In This Issue #25: December 2016

▪ Christmas Holiday Plans▪ Does Your Glass Splashback Comply?▪ Preparing for the Future▪ Providing Expert Evidence at VCAT Hearings▪ Bayswater Update▪ SPI's Social Media Campaign

Christmas Holiday Plans

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As we head into end-of-year celebrations, we hope you can begin to enjoy somequiet time with family and friends after all the Christmas frenzy. For some, thiscan mean travel opportunities or time at home to get on with that list of homemaintenance and renovation jobs. For others, it's an opportunity to see what elsemight be on offer in the housing market.

Whatever your focus in the coming weeks, SPI will be available to help if yourequire it. We will have inspectors on call throughout this period and we willendeavour to accommodate everyone's needs where we can.

From the team at SPI, may we wish you all a safe and enjoyable festive seasonwith your family and friends. And we look forward to being of service to you againin 2017. Below is a snapshot of our SPI Christmas party which involved a BBQmeat cooking class at Beer De Luxe in Hawthorn. It was a great opportunity toreflect on our team efforts throughout the year, as we look forward to our excitingprojects and work prospects planned for 2017.

Does Your Glass Splashback Comply?A growing interest in cooking and a trendtowards open-plan living, means that kitchenmakeovers are usually on top of the list forhome renovation jobs. Over the Christmasbreak, you may be contemplating your ownkitchen renovation. Keeping abreast of thelatest trends and safety guidelines will ensure

that your kitchen is stylish in 2017 and years to come.

Safety in the kitchen is crucial so good building practices should be in place toensure that it's not overlooked. Recently, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA)has seen an increasing number of glass splashbacks being installed withoutmeeting the required standards.

Glass splashbacks are a popular choice for wall finishes. However, if you'reconsidering this option, it's necessary to use toughened safety glass with asuitable backing material. This particular glass needs to comply with AS/NZS2208 Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings. The toughened glass should bemarked as complying with AS/NZS 2208 or documentation from themanufacturer will need to be provided to demonstrate compliance.

In recent months, the VBA has been conducting audits on kitchens installed withtoughened glass. In the event that an audit is undertaken, documentation detailingcompliance with the required standards, including the identification of the backingmaterial, will need to be supplied at the time of the inspection.

If you have a concern or question about your kitchen renovation, please contactus on 1300 721 032 or email info@spipropertyinspections.com.au. Ourinspectors are well equipped to provide knowledge and independent advice onyour renovation plans. We can tailor a building inspection that suits your projectwhether you're at pre-project, pre-tiling or final completion stage.

Preparing for the Future

Victoria in Future 2016 is a publication produced by the state government,outlining projections of population for Victoria between 2011 to 2051. Thisinformation is based on estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).According to this report, Melbourne's population is set to double within 15 years.The number of people living in inner and middle suburbs is expected to grow by 1million.

What does this mean for the property market and are we prepared for thisprojected growth?

With strong population growth set to continue, additional dwellings will benecessary to house our population. The ability to supply a range of affordablehousing options will be a focus for the government. Apartments may be a suitablechoice in the inner and middle suburbs, providing access and connectivity toemployment and services.

Ultimately, demographics, job creation, accessibility to school and services, aswell as trends in the market, will determine where people choose to live over thenext 15 years. As a property inspection company, we'll play an important role inthe urban planning and development for the future. SPI will continue to give peoplepeace of mind when making property purchase decisions and provide supportduring the new home construction process. Exciting times ahead!

Providing Expert Evidence at VCAT Hearings

In situations where building disputes cannot be resolved, one of the parties mayseek recourse through legal means, such as the VCAT Tribunal. In such cases,an expert opinion relevant to the issues may be required to support theapplication. There are two ways expert evidence is presented to VCAT:

1. Providing Expert Evidence in the form of a written report and/or2. Providing an Expert Witness

SPI is able to prepare a detailed VCAT compliant legal document to submit asexpert evidence. We also have the specialised knowledge, qualifications andexperience to present evidence to the Tribunal and act as an expert witness.

You can read more about providing expert evidence at VCAT hearings on ournew blog available via the SPI website. Please click here to read the blog piece.

Bayswater UpdateIn previous newsletters, we havediscussed our role in the LevelCrossing Removal Project atBayswater. Earlier this year, ourinspectors prepared comprehensivedilapidation reports to capture thepre-existing condition of eachproperty before the commencementof construction work.

The Bayswater Station was demolished over the weekend of 22 and 23 October,2016. Click here to check out the video of the works throughout November andDecember 2016 to remove the Scoresby Road and Mountain Highway in order tobuild the new Bayswater Station. The Station successfully re-opened on Monday12 December 2016 after five weeks of major building works. During theconstruction blitz, 63,000 cubic metres of dirt (equivalent to 25 Olympic-sizeswimming pools) was excavated from the new rail trench. New tracks were laid,the train line was lowered under two roads and a new road bridge was built. Theproject team worked extremely hard night and day to keep to time schedules andavoid disruptions to the community. Well done to all those involved in this majorundertaking!

SPI's Social Media CampaignAlong with some recent website changes we've made,we're also increasing our focus on social media todevelop our network of contacts in the industry. To keepup to date with the latest news and services that we canoffer you, we invite you to follow and engage with usthrough these channels. And of course, we would like toreciprocate and do the same for you.

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As we close out the year and look forward to the summer break, the SPI teamwishes you and your family a safe and memorable Christmas. Marie Kitch

©2016 SPI Property Inspections | PO Box 6227, Vermont South, VIC 3133 Phone:1300 721 032 | Email:info@spipropertyinspections.com.au Website:

www.spipropertyinspections.com.au

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