According to NAB’s quarterly business survey (Jan 2018) companies are expected to continuously improve business conditions and planning to lift investment and hire more people over the coming year. NAB's quarterly business survey found conditions were slightly higher in the final three months of 2017. Business conditions are strong across all major industry groups except for retail and finance. Specially the construction industry is performing really well. ‘The improvement in construction conditions over the last twelve months is due to improved trading conditions, profitability and employment, and [...]
Parklands – Award-Winning Commonwealth Games 2018 Infrastructure
The Gold Coast’s biggest urban renewal project, which will be used as accommodation for athletes during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has won the top award at the 2017 Gold Coast Urban Design Awards. Urban Design Award 2017 The Awards recognise the best of Gold Coast’s built environment and have become the city's most prestigious platform to celebrate design, liveability and sustainability. Parklands is a master planned, designed and delivered site by Archipelago, Arkhefield, ARM Architecture and LAT27 for the developer, Grocon. It’s a perfect example of a [...]
Is my Home up to Speed with Smoke Alarms?
New smoke alarm legislation will make Queensland households the safest in Australia in relation to fire safety. QFES has long recommended photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms to be hard-wired into homes and the decision to mandate this in what is the strongest legislation of its kind in the country, will see more Queensland lives saved. The new legislation specifies that all Queensland dwellings will be required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in: All bedrooms In hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the dwelling On every [...]
Why We Can’t Afford to Buy New Houses?
The high cost of housing raises questions about why Australians seem to be paying so much more than the rest of the world. The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Global Housing Watch survey found that Australian housing had the second-widest gap (out of 24 developed nations) between house prices and average income. The average price of a residential dwelling is now sitting well over half a million dollars. Here are a few reasons why housing has become so expensive: Taxes - The costs associated with buying a property, such [...]
Do I Need a Contract?
Do I Need a Contract, did you know on the QBCC website, you can download free and fully compliant contracts for new home construction, renovations, repairs, extensions, small building projects and demolition of residential premises. If you are doing domestic building work of over $3,300 you will definitely need a contract but even for small building projects under $3,300, it is recommended to have a contract or an agreement in place. If you are not sure what should be in your building or renovation contract then read on. [...]
New Laws Expanding the Scope of the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme Commence on 28 October 2016
In case you haven’t heard there have been various changes to the home warranty scheme as a result of an inquiry by a Parliamentary Committee into the former Building Services Authority. What is the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme? As part of the regulation of Queensland’s building industry, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) administers a home warranty scheme to provide insurance cover for loss where a building contractor fails to complete residential construction work or to rectify it. The Scheme applies to work for detached houses, [...]
Two New Apartment Buildings in the Heart of Southport
The AMBD team proudly presents its two new projects. A lot of work has gone into designing and drafting up these two big apartment buildings in Queen Street. They are located in the heart of Southport, with the very best it has to offer conveniently within reach. Both buildings come with breathtaking views and beachside-living coupled with the convenience of location. These brand new apartments are finished to a high standard and will have you amazed from any floor. Apartment Features Both Queen Street Apartment buildings consist [...]