Master Builders Association of Victoria

Labor's kick in backside
Everard Himmelreich From Warrnambool Standard 29 April 2013 Premier Denis Napthine says the big swing against Labor in the Lyndhurst byelection on the weekend was "a good kick up the backside" for the opposition.
Budget boost from new first homes
Melissa Iaria From Sunraysia Daily 29 April 2013 First home buyers of newly built houses in Victoria will get a state government boost from July. Stamp duty discounts of 40 per cent have also been brought forward for all first home buyers under the changes.
March to go ahead
From Shepparton News 27 April 2013 The union representing building workers says a march to the site of Melbourne's triple fatal wall collapse will go ahead, amid accusations it is trying to score political points.
Tradies get kick out of work safety
Andrew Thomson From Warrnambool Standard 18 April 2013 MOore than 100 Warrnambool construction workers made compensation claims for injuries sustained at work during the past five years, according to Work Safe statistics.
Building industry tied up in red tape
Jenni Henderson From ABC Gippsland 18 April 2013 Builders say government red tape is holding up construction projects in the Latrobe Valley. Builders from across Gippsland attended a meeting this week in Traralgon held by the Master Builders Association to discuss challenges to their industry.
Competitive instinct an aid to work safety
Benjamin Millar From Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Weekly Almost $40 million has been paid out to tradies injured on the job in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay over the past five years, new figures reveal.
Apprentice builds up a career
Jennifer Chiu From Colac Herald 8 April 2013 A Colac building apprentice is vying for a state award after becoming a regional apprentice of the year.
Better tradie safety goal
From Shepparton News 16 April 2013 More than 160 Shepparton construction workers have been injured badly enough during the past five years to make a compensation claim, new Work Safe statistics say.
Builders stay ‘optimistic’
From Latrobe Valley Express 15 April 2013 A small increase in the number of home renovations across Gippsland has been hailed as a ray of hope for the local building industry.
Construction-site concern
From Sunraysia Daily (Mildura) 15 April 2013 Statistics released by WorkSafe Victoria have highlighted the risks of working in the construction industry in the Mildura region.
Trade honors for young Mansfield apprentice
David Mims From Mansfield Courier 27 March 2013 MANSFIELD fourth year apprentice carpenter Mitch Wareham was awarded the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV) Chairman's Award, in the North East section Apprentice of the Year awards held at Benalla recently.
Award honour Carpenter builds on family success
Everard Himmelreich From Warrnambool Standard 23 March 2013 Carpentry apprentice Lee Mugavin is western Victoria's apprentice of the year. Mr Mugavin, 22, from Illowa, was this week awarded the title at the Master Builders Association's regional awards in Warrnambool.
First-time buyers keen
From Herald Sun 19 March 2013 Young Victorians appear to be bucking a national trend that has seen first home buyers retreat from the property market.
Suprise jump in jobs pressure rates
Jacob Greber From Australian Financial Review 15 March 2013 The Reserve Bank of Australia may be forced to start raising interest rates before the federal election if surging employment growth maintains the strongest start to any year since 1995.
2012 a big year for days lost to strikes
Ben Schneiders From The Age 14 March 2013 Days lost to strikes fell sharply in the final three months of last year but 2012 still recorded the highest level of industrial disputation in Australia for eight years.
Napthine calls for ceasefire
Bendigo Advertiser 08 March 2012 Victoria's new premier Denis Napthine wants peace, with Canberra and with the rebel MP who has sent then state government spiralling into chaos.
Hayden enters master builder awards
Joe Taylor From Surf Coast Times 05 March 13 Local builder Stephen Hayden has entered three categories of the 2013 Master Builders Excellence in Housing Awards.
Save your energy
Geelong Advertiser 02 March 2013 While the energy efficiency requirements of new homes are increasing there are still more than 1.5 million Victorian homes that were built before the regulations took effect.
Baillieu rejects major projects concerns
Lucille Keen From Australian Financial Review 06 February 2012 Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu was unable to answer what significant infrastructure project his government would be remembered for if they were not to win the 2014 state election.
State at a standstill as major projects wind up
Marika Dobbin From The Age 05 February 2013 Victoria is coming to a standstill with more than 12,000 construction jobs lost and thousands more at risk as big infrastructure jobs such as the desalination plant finish and the pipeline of major building projects dries up.
