inside out - News and Information for the Timber Industry · Tel: +613 9540 0130 Email: [email protected] Web: ... • ln built board-stretching optimisation = more yield,

NO. 379 // FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 16

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENTNEW FREE RESOURCES

PAGE 32

NORWAY’S RECORD-MAKING TIMBER TOWER

PAGE 26

BAYSWATER TIMBERTRADE SOLUTIONS

Windows and doors

inside out

TTN379_01_cover_2018.indd 1 19/1/18 3:34 pm

PH

OTO

S F

RO

M T

OP

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TI

MB

ER

ZOO

, C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TE

KN

OS

, C

OU

RTE

SY O

F B

AYS

WA

TER

TIM

BE

R

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

4c 210 x 297 Australien_eng_2.indd 1 13.12.2016 12:24:04TTN366_03_Industry insite.indd 2 16/12/16 2:27 pmTTN367_03_Industry insite.indd 2 19/1/17 2:38 pm

Hundegger Australasia Pty LtdCharlie Hutchings2 Hi-Tech PlaceRowville Victoria Australia 3178Mobile: +614 (0) 439 554 441 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hundegger.com.au

Hundegger_368_march 17.indd 1 14/6/17 9:42 amTTN376_03_contents.indd 2 13/10/17 12:27 pm

20th machinein Australia now sold...!!!

Hundegger_dec.indd 1 8/11/17 4:12 pmTTN379_03_contents.indd 2 19/1/18 3:18 pm

www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / FEBRUARY 2018 3

PUBLISHING DATAPublisher: Ian Brooks(02) 9126 [email protected]

Editor: Donyale Harrison0417 487 [email protected]

Advertising: Julie McConachy0409 381 [email protected]

Subscription Manager:Julie Hughes (02) 9439 [email protected]

Art Director: Julitta Overdijk

Paragon Media Pty LimitedABN: 49 097 087 860Suite 14, Level 2/174 Willoughby RoadCrows Nest NSW 2065PO Box 81, St Leonards, NSW 1590, AustraliaTel: 02 9439 1955 Fax: 02 9439 1977 Email: [email protected]

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.

Established October 1985ISSN 1035/4298Print Post Approved: 100002694

Published 12 times per year by:Email: [email protected]: www.timbertradernews.com

Subscriptions for 12 editions:Australia: $99 (+GST)New Zealand: NZ$109 (+NZGST)Overseas Airmail: AU$250

PERSONNEL

SALES DIRECTORJulie McConachyPhone: 0409 381 [email protected]

PUBLISHERIan BrooksPhone: 02 9126 [email protected]

Bliss & Reels ...................................................39

Boral ..................................................................9

Cabots .............................................................23

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

Hyne Timber ......................................................7

McCormack Harware Sales .......................11, 33

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

Multinail Australia Pty Ltd ..........................34, 35

Outdoor Timber ..................................................6

Simmonds Lumber ..........................................15

Timber Queensland .........................................13

Vekta ..................................................................5

Weinig .............................................................25

ADVERTISER’S INDEX – FEBRUARY 2018

PH

OTO

S F

RO

M T

OP

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TI

MB

ER

ZOO

, C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TE

KN

OS

, C

OU

RTE

SY O

F B

AYS

WA

TER

TIM

BE

R

Disclaimer Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, by providing editorial material to Paragon Media, including text and images you are providing permission for that material to be subsequently used by Paragon Media, whole or in part, edited or unchanged, alone or in combination with other material in any publication or format in print or online or howsoever distributed, whether produced by Paragon Media and its agents and associates or another party to whom Paragon Media has provided permission.

18

26

20

Average Net Distribution: 1599Period ending September 2016

Source: Audited Media Association of Australia; CAB Total Distribution Audit. For further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TimberTraderNews

E-newsletter subscribers: 5,158

CONTENTSRegularsIndustry insights ......................................... 4

Association update ..................... 5

News .................................................... 10

News featureTimber certification opens markets .......... 18

Cover story Timber windows and doors are

set to reclaim a leading position ............... 20

Company profileBayswater Timber ......................................... 26

Watt about the workplaceUnfair dismissal claims ............................. 28

Brice on boardsManaging moisture ................................... 30

AutoBuild News

The world’s tallest timber building is

under construction in Norway .................. 32

FTMA newsletter ........................ 36

GN guidelinesPhishing attacks ....................................... 37

Truss talkWith Paul Davis ........................................ 38

COVER CREDIT: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock.com

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

4c 210 x 297 Australien_eng_2.indd 1 13.12.2016 12:24:04TTN366_03_Industry insite.indd 2 16/12/16 2:27 pmTTN367_03_Industry insite.indd 2 19/1/17 2:38 pm

Hundegger Australasia Pty LtdCharlie Hutchings2 Hi-Tech PlaceRowville Victoria Australia 3178Mobile: +614 (0) 439 554 441 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hundegger.com.au

Hundegger_368_march 17.indd 1 14/6/17 9:42 amTTN376_03_contents.indd 2 13/10/17 12:27 pm

20th machinein Australia now sold...!!!

Hundegger_dec.indd 1 8/11/17 4:12 pm TTN379_03_contents.indd 3 19/1/18 3:19 pm

4 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / FEBRUARY 2018 www.timbertradernews.com

I’ve been working in the timber industry in similar roles to my current position since

1994. In that time, I’ve seen the industry complete its development from an often-adversarial position with regards to environmental conservation, to one in which conservation is an integral part of our work.

I began my career in the Pacific Northwest US. The country had been through a period of huge change in the decades before I graduated. There had been big environmental battles in the 1970s over endangered species that led to the development of the Endangered Species Act. The ’80s and ’90s saw heated battles between the timber industry and environmentalists. A new awareness had created some pretty rigid environmental laws at the federal and state levels and landowners and the timber industry had to comply with those rules. That’s where the fighting started, because the industry didn’t want to, and environmentalists might have interpreted the rules more tightly than they were meant by the lawmakers.

Ultimately, the battles started costing more money than the timber was worth to harvest, and that’s when everyone realised there could be a better outcome. There was a lot of conflict in those days, but I think people got tired of fighting all the time. You can’t really win anything lasting in courts, you can’t establish a process, you can only establish an outcome. So some smart people in the industry decided to start working with stakeholders including environmentalists, and found a much better path forward than spending money on lawyers.

Since then, the industry has learned that stakeholders and an environmental mindset are core parts of the business. Here in Victoria, there are a handful of endangered species that are still creating battles and so

we have to figure out how to achieve an outcome that’s balanced on both sides. The industry needs to support economic development and maintain the thousands of jobs that rely on it, and we also need to support and conserve our biodiversity in the landscape so future generations can partake of the joys and pleasures it’s brought to us. How do we do that? We stop fighting and we come together to work on plans.

Conservation plans that are well thought out involve multiple aspects: the social, the economic and the environmental. They mean a lot more meetings than doing things the old way. There are a lot more people to check in with. We have a lot more face-to-face conversations before we harvest.

In Victoria, only 6 per cent of the state’s forests are available and suitable for timber harvesting and some of these are near urban areas. These days our foresters go out and knock on doors and talk to the homeowners that are surrounding our operation and actually have a conversation. That’s really what’s changed, that open communication.

Our process is multi-layered and thorough. Researchers focus on any of our three core areas: the environmental, the economic and the social values. We partner with academics from universities to conduct targeted scientific research. If there’s an animal we don’t know a lot about, we’ll do ecological research projects. There’s operational research looking at the value of the timber from multiple perspectives, and then there’s also social research, even down to how our operations will change the views people see from their homes and in recreation areas.

It all starts with field research where our people are walking out in the planned operational area and getting a feel for what values are there. Their basic understanding of what animals – what I’d call critters – are there, what habitat is unique to the site, and how people use and interact with it, is then translated into a formal plan, and where necessary, those plans are developed with further stakeholder input. When questions arise as to the impacts of forest management on these planned areas,

INDUSTRY INSIGHTSTimothy McBride, Manager Biodiversity Conservation & Research, VicForests

research is conducted and the outcomes are fed back into the plan. Finally, we implement that plan and monitor how it is meeting the objectives and the goals.

You can physically see the difference in forestry now. We know there are certain things that come out of forests that are basic to human survival, among them clean water, clean air and a sense of connection to nature. In order to provide clean water, we know through decades of research that you have to keep dirt from getting into the streams and the best way to do that is to provide standing timber on both sides of the stream so it can filter the erosion. These days we do that as a default — buffer streams and lakes.

If you look across the managed forest landscape on average there’s probably 30 per cent of an area that will be buffered. When it comes to animals, we have focused research that tells us in order to maintain a certain population of a certain critter on the landscape, we’ve got to provide a certain type of habitat, so that’s also factored into the plan and implementation.

Advances in technology have made our lives much easier. High-elevation aerial photos, LiDAR and radar are helping us understand different trees on the landscape. We’re using drones to collect information, and passive recorders, both acoustic monitors and motion-sensing cameras. Even phone apps that help gather data on the spot. This has all increased our ability to collect data quickly and efficiently, and get better accuracy about what’s in the forest and how we can pull that information into a plan.

It’s going to get even better. Drone technology is in its infancy and the other big advances are in sophisticated landscape computer modelling. This will be hugely beneficial to us, along with improvements in analysing data, and using those statistics, which are already giving us better results from the data than what we had 20 years ago.

I love working alongside such passionate people who care so much about forests that they have chosen to spend their lives specialising in forestry. I look forward to the future of forestry as it continues to evolve.

You can physically see the difference in forestry now

Conservation and the timber industry

TTN379_04_insights.indd 4 19/1/18 2:27 pm


ASSOCIATION NEWS

ATIF John Halkett

AGM OUTCOMESThe 2017 AGM received resignations from the Board from Matthew Wood, Stora Enso Timber Australia, and Greg Blenkiron, Tilling Group. Their service to the Board was acknowledged with appreciation.

Dee Atkinson was appointed to the Board. Dee is the fi rst woman to be appointed to the Board. Dee is the state manager for the Tilling Group at Mt Druitt in Sydney’s west. Dee will also represent ATIF on the Board of the Timber Development Association. Dee is regarded as a rising star in the industry and her Tilling Group timber wholesale operation was awarded Wholesaler of the Year at the 2017 TABMA awards function.

Speaking at the AGM, Chairman Nils Koren stressed the importance of the relationship ATIF had developed with the forestry minister, Senator Anne Ruston: “This access to the minister and her willingness to listen and take seriously the views expressed by ATIF on behalf of the sector is extremely valuable and is a critical current and ongoing role for ATIF.”

He noted the ongoing value of this relationship as the illegal logging legislation ‘soft start’ is removed and other issues of signifi cance to wholesalers and importers

emerge. “The value of this relationship cannot be underestimated.”

Summarising the past year ATIF general manager John Halkett said 2017 had been a busy one for wholesalers and importers. “This had included continuing to have regular contact with relevant Federal Government offi cials and with Senator Anne Ruston in relation to the proposed changes to the illegal logging regulation.”

He noted discussions had also taken place with Joel Fitzgibbon, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on the proposed amendments to the regulation.

He also advised that ATIF continued to interact with the Plant Import Operations section of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in their review of plant import conditions. In relation to imported timber products, this review is helping to ensure that timber product import conditions meet required quarantine conditions, but at the same time utilise current technology and are effi cient and cost effective.

He said ATIF had been pleased to organise and host a familiarisation ‘tour’ for offi cials from Plant Import Operations as part of this review. The tour took place in Melbourne and visited ATIF member companies Tilling, Bayswood Timber and Meyer Timber.

ATIF continues to be the fi rst point of contact for many timber product supplier companies, trade organisations and

, IT BUILDS A FASTER, SAFER WORKFORCE. IMPROVE PRODUCTION, REDUCE RISK + FATIGUE

FOR MORE: [email protected] | www.vekta.com.au

STAKPRO TRUSS AND FRAME STACKING SYSTEMS

government representatives, including involvement with supplier countries related to illegal logging regulation and participation in various working groups. Over the past year this has involved discussions and meetings with representatives from New Zealand, Chile, Canada, China, PNG, Malaysia, Indonesia, Peru, Austria and Europe generally.

ATIF/TABMA 2018 WORKSHOPSPlanning is underway for a national workshop series to be run in the fi rst half of the year as a joint undertaking between ATIF and TABMA. The Australian Forestry Standard will also be participating. The workshops will include illegal logging due diligence practice, certifi cation issues, stock inventory management, IT developments, and occupational safety issues, notably related to mobile equipment.

MGA TMARichard Hill

MGA TMA Making life easierSince the Timber Merchants Association (Victoria) offi cially joined forces with MGA (Master Grocers Australia) to form MGA TMA, we have experienced a very rapid and exciting six months of integration and building of vital member support services.

The purpose of our coming together was to strengthen and grow Timber and


I’ve been working in the timber industry in similar roles to my current position since

1994. In that time, I’ve seen the industry complete its development from an often-adversarial position with regards to environmental conservation, to one in which conservation is an integral part of our work.

