Activities & Alerts

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!

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

The silly season can be a time of fun and frivolity, but it can also take its toll on our mental health. Spending time with or without family and friends, financial stresses, packed calendars, and long to do lists can seem overwhelming, and stressful.

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, their family members or our subcontractors and suppliers 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 2024.

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

Join us for an informative webinar on Unlocking Tax Time Tips. We will be joined by a health insurance expert who will run through important financial information relating to tax time, they will also cover off how to get the most value out of private health insurance.

This webinar will be held over three days throughout June and July. 

Webinar Dates:

• Friday 16 June, 11:30am – 12:00pm (AEST)
• Tuesday 27 June, 1:00pm – 1:30pm (AEST)
• Monday 3 July, 1:30pm – 2:00pm (AEST)

To reserve your spot and book in, click here.

We look forward to having you join the webinar.

The Bupa Team

Join Bupa for a live virtual Q&A with former Sydney Swans footballer and co-founder of the GO Foundation, Michael O’Loughlin. Michael joins us to discuss breaking cultural barriers, embracing diversity and making a positive change for a better future.

This webinar will be held Thursday 29 June 12:00pm – 1:00pm (AEST)

To reserve your spot and book in, click here.

We look forward to having you join the webinar.

The Bupa Team

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. 

Contract Administration Training

Following the success of last year’s cadet program, Wednesday afternoon training will be returning in 2023.

Hutchies is focused on widening the audience to provide accessible training to CAs and PMs, reinforcing best practice across the company.

This year is different...

The content curated for these sessions will be more advanced than last year. Industry professionals and Hutchies’ veterans will offer their insights and practical tips, with condensed 45-minute sessions running fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons.

This year's program will run from 19 April to 4 October. Sessions will be presented fortnightly on Wednesdays at 3pm and hosted on Microsoft Teams.

Content 

More advanced content aimed at PMs & CAs, including more case studies.

Timing 

Content is now condensed into 13 shorter sessions – max 45 mins

Access 

Sessions to be hosted fortnightly at 3pm Wednesdays on Teams.

How to opt into the training

If you are a CA or PM, you will be invited automatically via Outlook. Each training session will also soon be added to our all company calendar. To add a session, browse to the company calendar, click the relevant session and then hit the button on the popup to add it to your own calendar.

Team Leaders are also encouraged to forward the recurring meeting invite to any team members they wish to add.

2023 Training Schedule

The following schedule is subject to change, but provides an outline of the curriculum for reference. All sessions will start at 3PM AEST and run for approximately 45 minutes

More Information

Get in touch with Warren Belford to find out more

Phone 0427 337 379

Email warren.belford@hutchies.com.au

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

Bupa are providing an insightful webinar Corporate Health Plan Check-In & Looking after your mental health, covering two important topics:

1. Bupa Health Plan Check-In (Presented by Elaine McCluney and & Janick Auguste)

• Bupa corporate health plan-getting the best value out of your cover
• Benefits and features of the VP products
• Answer a few questions received

1. Looking after your mental health presentation (Presented by Psychologist Nathan McCleod)

• Some general mental health strategies and tips
• How to keep on top of your mental wellness

• Answer a few questions as they come up

To reserve your spot and book in, click here.

We look forward to having you join the webinar.

The Bupa Team

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.

Bupa Corporate comes with all kinds of benefits. For starters, we’re known for providing great value health cover that you can count on. Plus, we’ve got a huge range of membership perks.

And, with the cost of living rising, we’ve added another good reason for you to join.

Here’s what you could get if you sign up now

In addition to keeping more money in your pocket every month, you’ll also get to enjoy all the great Bupa Corporate perks. Like unlimited emergency ambulance on eligible Corporate voluntary combined Hospital and Extras products, an online support service, which allow up to make claims 24/7, and a dedicated corporate concierge line.

Health cover packed with value

Join Bupa Corporate by 23 May 2023 and you’ll get:

• 6 weeks free* on eligible combined Hospital and Extras products.
• 2 and 6 month waiting periods waived on Extras cover*. 
• If you are eligible, an increased ongoing monthly discount of at least 8%, which is roughly equal to a minimum of 4 weeks free for every full year that you remain on your policy.*

If you are eligible, an increased ongoing monthly discount of at least 8%, which is roughly equal to a minimum of 4 weeks free for every full year that you remain on your policy.*

Join now 

To find out more, call 1300 662 074 or visit bupa.com.au/corporate or your local Bupa retail store.

Benefits of Bupa's exclusive corporate plans

	Age-based discount If you’re aged 18-29, you are entitled to receive an age-based discount on your domestic hospital cover. The discount is calculated at 2% for each year you’re aged under 30, when you first purchase domestic hospital cover. For more information visit; bupa.com.au/age-based-discounts×
	Access to myBupa 24/7 24/7 access to myBupa online, where you can make electronic claims on some services, view your policy details and more.×
	Pay nothing for your kids (Gap free) Pay nothing for your kids on most dental, physio, chiro and podiatry consultations at Members First providers, up to yearly limits.×

Getting Bupa health cover is easy

	1 / Find your cover The Bupa team will help find the right product for you and your budget.
	2 / Bupa does they paperwork If you're joining from another provider, Bupa will cancel your old membership and keep you covered while you join.
	3 / No waiting period** If you're switching over to Bupa, you've already served the waiting period** at your old fund, so you can claim straight away.

