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In this Issue:
Industry events
Jenolan Charity House
Castle Hill store profile
Alfresco ceilings
Buildings suffer in drought
A NATIONAL BORAL PLASTERBOARD PUBLICATION NOVEMBER 2006

2
Industry events
FWCANZ Annual Conference
Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth
31 October - 3 November 2006
Fire Australia 2006
Melbourne Soffitel
1 - 3 November 2006
AIBS 2007 International Conference
Adelaide Convention Centre
5 - 7 March 2007
Form & Function Expo
Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
19 - 21 April 2007
HIA Building & Business Show
Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
12 - 13 April 2007
HIA Building & Business Show
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
10 - 11 May 2007
Boral4Builders - A NATIONAL BORAL PLASTERBOARD PUBLICATION
Boral for Builders changes with times
During its long and successful history, Boral for Builders has undergone a number of
changes.
Originally produced and distributed by our Queensland branch, Boral for Builders
became a national Boral Plasterboard publication in 1999. At the same time the
magazine was expanded to include additional features and industry related information.
Over the years Boral for Builders has covered many topics ranging from innovations in
plasterboard products and systems to changes in building regulations. The key objective
of Boral for Builders, however, has always remained to promote the best building
practices that would assist in reduction of maintenance costs and improvement of long
term performance of wall and ceiling plasterboard linings.
This is the 21st issue of Boral for Builders since it became a national publication and,
while the current format seems to be well accepted by the readers, we believe it is
time to have a fresh look at the magazine to ensure that it remains as relevant as ever.
In recent years Boral for Builders has grown in size and moved from quarterly to half-
yearly frequency. From next year Boral for Builders will become more focused on
industry issues and will again be published four times a year.
The publication will continue to be distributed through the HIA Housing magazine and
for those who prefer to view Boral for Builders electronically, it will be available for
download from the Boral website www.boral.com.au
We thank all our readers for their support over the years and we look forward to
continue keeping you informed on the current issues and developments in the
plasterboard industry.
JENOLAN CHARITY HOUSE
Canberra's Land Development Agency, the Master Builders
Association of the ACT and PBS Building have joined together to
construct a stunning residential house - Jenolan - at Wells Station
in Gungahlin.
Jenolan is a 5 star energy rated home and incorporates
sustainable design principles.
Designed by Alistair McCallum of AMC Projects, the house
will be auctioned with the resulting profits donated to charity.
The predominant recipients will be Childrens Charities, and these
include PatCH (Paediatrics at The Canberra Hospital), CanTeen
(national peer support organisation for young people 12 to 24
living with cancer) and Koomarri (ACT and the surrounding
district's leading service provider for people with a disability and
for their families). All three charities provide vital work to the
Canberra community to children and their families in particular.
As a platinum sponsor of the Jenolan House, Boral supplied a
wide range of building materials for the project, including bricks,
concrete, plasterboard, roof tiles and windows.
On Thursday 14 September, ACT Minister for Planning, Mr Simon
Corbell, officially congratulated all partners involved in the Jenolan
Charity House. With the help from the MBA apprentices and the
kids from the recipient Charities, the Minister has successfully
installed a sheet of Boral plasterboard.
Boral's involvement in the Jenolan Charity House is another
example of the company's commitment to supporting
communities in which we operate. ACT Minister for Planning Simon Corbell, installs a sheet of Boral Plasterboard.

