DM WEEKLY ROUNDUP ISSUE 13

ISSUE #13

The Weekly Roundup

DESIGN MATTERS NATIONAL 08 May 2025

VALE GISELLE GRYNBAUM

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Giselle Grynbaum, the first CEO of the Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV), who passed away last month at her home.

Design Matters National formally acknowledges Giselle's passing and recognises her selfless devotion and immeasurable contribution to the building design profession in Australia and our organisation.

TRIBUTE TO GISELLE GRYNBAUM

By Sean Hamilton Former BDAV President, Fellow and DMN Life Member

Together with Brian Morrison, Giselle was our f irst BDAV CEO and she literally devoted her life and soul to the association and all our members.

We are saddened by the news of her passing, but also, we that knew her warmly reflect on her engaging and effervescent smile.

She lit up the room, she made things happen, she cracked-on regardless the hour or day for us and got things done. Completely selfless and professional.

Pivotal in taking the association to its peak, she never sought praise, thanks or acknowledgement. Giselle strove for and only ever wanted the very best of success for us. She Lived the BDAV. She single handedly launched the Building Design Awards and continued to elevate this event to its most prestigious status.

To fully comprehend and articulate the magnitude of her contribution to the association would be to write a book. We will never forget that. A genuine and lovely person, the world is lesser for her passing. I will very much miss her. Indeed, we all will.

Thoughts and deepest condolences go to Brian. Giselle was his best mate and business partner. Together they partnered to bravely risk it all to chase down our vision. They founded and forged the very pillars of strength and professional integrity of what the BDAV and DMN is today.

ESSENTIAL UPDATES

This week's industry focus examines infrastructure productivity challenges, energy efficiency in rental properties, regulatory developments, and housing market trends. Roads Australia warns that declining construction productivity is affecting project delivery and public services. Meanwhile, the housing market shows mixed signals with student accommodation investments booming while some homeowners abandon builds due to ongoing challenges. The recent federal election brings policy implications for various business sectors, while industry bodies including the Property Council, GBCA, and AIA announce leadership changes and respond to the election results. Recent housing approval data reveals concerning trends that may impact national construction targets.

In this newsletter you can expect:

Infrastructure productivity warnings and implications Energy efficiency challenges in rental properties Housing market trends and investment activity Federal election implications for business sectors Industry leadership changes and organisational updates Housing approval data analysis Upcoming professional development opportunities

UPDATED PRACTICE NOTES NOW AVAILABLE Design Matters National has recently updated our practice notes. This collation of materials for members gathers all the webinars and support resources to help members become familiar and proficient when it comes to compliance with the new Energy Efficiency Standards and associated building design principles. The resource will be updated as more materials become available. Members can access the complete collection through the Members Resource Portal. We encourage you to review these updated materials to support your professional practice.

INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTIVITY: INDUSTRY WARNING Australia's transport sector is urging the next federal government to confront declining construction productivity. According to Infrastructure Magazine, Roads Australia Chief Executive Ehssan Veiszadeh says the country's stagnant productivity -- particularly in infrastructure delivery -- is fuelling project delays, inflating costs and eroding public services.

"Delays in construction are pushing back community access to critical infrastructure by months or years," he said. "They're also draining government budgets, leaving less for housing, health and social services."

This productivity warning aligns with the concerns raised in Issue #12 regarding workforce shortages, particularly in the planning profession, which highlighted how insufficient qualified professionals are hampering Australia's ability to meet housing supply and infrastructure targets.

Industry Connection: Our upcoming Performance Solutions: Livable Housing Design Requirements, Condensation Management, Drainage, and Roof Design webinar on 22 May addresses key building performance areas that can help practitioners improve project delivery efficiency while meeting regulatory requirements.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: A HUMAN RIGHT IN RENTAL PROPERTIES If you rent your home in Australia, you probably know the feeling of cold seeping through unsealed windows on a winter night or sweltering in a stifling room during a summer heatwave. According to an opinion piece in The Fifth Estate, it's the kind of discomfort few homeowners would tolerate, and yet ACOSS (The Australian Council of Social Service), in their 2025 Heat in Homes Survey Report, found that this is a daily reality baked into a housing market that continues to treat energy efficiency as an optional extra, when it's clearly a human right, and also a basic consumer right.

This perspective builds on our reporting in Issue #12 about sustainable building challenges, particularly the complex intersection of property rights and sustainability goals highlighted in the solar power rights discussion for apartment owners.