I began my career in the Pacific Northwest US. The country had been through a period of huge change in the decades before I graduated. There had been big environmental battles in the 1970s over endangered species that led to the development of the Endangered Species Act. The ’80s and ’90s saw heated battles between the timber industry and environmentalists. A new awareness had created some pretty rigid environmental laws at the federal and state levels and landowners and the timber industry had to comply with those rules. That’s where the fighting started, because the industry didn’t want to, and environmentalists might have interpreted the rules more tightly than they were meant by the lawmakers.

Ultimately, the battles started costing more money than the timber was worth to harvest, and that’s when everyone realised there could be a better outcome. There was a lot of conflict in those days, but I think people got tired of fighting all the time. You can’t really win anything lasting in courts, you can’t establish a process, you can only establish an outcome. So some smart people in the industry decided to start working with stakeholders including environmentalists, and found a much better path forward than spending money on lawyers.

Since then, the industry has learned that stakeholders and an environmental mindset are core parts of the business. Here in Victoria, there are a handful of endangered species that are still creating battles and so

we have to figure out how to achieve an outcome that’s balanced on both sides. The industry needs to support economic development and maintain the thousands of jobs that rely on it, and we also need to support and conserve our biodiversity in the landscape so future generations can partake of the joys and pleasures it’s brought to us. How do we do that? We stop fighting and we come together to work on plans.

Conservation plans that are well thought out involve multiple aspects: the social, the economic and the environmental. They mean a lot more meetings than doing things the old way. There are a lot more people to check in with. We have a lot more face-to-face conversations before we harvest.

In Victoria, only 6 per cent of the state’s forests are available and suitable for timber harvesting and some of these are near urban areas. These days our foresters go out and knock on doors and talk to the homeowners that are surrounding our operation and actually have a conversation. That’s really what’s changed, that open communication.

Our process is multi-layered and thorough. Researchers focus on any of our three core areas: the environmental, the economic and the social values. We partner with academics from universities to conduct targeted scientific research. If there’s an animal we don’t know a lot about, we’ll do ecological research projects. There’s operational research looking at the value of the timber from multiple perspectives, and then there’s also social research, even down to how our operations will change the views people see from their homes and in recreation areas.

It all starts with field research where our people are walking out in the planned operational area and getting a feel for what values are there. Their basic understanding of what animals – what I’d call critters – are there, what habitat is unique to the site, and how people use and interact with it, is then translated into a formal plan, and where necessary, those plans are developed with further stakeholder input. When questions arise as to the impacts of forest management on these planned areas,

INDUSTRY INSIGHTSTimothy McBride, Manager Biodiversity Conservation & Research, VicForests

research is conducted and the outcomes are fed back into the plan. Finally, we implement that plan and monitor how it is meeting the objectives and the goals.

You can physically see the difference in forestry now. We know there are certain things that come out of forests that are basic to human survival, among them clean water, clean air and a sense of connection to nature. In order to provide clean water, we know through decades of research that you have to keep dirt from getting into the streams and the best way to do that is to provide standing timber on both sides of the stream so it can filter the erosion. These days we do that as a default — buffer streams and lakes.

If you look across the managed forest landscape on average there’s probably 30 per cent of an area that will be buffered. When it comes to animals, we have focused research that tells us in order to maintain a certain population of a certain critter on the landscape, we’ve got to provide a certain type of habitat, so that’s also factored into the plan and implementation.

Advances in technology have made our lives much easier. High-elevation aerial photos, LiDAR and radar are helping us understand different trees on the landscape. We’re using drones to collect information, and passive recorders, both acoustic monitors and motion-sensing cameras. Even phone apps that help gather data on the spot. This has all increased our ability to collect data quickly and efficiently, and get better accuracy about what’s in the forest and how we can pull that information into a plan.

It’s going to get even better. Drone technology is in its infancy and the other big advances are in sophisticated landscape computer modelling. This will be hugely beneficial to us, along with improvements in analysing data, and using those statistics, which are already giving us better results from the data than what we had 20 years ago.

I love working alongside such passionate people who care so much about forests that they have chosen to spend their lives specialising in forestry. I look forward to the future of forestry as it continues to evolve.

You can physically see the difference in forestry now

Conservation and the timber industry

TTN379_04_insights.indd 4 19/1/18 2:27 pm TTN379_05-09_Association news.indd 5 19/1/18 2:28 pm


ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Hardware merchants’ membership nationally but importantly assist timber and hardware business owners with vital ‘back of house’ services and industry advocacy.

In a very short period we have achieved signifi cant progress as stated by our Management Committee President, Peter Alexander of Peuker & Alexander, at our inaugural industry business luncheon held in November. This milestone event was attended by members, industry leaders and stakeholders. The special guest and speaker for this event was Acting Minister for Agriculture and Water and Minister for Forestry and Timber, Senator Anne Ruston. Senator Ruston spoke passionately about the timber and forestry industry, sharing her many experiences and frustrations with the laws, regulations and restrictions effecting the current timber supply shortage and logging restrictions in each of the states.

Peter Alexander shared the vision, through the co-operation and planning from both organisations, to create a mutual long-term opportunity to strongly support the needs of independent family enterprises, by offering a broad range of relevant and modern services for members both now and into the future.

A louder voice MGA TMA’s strategic plan incorporates an immediate priority to signifi cantly lift the profi le of our sector across the industry but, very importantly, also with state and federal governments and government departments.

Our management committee, led by Peter Alexander, is made up of eight timber and hardware business representatives whose mandate is to uphold and grow the businesses of timber and hardware merchants and to foster a collaborative and

Timber with stability and performance!

Treatment does not affect timber dimensions. Durable against decay and termite damage. Ideal for high value products where treatment in final shape and form is required. Ideal for sensitive applications or where frequent human contact is expected. Attractive green coloured structural outdoor timber products. Can be painted, stained or oiled.

• Fascia• Cladding

• Structural Timber• Machined Timber

• Custom Treatment Available •

EcoWood®-LOSP

Tanalised and Ecowood are registered trademarks of Lonza or its subsidiaries used under licence. © Outdoor Timber 2017

• Decking• EWP

[email protected]

03 8706 1250

www.outdoortimber.com.au

13 000 TREAT (87328)

inclusive culture and working environment.MGA TMA recently appointed highly

credentialled Ann Sanfey as Membership Manager. Ann brings to MGA TMA many years of timber and hardware experience with notable companies such as the Danks Group; Home Timber & Hardware and more recently with the Independent Hardware Group. Ann is currently working on refi ning and strengthening the MGA TMA member offer and benefi t packages, including industry training.

Frederick O’Connell Scholarship Since its inception, we have been proud industry custodians of the Frederick O’Connell Scholarship which was originally established to promote timber industry harmony in Australia and improve relationships between employers and employees within the timber industry.

Applications are open to candidates who have enrolled or who have already commenced a degree, certifi cate or diploma course conducted by a Victorian university. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of good character, personality and academic achievement. Preference is given to candidates who are children of either employees or directors/proprietors of companies that are members of the MGA TMA. There are multiple scholarships awarded each year.

The scholarship value is up to $5000 per student. This industry scholarship will continue to be available as a valuable resource for our members and their staff.

Industry Lunch ReportMGA TMA held their inaugural industry Lunch on Tuesday 21 November at Kooyong

Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne. Following the recent integration of Timber Merchants Association (TMA) with MGA Independent Retailers in July of this year, the industry forum provided the opportunity to outline the progress of the new alliance and plans for the immediate future.

Guests included MGA TMA members; corporate partners; industry leaders including John Dahlsen and members of the Independent Hardware Group.

Peter Alexander, Director of Peuker & Alexander and President of the MGA TMA Management Committee opened and welcomed the audience followed by Jos de Bruin, MGA CEO who gave an overview of the extent of services now available to members as well as the importance of combined advocacy.

Both Peter Alexander and Jos de Bruin highlighted the ongoing success of the integration and focus for the year ahead, in particular:• Addressing key advocacy issues• Timber supply• Energy costs• Industry training• Future proofi ng• Timber product knowledge• National membership rollout• Awareness campaign• Promoting member support services• Driving greater member engagement

Guest Speaker Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources emphasised the importance of fostering unity based on members’ common interests and harnessing a collective strength greater than the sum of individual members in terms of advocacy, representation and promotion. She described this as critical in the future when dealing with governments at any level.

She gave her assurance that she, together with the federal government, stands ready to work with MGA TMA as a signifi cant stakeholder in the forestry sector.

The Government’s National Forestry Plan announced by the Prime Minister last September will consider issues including:• Expansion of the plantation estate• Using untapped resources such as forest

on private or indigenous land, and farm forestry

• Growing the bio-economy• Innovation, research and development• Infrastructure• Trade and market access• The so-called ‘social licence’

Guest speaker James Wright, Chief Economist Offi cer from JBWere, delivered a poignant background to the state of the economy relative to the timber industry and both the global and Australian environment impact on building construction.

TTN378_04-07_ insights_Association news.indd 7 8/12/17 2:03 pmTTN379_05-09_Association news.indd 6 19/1/18 2:29 pm

TTN378_04-07_ insights_Association news.indd 7 8/12/17 2:03 pmTTN379_05-09_Association news.indd 7 19/1/18 2:29 pm


Following months of transition MGA TMA are poised to deliver further member improvements for existing and potential new members in Victoria and around Australia.For membership enquiries, please contact Ann Sanfey, MGA TMA Membership Manager – 1800 888 479.

TABMA Colin Fitzpatrick

Tradies – powering Australia’s future When it comes to careers for school leavers, tradies tend to get a bad rap. According to recent research commissioned by the Skilling Australia Foundation, 79 per cent of Aussie parents want their kids to go to uni, rather than do an apprenticeship. But why?

There are thousands of great and rewarding jobs out there that don’t require a degree and come with well-paid, upwardly mobile careers. Given the rising cost of education, a traineeship is a far more cost-effective option. Most Vocational Education & Training (VET) students get priceless industry experience in a genuine work environment, while earning good money, making it easier for them to find relevant employment at the end of their studies.

TABMA Apprentices and Trainees employs apprentices and trainees in hundreds of vocations and specialises in placing them within the timber, construction, forestry, furnishing and manufacturing industries across Australia. These are sophisticated industries at the cutting-edge of innovation, with sustainable forest management programs, advanced robotic precision manufacturing, biomaterials, engineered/cross-laminated timbers and more.

Of 2014’s apprentice and trainee graduates, 84.1 per cent were employed after completion. By comparison, just 68.8 per cent of that year’s university graduates looking for full-time work found it within four months. And the median full-time income for a VET graduate is often more than that of a uni graduate, with lower student debts.

Choosing VET over university does not mean you will be stuck in one place either, as trades are desirable all over the world. For further information, visit tabma.com.au

TTIA Brian Beecroft

Understanding unfair dismissalTTIA has represented a significant number of Members over the past 10 years. Many of these businesses have taken wise steps before terminating an employee and these cases have often been discontinued or been reasonably straightforward to defend. While they inconvenienced business owners, they were defended on logic and a determination not to pay monies under false pretence.

However, a number of cases involved members making fundamental errors where a system places an onus on employers to follow certain procedures and tick certain boxes. The boxes and factors the Fair Work Commission expects you as an employer to follow include:• Valid reason for dismissal: whether

there was a valid reason for the dismissal related to the person’s capacity or conduct (including its effect on the safety and welfare of other employees). This valid reason should be legitimate and able to be defended;

• Notification of the reason: whether the person was given any prior notification of the reason for termination;

• Opportunity to respond: whether the person was given an opportunity to respond to allegations regarding their conduct;

• Support person: any unreasonable refusal by the employer to allow the employee to have a support person/witness present to assist at any meetings prior to the dismissal;

• Prior warnings: if the dismissal related to unsatisfactory performance by the person – whether the person had been warned about that unsatisfactory

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Above left: Peter Alexander – Peuker & Alexander and President MGA TMA – welcomes everyone to the inaugural industry lunch. Above right: Senator the Hon Anne Ruston spoke about strength in unity.

performance before the dismissal;• Size of the enterprise: the extent to

which the size of the business would be likely to impact on the procedures followed in the dismissal;

• HR expertise: the degree to which the absence of dedicated human resource management specialists or expertise in the enterprise would be likely to impact on the procedures followed in the dismissal;

• Any other relevant matter: any other matters that the Fair Work Commission considers relevant.

Other Relevant FactorsThe Fair Work Commission has broad discretion to decide what is ‘any other relevant matter’ in an unfair dismissal claim. In past cases, the Fair Work Commission has balanced the seriousness of the reason for dismissal against:• the employee’s length of service,• employment history (i.e. previous

counselling and warning history;• the employee’s ability to find other

employment following dismissal (including their age, any illness/injuries etc.);

• the employee’s personal situation (i.e. family and financial commitments).

It is therefore critical to consider the employee’s response to any proposed dismissal to determine the likelihood of any unfairness.

Is serious misconduct treated differently?Even though an employee has committed serious misconduct, they can still be eligible to make an unfair dismissal claim.