Those of you who have recently visited a
Boral Plasterboard store probably noticed
some changes. It may be an expanded
product range or improved customer
service or both.
As Boral Plasterboard undertakes
upgrading of its stores, we will be
introducing even more new products and
services in the coming months.
This edition of Boral for Builders features
the Boral Plasterboard store in Castle Hill,
NSW.
Situated in Carrington Road, Castle Hill in
Sydney's Hills District, this store offers a
one-stop-shop, servicing the trade, builder
and commercial markets.
Everything you need to complete your job
can be found here and if not available,
Glen Douglass, the store manager, or Paul
Murphy in customer service will be more
than happy to assist with any further
requirements you might have.
The 715m
2
store offers the full range of
Boral Plasterboard board and plaster
products, an extensive range of
plasterboard tools, power tools, screws &
nails and all the equipment and
accessories that any busy trades person
or builder could need!
A full complement of plasterboard
information and technical literature is also
available.
The Castle Hill store now also offers
monthly specials and varying promotions
specific to the industry, where you also
have the chance to win some great prizes.
Come and experience the professional
and friendly service from the team at
Castle Hill or any other Boral Plasterboard
store and you will find many products and
tools to satisfy your project requirements.
For locations of Boral Plasterboard stores
around Australia refer to the back page of
this publication.
NOVEMBER 2006
3
Boral Plasterboard stores offer
much more than plasterboard!
Glen Douglass and Paul Murphy.

4
Boral4Builders - A NATIONAL BORAL PLASTERBOARD PUBLICATION
Alfresco living prompts review of external ceiling specifications
Boral for Builders has, in the past, dealt extensively with the fixing of ceilings in external protected areas such as eaves, verandas
and carports.
The growing practice of incorporating larger outdoor 'Alfresco' living/entertaining areas as an extension of
new home designs has prompted Boral Plasterboard to review its recommendations for fixing of external
ceilings to ensure long term product and system performance in these situations.
Boral Plasterboard standard ceiling systems comply with the requirements of the Australian Standard AS2589.1:1997 covering internal
applications of gypsum linings.
External ceilings are exposed to additional wind loads (positive and negative), which in some cases can be as high as the wind loads on
adjacent external wall areas, as well as to other external influences such as moisture and humidity.
Apart from negative wind pressures, the ceilings are often required to carry the weight of sound systems, speakers, cabling, transformers
and fans. This, and the growing range of thermal insulation products on the Australian market, has already prompted Boral Plasterboard to
limit the additional load on the ceilings to 2kg/m
2
.
In view of the higher wind loadings and other influences on external ceilings, Boral Plasterboard has upgraded its specifications for these
areas as follows:
Boral 13mm Standard Core or 10mm UniSPAN

plasterboard is recommended for use in external ceilings

Framing members should be spaced at max. 450mm centres. In areas where ceiling joists or roof trusses are spaced at more than
450mm, trimming or suitable ceiling battens should be provided at max. 450mm centres. Metal ceiling battens and furring channels
should be installed in accordance with Rondo specifications
Run plasterboard sheets at right angles to framing members. Provide a min. 6mm gap between the edges of plasterboard sheet and
adjacent walls, beams, columns and fascias
Ceiling linings should be fully screw fixed at max. 300mm centres. 32mm 'W' type screws should be used for fixing into timber framing.
25mm 'S' or 'D' type screws, as appropriate, should be used for fixing into steel framing
Back-block all joints in ceiling linings as per Boral Plasterboard back-blocking specifications
Control joints should be provided in external ceilings at max. 6m centres in both directions
External ceilings should be painted with three coat exterior paint system applied in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations
Roof sarking and cross flow ventilation to the ceiling cavity can improve long term performance of external ceilings by reducing the
possibility of condensation on top of the ceiling lining.
The recommended installation details for external ceilings are shown on the following page.

External Ceiling Fixing Layout (1200mm wide plasterboard sheets)
300 max
4
5
0

m
a
x
300 max 300 max 300 max
Ceiling framing members
or battens @450mm max ctrs
Back-blocking
200mm
20mm gap typical
Screw fastener locations
Typical spacings
T
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p
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a
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T
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p
l
a
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e
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n
a
l

b
r
i
c
k

w
a
l
l
Top plate on external brick wall Foil sarking
Fastener
Plasterboard
Timber or steel battens
@ 450mm ctrs
External timber beam
situation shown
6mm min gap
Timber or steel framing External wall
Section Through Eaves or External Ceiling Section Through External Ceiling (refer detail above)
Section Through External Ceiling
Section Through External Ceiling
Timber or steel battens
@450mm max ctrs
if required
Fascia lining. Form min 6mm drip
P05 or P07 casing bead
13mm Standard Core or
10mm UniSPAN
TM
plasterboard soffit lining
Foil sarking
Plasterboard
Plasterboard
Trusses
Fascia or barge board
Timber or steel battens
@ 450mm ctrs
Timber or steel battens
@ 450mm ctrs
External brick wall
situation shown
External brick wall
situation shown
See detail below
5
of external ceiling specifications
NOVEMBER 2006

