St Joseph Affordable Homes Newsletter Edition 4 – 2023
As we round the corner into the tail-end of 2023 we take this opportunity to thank our employees, contractors, and all those who support the work of St Joseph Affordable Homes.
We take immense pride in not only significantly increasing the supply of social and affordable housing in Tasmania, but also creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
In this edition of the newsletter we celebrate the fantastic work of Build Up Tassie and the Apprenticeship and Training program. We also share exciting updates on our projects in the North of the state, welcome some new faces, and deliver important WHS updates.
Tasmanian Training Awards
We are extremely proud to share that St Joseph Affordable Homes, in partnership with Build Up Tassie and Centacare Evolve Housing, has won the Industry Collaboration of the Year Award at the 2023 Tasmanian Training Awards!
Sponsored by Swinburne University of Technology, this award recognises exemplary collaboration between employers/industry and a provider of nationally recognised training. Thank you to our amazing team and all of the partners and supporters of our organisations who help to build homes for today and foundations for the future.
A special congratulations to Connor who was a finalist for the Tasmanian Training Awards’ Equity Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. This award recognises students who have overcome barriers and/or disadvantage to achieve their VET qualifications. Connor was in the first round of Build Up Tassie participants to be offered apprenticeships with St Joseph Affordable Homes. Three years on, we couldn’t be more proud of what Connor has achieved personally and professionally.
It was fantastic to be recognised for our training program. Thank you again to everyone who works tirelessly with St Joseph Affordable Homes to create meaningful education and employment outcomes for young Tasmanians.
Welcome to the Team
We would like to welcome two new staff members;
- Robert Woolley – Site Maintenance Labourer
- Michael Banks – Bricklaying Labourer
We would also like to welcome and congratulate Adrian Broomhall for his move over to Strategic Projects Manager for St Joseph Affordable Homes.
This aligns with the evolution of the Build Up Tassie team, with Belinda Clarke moving into the role of Build Up Tassie Executive Manager and Bec Woolley into the role of Build Up Tassie Manger. Congratulations!
Apprentice Update
The St Joseph Affordable Homes Apprentices recently visited the Hazell Bros quarry as part of their Apprentice Day. It was great to get a tour through the site to gain a better understanding where our supplies and materials come from.
A special congratulations to Kayden Wegner who has completed his traineeship in Wall & Truss Framing. Kayden will continue with St Joseph Affordable Homes for the remainder of the year while working with McKay Timber.
Build Up Tassie
Expressions of interest for Build Up Tassie Civils are now open! They will close on Sunday 28th September.
With a direct link to a work experience program hosted with Hazell Bros and structured in a way that will give participants an opportunity to try multiple areas of civil construction, Build Up Tassie is just what you or someone you know needs to grow confidence and skills.
If you would like to learn more about the program or know of anyone who would like to submit an expression of interest please visit builduptassie.com.au or click the button below.
Eight Crew 2 members have nearly completed work experience. Over eight eight weeks, participants get to experience up to four different trades in two-week blocks. We have seen them experience a wide array of trades including Carpentry, Plumbing, Plastering, Bricklaying, Welding, Electrical, Painting and Joinery with both St Joseph Affordable Homes and our contractors. All have shown a lot of potential and growth so far and we look forward to seeing what the last block will bring for them.
Crew 3 is now in the latter part of their program! The last construction program of the year has seen 15 committed crew members give their all.
They have finished their individual project (making a toolbox out of timber) and completed their manual handling trainingm, their First Aid and CPR certificate and their White Card training.
They are finishing up the group project for this program – a cubby house which will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation.
Throughout the program they have had several guest speakers. These include Speak Up Stay ChatTY, RACT new driver awareness training, Make A Wish and our Build Up Tassie Wellbeing Team who have run some workshops on financial literacy and life skills.
We proudly recognise Keystone Tasmania and Skills Tasmania for their support of Build Up Tassie.