While the employee’s conduct may justify instant dismissal from your point of view, it is important to first take into account the employee’s responses, the whole of the circumstances, and the weight of evidence before making a final decision. This is because an instant dismissal may be harsh, unjust or unreasonable (and potentially an ‘unfair dismissal’) if:• the outcome is disproportionate to the

gravity of the misconduct (including consideration of the employee’s personal or financial circumstances);

• the employee did not actually commit the misconduct;

• there is insufficient evidence to support the employer’s conclusions.

If you are going through a process of counselling/warning an employee at your workplace that could lead to termination, it is advisable you seek early advice from the Association about the circumstances and appropriate procedures. TTIA is your resource – use it! Contact the TTIA on (02) 9264 0011. For more on unfair dismissal, see page 28.

TTN379_05-09_Association news.indd 8 19/1/18 5:23 pm

BORAL TIMBER Build something great™

A hardwood timber deck provides a way to enhance any home, garden, commercial or retail property.A hardwood timber deck creates a comfortable, attractive and flexible feature that can be added to any kind of flat, sloping, wet or even waterside site.

Boral Royal Reds Decking is a mix of Dura 1 Australian hardwood species, giving it a colour comparable to the red clay desserts of the Australian outback. Australian Hardwood species are naturally grown and sourced in Australia making them perfect for any Australian venue and the Australian climate.

For more information on Boral Hardwood decking visit boral.com.au or call us on 1800 818 317.

boral.com.au/timber

DURABLE DECKING BORAL ROYAL REDS

Royal Reds

Boral® and build something great™ are trademarks of Boral Limited or one of its subsidiaries. Note: Variations of colour within a timber species are normal, therefore photographs, samples and display floors can only be indicative of the colour range of the timber species nominated. Timber is a natural product and commonly reacts to changes in atmospheric conditions such as humidity and temperature. This is considered normal. It is recommended that these species are viewed at a timber flooring showroom before a decision is made on colour.

TTN379_05-09_Association news.indd 9 22/1/18 9:42 am

NEWS IN BRIEF


INDUSTRY NEWS

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.

For over 40 years, Belle magazine has focused on the best in interiors and design,

nationally and internationally. That degree of expertise shines through in the selection and judging for the new Belle Luxury Home Building Awards, honouring Australia’s most talented luxury residential builders.

“The awards celebrate excellence in premium residential construction, giving us an opportunity to shine a spotlight on master craftspeople who are often the unsung heroes of a design project” says Belle editor, Tanya Buchanan.

The awards included categories for both new builds and alterations and additions, with joinery and landscaping also receiving the recognition due. They were open to boutique builders, designers and architects who had built a premium residential project with a minimum spend of at least $4 million between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2017.

The winning projects selected by this year’s jury exemplify the talent and diversity of Australia’s premier builders. In the words of the Belle judging team: “The pool of winners demonstrates some of the brightest talent in the building industry. The jury recognised the meticulous craftsmanship, including the seamless integration of different materials and finishes that ultimately sets a home apart.”

The winner of the Best New Build category was Horizon for Bay House. The judgement described it as “a luminous and light-filled family home that was designed by Bruce Stafford Architects and interiors firm Hare + Klein to incorporate both seaside vistas and internal courtyards that created a sophisticated residence.

“Looking at the end result it may not be obvious that this was a challenging build; with limited access to the property, building below sea level and extensive stonework throughout the house, this new build demonstrated the superior execution and attention to detail.”

The winners of Best Use of Interior Materials (Alterations & Additions) were VCON for Armadale Residence, tied with Ciolino Constructions for their North Bondi Penthouse, where timber, tile and luxe colour met in an Art-Deco-inspired symphony.

The Belle Luxury Home Building Awards Australian building and design is showcased in a new award scheme.

Above and left: Ciolino Constructions’ winning North Bondi penthouse interiors.

TTN379_10-15_news in brief.indd 10 19/1/18 3:05 pm

NEWS IN BRIEF


• Best Joinery (Alterations & Additions) – Bellevarde Constructions, Clovelly House

• Best Landscape Design (Alterations & Additions) – Concept Build, Bowen Crescent

The Belle Luxury Home Building Awards thank its generous sponsors, Brickworks Building Products and Tongue N Groove.

INTRODUCING THE NEW“H3” IRONASH TREATED F17 KD HARDWOOD &“H2” TRUCORE TREATED F17 KD HARDWOOD

ALL NOW IN STOCK!

DISTRIBUTORS OF:Supa17/F17KD Hardwood & Supalam F17 KD Hardwood

ALSO:Tas Oak & Vic Ash Flooring, Archs, Square Dressed Boards, Door Jamb Sets, Lining, Cladding and Decking.

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE

Phil McCormack: 0438 255 118 Nick Arfaras: 0438 255 115 Glenn Lawrenson: 0438 255 116 Matt Leplaa: 0403 724 184

43-45 Overseas DriveNoble Park VIC 3174Phone: (03) 9701 2777Fax: (03) 9701 2677

HARDWOOD - The Proven Performer

The 2017 jury consisted of the Belle editorial team, including Tanya Buchanan, Brickworks Building Products’ General Manager of Marketing, Brett Ward, and Tongue N Groove’s architectural finishes specialist, Elle McCarthy.

The winning projects in the 2017 Belle Luxury Home Building Awards are:• Belle Luxury Home Building Award 2017

(New Build) – Horizon, Bay House• Best Exterior (New Build) – Concept

Build, Kent Court• Best Use of Interior Materials (New Build)

– Horizon, Bay House• Best Joinery (New Build) – Distinct

Joinery, Armadale Residence• Best Landscape Design (New Build) –

Concept Build, Kent Court• Belle Luxury Home Building Award 2017

(Alterations & Additions) – Beebo Constructions, Sydney Residence

• Best Exterior (Alterations & Additions) – VCON, Armadale Residence

• Best Use of Interior Materials (Alterations & Additions) – Ciolino Constructions, North Bondi Penthouse (tie)

• Best Use of Interior Materials (Alterations & Additions) – VCON, Armadale Residence (tie)

“The awards celebrate excellence in premium residential construction.”

Above: The Bay House by Horizon won the Belle Luxury Home Building Award 2017 (New Build).


NEWS IN BRIEF


PH

OTO

: ©

BR

ETT

BO

AR

DM

AN

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

Sustainability rewardedHusqvarna recognised at Swedish Business Awards.

A package of initiatives called ‘Sustainovate’ has seen Husqvarna

impress judges at the 2017 Swedish Business in Australia Awards, taking out the Excellence in Business Enterprise title. The award, judged by members of the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), acknowledges Swedish organisations implementing progressive sustainability strategies.

Husqvarna Group, one of Australia’s leading suppliers of outdoor power products, is famous for its forestry and gardening range – especially chainsaws – and construction products.

Sustainovate is Husqvarna Group’s way of integrating sustainability into every aspect of their business objectives and operations. It includes carbon reduction targets, increasing the focus on climate issues within manufacturing teams, contracting from audited sustainable suppliers, supporting communities with environmentally focused corporate citizenship programs and a complementary focus on safety and ergonomics for employees.

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised by the SACC for our sustainability efforts,” said David Boyd, Managing Director of Husqvarna Australia. “Through investing in and developing in sustainable product technologies, we’re working to reduce our carbon footprint whilst also improving efficiencies.”

The SACC was established in Australia in 1911 and encourages both sustainable business networks and bilateral relations between Sweden and Australia. Other member companies include Volvo, H&M and Saab.

WELL certification is an international building standard that scores buildings

on their contributions to the health of those who live and work inside them. The categories scored are Air, Water, Nourishment (providing or having easy access to healthful foods), Light, Fitness, Comfort and Mind (optimising mental and emotional health through design).

Frasers Property Australia’s head office in Rhodes has just received a rare GOLD rating WELL certification. It is one of the first in Australia and only the 14th worldwide.

BVN architectural team worked with Frasers Property’s commercial division on the $9.8 million fit-out comprising 3700m2 spread across two levels of an existing commercial building. Completed in 2016 it was one of the first projects in Australia to target both 6-Star Green Star Interiors v1.1 (Green Building Council of Australia) and WELL (International Well Building Institute) certifications.

According to Ms Ninotschka Titchkosky, BVN Principal, “The workplace is an enabler for team building, coaching and developing people, but is also seen as a means to directly affect occupant’s health – making employee wellbeing a top priority.

“The approach taken with the Frasers’ design makes conscious use of passive design as part of a strategy to encourage movement, both for wellness and to promote unplanned conversations and collaboration,” notes Ms Titchkosky.

Some of the WELL features include: • Subtle active design to facilitate a

healthier environment, such as single

Frasers Property Rated GoldA clever new fit out has won this Sydney office a top certification.

point of entry for all staff where they mingle with more people, andwalk to your desk through a town hall space designed to encourage staff interaction.

• Natural light and views – accessible to many and owned by no-one with sight lines across entire floor plate.

• Indoor plants and trees (three metres high) improve air quality and connection to nature.

• Thirty per cent sit-to-stand desks and standing conference and meeting points throughout the office.

According to the company, there has been a 56 per cent improvement in staff satisfaction for overall health and productivity. Spatial comfort is up 77 per cent, indoor air quality has improved by 64 per cent and visual comfort recorded a 44 per cent increase in satisfaction levels.

“Fundamental to the design is the belief that the built environment can directly affect our health – making employee wellbeing a top priority,” says Reini Otter, Frasers Executive General Manager Commercial & Industrial.

Frasers Property also run several wellness in the workplace initiatives that include free access to Rhodes Corporate Business gymnasium for staff, and include design elements such as end of trip facilities with showers, lockers and change rooms, indoor plants and trees to improve air quality, plenty of natural light and access to outdoor spaces and the inclusion of passive design to encourage movement and collaboration within the workplace.



NEWS IN BRIEF

Drone weeding

Western Australia’s Forest Products Commission (FPC) is looking to

technology in a bid to bring down costs while expanding their precision when it comes to plantation management.

New plantation plantings require feeding and are vulnerable to weeds, which up until now have been managed by either ground or aerial fertiliser and herbicide applications. Both are expensive and both have limits: ground spreaders can’t reach all plantations, while aerial applications require large plantings to be economical, and good weather conditions to target applications, which even then are not specific.

According to a recent FPC Forestry News article, drones may be the perfect compromise. Operations Officer Lukas Baker says, “We’re looking to take the next step and continue the evolution that began with planes, moved to helicopters and now into the future, we hope, with drones.”

Able to be controlled remotely, drones are small and manoeuvrable, meaning more precise applications, including spot treatments for weed species.

Drones are already used in the sector for mapping weed species, so it is an easy adaptation of existing data. They also require a far shorter training course for handlers compared to light aircraft. Several manufacturers are already producing models with tanks and easy-use spraying apparatus.

Whether manufacturers make models available for sale at attractive price points or specialist operators deliver services across the sector remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: the reduced costs of chemical inputs alone make the move one that’s attractive to forestry’s bottom lines.

BOOK NOW!18-20 April 2018BRISBANE

Field Tours | Post Conference WHS Workshops Forestry & Architecture/Engineering Student Awards

www.doingtimberbusinessinqld.com

GOLD SPONSOR

2nd Biennial State Conference

One of the downsides of small business is the admin. It’s too easy to leave

invoicing until you have a quiet period, which can mean long delays between work and being paid, and banks can make mobile payments costly and difficult to manage.

Now Invoice2go, an Australian-made mobile invoicing app, has launched mobile point of sale (mPOS) with PayPal Here that can take swipe, insert or tap and go payments anywhere, instantly.

This means you can be paid on the spot, in addition to Invoice2go’s existing online payments and easy invoice delivery. The app is also soon to include a new messaging feature that allows users to send invoices directly to customers within a wide range of messaging apps including Whatsapp and Facebook Messanger.

Michael Ramsey, Head of Product at Invoice2go, said that the company was tapping into the astronomical rise of tap and go payments in Australia. “Tap and go is a ubiquitous way to pay now and we want to empower our customers, the majority of

Tap and Go App makes invoicing and payments easy.

whom are one-man-bands, to also be able to leverage this trend.

“This new product has been specifically designed to work with how the most mobile of Australia’s small businesses work. Now, those who go from job to job, issuing invoices along the way also have the option to be paid instantly, on the spot from wherever they are.”

Invoice2go’s PayPal Here device costs $49 and connects directly to your Invoice2go account, seamlessly integrating with your invoicing and marking invoices as paid.

The Invoice2go app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store or via Google Play and has a range of affordable plans for all small business types and sizes.

“Now those who go from job to job can be paid instantly.”


NEWS IN BRIEF


PH

OTO

S:

CO

UR

TESY

OF

CA

MP

AW

AK

EN

ING

S A

ND

TH

E L

OW

E F

OU

ND

ATI

ON

PH

OTO

S: A

NYS

TOC

K/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

. IN

SE

T: C

OU

RTE

SY A

US

TRA

LIA

N B

OTA

NIC

GA

RD

EN

MO

UN

T A

NN

AN

Foundation for successHow a Victorian business is helping kids thrive.

