WADIC Newsletter (June 2011).pdf

June/July 2011
Windows and Doors Industry Council
www.wadic.org.au
NEWS
This issue: Doing some catching up l l l Around the country l l l Illegal logging legislation update l l l Bush fire standards
l l l National wage increase l l l
Doing some catching up
It has been awhile since we have had a newsletter says WADIC general manager Bronwyn
Foord. “We have been communicating more frequently recently via email – nonetheless
we have some catching up to do newsletter-wise.”
“For starters, I would like to welcome new licensed members Aussie Woodworks from Nerang
in Queensland; Bago Woodworks from Wauhope in NSW; Dara Windows and Doors from Seaford
in Victoria, and Miris Windows and Doors from Moorabin also in Victoria. I would also like to
welcome a new supplier member in Pacific Cedar from Tingalppa in Queensland. Welcome all to
the WADIC fraternity!”
Bronwyn says she recently represented WADIC on the Australian Standards committees for the
glass standard AS1288 Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation; AS/NZS 4666 Insulating Glass
Units and AS/NZS2208 Safety Glazing Material in Buildings.
“AS1288 is now being finalised and will be posted for public comment soon. This process will
take nine weeks from posting. You will be able to view this draft standard by visiting the Standards
Australia website; www.standards.org.au”
Bronwyn says a considerable amount of time has been spent recently researching and
compiling a submission to the Senate enquiry into the exposure draft of the Illegal Logging
Prohibition Bill 2011. “WADIC was also invited to give evidence at the Senate enquiry in Canberra –
more on that later in this newsletter.”
Bronwyn Foord, WADIC General Manager – catching up
on business.
The Window and Door Industry Council Inc.
(WADIC) is a service organisation representing
the timber windows and door manufacturing
sector. WADIC provides assistance to members
to aid compliance with Australian standards
and building codes. WADIC promotes the
environmental and performance benefits of
members’ products and provides members
with information about energy rating systems.
WADIC also acts on behalf of members
in representations to governments and
regulatory authorities to ensure that members’
rights and access to markets are safeguarded.
President – Glenn Johnston
Stockwells Joinery Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
Vice President – Matthew Baker
Bruce Baker & Co, Kempsey NSW
Secretary – Mark Foord
Fewings Joinery, Sydney NSW
Treasurer – Ian Ramsay
Timbeck Cedar Products, Sydney NSW
Committee
Allen Cox
North Coast Joinery, Forest Glen QLD
John Rule
Dengate Joinery, Tamworth NSW
Matthew Lee
Specialty Timber Traders, Dural NSW
James Laing
BRIO, Regents Park NSW
Bill Davies
Baker & Davies, Moorabin VIC
Steve Bulman
Westside Joinery, Sunshine VIC
Tino Basso
Tiana Joinery, Hahndorf SA
Around the country
Victoria
Discussions between colleagues, with sales
reps and delivery drivers confirm healthy
order books in most Melbourne joinery shops,
with order to delivery times in the two to six
week bracket. Material and hardware have
proved relatively easy to get on time. As the
colder weather takes over, coupled with
star rating of projects, Insulated Glass Units
and performance glazing are being widely
requested.
Vale Ivan Bulman
Forty years after establishing Westside Joinery in
Sunshine, Victoria Ivan passed away peacefully
on 12 May 2011 after a long tussle with
Alzheimers. Victorian colleagues will remember
Ivan as one of our industry’s leaders and
gentlemen.
Industry prominence
As an indication of the position of the
association WADIC was recently approached
by an independent industrial relations
consultant to assist the Fair Work Ombudsman
(FWO) understand the differences between
joinery and cabinetmaking work. Constructive
discussions between the FWO consultant
and staff, in conjunction with a factory tour
of Westside Joinery demonstrating training
and machinery differences, was reported as
being one of the most informative activities
FWO had undertaken.
World Skills and the Global skills
challenge
The regional competition cycle for World Skills
has begun at a TAFE near you. If the pursuit
of excellence is part of your staff training
plan, encourage your apprentices to enquire
at TAFE about entering the competition.
Regional winners will progress to the 2012
National Competition in Adelaide and could
find themselves training with the country’s
best to represent Australia in Leipzig, Germany
for the 2013 International Competition, the
Skills Olympics.
If you have some member news please
forward it to admin@wadic.com.au for
consideration for the next issue of WADIC News.

Illegal logging legislation update
WADIC was invited to give evidence to the
Rural Affairs and Transport Senate Committee
hearing on the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill
2011 held at Parliament House on 16 May.
“WADIC was one of only eleven asked to
give evidence at five days notice!” says general
manager Bronwyn Foord.