6
According to an ArchiCentre news release in June 2006, over
750,000 homes around Australia have suffered some form of
cracking in the worst drought in more than 100 years.
A number of environmental experts have commented that this is
the most serious drought this country has experienced in living
memory. This is evident over most of the Australian mainland,
especially on the Eastern sea board, including Tasmania.
In some regions around Melbourne where much older established
homes are located and reactive soil conditions exist, older building
structures are showing fractures and foundation movement to a
degree not experienced previously.
Stories on severe structural movement, foundation movement and
slab heave have even appeared in the daily press in Melbourne,
Sydney and Brisbane.
Local industry sources report that the areas most affected by
fracturing and movement problems are located in reactive soil
regions such as the Western fringes of Melbourne and Southern
and Western suburbs of Sydney. The least effected regions seem
to be those with sandy loam soils.
Trees or large bushes can also interfere with foundations and soil
structure in their search for moisture. How often have you seen a
footpath, paving or front fence being lifted 25mm or more by a
tree root? While the thirstiest trees are reported to be exotics or
non-natives (most of which are deciduous), natives can still inflict
significant damage when planted too close to foundations,
pathways and paving.
Examples of fractured internal linings in otherwise structurally
sound and well built homes are depicted in the following photographs.
Considering a large number of fracturing and movement problems
that are attributable to the drought conditions, internal lining
contractors should not be held responsible for cracking of internal
linings until the causes for such movements are thoroughly
investigated.
A few tips when assessing if fractures in internal linings may be
caused by structural movement:
Look for tell tale cracks in the main floor slab and garage floors
Check mitres in architraves and skirtings
Check ceramic tile areas for fractures
Look for cracking in brickwork
Check if the wind loads on the building are excessive (usually
noted in the project specification)
Check for trees close to the building
Check for reactive soils.
A note of caution: it is suggested by a number of industry experts
that whilst the extreme drought conditions prevail, it may be ill
advised to carry out repairs too soon as the fracture problems
may re-occur.
Buildings suffer in the
worst drought in 100 years