For more than 30 years, Bayside construction company Lowe Design &

Build has been contributing to the community of Victoria’s south east. Recently, the company held a gala evening to launch the Lowe Foundation, committing to the continued support of their community, especially their flagship charities Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) and Camp Awakenings.

Jake Edwards, former AFL player and Founder of OTLR described the difference Lowe’s support has made: “It is with immense gratitude I thank Lowe Design & Build for all the time and financial support they generously give to Outside the Locker Room. With their help, we have had 935 young participants through our Welfare & Education Program within the Victorian South East region.”

The program teaches life skills to players involved in sporting clubs – skills that help with their education and daily challenges, from mentoring and mental health support through to assistance with challenging issues including drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

Camp Awakenings is a youth development program for Year 9 students. Participants take part in physical challenges, creative exercises, team building and confidence-boosting programs that help to create stronger peer groups and more resilient young people. Camp Awakenings’ program director Michael Weiser also echoed thanks

and look forward to continuing this commitment to our community.”

The Lowe Foundation currently supports the following programs, many of which focus on youth development, mental and physical wellbeing and cancer research:• Outside The Locker Room • Camp Awakenings• Family Life Charity Organisation• Mordialloc Lifesaving Club• Edithvale Fire Brigade • Pink Ribbon Foundation• Major sponsor of the Chelsea Rotary &

Artshow• Isabella and Marcus Foundation

Lowe Design & Build was established in 1984 by Brian Lowe. Since 2000, Brian has been co-director of the business with his son Matt. For more information, visit outsidethelockerroom.com.au and www.campawakenings.com.au.

Above: Lowe Design & Build is best known for luxe builds. Right: Kids learning skills at Camp Awakenings.

Above: The key speakers at the launch of the Lowe Foundation (from left) Brian Lowe, Jake Edwards of Outside the Locker Room, Sandi Sieger and Michael Weiser of Camp Awakenings, and Matt Lowe.

of support from the Lowe Foundation.

For Founder and Director Brian Lowe, it’s a natural progression of the business’s focus. “We are a company that has always been dedicated to excellence and giving back to the community and being involved is part of what we do,” he said. “We are proud to introduce the Lowe Foundation


NEWS IN BRIEF


PH

OTO

S: A

NYS

TOC

K/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

. IN

SE

T: C

OU

RTE

SY A

US

TRA

LIA

N B

OTA

NIC

GA

RD

EN

MO

UN

T A

NN

AN

OSB SimBoard®• Ideal for domestic &

commercial buildings• Sheet size 3600 x 900• 18mm can span 600mm

centres• 15% less weight & 30%

less load• Alternative to

particleboard flooring• Formaldehyde free binders• PEFC & FSC certification

on request

S Y D N E Y - B R I S B A N E - M E L B O U R N E - N E W Z E A L A N D

BRISBANE 146-164 Buchanan Road, Banyo QLD 4014Phone: (07) 3267 0244Fax:(07) 3621 7755

MELBOURNE 22-32 Nathan Road, Dandenong VIC 3175Phone: (03) 9791 2241Fax: (03) 9791 2243

SYDNEY Head Off ice 1 Durham St reet Rosehi l l NSW 2142 Phone: (02) 9638 7333 Fax: (02) 9684 6466

[email protected] www.simmondslumber.com.au

...the right choice

OSB SimBrace®• Durable Structural

Bracing• Environmentally

sustainable• Available in UT +

H2 LOSP• All 6mm in standard

sheet sizes• Designed for the

Australian building & construction market

Heritage rescueEarly bookcase is saved for South Australia

Scammell Auctions, one of Adelaide’s largest estate auction houses,

recently saw a very unusual lot go under their auctioneer’s hammer.

The large, beautifully worked bookcase is one of the oldest pieces of furniture made in South Australia.

Writing in Adelaide’s The Advertiser, Kathryn Bermingham tells how retired antiques appraiser Peter Scammel worked with architect Andrew Kleinke and object conservator Justin Gare to determine the bookcase was the first significant piece of furniture made in the state. Specific screws used in the design, which fell entirely out of favour in the mid-1840s, and a five-year funding freeze at Adelaide Council thanks to insolvency combined to lead the trio to their conclusion that the piece was commissioned between December 1840 and January 1841.

Despite significant out-of-state interest in the piece, Allan Aughey OAM, Mayor of Clare, a region 136km north of Adelaide, secured the bookcase at a cost of $50,000 and has declared his intention to donate it to the Clare community, displaying it first in the local library and then in an art gallery that is currently planned for Clare.

He hopes others will also consider donating significant furniture, both local and international, for public display.

Bunya menaceA mighty tree, a delicious danger.

The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan has

issued an alert for a common menace from above. Not magpie swoopings, but the thudding fall of bunya ‘nuts’ as the huge pinecones have begun dropping well in advance of their traditional February ripening this year – some as early as December.

The bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii) is native to south-east and northern Queensland and is widely grown in its home state and NSW. It’s a close relative of the Wollemi pine and can grow up to 35-45m in height and live for up to 600 years.

The nuts can be 20-35cm in diameter and weigh up to 10kg, yielding enough seeds for a bush tucker feast. The seeds have a taste reminiscent of pine nuts and can be eaten raw, boiled, stir-fried, roasted or cooked in the coals of a camp fire or barbecue – basically a local version of a chestnut.

One landing on your head could definitely be fatal, so it’s lucky the cones grow

reasonably high and make a clattering noise as they fall, so you have a chance to run. Even so, the garden has fenced off their trees while the cones are dropping.Learn more about bunyas at australianbotanicgarden.com.au

This image: A mature bunya pine. Inset: The pine cones weigh up to 10kg.


NEWS IN BRIEF


It’s a sad fact of the Australian building sector that asbestos and asbestos

containing materials (ACMs) are often found in existing buildings. There are strict regulations in place for managing ACMs, but a new management resource released this year makes compliance much easier and provides an excellent training resource as well.

Preventing exposure to asbestos fibres is the most effective means of preventing asbestos-related diseases. With 13 Australians dying every week from asbestos-related diseases, 12 from malignant mesothelioma, and with another 13 diagnosed with this incurable cancer, it’s vital that all those working in the commercial and non-residential property sector ensure compliance with regulations to minimise exposure of workers, tradespeople and bystanders.

ACMs themselves can be comparatively safe if left undisturbed in good condition. But it if they are disturbed by tools or processes such as water blasting, a high concentration of fibres can be released, endangering those who are exposed.

To address the need for improved, safer management of asbestos and ACM in commercial and non-residential property settings, the national Asbestos Awareness Campaign has developed a free, user-friendly asbestos management resource package to help improve regulatory compliance across the sector.

The Asbestos Management Handbook for Commercial and Non-residential Properties provides property owners, managers, developers and workers with essential, practical, user-friendly guidelines and tools to manage ACMs in line with requirements. The comprehensive Handbook, Asbestos Management Templates and Fact Sheets can be downloaded from asbestosawareness.com.au/commercial-properties/commercial-downloads/.

Designed for a broad audience including property owners, agents, managers, builders, contractors, subcontractors, tradespeople and workers, the Asbestos Management Handbook, Templates and Fact Sheets were developed in consultation with stakeholders from the building, property management and government sectors to improve compliance in the commercial and non-residential property sector.

The Handbook details the roles and responsibilities for the management of asbestos and ACMs, provides examples of best practice and a comprehensive list and images to demonstrate ACMs commonly found in commercial and non-residential properties. Importantly, the Handbook provides practical guidance on the steps required to adhere to regulations including how to develop and manage an Asbestos Management Plan, an Asbestos Register and the training requirements for workers.

It defines Asbestos Inspections, Surveys, Risk Assessments and the steps required when asbestos removal is in progress.

John Batty, Managing Consultant, Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Materials Management specialist for Prensa welcomed the announcement saying, “While there are strict requirements for the management, control and removal of asbestos or ACMs, one of the dominant challenges affecting compliance has been the absence of user-friendly resources for people unfamiliar with technical information, with some finding the regulations rather extensive and complex to follow and implement.”

Batty particularly commended the ease of use of the handbook and its accompanying fact sheets, templates and training materials. “We know that the greater the exposure to asbestos fibres, the greater the risk of developing life-threatening asbestos-related diseases. In developing this essential, user-friendly information package making the requirements easily accessible, the new Handbook, featuring step-by-step procedures complemented by Fact Sheets and Templates, is a long-awaited vital resource that will help improve compliance in the sector, resulting in improved safe work management procedures and the prevention of avoidable exposure to asbestos fibres by workers and bystanders,” Mr Batty said.

The handbook package includes Fact Sheets on Roles and Responsibilities for Management of Asbestos and ACMs, the procedures for Unexpected Asbestos Finds or Incidents, and the step-by-step application of Personal Protective and Respiratory Equipment – all valuable resources when training workers on asbestos safe work management procedures.

It is complemented by digital promotional tools for websites, social media and posters for on-site promotion.For more on asbestos education, visit asbestosawareness.com.au.

PH

OTO

: TO

YOTA

Asbestos management helpA new free resource for the commercial and non-residential property sector.

Clockwise from top: The free Asbestos Management Handbook provides a clear, one-stop manual for everything from checklists and templates to training materials; ACMs only become dangerous once the fibres are disturbed; sheet roofing, fibro and insulation are common locations for ACMs.


NEWS IN BRIEF


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

Ads and sales figures are one thing, but when it comes to which work vehicles

can really deliver, it’s best to go straight to the people who use them most.

ServiceSeeking.com.au is an online marketplace connecting customers with local businesses. They surveyed over 800 people working in trades to find the highest rated commercial utes of 2017, as voted by the people who know.

Here are the top five.

1. TOYOTA HILUXA strong win with 39 per cent of the vote isn’t a surprise for this famously tough vehicle. It’s been Australia’s best-selling ute for the past 17 years and was Australia’s best-selling car overall last year. Coming in a wide range of configurations with solid load-carrying capacity and a five-star safety rating, it’s a reliable classic.New: $26,521-$59,459 according to ToyotaUsed (3 years): $19,800-$29,750 according to Carsales

2. FORD RANGERIn second place with 12 per cent of the vote, the Ford Ranger is one of the few that tackles the Hilux in the sales yards, beating it last year in both September and October for Australia’s best-selling ute. Available in models that can tackle tough sites through

Top Utes for TradiesIt’s the unofficial work vehicle of Australia, but which utes do tradies really prefer?

to family-friendly holidaying, they also come with a good range of tech, including reversing cameras, parking sensors and smartphone integration.New: $44,490-$56,490 according to FordUsed (3 years): $15,900-$44,300 according to Carsales

3. TOYOTA LANDCRUISER UTEWith a respectable 10 per cent of the vote, the Toyota Landcruiser Ute series has made its way out of the farmyards and onto work sites around the country thanks to its ability to cope with tough terrain better than almost any other vehicle. Combined with an indefatigable approach to hard work and an epic ability to pull and carry, you can see why these utes dominate on farms, mines and unpaved sites.New: $60,990-$68,990 according to The Motor ReportUsed (3 years): $41,600-$48,000 according to Carsales

4. VOLKSWAGEN AMAROKNot the first marque you’d think of for a ute, but superior steering and handling make this a popular choice for tradies who have a lot

of highway driving in their day – and that’s enough for 7.5 per cent of the vote.New: $38,990-$74,109 according to VolkswagenUsed (3 years): $31,200-$44,200 according to Carsales

5. MITSUBISHI TRITONIt’s a cheaper, lighter option, but for the tradie looking for a reliable ute at an affordable price, the Triton delivers. Its value and surprisingly adept off-road handling is enough to secure 7 per cent of favourites in this poll.New: $22,300-$48,490 according to Cars GuideUsed (3 years): $15,700-$23,000 according to Carsales

Over 800 tradies voted on their favourite utes.

PH

OTO

: TO

YOTA



NEWS FEATURE

When Victorian recycled timber warehouse, Timberzoo, chose to obtain FSC certification they decided to go for two certificates at once, confirming that more is, indeed, better. BY LISA SMYTH

Dave Hutchens, owner of Timberzoo. “As we specialise in recycled timbers we

also saw the opportunity to gain the FSC Recycled certification. It has been a tough first year coming to grips with the considerable detail required to achieve and maintain FSC certification, but we recognise the increasing government and commercial demand and so we consider the investment worthwhile,” says Hutchens.

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAINTimberzoo’s focus on recycled timbers was already a nod to an environmentally conscious and sustainable approach to construction, so FSC certification was a natural next step.

FSC Australia CEO, Sara Gipton, agrees that “it’s great to see a business thriving on recycled timbers. The FSC recycled standard recognises the role reclaimed and recycled material plays in protecting the world’s forests. FSC is a voluntary market-based scheme, so every new timber supplier who P

HO

TOS

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TI

MB

ER

ZOO

A former bridge in Cairns, a wharf in Queenscliff, a pier in Portarlington –

the magnificent Australian native hardwood timbers used to build the crossings and connections of our wide brown land are finding purpose again as FSC-certified recycled timber at Timberzoo.

