President’s Report 5 Regional Executive Director’s Report 7 Ben Ponton: ACT Building Regulatory Reforms 8 Economics: Rollercoaster Rates 9 Bits & Pieces 10 Scott Cam: Securing Loads for Safer Roads 11 What’s On 12 Trades of the Future 13 Planning for Bushfire Protection 2018 14-15 BASIX DIY Method ‘Fine-Tuning’ 15 Q&A: Site Access issue 16 Taking over Incomplete Works 17 Are you really covered? 18-19 Membership Milestones 20 Some Facts About Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) 21 HIA Vehicles: 2019 Ford Transit Custom 22 PUBLISHED BY: Housing Industry Association ABN 99 004 631 0752 28 Collie St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 T: 02 6285 7300 SUB EDITOR:Sarah O’Donovan T: 02 6245 1381 E: s.odonovan@hia.com.au PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: Alexandra Tupper T: 02 6285 7306 E: a.tupper@hia.com.au ADVERTISING: Angie Leben T: 07 3021 8800 E: a.leben@hia.com.au Charlotte Campbell T: 02 6285 7306E: c.campbell@hia.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN: Cheryl Schafer PRINTED BY: Finsbury Green CONTRIBUTORS: Brad Armitage,David Biggs, Scott Cam, Thomas Devitt, Glen Dowse, Jane Fayad, Paul Maric, Ian McGown, Sarah O’Donovan, Ben Ponton, Phillipa Stewart, Greg Weller HIA MEMBERLINE 1300 650 620 or visit hia.com.au IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The authors, editors, publisher and their staff and agents are not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of statements made or information contained in this publication or for the consequences of any use made of the products, plans and information referred to in this publication. All liability of whatsoever nature is expressly disclaimed for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions contained in this publication whether caused to a reader of this publication or otherwise. The views expressed in the articles and other material published herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor and publisher or their staff or agents. It is impossible for the publisher and editor to ensure that the advertisements and other material herein comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). Readers should make their own inquiries in making decisions and, where necessary, seek professional advice. Readers should make their own inquiries in making decisions and, where necessary, seek professional advice. Many images used in Building News are supplied by contributing companies and are accepted in the belief that they are the property of these companies and that they have the right to use them. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any image improperly supplied or acknowledged. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited. BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 1/2019 P3 CONTENTS