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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.

Low to severe heatwave conditions are forecast over the next 3 days.

Particular areas include the Queensland tropical and central coast, including South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

Working in hot conditions

Awareness, education and preparedness are the key factors in recognising and countering the potential risk to health of workers when working in hot environments.

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.

Thinking about getting health cover? 2023 is your year, and Bupa’s here to help you start it the right way and set new health goals.

Private health cover gives you more choice, more control, and more opportunities to take care of your wellbeing. And now’s a great time to join because we’re offering an exclusive range of benefits to new Bupa corporate members who join on an eligible product. Including, as always, the peace of mind that you’re in great hands with quality cover.

Here's what you could get if you sign up now:

• 4 weeks free* on eligible combined Hospital and Extras products
• 2 and 6-month waiting periods waived on Extras* 
• An ongoing corporate discount every month

In addition to keeping more money in your pocket every month, you’ll also get to enjoy all the great Bupa Corporate perks. Like unlimited emergency ambulance on eligible Corporate voluntary combined Hospitals and Extras products, an online support service, which allows you to make claims 24/7, and a dedicated corporate concierge line.

Be quick to get it all — this offer ends Feb 15.

Join now 

To find out more, call 1300 662 074 or visit bupa.com.au/corporate or your local Bupa retail store.

Benefits of Bupa's exclusive corporate plans

	Age-based discount If you’re aged 18-29, you are entitled to receive an age-based discount on your domestic hospital cover. The discount is calculated at 2% for each year you’re aged under 30, when you first purchase domestic hospital cover. For more information visit; bupa.com.au/age-based-discounts×
	Access to myBupa 24/7 24/7 access to myBupa online, where you can make electronic claims on some services, view your policy details and more.×
	Pay nothing for your kids (Gap free) Pay nothing for your kids on most dental, physio, chiro and podiatry consultations at Members First providers, up to yearly limits.×

Getting Bupa health cover is easy

	1 / Find your cover The Bupa team will help find the right product for you and your budget.
	2 / Bupa does they paperwork If you're joining from another provider, Bupa will cancel your old membership and keep you covered while you join.
	3 / No waiting period** If you're switching over to Bupa, you've already served the waiting period** at your old fund, so you can claim straight away.

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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)

Australia’s largest privately owned construction company, Hutchies, has today announced the appointment of veteran Russell Fryer to the position of Managing Director.

This follows the retirement of Greg Quinn who has been Hutchies’ Managing Director since joining in 2001 and will remain on the Board as Non-Executive Director.

Scott Hutchinson, Chairman of the century old company and fourth generation family member to preside over it, described Greg as a one of a kind in the construction industry.

“Greg played footy for Brothers and Queensland in the 70s before doing a carpentry apprenticeship and running his own small building business in Ipswich – then he went on to head up Master Builders Associations in Queensland and New South Wales in the 80s and 90s.”

Keep reading

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

Bupa is offering more benefits for new Bupa members with our Corporate Health Cover plans. They’ll get:

Some of the other reasons people love us are: 

• 12% discount ongoing*
• 2 & 6 Month waiver on extras*
• 6 Weeks free on combined hospital and extras products to new to Bupa customers*
• Employees who are existing Bupa members can request a cover review of their policy and take advantage of this offer.

It pays to tell your colleagues

Sharing the gift of great cover just got even more rewarding. If you join Bupa and refer a colleague, you’ll receive a $100 e-gift card^. All you need to do is:

• Share your membership number with your colleague
• Tell your colleague to reference the number when they join.

Once your colleague has been a member for 30 days, we’ll email you the gift card. It’s that simple.

Benefits of Bupa's exclusive corporate plans

	Age-based discount If you’re aged 18-29, you are entitled to receive an age-based discount on your domestic hospital cover. The discount is calculated at 2% for each year you’re aged under 30, when you first purchase domestic hospital cover. For more information visit; bupa.com.au/age-based-discounts×
	100% back for on optical 100% back on most items at recognised Optical providers, including frames, prescription lenses and contacts, up to yearly limits. #
	Pay nothing for your kids (Gap free) Pay nothing for your kids on most dental, physio, chiro and podiatry consultations at Members First providers, up to yearly limits.×

Getting Bupa health cover is easy

	1 / Find your cover The Bupa team will help find the right product for you and your budget.
	2 / Bupa does they paperwork If you're joining from another provider, Bupa will cancel your old membership and keep you covered while you join.
	3 / No waiting period** If you're switching over to Bupa, you've already served the waiting period** at your old fund, so you can claim straight away.

