  Wednesday, 1 Sep 2010Reforms to Fire Services Levy welcomed
The State Government has announced that it will replace the Fire Services Levy with a progressive broad based property value levy. |
Wednesday, 18 Aug 2010Master Builders launches Greens Policies Awareness Campaign
The Master Builders (Victoria) has launched a state-wide advertising campaign alerting voters to the consequences of voting Green at the upcoming Federal Election. The campaign is in response to members’ concerns about the future prosperity of Australia under a Greens controlled Federal Senate. Ads will run across the State until Election Day. |
| Monday, 9 Aug 2010Master Builders launches Greens Policies Awareness Campaign |
Wednesday, 4 Aug 2010Commercial Master Builder of the Year
Hansen and Yuncken Pty Ltd have been named as the 2010 Commercial Master Builder of the Year with Kirway Constructions Pty Ltd named Regional Commercial Builder of the Year. 520 guests attended the 17th Annual Master Builders Excellence in Construction Awards on 31 July where Victoria’s top performers in the commercial and industrial construction sector were recognised. |
Monday, 26 Jul 2010Committee Elections!
Master Builders Sector Committee Elections will be taking place in early August. Members interested in nominating should contact Asher Judah on 9411-4515 or ajudah@mbav.com.au for more info about the process.
Master Builders Industry Dinner – 26/8
Join Master Builders Presidents and Executive Directors from around Australia to celebrate the many successes of the Building Industry. This special dinner will be held at 6:30pm at Zinc Restaurant at Federation Square on 26 August. The evening’s guest speaker will be Melbourne Lord Mayor, the Rt. Hon. Robert Doyle. |
Wednesday, 7 Jul 2010Latest Members Blog – Commercial Contractor Benchmarking Tool
Master Builders will soon be launching a new commercial contractor benchmarking tool which will allow members to measure their business operations against their industry peers. The tool will be made available to all Master Builder General Contractor members at no cost, and will allow all participants to assess their quarterly performance on a range of key business indicators. |
 Wednesday, 30 Jun 2010Housing Affordability Stifled by Council Delays
The latest Master Builders Building Trends survey has revealed that lengthy planning delays are pushing up house prices by an average of $35,000. Our survey has found Victorian builders are waiting 23 weeks on average to secure a planning permit. The statutory time limit for a council decision is 8.6 weeks. |
Thursday, 10 Jun 2010Building Excellence in South East Victoria
South East Victoria’s top Commercial and Residential Builders have been recognised at Master Builders Regional Construction Awards. Kirway Constructions Pty Ltd won the region’s Commercial Builder of the Year for the Dalkeith Community Centre, and Brooker Builders Pty Ltd won the region’s Residential Builder of the Year for the Metung project. Master Builders Executive Director, Brian Welch, congratulated the winners for incorporating a high level of quality and lifestyle specific amenities into their projects. |
Monday, 31 May 2010Welcome to Master Builders Regional eNews!
Since the start of the year, many new and exciting things have been happening in Regional Victoria. Funding for regional projects in the State and Federal Budgets, strong building activity levels brought on by government stimulus, and the 2010 top Victorian apprentices have all been announced! |
Wednesday, 26 May 2010New VCAT List to hear planning disputes
VCAT has introduced the Major Case List, a sub-list of the Planning and Environment List, to hear planning disputes on developments that have a value of more than $5m. This new List aims to speed up decision making within 16 weeks of the matter being lodged with VCAT. |
Friday, 14 May 2010Agreement with QBE on Home Warranty Insurance (HWI) -
The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) has entered into an agreement with QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited, QBE, under which the VMIA will provide Home Warranty Insurance (HWI). |
| Wednesday, 12 May 2010Special eNews No. 9, 12th May 2010, Federal Budget |
Wednesday, 5 May 2010State Budget Boost for First Home Buyers
Yesterday’s State Budget announced $2,000 in extra support for first home buyers purchasing a new home, and an extra $2,000 for regional first home buyers. $2,000 worth of support for established home buyers has been redirected to those purchasing new homes. Full details in Special eNews later today. |
| Wednesday, 5 May 2010Master Builders has welcomed the State Budget 2010-11, with key wins for Members being the expansion of the First Home Bonus Scheme and cuts to Payroll Tax and WorkCover Premiums. |
Wednesday, 28 Apr 2010New Website with Exciting New Features!
The all new Master Builders website has arrived; with special member only features to save you time and improve the way you do business. Click here to log-in and experience the following services: |
Wednesday, 21 Apr 2010Introducing ‘Master Tradesman’ -
Master Builders has launched a new membership category called Master Tradesman, which aims to provide qualified tradesmen the recognition they deserve, separating them from the industry ‘cowboys’. If you know of a top tradesman you’d like to nominate for this membership. |
Wednesday, 7 Apr 2010State Government Takeover of Home Warranty Insurance (HWI)
The State Government has announced its takeover the Victorian Home Warranty Insurance (HWI) market in response to the withdrawal of three major private insurers. Master Builders has welcomed the new arrangements, which will be funded by builder premiums and operated by the government investment body, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). Providing insurance on a commercial basis from 31 March 2010, VMIA will determine underwriting terms and conditions, in consultation with industry. VMIA will continue to use brokers MBA Insurance Services (MBAIS). See our Special eNews . |
| Monday, 29 Mar 2010The State Government has announced today that it will takeover the Victorian Home Warranty Insurance (HWI) market in response to the withdrawal of three major insurers over the past nine months. |
Wednesday, 10 Mar 2010Bad Weather – Express Your Interest in Insurance Work
Master Builders is compiling a database of builders (not already involved with insurers) interested in recovery work following the bad weather across Victoria over the weekend to be passed on to Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). Call 9411-4555 or email mbassist@mbav.com.au to be added to this list. |
| Wednesday, 10 Feb 2010Master Builders eNews 2010 - Surveys, HWI, Accessibility, ABCC, Urban Planning, Foil Insulation Suspended |
Friday, 5 Feb 2010Vero to Exit Home Warranty Insurance Market
Insurance company Vero has announced plans to withdraw from the Home Warranty Insurance (HWI) market, taking effect 1 July, 2010. This decision follows the 2009 withdrawal of Lumley’s and CGU from the HWI market. |
| Wednesday, 27 Jan 2010Housing Sector Survey - Master Builders first Housing Sector Survey for 2010 is now open! This quarter’s surveys focus on skills shortages and proposed accessibility regulations. |
Thursday, 17 Dec 2009First Home Grants Changes -
From 1 January 2009, the Boost to the First Home Owners Grant will no longer exist. This means that First Home Buyers will only be eligible for the original $7,000 for the purchase of their first home. For more information, please visit the State Revenue Office website. A cap of $750,000 on the value of homes eligible for the first home owner grant (FHOG) applies from 1 January 2010, excluding farms purchased as a first home buyer’s Principal Place of Residence (PPR). |
Thursday, 10 Dec 2009Industry Groups Unite to Reject GAIC Levy -
Master Builders has united with four other industry associations to express the building industry’s opposition to the Growth Area Infrastructure Levy (GAIC). |
Wednesday, 25 Nov 2009Fasham Welcomed to Master Builders Board
Ms Melanie Fasham, of Fasham Johnson Homes, has been elected to Master Builders Board of Management and Chair of our Housing Committee. Ms Fasham is the first woman to be elected to the Board in the Association’s 135 year history. Meanwhile, Darren Nixon was elected to Chair of the MMS Committee. Master Builders thanks outgoing Board members Nick Pateras and Neil Grenfell. |