Price hike to produce more changes
Sue Green From Ballarat Courier 02 February 2013 There's nothing like a 30 per cent rise in the water bill.
GOTAFE hosts building lecture program
Southern Farmer 01 February 2013 Goulburn Ovens Institute of Tafe will again host the popular Building Lecture program at the 2013 Seymour Alternative Farming Expo.
Safety Blitz
McIvor Times 30 January 2013 Construction sites across the district will be the focus of a Worksafe blitz accross the region next month.
Best facade in 2012 awarded to Melbourne's Bastow Institute, by Maddison Architects
The Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership designed by Maddison Architects was named winner of National Best Façade for 2012 by AWCI (Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries Australia and New Zealand).
Call to enforce laws against union thuggery
John Ferguson From The Australian 15 January 2013 Business is demanding heavy new fines to stop militant unionists running violent campaigns to widen building industry coverage.
Union deal a wrecker for tender
Clay Lucas From The Age 14 January 2013 A Small suburban demolition firm has been unwittingly thrown into battle with Australia's biggest construction union after falling foul of a new Baillieu government code to prevent union-friendly deals in the building industry.
Days lost to strikes hit 8-year high
Ben Schneiders From The Age 7 December 2012 A surge in days lost to strikes in construction has lifted the level of industrial disputation in Australia to its highest level since 2004, as the Gillard government again blames the conservative states for the rise.
Better service for builders
Everad Himmelreich From Warnnambool Standard 06 December 2012 The Master Builders Association of Victoria has opened an office in Warrnambool to better service the demand for construction in the south-west.
Form a Q if you seek stylish modern living
From Geelong Advertiser 24 November 2012 A National award-winning property from Q Designer Homes is a modern example of good orientation and easy living.
Building regulator left public in the dark
Richard Baker and Nick McKenzie From The Age 30 November 2012 Victoria's soon-to-be-abolished building industry regulator secretly stopped publishing the results of disciplinary hearings involving builders and surveyors, leaving the public unaware of a practitioner's performance history.
Homes win master prize
Herald Sun 24 November 2012 A pair of display homes built in Melbourne have been awarded the Master Builders Australia national award for excellence in building and construction.
Jobs for the taking at employment expo
Tammy Mills From Border Mail 22 November 2012 One-hundred job seekers found work at yesterday's Jobs and Skills Expo in Albury, with more than 1000 people attending the event aimed at linking them with employment and training.
Transport worry - Traffic fears for new suburb
Sarah Malic From Ballarat Courier 21 November 2012 The development of a sprawling new suburb in Melbourne's west with a freeway interchange harks back to a 1950s car-focused culture, says an urban planning expert.
Expo could work for you
Border Mail 21 November 2012 More than 250 jobs will be spruiked to Albury job seekers today as the Albury Entertainment Centre is transformed into a one-stop free jobs and skills marketplace.
Simulated Reality
Marion Lopez From Contractor Magazine December 2012 Pressure can boost people's productivity, but in some cases it can also paralyse with fear. What makes the difference is how a person responds to pressure.
Mornington builder nails Victoria awards
Mornington Peninsula Leader 20 November 2012 Local builder Robert Rolls has been awarded the ultimate seal of approval.
Builders hurting as Bowral Bricks stops supply of some bricks for three months
Cara Waters From SmartCompany Friday 16 November 2012 Bowral Bricks has stopped supply of its Bowral Blue and Shorthorn Mix bricks until February 2013 in a move which builders say is hurting the already struggling construction sector.
2012 Housing Award Winners
From Herald Sun 7 Nov 2012
Builders win major award
Midland Express(Kyneton) 30 October 2012 Tony and Lyn Carter of Eco Sustainable Homes and Rammed Earth Enterprises were presented a major award this month at the finals of the 2012 Excellence in Housing Awards with the Master Builders Association.
Design is a real winner
Diamond Valley Leader 24 October 2012 A Kinglake house designed in response to the Black Saturday bushfires has claimed top honours in a prestigious housing award.