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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

Bupa is offering more benefits for new Bupa members with our Corporate Health Cover plans. They’ll get:

Some of the other reasons people love us are: 

• 6 weeks free* on eligible combined Hospital and Extras products if they join by 3 November 2022
• 2- and 6-month waiting periods waived on Extras* • ongoing corporate discounts, every single month

It pays to tell your colleagues

Sharing the gift of great cover just got even more rewarding. If you join Bupa and refer a colleague, you’ll receive a $100 e-gift card^. All you need to do is:

• share your membership number with your colleague
• tell your colleague to reference the number when they join.

Once your colleague has been a member for 30 days, we’ll email you the gift card. It’s that simple.

Benefits of Bupa's exclusive corporate plans

	Age-based discount If you’re aged 18-29, you are entitled to receive an age-based discount on your domestic hospital cover. The discount is calculated at 2% for each year you’re aged under 30, when you first purchase domestic hospital cover. For more information visit; bupa.com.au/age-based-discounts×
	100% back for on optical 100% back on most items at recognised Optical providers, including frames, prescription lenses and contacts, up to yearly limits. #
	Pay nothing for your kids (Gap free) Pay nothing for your kids on most dental, physio, chiro and podiatry consultations at Members First providers, up to yearly limits.×

Getting Bupa health cover is easy

	1 / Find your cover The Bupa team will help find the right product for you and your budget.
	2 / Bupa does they paperwork If you're joining from another provider, Bupa will cancel your old membership and keep you covered while you join.
	3 / No waiting period** If you're switching over to Bupa, you've already served the waiting period** at your old fund, so you can claim straight away.

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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

Running across August, Tradies National Health Month is all about raising awareness of the health and injury risks affecting tradies, their families, employers and the wider community.

There is no better time to start a conversation within your workplace and create a culture where people feel confident in opening up about their challenges. 

So this August, take the time to think about tradies health and use the tips and resources provided by Hutchies' partners at TIACS and help spread the word. 

Winter’s nearly over and it’s time to get into the spring of things. For singles, couples or families, that could mean something totally different. But one thing they can all agree on is great value. It’s partly why people choose Bupa for their health cover.

Some of the other reasons people love us are: 

• cover options that suit different lifestyles,
• great Extras across our entire range, and 
• awesome membership perks
• easy claiming in 4 simple steps

Put a spring in your step 

If you join between 1 August–14 September 2022, you could get up to $800 off*^ on eligible combined Hospital and Extras products. Not only that, but you'll also get monthly ongoing discounts on Corporate Health Cover.

*Price is for couple and family Gold complete hospital cover in VIC, with Top Extras 90. Hospital price include an excess of $500. Price excludes any lifetime health cover loading, age-based discount, or government rebate.

Benefits of Bupa's exclusive corporate plans

	Accidents Happen Refund When requiring hospital treatment as the result of an accident, Bupa will refund you the hospital excess you paid for that admission. For Bupa's accident definition and explanation, please see the Important Information Guide.*
	100% back for first Massage and Physio service Get 100% back on your first Massage and Physiotherapy service every year at Bupa recognised providers on selected Corporate Extras products. Up to yearly limits.#
	Pay nothing for your kids (Gap free) Pay nothing for your kids on most dental, physio, chiro and podiatry consultations at Members First providers, up to yearly limits.×

Getting Bupa health cover is easy

	1 / Find your cover The Bupa team will help find the right product for you and your budget.
	2 / Bupa does they paperwork If you're joining from another provider, Bupa will cancel your old membership and keep you covered while you join.
	3 / No waiting period** If you're switching over to Bupa, you've already served the waiting period** at your old fund, so you can claim straight away.

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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.

New > Lead Procedure

Lead management was previously included in Hutchies' Hazardous Substances Procedure.

The separation of lead works / process into a standalone procedure provides updated specific guidance for the identification, assessment, communication, risk controls, monitoring and record management associated with lead works / process on site.

SP:06 Lead

Updated > Removal of Lead Material Checklist

The Removal of Lead Materials Checklist has been updated to address the planning and preparation requirements for lead works / process.

This checklist is used prior to the commencement of work, and confirming the area is safe to re-enter following completion of removal work.

Removal of Lead Material Checklist

WHS System Updates

Other recent updates include:

• Energisation Permit [HB-HSEQ-F-074-B] — now available in all projects via HammerTech
• JSA Form — revision of JSA to align with other risk assessment formats

Where there are minor formatting, grammatical updates or moderate changes in wording in any resources / templates, these will be updated automatically in our tools, without formal communication. 

To ensure you're using the latest tools, always access the Safety Systems via Hutchies' Toolbox > HSE tile and use HammerTech for on-site application. 

Health, Safety & Enviro

Actions

Team Leaders

• Where your Team does not have a designated HSE Manager or HSE Advisor, please communicate these changes to your Team

Site Management

• Review project requirement for lead work / process and where applicable implement the lead removal checklist prior to the commencement of work and before opening areas to other work groups

Team HSE Managers

• Review updates and communicate these changes to projects where there may be lead removal works or energisation activities
• Provide feedback on application of the process

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

As the financial year wraps up, it’s natural to think about the cost of things. Do the products or services we use work for us? And are we getting real value from them? It’s a time of making ‘new financial year resolutions’ – like switching to a health plan that better suits our lifestyle. 

