17 August 2020 / COVID-19

QLD / VIC / NSW COVID-19 Stats & Venue Alerts

Update from Queensland's Premier, Deputy Premier & Chief Health Officer

No new cases in QLD
8 active and in hotel quarantine / hospital
16 days since known community transmission case in QLD
No intention of full reopening of borders while there are community transmission cases in NSW and Victoria

Update from Victoria's Premier

282 new cases
25 deaths
657 cases currently in hospital
15,728 tests conducted since yesterday’s update

Update from New South Wales' Premier & Chief Health Officer

7 new cases (6 locally acquired, 1 in hotel quarantine, 3 local cases are close contacts linked to the Chops Stix restaurant in western Sydney, 2 are close contacts of the Lady of Mercy College cluster – close contacts are being contacted now)
10,806 tests conducted yesterday up to 8pm
Case numbers are declining, but accumulation of cases (clusters) is still spreading it in areas of western Sydney (which is how Victoria’s big outbreaks occurred)
Gladys apologised for the findings of the Ruby Princess Commission that found deficiencies in the NSW Department of Health in handling the situation
This morning NSW Health provided new guidelines on school requirements in dealing with COVID-19 (including further restrictions to prevent the spread)
CHO said some people are thinking their symptoms are influenza and brushing off potential test for COVID, NSW are saying they have very low cases of the flu so if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a higher chance that is COVID
Anyone in the western Sydney areas in particular with potential symptoms must come forward for testing so that community transmission can be managed as quickly as possible
The latest NSW Venue Alerts have been updated on Hutchies' COVID-19 Hotspot Map below

Declared Hotspots

Hutchies' hotspot map is updated daily and includes the latest information on:

officially declared 'hotspots' (red and yellow shaded areas in Victoria, and all of NSW except blue areas)
exempt border zones for Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory (blue)
venues of concern where known COVID cases have been (red warning icons)
local government restrictions in place (red and yellow areas)
testing clinic locations (yellow dots)
Our current live projects (blue dots)
Hutchies' offices and yards (H icons)

For current travel advice / Hutchies' expectations, please refer to the Latest Information section of this page or contact Tabi Ward.

This map is to help bring all the key current warnings and information into one simple place for Hutchies' people. Please ensure you are also referencing your state government / authority websites to make sure you are complying with the latest advice.

Map of Hotspots & Testing Clinic Locations

Coronavirus Information

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Other Recent Activities

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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 1July 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

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.