DM WEEKLY ROUNDUP ISSUE 8

The Weekly Roundup

ISSUE #8

DESIGN MATTERS NATIONAL 27 Mar 2025

Welcome to your weekly industry news roundup. Our analysis focuses on developments curated from various publications, impacting building design practices, with actionable insights for your professional work.

ESSENTIAL UPDATES From Adelaide's skyline-changing skyscraper to Victoria's regulatory revolution, this week's news signals major transitions across Australia's building landscape. Regulatory frameworks are evolving, with Victoria's new Building and Plumbing Commission set to wield unprecedented powers while South Australia experiments with AI to fast-track approvals. Meanwhile, small towns like Winchelsea and heritage-rich Ballarat navigate the delicate balance between necessary growth and preserving community character. For industry professionals, economic warning signs flash as experts caution about contractor vulnerability and rising tender prices. As embodied carbon comes into sharper focus through ASBEC's comprehensive new roadmap, the construction industry stands at a pivotal moment where regulation, economics, and sustainability imperatives converge to reshape our built environment.

In this newsletter you can expect:

Building regulation reform and enforcement Urban development and heritage challenges Construction economics and industry warnings Sustainability initiatives and embodied carbon Adelaide's landmark skyscraper development 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.

BUILDING REGULATION REFORM AND ENFORCEMENT The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has announced a major overhaul of building regulation in the state. In the first 2025 edition of VBA Mail, the authority details the establishment of the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), described as "a new and powerful watchdog overseeing domestic building and plumbing industries across Victoria." This reform represents one of the most significant changes to Victoria's building and plumbing systems in more than three decades.

Subject to the passage of a Bill introduced to Parliament in March, the new regulator will gain enhanced enforcement powers, including the ability to direct builders to fix non-compliant work even after an occupancy permit has been issued. The BPC will also oversee a developer bond scheme, requiring a bond of two percent of the construction cost to be held by the regulator and released for rectification works as needed.

At the same time, The Herald Sun spotlights a case illustrating the need for strong enforcement, detailing a Melbourne homeowner's eight-year struggle to build his family a home after three separate builders either misappropriated his deposit, collapsed, or delivered substandard work.

Described as "Melbourne's unluckiest homeowner," this case highlights the ongoing challenges in the domestic building sector.

Industry Connection: For building designers planning to seek registration with the Victorian Building Authority or wanting to understand the developing regulatory landscape, our Building Practitioner Pre-Registration Course for VBA on April 30 provides essential guidance on navigating these changes and meeting compliance requirements in this evolving environment.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE CHALLENGES The tension between growth and heritage conservation is playing out across Victoria. The Age reports on the transformation of Winchelsea, a small town between Geelong and Colac that is experiencing a construction and residential boom. As families priced out of growth areas like Torquay look inland, the article explores how locals are working to ensure the town can grow fivefold without losing its character and charm.

Similar concerns are arising in Ballarat, where the Herald Sun reports that local heritage advocates feel "steamrolled" and "powerless" to influence state government decisions that could alter the city's historic Victorian-era landscape. The article highlights the tension between development pressures and the preservation of Ballarat's distinctive heritage character.

In Perth, WAToday features photographer Harry Cunningham, whose exhibition captures "the ugliness of the great Australian dream" on Perth's urban fringe. Through stark imagery of barren streets, mass-produced houses, and endless roads, Cunningham documents the visual and environmental impacts of Perth's sprawl that began in the 1960s and has largely continued unchecked.

Architecture AU reports that the first stage of a 104-dwelling social housing development on an existing public housing site in Heidelberg has been granted approval, contributing to efforts to address housing needs in Melbourne.

Industry Connection: The competing demands of growth, heritage, and community expectations create complex challenges for designers. TheTendering for Government Projects webinar today (March 27) addresses important considerations for designers working on public projects, including policy frameworks that influence development outcomes.