Industry Connection: The Ask an Assessor: Windows and Glazing in an Energy Assessment session on 20 May provides essential knowledge for practitioners navigating the technical aspects of energy efficiency requirements, helping designers understand how to maximise building performance while managing the practical challenges of sustainable design implementation.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT: MIXED SIGNALS IN THE MARKET Grand Central Towers developers penalised Developers behind misleading advertising spruiking luxury apartments have been fined $6.5 million, with a court finding they were "disdainful, contemptuous and scornful of consumers and the legal requirement," as reported by The Canberra Times.

This regulatory action highlights the importance of accurate representation in property marketing and the potential consequences for developers who fail to meet consumer protection standards.

Student accommodation investments boom According to The Fifth Estate, Knight Frank's latest update of its Australia Purpose-Built Student Accommodation shows investment volume to date this year has totalled 1.8 billion across four deals, far exceeding the $116 million recorded in 2024. There are currently 6912 total beds under construction, with 2772 of those beds due for completion this year. In 2026, a further 5832 new beds are expected to reach completion.

This significant investment activity in the student accommodation sector continues the trend of strategic urban infill development reported in Issue #12, where developers are focusing on well-connected locations in metropolitan areas.

Social and affordable housing in Heidelberg West Architecture and Design reports that Homes Victoria is delivering 104 new modern and energy efficient homes in Heidelberg West. The Bell Bardia Stage 1 development will transform the eastern end of the Bell-Bardia housing site in Heidelberg West with 53 social and 51 affordable homes.

These replace the 94 previous homes that were no longer fit for purpose, achieving a 10% net increase in housing at the site.

This project aligns with the Victorian Government's ongoing efforts to increase housing supply in established areas with existing infrastructure, as reported in Issue #12.

Unfinished home builds being abandoned The Daily Telegraph reports that desperate Aussie homeowners are selling unfinished homes due to a problem expected to get worse over the next three years. This concerning trend points to ongoing challenges in the residential construction sector that may be contributing to the housing supply shortfall discussed in previous issues.

Industry Connection: Our Contract Administration Workshop on 28 June provides essential knowledge for practitioners navigating complex project delivery challenges, helping designers manage contractual relationships and mitigate risks in increasingly challenging market conditions.

FEDERAL ELECTION: BUSINESS IMPACTS AND INDUSTRY RESPONSES Adelaide Now reports that whether you own a cafe, a plumbing business or a farm, the weekend's election will have an impact on how you run your business, with varying implications across different sectors.

Property Council congratulates re-elected government The Property Council of Australia has congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on its Federal election win and thanked all outgoing parliamentarians for their service to the nation.

In a media release, Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said: "The property industry congratulates the Prime Minister and his team on a hard-won and decisive result. The good grace with which Prime Minister Albanese and Opposition Leader Dutton conducted themselves on election night also underlines the strength of our enviable democracy."

GBCA welcomes continued focus on sustainable buildings In a related industry response, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) congratulates the Albanese Government on its re-election and welcomes the clear mandate it has received to continue delivering meaningful progress in sustainable building policy. The GBCA noted that over the past three years, the Albanese Government has recognised the central role buildings play in improving affordability, resilience and wellbeing.

From sustainable procurement and electrification to skills development and low-carbon manufacturing, the Government has laid strong foundations for a more sustainable built environment. In their statement, GBCA Chief Executive Officer Davina Rooney said: "We welcome the opportunity to continue this important work and to go further in accelerating the shift to healthier, more efficient and climate-resilient buildings."

These industry responses reflect the ongoing engagement between peak bodies and government in shaping policy outcomes that affect the built environment sector, continuing the collaborative approach to addressing housing and sustainability challenges reported in previous issues.

Industry Connection: Our Ask a Planner: Navigating the new townhouse and low-rise code Part 2 webinar on 28 May offers valuable insights into navigating regulatory frameworks and understanding how policy decisions translate into practical implementation requirements for design professionals.

ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATION: KIT HOMES AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTION According to The Urban Developer, Jeremy McLeod is leaning into the past for a smarter housing future. Nightingale's founder is developing affordable architectural kit homes, taking inspiration from historical precedents to create contemporary housing solutions.

