Proserpine and Bowen cyclone shelters

Construction to commence on Proserpine and Bowen cyclone shelters next week

Construction on the category five cyclone shelters in Proserpine and Bowen will begin next week, Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business and Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt announced during a visit to the Proserpine cyclone shelter site today.

Ms Jarratt said locals could expect heavy machinery on site mid next week in both Proserpine and Bowen, with work to begin shortly after.

Premier Anna Bligh said these two shelters were among 10 being constructed in North Queensland as part of the $60 million cyclone shelter program jointly established by the Bligh Government and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

“The start of construction on these projects represents another huge step forward for our $60 million cyclone shelter program,” the Premier said.

“This government is getting on with the job of building these cyclone shelters for the people of North Queensland – the local community can expect to see these shelters complete by the end of November, weather permitting.”

Ms Jarratt said Paynter Dixon Queensland Pty Ltd won the tender to construct both the $5.8 million Proserpine shelter and the $5.6 million shelter at Bowen State High School.

“These cyclone shelters are extremely important to the people of Proserpine and Bowen,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Not only will these facilities provide safe and secure shelters for the local community in the event of a category five cyclone, but they will also act as a multi-purpose sports facility for year-round use by the locals.

“In addition, it’s an extremely welcome boost for the local construction industry.

“The Proserpine cyclone shelter will support approximately 39 jobs over the life of the project, while around 38 jobs will be created in Bowen.

“By using a select tender process we deliberately targeted local contractors, in turn maximising the opportunities for flow-on benefits to local suppliers, sub-contractors and the local community.

“Having offices in both Mackay and Townsville, Paynter Dixon is very familiar with the local sub-contractors and suppliers in Proserpine and Bowen.

“Through this project they have been able to stimulate the local construction industry and make of use of local resources.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here today to signal the start of construction on these two cyclone shelters, which will have such wide-reaching benefits,” she said.

Minister for Government Services, Building Industry and ICT Simon Finn said the new buildings would be big enough to include multipurpose halls for sports such as netball and basketball.

“Each facility will be greater than 1,500m2 in size, and will include a multipurpose hall for sports such as netball and basketball,” he said.

“A sports lab classroom is also included as part of the structure for year-round use by the school – this classroom can also be used for refuge during a disaster, similar to the sports hall area,” he said.

“There will also be office space built into the facilities, with the key purpose of providing communication facilities in the case of a cyclone – however throughout the year, it will provide office accommodation and staff amenities for teaching personnel.

“The buildings will have 10 toilets and five showers, and two water tanks in the roof which are gravity fed to the toilets and showers during a cyclone.

“They will also contain a kitchen, a generator room and a storage room for chairs that would be used during a disaster.

“In the case of a cyclone, the town power supply may cease, in which case a generator will be activated – if the generator fails, emergency batteries stored in the cyclone shelter will commence operation,” Mr Finn said.

Ms Jarratt said the shelters would ultimately make the Proserpine and Bowen communities more resilient.

“These cyclone shelters will be constructed in accordance with the Design Guidelines for Queensland Public Cyclone Shelters and will be capable or withstanding winds of more than 300 kilometres per hour, as experienced in a category five cyclone,” she said.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is managing the delivery of the Proserpine and Bowen cyclone shelters, as well as the shelters in Ingham, Townsville, Port Douglas, Tully, Weipa and Yeppoon.

The cyclone shelter in Mackay is being managed by the Department of Education and Training as part of the delivery of a new Eimeo State High School. The Edmonton cyclone shelter is being designed and delivered independently by the Cairns Regional Council through a grant funding arrangement with the State Government.

“In total, the cyclone shelter projects are expected to support 400 jobs over the life of the program,” Ms Jarratt said.

Source : www.cabinet.qld.gov.au

What buyers will pay more for in a new home

MOST Aussies want real grass in their backyard and are prepared to shell out an extra $75,000 for a lawn, according to a national survey of real estate agents.

The poll of agents by Turf Australia found in Sydney, where the average house costs $440,000, a lawn could add $83,000 to the price.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, buyers could pay almost $80,000 more on an average $420,000 home for a real patch of green.

Nationally, a lawn could add 18 per cent, or just over $75,000 in value on the average $420,000 home, the survey found.

The survey of 114 agents, conducted between November and January for the body representing the turf industry, found Victorian lawns add 19 per cent of value to a home, ahead of NSW at 16 per cent, Queensland and South Australia, both 12 per cent, and Western Australia, 8 per cent.

A third of agents said buyers believe a lawn adds to the look and feel of a home while almost three quarters say buyers want a safe playing area for the kids.

But the benefit of having your own green turf is also seen by young couples and those wanting to upsize.

Most buyers also want a backyard to be at least a third of the size of their property, the survey said.

LJ Hooker chief executive Janusz Hooker said house hunters factor in having a lawn or backyard as part of their budget.

"A townhouse or larger suburban home with an area of grass is still important in 2012," Mr Hooker said.

"For sellers, the key is to put some time into making the lawn look well cared for and perfect for the new owners. That's how they'll capitalise on the added value a lawn can offer."