Timberzoo is a recycled timber warehouse located on the Bellarine Peninsula, just south of Melbourne. They offer a broad range of timbers for landscapers, shopfitters, designers and furniture makers, specialising in Australian hardwoods and species used in building and construction from early- to mid-20th century. In 2017 they embarked on the journey to obtain FSC certification, and now hold two certificates – an FSC Recycled 100% certificate and an FSC Chain of Custody certificate.

“It all kicked off when our key supplier of plantation sugar gum suggested we obtain the FSC Chain of Custody certificate so we could sustain his FSC accreditation of product all the way to the end user,” recalls

A tale of two certifications

Above: Certified recycled timbers.

TTN379_20-21_News feature_Timberzoo.indd 18 19/1/18 3:16 pm


NEWS FEATURE

joins FSC shows the demand from the construction and architectural community for high-grade, sustainably sourced timber.”

Currently, 1.2 million hectares of Australian forest is FSC certified, and FSC certification is increasingly being recognised as tool a to guarantee sustainability. The recycled label is unique to FSC – no other forest certification scheme has a recycled standard.

At Timberzoo, large dimension timbers from bridges and wharves are sorted and docked to length for resale as recycled pergola posts and beams, porticos, exposed ceiling joists, garden seats, retaining walls and other visible structural elements of residential and commercial projects.

“Both our bridge timbers and re-milled dressed timbers qualify as FSC Recycled 100%. Having a piece of Australian history line the floor of your new restaurant, or shade you from the sun in your backyard, makes using Timberzoo recycled timbers all the more special,” says Hutchens.

A SWEET DEALHowever, the FSC Chain of Custody certificate for the sawn logs of plantation sugar gum sourced from Yarra Timbers in Lismore has been a harder sell to the primarily residential market. Consumers are price-sensitive, but unsure of the importance and relevance of certification.

“Sugar gum log is a credible and durable species, but it is not first choice for every application. I don’t believe the industry is ready to supply joinery grade in sugar gum yet, but we are looking at the supply chain for future years with that in mind. Currently decking and cladding boards are our primary focus,” says Hutchens.

FSC Chain of Custody certification demonstrates compliance with public and private sector procurement policies, and numbers remain stable in Australia, at around 300 certificates.

“Timberzoo has undergone an independent audit, and is now certified, meaning it met the FSC Chain of Custody standards. Being an FSC Chain of Custody certificate holder means Timberzoo can P

HO

TOS

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TI

MB

ER

ZOO

Having a piece of Australian history to line your floor or shade you from the sun is very special.

provide customers with supply chain assurance, label and sell products as FSC certified, and supply the increasing number of projects that include FSC in specifications or tenders,” says Gipton.

“As a certificate holder, Timberzoo is part of the FSC story – about sourcing and tracing timber. They can assure clients that their FSC recycled products are verified, and that their FSC-certified forest products come

from a place that is responsibly managed, protects wildlife and worker safety, and upholds indigenous and local community rights,” Gipton adds.

For now, Hutchens believes that “the certification industry is still in its infancy in Australia, but it has the potential for broader acceptance as the market demand for sustainable timber increases.” For more, go to timberzoo.com.au

TTN379_20-21_News feature_Timberzoo.indd 19 19/1/18 3:16 pm

FEATURE STORY


PH

OTO

S C

LOC

KW

ISE

FR

OM

MA

IN I

MA

GE

: ALE

XA

ND

RE

ZV

EIG

ER

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

.CO

M,

PA

RIL

OV

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

.CO

M, T

EK

NO

S,

(2X

) JO

DIE

JO

HN

SO

N/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

Few things set the tone of a building more than its windows and doors. And for the

timber industry, they represent an opportunity to improve a once-dominant market that has been eroded by aluminium and steel.

Consumer concerns regarding fire safety, maintenance and price have driven much of the move away from timber. But these are usually misplaced, especially when price is calculated with respect to the comparative energy efficiency of each product type and the flow on insulation capability and ongoing heating costs of the overall building.

Tracey Gramlick, Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Window Association (AWA), says, “Timber windows are an extremely energy efficient product given their wonderful innate thermal properties.

Looking inside outTimber doors and windows deserve a bigger share of the Australian market.BY DONYALE HARRISON

They meet the mandatory energy efficiency requirements quite easily.”

The great advantage of timber is its adaptability. Timber products look just as at home in seamless modernism as they do in 19th century restorations. Skilled manufacturers can deliver an almost infinite variety of profiles and shapes at low cost using today’s revolutionary machinery and technology, and, for the consumer, a new look for their streetscape is as simple as a trip to the paint shop.

It’s hardly surprising to see timber windows and doors taking a starring role in the pages of glossy design magazines, but there is scope to expand in all sectors of the market where mainstream builders and designers are sometimes accepting what their clients see as an ‘easier’ product in place of timber options.

The warmth of timber suits almost any architecture.

TTN379_20-25_feature windows and doors.indd 20 19/1/18 4:10 pm

FEATURE STORY


PH

OTO

S C

LOC

KW

ISE

FR

OM

MA

IN I

MA

GE

: ALE

XA

ND

RE

ZV

EIG

ER

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

.CO

M,

PA

RIL

OV

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

.CO

M, T

EK

NO

S,

(2X

) JO

DIE

JO

HN

SO

N/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

Factory finished timber framed windows drying.

Internal timber doors can be left quite natural.

Timber provides excellent energy effiiciencies.

Materials are mirrored for indoor-outdoor flow.


FEATURE STORY


A correctly applied and maintained coating system keeps the joinery stable.

PH

OTO

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TE

KN

OS

Next generation timber protection.Protection from the elements well before installation is key in maximising the service life and performance of timber windows and doors. Developed in Scandanavia using the latest water based coatings technology, Teknos timber protection systems are specially designed for industrial application ensuring finishes of the highest quality and standard.

To find out how a Teknos timber protection system can be customised to meet your needs, call 1800 630 285 or visit teknos.com.au.Teknos is distributed in Australia and New Zealand under licence by Intergrain Timber Finishes.

Education from within the industry is the answer. As Gramlick says, “Most innovative timber window companies work with architects and building designers to offer solutions in using timber, especially in heritage work, bushfi re zones and energy effi ciency.”

Armed with the knowledge of timber’s adaptability, effi ciency and strength, more designers and builders feel confi dent advocating for the product with clients, and the superior result speaks for itself.

HITTING THE MARKThere are multiple Australian standards for windows and doors, and some of these form the basis of misplaced concerns with specifying timber product.

One is understandably worrying: AS 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfi re-prone areas. However, as both the AWA and the other main industry body, Window and Door Industry Council (WADIC), have shown, timber options include those deemed acceptable to withstand exposure up to a BAL–29 condition (Bushfi re Attack Level 29, including ember attack and a heat fl ux up to 29kW/m2).

Bushfi re-resisting timbers include silvertop ash, blackbutt, red river gum, spotted gum, red ironbark and kwila (merbau), and other dense species meet many of the standard’s requirements for homes in lower BAL areas.

Both AWA and WADIC have produced comprehensive literature regarding windows and doors in bushfi re prone areas. You can download their publications at awa.org.au/documents/item/174 and wadic.org.au/bushfi re_compliance/bushfi re_guide_2012.pdf.

One point of emphasis is that the material specifi cation doesn’t exist in isolation, but as part of a broader location- and structure-

based analysis and as part of a total fi re risk strategy that can incorporate risk-lowering structures, including styles of doors and windows and shutters.

Gramlick adds that “Fire retardant coatings and intumescent fi re-resistant paints are available for frames.”

The AWA’s research backs up their confi dence in the product. As Gramlick says, “Bushfi re resistant timber window system tests are now frequently done to include frames, glass and seals.”

LASTING PROTECTIONSConcerns regarding resistance to rot and ability to weather well are also common for timber doors and windows. The industry itself has had some fault here, occasionally buying down to a price point using materials that are not up to the durability requirements of components that will be exposed to the worst of the challenging Australian weather.

While this has largely been driven by consumer demand for cheaper product, it has in some cases undermined confi dence in the material. Coupled with this is the ability of good coatings to cover up a multitude of sins in early years, only to reveal problems later as joints distort and the coating cracks, removing its protection.

As Douglas Curr, Technical Sales and

Specifi cation Manager from Intergrain and Teknos, an industrial wood coatings specialist, says, “The key to the lifespan and performance of timber joinery is in maintaining the dimensional stability of the timber. Uncoated or inadequately protected doors and windows will expand and contract as atmospheric conditions change, so joints will open, doors and windows will swell, and sometimes seize.”

Using quality Class 1 durable timbers is the best starting point for a reliable product, but should be part of a package of protections, Curr says. “A correctly applied and maintained coating system manages moisture absorption and keeps the joinery stable. Climatic extremes in humidity and UV can make timber extra susceptible to things like mould, drying and cracking, but quality, well maintained coating systems can overcome those problems.

“At a minimum for exterior timber joinery, we recommend that windows and doors are primed and protected from moisture well before delivery and installation. We also encourage people to look carefully at the design of their joinery as sharp edges can lead to coating weak spots. Arrised or rounded edges permit greater coverage [of coatings] and reduce the possibility of premature failure and moisture ingress.”

Residential windows and doors often have the most problems, as home owners can lack education about coatings, with some not paying adequate attention to their choice of product. “The performance requirements of an interior and exterior coating are quite different,” says Curr. “Interior coatings are invariably designed to protect only from staining, bumps and abrasion. Exterior coatings systems have to offer the same protections but must also shield against the elements.

“For interior application, the determining factor is more often aesthetic, so oils can offer a more natural look. Non-yellowing water-based polyurethanes provide a more robust fi nish while still retaining the original colour of the timber. [For exterior application], pigment offers the best shield from the harsh Australian sun and protects the surface structure of the timber, ensuring a sound substrate for the coating to adhere to. Essentially, products that are going to offer the best long-term proposition will have some colour.”

KEEPING UP APPEARANCESMaintenance is another issue that requires more education for many home owners. There is a common misconception that timber doors and windows require complicated annual upkeep, which has possibly been born of some substandard product in the past.Above: Factory fi nished timber framed doors can be painted to match any architecture.


PH

OTO

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F TE

KN

OS

Next generation timber protection.Protection from the elements well before installation is key in maximising the service life and performance of timber windows and doors. Developed in Scandanavia using the latest water based coatings technology, Teknos timber protection systems are specially designed for industrial application ensuring finishes of the highest quality and standard.

To find out how a Teknos timber protection system can be customised to meet your needs, call 1800 630 285 or visit teknos.com.au.Teknos is distributed in Australia and New Zealand under licence by Intergrain Timber Finishes.


FEATURE STORY


In fact, upkeep is often surprisingly simple, but relies on end users not being complacent. As Curr says, “Exposure, orientation and product type will all impact

the length of the maintenance schedule, this could be from one year, up to over 10 years. The key to low maintenance is minimum 12-monthly inspections and making good any mechanical damage before moisture ingress compromises the integrity of the coating system. Single coat maintenance should be the objective.”

Again, there is an opportunity for timber manufacturers to make sure that product education is passed on through designers and builders to the end user. Knowing that people can be lazy about maintenance, there is good reason to spend more on a higher-

grade initial product. “The easiest solution from the end user’s perspective is timber joinery that’s been fully fi nished by the manufacturer before it’s installed,” says Curr. “This way, people don’t have to wait or arrange fi nishing themselves. Additionally, when coatings are applied in a factory controlled environment, coverage rates and fi nish results will tend to be much more consistent providing longer term protection and performance.”

Though there are some local perils that not even the best current technology can fully manage. When asked if there was any solution to seal and frame attacks by cockatoos, Curr wryly suggested wasabi showed promise as a coating.

NEW ON THE BLOCKAnother sometimes under-appreciated aspect of timber as a door and window material is its enormous adaptability. It can be used to make products that meet standards specifi cations in an incredible variety of shapes, styles and sizes.

In previous years, that degree of bespoke design came with a Savile Row price tag. But recent technological advances have changed that. Computer controlled woodworking machines and systems mean that small runs are now economical, even for complex shapes and profi les.

Justin Macri uses a Weinig HolzHer ProMaster 7225 5 Axis CNC in his Sydney-based business, Metric Joinery. It’s an investment that has more than paid off for the quality manufacturer. “New CNC

Technology means small runs are now economical, even for complex shapes.

From top: Justin Macri, metricjoinery.com.au, with his Weinig HolzHer Promaster; the machine allows quick, precise cuts for bespoke orders.

PH

OTO

S:

CO

UR

TESY

OF

WE

INIG


FEATURE STORY

www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / FEBRUARY 2018 25439 - Think Weinig 190x60mm_300dpi.indd 1 13/6/17 11:46 am

processing technology has become more user-friendly, ultimately making small production runs more feasible,” he says. “We use advanced design software, which allows for faster programming times. This, in turn, enables greater flexibility in the products that we offer, including advanced window design and architectural joinery in general, and allows our clients the ability to create their desired product.

“These advances in technology have also proven to be extremely useful in both heritage and contemporary buildings, as timber can be manufactured to match existing designs or to further allow designers and architects to express their visions.