Another award for O'Dowd
Echo(Bellarine edition) 18 October 2012 An innovative, energy-efficient family home at Point Lonsdale helped O'Dowd Design and Construction take top honours in the 2012 Victorian Master Builder Association's state awards.
Siblings rejoice at award win
Alison Aprhys From Geelong Advertiser 16 October 2012 An innovative, energy efficient family home at Point Lonsdale helped O'Dowd Design and Construction take top honours in the 2012 Master Builder Association's state awards.
Echuca home gets tick of approval
Shepparton News 13 October 2012 Echuca builder Sutton Constructions has won a major award for a stunning riverfront home.
Green ideas for builders
Ashleigh Williamson From Shepparton News 26 September 2012 Energy ratings, insulation and solar power were barely thought of when Shepparton builder John Simpson joined the industry 34 years ago.
Fresh start for Master Builders
Bethany Tyler From Geelong Advertiser 25 September 2012 Geelong Master Builders Association christened its new office with an official launch party last Friday. Builders and tradespeople gathered to celebrate the occasion at 3 Melbourne Rd, Geelong.
Victoria's new zones divide opinion
Rebecca Thistleton From Financial Review 25 September 2012 Housing affordability could worsen under Victoria's proposed zoning changes, the state's Housing Industry Association has warned.
Building inquiry set to consider 'thuggery' claims
Clay Lucas From The Age 18 September 2012 A BAILLIEU government inquiry that will spend six months looking into claims of thuggery and intimidation in the state's building industry has no powers of investigation and will rely on unions, and employers, to volunteer information about illegal behaviour.
Penalty risk rises as union battle spreads to other sites
Ewin Hannan From The Australian 06 September 2012 The construction union faces the threat of increased financial penalties after defying Julia Gillard and spreading its campaign against Grocon to another two Melbourne building sites. The Fair Work Building and Construction inspectorate said yesterday it would widen its investigation into the union’s conduct after members stopped subcontractors from entering the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Parkville, and another building site in Footscray.
State can ill-afford to be blockaded
In my opinion with Mark Stone Herald Sun 6 September 2012 Victorian business is justifiably nervous about the behaviour of the CFMEU at the Grocon blockade because of the significant implications that will flow from a continuing disregard for the rule of law.
Bring down the blockade
Herald Sun 6 September 2012 The CFMEU is not only thumbing its nose at Grocon, the police, the State Government, and the Supreme Court, but also the Victorian people. They should also move to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which Labor disbanded.
Shortcuts ‘a threat to building workers’
Bridget Carter From The Australian 6 September 2012 The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union has signalled an increased threat to the safety of its workers in the current economic climate, with building firms under financial pressure to take shortcuts to win contracts.
Unions doing it for themselves
Alexander Philipatos From The Age 6 September 2012 The battle that has been raging for 14 days at the Myer construction site in Melbourne’s CBD is primarily about flexing union muscle, not workers’ rights.
PM cautions Grocon union
Mark Skulley From Australian Financial Review 6 September 2012 Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called on all parties in the Grocon dispute to “step back from the brink”, while also condemning the illegal union blockade of a Melbourne building site.
Hospital standoff sees subbies sidelined
Andrew Fraser From The Australian 6 September 2012 Up to 2000 people have been affected by a month-long strike at the site of the new $1.4 billion Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, despite the construction union being directed to resume work two weeks ago.
Police can end protest
Peter Rolfe, Stephen Drill and Emily Portelli From Herald Sun 6 September 2012 Police have been given the green light by the State Government to smash illegal union blockades at Grocon building sites.
Union’s illegal blockade sparks cries for reform
Michael Bailey From Business Review Weekly 6 September 2012 The illegal blockade by the CFMEU of Grocon’s Myer Emporium development, which continued this week despite the Victorian Supreme Court orders for it to be stopped, is a sign that union officials need to be subject to the same governance standards as directors of corporations, Middletons partner Gerard Phillips says.
Bleedin' Brilliant - Excellence in Construction Awards
From Herald Sun 5 September 2012 The 2012 Excellence in Construction Awards are an opportunity for us to recognise the high achievers in our industry.
Australia: Construction union offers to end blockade at Grocon site
Terry Cook and Mike Head From World Socialist Website 5 September 2012 Backed by the federal and state governments, building company has escalated its offensive at a major Melbourne construction site, dismissing an offer by the CFMEU to suspend its blockade of the site indefinitely.