This initiative by Nightingale Founder Jeremy McLeod to develop affordable architectural kit homes represents an innovative approach to addressing housing affordability challenges through design-led solutions, similar to the mobile modular homes discussion in Issue #12 exploring alternative housing typologies.

Industry Connection: The Swimming Pool Barriers Updates to AS1926.1 - 2024: What you need to Know webinar on 27 May provides designers with essential updates on regulatory requirements, complementing the innovative approaches to housing design and construction being explored in the industry.

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP: ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES ABCB CEO transition According to HVACR News, Gary Rake was appointed as ABCB CEO in March 2022 and oversaw the publication of the 2022 version of the National Construction Code (NCC), as well as the development of NCC 2025. His new role will be Deputy Commissioner Regulatory Operations with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. This role is responsible for the compliance elements of the new Aged Care Act that comes into effect from July 1, 2025.

New AIA National President In a media release, the Australian Institute of Architects proudly announces the appointment of Adam Haddow as National President of the Institute and warmly welcomes David Wagner to the position of National President Elect. Adam's tenure will begin at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting. The Institute also wishes to thank Jane Cassidy for her tenure as National President and welcomes her to the position of Immediate Past President. In the announcement, Haddow stated: "I am both honoured and excited to be stepping into the role of National President of the Australian Institute of Architects. This is a crucial time for our country and industry.

Sustainability is the greatest challenge of our lives, housing affordability the greatest of our generation."

These leadership changes in key industry organisations will likely influence future policy directions and priorities, particularly in relation to sustainability and housing affordability challenges highlighted throughout recent issues.

Industry Connection: Our Building a Successful Career: Winning Work & Keeping Clients webinar on 26 May provides valuable insights for practitioners looking to develop their professional skills and navigate industry changes effectively.

HOUSING APPROVALS: CONSTRUCTION TARGETS AT RISK Two industry publications have highlighted concerning trends in housing approvals data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Build Australia reports that Australia's housing sector faces a steep uphill battle to meet national construction goals, as new data reveals a sharp drop in approvals for new homes in March. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported an 8.8 per cent decrease in total dwelling approvals for March, falling to 15,220 homes --- a six-month low and well below the 20,000 homes per month needed to reach the federal target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029. The decline was led by a 27.4 per cent plunge in apartment approvals, which dropped to 3,055, while single-family home approvals fell by 4.5 per cent.

Similarly, Sourceable reports that building approvals dropped back in March following two strong months in January and February. On a seasonally adjusted basis, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that the number of dwellings that were approved for construction throughout Australia fell by 8.8 percent in March to come in at 15,220.

This worrying trend in housing approvals compounds the housing supply challenges discussed in previous issues, particularly the workforce shortages in planning and construction highlighted in Issue #12 that are hampering Australia's ability to meet housing targets.

Industry Connection: To help practitioners navigate the complex planning and approvals landscape, our Ask a Planner: Navigating the new townhouse and lowrise code Part 2 webinar on 28 May provides essential knowledge for designers working on medium-density projects that aim to increase housing supply while navigating regulatory requirements.

HERITAGE PROTECTION: ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING The Age reports that the Royal Exhibition Building will be protected by new planning rules that stop developments encroaching on views of the World Heritage-listed site and the sunshine on the Carlton Gardens. There were concerns a buffer zone around the site was not enforced with enough certainty to prevent neighbouring developments -- including a proposed five-storey building along Gertrude Street and a glass tower at St Vincent's Hospital -diminishing the value of the listing by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2004.

This regulatory development highlights the ongoing tension between heritage preservation and urban development pressures in established areas, a theme that connects to the strategic urban infill discussions in Issue #12.

Industry Connection: Our Contract Administration Workshop on 28 June explores the legal and regulatory considerations in project delivery, providing practitioners with essential knowledge for navigating complex planning requirements, including heritage considerations.

FREE NET ZERO HOMES SKILLS TRAINING AVAILABLE Solar Victoria is offering free online training for individuals working in the residential construction industry in Victoria. This initiative represents an important opportunity for building designers to enhance their skills in meeting energy efficiency requirements.

The Net Zero Homes – Skills Training is delivered through online self-paced training that will equip people working in residential construction in Victoria with the knowledge and skills needed to design and construct energy efficient homes. Each module is self-paced and 2 hours in duration with a range of supporting resources and related materials for self-directed learning.

This training includes guidance on National Construction Code 2022 obligations, such as new whole-of-home appliance requirements. In addition to practical skills, they cover the principles of residential energy efficiency, thermal performance, and net zero energy design and construction.

