Categories
AUSPol Economy

Australia’s Research and Development Stagnation

#Research #R&D #Australia Australia’s Research and Development investment is stagnating and dropping on a global level. References https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/not-a-good-sign-australia-s-r-and-d-investment-slips-against-developed-peers-20190826-p52kvd.html

Categories
Energy

1.2 Million Homes at Blackout Risk

#Electricity #Blackout #Australia References Australian Energy Market https://anero.id/energy AEMOhttps://energylive.aemo.com.au/News/AEMO-2019-ESOO 2019 Statement of Opportunitieshttps://aemo.com.au/-/media/Files/Electricity/NEM/Planning_and_Forecasting/NEM_ESOO/2019/2019-Electricity-Statement-of-Opportunities.pdf

Categories
Construction NSW Parliamentary Inquiry - Regulation of Building Standards

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry – Regulation of Building Standards (RAIA Submission)

#Construction #NSW #Inquiry The New South Wales Parliamentary Inquiry into the Regulation of Building Standards, Building Quality and Building Disputes is underway, let’s look at the Terms of Reference and the submission by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. References Regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2540#tab-members No. 129 Australian Institute of Architects […]

Categories
Opal Tower

Opal Tower Court Case Delayed

#OpalTower #CourtCase #Australia The Opal Tower class action lawsuit has been delayed by 42 days due to the complexity of the class-action lawsuit. Let’s look at the Judges concerns and the portions of the Home Building Act that would be relevant to this case. References https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-09/sydney-opal-tower-class-action-lawsuit-proceedings-delayed/11398794

Categories
Construction

Dodgy Apartment Architects

#Architects #Construction #NSW With Universal calls for greater registration of professionals in NSW as the panacea cure for all issues, let’s look at an example of a registered professional from NSW. References https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/western-sydney-architect-barred-from-practice-over# Heise Games

Categories
Construction Property

Dodgy Building Certifiers

#Certification #Construction #NSW Dodgy Building Certifiers are leaving a trail of compliance issues in NSW. While there are calls to “Get Tough” on the rogue operators, we still need to look at the conflicts of interest that potentially exist in our approaches to procuring buildings. References Building certifiers leave a trail of chaos https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/building-certifiers-leave-a-trail-of-chaos-20190802-p52ddn.html

Categories
Opal Tower

Opal Towers’ Insurance Increase and Buying off the Plan

#OpalTower #Construction #Insurance Opal Towers’ Insurance premiums have increased 20 time and agents are telling us that Buying off the Plan is still in demand! References Opal Tower builder agrees to pay $1.7m insurance https://www.afr.com/property/residential/opal-tower-builder-agrees-to-pay-1-7m-insurance-20190731-p52ci6 Opal Tower fiasco unlikely to dent off-the-plan sales, agent tips https://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/18799-opal-tower-suit-unlikely-to-dent-off-the-plan-demand

Categories
Opal Tower

Opal Tower Owner’s Class Action

#OpalTower #Construction #ClassAction The owner’s of Opal Tower have launched a class-action lawsuit against the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA). This case will certainly be an interesting precedent, particularly if the government pursues cross-claims. References Opal Tower unit owners launch multi-million-dollar class action against NSW State Government https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-29/opal-tower-class-action-suit-by-owners-sydney-olympic-park/11354562

Categories
Water

Australia’s Population Growth Outstrips Water Supply

#Water #FreshWater #Dams In the last two decades, Australia’s population growth has far outstripped increases to our Water Supply Capacity. How big is the difference and how did our leaders let us get to this terrible state?

Categories
Economy

NSW Fresh Water Scarcity

#NSW #FreshWater #Dams Several Towns in New South Wales are on the verge of running out of freshwater. While UNESCO asks to review plans to extend the height of the Warragamba Dam. Let’s have a look at a number of dams in Australia and talk about water. References NSW towns including Dubbo and Tamworth face […]