Christmas greetings!

Have a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and New Year. Blue Tongue Building Approvals will be closed for Christmas from midday Friday December 21, 2012 and will re-open at 8.30 am Monday January 7, 2013.  Thanks for your business during 2012, looking forward to continuing our services during 2013.  

Red tape reduction???

The State Government IDAS application Forms 1 & 2 for building applications were changed on 17/12/12. Instead of ten pages, you now have thirteen pages to complete. Obviously not Santa’s decision - I was good this year!

Here is the link,   IDAS forms 1 & 2

TIP- You can use smarteda for planning applications, but not for building applications.

Don’t stress - Blue Tongue Building Approvals will continue to assist clients who don’t like filling out forms.

Great news for home buyers and renovators!

The forecast for a while (other than being hot, with the possibility of an evening storm) is that interest rates will remain at an incredibly low rate. Thanks RBA - what a lovely Christmas present for everyone in the building and development industry, including building surveyors and town planners!

See Mal Maiden’s report - business report 6/12/12 SMH

Need to lay conduit under a concrete driveway?

This has to be the easiest and cleanest way to install pipes under hard surfaces. Great for owner builders! See more about the “bullet mole” here  http://www.pipeunder.com

Have your say!

There are just over 2 weeks left to put a submission in for the Draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme. Once adopted, it will replace the three existing planning schemes – the Caloundra City Plan 2004, the Maroochy Plan 2000 and The Noosa Plan 2006. Have a look at how this impacts you Sunshine Coast Council - draft planning scheme

Brisbane River flood levels

Yesterday, Local Government Minister David Crisafulli announced $1.6 million for Brisbane City Council for flood studies and additional gauges in the Brisbane River. We can only hope Council doesn’t ignore the results this time!

CMC report

Enviro friendly concrete

Looking for environmentally friendly building materials?

Quote from the manufacturer - “A new low emission concrete, developed by Wagners, is set to revolutionise the construction industry.

Branded Earth Friendly Concrete, or EFC, the concrete does not contain ordinary Portland cement which is responsible for the carbon emission intensity of normal concrete. EFC is developed from an eco-friendly alternative known as Geopolymer Binder, which is created from the chemical activation of two industrial waste by-products—blast furnace slag and fly ash.

This alternative binder produces a staggering 80-90 per cent less CO2 emissions than Portland cement and has the same, if not better, engineering and construction properties as normal concrete.”

30 years today since Cloudland was demolished.

The horror felt by many when Cloudland was demolished overnight led to a tightening of heritage controls.

Read more Thirty-years since-our-dreamworld fell

Mountains of red tape stall renovation

Let’s hope this is the first in a series by Mitch Gaynor examining the building certification process. Brisbane City Council – there are better ways of doing things to reduce frustration and time delays. No Council, you won’t need to reduce income or staff.

 
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/the-bottom-line-home-renos-tied-up-in-council-red-tape/story-fnefl294-1226509397172

Interest rates on hold

The Reserve Bank has left interest rates on hold today. The odds were 50-50 towards a cut in official interest rates. The RBA's decision means they believe the Australian Economy is stong which is a positive sign for investment across Australia .

Housing recovery is happening slowly

http://www.couriermail.com.au/realestate/brisbane-housing-prices-still-soft-abs-data-shows/story-e6frequ6-1226511403736