid cloud This uses a mix of public and private cloud environments. You could use this option as part of a disaster recovery plan, replicating your on-premises infrastructure in the cloud, and using it in the event of a disaster.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?There are plenty of advantages, depending on the purpose you have in mind. For example, you may want to use the cloud to store files and have them available from any device anywhere in the world. You may want to move some of your existing on-premise services, such as email, to the cloud. Doing this means you no longer have to manage email infrastructure and it also provides a great deal of flexibility. Many on-premise services are also candidates for relocation to the cloud, such as accounting packages and Microsoft Office, but each company is different and each service should be analysed for suitability.

WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS?There are a number of things, but most of them can be eased through adequate due diligence when selecting a cloud partner. Some of the top concerns include:

SecurityWho can access your data? Who has physical access to the computers?

Internet accessYour access to the cloud is 100 percent reliant on your internet access. What happens if your connection goes down?

Vendor outages Outages happen to the best of the cloud providers, including Microsoft and Amazon. Microsoft offers a 99.9 percent availability guarantee, but in real terms that equates to about nine hours of downtime each year.

WHAT IS IT?Put simply, “the cloud” is a generic term used to describe connecting to and using the resources of someone else’s computers. Often these computers are far more powerful and scalable than the average IT department could provide. You would usually connect to the cloud via the internet, but other methods are possible and there are many different types of cloud including:

Public cloud A cloud is referred to as public when it’s accessed via a public network, like the internet. Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure are further examples of public clouds. These services provide a number of functions such as “cloud computing” and data storage. Cloud computing allows you to access resources in the cloud such as servers, using a pay-as-you-go model where you only pay for the time and resources you use. Examples of public cloud services include Dropbox (file storage) and Xero (accounting software).

Private cloud This is a term used to describe an infrastructure used by a single company, which generally increases security and control.

TTN367_36_GN guidelines.indd 36 19/1/17 3:12 pm

WATT ABOUT THE WORKPLACEwith Emma Watt


This information is of a general nature only. Emma has been advising timber industry employers on their employment rights and obligations since 1998. She is currently the Chief Executive Offi cer of the TMA. Email her on [email protected]

In August 2015, I wrote about why you might wish to make an agreement, and

the various agreement making options available to you. Now I’m going to explain how to make an Enterprise Agreement (EA).

When you’ve decided you want to bargain with your employees, you’re obliged to give every employee a Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NoERR). This has to be handed out within 14 days of making a decision to bargain, but at least 21 days before employees are asked to vote on it.

The mandatory text of the NoERR is in Schedule 2.1 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009, and must be distributed “as is” except where modifi cations are contemplated by the Regulations. Don’t staple it to any other document, don’t put it on letterhead and make sure that any reference to it does not provide misleading information.

The NoERR notifi es employees that they have the right to participate in bargaining for an EA, or to nominate someone to bargain on their behalf. If an employee is a member of a union, that union is automatically the employee’s bargaining representative and must be included in the negotiations.

The next step is to bargain with employees and their representatives over the content of the agreement. Under the Fair Work Act 2009 parties are required to “bargain in good faith”. This has a particular defi nition, but essentially, both parties have to participate in the bargaining process with an intention to make an agreement. You won’t breach good faith bargaining provisions if you:• decide to walk away from bargaining

when all reasonable attempts to reach agreement have failed;

• bargain hard, ie, refuse to make concessions; or

• refuse to enter into an agreement if you do not agree to its terms.

This is also the point at which you should make sure that your agreement is technically able to be approved, ie, it contains the mandatory provisions, it passes the Better Off Overall Test, and it does not contain any clauses that would prevent approval by the FWC. All EAs must contain three provisions:

• A consultation clause; • A fl exibility clause; and• A dispute resolution clause.

If your proposed EA does not contain a consultation clause or a fl exibility clause, then the model clauses may be deemed to be included in your EA. The absence of a dispute resolution clause is more diffi cult to overcome, and may prevent approval of the EA.

An EA will only be approved if the employees who would be covered by it will be Better Off Overall under the EA than they would be under the relevant modern award. This means that you can’t make an EA that keeps everything as it is in the award, but simply removes double time overtime as a condition of employment.

You also need to be certain that any proposed EA terms don’t breach the National Employment Standards (NES).

