Fairview Australia addresses national concerns on combustible cladding in free webinar

Fairview Australia (FVA Group), manufacturer of aluminium cladding and composite panel systems, is hosting a free webinar to discuss the implications of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) (Act) that came into effect last year.

The Design and Building Practitioners Act forms part of the NSW Government’s response to the Shergold Weir Report which focused on the shortcomings in the implementation of the National Construction Code following concerns raised at the national level about building defects and combustible cladding.

With draft regulations for this Act having been released recently, the FVA Groups says that Design Practitioners and Specifiers will be expected to hold more liability in specifying compliant products and subsequently have a significant impact on the design process.

The webinar will be held on 22 April from 10am – 1pm (AEST) and  offers a line up of presenters (including representatives from Engineers Australia, Lander and Rogers, Building Designers Association of Australia and many other industry bodies) who will discuss what the Act entails, what applies now and what future implications may look like from 2021 upon the release of regulations. Presenters will join a panel during the webinar to answer any questions.

To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/design-and-building-practitioners-act-2020-nsw-act-tickets-130512078139

Speakers:

Greg Ewing, General Manager – Sydney Engineers Australia

Greg is the General Manager of Engineers Australia (EA) Sydney. In this role, Greg is in charge of Sydney regional operations of the peak body for engineering practitioners in Australia. Greg served EA’s Northern Division as the General Manager from November 2013, prior to his appointment in Sydney, covering Sydney and Canberra.

Before moving to Australia in 2013, Greg was employed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (The IET) as Regional Development Manager for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Cumbria. The role was as wide, varied, and interesting as engineering itself. Most of Greg’s professional career was with the Scottish Government.

Joseph Callaghan, Special Counsel - Lander & Rogers

Joseph's broad experience and knowledge means he is able to provide his clients with timely and targeted advice in respect of all issues arising from large-scale commercial construction and property development, including the planning process.

Joseph is an experienced and pragmatic building and construction lawyer with more than a decade's experience advising on all issues arising in the life of large-scale construction projects and property development. Joseph has worked in senior private practice and in-house roles, most recently as General Counsel for Australia's largest residential apartment builder. Joseph's private practice experience work tended to revolve around significant litigation arising from large-scale commercial developments and infrastructure projects. His experience broadened in-house, to include complicated drafting, contract administration, planning and property law.

Vanessa Sheppard, Construction Professional Lines, Marsh Insurance

Vanessa is a specialist in Marsh’s construction practice focussing on professional indemnity placements for client’s corporate policies and single project professional indemnity placements. Her career spans both broking and underwriting roles over the last 17 years where she began her career in London working at Lloyds of London specialising in underwriting professional indemnity risks for the USA and Canada markets.

Robert Collings, General Counsel, Master Builders Association of NSW

Robert is the General Counsel for the Master Builders Association of NSW, and before that was a partner in private practice specialising in building and construction litigation. Robert sits on various Government working groups and advisory panels in relation to prospective building and construction legislation.

Chris Knierim, CEO, Building Designers Association of Australia

Chris Knierim has grown up around building and shaped a reputation for providing a unique service in award winning contemporary design and construction in both residential and commercial projects in Australia and internationally for over 20 years.

Chris established Designer Constructions Group in 2001 and headed overseas where his early success saw him designing and building nightclubs, bars, and celebrity supper clubs in Manhattan. His work was recognised with awards that led Chris to continue his travels to London and Europe where he continued to design and build award winning bar and club projects.

Always passionate about sustainable ecologically sensitive building that enhances the natural environment, Chris expanded his awareness and knowledge of techniques and practices that were being widely used internationally in preparation to return to Australia with a clear vision of a sustainability model he could tailor to Australian conditions.

Returning to Sydney at the end of 2005, Chris established a reputation for excellence based on his versatility and co-operative approach to ensuring a fluid working environment for his clients. In 2008 Chris expanded operations with the establishment of Code Green, a design and consultancy company focusing on creating truly sustainable structures and cities with the aim to evolve urban environments into green living spaces.

In 2012, Chris was awarded the Master Builders National Excellence in Construction Award.