A Special Thank You
We would like to express our gratitude to the Southern Central Trade Training Centre and Jordan River Learning Federation Senior School. The centre continues to be a fantastic training ground for Build Up Tassie and the next generation entering the building and construction industry.
Work Health & Safety
SAVE THE DATE FOR SAFETY MONTH!
The following events are scheduled around Safety Month for St Joseph Affordable Homes:
- BBQ in Campbell Town – 11th October – 11am-12pm
- Breakfast at Tower Road – 18th October – 7am-9am
Smoking, Vaping, Drugs & Alcohol Policies
All workers and stakeholders of St Joseph Affordable Homes need to be aware of two policies that impact our sites and have been developed as part of our ongoing commitment to make our sites a safe and healthy workplace for all.
SMOKING/VAPING:
Our sites are no smoking and no vaping sites. Further to this, for St Joseph Affordable Homes employees, smoking is only allowed in allocated break times, offsite.
ALCOHOL and DRUGS:
We have a zero tolerance to alcohol and drug use and may require any worker on our site to be random tested for alcohol and drugs. We will be commencing random testing in 2023. We also offer support for those workers who disclose that they have an issue.
Signage is being installed on our sites in relation to this and flyers are being handed out, as per below. If you would like flyers for your business or team, please get in touch.
We appreciate your support in complying with our policies. Please feel free to speak to our site supervisors or managers directly about the policies if you have any questions or issues to raise.
Reporting Health and Safety Concerns and Issues
A friendly reminder that…
- All concerns or issues around safety should be raised and discussed with your manager or supervisor in your workplace or jobsite immediately.
- ALL hazards, near misses or incidents must be reported through Integrum whenever they are identified. Notifiable incidents should be reported to the health and safety authority immediately.
- Raise and discuss any health or safety concerns at staff or toolbox meetings.
- Be aware of preventing and reporting physical hazards such as slips, trips, falls, exposure to loud noises, working from heights, vibrations, and unguarded machinery.
Housekeeping in Construction
It is everybody’s responsibility to maintain a tidy workplace by organising equipment and supplies and disposing of waste in designated skip bins, while also keeping materials and debris away from entry and exit points and walkways.
In a jobsite or workplace where clutter and disorganisation are tolerated, it is impossible to effectively promote safety.
Project Highlight – Campbell Town
We are excited to share updates on our first site in the North of the state.
Works completed:
- 14 out of 21 foundations are down
- 9 frames are up with trusses
- 6 roofs are on
- 3 units have windows in and another 3 are ready for installation.
- Brickwork to begin mid September
- 3 have electrical and plumbing rough in complete
Upcoming Works:
Plastering will commence within the next 2-3s week for the first couple of units.
- Civil Works:
- Water Mains are in and connected to the block
- Communications and power conduits are in the ground
- Temp power is hooked up
- Sewer is connected to the block
- Underground services are in for 80% of the stage
Last week, we held a BBQ in Campbell Town to thank St Joseph Affordable Homes staff and contractors for the great work taking place on our first Northern project. This was also a fantastic opportunity to test out our new BBQ trailer supplied by James Hardie and Clennetts Mitre 10!
Project Highlight – Hobart Womens Shelter
This project in Herdsmans Cove is a prototype for a future 50 units in Southern Tasmania to be built by the Hobart Womens Shelter. It is unique for its special design features such as raked ceilings and rounded windows.
Bricklayers are onsite. Electrical, plumbing, and air conditioner rough-ins occurring. Carpenters returning to commence internal wall and ceiling linings which are all oak veneer ply.
Upcoming Projects
Home Avenue Blackmans Bay – 8 Dwellings – August-October
View St Geeveston – 20 units – October
Kent St Geeveston – 15 units – October
Main St Cressy – 8 units – September
Nielsen Esplanade Bridgewater – 10 units – September
1 Selwyn St Triabunna – September
Bowden Drive Bridgewater – 5 units – October
Acacia St Huonville – 8 Units – October