As an example, let’s say you want to agree with employees to “buy out” two weeks of annual leave every year, and employees may then take two weeks of paid annual leave. You offer to increase the hourly rate of pay to incorporate payment of two extra weeks’ pay over the year.

This arrangement will not be enforceable, because it falls below the “cashing out”

provisions of the NES. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) will fi nd that an agreement cannot be approved with this clause in operation.

Once you have a draft EA settled, you need to ask the employees to approve the EA. All employees who would be covered by the EA must be given access to a written copy of the document, including any documents that have been incorporated into the EA by reference such as policies,or the modern award.

At the same time, you need to give employees information about when, where and how the vote will take place. This vote can’t be any earlier than a clear seven days after employees have been given access to the fi nal version of the agreement.

Finally, if a majority of employees who voted approved the agreement, you need to lodge the agreement with the FWC for approval within 14 days of the vote. There are a number of forms that must be downloaded, fi lled out, signed and lodged with the FWC – including two statutory declarations, one for the employer and one for the main bargaining representative.

As a side note, I often speak to employers who have been approached by the CFMEU to make an agreement. The CFMEU then gives the employer a questionnaire to fi ll out and an invoice for hundreds of dollars – and the CFMEU then does all the paperwork, including lodging the agreement. Please don’t be taken in by this strategy – you are the party required to make the application, and you are responsible for the content of the agreement. If you decide to make an agreement, for whatever reason, you need to retain control of the process, as you will be held accountable if it is defi cient.

The ABCs of making an enterprise agreement

TTN367_37_watt about workplace.indd 37 19/1/17 3:12 pm

Paul Davis is an independent structural engineer managing his own consulting fi rm Project X Solutions Pty Ltd. The views in this column are Paul’s and do not refl ect the opinions of TimberTrader News.Phone: 02 4576 1555 | Email: [email protected]


AUTOBUILD NEWS

TRUSS TALKwith Paul Davis

I live in an open relationship. In our household we leave all the doors,

windows, cupboards and oven open with no rhyme or reason.

In case my wife reads this article – just to clarify, I acknowledge that I am one of the culprits. How do I know this? Everyone except me is away on holidays for a week but somehow, somebody is still leaving all those kitchen cupboards open!

Let’s put my troubles aside for the moment and open the door to a discussion on the support of top-hung bifold doors.

A very non-rigorous search of the internet suggests that a typical weight of a top-hung bifold door is around 50kg per metre for a residential situation and around 100kg per metre for a heavy-duty application. To put that into some sort of context,100kg per metre is the sort of load that an eight-metre span metal sheet roof would apply to a wall.

That’s not a trivial load and it means that, in the fi rst place, you shouldn’t supply a lintel that may support a bifold door without allowing for the weight of the door. It’s part of the structure’s load and must be accounted for. So, our fi rst challenge is to fi nd out the weight of the door to be used – which may not be that easy at the planning stage.

But even then, it’s not an open and shut case... or door. To design a bifold support we need to think carefully – not just about the door’s weight, but also about the acceptable defl ection limits.

Because they can be used in quite large openings, and because they’re constrained between tracks top and bottom, bifold doors are particularly prone to jamming. I recently looked at a case where the fl oor joists had been exposed to a little bit of rain-driven water and the timber swelling was enough to clog the door operation.

Typical long-term defl ection limits in the design of longer span timber lintels is 10mm. You can expect about 5mm of that

code” there is still the potential for them to stick. Add a bit of fl oor unevenness and the problem gets worse.

So, not only does the bifold support need to be designed for the weight of the door, but potentially the defl ection limits for the design should be adjusted. That’s easy to forget if you’re using software. Even some of us engineers are guilty of it…

And for completeness, because you may be designing steel lintels to go into your timber frames, I should mention steel designers’ defl ection limits. Logic says that defl ection is defl ection and it doesn’t matter what the lintel material is. Sorry – not the case.

Using the steel structures code, the defl ection limit is span/250 although the code doesn’t say what load combination this is for. But it does mean that for say a 5m beam, you might get 20mm defl ection! The One-Steel tables are a little more prudent and adopt a 15mm upper limit. It’s still a lot so use the tables with caution!

