Builders says code change will drive up prices

The construction sector is up in arms over the state government’s proposed changes to the building code that it says will add costs to the already struggling sector.

The State Government is not only getting offside with the mining sector.

The construction business also has its nose out of joint over George St’s plan for changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) that Master Builders Queensland says will apply to new homes and renovations from October next year.

City Beat hears cycling fan and Master Builders Qld boss Paul Bidwell will launch a media blitz against changes from next week calling on more time for the industry to implement the changes.

Bidwell says that Queensland builders are operating in a challenging post-Covid environment involving unprecedented price increases and shortages of trades and materials combined with abnormal weather conditions.

Despite the challenges, many builders are continuing to complete contracts, even where this results in a loss due to fixed price and fixed time contracts.

The changes to the code include new accessibility and seven-star requirements that will further drive up prices, without a demonstrated net benefit to homeowners – at a time when housing affordability is in crisis.

Bidwell says that while the building industry supports more efficient and more inclusive homes, the Queensland Government needs to acknowledge that the changes require additional time and effort from builders on top of their existing workloads. Bidwell points out that other states have agreed to hold off on the changes. Watch this space.

Paul Bidwell

Maycock award

Congratulations to veteran Queensland businessman Jerry Maycock who picked up a big gong from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) this week.

The former Shell Oil, Holcim and CSR executive was awarded the 2022 Queensland Gold Medal Award from the AICD in recognition of his 40 years in business leadership roles as well as contributions to Queensland corporate and community life.

Maycock began his career with Shell in Britain and went on to hold a number of senior management positions in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, principally with Swiss multinational Holcim.

During this 20-year period he was also director, vice chairman and chairman of various listed and unlisted subsidiaries throughout Australasia.

The last of his senior management roles was as chief executive and managing director of CSR. Currently he is chair of Transgrid and has been a director of leading children’s education charity The Smith Family since 2013.

Jerry Maycock

Asbestos Support

The Asbestos Disease Support Society marked its 30th anniversary this week with an event at Victoria Park to thank its corporate sponsors.

Lee McCallum, who this month took over as the society’s general manager from Trevor Torrens, said the organisation has come a long way since it was established in 1992 by the late Shirley White OAM, who saw the devastating impact of asbestos through her husband Reg.

In 2018, the Society expanded its role to provide support for those who have been diagnosed with silicosis.

“The society has grown from humble beginnings of 35 members to approximately 800 now with many other affiliated organisations,” McCallum says. “Shirley was our first president until she passed away in 2009. She was awarded the OAM for her services in 2003 and the organisation wouldn’t be what it is today without Shirley.”

The society’s 30th anniversary also coincides with National Asbestos Awareness Week, with Brisbane’s Storey Bridge, State Parliament, City Hall, Victoria Bridge and Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville lit up in blue on Monday night to acknowledge the week, Asbestos kills around 4,000 Australians a year – four times the annual national road toll.

McCallum says there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos and when fibres get into the lungs they can cause asbestos-related diseases, including the incurable mesothelioma.

Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace was the keynote speaker at the anniversary function, with special guests including Don and Julie Sager, whose son Adam Sager passed away aged 25 from mesothelioma after contracting the disease when he was unknowingly exposed to asbestos dust as a toddler.

Don and Julie Sager who lost their son Adam at aged 25 to mesothelioma. Pic Mark Calleja