To help kick off the new financial year, Bupa is offering 6 weeks free* in the first year on their range of Corporate Health Cover. So you can start fresh with a health plan that meets their needs and offers great value too.

Here are some of the ways you’ll benefit by joining Bupa health insurance:

• You'll get a $50 Prezzee Gift Card when you get a quote with Bupa in July
• You'll get 6 weeks free* on eligible combined Hospital and Extras products by joining between 1 July and 31 July 2022
• You'll waive the 2 and 6 month waiting periods on Extras cover*
• You'll get ongoing monthly discounts on Corporate Health Cover

Confused about the Medicare Levy Surcharge this tax time? If you earn over $90,000 as a single or a household income above $180,000 as a couple / family, getting Bupa Hospital Cover could help you at tax time.  

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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. 

Why wait? Join Bupa by 30 June 2022 and you’ll have exclusive access to corporate health insurance offers and ongoing monthly discounts. 

Here are some of the ways you’ll benefit by joining Bupa health insurance:

• You’ll get up to 8 weeks free* on eligible combined Hospital and Extras products when you join between 19 May 2022 and 30 June 2022. This includes 6 weeks free in the first year and 2 weeks free in the second year.
• Bupa will waive your 2 and 6 month waiting periods for Extras cover*
• You’ll get ongoing monthly corporate discounts. 

Confused about the Medicare Levy Surcharge this tax time? If you earn over $90,000 as a single or a household income above $180,000 as a couple / family, getting Bupa Hospital Cover could help you at tax time.  

Speak to a health insurance expert now

Phone / 1300 662 074
Email / sales@bupa.com.au
Message / Chat to a live consultant now

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.

Rate this session

Share your feedback on the updated format

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.

From April 1 to 19 Bupa has extended one of their greatest offers yet – 8 Weeks Free! + Ongoing Corporate Discounts.

Learn more about why we partner with Bupa at a Bupa Corporate Benefits Webinar. Bupa will help to demystify Health Insurance + hear more about ongoing corporate offers and discounts!

Click below to secure your seat now! Limited seats available!

April Webinar Booking / 'Why Bupa' - register here

April Booking Consultations / Bupa Phone Consult - register here

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.

Hutchies' Estimator of the Year and Estimating Cadet of the Year Awards were announced at the annual conference, held on the Gold Coast.

We were joined by estimators from Hutchies’ offices all over Australia, for a beach front dinner at Kurrawa Surf Club. The event was a great success and brought together our extended estimating experts throughout Hutchies.

For the first time since the awards started back in 1996, we have also introduced the Estimating Cadet of the Year Award to recognise Hutchies' growing young talent.

The event kicks off our formal 2022 Estimators' Conference which will be in full swing tomorrow at the Hutchies built Twin Towns Services Club at Tweed Heads. We'll be streaming this event live on Microsoft Teams from 8am AEST.

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.

As South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales are continuing to experience detrimental flooding impacting many Australians; Bupa have announced existing health insurance customers* who have qualified for the Federal Government Disaster Relief Payment can apply to have their premium fees waived for three months while still being able to make full use of their health insurance policy.

Please see link to Bupa's press release below.

Customers can apply for the flood relief package through to 31 July 2022 and are encouraged to contact Bupa on 134 135, or at bupafloodrelief@bupa.com.au. There may be a delay for phone enquiries due to the personal impact on our call teams.

*To be eligible for this offer, customers must have been a domestic Bupa member on 24 February 2022 and apply by 31 July 2022. They are required to provide evidence that have received or can provide confirmation that they will receive the Federal Government Disaster Recovery Payment from Services Australia.

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.

Throughout March Bupa has one of their greatest offers yet – 8 Weeks Free! + Ongoing Corporate Discounts.

Learn more about why we partner with Bupa at a Bupa Corporate Benefits Webinar. Bupa will help to demystify Health Insurance + hear more about ongoing corporate offers and discounts!

Click below to secure your seat now! Limited seats available!

March Webinar Booking / 'Why Bupa' - register here

March Booking Consultations / Bupa Phone Consult - register here

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

A copy of each presentation is available to download below.

Rate this session

Share your feedback on the updated format

As Hutchies undertakes projects funded by the federal government, we are required to comply with Building Code 2016 on ALL projects nationally.

Hutchies has committed extensive resources to ensuring full compliance with the Code over the last 5 years and as part of that ongoing commitment we are required to undertake refresher training for existing staff, and bring new staff up to speed on Hutchies’ Code compliance policies and procedures.

In keeping with current COVID-19 restrictions, this training is scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams so people can join from wherever they are located.

There are two time slots offered for each of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and one time slot for Tasmania.

It is expected that ALL Team Leaders, Project Managers, Site Managers, Health and Safety Advisors and Contracts Administrators participate in one of these sessions.

Even if you have participated in previous Code compliance training, you are required to attend these sessions as there have been some necessary changes to a few of Hutchies’ procedures.

It is also important you attend as Hutchies expects to be subject to another wave of ABCC inspections and audits in March and these sessions are the best way to be prepared.

Please indicate which session you will be attending by clicking on one of the buttons below to register in Microsoft Teams.

Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation with a calendar reminder attached, open it and add it to your Outlook Calendar as a reminder.

You can join the session directly from your calendar on the day.

Training sessions

Queensland

Monday, 14 February 2022 (AEST)

9.30am / QLD 3.00pm / QLD

New South Wales

Wednesday, 16 February 2022 (AEDT)

9.30am / NSW 3.00pm / NSW

Victoria

Wednesday, 23 February 2022 (AEDT)

9.30am / VIC 3.00pm / VIC

Tasmania

Thursday, 24 February 2022 (AEDT)

9.30am / TAS

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

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued warnings for severe heatwave conditions in parts of Southern QLD and Northern NSW.

These conditions are forecast over the next 3 days for areas reaching from Brisbane to Gladstone, and parts of border areas around Northern New South Wales.

Working in hot conditions

Awareness, education and preparedness are the key factors in recognising and countering the potential risk to health of workers when working in hot environments.

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. 

Hutchies' meetings and key dates calendar for the year ahead are now available in the All Company Calendar.

Downloadable PDF

We also maintain a printable A3 PDF of Hutchies' key meetings calendar. You can download, print and have this version in hard copy. Please note that sometimes dates do change, so be sure to regularly check that you have the latest copy.

Open Calendar

Updates

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

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

> Company meetings (budgets, board meetings etc) by Natalie Roma 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 Meetings for the Year PDF (published on the Doc Library).

Toolbox continues to be used to publish key updates through our Activities area, while the Meetings for the Year is a summary of the key meetings proposed for the years (ie doesn't have as much detail as our Outlook version).

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

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

Join us for Hutchies' second virtual professional breakfast panel event.

A Financier's Perspective

Tuesday 7 December 2021 on Microsoft Teams
7.30am to 8.30am AEST / 8.30am to 9.30 AEDT

As part of Hutchies' virtual event series, you're invited to attend the second of our professional breakfast panels.

The theme of the breakfast is ‘A Financier's Perspective', where Jack Hutchinson Jnr will moderate a casual and candid panel discussion with three experienced financiers.

The panellists will cover a range of topics such as:

• Background into our panellists’ careers
• Characteristics of good and bad debt deals
• Analysis of credit / creditworthiness
• Capital raising and capital allocation at big bank vs non-bank lender vs family business
• Returns on lending and how that relates to cash rate
• State of the market

If you would like to join, please register your interest by emailing Natalie Roma natalie.roma@hutchies.com.au.

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.

Lockdown announced

On Saturday morning the Queensland Government announced a 3 day lockdown period for 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).

The lockdown has now been extended to 4pm Sunday, 8 August at this stage. It has been announced in response to a growing cluster which started with a high school student at Indooroopilly State High School.

The lockdown is also mandatory for anyone who has been in any of the 11x LGAs since 1am this morning and is now elsewhere.

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.

Stricter lockdown measures

The Queensland Government announced the strictest lockdown measures that the state has experienced so far, due to concern of the rapidly spreading Delta variant.

There are only four reasons to leave home during the lockdown:

• To buy essential goods / groceries, but only within 10km of your usual place of residence. Supermarkets will be open during the lockdown period. 
• To go to essential work / school. Childcare is open but only for children of essential workers.
• For exercise outside, but only within 10km of your usual place of residence. Only allowed to do so with one other person from a different household.
• For health care. You can leave to get medical care and you can provide care to someone. You can also leave home to get a COVID test or vaccine.

Additional stricter measures have also been introduced to help stop the spread:

• No visitors allowed at home. The only exception is to care for someone who needs help, but it is recommended to delay if possible.
• Funerals and weddings limited to 10 people.
• Mask wearing continues to be mandatory across the 11x LGAs. You must wear a face mask at all times when you leave home, including outdoors and for exercise, unless you have a lawful reason not to.
• Mask wearing will now be mandatory for everyone at high schools, including students, teachers and visitors in the 11x LGAs.
• Non-essential businesses must close (eg gyms / hairdressers etc).
• Restaurants, cafes and other hospitality venues can open but only to provide takeaway.

The Queensland Government provided the below update this morning.

Mask wearing will continue for another 7 days until at least 6am, Friday 6 August.

Masks will remain mandatory until 6am on Friday 6 August across the 11x LGAs of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Somerset.

Masks are required whenever you leave home including on public transport, in taxis and rideshare, in shopping centres and supermarkets, hospitals and aged care facilities, restaurants and cafes, churches and indoor workplaces (where social distancing isn’t possible).

To keep our people safe, Hutchies prefers everyone wears masks in our offices in South East Queensland when safe to do so.

If you are inside on a construction site and cannot socially distance, you need to wear a mask, if it is safe to do so. The construction industry in Queensland has remained open due to successful adoption of COVIDSafe practices and wearing a mask wherever possible is an essential part of this.

Face masks also need to be worn at all times in stadiums, except when eating and drinking.

The face mask wearing rule also applies to you if you have been in South East Queensland in the last 14 days and are now elsewhere.

Queensland closed its border to all of New South Wales as of 1am, Friday 23 July. It is also closed to Victoria and South Australia.