The beauty of the system is that training on the machines is widely available through both institutions and companies, and the process can start with a sketched design just as easily as with a complex rendering. Macri says, “The process begins with the architect’s ideas, which we then implement into our advanced design software, allowing us to see how they can be achieved. Once we complete the software programming, we are presented with a three-dimensional image that allows us to clear up any design flaws and inconsistencies. Software design also illustrates how individual parts will come together to complete the final works.”

But 21st century technology isn’t so different from the traditional methods of joinery that Macri trained in. “It’s still essential to have knowledge of timber selection and grading in order to ensure that our clients receive the best possible product,” he says. “Furthermore, the assembly of individual machined parts to finalise a product has remained a traditional skill.”

That emphasis on timber has allowed Metric Joinery to create a point of difference in their end product. “We predominantly purchase sustainable growth timbers,” says Macri. “We think this is an important area where the industry can educate the general public on the efficiency of timber products

as a whole, and the fact that their use is most often environmentally friendly.

“We plan to further incorporate recycled and sustainable growth timbers into our manufacturing process in coming years to ensure the promotion of environmental sustainability.”

ON THE HORIZONIt’s not only in the manufacturing process where new technologies are expanding the range of door and window options on the market. Developments in most parts of the process will be coming to market in the next few years.

Gramlick sees AWA members responding to global issues. She says, “With the emerging increasing stringency levels for energy efficiency between 2019 and 2030 in order to meet the Paris Agreement targets, the timber window industry has a huge opportunity to extend the range of efficient glasses used to provide solutions into the future.”

Environmental issues are also front of mind for Curr, who says, “Given the heightened social awareness of safety and

sustainability, we also see demand growing in the coming years for environmentally responsible solutions.”

Part of the coatings’ industry’s environmental focus also plays into the truth that homeowners can be a little lazy when it comes to upkeep. Curr says, “We are always looking to develop coatings systems that will offer significantly longer durability and maintenance schedules as we believe that this would encourage the use of timber in many more applications.”

But for the short term, Curr feels the industry is already on the right track to reclaiming its previous dominance in the sector. “We’re seeing more and more Australian manufacturers incorporating factory applied coating practices whether it’s applying a primer, semi finishing or fully finishing,” he says.

“It’s a way of adding value with time/money-saving advantages for builders and end customers alike. They recognise that having more control of their output can deliver a higher quality end product and higher levels of customer satisfaction, which is great news for the industry.”

Above: Complex machinery that is increasingly easy to use, such as the Weinig Cube Plus, is bringing down the cost of joinery. Stay tuned for a woodworking machines and systems special later this year.

PH

OTO

S:

CO

UR

TESY

OF

WE

INIG



COMPANY PROFILE

A trade focus has brought big rewardsOver three generations, a family-run Victorian joinery firm has grown steadily to become one of the nation’s leading trade and building supplies outlets.

Bayswater Mitre 10 is known today as a multi-award-winning trade business

supplying the Melbourne region, but in 1956 it started out as a more focused entity.

“My grandfather started in the 1950s purely as a joinery shop,” says Mick Vanderkolk, one of the generation currently running the store along with his brother Neil and cousins Derek and Rob.

Joinery was the family trade: before emigrating to Australia the Vanderkolks had been well-respected joiners in Holland for generations, and Mick and his father both followed suit in Australia.

A willingness to supply the best customer service to their clients led to the business naturally expanding over the decades. “We were dealing with all the builders making windows and doors and we thought ‘we’ll sell them a bit of timber, bit of hardware…’” says Vanderkolk.

“We expanded the range and it slowly took over. We did more and more work on the timber side and less and less on the

KNOWING THE MARKETAnother key to success is management’s investment in staff, with an average workforce of 45 members. Working in three main crews – timber, hardware and sand and soil – the staff are a mix of specialists and generalists but all receive training from product experts to keep them up to date with the best options for customers’ needs.

“We tend to keep staff for a very long time,” says Vanderkolk, “so they get to know the tradies who come in and out, which lets them build personal relationships as well as getting good feedback.”

That feedback is shared among staff, providing valuable details on how products work in real-world situations, with local conditions sometimes being quite different to those expected by the manufacturers.

And it’s not only tradespeople who provide insights, Vanderkolk says: “A lot of our long-term customers are DIYers. They’re doing some sophisticated stuff and looking at the same product lines the tradies are, but then

joinery, but we kept the machinery and we brought it with us when we moved to this site 10 years ago. Now we have a small joinery shop. It’s not a major part of the business but it’s yet another thing we can offer and a good point of difference.”

Breadth of offer is one of the reasons for Bayswater’s success. With over 30,000 product lines, the offer includes sand and soil, timber, steel, fixings, bespoke windows, garden materials, DIY supplies and outdoor living products.

“My father purchased a garden supply years ago,” says Vanderkolk. “That’s the site we’re on now. That business supplied sand cement, steel reinforcing, mulch, soil, concrete stumps … the whole range. When we moved here, we kept everything, so we’re now effectively several businesses rolled into one, all on the one site.”

The 5200m2 store supplies virtually everything needed to create a home: from foundations through frames and fixings to landscaping supplies.

Above: The Vanderkolk family, from left, Rob, Neil and Mick. missing is Derek, who also runs the business with his brother and cousins.

PH

OTO

S:

CO

UR

TESY

OF

BAY

SW

ATE

R T

IMB

ER

TTN379_26-27_Bayswater_company profile.indd 26 19/1/18 4:38 pm


COMPANY PROFILE

they live with the results, so they can tell you how something performs over its lifetime, or alert you if there are unexpected issues.”

Elements in the store that were designed for either the trade or DIY market benefit both. “The hardware side of the shop alone is about 2500m2,” says Vanderkolk. “So we have a lot of signage and explanatory labelling. The tradies might not like to admit it, but they appreciate all of that. They like to get in, grab their stuff and get out, and so the easier it is to find the right things, the better for them.”

Meanwhile the expansive drive-through zone with multiple lanes and cantilevered racking allows orders to be assembled and collected quickly and easily for all customers doing their own pickups, while a fleet of 14 trucks cover site deliveries across Melbourne and the broader Peninsula.

That fleet has been recently upgraded with GPS in all vehicles. “It’s one of the better things we’ve done lately,” says Vanderkolk. “We can see where the trucks are at all times and give precise delivery times to our builders. If there’s a pickup that’s needed, we can reroute a truck that’s coming in from a job and get them to do it straight away.”

GROUP BENEFITSThe Vanderkolks joined Mitre 10 in 1992, and have seen the brand evolve with its purchase by Metcash and the emergence of the Independent Hardware Group (IHG).

“The way the market is heading with consolidation, you have to be part of a group,” says Vanderkolk. “IHG is doing good things. They really have it together with their national marketing and buying and it works well for us.”

It’s a two-way street. In the early days of working with Mitre 10, Bayswater was able to encourage the group to look towards trade as an income stream. “They’d traditionally spent a lot of time on the hardware side of things, whereas 50 per cent of the business comes from trade,” Vanderkolk says.

His family have found Metcash particularly responsive to the benefits of moving beyond DIY. “They’ve really listened to us about the importance of supporting the trade side. Some of the technologies the Mitre 10 team are trialling now to help us service the tradies better are really exciting.”

SUPPLYING THE BLOCKFor the last two seasons of Channel 9’s The Block, Bayswater has been the timber and building materials supplier to the show.

The drive-through area makes it easy to pick up orders

“It’s a lot of stress and a lot of running around, as everything is very urgent and TV schedules very tight, but we don’t mind that!” Vanderkolk says. “It’s good for our local brand and the staff get a bit of a kick out of it, especially the truck drivers who appear on TV. We get the contestants coming into the store now and then, too, and the customers get a buzz out of that.”

The Block is running again in 2018 and Bayswater is prepared for the whatever the demands of TV production throw up. “Luckily, with the number of vehicles we have and the stock we have on the floor, we’re able to deal with whatever they need, even if we don’t have a lot of notice.” For more information, go to bayswatertimber.com.auP

HO

TOS

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F B

AYS

WA

TER

TIM

BE

R

TTN379_26-27_Bayswater_company profile.indd 27 19/1/18 4:38 pm

with Emma Watt


WATT ABOUT THE WORKPLACE

Unfair dismissal claims Here’s what to do if you receive a claim

PH

OTO

: JA

CK

FR

OG

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

.CO

M

required any longer, and • The respondent complied with any

consultation requirements in the relevant award or agreement, and

• It wouldn’t have been reasonable to redeploy the person into another position within the company or any associated entity.

The applicant’s employment does not meet the minimum employment periodNo employee’s claim that they were unfairly dismissed will be considered by the FWC if the employee has not served the minimum employment period (MEP). For small businesses with fewer than 15 employees (by head count), the MEP is 12 months, while for businesses with 15 employees or more, the MEP is 6 months.

This is a strict calendar deadline, and cannot be extended by agreement between employer and employee. However, unauthorised leave may extend the MEP, depending on the circumstances.

The applicant earned more than the high income thresholdIf an employee was earning more than $142,000 per year (excluding statutory super and some other items), and their work was not covered by an award or agreement, then they may not claim that they have been unfairly dismissed.

The business is a small business and the dismissal was consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal CodeThere is a Small Business Fair Dismissal Code available at www.fairwork.gov.au. It may be downloaded, printed out, and used to guide a business owner or manager’s decisions regarding dismissal. It should be signed and dated by the person fi lling out the Code. If an employee’s dismissal is

If the Employer’s Response isn’t returned, it’s diffi cult for the conciliator to prepare for attempts at dispute resolution.

The fi rst an employer is likely to know of an unfair dismissal claim is an email, fax

or letter from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) notifying that a claim has been made. No judgement of the merits of the claim has been made, it’s just informing the employer that an employee has lodged an application.

The information from the FWC will include a copy of the employee’s application (a Form F2), a Notice of Listing for a conciliation conference, and a blank Form F3 – Employer’s Response. The Form F3 needs to be fi lled out and returned to the FWC within seven days of receipt. If the Employer’s Response isn’t returned, it’s diffi cult for the conciliator to prepare for attempts at dispute resolution, as it’s helpful to present a clear description of events.

The Form F3 asks a number of questions of employers, and it’s important that it’s completed correctly. However, bear in mind that if the matter proceeds to arbitration, the Form F3 responses will form part of the fi le, and the presiding Member will have access to the answers provided.

One of the important questions is whether or not there are any jurisdictional objections to the matter being heard in the unfair dismissal jurisdiction. The rest of this article explains some of the common objections.

The application is out of timeUnfair dismissal applications must be made within 21 calendar days of the date of dismissal, including weekends. When counting days, don’t count the day on which the dismissal occurred. Each day fi nishes at midnight.

A late application may be accepted by the FWC if there are exceptional circumstances. For example, if an employee is hospitalised soon after being dismissed, then the hospitalisation may constitute exceptional circumstances.

The applicant was not an employeeThis objection is used if the applicant was a genuine sub-contractor rather than an employee, or a labour hire employee and the respondent was the host.

The applicant was not dismissedIf an employee resigns and then makes an unfair dismissal claim, this objection may be relevant. Often in this situation, and employee may claim that they had no option but to resign, and therefore they were constructively dismissed. The case law on this point is clear that ‘no option’ is a high bar to clear for the applicant.

The dismissal was a case of genuine redundancyAn employee who is genuinely redundant does not have access to the unfair dismissal jurisdiction. The respondent will need to be able to demonstrate that:• The applicant’s position is genuinely not

TTN379_28-29_watt about workplace.indd 28 19/1/18 2:36 pm


WATT ABOUT THE WORKPLACE

Emma Watt is an industrial relations consultant who has, for many years, provided advice and assistance to employers in the timber industry. She currently advises timber and hardware members of the MGA. Emma is very keen to make sure that employers know their rights and obligations so they can sleep well at night.

Unfair dismissal claims

found to have been consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code, then the dismissal will be deemed to be fair.

HOW ARE JURISDICTIONAL OBJECTIONS DEALT WITH?Conciliation can take place prior to consideration of any jurisdictional objection. This gives the parties a chance to discuss the matter prior to needing to produce submissions and witness statements.

PH

OTO

: JA

CK

FR

OG

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

.CO

M

If conciliation is unsuccessful, jurisdictional objections are divided into two groups: threshold issues, which must be resolved before the merits of the case can be considered; and those objections that are closely tied to the facts of the dismissal.

Threshold objections are dealt with separately, prior to hearing of the substantive case. These include:• Out of time applications;

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.

timbertradernews.com/subscribe or phone on (02) 9439 1955

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

• Whether the employee had served the minimum employment period; and

• Whether the employee’s income exceeded the threshold.

Arguments regarding genuine redundancy and constructive dismissal are considered in conjunction with the rest of the case.

Next month I will write about what to expect at conciliation, how best to prepare, and different outcomes that are possible at conciliation.

TTN379_28-29_watt about workplace.indd 29 19/1/18 2:36 pm


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

when it reaches Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC). All moisture readings should be taken using a timber moisture meter calibrated, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to the timber species being tested.