Solar Victoria is investing $1 million to deliver this training to support residential construction industry trades and professions to design and construct energy efficient 7-star rated and all-electric homes. The training was developed and is administered by the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining's Learning Hub for Energy Efficient Construction.

For more information and to check if you're eligible, visit the Solar Victoria website

UPCOMING EVENTS MAY Ask an Assessor: Windows and Glazing in an Energy Assessment Date: May 20 Time: 2:00PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenters: Matthew Graham and Russell Harris BONDOR Factory Tour Date: May 21 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Bondor Vic - Truganina Future of Construction Tour DAte: 21 May Time: 09:00AM Location: Curtin Universty | Engineering Building, Perth Performance Solutions: Livable Housing Design Requirements, Condensation Management, Drainage, and Roof Design Date: May 22 Time: 2:00-3:00PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Paul Mulholland Melbourne Design Week Date: May 22 Time: 6:00PM Location: 23-27 Cardigan St, Carlton Presenters: Jeremy Spencer, Greg Sparrius, Pip Sparrius, Uta Green, Ben Walsham Swimming Pool Barriers Updates to AS1926.1 - 2024: What you need to Know Date: May 27 Time: 2:00PM AEST Location: ONLINE Building a Successful Career: Winning Work & Keeping Clients Date: May 26 Time: 6:00PM (AEST) Location: ONLINE Presenter: Britta Siggelkow

Ask a Planner: Navigating the new townhouse and low-rise code Part 2 Date: May 28 Time: 10:00-11:30AM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Ashley Thompson and Mel Ryan Home Tour: 2024 BDA Winner 'Scotchman's View' Date: May 29 Time: 10:30AM AEST Location: Drysdale, VIC Women of DMN Lunch - Northside Date: 30 May Time: 12:30PM Location: Ascot Vale Hotel

JUNE Government Reform Agenda: What does this mean for building designers?

Date: 3 June Time: 2PM-3PM Location: ONLINE Presenter: Stevebn Baxas

Women of DMN Catch Up at NEXT DOOR 2 Date: Jun 6 Time: 12:30 PM Location: Next Door At Omar & the Marvellous Coffee Bird, Melbourne VIC 3185 Upskill for Whole of Home Masterclass Date: Jun 10 Time: 04:00PM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Matthew Graham Ask and Interior Designer | The Strategic Value of Interior Designers in Project Planning Date: Jun 11 Time: 02:00 PM Location: ONLINE Upskill Now Masterclass (THERMAL) Date: Jun 19 Time: 04:00PM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Matthew Graham

FirstRate5 LIVE: Model Class 2 Multi-Dwellings (v3.2) Date: Jun 20 Time: 12:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Contract Administration Workshop Date: Jun 28 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

JULY Hempcrete: Major inroads in the Australian hemp construction industry Date: Jul 02 Time: 12:00PM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Klara Marosszeky Protecting your bottom line: Debt recover strategies for design professionals Date: 24 July Time: 4:00PM (AEST) Location: ONLINE Presenters: Drew Laing and Caitlyn Hoey

AUGUST Ask an Interior Designer: Designing from the inside out - The power of early interior planning Date: 21 August Time: 2Pm-3PM Location: ONLINE Presenter: Dominique Hunter

SEPTEMBER DMN Member Dinner - Hobart Date: 3 Sep Time: 5:30PM Location: 140 Cascade Rd, South Hobart Tassie Member Breakfast - Hobart Date: 4 Sep Time: 8:00AM Location: Brickworks Hobart Design Studio Presenter: Wayne Gorman DMN Member Dinner - Launceston Date: Sep 4 Time: 6:00 PM Location: 140 Cascade Rd, Hobart Building Practitioner Pre-Registration Course for VBA Date: Sep 17 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare Contract Administration Workshop Date: Sep 27 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

SOURCES IN THIS ISSUE The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Australian Financial Review, WA Today, ABC News, All Homes, Architecture and Design, Infrastructure Magazine, The Fifth Estate, Canberra Times, Daily Telegraph, Adelaide Now, HVACR News, Build Australia, Sourceable, Urban Developer, Knight Frank, Property Council of Australia, Green Building Council of Australia, Australian Institute of Architects, Master Builders Australia, Solar Victoria, Planning Institute of Australia, State Government Media Releases

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