Building & Construction

Ivona Rose. Interest in tiny homes is increasing on the Central Coast and across Australia, driven by soaring house prices, lack of housing availability, shifts toward sustainable living, downsizing, dwindling available land, and the growth of short-stay rentals like Airbnb ... Can tiny homes play a meaningful role in affordable housing, and where can people locate them?

Big promises, no build as Naracoorte waits on old TAFE site project. A grand on-site announcement, artist impressions, and firm timelines promised a solution to Naracoorte’s long-running childcare shortage — but almost two years on, the proposed early learning and childcare centre at the former TAFE site has yet to take physical shape.

Patricia Gill. A thermally-efficient house put together from insulated panels and triple-glazed windows shipped in five sea containers from Poland is expected to be occupied in May. Though not a certified 'passive house', Christine and David Lovell's home ... will rate 9.3-9.4 stars in the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.

When bushfires roared through Koolewong on December 6, Katie Greene's home was the only one left standing in a row of six houses. She has issued a stark reminder to other home owners to make sure their houses are bushfire safe.

Terry Collins. The NSW Government has come in for strong criticism for allowing just three days extra for public comment on its controversial Draft Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan ... "The Plan proposes 14,000 new residential lots; it outlines how our unique biodiversity will be managed for the next 30 years and it describes how the NSW Government will deliver its housing targets by unlocking new lands for development": Acting Mayor John Mouland.

A small number of local stakeholders were invited by Parks Victoria to climb the scaffolding around Maldon’s Beehive Chimney and inspect the remedial works project on Monday 27 October. It was terrifying and informative, but some members of the community took the opportunity to express discontentment about how the process has been communicated.

Supply Nation ... announced a new national milestone with members recording a total of over $5.83 billion in procurement spend with verified Indigenous-owned businesses in the 2024-25 financial year ... Supply Nation’s recently released report The Sleeping Giant Rises found that for every dollar of revenue produced by Indigenous-owned businesses, $3.66 of positive economic and social value was generated into the Australian economy.

Iluka Resources is involved in a dispute over unpaid dues, relating to the construction of a mine camp at their $600 million Balranald project, according to The West Australian newspaper. Iluka Resources is currently in a legal dispute with the contractor, MCC Mining Camps Pty Ltd, who is responsible for the facility, which includes a kitchen, dining area, and laundry.

Many hands make light work – and strong families. Just ask Moss Vale’s Harkness family, which with the help of TAFE NSW, is in the midst of an extraordinary bricklaying dynasty. All three brothers in the family – Bruce, 20, Barry, 18, and Max, 15 – are third-generation bricklayers and work under the guidance of their dad, Jobe, in the family business, J&S Harkness Bricklaying.

A well-known Riverland construction professional is encouraging young locals to be nominated for an industry initiative highlighting the state's best tradespeople. The hunt for the Riverland's top tradie is on, with $5500 up for grabs…

Patricia Gill. Shire councillor Aaron Wiggins described the approval of 15 tiny cabins on Raintree Estate as 'too many compromises' without getting the best result for the community. Cr Wiggins moved the motion to approve the development 'en bloc' of five separate lots, at the June 24 Denmark Shire Council meeting. Though he moved the motion, he was against it.

Work has started in Stockinbingal on building an accommodation camp for workers on the Illabo to Stockinbingal (I2S) section of Inland Rail. The accommodation camp will provide a home away from home for 350 workers who will be helping build the 39km of new track over the next two years.

An international team of scientists has developed a biodegradable material that could slash global energy consumption without using any electricity, according to a new study published today. The bioplastic metafilm – that can be applied to buildings, equipment and other surfaces – passively cools temperatures by as much as 9.2°C during peak sunlight and reflects almost 99 per cent of the sun’s rays.

The building has been open for public viewing on a couple of occasions but not well advertised. The Architect, David Kaunitz visited Wilcannia recently with a professional photographer, and has kindly sent us some good photos including inside views.

Residents who have taken the train from Castlemaine Station in the past few months will have noticed scaffolding and works taking place at the nearby Castlemaine Goods Shed which is managed by Castlemaine State Festival. The Festival announced an update on Thursday 29 May, saying that the maintenance and upgrade project is on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

Australia Post is working to establish ongoing arrangements for its Post Office in Narrandera and is grateful to locals for their patience and understanding.

Joanna Tucker. At least 1000 proposed homes across Yorke Peninsula are being delayed due to a lack of infrastructure within the SA Water network, according to Copper Coast Council. Chief executive Dylan Strong said the issue is not unique to the Copper Coast, but delays in SA Water’s trunk upgrades are affecting local developments.

Christine Webster. Swan Reach, west of Morgan, plus Truro and Mannum, have been suggested as having the most potential for accommodating development in a draft Growth Management and Housing Strategy for the Mid Murray ... The draft strategy said the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve presented significant economic development opportunities across several industries...

Jeni Kendell. Each May, the Nimbin Aquarius Foundation is planning to put on an event to celebrate the original Aquarius Festival in 1973 which helped reawaken and renew our wonderful town of Nimbin and ripple out in so many ways to far corners of this country. This annual event will resemble the ‘Festival of Dangerous Ideas’ that has become a landmark for people thinking outside the square.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel for Allora's Town Precinct with workmen on site at the Senior Citizens Rooms. When completed the Library will move into the old Senior Citizens Rooms with entry to the library down the side of the Museum via the double glass doors.