As you can see, temperature has little effect on moisture up-take or release, while on the other hand relative humidity has a dramatic effect. When timber is subjected to extreme variations in relative humidity similar to those stated earlier, the timber will expand or contract tangentially causing issues such as splitting, cupping or gapping in the floor boards.

Acclimatisation of the timber ensures that expansion and contraction of the timber due to the normally expected fluctuations in the ambient humidity around the installation do not compromise the use or life expectancy of the floor or cause it to fail.

Timber flooring, like all timber building elements (timber framing and timber windows) will absorb and release moisture when subjected to a change in humidity and temperature. When correctly acclimatised the timber will reach equilibrium moisture content (EMC) with its environment; when acclimatised to the climatic conditions of humidity and temperature expected to prevail in service post installation, the timber flooring will reach an equilibrium moisture content at which point it will neither gain nor lose moisture while environmental conditions remain constant.

The lesson here is to correctly acclimatise the timber to the service area in which is to be installed. It’s not difficult: make sure to keep records. The more difficult part is to maintain the service area environment post installation. This information should be explained to the end user at the time of evaluating the site to determine if timber flooring is a suitable option for floor coverings.

All wood flooring absorbs or loses moisture.

BRICE ON BOARDSwith Sharon and Ray Brice

Acclimatisation revisitedManaging moisture is the key to success with timber flooring.

Timber movement post installation is a common complaint, often noted

following periods of significant or rapid change in ambient humidity. This is known to affect solid timber, engineered and laminate flooring products alike, causing splitting, gapping and cupping in the boards, irrespective of the installation method used.

Changes in ambient humidity, while having the potential to damage timber flooring products in service, are rarely the sole cause of post-installation timber movement, which is also indicative of inappropriate acclimatisation of the timber prior to installation.

That said the acclimatisation of timber flooring to the conditions expected to prevail in the service area post installation will be futile if the service area is not maintained accordingly post installation; all wood flooring absorbs or loses moisture in line with changing climatic conditions, particularly substantial temperature/humidity swings, which greatly increase the potential for timber movement.

Temperature and humidity readings for any area can be checked instantly via the Bureau of Meteorology web site (bom.gov.au). The figures below show the minimum to maximum relative humidity changes across the greater Melbourne area in the first half of the year. The timber flooring product exposed to these changes was subject to dramatic structural change.

Min/max Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Melbourne City 7/93 16/91 25/93 21/90 36/95 41/97

Airport 6/93 15/93 25/93 16/95 40/98 42/97

Dandenong 15/99 22/99 29/99 36/98 47/99 50/99

Frankston 15/100 32/100 39/100 28/100 52/100 56/100

Australian Standard AS 1684.2 Unit tangential movement % states that the unit tangential movement is the percentage dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change. For example, Blackbutt has a tangential movement of 0.37% per 1% moisture change in the timber flooring, thus post-installation environment is so vital.

The mean moisture content of wood chart (opposite) illustrates the potential for moisture change in the timber when subjected to fluctuating climatic conditions. Timber flooring products will respond to significant climatic imbalance quite quickly, these changes are symptomatic of timber movement which can precede floor failure; hence the importance of post-installation environmental stability.

This chart can be used to determine the ideal moisture content of a wide range of timber species across various levels of temperature and humidity. For example, in an internal environment of 50% relative humidity with a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, the timber flooring should read 9.2%

TTN379_30-31_Brice on boards.indd 30 19/1/18 4:26 pm


PAINTS AND COATINGS

TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

Many customers can’t imagine the extent of climatic change that occurs in a house.

Many would-be customers can’t imagine the extent of climatic change that occurs in an environment as they go in and out during the course of their daily comings and goings, or the extent to which seasonal climatic changes can contribute to the accumulation of humidity build-up in a house that is locked up while the owners go on holidays even for a relatively short period of time.

When this information is passed on to the end user/home owner it then becomes their responsibility to maintain the environment following the installation of the timber. This process is formally called transfer of responsibility; the process should be recorded and signed off by both parties. This will be crucial should timber movement become an issue in the future.

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

Next month in

Does your company want to be a part of this in-depth feature? For advertising your products and services to our 5000+ readers, contact Julie McConachy on 0409 381 813 or email [email protected] For editorial opportunities, contact Donyale Harrison on 0417 487 497 or email [email protected] AND EDITORIAL DEADLINE: Tuesday, February 6, 2018.

Coming up in the March 2018 issue of Timber Trader News, a special feature on paints and other common timber coatings.

• What’s new?• How coatings can add value• High tech options

• How commercial fi nishes are entering residential markets

• Market innovations

THE MEAN MOISTURE CONTENT OF WOODAt Various Temperatures and Relative Humidity Readings

Temperature ° Centigrade

1 5 10 16 21 27 32 38

Rel

ativ

e h

um

idit

y %

(Pe

rcen

t)

5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2

10 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3

15 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.4 3.3

20 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.3 4.2

25 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.4 5.3 5.1 5.0

30 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.2 6.1 5.9 5.8

35 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.0 6.9 6.8 6.7 6.5

40 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.6 7.4 7.2

45 8.7 8.7 8.7 8.6 8.5 8.3 8.1 7.9

50 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.4 9.2 9.1 8.9 8.7

55 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.2 10.1 9.9 9.7 9.5

60 11.3 11.3 11.3 11.1 11.0 10.8 10.5 10.3

65 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.1 12.0 11.7 11.5 11.2

70 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.3 13.1 12.9 12.6 12.3

75 14.9 14.9 14.9 14.6 14.4 14.2 13.9 13.6

80 16.8 16.5 16.5 16.2 16.0 15.7 15.4 15.1

85 18.5 18.5 18.5 18.2 17.9 17.7 17.3 17.0

90 21.0 21.0 21.0 20.7 20.5 20.2 19.8 19.5

95 24.3 24.3 24.3 24.1 23.9 23.6 23.3 22.9

98 26.9 26.9 26.9 26.8 26.6 26.3 26.0 25.6

TTN379_30-31_Brice on boards.indd 31 22/1/18 10:38 am

AUTOBUILD NEWS


AUTOBUILD NEWS

Norwegian WoodOn a quiet lake shore an hour and a half north of Oslo, the world’s tallest timber building is quickly taking shape.

Nearly 1000 years after Norway’s famous stave churches soared skywards, the

Scandinavian nation remains a powerhouse of timber construction and is erecting the world’s tallest timber building. Situated in Brumunddal, a settlement in the Ringsaker district about an hour and a half north of Oslo, Mjøstårnet is a mixed-use tower on the shores of Lake Mjøsa, incorporating apartments, a hotel, offices and restaurants.

Due to be structurally completed in June of this year, Mjøstårnet will stand 81m above the ground, with 18 storeys and a combined floor area around 11,300m2. Yet the construction process involves no external scaffolding, relying instead on a sophisticated glulam-based system, all provided by local suppliers and using sustainable, local resources.

The project’s client, Arthur Buchardt, a leading Norwegian investor, grew up in the area. “Ringsaker is the municipality in the world that produces the most timber-based products for the building industry,” he says. “[It also has] the greatest expertise in building large, complex timber buildings.

“The raw materials for Mjøstårnet are sourced close by. The timber logs are sawn locally and processed into wonderful timber building materials using local manufacture. And the expertise is here.”

MATERIALSThe structural timber components are all supplied by Moelven Limtre AS and include glulam columns, beams and diagonals, CLT elevator shafts and stairs, and Trä8 floor slabs for the tower building and swimming

Mjøstårnet: its name means ‘tower of Lake Mjøså’.

PH

OTO

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F M

OE

LVE

N

TTN379_32-35_autobuild_Norway.indd 32 19/1/18 2:42 pm


floor slabs are built on a deck system with glulam girders and flanges from Moelven. An LVL top plate from Metsa Wood is glued to the girders, while insulating Rockwool® is kept in place by steel brackets that help add to the structure’s well-rated fire resistance. The slabs are fitted with a diffusion open sheathing on top. Most elements have a 50mm concrete screed on top.

The maximum span of the Tra8 floor slabs used in Mjøstarnet is 7.5m, but the system can reach spans of nearly 10m, while using less in materials than comparable CLT decks. The slabs are light and quick to assemble, but still easily meet both acoustic requirements and fire safety requirements. The carbon footprint is particularly low, estimated at about 65kg CO2/m

2.Powder coated S355 steel is used in

connections combined with acid-proof steel dowels. The wooden cladding is supplied by Woodify and has fire retardant properties. A full discussion of the building’s elements is available in PDF form at moelven.com/Products-and-services/Mjostarnet/Paper-about-the-construction-of-Mjostarnet/

CONSTRUCTIONMjøstarnet’s footprint is about 17 x 37m2. A concrete slab on the ground floor is supported by piles driven to the bedrock below. The main load bearing structure consists of large scale glulam trusses along the facades as well as internal columns and beams. The trusses handle the global forces in horizontal and vertical directions and give the building its necessary stiffness. CLT walls are used for the secondary load bearing of three elevators and two staircases. The CLT does not contribute to the building’s horizontal stability.

AUTOBUILD NEWS

Phil McCormack: 0438 255 118 Nick Arfaras: 0438 255 115 Glenn Lawrenson: 0438 255 116 Matt Leplaa: 0403 724 184

43-45 Overseas Drive, Noble Park VIC 3174Phone: (03) 9701 2777 Fax: (03) 9701 2677

HARDWOOD - The Proven Performer

DISTRIBUTORS OF:

F17/Supa17 KD Hardwood solids up to 5.4mSupachord KD Hardwood

Supachord ‘H2’ KD HardwoodSupachord ‘H3’ KD Hardwood

Supalam17 up to 7.2m

The glulam structure is assembled on the ground next to the building, before being hoisted up and in. Then the floor slabs are hoisted into place. The construction has been broken into stages of four-storey sets. After the first two were completed in November, Moelven has taken a short break to allow another company to install the external facade and walls, before Moelven proceeds with assembly upwards.

Rune Abrahamsen CEO of Moelven Limtre describes the process: “Assembly is done without external scaffolding. This means working with cranes and supplementing with lifts. Contractor HENT has only one large crane, and the use of it must be shared between the various disciplines working at the building site. At the moment, assembly of the wood structures has priority. This is a huge crane, and is very costly to use. Proper use of the crane is therefore essential both for progress and cost control on the project.

“Taking a short break from the building will allow Ringsaker Vegg- og Takelementer AS to install walls from the bottom up to the seventh floor. That will [make them weathertight and] mean that indoor work can start in these seven storeys when the walls are in place,” Abrahamsen says.

While floors 2 to 11 are prefabricated wooden decks based on Moelven’s Tra8 building system, floors 12 to 18 are 300mm concrete floors made as a composite of a prefabricated bottom part, which acts as formwork for a cast-in-place upper part. Replacing wood with concrete in the upper floors means the building will be heavier towards the top. This building is slender in its weak direction, so the extra mass is necessary to comply with comfort criteria

hall included in the broader project. Untreated Norway spruce is the main species used for structural timber parts.

The Tra8 concept was developed by Moelven Töreboda in Sweden, part of the Scandinavia-wide Moelven group. These

PH

OTO

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F M

OE

LVE

N


AUTOBUILD NEWS


for apartments. The concrete decks also make it somewhat easier to deliver a high-standard acoustic performance in the upper level apartments.

All glulam elements are connected by use of slotted-in steel plates and dowels. These are high-capacity connections that are commonly used in bridges and large

buildings. The structural timber is on the inside of the facade and glass elements. This protects the timber from rain and sun, increases durability and reduces ongoing maintenance needs. It also lets the glulam breathe freely on the inside.

All glulam surfaces have been painted with one layer of varnish. Visible surfaces

a great partnership!

The scale of business success can be measured by the strength of your business partnerships

For more information contact Multinail Australia [email protected]

“We all have a responsibility to fi nd new ways of thinking and of doing.”

Steel and glulam slot together in the frame construction.

PH

OTO

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F M

OE

LVE

N

ILLU

STR

ATI

ON

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F M

OE

LVE

N


AUTOBUILD NEWS


will be painted with a top layer at a later stage. Endgrain of columns at the ground fl oor has been sealed with epoxy. Exposed endgrain of column tops and exposed sides of LVL are also protected. A moisture control plan has been developed to ensure correct handling of wood on site. This plan includes measuring and monitoring moisture content of specifi ed parts of the structure.

PRECISION WORKBuilding Mjøstarnet requires extreme accuracy in everything from the production of the glulam elements, the processing and transport, to hoisting and fi nal assembly at the building site.

“Ordinarily [our] structures are trial assembled in a hall before being disassembled and transported to the building site,” Abrahamsen explains. “This is not the case here [due to the size of the building]. The structures are sent directly to the building site from processing for assembly. For this reason, there are extreme demands towards accuracy and quality assurance throughout the process. Things can’t be a millimetre off.”

He says that one glulam beam in Mjøstarnet has had to be removed and replaced. “There’s always a certain risk that this has to be done. Regardless, this assembly method is better both for us and the others involved in the project as it ensures a shorter construction time,” says Abrahamsen.

