24 March 2019 / Weather Alert

Ex Tropical Cyclone Trevor Warnings

Ex-tropical cyclone Trevor is forecast to move southeast from the Barkly district in the Northern Territory and into the Channel Country overnight Monday and into Tuesday. The vigorous low is expected to interact with an amplifying upper trough to produce bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Damaging, possibly destructive wind gusts are also expected to develop on the eastern flank of the low.

Widespread six-hourly rainfall totals between 50mm and 80mm are likely within the warning area from Monday afternoon or evening. Isolated heavier and intense rainfall totals up to 120mm are possible with thunderstorms between Urandangi and Bedourie.

Isolated damaging wind gusts up to 100km/h are possible for areas west of Boulia during Monday evening and early Tuesday morning. Locally destructive wind gusts in excess of 125km/h are possible with embedded thunderstorms.

A Flood Watch is current for the western Gulf Country, Channel Country and extending into the Warrego and Maranoa catchments

Locations which may be affected include Birdsville, Boulia, Bedourie, Urandangi, Glenormiston, Davenport Downs Station, Morney, Durrie and Brighton Downs.

Severe Thunderstorms have been detected on satellite over the Carpentaria and northern Barkly in Northern Territory.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Borroloola, Mallapunyah, McArthur River, Minyerri and Carpentaria District south of Ngukurr.

Consider all site housekeeping and remove loose waste and material from roofs, scaffold, balconies and open areas (hardstands / laydown) and ensure site fences are well supported with the minimum bracing (every second panel for scrim & every panel for hoarded).

General advice in weather events

  • Move cars under cover or away from trees. 
  • Secure loose outdoor items. 
  • Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. 
  • Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
  • Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. 
  • For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
Hutchies WeatherStorm Preparation

BOM Ex TC Trevor

Wind & Rain Radar

This is a live 24 hour forecast radar that updates hourly using modelled data from BOM. 

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30 October / Quality Alert
Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage will be banned

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

The industry is shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases. Although the consultations are under way and there has been no official announcement by Federal or State Governments on the issue, the health and safety risks along with the uncertainty around this issue warrants a decision to ban all engineered products entering job sites nationally. The ban will take effect on 1 July 2024 and will extend to ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage. 

An update to this alert will be provided before the end of the year when the Federal and State Governments are expected to issue a formal decision on the ban. In the meantime, to mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform the clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product. Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Product alternatives going forward include:

Compact Laminates

  • Under 1% silica content
  • Extremely competitive pricing
  • Only comes in 12mm thickness
  • Heat resistance is an issue
  • Product not suitable for high end applications

Porcelain Surfaces

  • Under 10% silica content
  • Price dependant of product and supplier
  • Large variety of colours and thicknesses (4, 8, 12, 20 and 30mm)
  • Great resistance to staining, scratches, UV and heat
  • Good warranty terms

Acrylic Solid Surfaces

  • 0% silica content
  • More expensive alternative
  • Limited thickness availability
  • UV stable and heat resistant but direct heat exposure not advised
  • Minimising wastage through flexibility in sheet sizing
  • Seamless joints

Natural Stone*

  • Various silica content percentages
  • Variety of products at different price points available
  • Ongoing maintenance may be an issue
  • Unlikely to satisfy specific warranty requirements

*Although this alert does not directly impact natural stone, some types have high silica content so risk of using these on projects should be considered carefully.

For an up-to-date list of available products and their usability, click here.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact the Quality Team:

Phone 1300 HUTCHIES
Email QualityTeam@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

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10 October / Update
Installation Details for Elephant's Foot & Wastech Bin Chutes

Make sure bin chute systems are installed correctly, following the tested systems and the manufacturers’ instructions.

Check the detailed drawings from Elephant’s Foot and Wastech for different wall types (plasterboard, shaft-liner, speed panel, concrete, Hebel, and masonry).

Any changes to the tested systems must be approved by your project certifier, signed off by the fire engineer in the fire engineering report (FER), and accepted by the relevant state / territory fire service.

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