OCTOBER BDAQ MEETING

Meeting Date...........................

Wednesday, 12th October, 2011.

VENUE:        Coolum tile and stone studio,

                       

                        Cnr Lysaght Street and Focal Avenue, Centra Park. Coolum beach.

                        (refer to following map)

                        Meeting Commences 6.00pm.

                        $10 meeting attendance fee to be paid to treasurer. (Tax deductable)

                        (Students free)

SPONSOR:

1. Coolum tile and stone studio
   Christine Lomas from Coolum tile and stone studio is hosting our October meeting and kindly providing a meal and some drinks. Chris will talk to us about the wide range of products and services offered, and show us around the showroom and trade centre. Coolum tile and stone specialises in sourcing unique and individual products for their clients. Chris will also invite a guest speaker affiliated with the tile industry to address the members. www.coolumtileandstonestudio.com.au (Chris Lomas 5446 2433)

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

1. Taty Hindes from Soul Space Design - Taty is a graphic designer who holds an MA in design and has 25 years experience in the graphic design industry. To kick off a proposed ongoing series of talks from members of other design professions - Taty has offered to come and talk to members about successful branding, and the creation of a good visual identity for small business. Good design principals form the basis of so many professions which are complimentary to the building design profession, I'm sure we can all learn something to benefit our businesses from Taty. Read more about Taty. http://www.soulspace.com.au/about/soul-space-designers/

DOOR PRIZE:

Treasurer Ray has kindly arranged for a six pack of beer and a bottle of wine to be   drawn as door prizes for two lucky meeting attendee’s.

           

Members note: Please bring your business card to provide to sponsors.

Close of Meeting at 8:30 pm approx.

Please RSVP ASAP so that our kind sponsor can make the necessary arrangements.

RSVP        ian@mojodesign.net.au

Small Business Development Workshop for BDAQ members

Interested in learning more about business and taking your business to another level?

The State Government is running some heavily subsidised business managment workshops, and the Sunshine Coast BDAQ has the opportunity to attend a series of workshops just for BDAQ members. The workshops will be hosted by Rod Richards, who will be speaking at this month's meeting.

We need a minimum of 6 members to attend, with a maximum of 10. See the attached flyer.

Please email Paul Hindes paul@soulspace.net.au if you are interested.

BIM Connect community

Autodesk are looking for members to join their new BIM Connect community.

Interested?

Here is some more information:

About the BIM Connect community:

 BIM Connect is a private, online community of global professionals who have experience and can speak to issues of collaboration and data management related to BIM or topics related to product development and product lifecycle management.  As a community member, you would have the opportunity to:

• Provide insight into your organization's needs and challenges
• Share your thoughts on a variety of technology industry topics
• Learn early on about new Autodesk initiatives and influence their direction
• Interact and network with your peers in a private, online forum
• Receive periodic rewards in exchange for your participation

Customers chosen to participate in BIM Connect will be asked to complete a click-through Non-Disclosure Agreement, create an account, and then log in and contribute your their thoughts (via surveys, dialogues, bulletin boards, etc.) an average of 5-15 minutes per week. Please note that while the community is global, it will be conducted in English only. 

Thank you in advance for your interest, and we hope to see you in the community!

Just answer some questions in the short questionnaire (link below)

BIM Connect applicant questionnaire:

http://www.communityinvitations.com/html.pro?ID=1049&said=adk711&csid=autodesk-BIM-TL-697&pcid=RFR

Food for thought - house sizes

　

MatusikMissive –Big homes

1stSeptember 2010 –http://www.matusikmissive.wordpress.com/

One of the current social themes is that the consumer is to blame for wanting a big home. The new social order –excuse me if I get on my hobby horse for a second or two –wants us to buy something smaller and magically make our housing problems disappear. Sadly, too many who clog up the blogosphere with urban commentary do not understand the economics of new housing nor a rational buyer’s decison-making process
Recent statistics published by the CBA show that Australia has the largest homes in the world, with the average floor area of a new dwelling (including townhouses but excluding apartments) topping 214m², up from 150m²just 25 years ago. The average floor area of new free-standing houses also set a record at 245m². Our homes are much larger than those within Europe and even many American cities.

Why has this occurred?

It is simply economics. The actual land component of a new house and land package is very high and fixed. The land usually costs around two-thirds of the total purchase price. This is particularly the case for basic or entry level new housing. For example, the land component of a basic $375,000 house and land package in Queensland could cost as much as $250,000.

In contrast, a 150m² three-bedroom base level house on that land would cost about $135,000 or around $2,500/m²as a total price (including the price of the land). Now, a larger 250m² four bedroom house with a study might cost $175,000, making the end package cost $425,000. The buyer gets 100m²of extra house for just $50,000 more. The total end price per square metre has now dropped to $1,700 or 30% less.

Here is the real rub. Assuming that the buyer can afford to pay the extra deposit and fund a $425,000 house and land package, all it costs–assuming a ten percent deposit and using today’s rates –is an extra $10 per day in mortgage payments. The new home buyer can now own a home that is two-thirds larger for just $70 per week. To upsize the house, as outlined in the example above, would cost the buyer an extra $3,640 per year.

Given the high cost of land in and around our capital cites, the trend towards larger new homes makes economic sense. Consumers are just acting in their own interests and are making rational decisons to choose a larger and more valuable home for what is a small additional out of pocket expense in the broad scheme of things.

Unless there are real economies in the land content –for example the plentiful supply of subdivided land to keep land prices keen –building a small house on a more traditional sized suburban block of land is often not thebest value for money.
Michael Matusik