Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone, regardless of the silica content percentage, is banned.

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

In October last year Hutchies noted that the industry was shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica related diseases.

On this basis, Hutchies proactively took a position to ban all engineered stone on our projects, regardless of silica content percentages, from 1 July 2024.

In December last year, we then had confirmation that following an Industrial Relations Ministers meeting, State and Commonwealth Leaders had agreed to ban engineered stone products.

Some at Hutchies have noted that the State and Federal communications concerning the ban have included transition periods as well as exemptions for some engineered stone with low (under 1%) silica content.

For clarity, there has been no change to Hutchies' position following these communications – Hutchies will not be using engineered stone that contains any percentage of silica on our projects from 1 July 2024.

Actions

To mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product.

Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Refer to Hutchies' Stone Product & Suitability for Use List on the Document Library.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact:

Design — Michael Lawlor / Ogi Latinovic
Work Health & Safety — Jimmy Andersen
Industrial Relations — Ben Young
Other — Russell Fryer

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' All Company Update.

A copy of the presentation slides is available to download below.

Congratulations all of our Hutchies' veterans and to the winner of Constructor of the Year 2023: Kerri Bolton!

Every project needs to be prepared for the Christmas holiday shutdown.

Sites must be secure and ready for any potential weather events during the shutdown period.

All projects need to prepare, plan and coordinate the implementation of Hutchies' shutdown and storm preparation processes prior to the break.

This includes: 

• Ensuring plant, amenities, temporary structures and perimeter fencing is secured with the relevant site contacts for the break displayed on the perimeter fence
• Ensure external areas / works are secure and have controls in place as per erosion sediment control plans
• As a Project Team, ensure there is a communicated plan to attend the project during the break for emergencies
• Checking that open excavations and trenches have been filled or barricaded

All shutdown checklists are to be completed on HammerTech > Inspections: Site Shutdown Storm Preparation Checklist (F-084)

Hutchies has made some tweaks to our Monthly Budget Meeting sheet in Viewpoint.

These changes tidy up the budget sheet layout, grouping relevant fields together, and simplify our language to be consistent with head contracts.

These new dates are now available to use for Hutchies' Monthly Budget Meeting Reports.

October is Indigenous Business Month, a special time where Indigenous enterprises across Australia unite to celebrate their accomplishments with partners and allies. 

Hutchies is proud of our strong history of engaging with and supporting Indigenous businesses. We actively invest time to understand these businesses and identify where they best fit within our supply chain.

Over the last decade, we've worked with more than 170 Indigenous owned businesses, with a total spend of approximately $85 million. For the 2022-23 financial year, we achieved our highest-ever engagement, allocating over $20 million to Indigenous enterprises.

Special shoutouts go to our top-performing teams in this regard: Mitch Grimmer at $3.5 million, Townsville at $2.3 million, Coolie at $2.2 million, Keenan Wolski at $1.9 million, and our Civil Team at $1.5 million.

BOM is forecasting a warm summer ahead for Australia. Previous data shows there will also be wet days. 

Make sure to account for wet weather in your prelims and ensure your contracts include clauses for delays due to extreme weather events. Also, have a plan to manage risks from high winds, heat, and smoke. 

Based on your feedback, we've created a library with hundreds of our best photos to use as device wallpapers.

All available for computers, mobiles and tablet devices.

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Site Managers' Meeting. 

A copy of the presentation is available to download below.

There is also a recording you can watch if you missed it.

We have listened to your feedback and updated Hutchies' subcontractor and consultant templates.

Australian Standard (AS) subcontracts updates:

• Legislative changes
• Hutchies' insurance requirements
• Added D&C provisions for Professional Indemnity insurance
• Corrections of errors
• All of the above with a net reduction in pages

Minor Works contracts updates:

• Now accommodate a broader range of projects

Consultant Agreement updates:

• Better alignment between Long and Shortform agreements

Standard Contracts

Updated Templates

• AS4901 / Subcontract General Conditions
• AS4903 / Subcontract Design & Construct (D&C)
• Minor Works General Conditions (GC)
• Minor Works Design & Construct
• Consultant Agreement Longform
• Consultant Agreement Shortform

More Information

Get in touch with:

Harry White
Phone 0419 762 429
Email harry.white@hutchies.com.au

This is the first installment as we work through a complete overhaul of Hutchies' standard scopes covering trades, consultants and services.

Our new template will bring all scopes into a single template, making it more efficient for teams to set up a project specific scope first, and then save off each relevant trade as required.

This also means we can keep the content more up to date (so long as you're always opening off the latest template from the Document Library or Hutchies' Word Ribbon).

Hutchies' new scopes were developed with the Contract Administrators Working Group and various construction teams.

We're in the process of reviewing and updating all of our consultant and services scopes.

Respirable crystalline silica and health surveillance and exposure monitoring procedures are included in the Safety Management System. 

Following legislative changes for activities involving respirable crystalline silica, the following safety documentation has been updated to reflect Hutchies' processes to manage RCS.

NEW
Specific Procedure (SP) 07 Respirable Crystalline Silica (V1)
Download →

UPDATE
Project Risk Assessment – Respirable Crystalline Silica (V15.1)
Download →

UPDATE
Safe Work Method Statement – Managing Respirable Crystalline Silica (V4)
Download →

NEW
Specific Procedure (SP) 08 Health Surveillance & Exposure Monitoring (V1)
Download →

Consultation

HSE Managers in all states were consulted during the collation of all documentation, as it applies to all of Hutchies' operations.

Actions

For all projects

• Ensure the PRA is reviewed, and the updated RCS content included for V15.1
• SWMS to be reviewed for the project where a review has not occurred in the last 3 months
• Access and review updated procedures

Projects with are required to ensure the project controls align with the PRA and SWMS and project documentation is updated.

Support

If there are any questions or concerns about the implementation of this process contact Jimmy Andersen on 0400 220 381.

More information

Jamie Spooner
Phone 0400 705 493
Email jamie.spooner@hutchies.com.au

Commencing May 1, 2023, a new code called the 'Managing respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust exposure in construction and manufacturing elements code of practice 2022' applies to all projects in Queensland. 

The following is required on all projects to ensure compliance with the Code:

Project Risk Assessments (PRAs)

The PRA in Appendix 2 of Hutchies' Work Health & Safe Management Plan (WHSMP) must be updated for your project and made site / activity specific. 

Download WHSMP →

Hutchies' Project Specific RCS SWMS Template

Hutchies' SWMS for Managing Respirable Crystaline Silica must be adjusted to include project specific works in alignment with Appendix 4 of the Code.

Download SWMS Template →

Subcontractor SWMS

Subcontractors should revise their SWMS ensuring controls align with the Code and re-upload them to HammerTech.

Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE)

• Workers using RPE must be fit tested for the equipment and upload their test certificate to HammerTech
• Hutchies' workers requiring RPE must have received a quantitative type fit test (QNFT)
• Workers using RPE as the main control for silica work need to keep records in an RCS Logbook
• After 30 days of using respiratory protection, workers must undergo health monitoring

Download Toolbox Talk Template →

Atmospheric Monitoring

Hutchies has undertaken atmospheric monitoring on our commonly occurring activities on our sites. A finalised report will be circulated in upcoming communications. 

Appendix 4 of the Code has approved standard controls. If you are unsure about monitoring requirements for your project, call Jimmy Andersen.

Contact Jimmy Andersen →

Actions

Team HSE Managers / Site HSE Advisors

• Review the project's PRA and SWMS in consultation with the Project Team 
• Distribute worker RCS Logbooks to construction teams and conduct relevant RCS Logbook Toolbox Talk with the site team and workers instructing how to use the RCS Logbooks
• Ensure these updated requirements are adequately communicated with project team
• Ensure adequate archiving of superseded project processes (PRA / SWMS)

Team Leaders

• Consult with your Team HSE Manager to ensure updates have been implemented across your projects
• Where the team requires assistance in updating the content, contact Jimmy Andersen

Project Teams

• Review the project silica mitigation controls and ensure the PRA and SWMS templates are site specific and uploaded to HammerTech
• Communicate with subcontractors the requirement for their SWMS and processes to be inline with the Code
• Confirm that all Hutchies' workers on the project have fit testing completed and records uploaded to HammerTech
• Ensure workers required to use RPE receive a logbook and the records are being maintained
• Complete Toolbox Talk on use of the RCS Logbook
• Contact Jimmy Andersen if you are unsure about monitoring requirements for your project

Additional communications will be circulated regarding this process. If there are any questions or concerns about this update, please contact Jimmy Andersen. 

Our standardised site induction template has been updated and is now available on Hutchies' Toolbox.

This template enables consistent communication of Hutchies' expectations across all projects.

The induction includes:

• An updated PowerPoint template (adjustable for site specific information)
• A new animated site induction video (approx 12 mins)
• Removed Building Code requirements

Actions

Project Teams need to review their current induction and update concurrently at the time of the WHS Management Plan review (3 monthly).

For more information on setting up your site specific induction using this template, please watch the explainer video on Hutchies' Toolbox.

Team HSE Managers / Site HSE Advisors

• Consult with Project Team and Site Managers on the updated template and its contents
• Facilitate the update of site specific induction PowerPoint and WHS Plan reviews in consultation with the Project Team
• Ensure previous induction presentations are archived in the job folder on Hutchies' server

Team Leaders

• Consult with your Team HSE Manager to ensure updates have been implemented across your projects
• Where the team requires assistance in updating the content, contact Shannon Scott

Project Teams

• Ensure adequate time is available to consult with your HSE Advisor / Manager to review the updated induction presentation prior to use on site

Warning

Fines and penalties for non-compliance with Project Trust Accounts can be issued. Please ensure you read and understand the below requirements.

If your project meets the following value thresholds in Queensland, you must be using Project Trust Accounts (PTAs).

All projects >$10M in value

All private projects in Queensland valued over $10 million (ex GST) require Project Trust Accounts (PTAs).

This includes projects under early works / ECI contracts that grow in value and then exceed $10M. Please start a new job number for the main works (rather than cost adjusting an ECI job).

A private project is anything being built by a party who is not the government. For example private / institutional developers.

Government projects >$1M in value

All Queensland Government projects valued over $1 million (ex GST) also require PTAs. 

What you need to do

It is critical that the below steps are completed by the Project Manager / Contract Administrator as soon as a head contract is executed.

Do not issue any minor works agreements / subcontracts to subbies until the below process is complete.

If you're unsure, do the QBCC Self Assessment anyway to double check — it takes less than a minute.

Step 1 / Do QBCC Self Assessment

QBCC Self Assessment

Inspection guidelines have been updated, effective as of 29 March 2023.

The following inspection guidelines have been updated:

• Guidelines for inspection of Class 1a and 10 buildings & structures
• Guidelines for inspection of Class 2 to 9 buildings

The guidelines also update legislative reference to match the Building Regulation 2021.

Please review the below resources for more information.

We know that quality and safety go hand in hand. These new resources help make our sites safer through better quality planning.

Developed to assist sites with managing and assisting subcontractors to improve their processes, this new guide and video suite covers planning for safety and quality control on site.

For Hutchies

These new resources are available on Hutchies' Toolbox and loaded into your LMS profile.

For industry

These resources are also available for free to the industry via Hutchies' Subbies Toolbox. 

A HammerTech Bulletin with links will be automatically sent to Primary Contacts state by state over coming weeks, starting with Victoria and Tasmania.

Hutchinson Builders maintains in stock a fleet of aluminium stretcher stair pans as well as the recently introduced 2.0m rise construction stairs.

The aluminium stretcher stair risers and 2.0m construction stair pans must be secured to the scaffold using the ’stair brackets’ that are provided.

This falls in line with industry best practice and reflects the guidelines stated in the Queensland Code of Practice (Scaffold COP 2021) – Chapter 3.4, with an extract provided below.

Stairs should be secured to the scaffold bay. If not secured, the supplier should provide documentation illustrating the maximum amount of clearance allowed between the transom and the top and bottom of the stair module.

The detail showing how these brackets are to be configured is provided on every scaffold design series. This detail is reproduced below.

Building forms 12, 15, 16, 17 and 18 have been amended by the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.

The new, updated forms can be downloaded now and must be used from 1 May 2023.

You can immediately start using the new updated Forms 12, 15, 16, 17 & 18. The new forms can be downloaded here.

Prior versions of these forms signed before 1 May 2023 remain valid and can still be accepted by a building certifier, builder, competent person or owner. However, you should now use the new forms where possible. 

Please also be aware of the new (non-mandatory) Form 73 - Product Technical Statement available.

You can find out more about the changes to the building forms in the Queensland Government's Building and Plumbing Newsflash 614.

You can also access and start using the new forms straight away. Simply go to the website here and navigate to the relevant form in the list, which were updated as of 10 March 2023.

We've renewed our preferred supplier agreements for equipment hire providing Hutchies' teams consistent service, products and pricing. 

• Each of these hire companies have provided their best rates to Hutchies, based on our top 260 spend items
• Proven service and reliability
• Geographical spread to ensure most, if not all, of Hutchies' sites are covered across Australia
• Site accommodation availability is scarce — make sure you secure your site needs when tendering and confirm as soon as your contract is awarded
• We have a great pricing comparison tool to see rates between each supplier
• Further discounts may be available on longer term hires
• Significant savings are achieved if we all back these suppliers
• These rates are exclusive to Hutchies and are confidential

The heart of Hutchies

The Hive expands on Hutchies' existing wellbeing information on Toolbox. This makes it easier to access our support services / EAPs in one easy place when you need it.

You'll find shortcuts to our social club, practical guides to help with maintaining positive wellbeing, and access to our independent, free and confidential support services if you need to talk to someone.

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Site Managers' Meeting. 

A copy of the presentation is available to download below.

There is also a recording you can watch if you missed it.

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Project Managers & Contract Administrators' Meeting. 

A copy of the presentation is available to download below.

There is also a recording you can watch if you missed it.

No one in the industry has the potential insight into cost and time data as Hutchies.

This gives us competitive edge. And can help us be more efficient. 

By adopting consistent cost codes and folder structures across the company, we can all benefit from faster access to these insights gathered across hundreds of tenders and projects annually.

We've incorporated the best examples from across our teams to create an updated set of our templates for everyone. They're more logical, familiar and flexible to suit our diverse projects.

Following successful trials with teams and input from each discipline, these new tools are ready for everyone to use.

You can access them today in CostX, Viewpoint and your local JOBS / Estimating folders, and they can be adopted incrementally as new projects come on. 

A new poster has been created to help you keep track of Accounts Payable cut off dates for 2023.

Don't forget, we now also have the new All Company Calendar to help everyone stay across our key national dates for:

> Our regular company meetings

> Payment cut off dates for AP (also now in poster form)

> Training sessions

> State specific RDOs and school holidays

> Public holidays and observations

> Social events

Open in Outlook on desktop

More ways to access

The All Company Calendar can now be opened from more places and has new features:

> Open it via your Outlook app on desktop or mobile device

> Add events to your own calendar by right clicking

> Click the date in Toolbox's top navigation bar

> Search 'calendar' on Toolbox to open in your web browser

> Print the calendar from your Outlook desktop app

Overlay with your calendar > Open Outlook calendar > 'Tick' Company Calendar to switch it on > Click 'View' in the top ribbon > Select 'Overlay'	Add events to your calendar > Open Outlook and go to Calendars > Go to 'Company Calendar' > Right click any event to 'Add to my calendar'

Open easily from Toolbox

New All Company Teams Group

You've been added to our new All Company Microsoft Teams group. We'll use this channel to share small updates and minimise future emails. 

Printing as PDF

The calendar can still be printed easily if you prefer a hard copy. Open the Outlook app on your computer (not in the browser), click File > Print (or Ctrl+P) and in the Settings, select the 'Monthly Style' to get a month to month snapshot.

To access on mobile, download the apps

Microsoft Teams

Download Teams for Apple ➔
Download Teams for Android ➔

Microsoft Outlook

Download Outlook for Apple ➔
Download Outlook for Android ➔

Updates

If you have any queries about dates in Hutchies' All Company Calendar, please get in touch with:

> Company meetings & public holidays / Natalie Roma

> Payment cut off dates / Mandie Quint

Our calendar is updated annually towards the end of the year and everyone is notified via email when it's ready.

Hutchies wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

Christmas is a great time of year for most, but for some it can also be an emotional and difficult time.

We wanted to use this opportunity to remind everyone that Hutchies has free and confidential employee assistance programs (EAPs) and support services available.

Details are provided below for these services, which are available 24 x 7 to any of Hutchies' people or family members for any reason at all.

Hutchies' mobile devices also have access to the Converge International app in our catalogue which you can text for a time to chat.

Please take care over the break and look after yourself and those around you. We look forward to seeing you in 2023.

Congratulations all of our Hutchies' veterans and to the winner of Constructor of the Year 2022: Harleigh Venables!

Hutchies' key dates and meetings for the year ahead are now available in our All Company Calendar and new Microsoft Teams group

Stay in sync

Our All Company Calendar will help everyone be across our key national dates for:

> Our regular company meetings

> Payment cut off dates for AP

> Training sessions

> State specific RDOs and school holidays

> Public holidays and observations

> Social events

Open in Outlook on desktop

More ways to access

The All Company Calendar can now be opened from more places and has new features:

> Open it via your Outlook app on desktop or mobile device

> Add events to your own calendar by right clicking

> Click the date in Toolbox's top navigation bar

> Search 'calendar' on Toolbox to open in your web browser

> Print the calendar from your Outlook desktop app

Overlay with your calendar > Open Outlook calendar > 'Tick' Company Calendar to switch it on > Click 'View' in the top ribbon > Select 'Overlay'	Add events to your calendar > Open Outlook and go to Calendars > Go to 'Company Calendar' > Right click any event to 'Add to my calendar'

Open easily from Toolbox

New All Company Teams Group

You've been added to our new All Company Microsoft Teams group. We'll use this channel to share small updates and minimise future emails. 