PRIME MINISTER - Transcript of Interview with Jon Faine
ABC Melbourne 5 September 2012 FAINE: .... There’s an ugly industrial dispute that’s paralysing parts of the centre of the Melbourne CBD, Prime Minister. Grocon and the CFMEU are at loggerheads and each side, according to today’s press, are calling in some muscle.
Court fines CFMEU McDonald $200000 for contempt coercion
Workplace Express 5 September 2012 The Federal Court has ordered the CFMEU and its WA construction division branch assistant secretary, Joe McDonald, to pay penalties totalling $200,000 for contempt and coercion during a bargaining campaign against a Perth construction company.
CFMEU fined $200000 for industrial campaign
Construction Industry News 5 September 2012 The Construction, Mining, Forestry and Energy Union and its assistant secretary Joe McDonald have been fined penalties totalling $200,000 and must pay Fair Work Building and Construction’s court costs.
Gillard’s Lame Response to CFMEU Too Little Too Late
Media Release From Eric Abetz 5 September 2012 “The Prime Minister’s comments today calling for all parties in the Grocon dispute to “take a step back from the brink” show Julia Gillard’s true colours and that in Labor’s view the employer will always be as much at fault no matter what the circumstances,” Senator Abetz said today.
Productivity and real labour costs continuing to rise
Workplace Express 5 September 2012 ABS national accounts data released today indicates that productivity has risen for the sixth consecutive quarter, while wage earners’ share of the economy has rebounded, but due largely to a surge in redundancy payments.
Two more Grocon sites shut down for morning
Clay Lucas From The Work Place 5 September 2012 Statement just out from Grocon, about two more building sites in inner Melbourne that were hampered by industrial activity again this morning.
36-hour week, 69 paid days off mean union easy street
Stephen Drill and Peter Rolfe From Herald Sun 30 August 2012 Blockading construction workers are earning almost double the wages of typical Victorians as well as getting more than 13 weeks' paid leave.
Rap sheet reveals 60 charges for would-be union boss John Setka
John Ferguson and Pia Akerman From The Australian 29 August 2012 The extraordinary police record of John Setka, one of the nation's most powerful unionists, finally has been laid bare, with 60 charges leading to dozens of convictions and fines including for theft, assault by kicking, criminal damage and assaulting police.
CFMEU action challenged by MBA chief
Steve Douglas from AussieProperty.com 29 August 2012 Chief executive officer of Master Builders Australia (MBA) Wilhelm Harnisch has said the ongoing dispute between union CFMEU and developer Grocon highlights the need for change in industrial relations law.
Police, builders clash on CBD picket line
Ben Schneiders and Megan Levy From The Age 28 August 2012 A tense stand-off remains at a Grocon building site in the CBD, with police failing to break a large picket line this morning. Police would not be drawn on when or if they would try to break the picket line again and said they would ‘‘monitor’’ their ‘‘operational response’’ to the dispute.
Sim City comes to life in building simulation
Beau Donelly From Port Phillip Review 23 August 2012 A 3D simulation facility hailed as an Australian first for the building industry has been opened in South Melbourne. The $14 million training centre is the third of its type worldwide and the first in the southern hemisphere to offer training for up to 7000 building professionals and students each year.
Melbourne builder's hard stretch gets payoff
Sarah Danckert From The Australian 16 August 2012 It's not quite three years since Andrew Briggs bought out Buxton Constructions from Richard Buxton, a fourth-generation member of the well-known Melbourne property clan, and so far so good.
Builders turn green for future
Kristen Alebakis From Bendigo Advertiser 16 August 2012 Bendigo builders last night came together for a forum aimed at educating industry leaders about sustainable and energy efficient building.
Symphony in stone
Claire Thwaites From Maroondah Weekly 14 August 2012 Restoring historic buildings is a passion of Gavin Parker, who used his interest to start Lilydale business IG Parker Stonemasons with his father.
Lowering drop out rate
Natasha Sherwood From Wangaratta Chronicle 13 August 2012 Master Builders launched a program to tackle apprenticeship drop-out rates in Wangaratta recently. Over the past two years, Master Builders has developed a package of services and offerings called ALink, which is exclusively for apprentices.
