Housing Continues Downward Trend
The fall in March building approvals reinforces the picture of a declining housing market, according to Master Builders Australia, the peak body for the building and construction industry. More information >>

Different storeys behind the design
The first major skyscraper of this century for Sydney has begun and those behind it say it will ``break the rules" of design. The 34 level building located at 126 Phillip Street opens late next year and it will be very different from the traditional office design and operation. New features will include security doors with access to individual floors being via eye or hand scanners. Flexible office partitions that can be rapidly pulled apart and relocated with a huge open-plan, library-style work areas. The building will incorporate shops, a bar and cafes on the ground floor and a public walkway. With all new skyscrapers to be built this century staff may be more involved in the design with key demands being natural light, security and an environmentally friendly building. (Sydney Morning Herald 01/05/2004)

Boulder Steel's Hunter Specialty Steel project on track
Sydney-based steelmaker Boulder Steel Ltd said on Tuesday it was on track to commence construction of its $500 million specialty steel plant early next year.
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Site blitz targets shonky builders
Over the next two weeks investigators will be making surprise inspections at more than 200 of the state's construction sites to catch building industry shonks. Construction workers found operating without licences will face fines of up to $22,000 and potential bans from the industry. In the past 10 months, Fair-Trading have obtained Supreme Court injunctions banning two operators and prosecuted 25 individuals for building without a licence. (Sun Herald 02/05/2004)

RAIA Shows Big Brown Land How to Go Green
The myths and mistruths about ‘going green’ are set to be debunked during a Royal Australian Institute of Architects-organised tour of Australia next month by two of the world’s leading sustainability experts. More information >>

NSW out of step as WA cuts taxes
NSW is increasingly out of step with its Labor colleagues as the Western Australian Government yesterday cut stamp duty across the board and ruled out introducing a NSW-style vendor tax. More information >>

Budget Boosts Housing and Promises More Big Ticket Infrastructure Projects
Today’s Victorian Government Budget provides first home owners and the disadvantaged with substantially good news. More information >>