A border zone has been established to enable movement between the states of Queensland and New South Wales for residents who live near the border. Movement is limited to permitted purposes only.

Please be aware of the below if you reside or are intending to transit within the border zone.

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.

The NSW Government introduced additional restrictions across Greater Sydney, including the closure of all construction sites from Monday at 12.01am (19 July) through until 30 July 2021.

Given the number of infectious cases in the community, the following changes will be made to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.

On the basis of updated health advice, the following additional changes (including others outlined in this email below) will come into effect until 11.59pm Friday, 30 July across the below areas:

• Greater Sydney
• Central Coast 
• Blue Mountains
• Wollongong
• Shellharbour

From 12.01am on Monday, 19 July for Greater Sydney

• All construction to be paused; and
• Non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repair work on residential premises to be paused.

Today's announcement is evolving and we understand industry stakeholders are working with the NSW Government to detail plans for the shutdown period over the next two weeks.

As soon as we know more, we will communicate this to you.

Hutchies must continue to comply with all NSW Government requirements.

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  

Yesterday the NSW Government announced an extension of the Greater Sydney lockdown for an additional 2 weeks through until at least 11.59pm, Friday 30 July 2021.

Based on the additional new requirements announced regarding surveillance testing of workers who reside in specific areas of concern (currently Fairfield LGA but may be expanded to other areas), a number of stakeholders in the NSW construction industry have met in an attempt to develop a consistent approach to implementing these measures.

Strict compliance from the whole industry will help keep people safe on sites and the construction industry remaining as an essential service. 

Below is the approach Hutchies is adopting, which we understand will be aligned with other head contractors and industry stakeholders.

This information is subject to change as the situation evolves.

It is imperative that Hutchies' teams have fully implemented these new requirements on their job sites to ensure compliance with all NSW Government requirements.

Key topics in this update

• Lockdown extended until at least 11.59pm 30 July 2021
• Hutchies' Greater Sydney site entry process
• List of current affected suburbs for worker testing (as at 15/07/2021)
• Regular testing of affected workers
• Testing process and locations
• Current industry requirements across all of NSW

Construction is under intense scrutiny by the New South Wales Government following the detection of COVID-19 cases in the industry. The entire industry is working hard to ensure we continue to remain classified as an essential service. Everyone must do what is required to minimise risk of COVID-19 spreading on job sites. 

There are a number of key areas that we must follow across the industry, including on Hutchies' jobs:

• Face masks must now be worn at all times on sites and in offices, unless it is not safe to do so
• Maintaining stringent COVIDSafe measures including social distancing, good hand hygiene, and cleaning on all sites
• Full compliance with all NSW Government directions at all times, including stay at home orders if you can work from home, and regular testing of specific local government areas in Greater Sydney as directed by the government
• Checking in every time you enter a site using the Service NSW's QR code check in

Please ensure you follow the directions from the NSW Government as detailed below.

Once further details are confirmed over the coming days, we will provide further specific instructions with updated procedures to follow on site. This will include information tailored towards subcontractors.

The NSW Government requires everyone in Greater Sydney to wear a face mask in the following circumstances:

• in indoor areas of construction sites
• in all indoor areas of non-residential premises
• at certain outdoor gatherings
• if you are on public transport
• in a major recreation facility such as a stadium
• if you are working in a hospitality venue

Overall, as a precaution to keep our people safe, Hutchies prefers that everyone wears a mask everywhere across our sites and in our offices during this time.

There are some exceptions to wearing face masks, including when clear visibility of your mouth is important for safety reasons on site or for particular medical conditions (which should be verified by a medical certificate). 

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.

This morning the Queensland Government announced another 3 day lockdown period for 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) as well as Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island.

The lockdown will be in place from 6pm today (Tuesday) through to 6pm Friday, 2 July 2021. This lockdown has been announced in response to 4 separate outbreak incidents in Queensland of varying concern.

We’re continuing to receive information about the requirements, but the below is the current information to follow at the time of this update. If we receive any further updated information regarding the construction industry, we will provide another update.

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

However, it is vital that Hutchies’ people are fully implementing the necessary social distancing, hygiene and cleaning measures (detailed here).

In accordance with government directions, office-based people should work from home if their work can be done from home. Talk to your Team Leader to make appropriate arrangements.

You may leave your home to attend work (if it cannot be done from home) but you must limit movements and stay within your local area whenever possible until the lockdown period has ended. Masks must also continue to be carried outside of your home and worn indoors.

If you do leave home to go to an area outside of those subject to the lockdown restrictions for essential reasons, you must continue to abide by the lockdown rules wherever you go.

Please ensure you read and follow all directions from the Queensland Government (detailed below). Also continue to implement and follow all of Hutchies’ COVID-19 measures.

Hutchies will provide any other relevant updates to you via email or text message if necessary regarding the situation.

Get tested If you have any symptoms at all, get tested immediately and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result.

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.

You can find training manuals for Aconex on Hutchies' Doc Library. These are linked below. You must be logged in with your normal Hutchies' username and password to access.