Building the best
Star(Greater Dandenong) 9 August 2012 Two Dandenong buildings were among the 'cream of the crop' in Victoria's construction awards last week.
Uni library built around readers
Peter Farago From Geelong News 8 August 2012 Libraries are traditionally places for silence. So for a builder to completely remodel a working library without disturbing the patrons is no mean feat. South Geelong builder Lyons Construction did that, delivering a $6 million Deakin University new generation library at Waurn Ponds on time.
‘Flight simulator’ teaches Gen Y builders how to deal with angry neighbours
Rebecca Thistleton From Financial Review 8 August 2012 The building industry has spent $14 million on a construction equivalent of a flight simulator for young builders. As Generation Y tends not to appreciate a firm word and a boss’s pointed finger, the Master Builders Association has made its largest single investment yet: a 3D virtual world with site sheds and trained actors.
Builders switch on to a virtual world
Philip Hopkins From The Age 8 August 2012 A REVOLUTIONARY new training centre for the building and construction industry has been opened in Melbourne. It is only the third centre of its kind in the world and the first in the Asia-Pacific region.
Lyons roar in quiet victory
Peter Farago From Geelong Advertiser 06 August 2012 Libraries are traditionally places for silence. So for a builder to completely remodel a working library without disturbing the patrons is no mean feat. South Geelong builder Lyons Construction managed to do that, delivering a $6 million Deakin University new generation library at Waurn Ponds on time.
Cockram named top builder
Philip Hopkins From The Age 6 August 2012 Cockram Construction has been named Victoria's Master Builder of the Year. The Collingwood builder was voted the Master Builder of the Year (Commercial Construction) for the $57 million Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Victorian Tasmanian principal site in West Melbourne.
Website to halt Gen Y drop out
Heidelberg Leader 31 July 2012 V8 SUPERCAR driver Lee Holdsworth visited NMIT's Heidelberg campus to help tackle apprenticeship dropout rates. Holdsworth visit was to promote ALink, a website providing information and advice for Victorian building apprentices.
Homes, sweet homes...
Mildura Weekly 27 July 2012 It's been a big year for the Mildura-based Wayne McDonnell Homes group, and today we are happy to celebrate the two major awards received from the Master Builders Association of Victoria.
Young guns make waves
Natalee Ward From Weekly Times 25 July 2012 The waves along Victoria's southeast coast can be quite a distraction for some. But for two young builders who love to surf, their drive to succeed in the building game comes first. And it's paying off.
EDITOR'S LETTER A winning night for all
Natalee Ward From Weekly Times 25 July 2012 Awards nights can be stressful affairs. There's the anxious wait to see if you're on the short list and then the nervous moments as the MC reads the winning name. Is this going to be your moment of glory?
V8 star takes on drop-out rates at Heidelberg West TAFE
Bianca Carmona From Heidelberg Leader 25 July 2012 V8 SUPERCAR driver Lee Holdsworth visited NMIT's Heidelberg West campus to tackle apprenticeship drop-outs.
Lap of Luxury
Weekly Times 25 July 2012 Rachael Voogt's new home ticks all the boxes. It has polished-concrete floors, stone benchtops, passive-solar design and huge expanses of glass with views of a stunning swimming pool and outdoor area and the hills of nearby Albury.
Lamaro Homes wins Master Builders award
South Gippsland Sentinel Times 17 July 2012 Relatively new local builder Lamaro Homes is celebrating after success at the Master Builders Regional Building Awards for the South East Region.
Renovations the trend as property market slows
Wes Hosking From Herald Sun 07 July 2012 Homeowners wary of Victoria's stalled property market are adding value from within with renovations on the rise. The value of renovations and extensions statewide grew 1.2 per cent last financial year with works valued at a whopping $6.54 billion.
School building on to a winner
Rosemary Sorensen From Bendigo Weekly 6 June 2012 THE new buildings at Eaglehawk Secondary College are up for a state building award. The Master Builders Association of Victoria named Fairbrother builders the region's Commercial Builder of the Year for their work on the school.