Printing as PDF

The calendar can still be printed easily if you prefer a hard copy. Open the Outlook app on your computer (not in the browser), click File > Print (or Ctrl+P) and in the Settings, select the 'Monthly Style' to get a month to month snapshot.

To access on mobile, download the apps

Microsoft Teams

Download Teams for Apple ➔
Download Teams for Android ➔

Microsoft Outlook

Download Outlook for Apple ➔
Download Outlook for Android ➔

Updates

If you have any queries about dates in Hutchies' All Company Calendar, please get in touch with:

> Company meetings & public holidays / Natalie Roma

> Payment cut off dates / Mandie Quint

Our calendar is updated annually towards the end of the year and everyone is notified via email when it's ready.

Following a recent spate of incidents across the industry that have been directly attributed to management of 'delivery zones', it is a timely reminder that all projects have a direct obligation to manage the risks to workers, delivery drivers and plant operators during the loading and unloading process.

Each project is unique, and requires planning to assess and mitigate the project specific risks associated for these activities.

Please ensure that the below information is communicated to your project team at your daily coordination meeting and next toolbox talk.

Action

Project Manager & Site Manager / Supervisors

Planning considerations:

• Regular communication with suppliers on safe delivery requirements (ie strapping of materials / palletising / crates / purpose-built cradles / slings or lifting equipment provided with loads are adequately tested and inspected) for things like reinforcement steel, facade, glazing etc
• Review of plant capacities and the project specific requirements (including competencies of the operators)
• Location of delivery zones (ie gradient / people and plant interactions / lifting zones / public interaction etc)
• Specified delivery signage / waiting areas or induction requirements

Site Manager

Review your site processes for deliveries. This means any delivery of materials, plant and equipment, as well as: 

• Actively reviewing your no-go / exclusion zones in-place during deliveries
• Assessing each load and plant to ensure suitability for loading / unloading (ie plant capacity)
• Clear access to the load (edge protection / safe access and egress from the truck etc)
• Review and ensure your people plant movements / internal traffic plan is current and adequate for the works being conducted
• SWMS in place for use of plant, and where the delivery drivers will be involved in the unloading process, they are workers and must be treated as such
• Ensure there is a Task Observation completed in HammerTech focusing on the above
• Communication with all trades on delivery requirements and delivery drivers is essential — this needs to be a documented process

HSE Manager / HSE Advisor

• Assisting the team to review and adjust SWMS and PRA to address site controls
• Comprehensively review competencies of the operators unloading deliveries (Manitou / forklift / mobile crane / tower crane etc)
• Complete a Task Observation in HammerTech
• Updating HammerTech and ensuring there are suitable records maintained

Considerations

Exclusion zones	Plant selection
Create exclusion zones around delivery trucks	Ensure suitable plant is used for the situation (unloading / assessing load types / plant capacity / ground conditions)

We’re not the only ones who party over the break. Mother Nature is known for getting rowdy over Christmas, dishing out some severe weather and environmental events.

Ranging from high winds, heavy rain, flooding, hail and in some cases cyclones, these have the potential to cause damage to Hutchies' sites, and adjacent properties and assets.

Since the beginning of 2022, our sites have already braved significant wet weather, and the forecast predicts more to come.

To best prepare for these potential weather events and to keep our sites secure, every project needs to fully implement Hutchies' shutdown and storm preparation processes prior to the holiday break.

This includes:

• Ensuring plant, amenities, temporary structures and perimeter fencing is secured with the relevant site contacts for the break displayed on the perimeter fence
• As a Project Team, ensure there is a plan to attend the project during the break for emergencies
• Checking that open excavations and trenches have been filled or barricaded
• Sediment and erosion controls are in place on the boundaries and around any soil stockpiles that could potentially cause impact to the environment
• Consideration of insurance requirements for weather and flood mitigation
  

All shutdown checklists are to be completed on HammerTech > Inspections: Site Shutdown Storm Preparation Checklist (F-084)

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Company Meetings for Site Managers & Project Managers / Contract Administrators.

A copy of each presentation is available to download below.

Share your feedback on these sessions

Survey > Site Managers' Meeting

Survey > Project Managers & Administrators' Meeting

Meetings in 2023

• We're introducing a new 'All Company Update' meeting in the new year, open to everyone and held 2-3 times a year
• This will keep the Site Managers' and Project Managers / Administrators' Meetings more discipline specific (anyone can still join, we'll just cover less of the company overview / around the grounds in these sessions)
• Hutchies' new calendar will be available on Toolbox shortly - search 'calendar' to download in PDF or add it to your Outlook Calendar

As Australia moves into a new phase of living with COVID-19, it is still important to minimise the risk of transmission, particularly to keep vulnerable people safe and reduce pressure on the nation's health system. We are currently dealing with another wave of increased case numbers around the country, so we all must continue to play our part to help each other. However, now that many Australians are vaccinated, community guidance has changed and government requirements have been revised.

This update is to cover some key changes in line with reduced restrictions that apply to site procedures and other practices.

If you have any questions, get in touch with the Coronavirus Team.

Changes to site and office procedures

Under current government recommendations, sites and offices are no longer required to:

• Follow a specific COVID-19 Safety Plan
• Apply any COVID-19 related entry conditions to workers
• Ask workers to sign a COVID-19 Safe declaration
• Complete weekly COVID-19 checklists
• Send workers home to isolate as it is no longer mandated
• Notify workers of COVID-19 cases. This is now a personal responsibility.
• Hutchies' teams should remove any materials from sites and offices related to the above updated guidance.

Updated guidance for everyone

It is important to continue to maintain your personal responsibility to keep other people safe from illness.

As an individual, you should:

• Continue to monitor for symptoms
• Stay home when you are sick
• Test for COVID-19 regularly if you develop symptoms
• Inform the people around you if you test positive, including your social and work contacts
• Report your positive result to the relevant state health authority
• Ensure your Team Leader and Payroll are aware if you test positive
• Obtain a medical certificate if requested
• Wait until symptoms resolve before returning to work
• Wear a face mask in recommended settings (such as hospitals) or if you must leave home while symptomatic
• Consider social distancing in crowded areas

Hutchies has RATs and masks on hand for anyone in Hutchies who needs them for themselves or their family members. Just order via the Toolbox Shop, or email the Coronavirus Team.

Practical steps sites and offices should continue to take

The experience of the pandemic has taught us that there are some simple, practical steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with an illness, such as COVID-19.

Sites and offices should continue to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of the workforce, such as the following:

• Maintaining good hygiene and topping up supplies
• Continuing a regular cleaning regime
• Considering holding meetings online or outside
• Updating information posted around sites or offices (like posters)

We've secured new agreements to provide Hutchies' teams consistent service, products and pricing. 

Hutchies' signage catalogue has also had a tidy up to coincide with this procurement update. We're in the process of updating the Toolbox Shop to open up the ability to select your preferred supplier between Sitemax and SS Signs.

You can now choose which fixed price and delivery options suit your team best. Hutchies has dedicated account managers at both Sitemax and SS Signs.
branded signage catalogue items, Sitemax and SS Signs can also provide:

• Custom banner mesh and hoarding
• Gantries
• Jumpforms
• Crane deck signs
• Building signage (statutory etc)

Sitemax

We have a new partnership with Sitemax across Australia. This expands Hutchies' price competitive options for construction signage.

Sitemax also provide free shipping within South East Queensland.

Sitemax Pricing

Contact

Lenny Wallace, Account Manager
sales@sitemax.com.au
1800 007 557

SS Signs

Our long term partner in South East Queensland, SS Signs, has updated their rates exclusive to Hutchies for the next 12 months.

SS charges freight costs for all orders across Australia.

SS Signs Pricing

Contact

Steve Smith, Account Manager
admin@sssigns.com.au
07 3821 7326

How to order

Hutchies' signage catalogue has been fine tuned to ensure consistent branding and is updated regularly. 

Only Sitemax and SS Signs are approved to supply Hutchies' branded signage.

Teams must ensure that their site signage is supplied by either Sitemax or SS Signs to maintain consistency with branding and legislative compliance. You can order from either of our suppliers via:

• Hutchies' Toolbox Shop
• Email to our contact with a PO
• Phone order with a PO

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Quarterly Company Meetings for Site Managers & Project Managers / Contract Administrators.

A copy of each presentation is available to download below.

Share your feedback on this session

Survey > Site Managers' Meeting

Survey > Project Managers & Contract Administrators' Meeting

An ASIC document was lodged mistakenly listing an External Administrator to J Hutchinson Pty Ltd in lieu of an unrelated third party. 

This was an administrative error which has been immediately corrected and is in the process of being removed.

Hutchies has been trading for 110 years and has a debt free balance sheet with equity exceeding $380M.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) we will issue an email that can be forwarded directly on to any stakeholders and interested parties.

In the meantime, please feel free to contact Russell Fryer or Owen Valmadre if you have any questions.

BOM continues to forecast above average rainfall across eastern and central Australia for the next six months.

Make allowances for wet weather in your preliminaries, ensure contracts have provisions for extreme weather related time and cost delays, and have risk mitigation plans in place to prevent impacts from bad weather or flooding on sites for insurance purposes.

Potential Impact

We typically see around 15% of wet weather days per annum. The 2022 weather events have seen this jump up to 38% in some areas like NSW. It's important to have plans in place from a contractual perspective, and risk mitigation strategies on sites to minimise impact of weather and flooding.

Key Resources

Ensure our sites are ready in the event of bad weather. Our recent insurance policy changes requires all of Hutchies' sites to demonstrate that they have considered the risk and impact of weather and flooding.

> HammerTech

> Storm Video

> Insurance Requirements

Contract Clauses

Hutchies' head contracts on the Toolbox includes inclement weather as a qualifying cause of delay.

If you're not using a standard Hutchies head contract, ensure inclement weather is a qualifying cause of delay. The Contracts Review Team can assist with drafting.

Programming

Where your contract doesn't entitle you to an EOT for inclement weather, a minimum of 15% delay contingency (in working days) should be factored into current and upcoming programs for inclement weather.

In addition, you should ensure your contract allows you to seek an EOT for 'extreme' weather events by including a qualifying cause of delay such as "any inclement weather which is in excess of the 10-year average weather pattern at the location of the Site."

Tender clarifications should be clear as to what inclement weather risk has been accepted in the program. Anything beyond that allowance will be a claimable qualifying cause of delay.

More Information

Contracts Review
contractsreview@hutchies.com.au

Programming / Owen Lyden
owen.lyden@hutchies.com.au

Built by Hutchies' Teams, for Hutchies' Teams.

Our new Payments Tool is live and replaces our Filenet system. 

We've got some resources available below for anyone new to the system to help you get up to speed on how it works.

Filenet is no longer being used for payment processing. If you need to refer back to previous invoices, please contact AP.

Payment Enquiries

Please contact AP

Technical Enquiries

Please contact IT Support

We've secured new agreements to provide Hutchies' teams consistent service, products and pricing. 

Bingo & United

We have a new partnership with Bingo Industries and United Waste Services across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. This expands Hutchies' price competitive options for construction and demolition waste bins.

Bingo / United covers:

• New South Wales – As north as Dungog, out to Katoomba, all of Sydney and down to Nowra in southern NSW
• Queensland – Morayfield down togreater Brisbane region, west out to Tivoli and down to Kingscliff in NSW
• Victoria – most of Greater Melbourne and surrounds

Raw Skips

Our long term partner in South East Queensland has secured their rates exclusive to Hutchies for the next 6 months.

Raw Skips and their partner Whale Skips cover most of the South East Queensland regions – from Gold Coast right up to Noosa and everything in between.

Benefits

Our suppliers both have a range of options available at exclusive prices:

• Guaranteed fixed pricing for 6 – 24 months
• Up to 4 x 1.5m crane bins included at no charge for each project (region / supplier dependent)
• Below market rates guaranteed
• Detailed waste reporting & recycling / sustainability reports
• And more!

Hutchies' new Payments system training kicks off this week.

The login details are on page 3 of the draft training manual. 

Access via this link

Everyone now should have invoices under their test login (you can start testing now).

We are aware of a couple of bugs (The format of the Payment Schedule report & IV performance).

If you experience any issues during testing, please log them here.

With the implementation of our new system for processing claims & invoices, please take note of the following dates to ensure a smooth transition.

• 25/07/22 – No access to retention release module in Viewpoint.
• 27/07/22 – No new invoices will be scanned into Filenet.
• 27/07/22 - Filenet must be cleared entirely by 4pm– no exceptions. Every invoice will need to be actioned and cleared out.
• 29/07/22 – No access to Filenet until we go live with the new system.
• 02/08/22 – Go Live.

The week beginning 18/7/22 will be the start of our training blitz.

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Quarterly Company Meetings for Site Managers & Administrators.

A copy of each presentation is available to download below.

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Survey > Site Managers' Meeting

Survey > Project Managers & Contract Administrators' Meeting

Scaffold Code of Practice 2021 commenced on 1 July 2021, with the exception of Section 2.7.1.1 which had a 12-month delayed commencement.

From 1 July 2022, the following requirement applies to stand-alone scaffolding that has been installed on or after 1 July 2022.

The new recommendation is that the step height from the scaffold stair module onto the working platform should be minimised so that it is no more than 300 millimetres. This only applies where there is a change in direction between landings.

Hutchies is defined as a ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBU). This means we all have a duty to manage risks in our workplaces, including on ‘minor works’ projects.

To assist Project Teams in the management of risks on minor works projects, Hutchies has developed a new Minor Works Safety & Quality Management Plan with associated risk identifier processes for Project Teams. 

We've secured a new national agreement to provide Hutchies' teams consistent service, products and pricing. 

A review was undertaken on the top 20 items Hutchies purchases from Hilti annually. From here we were able to negotiate and ensure that Hutchies has the best and cheapest price in the market for these items.

These new and fixed rates are reflected in the Hilti price list. 

Products

Hilti has an extensive range of products available at exclusive prices:

• Cordless tools
• Power tools
• Dust management and vacuum cleaners
• Tool inserts
• Direct fastening
• Measuring tools and scanners
• Fasteners
• Fire stop and fire protection
• Modular support systems
• Facade mounting systems
• Construction chemicals
• Exoskeleton and human augmentation systems

And more!

Benefits

Using Hutchies' preferred supplier will give you:

• Pricing security for ALL teams nationally – what you pay for an injectable mortar in Rockhampton, is the same price that you will pay for the same item in Sydney
• Based on previous years purchasing there is a projected saving of $100K per annum on current spend
• Hilti has dedicated engineering professionals available to assist in ensuring our projects have been specified with the correct product
• National access to industry leading products
• Dedicated account managers in each state / territory
• Hutchies receiving up to 15% cheaper on select products than our competitors
• Fixed pricing on a wide range of products

Revised agreements with Hanson have now been finalised to provide Hutchies' teams consistent service and pricing for concrete supply across QLD. 

These updates follow the notice circulated to all South East QLD Teams on 14 April 2022.

Updated documents are available on the Document Library and via the below links.

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Quarterly Company Meetings for Site Managers & Administrators.

A copy of each presentation is available to download below.

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Here is what our regulators are focused on

Hutchies prides itself on being ‘a safe pair of hands’. We deliver projects that stand the test of time and scrutiny of all. 

The QBCC has a new Commissioner and executive team in place to facilitate change and restore public confidence, so it is important we are adequately prepared to demonstrate Hutchies’ commitment to compliance, quality and safety.

The QBCC has a wide-ranging set of responsibilities and powers in the industry including authority over:

• Adequate supervision
• Unlicenced supervisors
• Incorrectly licenced supervisors
• Non-Conforming Building Products (NCBP)
• Building quality on site
• Proper building certification
• Consumer / body corporate defects complaints
• Safety record (ie notifiable incidents)
• Issuing of demerit points

We have our own high standards that align to our company objectives. Hutchies is committed to the performance and compliance of our projects. We should never need a regulator to direct us to do the right thing. We are proud, professional, and responsible enough to manage our business.

As it stands, we have defended a number of issues over the years and have no less than 5 issues at present. The consequences of failing on any of these issues with the QBCC can lead to demerit points on our builders' licence. On the spot, investigated or prosecuted issues can be fined up to 10 demerit points each, to a maximum to 20 points if an issue leads to multiple breaches. Each issue also attracts considerable financial penalties and appears on public record for 5 years. If a builder exceeds more than 30 demerit points, QBCC will cancel its licence for 3 years. If it happens to Hutchies, we stop trading - it's that serious.

Given that Hutchies has over 100 sites underway in Queensland at present, and 6.5 years' worth of previous projects which QBCC can review for Category 1 major defects at any time, issues such as NCBPs and incorrectly licenced subbies can bring us undone. Managing our sites by doing the right thing and implementing good controls is of the greatest importance especially in the current environment.

Start by reviewing your site against the Regulatory Inspection Guide and implement the key actions described in the full alert below.

Here are our key focus areas for 2022

After considering carefully:

• Improvements made over many years through the implementation of Hutchies' Quality, Services and Facades Handbooks and Systems
• The impact of increasing legislative change on building acts and regulations, the NCC and Australian Standards
• Issues repetitively identified through ongoing progressive site Quality control inspections
• Long term / statutory warranty issues and associated cost impacts

We’ve identified the top 10 areas for focus on improving quality / reducing defects as follows:

1 / Stormwater overflows / flow paths

2 / Balcony / podium construction & waterproofing

3 / Fire compartments, passive fire, penetration register / markups

4 / Services

5 / Acoustics

6 / Internal wet areas and waterproofing

7 / Facades

8 / Floors

9 / Basements

10 / Durability and Corrosion

QBCC is out in force looking at issues including temporary fire services.

Using the below previous alert and QFES guide, please ensure your sites are compliant with all relevant requirements.

Enjoy faster access to Australian Standards

SAI Global has recently enhanced their Standards Online (SOL) tool to make it easier to access content.

Enjoy an improved interface and faster search capabilities when looking for Australian Standards. Key enhancements include:

• Mobile friendly
• Faster page load times
• New announcements section
• Search filter features

As a result of this update, Hutchies will be removing old PDF Standards off the Document Library in coming weeks to remove any risk of storing outdated Standards.

Moving forward, please use SAI Global's Standards Online tool to access all Australian Standards.

The QBCC is regularly checking company and Workers’ licences on site against the work that is being performed. 

It’s important that you personally understand what is required on your site, especially if you are in a site supervisory role.

You are also required to check that all Subcontractors and their Workers are correctly licensed for the works they are performing on site. 

If works are completed by unlicensed Subbies or their Workers, we face significant penalty. It only takes 30 demerit points in 3 years to have Hutchies’ building licence disqualified in QLD.

Please familiarise yourself with the below resources.

Save time and money by ordering your project's signage requirements online via Hutchies' Toolbox Shop

Facade Submissions remain a critical part of quality outcomes for our projects to ensure we have considered compliance and implemented Hutchies experience for best practice.

To date, the Quality Team have reviewed these submissions with a strong focus on cladding / all elements of external walls and other attachments. 

With Hutchies' in-house Facade Glazing Team now in place, there has been some confusion on submissions and a ‘double-up’ of documentation submitted for review to both teams

Facade Submissions remain with Hutchies' Quality Team

Glazing compliance is with Hutchies' Facade Glazing Team — this includes design reviews, in-house performance solutions etc

Facade submissions are to be prepared as early as possible in the project and before subcontract finalisation / commencement of works, to avoid delays and any design / compliance issues. 

A Facade Submission is required for all of Hutchies' projects, irrespective of whether the project is importing facades or not.  

BAL (Bush Attack Level) must be checked on every project by the Project Team in accordance with AS 3959.

Over the last two weeks, Hutchies has undertaken a national roll out of training for compliance with Building Code 2016.

The training has been State specific and is compulsory for all Team Leaders, Project Managers, Site Managers, Health & Safety Advisors and Contracts Administrators.

These sessions are part of Hutchies' ongoing commitment to the ABCC to conduct regular refresher training for our project teams. They have also been focussed on those commitments made to the ABCC over the last couple of years as a result of audits and inspections on our sites.

If for any reason you missed the training, please take the time to watch the recording relevant to your State below.

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' Quarterly Company Meetings for Site Managers & Administrators.

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Injured worker packs have been established to enable project teams to efficiently manage site injuries and return to work processes.

The pack will assist the project team to collate the necessary information following an injury on site.

If a Hutchies company member is injured while at work, or there is a non-work related injury / illness that requires suitable duties whilst at work, Hutchies' Wellness Facilitator Sandra Long will assist the HSE Team Manager / Advisor or Team Leaders in the coordination of the return to work process.

The procedure (MP 15) that addresses Rehabilitation and Return to Work (RRTW) has been updated to reflect the current RRTW process.

Action

• Access the updated Injured Worker Pack and make site specific ensuring there are packs available on site in the event of an injury 
• Early engagement with local medical centres ensures suitable treatment — once there is a preferred location in place, send through the site specific Injured Worker Pack with Team HSE Manager / Site HSE Advisor contact details 
• If a Hutchies company member is injured on site, contact Hutchies' Wellness Facilitator for assistance with and rehabilitation or return to work management

Wellness Facilitator

Sandra Long, Wellness Facilitator
0437 930 741 / sandra.long@hutchies.com.au

Hutchies' Subcontractor HSE Requirements document is a summary of safety expectations for all of Hutchies' projects. 

The Subcontractor HSE Requirements is referenced in all subcontract agreements (Annexure E) and is used in conjunction with local legislated requirements and Hutchies' Safety Management System.

To accurately reflect our current HSE requirements, this document has been updated to include:

• The use of HammerTech on all projects
• Incident notifications and investigations
• Rehabilitation and return to work 
• Plant and equipment maintenance 
• Minimum Licencing Requirements 

Prior to commencing on site all subcontractors shall be provided access to the following WHS documentation via our Subbies Toolbox:

• WHS Management Plan
• Project Risk Assessment
• Site Rules 

Action

HammerTech

The document has been uploaded to all HammerTech welcome emails and will be automatically attached to the welcome email which you need to send to each new Subcontractor as they are onboarded into HammerTech.

Project Teams

1. Add subcontractors to HammerTech in advance of their commencement and then send HammerTech's 'welcome email'
2. Update any team specific process or project specific Subcontractor HSE documentation to reflect this latest content

Future updates of this document will be automatically attached to HammerTech's 'welcome email'

Overview

With ongoing insurance changes throughout the market, the most recent insurance policy requires all Hutchies' sites to demonstrate that they have considered the risk & impact of weather and flooding on the site. This extends to stored materials, temporary accommodation and other temporary and permanent works. All project teams are required to implement a sensible strategy to minimise this risk with a documented plan that considers:

• the methodology & sequence of works
• reliance on & interface between temporary and permanent works
• the site location & monitoring of weather conditions for the area as a part of daily site management

In the event of a claim, the Project Manager for the site will need to demonstrate there was planning in place that was implemented by the Site Manager, Supervisors and Subcontractors as required. 

The insurance requirements are noted in the below ‘Insurance Guidelines' and there is a Hutchified checklist below as well to assist in guiding you through the process. 

Please also note the previous alert on protection of people and property. 

In line with new Government definitions and requirements, the industry working group has been discussing recent changes to the status of cases, close contacts and what this means for the construction industry following the latest National Cabinet meeting.

The group is expected to be able to provide a further update with the latest specific industry guidance later today. The new guidance will replace the recent Phase 3 industry COVID Safe plan update dated 30 December 2021. In the meantime, sites should continue to implement all COVID safe measures and enhance them where practicable.

Contact the Coronavirus Team if you have any questions or need more information about the current status of COVID-19 in Queensland.

Congratulations all of our Hutchies' veterans and to the winner of Constructor of the Year 2021!

Watch the video below to find out the winner and see all of our service awards for the year. 

This morning the Queensland Government re-introduced stricter mandatory mask rules for certain public settings.

As of 1am Saturday 18 December, masks are mandatory across Queensland in the following locations:

• In retail settings such as shops, retail centres and supermarkets  
• In taxis and ride shares vehicles
• On public transport 
• When at airports and on planes 
• In hospitals and aged care

From today, pubs, clubs and other public venues are for the vaccinated only. Masks will not be required in these venues but they are strongly recommended when social distancing cannot be maintained.

For clarity, these additional Government requirements do not apply to Hutchies' construction sites or offices.

These changes have been made in light of border openings and increased case numbers expected over the holiday period, so please remain vigilant.

The mask mandate will be revised once Queensland hits 90% double dosed. This will likely be towards the end of January.

Have a safe and happy holidays!

These events, which range from cyclones, rain, hail, flooding, high winds and bushfires have the potential to cause damage to Hutchies' project sites, and adjacent properties and assets.

Since the beginning of Summer 2021 our sites have already braved significant wet weather, and the forecast predicts a lot more to come.

To ensure we're prepared for these weather events and to keep our sites safe and secure, we need to fully implement Hutchies' shutdown and storm preparation processes prior to the holiday break.

This includes checking that the sediment and erosion controls are in place and effective for any projects where we have open ground and soil stockpiles that could potentially cause impact to the environment.

Hutchies' shutdown checklist is on HammerTech > Inspections:
HB-HSEQ-F-084 Site Shutdown Storm Preparation Checklist

As of yesterday, Wednesday 15 December, a range of restrictions were eased as over 93% of people aged 16+ have been fully vaccinated and NSW has now moved to the next stage of reopening.

This email update will focus on changes to restrictions that are relevant to the construction industry. For more information about other changes, click the button below to read more.

Get in touch with the Coronavirus Team if you have any questions.

December 17 Changes

A reminder that from tomorrow, the Queensland Government will limit access to certain public settings to only those that are fully vaccinated. This includes venues like pubs and sports venues. See the below table for more details.

For clarity, these additional Government requirements do not apply to Hutchies' construction sites or offices. 

When checking into the below restricted public settings you will be required to show proof of your vaccination status. This can be done by linking your COVID-19 digital certificate to your Check In QLD app so its easy to access as you're checking in. You can also show a copy of your digital certificate or immunisation history statement.

'Fully vaccinated' refers to when a person has had two doses of an approved vaccine, and a week has passed since the second dose. Whilst booster shots are now available as an additional measure for protection, they are not currently required.

The following table provides a quick snapshot of the upcoming changes to Queensland Government rules for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Those with only one dose will be considered unvaccinated for the purposes of these new rules. See below links for more info.

The below update contains a large volume of information regarding upcoming changes in Queensland. It has been sent to all company members as some of the content may relate to teams nationally. Please ensure you read this update, especially if you are based in Queensland. Contact the Coronavirus Team if you have any questions. Key topics in this update

• Industry Plan
• Client requests regarding vaccination
• Rapid antigen testing
• Borders reopening
• QLD-NSW border zone changes

Other important reminders

Hutchies is currently experiencing a wave of site visits and inspections from the ABCC right around the country. During these visits the ABCC is assessing Hutchies’ compliance with Building Code 2016.

It is essential that you read this update and apply all of the Code compliance measures outlined to be confident that your project is compliant, and Hutchies is not exposed when these visits and inspections occur.

Compliance with Building Code 2016 is necessary for Hutchies to undertake projects funded by the Federal Government and non-compliance can lead to sanctions and other significant penalties.

Coming Soon: no more masks

Following announcements made yesterday by the Queensland Government, masks will no longer be required when 80% of eligible Queenslanders have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Queensland is currently sitting at a rate of 79.84% single dose.

This means that masks will no longer be required in indoor areas including pubs, clubs, workplaces, cafes, schools and hairdressers.

Masks will only be needed at airports and on planes and will be recommended for use on public transport, taxi services, ride shares and in shopping centres.

This change is extremely likely to take effect tomorrow and will apply across the state.

We've secured a new national agreement to provide Hutchies' teams consistent service, products and pricing. 

Click the 'view notice' button below for all the details.

70% double vaccination target achieved! 

From today, Monday 11 October, a range of restrictions will change as a result of NSW achieving its 70% double vaccinated target last week.

This email update will focus on changes to restrictions settings that are relevant to the construction industry. For more information about other changes, click the button to read the NSW Government press release below. Get in touch with coronavirus@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au if you have any questions.

Stage 3 Restrictions

From 4pm today, Friday 8 October, restrictions will ease for the below local government areas (LGAs) to re-join the rest of the state on Stage 3 restrictions.

Eased restrictions for these LGAs and current restrictions for the rest of Queensland include:

• Up to 100 people can gather in homes. No limit for people gathering in public spaces.
• 200 people are allowed weddings and funerals (1 person per 2m2)
• Dancing is allowed
• All indoor settings (including restaurants and bars) can have up to 1 person per 2m2 or 100 per cent capacity if they are ticketed and seated events, including stadiums
• No density restrictions for businesses that operate only outdoors
• Community sport can recommence in full

Some mandatory mask requirements will remain. Read on for more info.

New restrictions from 4pm today

Six new cases have been announced in Queensland this morning which has resulted in the Queensland Government re-introducing stricter measures in some local government areas (LGAs) of Queensland. Check your LGA here.

These additional restrictions will be in place from 4pm today, Thursday 30 September for at least two weeks.

Breakdown of new restrictions

• You must carry a mask and wear it everywhere indoors including at work. Masks must also be worn outdoors when you cannot stay 1.5 metres away from others. Further details below.
• Gatherings in homes and public spaces can have a maximum of 30 people.
• Weddings can have up to 100 people. 20 people max can dance.
• Funerals can have up to 100 people.
• Businesses (including places of worship, convention centres, retail, dining, gyms, hairdressers, beauty and personal care services etc) are allowed to operate but with reduced capacity depending on the setting.
• Patrons must be seated in hospitality venues to eat and drink, and dancing is not permitted.
• Stadiums and indoor / outdoor events can have 75% seated and ticketed capacity. Patrons must wear masks at all times, except to eat and drink

Masks remain mandatory in the local government areas (LGAs) of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley.

Today the Queensland Government re-introduced stricter mandatory mask rules specifically for the LGAs of Brisbane and Moreton Bay in response to 4 locally acquired cases announced earlier this morning.

Please ensure you follow the Government's new requirements below if you live or work in the Brisbane or Moreton Bay LGA.

If you are unsure which LGA you live or work in, check here.

Outdoors (including on construction sites)

You must wear a face mask when you are unable to stay 1.5 metres from people, including when you are at an outdoor workplace, unless:
you are alone or with the members of your household
you are alone in your car or with the members of your household
you are eating or drinking
you are participating in strenuous exercise
it is unsafe to wear a mask

Indoors (including in Hutchies' Toowong office and on sites)

You must wear a face mask at all times when you are indoors, including workplaces, unless:

• you are alone in an office or meeting room with the door closed
• you are at your residence and there is no one else there except people you live with
• you are eating or drinking
• it is unsafe to wear a mask

For more information, check out the update below

New exposure sites

Please ensure you check the latest exposure sites list regularly as new venues of concern will likely be added as a result of these 4 local cases. 

If you have been to any of the venues of concern at the date and time identified, inform your Team Leader, get tested and follow the direction listed by Queensland Healt

This update is intended to provide a summary of the current impacts of COVID-19 in Australia that are relevant to Hutchies and the wider construction industry. If you have any questions, get in touch with the Coronavirus Team.

In good news, over half of all Australians over the age of 16 are now double vaccinated.

Once states and territories reach 70% and 80% double vaccinated milestones, governments will begin to ease restrictions safely.

The Australian Federal Government, together with each state & territory leader, have agreed on a plan out of the pandemic once vaccination rates reach certain thresholds.

The plan contains the following milestones:

• When 70% of Australia's adult population is fully vaccinated we will see less restrictions, with an emphasis on preventing serious illness from the virus
• When 80% of Australia's adult population is fully vaccinated we should see further removal of restrictions, with an emphasis on preventing hospitalisation from the virus

Additionally, all states and territories will be able to determine the settings in their jurisdiction depending on what is occurring in that location at the time.

South East Queensland

From 4pm today, Friday 27 August, restrictions will ease for 11x local government areas (LGAs) of South East Queensland to join the rest of the state with the exception of mask wearing. 

Eased restrictions for the South East Queensland LGAs and current restrictions for the rest of Queensland include:

• Up to 100 people in your home, including people who live there

• 200 people are allowed weddings and funerals (1 person per 2m2)
• Dancing is allowed
• All indoor settings (including restaurants and bars) can have up to 1 person per 2m2 or 100 per cent capacity if they are ticketed and seated events, including stadiums
• No density restrictions for businesses that operate only outdoors
• Community sport can recommence in full

Some mandatory mask requirements will remain. Read on for more info.

As announced by the NSW Government last week, stay-at-home restrictions for Greater Sydney will remain in place until at least the end of September. Regional NSW's stay-at-home restrictions will remain in place until at least 28 August.

The Central Coast and Shellharbour local government areas (LGAs) were previously covered in the Greater Sydney area but are now identified as Regional NSW and will be subject to the same rules and restrictions as the regional areas

For those living and working in the 12x affected LGAs of concern, some additional rules came into effect as of 12.01am this morning, along with some other restrictions which are detailed further below under the heading 'Affected LGAs of Concern'.

South East Queensland

From 4pm today, Friday 20 August, restrictions will ease in 11x local government areas (LGAs) across Queensland. These eased restrictions will include: 

• up to 30 people in homes and public spaces
• up to 100 attendees at weddings with a maximum of 20 people dancing
• up to 100 attendees at funerals
• community sport, with reduced spectators and in line with density requirements
• 75 per cent ticketed and allocated seating capacity for indoor events (with COVID Safe Checklist) 75 per cent ticketed and allocated seating capacity for stadiums over 20,000 people with COVID Safe Site Specific Plans
• Some mandatory mask requirements will remain. Read down below for more info.

The 11x LGAs include: 

Current Status

Queensland closed its border to all of New South Wales as of 1am, Friday 23 July. A border zone was established to enable movement between the states of Queensland and New South Wales for residents who live near the border.

However, Queensland has responded to NSW's recent state-wide lockdown by further limiting reasons to cross the border.

Please read the below update if you reside or are intending to transit within the border zone.

The NSW Government has announced new requirements for workers and construction sites across Greater Sydney.

Whilst we are still awaiting the official Health Directive, we understand that from 12.01am on Wednesday (11 August), all construction sites will be able to reopen across Greater Sydney albeit with two new requirements as outlined below.

Hutchies' focus is to make this new information available to all workers and subcontractors across NSW immediately. We are developing further detail for site entry requirements which will be issued in coming days. Team Leaders will also work with members of their team who reside in the affected LGAs with regards to coordinating their return to work.

