News

Once known as a ‘sleepy city’, Perth has undergone major developments in recent years and is now transforming into a bustling, contemporary and highly sought after place to live.

Good news for Perth’s residential builders, as WA building approvals rose by nearly 7 per cent in January, seasonally adjusted. After a period of uncertainty and decline, the economy is showing signs of getting stronger and the RBA states it “should strengthen by mid 2014”. The mining boom may be over, but residential construction is getting stronger and economists expect it to boost economic growth this year (www.abc.net.au).  St George economist Janu Chan stated that approvals are at their highest level since 1983 (www.abc.net.au). 

The Hamptons, situated north of New York, is where the wealthy escape to the beach for summer. Hamptons style is defined as casual, relaxed beach living but done in a classic and very elegant way. The look is bright and sophisticated, featuring plain white walls, timber floors and a lot of vertical lines and columns. Traditionally, the balustrade on a Hampton house is made of timber and painted white.

There were 291 drowning deaths in Australian waterways between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. The number of people drowning in Australia has increased this year and is the highest number  seen since 2009/10. Swimming pools accounted for 61 per cent of drowning deaths in children aged 0-4. This highlights the need for a secure pool/spa fence that complies with the BCA codes.