Lamaro Homes named region's builder of the year
From Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser 6 July 2012 Local building firm Lamaro Homes Ply Ltd has been named the region's Residential Builder of the Year. by the Master Builders Association.
Local builder in a 'nail-off'
From Castlemaine Mail 29 June 2012 Castlemaine-based building company, Vic Restorations has won two significant awards in the past week. The company was named the winner of the Master Builders Association of Victoria's award for Best Custom Made Home ($500,000- $700,000 category) in the north-western region.
Regional Awards Dennis Family Homes
From Shepparton News 22 June 2012 Award-winning builder Dennis Family Homes has gained further industry honours with its current Brookdale display home in Shepparton winning a prestigious title at the Master Builders Association of Victoria's North East Regional Building Awards.
Sustained Excellence
From Geelong Advertiser 21 June 2012 An innovative, energy-efficient family home in Point Lonsdale helpedO'Dowd Builders take out the top honours in the 2012 Master Builder Association Awards for the South West Region.
Builder grabs 5 awards
Jack Baker From Border Mail 02 June 2012 Scott James Builder took out five awards including residential builder of the year to be the big winner at last night's Master Builders Regional Building Awards.
Love of Paint
Bridget Cook From Cranbourne News 31 May 2012 FOR someone who never wanted to be a painter, Hampton Park's Matthew Langley has passed his apprenticeship with flying colours.This saw the 23-year-old named the Master Builders 2012 Apprentice of the Year in the Painting and Decorating category in front of a crowd of 700 guests on Wednesday 9 May.
Master Builders opening
From Shepparton News 31 May 2012 Victoria's Master Builders Association will open an office in Shepparton next month. Building surveyors Glenn Harvey and David Green will operate the High St office to fill a gap in the support network for tradespeople in the Shepparton region.
First home grant a necessity for future growth
Michelle Carnovale From Hobsons Bay Leader 22 May 2012 Building industry experts have urged potential first home buyers to take the plunge and capitalise on the First Home Bonus before it ends on June 30.
Latrobe leads poor housing figures in Gippsland
Michelle Carnovale From Hobsons Bay Leader 22 May 2012 The Latrobe Valley recorded Gippsland's biggest fall in new home approvals last year during a regionwide housing market slump. In figures published online by the Building Commission, Victoria's statutory building authority, domestic building approvals in Latrobe City fell 30 per cent in the 2011 calendar year, dropping from 980 in 2010 to 689.
Building a reputation
John Anderson From Sunraysia Daily(Mildura) 15 May 2012 Mildura's Mathew the MBA of Victoria 2012 Apprentice of the Year John Anderson From Sunraysia Daily (Mildura) 15 May 2012 MILDURA carpenter Mathew Ablett has been named the Master Builders Association of Victoria 2012 Apprentice of the Year.
Builders tee off for cancer research
Rachel Afflick From Ballarat 10 May 2012 builders swapped their tools for clubs and joined a charity golf day last Friday in support of Ballarat Cancer Research Centre.
Attention to detail pays off
Josh Fagan From Bendigo Advertiser 12 May 2012 Bendigo apprentice Tony Hinton says a perfectionist streak helped him take out the title of Regional Apprentice of the Year.
First-home fears Loss of bonus leaves onus on builders
Elizabeth Allen and Liam McAleer From Melton Leader 8 May 2012 Builders and future homeowners have been left in the lurch after the State Government scrapped the first-home builders' grant.
Learn to live green
From Sunraysia Daily (Mildura) 02 May 2012 Mildura Rural City Council’s 2012 Green Living Seminar is expected to attract a wide cross-section of the community when it takes place at the end of the month.
First home bonus on line in budget
From Warrnambool Standard 27 April 2012 THE Victorian government has come under renewed pressure to retain its fi rst home buyer bonus as it struggles to avoid a budget defi cit.
Victoria: Workers Without Safety Training Found on Sites
Andrew Heaton From Design Build Source 25 April, 2012 Workers without mandatory safety training are still being found on Victorian construction sites, that state’s occupational health and safety regulator says.
Living in tune with nature
Sue Green From The Age April 23, 2012 Sustainable housing designs are becoming increasingly popular. Lower energy bills, sunny living rooms in winter, kind to the environment and to our health — what's not to like about sustainable homes? But building such a residence, with features such as double glazing, solar power and rainwater tanks, is often seen as beyond the buyer on a budget.