I talked to a builder recently who said that his engineer designs his lintels carrying bifolds for zero defl ection. Either his engineer has access to some sort of anti-gravity material or he just designs them to be really, really stiff and pretends to his builder that they don’t defl ect!

You might consider doing the same.So, if we close the door to the technical

part of this article, it’s back to our open (door) relationship. In an open and relaxed relationship, isn’t everyone meant to be cool with whatever other partner or family members do? Trust that they will really shut the door when it’s important? I know that the answer is “yes”… but you can tell by the fact that I even mentioned it that there’s something about the situation that’s bugging me.

I think it is time to mend our ways. Open up on the issues and perhaps get some counselling. You never know, as one door closes another may open!

to happen as soon as the dead loads of the structure are applied and another 5mm will occur through timber creep over the next year or so. So, if you had correctly allowed for the weight of the roof and the bifold (and the fl oor loads if it’s a lower fl oor) that is what you might expect from an average stick of timber. And that may or may not give a problem with door operation, depending upon the door manufacture, installation and other building tolerances.

However, something that is perhaps under-appreciated is that timber is a variable material and that our defl ection designs use the properties for average pieces of timber. That means that 50 percent of timbers will defl ect more than you have assumed!

The best guidance on this is hidden away in an obscure footnote to an obscure appendix to what, for most engineers, is an obscure timber structures standard. Re-jigging what the footnote says: the best you can hope for is that 95 percent of machine graded timbers won’t have worse than 14mm total defl ection and that 95 percent of LVL won’t have worse than 12mm total defl ection.

That means that if the lintel is designed for the weight of the bifold and roof “to

WITH VEKTA RESCUE, ALMOST ANYBODY CAN SERVICE YOUR RAZER.

When it comes to service and maintenance of your saw we believe you should have as many options as possible.

Vekta’s online support system, Vekta Rescue, lets you choose how your linear saw is supported. It Includes extremely detailed service checklists, instructions and up to date information.

So relax, we’ll support your decision. Feel free to choose almost anyone you want to carry out your services and repairs. Key word: almost!

Go to help.vekta.com.au to get started.

vekta.com.au

VEKTA RESCUE

“Something that is under-appreciated is that timber is a variable material and that our defl ection designs use the properties for average pieces of timber.”

TTN367_40_Truss talk.indd 38 19/1/17 3:13 pm

WITH VEKTA RESCUE, ALMOST ANYBODY CAN SERVICE YOUR RAZER.

When it comes to service and maintenance of your saw we believe you should have as many options as possible.

Vekta’s online support system, Vekta Rescue, lets you choose how your linear saw is supported. It Includes extremely detailed service checklists, instructions and up to date information.

So relax, we’ll support your decision. Feel free to choose almost anyone you want to carry out your services and repairs. Key word: almost!

Go to help.vekta.com.au to get started.

vekta.com.au

VEKTA RESCUE

TTN367_40_Truss talk.indd 39 19/1/17 3:14 pm

SAPPHIRE™ M a n a g e M e n t & O p t i F l O w S c h e d u l e r

Organise every ASPECTBUSINESS!of your

MGB

0662

H O M E O F G A N G - N A I L B U I L D I N G S Y S T E M S

For more information about SAPPHIRE™ Management or OptiFlow Scheduler, call your local state office or visit: mitek.com.au

VIC (03) 8795 8888 NSW (02) 8525 8000 QLD (07) 3861 2100 SA (08) 8234 1326 WA (08) 9412 3534 New Zealand (09) 274 7109

Do you sometimes find managing jobs frustrating? And just when you think you’ve got everything under control another

‘urgent’ job pops up and you’ve got try and move everything around to accommodate it? MiTek’s SAPPHIRE™ Management

handles the workflow, including everything from the initial enquiry right through to estimating and detailing – and eventually

the invoicing. OptiFlow Scheduler runs the in-plant production, from the first piece of timber cut to loading completed trusses

on the truck – and all of this can be monitored from anywhere any time – in real time!

MGB0662 Sapphire Optiflow Full pg TT Ad_FA.indd 1 10/06/2015 9:44TTN367_40_Truss talk.indd 40 19/1/17 3:14 pm

Documents

Better building systems: Modular living · Web: • Designed specifically for high speed production of roof truss, and timber framing components • Minimal footprint ... abundance