Talent to be highlighted
at AIB awards
Preparations are well in hand for the Australian Institute of Building
Professional Excellence in Buildings Awards at Crown Casino on
24 June.
AIB says that due to an overwhelming number of nominations received
for the awards this year, tickets for the presentation are likely to sell
out fast.
According to AIB, the awards are the only ones in Australia that
recognise professional excellence of individuals in the building
and construction process, rather than the individual project or
completed structure.
“These awards are about how it was built, not what was built,” AIB
says. “The Awards provide an opportunity to highlight and reinforce the
role of the building professional in managing the construction process.
They also provide a forum to acknowledge individuals and management
teams that deliver their projects with the highest level of expertise.
“The Awards showcase the highest standards of achievement of an
individual in the categories of commercial construction, residential
construction, interior construction, infrastructure, project management,
research, development and technology and general building of
construction projects.”
AIB says a Professional Excellence Award is based on the challenges
associated with the complexity of the project in its construction phase.
The judging panel weighs the contribution of an individual and the
challenges they face based on:
- Degree of project diffi culty.
- Management and methods and techniques.
- Innovations developed to overcome diffi culties.
- Workforce organisation and training.
- Innovative approaches in the construction process.
- Relationship with client, architect, authorities, community
and workforce. - Quality of the completed project.
Kath and Kim actor Peter Rowsthorn will MC the awards evening and
AIB will hold a silent auction to support MATES in Construction. Ticket
enquiries can be made to Natalie Ngo, events and marketing offi cer at
the AIB national offi ce on [email protected].
AIB’s 2016 Professional Excellence Awards winners
Keystart eligibility a
boon for housing
Keystart says new eligibility criteria will allow it to approve up to
2200 additional home loans by June 2020, which could mean
another 5000-6000 jobs being created over the next three years.At the end of last year, Keystart’s eligibility criteria changed to allow
more people to qualify for a loan. Under the changes, Keystart’s
metropolitan income limits increased by up to $20,000. For single
applicants, the limit is now $90,000 (up from $75,000), for couples
$115,000 ($95,000) and for families $135,000 ($115,000).Keystart says the changes are good news for WA homebuyers and
the building industry.“For those ready to buy or build their fi rst home, there arguably
has never been a better time because of low interest rates and
improved home affordability,” it says. “It is a big commitment and
we encourage fi rst homebuyers to do their homework before
making a decision, but there is a lot of help available for those ready
to take the next step.”Keystart only requires a deposit from as low as two per cent
for homes in the metropolitan area and doesn’t charge lenders’
mortgage insurance, which could be a saving of between $10-
13,000 on a $400,000 package. In addition, people who qualify for
the First Home Owner Grant (currently up to $15,000) can use this
as part of their deposit.“What we know about the people who qualify for a Keystart loan is
that historically, 80 per cent choose to build a home of their own,”
Keystart says. “This is great news for the WA housing industry
because for every home built, up to three full-time construction jobs
are created. Then there’s the multiplier effect, because new homes
need to be fi lled with furniture, electrical appliances, white goods
and bedding.”Keystart says it has been lucky to receive support from successive
State Governments over many years, and it expects this will
continue. Together with the Housing Authority, it has delivered more
than 20,000 affordable homes since 2010.Standard lending criteria, terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.MAY–JUNE 2017general news REPORTS^9