Baillieu's about-face on housing
Royce Millar and Adam Morton From The Age April 17, 2012 PREMIER Ted Baillieu, facing growing controversy over his government's environment credentials, has abruptly abandoned a proposal to scrap mandatory energy ratings for new homes in Victoria.
Building foundations for young tradespeople
Bendigo Advertiser, 14 April 2012, MITCHELL Kelly might have only recently completed his three-year bricklaying apprenticeship, but as the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV) has recognised with this year’s Chairman’s Award, ‘Mitch’ already displays the skills and work ethic of an experienced tradesman.
Our young achievers
Castlemaine Mail, 05 April 2012 The hard work of two local apprentices has been recognised at the Bendigo Region Master Builders Apprentice of the Year' Awards held in Bendigo.
Tom's living the dream
Geelong News, 28 March 2012 Tom Richardson has something most people dream of. It's not shiny or expensive, in fact it involves a lot of dirt and sweat. His prized possession is a job in which he gets paid to do something he would do in his spare time.
Window shopping A luxury development signals a striking new trend.
Alison Barclay From Melbourne Weekly, Melbourne 28 Mar 2012 million project now selling off the plan may set a striking standard for new Stonnington apartments bedrooms without external windows. At 26 storeys, Yarra House at 18 Yarra Street, South Yarra, will have ravishing views across the city from its wide, north-facing balconies, a pool, a gym, a roof garden and luxurious fittings by designers du jour Hassell.
Young tradesmen honoured
Kristen Alebakis From Bendigo Advertiser 24 March 2012 TILING apprentice Tony Hinton was last week awarded the 2012 Master Builders Apprentice of the Year for the Bendigo region.
Victoria buyers' bonus divides industry
Rebecca Thistleton From Australian Financial Review 21 March, 2012 Victoria's property industry is divided over whether the state should continue to fund the first-home buyers bonus in this year's budget.
Rushed rollout blamed
Louis Nelson From Latrobe Valley Express 16 March, 2012 DEBATE over the role of government stimulus spending in a perceived 'recession' of Gippsland's construction industry has been sparked by the shock closure of building company Kir-way Constructions last week.
Construction industry loses 244 positions a day
Stephen Drill From Geelong Advertiser 16 March, 2012 VICTORIA'S construction industry lost 244 jobs a day in the past three months, with predictions it will contract a further 10 per cent.
Chris is a chippie off the old block
Neelima Choahan From Ballarat Courier 15 March, 2012 BUNINYONG carpenter Chris Cvirn has hammered away the competition and won the Master Builders Association Regional Apprentice of the Year Award.
More jobs get shipped off overseas
Stephen Drill s From:Herald Sun March 10, 2012 IN a fresh blow to Victorian jobs, the State Government has warned the Williamstown shipyard may be shut down after Canberra awarded a defence contract to a Spanish company.
A top apprentice
South Gippsland Sentinel Times March 6, 2012 LEONGATHA apprentice painter Marcus Luscombe was among Gippsland's top building and construction apprentices honoured last week at the Master Builders regional awards.
Building slowdown cuts scores of jobs
John Masanauskas From Herald Sun February 17, 2012 HUNDREDS of jobs have been lost in the Victorian construction industry as building activity slows, says a major employer group.
Watchdog comes closer to being put down
Richard Willingham From: The Age February 17, 2012 AUSTRALIA'S building industry watchdog is a step closer to being abolished after the government and crossbenchers voted to end the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Training Centre for Melbourne
By Philip Hopkins From: The Age February 13, 2012 IN A boost to the building and construction industry, Melbourne is to become home to a world-class simulation training centre.
Struggling builders forced to face cheap sell-outs
by: Ben Hurley From: The Australian Financial Review February 09, 2012. Cash-strapped victorian home builders are considering buyout offers as the housing downturn shrinks demand and causes sales volumes to plummet.
Planning delays cramp our state's growth
by: John Masanauskas From: Herald Sun February 07, 2012 Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch said yesterday clearing the backlog was vital for his industry.
