19 December 2018 / Legislation Alert

Updated Subcontract & Supply Agreements

AS4901 & AS4903 Subcontract Agreements

Please make yourself aware of the following changes:

  • QLD only – The Security of Payments act previously known as BCIPA has been replaced with the BIFA (Building Industry Fairness Act) and Chapter 3 of the Act was enacted 17 December 2018. Strict penalties apply around payment of subcontractors (both at a company and personal level). Teams are to familiarize themselves with BIFA https://www.legislation.qld.go... 
  • Safety Requirements and HSE Requirements Annexures removed in lieu of subcontractor link (refer clause 12.2) https://subbies.hutchies.com.a...
  • Timing for progress claims noted as last business day of the month.
  • Annexure for Programme added in.
  • Order of Annexures in line with HB order of precedence of these documents.
  • QLD only – Retention Release Notice (Annexure Q) added in in line with BIFA requirements.
  • All States – Subcontracts revised to reflect changes to state specific legislation updates.
  • Subcontract Conditions Clause order updated and expanded upon where required to reflect legislative updates.

Supply Agreements

Please make yourself aware of the following changes:

  • Multijurisdictional amendments: Supply agreement has been updated with a number of amendments to make this Agreement multijurisdictional. 
  • Security of Payment Legislation – Qld: Note that, this Agreement refers to the BIFA.
  • Clause selections: To keep the Agreement simple, we have not provided for options in the T&Cs but there is the option to select clauses in the Special Conditions depending upon whether or not they apply to the jurisdiction. 
  • Subcontractor’s website: New HB link provided as to the keeping of records (i.e. records and documents that the supplier is to maintain) - clause 2.1(f). 
  • Timing for supplier invoices is noted as the last business day of the month. 

More information

If you need additional support, please email Bree Hoek or Owen Valmadre. Alternatively phone +61 7 3859 6310 / +61 7 3335 5045.

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30 October / Quality Alert

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage will be banned


Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

The industry is shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases. Although the consultations are under way and there has been no official announcement by Federal or State Governments on the issue, the health and safety risks along with the uncertainty around this issue warrants a decision to ban all engineered products entering job sites nationally. The ban will take effect on 1 July 2024 and will extend to ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage. 

An update to this alert will be provided before the end of the year when the Federal and State Governments are expected to issue a formal decision on the ban. In the meantime, to mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform the 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.

Product alternatives going forward include:

Compact Laminates

  • Under 1% silica content
  • Extremely competitive pricing
  • Only comes in 12mm thickness
  • Heat resistance is an issue
  • Product not suitable for high end applications

Porcelain Surfaces

  • Under 10% silica content
  • Price dependant of product and supplier
  • Large variety of colours and thicknesses (4, 8, 12, 20 and 30mm)
  • Great resistance to staining, scratches, UV and heat
  • Good warranty terms

Acrylic Solid Surfaces

  • 0% silica content
  • More expensive alternative
  • Limited thickness availability
  • UV stable and heat resistant but direct heat exposure not advised
  • Minimising wastage through flexibility in sheet sizing
  • Seamless joints

Natural Stone*

  • Various silica content percentages
  • Variety of products at different price points available
  • Ongoing maintenance may be an issue
  • Unlikely to satisfy specific warranty requirements

*Although this alert does not directly impact natural stone, some types have high silica content so risk of using these on projects should be considered carefully.

For an up-to-date list of available products and their usability, click here.


More information

If you need additional support, please contact the Quality Team:

Phone 1300 HUTCHIES
Email QualityTeam@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

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10 October / Update

Make sure bin chute systems are installed correctly, following the tested systems and the manufacturers’ instructions.

Check the detailed drawings from Elephant’s Foot and Wastech for different wall types (plasterboard, shaft-liner, speed panel, concrete, Hebel, and masonry).

Any changes to the tested systems must be approved by your project certifier, signed off by the fire engineer in the fire engineering report (FER), and accepted by the relevant state / territory fire service.

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