8 January 2021 / COVID-19

Urgent COVID-19 Notice / Greater Brisbane

Breaking news

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

The QLD Government has just made the below announcements at a press conference.

We are currently seeking further details regarding the construction industry. We will provide another update shortly.

For now please read the following announcements from the QLD Premier and follow all QLD Government directions:

> 3 day lockdown for the Greater Brisbane region starting from 6pm tonight (Friday) through to 6pm on Monday

> Greater Brisbane extends to Metro North, Metro South, Moreton, Logan, Ipswich, and Redlands

> 9 new cases reported overnight from 13,000 tests conducted yesterday

> Hotel quarantine worker who was detected yesterday has the new more contagious UK strain of COVID-19

> If this isn’t done now, it could end up being a 30-day lockdown

> Last night aged care facilities, hospitals and some disability services have restricted access to visitors

> Greater Brisbane residents can leave home for four reasons:

>> Essential work – if you can work from home, do so

>> Healthcare or support of a vulnerable person

>> Essential shopping

>> Exercise in your local neighbourhood

> Masks are also being mandated across Greater Brisbane when leaving home (6pm tonight through to 6pm Monday in those council areas) – you must wear a mask – children under 12 do not need to. 

Masks, sanitiser and other supplies are available from Company Services and Reception.

QLD Contact Tracing List

Brisbane Venues & Suburbs of Concern

Please take the time to review the lists below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to be tested.

Check the QLD Government website daily for updated information.  

If you have visited any of the locations listed in the table below during the date and time indicated you must get tested and isolate until you get a negative result.

DatePlaceSuburbArrival timeDeparture time
Saturday 2 JanuaryTrain from Altandi Station to Roma street Sunnybank 7.00am-
Saturday 2 January Train from Central Station to Altandi StationBrisbane City 4.00pm-
Sunday 3 January Woolworths Calamvale North Calamvale 11.00am 12.00pm
Tuesday 5 January Coles Sunnybank Hills  Sunnybank 7.30am 8.00am
Tuesday 5 January Newsagent at Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town  Sunnybank 8.00am 8.15am

If you live or work in/around these suburbs, please get tested at the first sign of any symptoms:

> Sunnybank Hills

> Algester

> Calamvale

For more information, check the QLD Government website:

QLD Contact Tracing List

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 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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