Hedger Constructions Win Award
THE builder behind a new state-of-the-art home in Thornton, Hedger Constructions, has received the 2011 Victorian Regional Builder of the Year.
Knox Leader - Building Minister needed
DESPITE the real estate market softening and recent interest rate cut, too many Victorians still cannot afford a home. This situation has worsened over the past year with the median price of Melbourne land rising by...
Bellarine Independent - Geelong prices in minister call
HOUSE prices in Geelong, five times the median salary, underline the need for a building minister in Victoria, according to an industry body. Master Builders Association of Victoria's Brian Welch said...
Geelong News - House prices rocket
Geelong's median house price has leapt from 2.3 to five times the annual median salary, new data from the Master Builders Association of Victoria shows. In 1995...
Wyndham Weekly - Affording a house getting harder
Despite the real estate market softening and recent interest rate cut, too many Victorians still cannot afford a home. This situation...
Geelong Advertiser - Houses costs up
GEELONG'S median house price has leapt from 2.3 to 5 times the annual median salary, according to new data from the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV)...
Geelong Advertiser - Suburban and rural homes face same regulations
People building a new home in the Geelong region are being forced to design their houses to be bushfire safe, even if they are in an urban location. New regulations...
Shepparton News - Housing crisis call
Shepparton's home affordability is getting worse, with the average home now worth four times the median wage. The Master Builders Association of Victoria wants the Victorian Government to appoint a building minister...
Warrnambool Standard - High price of a home
NEW real estate data has shown Warrnambool buyers and renters are facing an affordability crisis as supply fails to meet growing demand. In just 12 years the city's median house price has tripled and land costs are more than five times dearer, according...
Berwick News - Building a Career
UPPER Beaconsfield builder James Kleverlaan has been named Victoria's young builder of the year. The 36-year-old started his company five years ago and since then, he's gone from strength to strength...
Riverine Herald - Sustainable home a real winner
Echuca firm Sutton Constructions has won two awards at the 2011 Master Builders Association of Victoria Excellence in Housing Awards...
Alexandra Eildon Marysville Standard - Local tradesman wins
Marysville building apprentice Devin Grant received this year's Employer Nominated award at the Master Builders Association of Victoria awards ceremony...
Sunraysia Daily - Young gun builds career
Building apprentice of The Year Sam Hancock will have a happy 21st birthday in April. After four years building under Mildura master builder...
Geelong Advertiser - Building not a boys' club
IN a class full of blokes, Emma Jensen is one notable exception. The 20-year-old from Highton is an extremely rare breed, choosing to do her building apprenticeship in a maledominated industry.
Latrobe Valley Express - Briggs the builder wins
AARON Briggs has won the Master Builders Association of Victoria, Gippsland Region, 'Apprentice of the Year' award and will go in the state final on 5 May...
Melbourne Weekly Eastern - Give them some relief
The Committee for Melbourne's push to offer stamp duty relief to "empty nesters" wanting to clownsize makes perfect sense. Master Builders endorses any incentive...
Wimmera Mail Times - Builder in award final
A HORSHAM man was a finalist in Master Builders Association of Victoria's Apprentice of the Year Awards...
Bendigo Advertiser - Apprentice training launches
A NEW program by apprentices for apprentices has been launched at Bendigo TAFE. Master Builders Association career pathways co-ordinator Jarrod...
Bendigo Advertiser - Apprentices strut their stuff
KEVIN Ward has been named Bendigo's Building Apprentice of the Year. Mr Ward, a mature-age apprentice, took out the award at last night's Master Builder Association Awards...
Border Mail - Builders planning to offer more help
AN act of generosity for a Howlong man could see other disadvantaged people in NSW, if not Australia, benefit in a similar manner. The Master Builders...
Ballarat Courier - Builders want new dump site
THE Master Builders Association of Victoria has urged the state government to create a new landfill site to store contaminated soil, arguing the issue is increasing costs and stymying development.
Border Mail - A home away from home
DALE Welsh spent this week settling into the home he's spent two years dreaming about. For any 21-year-old it would be a milestone. But for Dale who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy the unit was so much more.
Maroondah Leader - A trade is a good option
HIGH school graduates missing out on a university place on Monday should not be disappointed...