April 5, 2024
Welcome to the April edition of Projects & Construction Monthly.
This edition addresses:
- Recent Construction News;
- Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023;
- Government approves changes for Brisbane 2032 Olympics;
- Master Builders Australia helping to find missing trades;
- LPC Lawyers’ recently completed ‘Contract Considerations For The Current Construction Climate’ series; and
- Opportunities to join the LPC Lawyers’ team.
Recent Construction News
Inland Rail Project
Major development milestones are being met with the recent opening of the new Glenrowan Bridge and the commencement of a suite of works on the North-East rail line. Works have been occurring around the clock in March at Inland Rail sites at Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Seymour-Avenel Road at Seymour, Kilmore East, Tallarook and Wallan.
ARTC Inland Rail are demolishing and removing two bridges, lowering tracks, decommissioning old rail lines, installing new tracks, constructing a new station platform, upgrading rail signaling and conducting track slewing.
Bridge works at the Wangaratta Railway Station and Green St, Beaconsfield Parade, and Seymour-Avenel Road have commenced and are scheduled to be complete in April.
Queen’s Wharf
From 20 February 2024, works to upgrade a section of William Street north of the development (Treasury Hotel side) commenced. These works adopted a staged approach with footpath upgrades occurring in March and resurfacing of William Street resulting in temporary closures to occur this month. Works on this upgrade are expected to be complete at the end of April 2024.
The Star Brisbane Resort is expected to open from August 2024, which will include The Star Grand and many of the 50+ restaurants, bars and cafes and retail outlets.
Mission Beach Town Centre
The Cassowary Coast Regional Council has announced that construction of the Mission Beach Town Centre is set to commence in April 2024.
This $18.98 million project will transform the Centre through infrastructure roads, drainage, landscaping, and lighting, including the upgrade of ageing stormwater infrastructure, and the redevelopment of both the Mission Beach Village Green and adjacent Porter Promenade.
Cross River Rail Underground Station Progresses
The new Roma Street underground station is well underway with installation complete on a number of escalators along the underground platform, escalators leading to the surface, and architectural finishes complete.
Over the coming months, final escalators will be installed, artwork will be set in place and the station canopy will be erected.
Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On 21 March 2024, the Queensland Parliament passed the Work Heath and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill).
The Bill bolsters worker protection and representation in Queensland and gives effect to recommendations from the Review Report and the national 2018 Review of the Model Work Health and Safety Laws (also known as the Boland Review), including:
- Strengthening the role of health and safety representatives (HSR), including clarify powers they can exercise and functions they can perform;
- Promoting consultation about work health and safety with workers and their representatives;
- Streamlining dispute resolution process and moving certain proceedings from the Magistrates Court to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commissions; and
- Granting HSRs the autonomy to select their training provider and ensuring full remuneration for training attendance.
For more information on the changes, you can read the Bill here.
Government approves changes for Brisbane 2032 Olympics
The Queensland government has approved the majority of recommendations from the independent Sport Venue Review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The new direction focuses on providing benefits to local schools, community athletic programs and Olympic and Paralympic athletes in 2023 and beyond, instead of focusing on facilities that are only needed for four weeks.
Pending due diligence, key upgrades are now planned for the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium. The proposed new stadium for Victoria Park has been ruled out, and the rebuild of the Gabba will not proceed.
The Queensland Government aims to complete due diligence on venues in the coming months and begin construction.
Master Builders Australia helping to find missing trades
Master Builders Australia has released its supplementary Budget submission, ‘Finding Australia’s missing tradies: Harnessing our skilled migrant workplace’. The submission is aimed at helping migrants navigate complex and unnecessary barriers to work in the construction industry.
The submission highlights that the current workforce cannot keep up with demand and Australia requires almost half a million new workers to enter the sector in the next five years to maintain business as usual. It urges the Federal Government to consider better supporting skilled migrants already in Australia. You can read Master Builder Australia’ submission, including their recommendations here.
LPC Lawyers’ ‘Contract Considerations For The Current Construction Climate’ Series
LPC Lawyers has recently completed a three-part series outlining important mechanisms to consider when drafting contracts in the current construction climate, including their importance during initial project establishment and the criticality of understanding parties’ obligations.
Part 1 – Cost Escalation Clauses
Part 1 considers cost escalation clauses and specific considerations to be made when drafting such clauses. Read the full article here.
Part 2 – Time Bars
Part 2 examines the importance of establishing a rigorous contract management mechanism for claims under the contract, benefits and enforceability of time bars, as well as important considerations when drafting a provision. Read the full article here.
Part 3 – Indemnity Clauses
The final instalment explores mitigating current industry risks, the benefits of indemnities, as well as important considerations when negotiating and drafting a clause. Read the full article here.
LPC Lawyers’ Continued Expansion
LPC Lawyers is looking to hire with opportunities for growth in our expanding practice.
Litigation Lawyers (1-3 years PAE)
Working closely with an ex-top tier partner, this role is ideal for a candidate who is highly motivated and has experience in drafting correspondence, simple pleadings, briefs for Counsel, and some client advisory work.
Executive Assistant
The firm is hiring an Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner, to provide high level support with day-to-day business activities, personal errands and tasks. This position is offered on a part-time (3 consecutive days per week) 6 month maternity contract commencing in May 2024.
For more information about our current opportunities visit our website here or to apply, please email your resume and cover letter to Charlie at [email protected].