7
Building Approvals
Number of Residential Dwelling Units by Type of Building
The % Change columns refer to the percentage change of the June 2006
quarter compared with the March 2006 quarter.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Total
Houses
%
Change
Total
Other Res
%
Change
Total
Res
%
Change
NSW
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Sydney 1,523 5.76 2,567 5.68 4,090 5.71
Hunter 569 17.32 746 170.29 1,315 72.80
Illawarra 299 4.91 184 17.20 483 9.28
Richmond-Tweed 256 28.00 371 408.22 627 129.67
Mid-North Coast 313 15.07 127 33.68 440 19.89
Northern 207 71.07 34 6.25 241 57.52
North Western 112 25.84 6 -68.42 118 9.26
Central West 177 4.73 24 -25.00 201 0.00
South Eastern 231 29.78 63 -13.70 294 17.13
Murrumbidgee 161 73.12 17 -80.90 178 -2.20
Murray 211 9.33 21 16.67 232 9.95
Far West 7 133.33 0 0.00 7 133.33
NSW 4,066 15.25 4,160 26.33 8,226 20.60
QLD
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Brisbane 2,641 9.95 1,053 -22.06 3,694 -1.57
Moreton 1,503 8.76 1,189 89.94 2,692 34.06
Wide Bay-Burnett 567 1.61 121 -60.33 688 -20.28
Darling Downs 389 15.43 91 -10.78 480 9.34
South West 15 87.50 0 N/A 15 25.00
Fitzroy 351 7.67 59 43.90 410 11.72
Central West 3 -40.00 0 0.00 3 -40.00
Mackay 271 -8.75 153 135.38 424 17.13
Northern 337 -7.16 124 217.95 461 14.68
Far North 361 -6.48 120 76.47 481 5.95
North West 5 0.00 0 N/A 5 -28.57
QLD 6,443 6.16 2,910 11.79 9,353 7.85
VIC
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Melbourne 4,940 9.24 1,795 8.39 6,735 9.02
Barwon 553 9.94 66 -14.29 619 6.72
Western District 134 -11.84 0 N/A 134 -18.79
Central Highlands 261 12.99 72 118.18 333 26.14
Wimmera 53 8.16 0 0.00 53 8.16
Mallee 120 0.00 0 N/A 120 -17.24
Loddon 292 -11.78 11 -8.33 303 -11.66
Goulburn 430 -7.33 23 -8.00 453 -7.36
Ovens-Murray 157 17.16 3 -90.00 160 -2.44
East Gippsland 175 -4.89 13 0.00 188 -4.57
Gippsland 373 18.79 71 -33.02 444 5.71
VIC 7,488 6.91 2,054 3.22 9,542 6.09
Total
Houses
%
Change
Total
Other Res
%
Change
Total
Res
%
Change
SA
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Adelaide 1,236 5.64 1003 71.75 2,239 27.65
Outer Adelaide 298 -5.40 17 -87.68 315 -30.46
Yorke &Lower Nth 139 18.80 0 N/A 139 11.20
Murray Lands 108 2.86 3 50.00 111 3.74
South East 92 4.55 11 0.00 103 17.05
Eyre 56 1.82 0 N/A 56 -21.13
Northern 95 43.94 6 0.00 101 40.28
SA 2,024 5.64 1,040 37.93 3,064 14.76
WA
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Perth 4,011 7.85 838 6.62 4,849 7.64
South West 1,050 6.49 217 233.85 1,267 20.55
Lwr Grt Sthern 114 -0.87 61 2950.00 175 49.57
Upper Grt Sthern 20 11.11 13 0.00 33 83.33
Midlands 115 -0.86 7 -12.50 122 -1.61
South Eastern 60 9.09 64 178.26 124 58.97
Central 148 13.85 7 75.00 115 15.67
Pilbara 45 -8.16 6 50.00 51 -3.77
Kimberley 76 65.22 20 0.00 96 108.70
WA 5,639 7.74 1,233 38.23 6,872 12.18
TAS
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Greater Hobart 257 9.36 50 212.50 307 22.31
Southern 84 21.74 2 -66.67 86 14.67
Northern 129 3.20 58 81.25 187 19.11
Mersey-Lyell 106 -6.19 8 -77.78 114 -23.49
TAS 576 6.27 118 31.11 694 9.81
NT
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Darwin 112 -33.33 66 13.79 178 -21.24
NT - Bal 25 4.17 22 -65.63 47 -46.59
NT 137 -28.65 88 -27.87 225 -28.34
ACT
Dwelling Approvals - June Quarter 2006
Regions
Canberra 280 21.21 288 32.72 568 26.79
ACT - Bal 2 0.00 0 0.00 2 0.00
ACT 282 22.08 288 32.72 570 27.23