CONSTRUCTION ECONOMICS AND INDUSTRY WARNINGS

Economic challenges continue to affect the construction industry. The Australian Financial Review reports that home builders and subcontractors are putting themselves at risk as demand picks up by taking on larger projects without adequate finances. According to Equifax figures, subcontractors and suppliers employing fewer than five people are most vulnerable, as they have lower cash reserves and resources than larger businesses.

Sourceable reports that significant increases in tender prices on construction projects are expected throughout 2025 across Australia, according to multi-national quantity surveying and cost consulting firm Rider Levett Bucknall. This contrasts with the subdued market conditions expected to remain throughout Europe.

A recent survey by recruitment experts Robert Walters reveals concerning trends in the engineering and resources industries across Australia.

Sourceable reports that a large proportion of employees believe their compensation does not match their work or the rising cost of living, which is particularly problematic in industries with sustained talent shortages.

The Australian Financial Review also reports on a major business development reshaping the construction materials industry: wall cladding and plasterboard group James Hardie will acquire outdoor decking and railings company AZEK in a $14 billion cash and scrip deal. Chief executive Aaron Erter stated the acquisition would "supercharge growth despite an uncertain global economic outlook."

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND EMBODIED CARBON The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has released a policy roadmap aimed at reducing upfront embodied carbon in the built environment. HVAC&R News reports that this roadmap, part of a larger report titled "Our Upfront Opportunity: Australia's policy roadmap to reduce upfront carbon in the built environment," provides a comprehensive policy framework to reinforce and amplify government and industry efforts to reduce upfront embodied carbon across buildings and infrastructure.

This transition reflects the ongoing evolution of energy efficiency requirements across Australia and the growing emphasis on sustainable building practices.

Industry Connection: For designers looking to incorporate sustainable practices and materials into their projects, our upcoming Smartcrete - A Better Way: Designing and Building with Sustainable Concrete webinar on April 2 offers valuable insights into one of construction's most essential materials.

The Fifth Estate reports on an environmentally progressive development in Adelaide, where Walker Corporation has begun site preparations for what aims to be Adelaide's tallest building. This 38-storey tower at Festival Plaza will incorporate "all the sustainability bells and whistles," including solar power, electric vehicle infrastructure, and allelectric systems.

SPOTLIGHT: SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE - THE FUTURE OF BUILDING As sustainability becomes increasingly central to construction practices, understanding how to use concrete—one of our most essential building materials—in more environmentally responsible ways is crucial for forward-thinking designers.

Our Smartcrete Webinar: A Better Way: Designing and Building with Sustainable Concrete on April 2 addresses this critical topic at a time when: The ASBEC has just released its policy roadmap for reducing embodied carbon Adelaide is breaking ground on a major all-electric skyscraper Australia's population is projected to reach 30 million by 2030 Demand for new homes, roads, and infrastructure continues to grow

This timely session features expert presenters Clare Tubolets, Professor Vute Sirivivatnanon, Niki Jackson, and Jason Chandler who will explore practical approaches to designing with concrete while reducing environmental impact. The webinar will provide you with: Cutting-edge techniques for reducing the carbon footprint of concrete structures Practical design strategies applicable to residential and commercial projects Insights into how sustainable concrete practices can become a market differentiator Understanding of upcoming regulatory changes and industry standards

Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve on sustainable building practices. Register now for the April 2 Smartcrete Webinar to enhance your design capabilities and respond to the growing demand for environmentally responsible construction.

ADELAIDE'S LANDMARK SKYSCRAPER DEVELOPMENT South Australia's government has unveiled designs for what will be Adelaide's first skyscraper, a 38-storey tower in Festival Plaza.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion announced the 160-metre high tower, which is expected to be complete by 2027. The building will feature a rooftop bar and restaurant, 30 levels of office space, and an activated podium overlooking Festival Plaza (SA Government Media Release)..