Others that gave evidence were the
Australian Timber Importers Federation,
Australian Forestry Standard, Australian Forest
Products Association, Papua New Guinea
Forest Industries Association, Australian
Network of Environmental Defender’s Offices
and Humane Society, Greenpeace Australia
Pacific, Australian Forest Growers, New Zealand
High Commission and the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“A number of witnesses were interrogated
exhaustively. Our submission was in the main
treated in a much more consultative and
sympathetic manner. Both Senator Colbeck
(Liberal, Tasmania) and Senator O’Brien
(Labor, Tasmania) made it clear that they did
not want small to medium businesses to be
unduly encumbered by layers of bureaucratic
requirements and expense,” says Mrs Foord.
Bronwyn says the main recommendations
of WADIC’s evidence were.
1. Least possible legislation compliance costs.
2. That all imported products containing wood
be regulated to ensure fair competition,
regulatory effectiveness and fair treatment
under the proposed legislation.
3. That the Bill be amended to include
governance and accountability mechanisms
for appointed timber industry certifiers.
Bush fire standards
Bush fire standards – not up to the manufacturer to make
assumptions or decisions about standards, get clear
directions as to what precisely is required from the client.
Some WADIC members are continuing to
experience problems with interpreting new
bush fire standards. The Wood Solutions Booklet
04 Building with timber in bushfire-prone areas
that has recently been reviewed is still the best
resource for interpreting the standard (www.
woodsolutions.com.au). However, it is wise to
purchase the standard (AS 3959-2009) itself
rather than rely on the booklet alone.
WADIC general manager Bronwyn Foord
says the third amendment of the standard is
close to completion. “I will notify members
when it is to be posted for public comment.”
Bronwyn added it was important to note
that different state governments and local
bush fire brigades have the ability to upgrade
the requirements should they elect to do so.
“Confusing us all even further – you should
be extremely careful when ascertaining what
standard your products are required to comply
with – whether it is the old standard (AS 3959
– 1999) or the new standard (AS 3959 – 2009).
Some projects yet to be completed will be
compliant with the old standard.”
“When you are required to give a certification
it needs to be limited to exactly the standard
requested and nothing more. Be careful with
the paper work and spell out the required
manufacturing standard. Do however point out
that a new standard does exist,” she says.
Bronwyn also pointed out that the current
standard Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) should
not be considered the same as the old level
numbering system as they vary. “Be certain
to certify the manufactured products under
the code you have manufactured to and no
other. It is not up to the manufacturer to make
assumptions or decisions as to what standard
to adopt. It is up to the client/specifier/builder/
architect to give clear directions as to what
precisely is required, not only for this standard
but any standard.”
The current AS 3959-2009 04 (Building with
timber in bushfire-prone areas) makes reference
to Fire retardant (FR) treated timbers up to BAL
29. Following a number of enquiries received
WADIC has investigated this issue. “Our current
understanding following discussions with a
representative of the NSW Rural Fire Service and
the Melbourne equivalent found; “they do not
accept that a fire retardant changes or replaces the
prescribed timber for BAL levels,” says Mrs Foord.
“Further investigations were made with
others and although there have been reported
claims of a retardant that can achieve BAL 29
for Western red cedar there does not presently
appear to be one readily available in Australia
that has passed such a test.”
National wage increase
(by Brian Beecroft, CEO, Timber Trade Industrial Association)
On the 3 June 2011 Fair Work Australia handed down its second wage decision which will take effect on
the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2011. Whilst some media have reported the new wage increase
as being $19.40, members are advised that the increase is, in fact, 3.4% of the modern award rate.
The reported increase of $19.40 is for the national minimum wage mainly used for those workers
who are not covered by an award or agreement. The following is an extract from the actual decision:
“[334] The economy is performing reasonably well, labour productivity is growing, the profit share
remains at historically high levels and underlying inflation is well within the RBA’s medium-term target
band. Employment is growing, unemployment is reducing and labour force participation remains high.
In the circumstances a significant increase is appropriate which will improve the real value of award
wages and assist the living standards of the low paid. For the reasons discussed in Chapter 8 we have
adopted a uniform percentage increase. The increase in modern award minimum wages we have
decided on is 3.4 per cent. Weekly wages will be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.
[335] The national minimum wage for award/agreement free employees is currently set at the minimum
wage for the C14 classification, the lowest wage level in the Manufacturing Award. No cogent basis was
advanced for disturbing that relationship. The national minimum wage will be $589.30 per week or $15.51
per hour. The hourly rate has been calculated on the basis of a 38 hour week for a full-time employee, as
required by s.62 of the Fair Work Act. This constitutes an increase of $19.40 per week or 51 cents per hour.”
Remember the wage increase is fully absorbable into over award payments and is effective from the
first pay period on or after 1 July 2011. Members will be sent new wage summary sheets in due course.
Windows and Doors Industry Council
Contact Us
Bronwyn Foord General Manager
609 Gardeners Rd Mascot NSW 2020
Telephone (02) 9700 8798
Fax (02) 9700 8807
Email (General Enquiries)
info@wadic.com.au
Email (Member & other contact)
admin@wadic.com.au
Newsletter Editor
John Halkett
For editorial enquiries contact:
phone 02 9356 3826
email halkettj@netaus.net.au
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