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.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2am (which is 3am DST) on the first Sunday in April, when clocks are turned back one hour. Daylight saving is not observed in Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia. Please remember this time change when arranging travel etc.

The Queensland Premier has announced that the 3 day lockdown in the Greater Brisbane region will end at 12 noon today (Thursday).

Some restrictions will remain in place for another 14 days until Thursday, 15 April 2021 – please read the below carefully. It is important to continue to implement and follow all of Hutchies’ COVID-19 measures across our sites and offices.

Restrictions for Queensland

The below requirements have been taken directly from the Queensland Government directions.

From 12pm today, until 15 April 2021 for all of Queensland:

> you must carry a face mask at all times and wear indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to

> gatherings in people’s homes are limited to 30 persons in total, including the people you live with

> you can leave your home for any purpose. You can travel anywhere in Australia. Please note other states and territories may have restrictions in place that prevent you from travelling to them

> visitors to aged care facilities, disability accommodation services, hospitals and correctional facilities are restricted across the state

> restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs can only open for seated eating and drinking, no standing allowed

> hospitality businesses must keep an electronic customer register > customers must check into venues and provide their contact details in case you need to be contacted – download the Check In Qld App to get setup before you visit venues

Masks for Queensland

The below requirements have been taken directly from the Queensland Government directions.

You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

> you must wear a mask in indoor spaces

> it is strongly recommended you wear a mask when outdoors if you are unable to stay more than 1.5m distance from other people, such as busy walkways and thoroughfares

> masks do not need to be worn in some circumstances, including children under 12 years, if you have certain medical conditions, and in workplaces where it is not safe to do so > you can remove your mask to consume food or drink

Other Requirements

Anyone who has visited Brisbane since 20 March

> must still observe the above rules (including wearing a mask as required) regardless of where you are now in Australia

Anyone visiting Queensland in the next 14 days 

> must also observe the above rules (including wearing a mask as required) throughout the entire state

Latest COVID-19 case locations in QLD

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

Updated: 30 March 2021

A large amount of new venues have been added to contact tracing alerts since the list emailed this morning, including in Byron Bay, **UPDATED** Gold Coast & Toowoomba.

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 follow the Queensland Government directions below.

Check the QLD Government website daily for updated information. 

Latest COVID-19 case locations in SE QLD, Gladstone & **UPDATED** Byron Bay

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

Updated: 29 March 2021

This morning the Queensland Government announced another 3 day lockdown period for the Greater Brisbane region. The lockdown will be in place from 5pm AEST today (Monday) through to 5pm AEST Thursday, 1 April 2021. This lockdown has been put in place as a result of a growing COVID-19 cluster of the UK variant in Brisbane.

If you have been in Brisbane at any time on or since Saturday 20 March, you should read the latest Hutchies’ Toolbox update and apply the lockdown provisions to yourself as though you were in Greater Brisbane region from 5pm today.

Hutchies has confirmed that the construction industry is still considered an essential service. Sites in Greater Brisbane will remain open throughout the lockdown period. In accordance with government directions, office based people should work from home where practicable during this period.

As these latest cases visited a number of locations including in South-East Queensland, Gladstone and Byron Bay, we are notifying all company members and urge anyone who has recently visited these regions to review the below list.

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 below. Check the QLD Government website daily for updated information.

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.

There are currently a number of weather warnings for New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria as a result of extensive rain and now risks of flooding. 

Please follow all directions of authorities, stay in the loop with ABC Emergency and ensure Hutchies' site preparation procedures are followed.

Summary of weather

You can also monitor the live radar below for a national summary on the latest weather forecasts.

General advice in storms

• Move cars under cover or away from trees. 
• Secure loose outdoor items. 
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. 
• Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. 
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

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 have the potential to cause negative environmental impact.

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

Each of us has a choice in everything we do to make a difference.

To change the way we see things, and the way things have been. To truly understand respect.

Together we can achieve better.

So let’s all choose to challenge — we already know we can change.

#ChooseToChallenge

Challenge the meaning of respect.

Challenge bias and inequality.

Challenge how we act and speak.

Challenge others for careless behaviour.

—

In so many ways we are industry trailblazers. We can harness diversity and difference in everything we do to be leaders of equal opportunity.

We are Hutchies. We choose to challenge.

Monday, 8 March 2020 (ACT, SA, TAS & VIC only)

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

After a short break, Hutchies reignited the Estimator of the Year Awards at the refreshed annual Estimating Conference last Friday.

We were joined by estimators from Hutchies’ offices (face-to-face and over Microsoft Teams for our interstate teams thanks to COVID-19). The event was a great success and brought together our extended estimating experts throughout Hutchies.

For the first time since the awards started back in 1996, two deserving recipients were crowned winners of the 2020 Estimator of the Year Award.

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.

Dear All,

Today the updated COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Revision 10 was released.

I have made the appropriate changes to the Victorian COVID-19 Management Plans and have attached it to this email along with the following:

• Updated Appendix 01 – Self Assessment Flow Chart
• COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Revision 10
• Explanatory note of changes

*Changes have also been made to the sign in devices to include the updated daily COVID Declaration.