New requirements announced by NSW Government in place from 12.01am Wednesday 11 August

1. Construction sites can operate at a maximum capacity of 50%; and
2. Construction workers from affected areas can return to work but must provide evidence that they have received:
   1. two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, or
   2. one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 weeks before attending work, or
   3. one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and, if less than 3 weeks since that vaccine was administered, a negative COVID-19 test in the previous 72 hours and this must be repeated for the first 3 weeks following the initial vaccine dose

Maximum construction site capacity

Hutchies' Teams will work with all subcontractors to establish workforce requirements across each trade to ensure optimal productivity across our sites.

Immediate steps people from affected LGAs should take

If you reside in one of the affected suburbs or local government areas (LGAs) listed below, to work on site you must:

• Get a vaccination as soon as possible
• Get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible if you have only had one vaccine and that dose was less than three weeks ago (so you have evidence of a negative test result before sites open on Wednesday) and continue to do so every 72 hours for the first 3 weeks

Naturally Hutchies is committed to complying with all Health Order requirements. Once the Health Order is released we will work with everyone to ensure compliance with these new requirements.

Important Update 

The NSW Government's new requirements for workers and construction sites across Greater Sydney have been confirmed in the latest Health Order published earlier this evening.

The result of the Health Order is that from 12.01am on Wednesday (11 August), all construction sites will be able to reopen across Greater Sydney (including in affected LGAs) provided they comply with the following:

• capacity limit of 50% of the maximum daily workforce, or 1 person per 4 square metres of space at the construction site (whichever is lesser)
• ensuring workers from affected LGAs are complying with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements before they enter site
• the COVID-19 safety plan in place at the site

Maximum daily workforce of a construction site means the maximum number of workers (including supervisors and people in site offices) at the construction site on any day during the project life cycle, derived from the current resourcing plan for the construction site. Each project must have available a resourcing schedule which clearly shows the actual or projected maximum capacity of the project.

Hutchies' Teams will work with all subcontractors to establish workforce requirements across each trade to ensure optimal productivity across our sites.

Queensland Government Direction

Although lockdown has now lifted in South East Queensland, masks remain mandatory. The Queensland Government's official health direction applies to the 11x LGAs of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley. Face masks must also be worn in Cairns / Yarrabah which entered a 3 day lockdown yesterday.

The direction is being enforced by Queensland Police who are visiting workplaces to check compliance. The construction industry is at risk of being shut down if mask wearing and other COVIDSafe compliance is not maintained.

Please ensure you follow the Government's requirements if you are in one of the affected LGAs.

Outdoors (including on construction sites)

You must wear a face mask at all times when you are outside your home, including when you are at an outdoor workplace, unless:

• you are alone or with the members of your household
• you are alone in your car or with the members of your household
• you are eating or drinking
• you are participating in strenuous exercise
• it is unsafe to wear a mask

Indoors (including in Hutchies' offices and on sites)

You must wear a face mask at all times when you are indoors, including workplaces, unless:

• you are at your residence and there is no one else there except people you live with
• you are eating or drinking
• you are alone in an office or meeting room with the door closed
• it is unsafe to wear a mask

Review the latest information here, including updated restrictions for South East Queensland.

3 day lockdown announced

This morning the Queensland Government announced a 3 day lockdown for the local government areas (LGAs) of Cairns Regional Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council. 

The lockdown will be in place from 4pm today (Sunday) through to 4pm Wednesday, 11 August. It has been announced following a positive case detected in a Cairns taxi driver who has been infectious in the community for at least 10 days.

If anyone has any symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested on day 1 — this helps prevent further restrictions.

Anyone who has been in these areas since the start of the lockdown must also observe these restrictions wherever they are now.

The construction industry is still considered an essential service. Sites will remain open throughout the lockdown period at this stage. 

Read on for further information.

This morning the Queensland Government announced that the lockdown in the local government areas (LGAs) of South East Queensland (incorporating Brisbane, Gold Coast, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley) will be extended until 4pm, Sunday 8 August.

The construction industry is still considered an essential service. Sites and offices remain open throughout the lockdown period.

Read on for further information.

The Queensland Government provided the below update this morning. Current restrictions in place for South East Queensland will ease as of 6am, tomorrow (Friday) morning.

However, mask wearing will continue for another 7 days until at least 6am, Friday 30 July.

Queensland also announced that its border is closing to all of New South Wales as of 1am, tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Further details are provided below.

Keeping people safe

We've made some updates to our COVIDSafe Plan to incorporate the latest requirements across Australia.

All of Hutchies' sites and offices must continue to implement the key COVIDSafe measures we've had in place over the last 12 months, in addition to the latest local state / territory requirements listed below.

Some of the critical aspects of our COVIDSafe plan being focsued on include:

• Regular cleaning of all site / office areas and high touch points
• Good hand hygiene
• Maintaining 1.5m distance from others
• Signing in to provide contact details if required for contact tracing

The updates we have incorporated into our latest plan (version 4) includes:

Mandatory Check In & Sign In 

It is a requirement for everyone entering a Hutchies site or office that they sign in using our own process (ie HammerTech or Visitor Register) and if mandatory in your local state, must also check in using the government issued QR code system to assist with contact tracing if required.

Mandatory Masks

Masks are mandated in several areas across Australia presently, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and parts of South East Queensland. Hutchies' preference is that everyone in these areas, or if you cannot socially distance, wear a mask at all times, when it is safe to do so. 

This plan must be available on your project and to your clients. You should familiarise yourself with the necessary measures and continue to implement all requirements, including completing our weekly COVIDSafe inspection checklists for sites and offices.

At 4.45 pm today, the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews announced that the whole of Victoria would be entering into a 5 day hard and fast lockdown in order to prevent and control the spread of the ‘Delta Variant’ of COVID-19 from 11.59pm tonight, 15^th July to Tuesday 20^th  July 11.59pm.

Under these lockdown restrictions that come into force at midnight tonight there will only be five reasons for Victorians to leave home:

1. 1 person per household to complete shopping for essential items within a 5km radius
2. authorised work or permitted education
3. exercise for up to two hours a day with people from your household within a 5km radius
4. caregiving, compassionate and medical reasons
5. To get vaccinated

Circuit Breaker Breakdown

• There are to be no visitors to your home other than an intimate partner.
• Single bubbles will be permitted. If you live alone, you can make a bubble with another person.
• And there’s to be no public gatherings.
• In terms of what remains open, so restaurants, pubs, and cafes can provide takeaway only.
• Essential retail, so supermarkets, food stores, petrol stations, banks, bottle shops and pharmacies, other retail stores can provide click and collect.
• Childcare and kinder’s will be open as per the last circuit-breaker lockdown earlier this year.
• Approved professional sporting events will proceed but proceed without crowds.
• Authorised workers and workplaces – in terms of what will be closed or changed, schools will move to remote learning, except for vulnerable children, and children of authorised workers. Higher education will move to remote learning only.
• Community support and recreation, accommodation, but there will be some exemptions that apply.
• Hotels, clubs, TABs and the casino will be closed, indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, swimming pools, spas, saunas, indoor and outdoor springs, community venues, drive-in cinemas, amusements parks, creative studios, art galleries and museums, tourism, tours, and transport, and auctions can only happen online.
• In terms of our health settings, aged care facilities: no visitors except for limited reasons.
• In our hospitals, visitors only for end of life, to support a partner during birth, or a parent accompanying a child. In terms of ceremonies, funerals: a maximum of 10 people, plus those running the service.
• Weddings cannot proceed unless end-of-life or deportation reasons apply.
• And religious activities will not proceed other than through broadcast with a maximum of five people.

What does this mean for Building and Construction?

The difference with this Circuit Breaker is Construction has been added as an Authorised Provider and Authorised workers. 

All Hutchies’ Sites remain OPEN. NO WORKER PERMITS REQUIRED.

At this point there is no further information on extra measures that are required such as density quotients (however expect that they will increase to 1 person per 4SQM). I will provide you further information as it comes to light.

We have been here before and no doubt we will again, but the thing that goes unspoken about is the stress and the pressure that these lockdowns bring with them to our everyday work life and our home lives. Please remember that you are not alone, you can pick the phone up and call anyone, anywhere at any time. Hutchies also have a confidential EAP service that is available and the details are attached for your information.

I have also attached the Circuit Breaker Table of Restrictions and the Premier Statement.

If you have any questions or if I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Candece Frazzica-Kara HSE Manager (VIC)
T 03 9282 9554 | F 03 9681 6977 | m 0411 022 839
E Candece.Frazzica-Kara@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au  

This morning the Queensland Government announced a 3 day lockdown for the local government areas (LGAs) of Cairns Regional Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council. 

The lockdown will be in place from 4pm today (Sunday) through to 4pm Wednesday, 11 August. It has been announced following a positive case detected in a Cairns taxi driver who has been infectious in the community for at least 10 days.

If anyone has any symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested on day 1 — this helps prevent further restrictions.

Anyone who has been in these areas since the start of the lockdown must also observe these restrictions wherever they are now. 

The construction industry is still considered an essential service. Sites will remain open throughout the lockdown period at this stage. Read on for further information

The Scaffolding Code of Practice has been reviewed for implementation from 1 July 2021.

The following updates are relevant to projects across the state:

• Additional design requirements and inspections for specific scaffold types
• Additional advice on ground conditions and stability
• Additional scaffold tying requirements to existing structures and information on fixings
• Access and egress requirement updates
• Maintenance of scaffold and housekeeping requirements
• Additional subsection for fixed plan management
• Dimensions of allowable gaps
• Suspended / swing stage scaffold testing requirements
• Step heigh requirements – 2 metre stair stringers (effective 1 July 2022)

The above is a summary of changes and not an exhaustive list. The links below have additional information and project teams should make themselves familiar with the changes that may impact their projects.

Any concern or questions regarding current scaffold installations contact Hutchies’ Scaffold Compliance Manager – Damian Boyce.

Additional information to be considered with this update

There has been concerns raised around the mixing and matching of scaffold components and system compliance, as a result of using different manufacturers components.

Item 3.4 Mixing Scaffold Components from COP lists several control measures to eliminate issues associated with mixing scaffold components.

Hutchies Scaffold Team has consulted CONSTRUC to provide an RPEQ certification for the mix and match testing for all scaffold components within our hire fleet.

This certification was developed through the physical testing of components to ensure they are geometrically compatible as per AS/NZS 4576.

Data collected through this testing process is then used for theoretical modelling of our scaffold system.

A copy of the mixed component certification certificate can be found in Hutchies' Scaffold Supply Guide (Page 31) on Hutchies’ Doc Library.

Hutchies is very aware how our project program outcomes (good and bad) effect:  

• our people
• quality
• safety
• client satisfaction
• reputation
• bottom line

and we seek to improve.

Budget Reporting

• Project teams should already be checking their contract program regularly (at least weekly to check time bars)
• Plus teams are required to report on program in monthly reports
• In future (at next budget meeting) we will be reporting on program status – recorded on the budget sheet

Who is responsible?

• The Project Manager (after consulting with the project team SM / DM / CA) is to produce the monthly program status update
• The PM is responsible for program status update – (and ultimately responsible to the Team leader)

Program

Status should be tracked against the Contract Program – amended only for approved EOTs

EOTs

If there are EOT approvals pending this will also be visible on the budget sheet.

Weather contingency

Weather contingency should be allocated across the contract duration according to the forecast lost days per month.

For example:

• North Qld might spread most weather contingency over the wet season
• Where-as Victoria would allocate a more even spread across the calendar

Status

• The critical path status is derived after input of actual activity status into you contract program
• Preferably via an electronic status update of the critical path.
• But if you prefer – an old school ‘tits and bums’ mark up.
• The status should be accurate.
• PM should be able to verify against project progress (photos / records)

Design / Approvals / Procurement / Fabrication / Structure / Façade / Finishes

• The critical path may be off-site  
• Teams must assess activities off-site and on-site activities

Budget Sheet entry

• Refer to the Viewpoint Guide here
• Assuming you have already checked program status (as required in monthly reports) it will add only a few seconds to your monthly budget forecast notes entry
• You can begin making this entry prior to next month’s (1^st July) budget meeting

The entry on the budget sheet can be made:

• Positive 12   = +12 calendar days in front of program
• Negative -7 = -7 calendar days behind program

Separable Portions

• It’s understood that some projects have multiple separable portions – and you should be checking status of each portion.
• But for the purpose of this very simple report – use the last separable portion.

Financial

If your project is significantly ahead of behind program, the directors will no doubt be interested on that impact against your forecast financial result.

Please be prepared to comment on forecast final Prelims and / or damages.

When

Yes – program status is to be entered for the next budget meeting (July)

None of the above should add any further work to our day jobs. Merely confirmation that your teams are actively assessing program – at least monthly

Yes – it’s not perfect ….. baby steps

Yes this change is supported by our Chairman

Program training / assistance

We have added a training video re: status programs on Hutchies' Learning Management System (LMS).

Search 'KP-02-03-01 Updating Project Status'.

Site Team Communication

A project team that communicates poorly will typically have a poor program results.

We encourage our site teams to meet weekly to address all things program including: design / procurement / approvals / resources / delays / claims / acceleration measures.

A template weekly meeting agenda is on the Document Library.

Call Harry

If you (or anyone in your team) requires program training / assistance - contact Harry White in the Operations Team or 0419 762 429.

All builders and subcontractors who undertake projects funded by the Australian Government (federal funding) must comply with Building Code 2016 (Code).

Compliance with the Code is monitored by the ABCC through site visits, inspections, audits, and investigations. If non-compliance is identified, it may lead to penalties or sanctions preventing the builder or subbie from undertaking government funded projects.

Government funded projects are a critical part of Hutchies’ workbook and therefore full compliance is essential.

The outcomes of recent audits and inspections have required Hutchies to modify some of our procedures to demonstrate more clearly compliance with the Code.

This update addresses these modifications and aims to remind everyone of a few Code obligations which appear to be a focus for the ABCC.

Latest COVID-19 case locations in QLD

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

Updated: 10 June 2021

A new locally acquired case was confirmed on the Sunshine Coast yesterday. The case recently travelled from Victoria via NSW into QLD and has been out in the community while infectious.

Please take the time to review the list below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to follow NSW Government directions immediately. 

Latest COVID-19 case locations in QLD

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

Updated: 09 June 2021

A new locally acquired case has been confirmed on the Sunshine Coast this afternoon. The case recently travelled from Victoria via NSW into QLD and has been out in the QLD community while infectious since 5 June 2021.

Please take the time to review the list below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to follow the Queensland Government directions immediately.

Check the QLD Government website daily for updated information. 

Australia’s construction market is experiencing major price volatility not seen since the global financial crisis (GFC).

This is a result of the global economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all governments around the world using different leavers to stimulate their own economies. Some economic reports suggest that these stimulus measures are 20 – 25 times the size of similar measures that were introduced post GFC.

As a result the world building product commodity prices are rising on a weekly and monthly basis.

Hutchies is preparing a set of tips and measures to help you protect your team’s current and future projects from escalation. This will be circulated in a separate email shortly.

We anticipate that we will not see a return to stable pricing for at least another 12 – 18 months. Furthermore there is significant pressure on world trade and off shore products and manufacturing, shipping and logistics is under extreme pressure.

Overview

The construction industry has changed considerably in the past few years, and will continue to do so until the expected standards are achieved by designers and builders. This means increased regulator presence on our sites.

With the introduction of new legislation in NSW for Class 2 residential buildings (including mixed use buildings with a portion of Class 2), it’s important to be prepared to demonstrate and showcase Hutchies commitment to compliance and quality. 

The legislation and regulators are focused on creating certainty for consumers and insurers through ‘professionalism, honesty and integrity, transparency and accountability’ – all values that are embraced at Hutchies and represented by each of us every day.

These values deliver good quality buildings which are the foundations of Hutchies’ success and how we will become recognised as the best builder in the country.

Hutchies’ reputation, public record and licence are at risk if we get this wrong – if we ‘fail to act’.

Please read the alert below for more details – it provides more information on the expectations of the regulators and feedback from experiences to date. 

Latest COVID-19 case locations in VIC

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

Updated: 25 May 2021

New venues have been added to the below list following the announcement of four new locally acquired cases in Melbourne yesterday.

Please take the time to review the latest location list below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to follow all Government directions.

Check the VIC Government website daily for updated exposure sites. 

Achieving good quality wet areas is critical to any building and continues to be one of our most important areas of focus at Hutchies, and an increased area of focus by regulators as a result of poor industry performance.

In addition to Hutchies' Quality Handbook (Topic 8), Services Alerts, and the Hutch video on waterproofing, this alert provides a quick review of the most important areas of focus. It also includes a link to some step by step guides to wet area design and construction to assist project teams including at every level (including subbies).

Please review and ensure every effort is made in getting these areas right to avoid costly rectifications during the project, for statutory warranty periods and to ensure the highest quality compliant wet areas are constructed.

Latest info & COVID-19 case locations in NSW

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

After the discovery of a local COVID-19 case in Greater Sydney yesterday, and the partner of that case today, the following measures will be enforceable from 5pm today, May 6 until 12:01am Monday, 10 May for the Greater Sydney region (including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains):

> Visitors to households will be limited to 20 guests – including children

> Masks will be compulsory on in all public indoor venues & public transport, including retail, theatres, hospitals, aged care facilities and for front-of-house hospitality staff (except in a hospitality venue when eating or drinking)

> Drinking while standing up at indoor venues will not be allowed

> Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed

> Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings with a strong recommendation that no more than 20 people should be on the dancefloor at any one time

> Visitors to aged care facilities will be limited to two people.

Please review the latest contact tracing list below. Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days if you've been to any of these locations.

If you have been to any of these locations during the time and date indicated you should:

1. immediately self-isolate until 14 days after you were last there
2. get tested even if you have no symptoms
3. watch for COVID-19 symptoms and get retested should any symptoms recur
4. even if you get a negative test, you must stay in isolation for 14 days as it can take 14 days before you may show symptoms or test positive.

INCLUDING NEIGHBOURING PROPERTY (BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE) & EXISTING STRUCTURES ON SITE (INCLUDING BASEMENTS)

Overview

It is important that all Hutchies’ project teams fully understand what is required for the protection of people, neighbouring property and existing structures whilst working on site. This is part of Hutchies’ legislative and contractual obligations. 

There is good reason for increased regulator and media attention directed at this issue. Without adequate protection in place, damage and incidents can occur with disastrous consequences.

It is critical that a proven construction method is used to prevent collapse and minimise or prevent damage/injury. Effective communication should be established and distributed to all interested parties for the life of the project.

Read the alert for more details. 

Hutchies has two new early works contract templates available.

One is for design only (off-site works) and the other is for on-site construction activities.

They can be used on projects where there is no client supplied contract.

Remember to always have any third party head contracts checked by Hutchies’ Contract Review Team.

Hutchies has a new All Company Calendar available in Outlook. You’ll be able to see all of our regular events in one easy place.

You'll already have access to it — simply open Outlook Calendars and look for All Company Calendar.

Accept via Email Invitation

Please keep an eye out shortly for an email invitation from Hutchies’ Company Calendar to join the calendar in Outlook.

When you receive the email:

> On your computer, open the email

> Click the blue ‘Accept’ button in the top left corner of the email > It will then add the shared calendar to your regular Outlook calendars

Add via Shared Calendars

If you can’t wait to add it, or miss the email, you can add the new calendar via Shared Calendars in Outlook.

On your computer:

> Click the calendar icon in the bottom left corner

> Click the ‘Add Calendar’ button in the top ribbon

> Select ‘Open Shared Calendar’

> Type in ‘Hutchies Company Calendar’ > It will then open and save as an option under Shared Calendars

Updates

The new calendar enables real-time updating of events in a format everyone is familiar with (Outlook). We are specifically only including events in this calendar that are relevant to all of Hutchies nationally to avoid overloading it with irrelevant information.

Annual updates will be made for the year ahead roughly in October / November for:

> Company meetings (budgets, board meetings etc) by Matilda Fowke to assist the regions in their local calendar planning

> Payment cutoff dates for middle and end of month runs by AP

> Public holidays / social events / observations by the Comms Team If there is an event applicable to all of Hutchies that you think should be included in the company calendar, please let us know.

Other Formats

Previously we published some key dates on Toolbox and through the annual meetings document (published on the Doc Library).

These two formats will no longer be used for these dates – instead this new company calendar will be available via Outlook.

Hutchies’ Toolbox Activities will remain your central go to point for all key company announcements / alerts.

Falls and falling objects are hazards which can occur on construction sites. Constant proactive attention is required to manage the risk of these hazards due to the dynamic nature of site.

Site management and all workers have a duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace for all everyone that puts ‘people before program’.

By working together on Hutchies’ sites with good communication and planning, we improve the safety of ourselves and everyone around us. This extends to visitors to site and members of the public who may interact with our projects. 

Actions

All Site Management Teams are to:

> Download and display the Big 10 poster on your site to raise awareness

> Deliver a toolbox talk (download template) at the next prestart to the site teams / workers to communicate the Big 10 as well as the below actions for workers

> Complete a Weekly Inspection – Big 10 in HammerTech every week to monitor and review the effectiveness of implemented control measures and identify areas that require attention or rectification

specifically review the falls and falling object control measures:

• Housekeeping
• Scaffold
• Penetrations 
• Edge protection

> Raise any issues or observations that are identified with the relevant trades to achieve an effective and timely close out

> View the short videos below as a refresher for the required risk controls

All workers should are to:

> Follow Hutchies’ site rules & obtain relevant permits to work 

> Follow approved Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS

> Consider changes to the work environment that may affect approved SWMS as work progresses

> Install required and approved exclusion zones correctly prior to starting work

> Do not enter an exclusion zone unless you have approval from the trade in control of the area

> Do not alter scaffold on site unless you are a licensed scaffolder and have been instructed to by Hutchies

> If required to use height safety equipment, be competent and suitably trained before and use it in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines

Remember, your Hutchies’ site management team is available if you need any help or you see something that is potentially unsafe.

By working together effectively, we can improve the safety for everyone on site and reduce the risk of incidents

It is a legal requirement for Hutchies to pay for home warranty / building insurance on certain residential projects in Queensland (QBCC), Victoria (VMIA) and New South Wales (HBCF). 

Home warranty provides protection for homeowners if the contractor doesn’t complete building work, the work is defective, or subsidence occurs.  

Thresholds

Home warranty insurance applies to the following thresholds:

Queensland (Home Warranty Insurance)

Any home building work under 3 storeys worth more than $3,300

Victoria (Domestic Building Insurance)

Any home building work under 3 storeys worth more than $16,000

New South Wales (Domestic Building Insurance)

Any home building work under 3 storeys worth more than $20,000

Process

Hutchies has simple processes in place to ensure home warranty insurance is as easy as possible to put in place for your projects prior to starting on site. Please follow the below steps for your state:

Queensland ( Administered by QBCC)

> Calculate the premium fee for the applicable project type on the QBCC website

> Once you’ve calculated the fee, complete the QBCC form

> Prepare Hutchies’ Payment Authority form

> Once both the QBCC form and Hutchies’ Payment Authority is complete, send all documents to the Accounts Payable Team

> Hutchies’ AP Team will then arrange for the QBCC form to be executed by an authorised QBCC licence holder for J Hutchinson Pty Ltd and make payment (which will be job costed) and send to QBCC > QBCC will generate the insurance policy, which will be sent to the QBCC Notices mailbox and distributed directly to you

Note: Authorised QBCC representatives include: 

Directors

• Ben Young
• Greg Quinn
• Scott Hutchinson
• Kellie Williams
• Owen Valmadre
• Russell Fryer
• Jack Hutchinson
• Paul Hart

Other Representatives

• Brooke Wilson
• Kerri Bolton 
• Chris Stevenson
• Claire Hays
• Leiha Lenehan

Victoria (Administered by VMIA)

> Contact Hutchies’ Finance Team to request the application

> The Finance Team will then assist you with completing the application form through VMIA’s online portal

> Hutchies’ Finance Team will then organise for the insurance from VMIA through BRIC (the broker) – including payment for the policy (which will be job costed) > Once the insurance policy has been issued, it will be distributed directly to you from the Finance Team

New South Wales (Administered by icare)

> Contact Hutchies’ Finance Team to request the application

> The Finance Team will then assist you with completing the application form through icare’s online portal

> Hutchies’ Finance Team will then organise for the insurance from icare – including payment for the policy (which will be job costed) > Once the insurance policy has been issued, it will be distributed directly to you from the Finance Team

Compliance to development application (DA) conditions for buildings under construction as well as completed buildings as approved by the DA are under increasing scrutiny by government bodies and in particular, councils.

This is resulting in increased regulatory policing, complaints and fines occurring nationally.

Please read on to ensure you are across this moving forward.

DURING CONSTRUCTION

It is critical that you review the DA regularly against the progress of design development and the works to ensure compliance.

Management of sites is critical. You must meet all authority requirements such as working to prescribed hours, implementing noise and dust controls, and ensuring you protect council assets like drainage systems and our waterways using adequate planning.

Please read the DA conditions on your project and understand what is required to comply.

You should be asking yourself if you are across the following at a minimum:

• What are the working hours of the site?
• What are the additional approvals required under the DA like the sediment and erosion control plan?
• If something changes on site from the approved DA conditions (such as a sediment & erosion plan), what is required to maintain approvals – do the plans need to be resubmitted?
• Does the current design represent the approved DA plan?

FINAL BUILDING COMPLIANCE

In respect to the completed building, the DA approvals are not as detailed as the final ‘for construction’ drawings so the council must determine that the completed building is ‘generally in accordance with‘ the DA approved design.

This may include comparison to 3D renderings of the building and other aesthetic representations, allowable building areas and setbacks, high limits, reflectivity requirements and building colours.

This is why it is important that you continually review the DA against what is being built, so the end product represents what was approved in the DA.

CONTRACT COMPLIANCE

This applies contractually as well where the head contract may place risk of compliance onto Hutchies, as well as further compound this with marketing and sales contract documents.

To manage this correctly, ensure a full DA and contract review is completed by the project team against design to identify and action all compliance requirements.

A new alert has been published detailing incorrect construction falls and expansion joints in wet areas. Please ensure your review the alert and implement all necessary measures to maintain compliance.

Hutchies has a range of templates and resources on the Document Library to assist with high quality building outcomes. They provide guidance on critical areas of focus that can be used in all states to ensure compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards (AS).

This includes government fact sheets on specific areas regulators are focused on currently during inspections - they are useful on all works nationally.

Please familiarise yourself with these tools and apply them to our projects.

Hutchies has added a new Toolbox tile for the National Dictionary of Building and Plumbing Terms.

This online resource is powered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and Standards Australia.

You'll find this new tool on Hutchies' Toolbox home page under 'Information & Resources'.

The New Tile

What it is

The National Dictionary of Building and Plumbing Terms combines terms and definitions from:

• NCC

  The National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 Amendment 1
  © The Commonwealth of Australia and the States and Territories

• Standards

  Australian Standards (AS) referenced in the NCC
  © Standards Australia Limited

• Standards

  Australian / New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) referenced in the NCC
  © Standards Australia Limited/the Crown in right of New Zealand, administered by the New Zealand Standards Executive

• HB50

  Handbook 50:2004 Glossary of Building Terms (HB50)
  © Property Council of Australia Limited

These sources are not exhaustive in the building and construction industry in Australia.

In all cases, please refer to the original sources of the relevant definitions. The National Dictionary is in no way a substitute for the NCC, AS Standards, AS/NZS Standards or State and Territory legislation.

The definitions for terms in these publications are often different. This website aims to:

• help industry find the right definition
• highlight consistency and conflicts
• provide a general hierarchy of results to assist interpretation

To know more about the NCC please visit Australian Building Codes Board. To know more about the related standards please visit Standards Australia.

Hierarchy of definitions

In general, the following order of precedence applies when viewing terms and definitions:

NCC Standards HB50

However, users should make their own decision as to which term or definition is relevant or applicable to their specific circumstances. This website is for general information only and is not intended to provide or substitute professional advice on the subject matter.

How you can access it

This resource is:

• Free
• Available via your web browser on any device
• Accessible via Hutchies' Toolbox 24x7

Hutchies has created a new national poster demonstrating the benefits of face masks with COVID-19.

Please print this sign at A3, laminate if possible and display across all sites and offices.

La Niña Event Forecast

2020-2021 Summer Strong Potential for Severe Weather Events

11 December 2020

A La Niña event has been officially declared by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for the Australian summer of 2020-2021.  

La Niña typically brings with it heavy rainfall, intense storms and the possibility of strong wind events such as cyclones. The last time Australia saw a fully-fledged La Niña was from 2010 through 2012.

This alert is issued as a reminder to begin preparations for the likelihood of these severe weather events in the coming months.

Of immediate concern is the weather event forecast from tomorrow, Saturday 12 December through Monday 14 December. Those in Northern NSW, the Gold Coast and SE QLD should be prepared for:

> strong winds of ~75 km/hr

> storms and heavy rain

> seas in excess of 6.0 metres Check the Toolbox Weather page or local BOM warnings in your location for more information.

WHAT IS LA NIÑA?

La Niña is a complex weather pattern that occurs every few years, as a result of variations in ocean temperatures in the equatorial band of the Pacific Ocean. It occurs as strong winds blow warm water at the ocean's surface away from South America, across the Pacific Ocean towards Indonesia.

RESOURCES FOR SITE

The below resources are available to assist in the preparation for and in the aftermath of severe weather events. These are also available on the Doc Library and via HammerTech.

ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, AS/NZS 4801

New Certificates Now Available

10 December 2020

Hutchies has successfully completed the re-certification process for the standards required to operate within the construction industry.

The certificates for Standards ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environmental & ISO 45001 Safety are current through to 23 November 2023.

AS/NZS 4801 Safety is being retired from service as of 13 July 2023 so the expiry date reflects its retirement. Upon expiry AS/NZS 4801 will be succeeded by ISO 45001.

Please arrange to remove existing electronic and hard copy certificates from all locations and notice boards at Hutchies’ offices and project sites and replace with current certificates as soon as possible.

The new certificates are available on the Document Library, or click the tiles below:

Changes to Queensland’s Biosecurity Regulation 2016 for fire ants came into effect on Wednesday, 27 May 2020.

These changes provide extra protection to areas that have undergone the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program's eradication activities, and reduce the chance of the pest spreading by the movement of infested material such as soil, gravel, mulch and hay.

The key changes are:

1.   2 fire ant biosecurity zones instead of 3 (zones include new suburb areas where fire ants have been found previously)

2.   new soil movement guideline clarifies how you can meet your general biosecurity obligation (GBO) when working with soil updated risk mitigation strategies to guide you when working with material that may carry fire ants (may reduce the need to apply for a biosecurity instrument permit).

Soil & Transport in Biosecurity Zones

Soil from fire ant biosecurity zones is considered high risk for the spread of fire ants.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take all reasonable steps to ensure they do not spread fire ants.

The Biosecurity Regulation 2016 prescribes procedures that you must follow when moving soil from a fire ant biosecurity zone. There are 2 fire ant biosecurity zones in Queensland. Refer to the fire ant biosecurity zone maps to see the boundaries of these zones or the Queensland Government’s interactive map to check if you're in a fire ant biosecurity zone.

Moving soil

To move soil from either of the fire ant biosecurity zones to a place outside the zones, you must request a biosecurity instrument permit (BIP) online or phone 13 25 23.

Refer to the table below for restrictions on the movement of soil between and outside of the fire ant biosecurity zones.

Managing soil

The Biosecurity Regulation 2016 and the Soil movement guideline outlines how soil should be managed in fire ant biosecurity zones.

If you are moving soil within the fire ant biosecurity zones, you should do 1 or more of the following:

1. treat soil before excavation
2. take soil from depth
3. disturb soil during or after excavation
4. store soil appropriately.

Treating soil before excavation

Business operators should engage a licensed pest manager 2 weeks before the anticipated excavation date to:

1. inspect the area to be excavated. If fire ants are found, report them
2. undertake direct nest injection (DNI) of any fire ant nests
3. treat the site with an appropriate bait in order to prevent fire ants becoming established in the area to be excavated.

At a residential property, you can pre-treat an area that is to be excavated using a household pesticide that is available in a retail store. The products used should be recognised by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) as an appropriate product for treating fire ants.

Use insecticides in accordance with the conditions of the APVMA permit, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and in conjunction with the product's label. You can search for permits on the APVMA website.

Taking soil from depth

A newly established, or young, fire ant colony is often located in the first metre of soil. You could reduce ant activity and the risk of ant movement to another location by taking the following steps.

1. Remove the top metre of soil.
2. Do the necessary excavation.
3. Replace the original top metre of soil.

Do not mix the top metre of soil with the soil being moved from the site. Keep the top metre on site, or take it to a waste facility within the fire ant biosecurity zones (restrictions apply, see table above).

This method is not recommended for areas where the soil type is soft, loamy or sandy, as fire ant nests can extend further than 1 metre below the surface in areas in these soil types.

Disturbing the soil during or after excavation

Soil that is to be taken off-site should be disturbed before it is moved to another location. Disturbing soil means undertaking 1 or a combination of the following activities:

1. vigorously turning
2. crushing
3. washing
4. screening a soil stockpile.

Storage of soil

If the soil will be stored on the property for more than 24 hours, you should use 1 of the following storage options:

1. off-ground and covered (e.g. in a shed, under a shade cloth or tarpaulin); or
2. on-ground, and covered, on 1 of the following surfaces:
   1. concrete or bitumen (no cracks)
   2. a barrier that cannot be penetrated by fire ants (e.g. 200 micron unperforated plastic sheeting)
   3. compacted ground (other than sand) that has been treated with an appropriate chemical product before storage.

Apply a 30cm-wide strip of insecticide containing 80g/L bifenthrin, around the perimeter of the on-ground storage area. If soil is stored on compacted ground, you should also treat the whole surface area.

Keep the treated area free of material that could form an untreated bridge to the soil.

For an insecticide registered as a horizontal or perimeter barrier for fire ants, refer to Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) permit PER14317 (expires 31 December 2021).

Stockpiles of soil should be disturbed:

1. every 21 days; and
2. 24 hours prior to moving the material to another location

Applying for a permit

You can request a biosecurity instrument permit (BIP) online or by phoning the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program on 13 25 23.

Each BIP application is assessed on its own merits and can be refused if the movement poses an unacceptable risk of spreading fire ants.

Keeping a record

You should keep a written record of the steps you take to ensure the soil is inspected, stored and moved correctly, including chemical treatments and / or disturbance activities. This may include:

1.   dated, written records of the measures you've taken to reduce risk and the details of where the soil has been taken from or to

2.   photographs, site plans and surveyor's records

3.   receipts and records of treatment applied by a licensed pest manager.

Keep these records for a minimum of 2 years.

Program inspectors, who conduct random compliance checks to ensure businesses and individuals are complying with fire ant movement controls, will request these records.

Penalties for not complying with movement controls apply under the Act and other relevant legislation.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact: 

Tivian Trinh
Phone 0427 246 134
Email tivian.trinh@hutchies.com.au

Victorian Premier Media Announcements

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies

The following announcements have just been made:

In metropolitan Melbourne, from 11:59pm on Tuesday October 27:

> Construction industry: 100% workforce capacity. Site visit limit on specialist contractors removed. Other additional obligations remain in place. 

> All retail will reopen. 

> Restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars will reopen as well.

> In indoor venues, there will be a maximum of 20 people, seated, with 10 people per space subject to density requirements (1 per 4m2).

> In outdoor venues, a maximum of 50 people with one person per two square metres.

> Beauty, personal services and tattooing, provided you can wear a mask, will reopen.

> Outdoor community sport for under 18 and outdoor noncontact sport for adults will recommence as well. 

> The four reasons to leave home will be removed.

> The 25 kilometre travel limit remains in place and the regional metropolitan border remains in place.

> Gatherings will no longer be limited to just two households to can be more than two households but the group cannot exceed 10.

> Weddings will increase to a maximum of 10 people. Funerals will increase to a maximum of 20 mourners.

> For religious gatherings, indoor there will be a maximum of 10 people plus a faith leader. Outdoor there will be a maximum of 20 people plus one faith leader.

In metropolitan Melbourne, from 11:59pm on Sunday November 8:

> 25 kilometre travel limit will lift.

> The metropolitan Melbourne regional border will lift.

> Gyms and fitness studios will open, with a maximum of 20 people per space, one person per 8 square metres.

> Restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars will move to an indoor maximum of 40 with 10 people per space, an outdoor maximum of 70 people with one person every 2 square metres.

> Religious gatherings will allow a maximum of 50 people, plus one faith leader, outdoors; indoors will be 20 people maximum plus one faith leader.

> Funerals: 20 mourners indoors; 50 mourners outdoors.

> Indoor community sport, non-contact sport for under-18 and sports capable of 1.5-metre social distancing can operate.

> Indoor pools will open for up to 20 people.

> Accommodation will reopen.

As a builder that undertakes projects funded by the Federal Government, Hutchies must comply with Building Code 2016 on all of our projects nationally.

Compliance with the Building Code is monitored by the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) through site visits, inspections and audits.

If they identify non-compliance on Hutchies’ projects it can lead to sanctions which prevent Hutchies from tendering for projects funded by the federal government.

For much of this year the ABCC inspectors have been restricted from many of their onsite compliance activities due to COVID-19. However in the last month, as restrictions have eased in some states, the number of visits, inspections and audits have ramped up considerably.

Specifically, over the last month there have been over 35 interactions on Hutchies’ projects in all states and territories where we operate. This has included two full audits with another one scheduled over the next fortnight. We fully expect this level of activity to continue through to Christmas.

This email is intended to provide you with some understanding of the compliance activities and to remind you of what you need to do to ensure Hutchies maintains its compliant status and ability to tender for government projects.

Questions

If you are unsure of Hutchies’ Code Compliance requirements or there is any aspect which requires clarification, please call Ben Young on 0400 577 953.

Services alerts are currently located on the Hutchies' Doc Library. 

REMINDER / Project Health Check

Hutchies’ Project Health Check, a new electronic form tool, has been developed to assist project teams in identifying their project’s processes as part of Hutchies’ Quality Management System (QMS).

This form has been designed to understand each team and project in detail, so that relevant communication, training and resources can be provided to improve the system moving forward.

It takes around 15 minutes to complete. This is best completed at your weekly project team catch up so that the entire team is engaged. All Project Managers (or in the absence of a PM, the CA) need to facilitate this process.

If you/your project team has not already done so, please complete a Project Health Check as soon as possible. 

Once complete Hutchies’ Support Teams will work with each Project Team to identify any other items that need to be completed before the audits. 

This is an essential task for each project to complete ahead of the accreditation audits that start on 19 October 2020.

Working on Main Roads in QLD requires special approval from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

Road access works approval

Under Section 33 of the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, written approvals is required from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to carry out access works and road works on a state-controlled road. Please contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads to make an application for road works approval via email Metropolitan.IDAS@tmr.qld.gov.au. This approval must be obtained prior to commencing any works on the state-controlled road reserve. The approval process may require the approval of engineering designs of the proposed works, certified by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ).

The road access works approval process takes time – please contact Transport and Main Roads as soon as possible to ensure that gaining approval does not delay construction.

Main Roads are state-controlled roads, e.g. the M1 or Stafford Road. 

It’s important you plan your project with this in mind as non-compliance may impact your project. Under no circumstances should any project progress works on these roads without TMR approval. This negatively affects Hutchies’ reputation which ultimately impacts on our TMR accreditations.

Matt Dawson, Hutchies Civil Team Leader, is more than happy to assist with guiding you through the approval process if required. His email is matthew.dawson@hutchies.com.au and mobile is 0439 716 846.

Please get in touch with Matt if your DA requires a Section 33 approval

Queensland Media Announcements

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

From Thursday 1 October at 1am:

> Stage 4 of the QLD Roadmap is now in effect

> the New South Wales border zone (PDF) was extended

> the Queensland border zone no longer exists

> Queensland residents are able to travel anywhere in the New South Wales border zone for any purpose, provided they have a border pass on re-entry

> New South Wales border zone residents are able to travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose, provided they have a border pass on entry

> more people can go to outdoor events or businesses (venues with COVID Safe Plans can now have one person per 2 m2) 

> up to 1000 people per day permitted at outdoor events with a COVID Safe Events Checklist

> 75% seating capacity in outdoor stadiums and amphitheatres

From today at 4pm (Friday 2 October):

> Standing eating and drinking: Standing whilst eating and drinking permitted at indoor and outdoor venues with a COVID Safe Plan or Checklist 

From 1am, Sunday 1 November (if COVID Safe Check Point met):

> Borders reopening to all of NSW: Visitors and returned travellers from New South Wales can enter Queensland with a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass without having to compete mandatory quarantine, provided community transmission is under control (including whether there have been any unlinked cases in the previous 28 days).  

> Gatherings: Gatherings of up to 40 in homes and public spaces across Queensland.

> Weddings: Up to 40 people can dance at a wedding with a COVID Safe Plan.

HILTI DGH 130 Multi Speed Concrete Grinder

### To be removed from service until further notice ###

A recent event occurred where the cup stone disc separated from a HITLI DGH 130 during operation. This event is currently under investigation. Picture provided below.

ACTION REQUIRED

This model tool is to be withdrawn from operations and tagged out of service until the investigation establishes the cause of the tool failure which resulted in the cup stone disc becoming dislodged from the tool.

This tool cannot be put into active service until formal notice from Hutchies’ National Health & Safety Manager. 

FOLLOW UP

This out of service advice does not apply to any other HILTI tool or product. 

Formal advice as to further action will be distributed when known.

Project Health Check

Hutchies’ Project Health Check, a new electronic form tool, has been developed to assist project teams in identifying their project’s processes as part of Hutchies’ Quality Management System (QMS).

This form has been designed to understand each team and project in detail, so that relevant communication, training and resources can be provided to improve the system moving forward. 

It takes around 15 minutes to complete. This is best completed at your weekly project team catch up so that the entire team is engaged. All Project Managers (or in the absence of a PM, the CA) need to facilitate this process.

Please complete a Project Health Check on your project by 2 October 2020. 

Once complete Hutchies’ Support Teams will work with each Project Team to identify any other items that need to be completed before the audits. 

This is an essential task for each project to complete ahead of the accreditation audits that start on 19 October 2020.

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

QLD-NSW Border Zone Update

From 1am Thursday 1 October, Queensland will relax its requirements around the previously declared QLD-NSW border zone. The QLD Government has recognised the reduced risk of COVID-19 transmission in northern New South Wales and made the following changes:

> The New South Wales border zone (PDF) will be extended. 

It will incorporate the following postcodes: 2360, 2361, 2372, 2398, 2399, 2400, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2404, 2405, 2406, 2408, 2409, 2410, 2411, 2470, 2471, 2473, 2474, 2475, 2476, 2477, 2478, 2479, 2480, 2481, 2482, 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490, 2832, 2833, 2834, 2838, 2839, 2840, 2880, 4373, 4383, 4385.

It will also partially incorporate these postcodes. Refer to the border zone map or Direction No. 15 for specific areas: 2371, 2463, 2347, 2359, 2365, 2369, 2370, 2386, 2387, 2388, 2390, 2397, 2460, 2469, 2472, 2648, 2829, 2831, 2836, 2879.

> The Queensland border zone will no longer exist

> Queensland residents will be able to travel anywhere in the New South Wales border zone for any purpose

> New South Wales border zone residents will be able to travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose

Please be aware that the following requirements will remain in place for both Queensland residents and New South Wales border zone residents:

> You will require a border declaration pass for all travel into Queensland. Passes are valid for 7 days from the date it is completed online. Please note, the border declaration pass website has not yet been updated to incorporate the coming changes from 1 Oct 2020. 

> You must provide evidence that you are either a QLD resident or NSW border zone resident by providing your residence details on the border declaration pass. 

> You must commit to getting tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms within 14 days of entering Queensland (as part of the border declaration pass). 

> You must not leave the NSW border zone if you wish to re-enter Queensland within 14 days. Leaving the border zone will be considered by QLD Government as “entering a COVID-19 hotspot” as all locations in NSW besides the border zone are still currently considered a hotspot.

> If you leave the NSW border zone and enter other parts of NSW at any time within 14 days prior to entering Queensland, you are only allowed to re-enter QLD by air and you will be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine at your own cost. 

> There have been unconfirmed reports that QLD Police are verifying traveller whereabouts by checking phone data (such as online banking transaction details). The official Border Restrictions Direction No. 15 states evidence that the person resides in QLD or the border zone will need to be provided and, if requested, evidence the person has only travelled within the border zone.

Rewrite of Quality Management Plan

The rewrite of the Quality Management Plan (QMP) (V5) has now been completed. It is tied closely to the Project Quality Schedule (HB-HSEQ-F-006).

Please review both documents and as per the Quality Systems Manual process, complete the Project Quality Schedule (PQS) for each project. The PQS has been designed to help identify critical aspects of your project, and help plan the management of design, communication and inspections.

With the PQS complete, you should then prepare a QMP for your project by 2 October 2020. This is essential ahead of the accreditation audits that start on 19 October 2020.

Any new forms that are referenced in these documents will be released progressively, if they are not already available on the Doc Lib.

Additionally, a new electronic ‘Project Health Check’ form tool will be released early next week. It takes around 15 minutes to complete and will help each Project Team and Hutchies’ Support Teams identify any other items that need to be completed before the audits.

Rewrite of System & Upcoming Audits

The Quality System Manual (V9) (QSM) has now been improved and simplified to represent what we do as a company. It is essential everyone reads and understands this document. 

Other system documents are being updated including the Quality Management Plan, Design Management Plan and a number of forms which will be progressively added to the Doc Lib over the next 2 weeks. 

Hutchies’ Support Teams will begin working with each project team to determine what requires implementation before the audits.

Please take the time to review the lists below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to be tested and work from home until you receive a negative result.

The following announcements have just been made at a press conference:

Current VIC case data

19,538 confirmed aggregate total cases, 63 new cases overnight

666 deaths so far, increase of 5 since yesterday (2 of these occurred prior to yesterday)

283 in hospital, 19 in ICU, 16 on ventilators

2.9 million+ total tests in Victoria so far, 18,338 tests yesterday

Regional Victoria only has 98 active cases under Stage 3 restrictions

Victoria’s Road to Recovery

Difficult decisions to be made in the job of Premier. It is not a 50/50 choice, the modelling indicates if Victoria opens up too quickly, it will be in and out of lockdown many times before the end of the year. 

We can’t run out of lockdown, we have to take steady and safe steps to find the COVID normal. Make sure in opening up that we can stay open.

There is no choice but to ease out of restrictions safely.

More than 1000 scenarios have been put into a super computer which has been very helpful and is a significant piece of work [modelling document is available below]. 

Health and scientific advice is what is being followed to guide any changes. 

Metro Melbourne Roadmap (all easing of restrictions will be subject to health advice and numbers at each proposed date)

STEP ONE, FROM 11.59PM 13 SEPTEMBER:

The current Stage 4 restrictions will be extended for 2 more weeks.

Curfew will be eased by one hour to 9pm – 5am.

Exercise will be increased to two hours per day.

People who live alone will be able to partner up with someone else and visit each other. The five kilometre rule will not apply, but the curfew will. This will work similar to intimate partner arrangements now.

Playgrounds will reopen.

Public outdoor gatherings of two people will be allowed or a household for up to two hours, and/or for exercise.

STEP TWO, FROM 28 SEPTEMBER:

Average cases from the previous two weeks need to be between 30-50 cases.

Public gatherings will be increased to five people from two households.

Staged returns to school for Prep-Year 2. VCE and VCAL and specialist schools will be open for term four (Some Year 10 and Year 11 & 12)

Childcare will re-open.

Outdoor pools will open.

Outdoor training for two people with a personal trainer will be allowed.

Outdoor religious gatherings of 5 people plus one faith leader will be allowed.

Public gatherings increased to 5 people, from 2 households.

Some industries will reopen (some 101,000 workers will be able to return to work):

[A list was referred to by the Premier – link & publication below]

Construction – but will have some limits still

Warehousing and distribution, postal services

Childcare

Manufacturing

Outside garden maintenance, working alone outside, landscaping etc

STEP THREE, FROM 26 OCTOBER:

If the daily average of cases over the previous 14 days is less than five new daily cases at this time, then the curfew will no longer apply.

There will be changes to restrictions on leaving home reasons or distances travelled.

Public gatherings will increase to 10 people outdoors. 

Five visitors at home in a household bubble (your home and another home). 

More information will be shared on schools for those in Years 3 to 10. 

Retail and hairdressing will reopen.

Hospitality will recommence, predominantly outdoor seated service.

There will be a staged return of outdoor noncontact adult sport

STEP FOUR, FROM 23 NOVEMBER:

Gatherings of 50 people outdoors. 

Up to 20 people at home.

All retail will be open.

Real estate will open with safety measures.

In hospitality, indoor groups with a limit of 20 people with seated service, and a limit of 50 can be served more broadly per venue.

Weddings and funerals will be back to normal.

After that, a return to a COVID Normal will be the priority by Christmas. Most restrictions will drop, phased return for people working from home back to their workplaces.

An example of why it is important to do this in such a controlled, safe manner was given: 1 person in Colac (regional VIC town) infected 24 people in less than a week. It spreads like fire and until it is contained, Victoria can’t fully open.

Modelling shows we can’t open fully now otherwise all that will happen is a third wave with further restrictions. 

[Modelling was shown and talked through by Dr Allen Cheng at this point. Modelling document is available below]

REGIONAL VICTORIA ROADMAP, FROM 11.59PM 13 SEPTEMBER:

Regional Victoria will essentially jump straight to metropolitan Melbourne’s step two.

This will be reassessed after 2 weeks, and then will likely be able to move faster to reopening and be living in relatively normal circumstances compared to Melbourne. 

Geelong corridor is some concern and will be watched closely. If cases jump in Geelong corridor, they will join metropolitan Melbourne in terms of restrictions (rather than all of regional Victoria). 

The following announcements have just been made at a press conference with the Prime Minister and Acting Chief Medical Officer:

Australia can’t be taken for granted, its federation is a happy work in progress with National Cabinet being part of that.

This year with the COVID pandemic and the COVID recession, has been one of the hardest in many generations.

If each National Cabinet state & territory just went their own way at the beginning of the pandemic, Australia would have fallen short in getting on top of the virus.

National Cabinet was set up to find a way to work through issues, challenges & disagreements.

All states and territories now have different priorities based on where they are in the pandemic so 100% consensus is not achievable and should no longer be the aim. Agreement should be the goal but “not everyone has to get on the bus”, but it is important that “anyone not getting on the bus knows it has to leave”.

7 out of 8 states & territories agreed to getting back to a cohesive plan by December (WA was the exception).

Currently fashioning a new plan to determine both health and economic outcomes that will work moving forward, e.g. how testing should work & surveillance testing arrangements (like sewage testing). 

As Australia opens up, it means making sure people can move around. National Cabinet agreed that central to this is the hotspot plan – which is a big part of the overall plan. Hotspots need to be more specifically defined and this is what is now being worked on.

Australia needs to move beyond a situation of hard borders, but instead look to creating a national hotspot definition and use that instead. States & territories will have some bilateral movement and multi-lateral movement plans that will form part of this plan.

VIC-NSW-SA borders – each of these states is keen to get them open to each other as soon as possible. 

TAS wants its border down by December. 

WA has said they won’t join in the journey of plan but will continue to work with the group. However, they have their own priorities and are quite different – there is virtually no large border towns along WA border and WA economy very different to states like SA/TAS.

More sustainable system is required as the world may not have a vaccine for years. No one is asking border closures to come down right now, but all need to be looking ahead to further stages in months and years to come. Need to get to an agreement on this.

Agricultural Code – five out of the eight states are on board. QLD, WA, TAS didn’t join onto this but will continue to listen in on discussions. VIC, SA, NSW will put immediately in place.

NSW has been doing all the heavy lifting on international arrivals with Australians coming home. Trying to now get flights to go into other states as well to spread the load.

Spoke to PM Ardern – Australia will be looking at applying national hotspot approach to NZ as well. NZers will be able to come to Australia at right time. If no COVID in QLD and no COVID in Christchurch, they should be able to come to Sydney, for example. 

Update from BOM – upcoming weather season, emergency processes should be seamless with prospect of bushfires, cyclones and floods – need for quick movement of firefighters and defence personnel across states/borders without imposing quarantine. 

Benchmark report on mental health was received – mental health supports and DV supports are being put in place as best as possible recognising the stresses people are facing right now.

Current case data: ~26,000 cases total in Australia and 737 deaths. This is in comparison to the total cases worldwide which is 26 million. That means Australia has 1 / 1000th of world cases.

Halved the number of cases in VIC in recent times which is great to see.

Less than 100 cases nationally declared today with no cases in 6 states. Particularly – no cases in QLD which is good to see whilst the state remains on high alert. 

~67,000 tests were conducted nationally yesterday.

In a separate news conference, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced he will detail the Victoria Roadmap to Recovery this Sunday including details specific to industry (which we will provide an update of immediately after announcement). 

The Premier stated that the primary objective of the roadmap is to ease out of the current restrictions in a safe and controlled manner, so that case numbers do not immediately jump up again (meaning everything done so far would have been for nothing). 

The Premier reiterated that keeping Coronavirus numbers down is to preserve health care not only for Coronavirus patients but for any and all emergency health care required (heart attacks, motor accidents, strokes etc). 

The Victorian Treasurer also gave details about extensions and relaxation of criteria to rental residents and landlord circumstances in light of the strict lockdown measures. 

Dear All,

Please see attached updated COVID-19 Management Plan and Appendices. You will note that we now have a further 5 documents for reference within this management plan.

These further changes are in line with the Industry Guideline released on Friday 21^st August. A list of the changes are as follows:

• Induction and Acknowledgement Section – You MUST sign into this document on site to acknowledge that you have been inducted, read and understood it.
• The term ‘Casual Contact’ has changed to ‘Contact’. (Appendix 01 – Self Assessment Flow Cart)
• Updated Declaration. (Appendix 03 – Daily Prestart)
• Temperature Testing threshold reduced to 37.5 degrees from 38 degrees. (Appendix 04 - Temperature Screening Procedure)
• Further information on the wearing of masks (Appendix 05 - How to Wear a Face Mask)
• DHHS Risk Assessment ( Appendix 07 – Risk Assessment Part 1 & 2)

I have also attached an Infographic poster ‘ How to put on a mask’ to be displayed on site (for those who have not already).

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or if I can be of assistance to you.

Candece Frazzica-Kara
HSE Manager (VIC)

Mobile 0411 022 839
Email Candece.Frazzica-Kara@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au 

Metal fire door frames are a tested system so it’s critical each frame is manufactured to meet the requirements of the fire test to remain compliant.

All,

Over the last four days there have been 12 confirmed cases of COVID19 in Queensland which has prompted the Government to reintroduce some restrictions on social gatherings.

The cases have included those linked to the Youth Detention Centre at Wacol where the Rohan Barry Team has an active construction project completely separate from but adjacent to the facility. While none of the Hutchies’ people working on the Wacol project have been identified as a ‘close contact’ the team made the responsible decision to get tested over the weekend and will not be attending site until they receive a negative test result – most of which were returned last night and confirmed as negative for COVID19.

Queensland Health has been completing contact tracing of all of the positive cases and has been releasing details of venues that people who have been diagnosed with COVID19 attended while infectious. I have included the current list below and the link here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing

There are a couple of people from the Brisbane office who were at one of the venues at the relevant date and time and they made the appropriate and responsible decision to be tested last night. They will be working from home until they receive a negative result.

Please take the time to review the list below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified make arrangements to be tested and work from home until you receive a negative result.

These cases in South East Queensland over the last few days have highlighted the need to remain vigilant with all of those social distancing and hygiene practices that will reduce the chance of spreading the virus.

Consistent with this approach and out of an abundance of caution we have made arrangements to further increase the cleaning regime in the Toowong office, which you will notice from today.

Additionally, while this cluster of cases is bought under control, from this morning we are again reducing numbers at the Toowong office and are promoting working from home for those that are practically able to so.

During this critical period, please reinforce social distancing and hygiene measures on all sites and in all offices so we are able to do our part in preventing the spread of the virus and in turn keeping people safe and sites operating.

Thanks,

Ben

Venue Alert Locations

These are also available on our hotspot map below

Update from Queensland's Premier, Deputy Premier & Chief Health Officer

• No new cases in QLD
• 8 active and in hotel quarantine / hospital
• 16 days since known community transmission case in QLD
• No intention of full reopening of borders while there are community transmission cases in NSW and Victoria

Update from Victoria's Premier

• 282 new cases
• 25 deaths
• 657 cases currently in hospital
• 15,728 tests conducted since yesterday’s update

Update from New South Wales' Premier & Chief Health Officer

• 7 new cases (6 locally acquired, 1 in hotel quarantine, 3 local cases are close contacts linked to the Chops Stix restaurant in western Sydney, 2 are close contacts of the Lady of Mercy College cluster – close contacts are being contacted now)
• 10,806 tests conducted yesterday up to 8pm
• Case numbers are declining, but accumulation of cases (clusters) is still spreading it in areas of western Sydney (which is how Victoria’s big outbreaks occurred)
• Gladys apologised for the findings of the Ruby Princess Commission that found deficiencies in the NSW Department of Health in handling the situation
• This morning NSW Health provided new guidelines on school requirements in dealing with COVID-19 (including further restrictions to prevent the spread)
• CHO said some people are thinking their symptoms are influenza and brushing off potential test for COVID, NSW are saying they have very low cases of the flu so if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a higher chance that is COVID
• Anyone in the western Sydney areas in particular with potential symptoms must come forward for testing so that community transmission can be managed as quickly as possible
• The latest NSW Venue Alerts have been updated on Hutchies' COVID-19 Hotspot Map below

The New South Wales Government has issued a new list of venues that have had confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state. 

These venues have been added to Hutchies' Hotspot Map below to make it easier to see these locations in proximity to our offices and current projects.

Please follow all directions of authorities if you have been to any of the flagged venues.

The following announcements were made today (in order of appearance) by various governments regarding coronavirus.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles and Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young conference

• Case update QLD: 0 New Cases, 11 active cases, 17,000 tests, 5 cases related to the returning women from Melbourne
• Active Cases in AUS: 1 SA, 270 NSW, 7449 VIC (averaging 519 daily)
• QLD Borders shut Saturday 1am 8 / 8 /2020, expecting great delays over the weekend as people rush back
• Border pass exemptions comes in three forms X Pass, F Pass and S Pass which are required to be on the person at all times
• X Pass – People living in the surrounding suburbs of the borders will be allowed to cross freely in a travel bubble. Queenslanders are allowed to still travel within QLD as long as they don’t leave the travel zones in NSW. NSW residents who live in the NSW travel zone will be allowed to travel freely within the designated QLD travel zones but no further.
• F Pass – For freights, trucks and goods to cross the border
• S Pass – Essential workers that meet the criteria to cross the border
• The border pass website will come on this afternoon, however it could be glitchy and slow due to demand on the site. Regardless of this no exemptions will be made on the border without these passes.
• Anyone wishing to return to Queensland after Saturday 1am without a border pass will be required to fly in through Sydney Airport and will be forced into hotel quarantine at their own expense. There are minimal exemptions to this.
• Protests have been planned for the Story Bridge in QLD this Saturday, this is labelled unlawful and immediate Police action will be taken on anyone tempting to protest
• If Queensland maintains no community transmission into the next week more restrictions may be lifted including visiting nursing homes

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews

• 450 new cases 181 passed away (11 extra in the past 24 hours).

• 2,500 unknown transmission, 66 new unknown cases
• Health care workers account for around 1,500 active cases
• Year 12 VIC Students: VCE students will be individually assessed and any adverse impacts from COVID-19 will be reflected in their ATAR ranking. This includes Mental Health, days off, additional responsibility. ATAR will be a fair reflection of their past year.
• A further $28.5 million in funding for mental health and wellbeing support in schools, saying they had seen higher absence rates for vulnerable kids and a sharp increase in mental health reports in government schools. This comes in the form of additional mental support and mental health training for 1500 school staff. Health practitioners will also be rolled out to additional schools and the Navigator program will increase 33% to help support students who have disengaged from school.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

• Familiarity of Premiers in Nat Cab working together is really helping working relationships and productivity
• The following federal measures have been implemented on the back of the Victoria situation:
  • Pandemic leave disaster payment for Victorians
  • Childcare keeping places arrangement for Victorians
  • Easing restrictions and extending JobKeeper to make sure that Victorians and any other parts of the country doing it tough can access:
    • Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced businesses will only need to show that their GST turnover had fallen over one quarter, instead of multiple, to be eligible for the scheme's extension.
    • Workers will also qualify if they were employed on July 1, rather than March 1.
• Very dark times – the governments are working together, very clear and strong plan for the road out. Continue to work together to provide support businesses and jobs. National effort to support Victoria.
• Stress testing national preparedness - in quarantine arrangements and aged care
• Quarantine review being undertaken to track lessons and experience as well as the need to ensure we conduct QA processes in each state. Welcome to hear that people are being treated like hotel guests in hotel quarantine, making the process as positive as possible. Little things make a big difference.
• Ongoing auditing of aged care preparedness around the country, and also helping to stabilise the aged care situation in Victoria
• International travel restrictions on arrivals to stay. This inbound ban will continue for months to come indefinitely.
• Freight protocol is now a Code, as of today and will be enforced around country from today
• 340,000 training places via JobTrainer program will be made available this year
• Vaccine progress – never been a global effort like this, positive signs

• Whoever finds the vaccine needs to share it without restraint, otherwise they’d be looked upon terribly in history. Australia pledges to share vaccine if it develops it, all other countries should too.
• Can’t count on a vaccine, but we need an economic plan in place that accommodates life without a vaccine
• National Preparedness Plan coming in next two weeks – keenness from all Premiers to engage in this plan

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly

• ACT/TAS have no active COVID-19 cases
• Particularly older people who have higher rates of death
• Younger age groups are the most infected and are spreading the virus
• Very good engagement across the board helping Victoria
• Acute response phase is about preparing for the worst so it can be handled the best
• Vaccine – strong optimism, can’t promise when it will occur. Many in clinical trials at the moment, it needs to be safe and of a high quality
• National stockpiles have been increased including lifesaving medication
• The virus can be a severe long-term illness in some, including young people
• Person in their 30s who died had co-morbidities, but confirms it is not just an old person’s virus
• QR codes are being used in venues. We are in a pandemic so the quicker that people can do contact tracing the better. Put down real addresses/names because that will help you.
• Suppression strategy is working well in other states

20/08/20: Queensland Health has expanded the list of exempt border communities. Check out the map for details. You can also check your address via the Border Pass portal.

Original Notice

Queensland Health has provided the following additional information regarding Queensland’s border restrictions.

What are the changes from 1.00am Saturday 8 August?

Hotspots

All of Victoria and Greater Sydney are currently listed as COVID-19 hotspots. All of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory will be considered COVID-19 hotspots from 1am Saturday, 8 August 2020.

COVID-19 hotspots are updated regularly here.

Residents of hotspots cannot enter Queensland, except in very limited circumstances. Queensland residents may enter, but must undertake mandatory hotel quarantine if not exempt.

An exemption applies to residents of border communities, as below. However, there are still restrictions and a number of different scenarios will apply to Hutchies’ people living or working in these locations.

These scenarios are detailed below.

Border residents

A border zone resident is someone who lives in a community on the Queensland New South Wales border. See the map here (PDF). This includes both sides of the border – people who live in Queensland but work or go to school in their neighbouring border town, or people who live in New South Wales but come to work or school in their neighbouring border town in Queensland. Border zone residents can cross the border for any purpose.

Queensland border zone residents cannot travel outside the border zone in New South Wales and New South Wales border zone residents cannot travel outside the border zone in either Queensland or New South Wales.

Travel by air

You can only enter Queensland from a hotspot if you travel by air. You cannot travel by road through a hotspot.

The only people allowed to enter Queensland by road are:

1. truck drivers
2. workers related to the transport of freight and logistics
3. people performing essential activities
4. border zone residents.

Children and mandatory quarantine

Everyone, including children, must quarantine in government arranged accommodation. You will need to quarantine with your child in the accommodation, at your expense. If you have other children that you are caring for, they will need to quarantine with you unless you can make other arrangements for them to be cared for.

You will have to apply for an exemption from the Chief Health Officer in order to send your child to Queensland from a hotspot by themselves. This is to ensure that no one under the age of 18 is unaccompanied in government arranged quarantine.

Further updates regarding construction as an essential activity

We have heard reports that construction may be considered an essential activity again, but this is unconfirmed, so we will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

Applying for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass

Anyone who requires a border pass (including as described in the scenarios below) must apply for a new pass from 1am, Saturday 8 August.

Previous passes will no longer be accepted.

No exceptions will be made for anyone who is not carrying a new border pass. 

The new pass system is accessible here: https://www.qld.gov.au/border-pass

Scenarios that may apply to Hutchies’ people

Hutchies is seeking urgent clarification from the QLD Government around essential worker exemptions and we will provide an update as soon as possible.

I am a NSW resident. I live in an exempt NSW border community, but my project is outside the border communities in NSW (e.g. Byron Bay)

You can work in NSW, but you cannot enter QLD with the border zone resident declaration pass as your project is outside of the permitted border community zone. This means you cannot go to any Hutchies offices or yards that are within QLD (e.g. Coolangatta) whilst the QLD border restriction is in place.

I am a NSW resident. I live in an exempt NSW border community and I work in QLD at a Hutchies’ office/yard/project within the border community zone (e.g. Southport)

You must apply for a border zone resident declaration pass (Pass X). With the pass, you are permitted to cross the border by road and can continue to work in QLD. However, you must not travel outside the exempt NSW border community, and you must not travel outside the QLD border community. You are only permitted to travel within the border community zone.

I am a NSW resident. I don’t live in an exempt NSW border community and I work in QLD at a Hutchies’ office/yard/project within the border community zone (e.g. Yatala)

You cannot enter QLD as you do not live in an exempt NSW border community and do not currently qualify for an exemption.

I am a NSW resident. I live in an exempt NSW border community and I work on a project outside of the QLD border community zone (e.g. Loganholme)

You must apply for a border zone resident declaration pass (Pass X). With the pass, you are permitted to cross the border by road and travel to a construction site by vehicle. You are permitted to drive anywhere in QLD for the purposes of working on a construction site. On return to NSW, you must not travel outside the exempt NSW border community. You are only permitted to travel within the border community zone except for the purposes of going directly to and working on your project.

I am a NSW resident and I want to go to Hutchies’ Toowong office

You cannot enter QLD for this purpose. Exempt NSW border community residents can only go as far as the permitted QLD border communities, unless driving to perform work on a construction site. Other NSW residents (who live outside of the border zone) are banned from entering QLD entirely and will be turned back at the border. Use Hutchies’ teleconferencing / video meeting facilities instead.

I am a NSW resident and I want to move/work to somewhere in QLD permanently

You can enter QLD with a ‘moving to QLD’ border declaration pass but you will still be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine, even if you are permanently moving to QLD for work.

I am a QLD resident and I live in a QLD border community. My project is in NSW inside the exempt border community zone (e.g. Casuarina)

You must apply for a border zone resident declaration pass (Pass X). With the pass, you are permitted to cross the border by road and can continue to work in NSW. However, you must not travel outside the exempt NSW border community, otherwise you will be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine on your return to QLD.

I am a QLD resident and I live in a QLD border community. My project is in NSW outside the border community zone (e.g. Lennox Head)

You can enter NSW but you will not be permitted back in QLD without undertaking mandatory hotel quarantine as you do not currently qualify for an exemption.

I am a QLD resident. I don’t live within the QLD border community zone (e.g. Toowoomba) but my project is in NSW (either inside the exempt border community zone or anywhere else in NSW)

You can enter NSW but you will not be permitted back in QLD without undertaking mandatory hotel quarantine as you do not currently qualify for an exemption.

I am a QLD resident. I live in a QLD border community zone and I work in QLD at a Hutchies’ office within the border community zone (e.g. Southport)

You can continue to travel normally around QLD. If you wish to enter the exempt NSW border community zone for any purpose, you must apply for a border zone resident declaration pass (Pass X). With the pass, you are permitted to cross the border by road and can go into NSW. However, if you do enter NSW, you must not travel outside the exempt NSW border community, and you must not travel outside the QLD border community. You are only permitted to travel within the exempt border community zones.

I am a QLD resident. I don’t live in the QLD border community zone but I work in QLD at a Hutchies’ office within the border community zone (e.g. Coolangatta). I would like go to NSW for a meeting

You can enter NSW but you will not be permitted back in QLD without undertaking mandatory hotel quarantine as you do not currently qualify for an exemption. Use Hutchies’ teleconferencing / video meeting facilities instead. Hutchies is seeking urgent clarification from the QLD Government around essential worker exemptions and we will provide an update as soon as possible. 