The Fifth Estate reports that this Walker Corporation development is being designed with sustainability as a priority, featuring solar power, electric vehicle infrastructure, and all-electric systems. The project aims to set new standards for environmentally responsible high-rise development in Adelaide.

Meanwhile, a consortium of Queensland's leading design and planning institutes has welcomed the State Government's 2032 Games delivery plan. The Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Design Institute of Australia, and Planning Institute of Australia jointly commended the milestone while emphasizing that "a pivotal legacy opportunity for the community lies in what comes next—stitching the venues into the fabric of the city and region to maximize their long-term impact and create lasting benefits for Queenslanders" (Joint Media Release).

Architecture AU reports on construction beginning on the nation's first Vietnamese cultural centre and museum in Melbourne's Sunshine suburb. Designed by Konzepte Melbourne, the threestorey building will include a resource centre for educational purposes, hospitality offerings, and a function centre capable of hosting events with up to 450 guests. The museum will house a collection of more than 280 cultural artifacts.

Industry Connection: Major projects like these offer valuable learning opportunities for designers. Our Member Breakfast and Tour of 555 Collins on May 6 provides a chance to explore another groundbreaking building project and understand how modern workplaces are evolving.

NCC UNCERTAINTY The future of proposed changes to Australia's building code remains uncertain and is unlikely to be known until after the federal election, according to Sourceable. The article notes that the longer-term future of code updates is particularly uncertain amid Coalition pledges to freeze any changes for a decade if it wins office.

This follows earlier reports from The Fifth Estate about delays in the release of the National Construction Code 2025, highlighting the challenges of maintaining regulatory consistency during political transitions.

In South Australia, the state government is leveraging artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals. Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy Michael Brown announced a six-month pilot program testing AI technology that can assess simple development applications within minutes, rather than the current two-week average (SA Government Media Release).

UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2025 Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) Services Overview -- WA Members Only Date: Mar 27 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Online (AWST)

APRIL 2025 Smartcrete - A Better Way: Designing and Building with Sustainable Concrete Date: Apr 2 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Online Presenters: Clare Tubolets, Professor Vute Sirivivatnanon, Niki Jackson, Jason Chandler Status: Registrations Closing Soon!

Breakfast of Champions in Hobart Date: Apr 4 Time: 8:00 AM Location: Hobart, TAS Status: Registrations Closing Soon!

Contract Administration Workshop Date: Apr 12 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

Swinburne University of Technology Tour: 3D Printing and Emerging Construction Technologies Date: Apr 15 Time: 9:00 AM Location: Swinburne University of Technology, 427-451 Burwood Road, Hawthorn VIC Status: Register Now SBuilding Practitioner PreRegistration Course for VBA Date: Apr 30 Time: 6:00 PM (AEST) Location: Online

MAY 2025 Ask an Surveyor: What constitutes a cadastral survey?

Date: May 15 Time: 2:00-3:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenters: Brodie Richards and Craig Sandy

Building a Successful Career: Winning Work & Keeping Clients Date: May 26 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Online (AEDT) Presenter: Britta Siggelkow

Ask an Assessor: Windows and Glazing in an Energy Assessment Date: May 19 Time: 2:00PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenters: Matthew Graham and Russell Harris

JUNE 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025

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

Building Practitioner PreRegistration Course for VBA Date: Sep 17 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

FirstRate5 LIVE: Model Class 2 MultiDwellings (v3.2) Date: Jun 20 Time: 12:00 PM Location: Online (AEST)

Contract Administration Workshop Date: Sep 27 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

Contract Administration Workshop Date: Jun 28 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

SOURCES IN THIS ISSUE The Age, Herald Sun, Sourceable, WAToday, Sydney Morning Herald, Architecture AU, The Australian Financial Review, HVAC&R News, The Fifth Estate, SA Government Media Release, Joint Queensland Design Institutes Media Release, VBA Mail

View all upcoming CPD opportunities Access our online learning resources

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