“We all have a responsibility to fi nd new ways of thinking, and of actually doing,” say Buchardt. “It’s the fi rst time in history that something like this has been constructed on this scale, and it’s also the fi rst time in history that the materials and expertise have

Detailers, step up to the productivity that a true multi-user environment can bring to your business

manager

For more information contact Multinail Australia [email protected]

The structural diagram of Mjøstårnet shows the composite top fl oors with their 300mm concrete layer that will improve comfort, acoustics and fi re safety.

been sourced locally, and that’s part of our commitment to sustainable movements being put into practice.”

The success of the build to date is not lost on Buchardt. “[It has] required an unparalleled level of skill among those who calculate and construct, and it’s the interaction and cooperation between all these remarkable forces that make this project possible,” he says.

More than just celebrating local industry, Buchardt sees building in timber as an investment in the future. “Studies show that building with wood instead of concrete can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent. Greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures are serious matters. Each and every one of us needs to become aware of what we do, what we consume and how we live. We each have to contribute in our own way.

“With this project I wanted to get across an important message,” Buchardt says. “To prove what is possible. And building with wood will contribute to a better environment. It’s sustainable. Building with wood is contributing to a better world to breathe in. A better climate for everyone.”

The building will offi cially open on 1 March, 2019, but the lessons it has to teach about tall timber constructions and what’s possible when industry starts innovating with traditional products and techniques are already making a difference. As Mjøstarnet shows, you can be local and also world-leading. For more details, visit moelven.com/Products-and-services/Mjostarnet/P

HO

TO:

CO

UR

TESY

OF

MO

ELV

EN

ILLU

STR

ATI

ON

: C

OU

RTE

SY O

F M

OE

LVE

N



FTMA NEWSLETTERWith Phil Ladson

As I write, the New Year is freshly underway. Welcome to 2018 — may it

bring you the success you strive afterThere are always challenges in our

industry and, as the years, pass some of these change, but one thing that hasn’t is the requirement of skilled estimators and detailers. The people that hold these roles within their organisations are an integral part of the day-to-day running of the business.

It was said last century at an industry conference that all timber truss and frame plants should take on one trainee each year to ensure that we have skilled people for the future. Trouble is, said the audience, when I get someone trained up, another company poaches them and I have to start again.

The response to this was, that if we all did this for the next fi ve years, we wouldn’t need to be poaching as there would be an abundance of skilled people. Sadly, the idea is now history and 20 years later we still have the same problem.

So the FTMA and myself have been developing a course to give what I call ‘back to the basics’ training: the knowledge that is required before you turn on a computer and start using any design software.

Before we go any further, let’s just remind ourselves what knowledge we expect an estimator/detailer to have.• Communication Skills to be able to

communicate with people at their level of understanding.

• Mathematics Skills to be able to work out quantities of material in all forms (square metre, cubic metre, lineal metre …) extend the costs and use trigonometry to calculate length, heights and angle values.

• Basic Building Construction Knowledge to be able to understand how a building works, including all its members, the load paths and how it connects together.

• Timber Knowledge to be able to select the best available and fi t-for-purpose

When we looked at certifi cate III and certifi cate IV for this, we discovered that the units within these certifi cates don’t really cover what is relevant to the knowledge our industry requires.

In response, we are well underway with providing an industry-based course called Timber Design Essentials, which will also provide the units of competency to enter a Certifi cate IV in Timber Truss & Frame Design. But more importantly, it will cover the knowledge requirements listed above, providing your next estimator/detailer with a great foundation of what they need to know to successfully fulfi l the role.

The training is classroom based with a minimum of six and maximum of 12 participants and will be held in all states and territories, providing the required number of participants can be achieved. It is anticipated that this part of the training will be over a four-week period. Of course, you can’t put years of experience into four weeks but the knowledge and experience they will gain in that time will be invaluable for successful careers.

A meeting held with Timber Training Creswick, TABMA & ForestWorks was very successful in coming up with a collaborative way to help our industry get the right training delivered to new and existing entrants as they start on the path to become estimators and detailers. We also looked at what opportunities there are to obtain funding to assist with the costs associated with the training. As this will be industry-based training, the government will not provide funding but there are other options that we are pursuing, which we will advise of as we go.

Here’s to a great 2018.

We are well underway in providing an industry-based course called Timber Design Essentials, which will cover requirements. For more information contact

FTMA on 0418 226 242 or via email at [email protected]

FTMA NEWSLETTER

piece of timber to do a given job.• Code Knowledge to have familiarity with

and understanding of Australian Standards and relevant codes.

• Roof Systems and Truss Type Knowledge to identify the different roof profi les and list the truss types used to create them as well as the job each truss does.

• Plan Reading Skills to understand all the different types of drawings, where to fi nd certain information and interpret that information to create the building.

• Roof Truss Set Out Skill and Knowledge to be able to correctly position all truss types and set out all other trusses accordingly.

• Truss Erection and Production Knowledge to understand how a trussed roof is assembled and produced to give the best possible outcome for both the builder and your company.

• Truss and Material Take Off Skills to be able to accurately take off truss quantities and all ancillaries required for the job.

• Design Table Reading Skills to able to look-up the relevant tables to design the building’s members to the required loadings.

• General understanding of engineering terminology, etc.

Timber trainingA new industry course is providing essential competencies.

TTN379_36_FTMA newsletter.indd 36 19/1/18 2:44 pm

ANOTHER MITEK ADVANTAGE – FEBRUARY 2018

GN GUIDELINES NO.247

Visit mitek.com.au for all guidelines

AUTOBUILD NEWS


Phishing, Spear Phishing and Whaling

Phishing. It’s a strange word that’s pronounced the same as fi shing, which

is apt because the term is used to describe a method employed by scammers to catch victims using bait. That bait comes in a variety of forms, such as email messages, phone calls or social media links. Phishing and some of its variations can be used to scam individuals and businesses out of large sums of money.

WHAT IS PHISHING?Phishing has been around for a long time and the attacks come in a number of different varieties, but at its core it is a scam that is used to attempt to obtain money through deceit, or to obtain personal/private information that can be sold or used in identity theft.

Generally, phishing targets a large number of people simultaneously, with the aim of catching a few victims to exploit; kind of like throwing a net into the ocean. The results can vary but, depending on the sophistication of the scam, can be quite rewarding for the attacker.

However, phishing has evolved, and targeted phishing techniques – also known as Spear Phishing – have risen to the surface.

TARGETED PHISHINGSpear Phishing, has increased in frequency over the last year, as has a technique called CEO Fraud. Spear Phishing and CEO Fraud are generally accomplished when the attackers gain

access to or spoof legitimate business email accounts with the aim of conducting unauthorised funds transfers.

Email accounts are an ideal target because they can be “spoofed”, which is a when an attacker impersonates a legitimate business user by creating an email message with a forged sender address. To the naked eye these emails look legitimate and are often acted upon without much thought by the recipient.

Spear Phishing is a more targeted attack than plain phishing. Generally, a scammer will spend a signifi cant amount of time studying his target to gather as much information as possible before launching an attack. The attack will target a particular person, or a small group and will include personalised details to make the attack look as legitimate as possible

Whaling or Executive Whaling is generally targeted at senior management or administration/fi nance staff. Again, attacks of this type are well researched, with the

attacker often gaining intimate knowledge of internal payment processes or even business-to-business payment processes. In this example, a person responsible for bank deposits, or even the CFO, could receive an email from the ‘CEO’ asking them to immediately deposit an amount of money into a specifi c bank account. As the email looks like it has been sent by the CEO, there is an increased chance that the request may be acted upon.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?A number of methods can be put in place to protect your company from phishing attacks, such as implementing an email security system to fi lter out dangerous emails and protect your company from advanced threats. However, no technological solution is foolproof, and one of the best protection methods available is to invest in the education of your staff to help them identify fraudulent emails.

Another great idea is to review your internal processes to make it harder for a phishing attack to be effective. For example, you could require two or more forms of approval before a funds transfer can take effect.

As always, if you are unsure, contact your local IT Professional.

Phishing is a scam that attempts to obtain money, or information that can be sold or used in identity theft.

By Daniel Heathershaw – IT Manager

ILLU

STR

ATI

ON

: AB

SC

EN

T/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

TTN379_37_GN guidelines.indd 37 19/1/18 2:51 pm

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


AUTOBUILD NEWS

TRUSS TALKwith Paul Davis

Most roller doors just weren’t designed to carry the wind loads we expect our houses to support.

“There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch” (TANSTAAFL) was an

expression that came from America, where bars would often offer a free lunch of salty food … and sell their drinks at an inflated price. It was popularised in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, a 1966 science-fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein. (Yes, I am the geek that knows that!)

If you ran your whole life by this adage, you’d probably never go far wrong. It pops up in economics – there’s no such thing as a high-return but low-risk investment. That glossy brochure spruiking an investment in some dusty mining town which promotes ‘guaranteed 20% per annum returns’ just cannot be that. Otherwise, the developers would borrow the money from the banks themselves and the banks would willingly lend it!

TANSTAAFL turns up in thermodynamics which I supposedly learnt at university. About the only thing I took out of the subject is that there is no such thing as a perpetual motion machine; there is no magical source of matter, energy, or indeed lunch, that does not draw resources from something else.

Even crims don’t get a free lunch. There is a price for living on the shady side; the long arm of the law looms large and the people they associate with are generally dropkicks. And then there is the stress of always looking over the shoulder for that ‘associate’ who is coming back after then when a deal goes sour.

They roller-shutter door industry has been eating lunch for free for years. Most roller doors typically just weren’t designed to carry the wind loads that we design our houses to support … and which are required by the Australian Standards. The roller door on my garage is a good example of what they have produced; a three-man pygmy rugby scrum with nasty arthritis could push it in.

The roller door industries’ chickens have come home to roost on so many occasions that they have been forced to act. Damage surveys undertaken after cyclones have identified roller shutter doors as a major problem. And once a door blows in, the rest of the building is open to the full effects of the elements with an increased chance of blowing the whole building apart. And, of course, everything inside gets washed.

To solve this problem, the roller shutter door industry is currently chowing down on another free, juicy 450g steak lunch which comes with beer, pretty women and good music.

At least they think it’s free.This tasty feast is a clip between the door

and the guides that changes the structure from beam-like behaviour to something more like a rope. So, as a loading increases and the door bulges the wind locks grab the roller door tracks and cause the door panel to go into tension. And, like magic, you can get two or three times the span (door opening) for the same door type.

It’s the same effect that allows a tight-rope walker to traverse a flexible rope. But to get that to carry him it has to be held taut with a great force.

So, that’s the rub; the wind lock tension forces induced on the door jambs are enormous! Not only are the loads large because of the large horizontal span of the door (and so it’s picking up more wind) but

the developed wind lock tension forces can be about 500% greater than the actual wind load applied to the door.

For us in the timber industry, we may will be required to design jamb studs for roller shutter door openings. If the door doesn’t have window locks you can design it pretty much like any normal jamb studs using your regular software or span tables.

But if there are wind locks there are no timber jamb span tables and, so far as I know, no software. And, even if you had some resource that let you design them, you would find that you would struggle to get a stud group to work in timber. Basically, the window locks will rip your studs apart. Get the timber to work and it would then fail whatever connection you have provided top and bottom.

TANSTAAFL; there is a cost that gets transferred to the structure.

If you operate in an area with highish winds or if you ever design commercial or institutional buildings, then you are likely to come across wind-locked doors. So, I strongly suggest whenever you have a roller door present, that you find out whether it has wind locks specified. If it does, then most likely the structural solution for the design of the jambs is a steel column. It’s time to call your structural engineer or flick it back to the project engineer and basically tell them to “sort it out”.

Douglas Adams in the Restaurant at the End of the Universe (another geek read) said that every major galactic civilisation tends to pass through three phases of How, Why, and Where. For instance, the first phase is characterised by the question ‘How can we eat?’ the second by the question ‘Why do we eat?’ and the third by the question ‘Where shall we have lunch?”

And now we have a fourth – what does it really cost?

Lunch is never free

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM

Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production

BUILDING THE FUTURE

Exclusively represented by

For further information please call 03 9850 6666or email [email protected]

OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINEC

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE



OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINE

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




AUTOEYE - AUTOMATIC ROOF TRUSS PRODUCTION SYSTEM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




TTN376_42_Truss talk.indd 43 13/10/17 1:17 pmTTN379_38_Truss talk.indd 38 19/1/18 2:46 pm

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE



OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINEC

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




AUTOEYE - AUTOMATIC ROOF TRUSS PRODUCTION SYSTEM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BUILDING THE FUTURE




TTN376_42_Truss talk.indd 43 13/10/17 1:17 pmTTN379_38_Truss talk.indd 39 19/1/18 2:46 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 pmTTN370_42_back page.indd 44 12/4/17 11:53 amTTN373_42_Truss talk.indd 40 13/7/17 2:59 pmTTN376_42_Truss talk.indd 44 13/10/17 1:18 pmTTN379_38_Truss talk.indd 40 19/1/18 2:47 pm

Documents

inside out - News and Information for the Timber Industry · Tel: +613 9540 0130 Email: [email protected] Web: ... • ln built board-stretching optimisation = more yield,