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 [...]
Top Tax Return Tips for Small Businesses
If your turnover is less than two million dollars, you would be classed as a small business entity (SBE). This tax time, the ATO is making things easier for small businesses. Whether you use a registered tax agent or manage your own tax affairs, here are some tips to help you: Timing you are preparing your own tax return you must lodge by 31 October 2017. you're using a registered tax agent they will have different lodgment dates. If you are using a tax agent for the [...]
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 [...]
Queensland’s New Planning System (2017)
From 3 July 2017, Queensland will operate under new planning legislation which will replace the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. The new planning scheme provides the basis for securing the liveability, sustainability, and prosperity of our communities. The legislation aims to deliver a more transparent and efficient system that not only contributes to investment and jobs but embraces genuine community engagement. Who will benefit from the new planning System? Better for the Community New bounded code assessment with clear and unambiguous code provisions will give the industry and community [...]
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. [...]