A third of house hunters have a decent sized backyard in their list of top three requirements, along with a quiet street and more than one bedroom, according to agents.

Landscaper and TV personality Jody Rigby said the survey shows most buyers feel their backyard should be real grass.

"New types of grass are not as thirsty as many believe, and of course, all have environmental benefits," she said.

"It's the Australian way of life to grow up running around in the backyard and it's not as hard as many think to keep a lawn looking beautiful and green, despite the kids' wear and tear."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/money/property/what-buyers-will-pay-more-for-in-a-new-home/story-e6frfmd0-1226268739194#ixzz1m6QYzmCN

Building Boost Extended !!!!

Queenslanders building or buying new homes will have access to the state government's $10,000 building boost for an extra three months, amid slower-than-expected uptake.

The grant offer, which began nearly six months ago, was due to expire at the end of this month.

But Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser said the grant would continue until the end of April, following requests from the housing industry and an increase in applications in recent weeks.

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The decision comes as Mr Fraser prepares to unveil his Queensland budget update today, amid growing speculation of an imminent election.

Mr Fraser said the original $140 million budget allocation earmarked for the building boost would cater for the time extension, with just 3700 people having applied for the grant so far.

The one-off grant is open to home purchasers buying or building a new home worth less than $600,000.

Mr Fraser's office last night released figures showing uptake was sluggish in the first few months of the grant but had increased in recent times.

“Industry has come to me asking for an extension to the boost and that's what we'll provide,” Mr Fraser said in a statement.

“They've said to me, and the recent application numbers show, that the boost is increasingly gaining traction with potential buyers.”

Mr Fraser said the April 30 end date would give developers and builders extra time to market the boost and give the housing industry the kick-start it needed.

“Every housing stimulus package always has a large increase in interest at the back end of the time period, with many applications coming in after the end date.”

The Liberal National Party opposition has previously labelled the measure as a fizzer, saying with a month to the cut-off date applications had been received for just 22 per cent of the program’s $140 million funding.

But Mr Fraser said the building boost was having an effect.

“The (Housing Industry Association) Home Sales report shows that Queensland is the only state that has increased the number of new home sales each month from August to November, the most recent month data has been collated for,” he said.

More information about the boost can be found at boost.treasury.qld.gov.au

Source : www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Dulux Surf Club Project

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Build & Design Queensland Expo

Build & Design Queensland (BDQ) is the first dedicated architecture, construction and design trade expo focusing on the unique needs of Queensland building and design professionals.

The inaugural expo, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 9 - 11 May 2012, is set to become home to the best in cutting edge build and design for the Queensland environment, in both the residential and commercial sector.  

BDQ is committed to driving the growth and regeneration of Queensland by bringing the industry together to help shape the future of the state. The Build & Design Queensland exhibition will offer visitors a powerful combination of local and national suppliers, new product innovation and inspiring ideas, complemented by educational seminars.

With the forecast spend of $10 billion on construction over the next two years* and the need for residential housing to accommodate the mining boom, BDQ will play a fundamental part in helping Queensland design and building professionals to drive the growth by securing new business and sourcing the right products.   

BDQ is co-located with the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) National Architecture Conference and the CEDIA Expo.

Source : www.bdqexpo.com.au

New home owners boost must be extended: economis

New home owners boost must be extended: economist

10/01/2012 - 

A building incentive scheme to lure new home owners needs to be extended not extinguished says a leading economist.

 - Toby Mann

HIA chief economist Harley Dale says the $10,000 Queensland's Building Boost scheme for new home buyers must be kept open beyond the January 31 deadline.

He said the latest HIA figures, which show Queensland's detached house sales increased by 4.7 per cent in the month - well below NSW (22.8) and Victoria (11.6) - was enough to highlight the industry still needs assistance.

"If you have implemented a boost, which has had some success but still leaves you 40 per cent short of where you need to be, it seems pretty clear to me that it's not that appropriate time to be removing that stimulus," Dale told ABC Radio.

New Queensland home owners must sign a contract for a house worth up to $600,000 by the end of the month to be eligible for the assistance.

The scheme was tipped to attract 14,000 people when it was launched last August.

Instead, just 3206 people had taken advantage of the offer by January 1, according to figures released by Treasurer Andrew Fraser.

Even though the scheme has attracted less than a quarter of the buyers predicted, a spokesman for Fraser said they would not extend the deadline.

Fraser said official interest rate cuts and the $10,000 Queensland Building Boost had made it easier for new home buyers to enter the market.

"In October we saw a massive increase of 20.8 per cent in detached house sales in Queensland, and it's been backed up by another increase of 4.7 per cent in November," Fraser said in a statement.

"We have seen increasing interest in Queensland Building Boost applications throughout December so I'd expect to keep seeing more growth in this sector."

Source: AAP NewsWire
www.industrysearch.com.au

Building Boost Grant Closing Soon!!

Apply for the $10,000 Boost to buy or build a new home. But hurry, the Boost closes 31 January 2012.


Source : http://boost.treasury.qld.gov.au/?utm_source=qld_home&utm_medium=announcement&utm_campaign=phase_1