For Further Clarification

Please contact the Online Team / Harleigh Venables & Tabi Ward 

Phone 0427 059 569 / 0400 046 090 

Email online@hutchies.com.au

Prime Minister & Minister for Home Affairs

The following announcements have just been made:

• Mental health of Victorians is an great area of concern, additional mental health support is being provided
• Another $5M to Headspace, $2M to Kids Helpline, $2.5M to Lifeline, $2.5M to Beyond Blue – these boosts to funding will add resources, deliver training and more availability
• Additional Medicare subsidised mental health sessions will be available via GPs for people across Victoria
• GPs and other mental health practitioners are available to Victorians via Telehealth
• Resources available immediately include Beyond Blue, Head to Health, Headspace, Black Dog Institute and Suicide Call Back Service
• Important to have difficult conversations openly about mental health during the pandemic
• Additional restrictions in Victoria in August and September is estimated to reduce the size of GDP in the September quarter by between $7 billion and $9 billion
• National unemployment rate is now expected to peak closer to 10 per cent, with effective unemployment rate expected to be in high 13 per cent range.
• Announcing today a new Cybersecurity Strategy to keep the people, government and businesses of Australia safe
• $1.67bn strategy over next decade primarily targets the dark web, paedophiles and terrorists and includes another 100 more cyber detectives
• $2M has been provided to Lebanon by way of initial support for the terrible accident that occurred yesterday

Victorian Premier

The following announcements have just been made:

• 471 new cases, 8 more deaths since last update
• It’s an imperfect process closing/restricting businesses because it’s never been done before, and changes may need to be made based on further discussions with industries/businesses
• Primary aim is to drive down movement across Victorian communities
• Regarding the second category of businesses/industries which are required to reduce workforce, further documentation coming in the next few hours [we will provide when available]
• The restrictions for the construction industry – the settings already outlined will be delivered:
  • Large govt jobs – down to 50% already but will be further reduced down to 25% if possible
  • Projects above 3 storeys (private sector jobs) – down to 25% staff on site
  • Domestic building – as arranged, no more than 5 staff on site, limited movement is allowed to other sites but permitted in some cases
  • Building supervisors are allowed to move between sites too
  • Strict COVIDSafe plans in place for the industry
  • Only 25% of workforce on site allowed, not 25% per shift. There cannot be 25% per shift because that does not reduce the aggregate daily movement and pushes it to 50% or even 100% if delivered in shifts.
• These restrictions have to be made to limit movement
• These specific plans are about striking a balance between reducing movement and cases, but not compromising stock being on shelves
• You may not be able to get exactly what you want, but you will still be able to get what you need. No need to buy bulk qtys of anything
• Further mental health supports will be announced in coming days

New South Wales 

NSW residents returning from Victoria must go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense from 12.01am Friday, 6 August

The Queensland Police Chiefs just made the following announcements regarding the border closure processes (note – still more to come – but a brief overview):

• The existing passes are being expanded to include new passes:
  • F for freight
  • S for specialist (as directed by CHO)
  • X for border communities which will be allocated to those persons who live in declared cross-border communities along the NSW / QLD border
  • G pass remains as “general” and they are expecting this to drop off over time as people get the message they shouldn’t be trying to enter Queensland
• The new passes will not have photos on them as had been reported
• You do need to provide identification however to apply for them
• When the new pass website is ready users will be told what identification is required for these new passes (we will advise when this is available)
• The Queensland Police are still working through the geographical locations on the border and will be “generous enough for genuine cross border travel”
• Returning Queenslanders from a hotspot and not considered travelling for an essential activity will be required to quarantine for 14 days at your own expense in a hotel
• Queenslanders should return asap before 1am Saturday otherwise they will be returning to quarantine requirements

There was also discussion around a protest planned on Saturday for the Story Bridge. Police are saying people should not attend this protest and they will be doing everything possible to stop it from proceeding.

We are expecting some more information later today from the Premier and CMO but if not it will be tomorrow.

Will keep you informed.

Queensland borders will close to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from 1am this Saturday, August 8.

All visitors will be denied entry except for rare exemptions and returning Queenslanders will have to pay for 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has declared all of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as hotspots.

Only residents of border communities and essential workers, such as truck drivers, will be able to cross the border.

Exemptions – including for compassionate reasons – will be limited.

Passes for border communities will be for those with proof of address and photo ID.

The border closure will be reviewed at the end of the month.

Annastacia Palaszczuk held a press conference this morning regarding the border re-closure:

• Current situation in NSW, ACT and VIC is of great concern to Queensland
• Queensland Disaster Management Group met extensively yesterday and today to look at tough border measure
• CMO Declaring NSW and ACT a hotspot and borders closing to these locations
• Immediate effect from 1am Saturday
• Right thing to do – tough for Queenslanders – but your health comes first – we also need to protect families and the economy and avoid what’s happening in Victoria
• Very important Queenslanders stay in Queensland – now is not the time to travel to NSW or VIC – not risking QLD’s people and economy
• Victoria not getting better and not waiting for NSW to get worse
• ACT closed because of examples of people from NSW hotspots traveling via ACT to QLD

Deputy Premier’s comments:

• 1 new case today in West Moreton (total active cases – 11)
• Queensland went 63 days without any community transmission
• Only takes 1 case to see a wide spread outbreak
• The current cases are putting pressure on our health system
• 85,000 tests in the last week
• Cannot afford to risk our progress

Currently no detail on the exact details around border communities – actively monitoring the news / QLD official channels of announcements and will let you all know as soon as we know.

The Victorian Premier has just announced at a press conference:

• 725 new cases and 15 more deaths (including the death of someone in their 30s)
• Further permit system for childcare being introduced – many families won’t be allowed to access childcare right now
• Permitted workers – regardless of working from home or at a workplace, will be able to access childcare if there is no other person able to look after the children in the household – this is also applicable to kinder and primary school children who will be able to go to school with this permit.
• This is an additional permit to the permitted worker permit which will be available on the DHHS website soon. This will apply from 11.59pm tonight and there will be no grace period for this change.  
• All non-urgent surgery beyond category 1 or emergency surgery will be put on hold (across Victoria and public/private) to preserve sufficient capacity for future Coronavirus cases
• If you are at your partner’s house, curfew and rules apply to you when you are at their house. So, if you are there after 8pm, you must remain there. If you are there at 4pm, only 1 of you can go to the shops and only within 5km of that residence.
• These rules need to work to drive down case numbers

Note The Permitted Worker Permit can be found below (completed with Hutchies' details). The template is also available on the DHHS website here with other information. We will provide the new Childcare Permit once it is available.

The VIC Premier just announced the following at a press conference:

• 671 new cases and 7 more deaths overnight
• From 6pm tonight, a State of Disaster will apply in VIC, and Stage 4 restrictions will come into place for Melbourne:
  • People will only be able to shop and exercise within a 5km radius from home
  • Only 1 person per household will be able to shop once per day
  • No recreational activities allowed, like golf or tennis
  • 1 hour of exercise only per day, no further than 5km from home
  • No group bigger than 2, regardless of whether in family or home
  • Intimate partner visits allowed outside of 5km
  • A curfew will be in place from 8pm tonight, curfew will run 8pm to 5am every day in metropolitan Melbourne
  • Only reason to be out outside these curfew hours is to get care / give care / go to or from work / be at work
• From midnight this coming Wednesday, the rest of Victoria (all regional areas) will move to Stage 3 restrictions. These will be the same restrictions in place for Melbourne currently, and not the additional Stage 4 restrictions above.
• Tomorrow the VIC Premier will announce more changes regarding industries and workplaces:
  • 3 categories of businesses will apply
  • Category that will remain open – supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, takeway food etc
  • Category that will remain open with restrictions and less output
  • Category that will move to work from home only, or if work from home isn’t possible, will have to shut
• In regard to schools, from midnight this coming Wednesday, flexible and remote learning for all students in all schools across Victoria
• Children will be able to go to school if their parents are ‘defined industry’ workers or vulnerable children
• These measures will last for 6 weeks (from today for the Stage 4 restrictions and from Wed midnight for other restrictions)
• More about fines/enforcements tomorrow

These are the local government areas under stage four restrictions from 6:00pm tonight

The new directions begin at 6:00pm today and continue for six weeks until 11:59pm on Sunday, September 13.

The areas moving to stage four restrictions include 31 metropolitan Melbourne LGAs.

They are:

• Banyule
• Hume
• Moreland
• Bayside
• Kingston
• Mornington
• Peninsula
• Boroondara
• Knox
• Nillumbik
• Brimbank
• Manningham
• Port Phillip
• Cardinia
• Maribyrnong
• Stonnington
• Casey
• Maroondah
• Whitehorse
• Darebin
• Melbourne
• Whittlesea
• Frankston
• Melton
• Wyndham
• Glen Eira
• Monash
• Yarra
• Greater Dandenong
• Moonee Valley
• Yarra Ranges
• Hobsons Bay

The QLD contact tracing list has been updated: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing

If you have been to any of these locations in the date and time periods mentioned, please contact 13 HEALTH.

The venues with * have been contact traced by QLD Health.

## UPDATED ##

This alert supersedes the order that came into effect 22 July 2020.

The Victorian Government has expanded their order for mandatory face coverings / masks across the entire state of.

Everyone over the age of 12 will now be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four permitted reasons.

This order will be enforced from 11.59pm on Sunday 2 August 2020. People who do not comply will face a $200 fine. 

The Victorian Government has acknowledged that in some circumstances, wearing a mask may be impractical, however everyone is expected to carry a mask or face covering for use whenever practical. More info here.

Cantilever Loading Bays

The PM and Treasurer just spoke to the media regarding upcoming changes to the JobSeeker and JobKeeper Programs:

• Original system was simple and quick, and level of income support was provided to everyone that needed it desperately as quick as possible
• JobKeeper – is being put in place for another 6 months, to March 2021, but reducing in value. $1200 per f/n but with two tier payment system to account for people earning less than the program or part time or casual workers.
• JobSeeker – is being reduced to $250 per f/n with an increase to income free threshold to $300, meaning that people can earn $300 and still get the $250 JobSeeker payment. This will take effect at end of Sept, and run until end of Dec. JobSeeker mutual obligations will start again from 4 Aug.
• Penalties to JobSeeker payments will kick in if jobs aren’t taken when they are offer to people receiving JobSeeker
• More changes to JobSeeker flagged, and possible need to keep support ongoing past December or even announced in Oct Budget
• Plan for people on JobSeeker - get them in a job or train them in a job
• Current JobKeeper and JobSeeker arrangements will run until end of September as proposed
• Coronavirus has hit Australian economy hardest ever in the last 100 years
• 2 million Australians either lost their jobs or had hours reduced. 11.3% effective unemployment rate (lost their job or hours reduced to 0).
• These payments are single largest economic measure ever – helped 960,000 businesses, 3.5 million workers so far. JobKeeper has stabilised losses.
• To retain JobKeeper past September, employers will need to demonstrate reduction of turnover, of 30% or 50% depending on size, and show reduction for each previous quarter
• The JobKeeper wage subsidy will continue until March next year, but payments will fall from $1,500 to $1,200 a fortnight after September. People working fewer than 20 hours a week will receive $750.
  
• The payments will fall again to $1,000 a fortnight, and $650 a fortnight for people working fewer than 20 hours, for the first three months of 2021.
• The JobSeeker coronavirus supplement will continue for another three months but fall from $550 to $250 a fortnight, meaning people on the program will receive $800 a fortnight after September (as opposed to $1,100 at the moment).

The Deputy CMO, Dr Nick Coatsworth, has just announced at a press conference that mask use is advised in the Melbourne and Mitchell local government areas that are currently locked down, when people are in a situation where they cannot maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people.  

He said this is only applicable to those areas due to the current community transmission occurring in those areas.

The VIC Premier has just announced that mask use when outside of one’s house will now be mandatory for all people over the age of 12 living in all Melbourne and Mitchell LGAs as of this Wednesday 22 July, at 11.59pm.

Fines of $200 will be given out to people not wearing one outside of their house. However, it was noted that in some circumstances it will be impractical to wear one so “common sense will guide the rules”.

Masks do not have to be hospital grade – any facial covering including scarves will do.

The VIC Premier also noted that 80% of new cases in recent weeks have been due to transmission at workplaces. It is hoped that this new rule of mandatory mask wearing will drive down workplace transmission.

NSW Health has echoed the below sentiment regarding mask use.

That is – for anyone outside of their home and won’t be able to adequately socially distance, it is advised to wear a mask.

At this point in time it is advice only but may change to a direction if community transmission increases.

QLD has put out a new Direction that will take effect as of this Friday (tomorrow) noon, 10 July 2020.

In brief:

• It allows people from other states and territories to enter the state without having to undertake mandatory quarantine, provided they:
  • Have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (must be applied for within 7 days of the travel to QLD), which will include:
    • A declaration that they have not been overseas / a COVID-19 hotspot / had contact with a confirmed case / had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 / been diagnosed with COVID-19
    • Providing personal details including name, date of birth, phone number, address and email address, and where the person intends to stay while in Queensland
  • Provide an undertaking that the person will present for a COVID-19 test if the person develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of entering Queensland

Regarding any travel from any part of Victoria (or other COVID-19 hotspots as they are identified by the QLD Govt):

• The QLD Govt has hardened their approach with this new border declaration, stating that anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland must not enter Queensland unless they are exempt. Exemptions are specified in the Direction and include QLD residents.
• QLD residents who have been to VIC may enter the state, provided they undertake mandatory quarantine at a quarantine hotel at their own cost
• The new Direction appears to have removed construction from what QLD considers ‘essential activity’, meaning that QLD residents who return to QLD after performing construction-related work in VIC would also have to enter mandatory quarantine.
• This is a significant change to all previous QLD Directions throughout the pandemic in which construction has been considered essential and exempt from mandatory quarantine. I will confirm this once the Border Pass Declaration has been updated with the new particulars as of noon tomorrow.

Queensland Health will declare coronavirus hotspots in several areas of New South Wales, namely Liverpool and Campbelltown, from midday today.

The below strict quarantine rules that QLD has applied to VIC at present will apply to people travelling from these NSW hotspots.

It is expected that QLD will continue to clamp down on any areas like this where community transmission starts to occur.

Just to confirm below, there is now no provision for ‘construction’ or ‘FIFO’ under the exemptions list for people travelling from VIC into QLD. The wording of ‘time critical specialist’ has also been updated which no longer broadly covers people in the construction industry.

People from other states and territories may enter QLD without needing to quarantine now, provided they have a valid border pass and have not been in VIC in the last 14 days (or any of the reasons listed below).

The PM and CMO just spoke to the media following today’s National Cabinet Meeting, followed by the VIC Premier at a separate press conference.

PM

• News from VIC remains very concerning, but key here is all states and territories fully supporting VIC with resourcing
• We all have to be very careful to protect against complacency everywhere in Australia, particularly behind closed doors, not just out in the open
• When at home - still practice social distancing, no hugs and handshakes still
• Social distancing is the norm now, not the exception, will be with us for a very long time – no change until vaccine found
• Social distancing needs to be a habit, and just because everything is ok in other states, doesn’t mean you go back to the way things were before social distancing
• Community has a role to play in terms of social distancing, and particularly the younger population
• QLD border reopened today, except to VIC
• Nat Cab has agreed in a reduction in number of inbound arrivals into Australia, will be cut by just over half across all ports that residents are returning to Australia – will drop to 4000 people per week allowed back in, no one to Victoria at the moment
• Hotel quarantine is going to move towards charging people returning, some states already
• A nationwide review of hotel quarantine is going to be undertaken - working with states and territories, important step to look into how each state is managing this, to have confidence around all arrangements in all states
• PM / Nat Cab endorsed the advice on all Melbourne/Mitchell local government area residents to wear masks when they leave the house when they know they will be potentially entering a situation when 1.5 metre distancing can’t be maintained

CMO

• Very clear that there is community transmission issue in Melbourne
• Confined to Melbourne at the moment, but we are all at risk – modelling shows this
• Physical distancing, cough hygiene, hand hygiene, everyone needs to continue to do these to stop the transmission across Australia
• We’re all in this together

Victoria Premier

• 288 cases recorded overnight (but record amount of daily testing, over 37,000 tests done in one day)
• 2 million reusable masks are being made to distribute to residents, along with 1 million additional disposable masks
• If you are out, and you don’t think you are going to be able to maintain 1.5 metres from others – wear a mask
• Masks can be any face covering including scarfs – no type of mask protects from the virus 100% but are better than nothing when in close distance to others
• Not compulsory but recommended now, and is backed by AHPPC
• Anybody who is sick – only one reason to leave home, to get a test, otherwise stay home
• If behaviour like gathering in numbers at houses continues, Melbourne is going to have to be locked down for longer than 6 weeks
• Stay at home. The four acceptable reasons for leaving home are not an indication to leave, they are only to allow people to leave for reasonable circumstances – don’t go shopping for things you don’t need

The Prime Minister just spoke to the media at a Press Conference, alongside the Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck.

• This is a global pandemic and there are no guarantees in a global pandemic. Dealing with virus is a national coordinated effort, and this time is particularly hard on Melbourne
• Our success depends on the success of each state, and Victoria is getting support it needs from Govt / states
• Aged care – one of the most significant areas of concern. Additional 6100 in-home aged care places have been added, bringing it up to an additional 50,000 and will be tabled further in Budget in Oct.
• Advice regarding travel – if in VIC / NSW, don’t travel around the state, particularly those in border communities
• There will be further phase of financial support after September based on need and will include VIC, but support will continue nationally based on need – it won’t be location based. PM and Treasurer have been preparing next phase with this in mind.
• International arrivals load will be reduced across Australia to reduce burdens on states given VIC. More on this in Nat Cab on Friday.
• All other states in very strong position re handling the virus. Reopening to go ahead as planned.
• Consideration around people paying for quarantine as opposed to state-paid. This is on each state and territory and this would be supported by Commonwealth, people have had a lot of opportunities to return.
• Masks – there is constant medical advice provided, and the Govt will continue to follow the advice.
• PM hopes that the lockdown in Greater Melbourne doesn’t go on for 6 weeks, but he supports Victoria – not his job to second guess Premiers, it’s to support them as PM
• The measures we have taken as a country need to continue no matter what age/job/income you have, it’s about supporting other Australians which we all have a responsibility to do. How we respond is what we have control over, we don’t have control over the virus. We thank Melbournians for their response to this despite how heartbreaking and frustrating it is, especially as things just started reopening.
• National Cabinet will meet again this Friday.