Please ensure that you print our updated COVID-19 Management Plan and have all team members on site sign and acknowledge as we have done with all previous 8 versions. I also ask that you add the amendments as a subject in pre-starts and or toolboxes on your next working day.

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

Regards,

Candece Frazzica-Kara
HSE Manager (VIC)

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

Latest info & COVID-19 case locations in VIC

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

Updated: 10 February 2021

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 be tested.

Check the VIC Government website daily for updated exposure sites.

Anyone who has visited these Tier 1 exposure
sites during these times must immediately isolate, get a coronavirus (COVID-19)
test, and remain isolated for 14 days.

Monday 8 February 2021 (TAS only)

Late last night Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews held a press conference as a result of a new potential community transmission case.

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

New restrictions from 11.59pm Wednesday (last night):

• Reinstate the New Years Eve / Black Rock settings
• Private gatherings have been limited to 15 people
• Masks are mandatory in indoor settings
• The plan to bring back 75% of workers to offices is now paused

Other notes about the case:

• Worker working in the Australian Open Quarantine Program
• Now in health hotel and household contacts have been isolated
• Lasted worked 29 January at the Grand Hyatt, was tested recently with negative results, but developed symptoms
• 500 Australian Open players and staff have been classed as casual contacts of the worker
• Still investigating the source of infection, but due to the new strain, being extra precautious
• New list of exposure sites below – anyone who has been at an exposure site during the time frame, must get tested and isolate for 14 days

Exposure Sites

Anyone who has been at an exposure site listed during the time frame, must get tested and isolate for 14 days:

• Club Noble in Noble Park from 2:36pm — 3:30pm on January 30
• Aces Sporting Club (Driving Range) in Keysborough from 10:00pm — 11:15pm on January 30
• Northpoint Café in Brighton from 8:10am — 9:30am on January 31
• Kmart in Keysborough from 4:00pm — 5:00pm on January 31
• Kmart in Brandon Park from 4:35pm — 5:10pm on January 31
• Coles in Springvale from 5:00pm — 6:00pm on January 31
• Bunnings in Springvale from 11:30am — 12:15pm on February 1
• Golf Academy in Heatherton from 5:19pm — 6:30pm on February 1
• Lululemon, DFO in Moorabbin from 5:00pm — 5:45pm on January 29
• Woolworths in Springvale from 6.30pm — 7.30pm on January 29
• Nakama Workshop in Clayton South from 11:15am — 12:00pm on February 1
• Sharetea in Springvale from 6:45pm — 7:30pm on February 1
• Kebab Kingz in West Melbourne from 11:24pm — 00:15am on February 1
• Exford Hotel in Melbourne from 11:00pm — 11:35pm on February 1

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.

This morning the Queensland Government announced another 3 day lockdown period for the Greater Brisbane region. The lockdown will be in place from 5pm today (Monday) through to 5pm Thursday, 1 April 2021. At this stage, it is similar to the lockdown in January.

We’re continuing to receive information about the requirements, but below is the best information we have at the moment. As the Government releases more direction, we will provide you further updates.

There are also new restrictions in place for other parts of Queensland along with directions for anyone who has travelled from the Greater Brisbane region since 20 March 2021. Please read carefully below.

Hutchies has confirmed that the construction industry is still considered an essential service. Sites will remain open throughout the lockdown period.

However, it is vital that Hutchies’ people are fully implementing the necessary social distancing, hygiene and cleaning measures (detailed here).

In accordance with government directions, office based people should work from home where practicable during this period. Talk to your Team Leader to make appropriate arrangements.

If you live in Greater Brisbane and travel to a site or office outside of the region, the travel must be direct (no stops), and you must observe the same measures in place across Brisbane (summarised below).

When travelling into Greater Brisbane to a site or office (regardless of where you live), if returning home you must follow the same lockdown rules when you are home. Only leave for the four essential reasons and wear a mask when outside your home.

Everyone in Queensland must carry a mask at all times when you leave home and wear them in indoor spaces (including workplaces, except where not practicable on construction sites). It is also strongly recommended masks are worn outside when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres from other people.

Please ensure you read and follow all directions from the Queensland Government. Also continue to implement and follow all of Hutchies’ COVID-19 measures.

Hutchies will provide any other relevant updates to you via email or text message if necessary regarding the situation.

Get tested If you have any symptoms at all, get tested immediately and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result.

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.

Restrictions easing from 1am Friday 22 January

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

As there has been no community transmission for a continuous period of 14 days, restrictions for those in Greater Brisbane will be eased as of 1am tomorrow (Friday) morning. 

Restrictions will revert to those in place in December. In summary:

> Masks will no longer be mandatory anywhere, except in airports and on flights. Masks are still encouraged in any situations where physical distancing is not possible

> Gatherings increased to 50 in homes and 100 in public spaces

> Weddings and funerals will be allowed up to 200 people

> Standing up as well as dancing will be allowed across all venues and events so long as they follow the one person per 2m2 rule

> 100% capacity will be allowed at allocated seating venues (such as stadiums)

Please continue to remain vigilant and get tested when symptoms occur.

For more information, check out the updated Queensland Roadmap: