Strong black coffee was a great start to the day, but those attending the Members Conference on Phillip Island this year didn’t experience full alertness until Bernard Salt took the stage.

Salt, an acclaimed demographics and social commentary expert, kicked off the program with an energetic analysis of the fast-growing ‘fusion culture’ of Melbourne and Victoria, stressing the significant ways in which immigration, interstate relocation and economic opportunity have shaped demographics in ways that have a profound effect on the market to which Master Builders members provide their services.

In arranging the line-up of speakers for the 2016 symposium, Master Builders’ goal was to select experts who had something genuinely important to share with members, to help them make the most of the coming business year. Salt was just the first in a series of industry authorities discussing some of the major issues of the day.

Angela Jurjevic, from the Planning Department, Simon Cohen (Consumer Affairs Victoria) and Prue Digby (Victorian Building Authority) discussed changes to building regulations; Boral CEO Mike Kane shared insights from front line in industrial relations; Mike de Souza from A3DMA provided a glimpse into the new frontier of three-dimensional manufacturing technology; Minister for Planning Richard Wynne summarised the refreshing of Plan Melbourne; Emergent Solutions CEO Holly Ransom shed shared techniques for harnessing the talents of the millennial generation; and Steven Amendola, senior partner from Ashurst, capped off the day with a discussion of what to watch for in industry EBA discussions and code compliance issues.

Reactions from those attending were overall enthusiastic and appreciative, and we received expressions of regret from a number of members who had not been able to attend but had heard from others who had.

Master Builders thanks our sponsors who made this remarkable conference possible.

As one of Australia’s largest industry super funds, Cbus has a strong focus on building super futures for individuals and businesses within the building and construction industry. Cbus is different to other super funds because it invests back into the industry, creating jobs by developing significant buildings across the country through its $2.2 billion property development company, Cbus Property. To join Cbus – or to get answers to your super questions – please contact our dedicated customer service team on 1300 361 784 or visit cbussuper.com.au

 
Incolink is a joint enterprise of employer associations and industry unions, in the commercial building, construction and civil allied industries in Victoria and Tasmania, established in 1988. Incolink administers redundancy, portable sick leave and income protection insurance schemes for the commercial construction sector. Incolink’s core responsibility is to preserve and invest these funds and make severance payments on behalf of its worker members. In addition Incolink provides a range of welfare and                                                         support services to the building and construction industry.