8
VICTORIA
Brunswick
72 Nicholson Street,
Brunswick VIC 3056
Telephone (03) 9388 9555
Facsimile (03) 9388 9655
Campbellfield
1932 Hume Highway,
Campbellfield VIC 3061
Telephone (03) 9357 0714,
(03) 9357 0440
Facsimile (03) 9357 8796
Caroline Springs (Deer Park)
1037 Western Highway,
Deer Park VIC 3023
Telephone (03) 9449 5344
Facsimile (03) 9449 5439
Doveton (Dandenong)
22 Princes Hwy,
Doveton VIC 3177
Telephone (03) 9791 2855
Facsimile (03) 9791 2523
Geelong
12 Crown Street,
Geelong South VIC 3220
Telephone (03) 5222 2541
Facsimile (03) 5229 8515
Mildura
1095A Benetook Avenue,
Mildura VIC 3500
Telephone (03) 5023 3238
Facsimile (03) 5021 3574
Murrumbeena
983B North Road,
Murrumbeena VIC 3163
Telephone (03) 9570 1288
Facsimile (03) 9570 2084
Port Melbourne
17- 47 Turner Street,
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Telephone (03) 9645 1877
Facsimile (03) 9646 5824
Sale
16 Walter Street,
Sale VIC 3850
Telephone (03) 5144 4265
Facsimile (03) 5144 6031
Sunbury
158 OShannassy Street,
Sunbury VIC 3429
Telephone (03) 9740 6888
Facsimile (03) 9740 8511
Traralgon
37 Standing Drive,
Traralgon VIC 3844
Telephone (03) 5176 0757
Facsimile (03) 5176 0368
NEW SOUTH WALES
Albion Park Rail
Lot 31 Rivulet Crescent,
Albion Park Rail NSW 2527
Telephone (02) 4256 4555
Facsimile (02) 4256 2615
Coffs Harbour
Cnr Hi Tech Drive & Craft Close,
Toor Mina NSW 2452
Telephone (02) 6653 3488
Facsimile (02) 6658 2377
Castle Hill
Unit 3, 15 Carrington Road,
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Telephone (02) 9659 7168
Facsimile (02) 9659 3568
Fyshwick
7 Barrier Street,
Fyshwick ACT 2609
Telephone (02) 6280 4243
Facsimile (02) 6280 5816
Lurnea
7 Lyn Parade,
Lurnea NSW 2170
Telephone (02) 9607 3744
Facsimile (02) 9607 2785
Nowra South
14 Bellevue Street,
Nowra South NSW 2541
Telephone (02) 4421 0799
Facsimile (02) 4421 0423
Revesby (Stud & Track)
71 Milperra Road,
Revesby NSW 2212
Telephone (02) 9792 3022
Facsimile (02) 9774 3781
Rozelle (Stud & Track)
32A Roberts Street,
Rozelle NSW 2039
Telephone (02) 9810 6800
Facsimile (02) 9870 6815
Penrith (Stud & Track)
Cnr Coreen Ave & Coombes Dr,
Penrith NSW 2750
Telephone (02) 4731 2888
Facsimile (02) 4731 2761
Thornton
10 Hartley Drive,
Thornton NSW 2322
Telephone (02) 4964 2063
Facsimile (02) 4964 1396
West Gosford
423 Manns Road,
West Gosford NSW 2250
Telephone (02) 4324 6777
Facsimile (02) 4324 6007
QUEENSLAND
Browns Plains
43 Eastern Road,
Browns Plains QLD 4118
Telephone (07) 3809 0877
Facsimile (07) 3809 0942
Bundaberg
Shed 8, Lester Street,
Industrial Estate,
Bundaberg QLD 4670
Telephone (07) 4153 2550
Facsimile (07) 4153 1438
Caboolture
10 Piper Street,
Caboolture QLD 4510
Telephone (07) 5428 2540
Facsimile (07) 5428 2205
Cairns
5 Elphinstone Close,
Cairns QLD 4870
Telephone (07) 4035 5999
Facsimile (07) 4035 5977
Capalaba
Cnr Smith & Hook Street,
Capalaba QLD 4157
Telephone (07) 3245 6748
Facsimile (07) 3245 5366
Garbutt
29 Caldwell Street,
Garbutt QLD 4814
Telephone (07) 4779 3077
Facsimile (07) 4779 3080
Gladstone
7 Willunga Place,
Barney Point, Gladstone
QLD 4680
Telephone (07) 4972 8948
Facsimile (07) 4972 8396
Labrador
Unit 2/328 Brisbane Road,
Labrador QLD 4215
Telephone (07) 5563 8000
Facsimile (07) 5563 8511
Northgate
733 Nudgee Road,
Northgate QLD 4013
Telephone (07) 3215 2288
Facsimile(07) 3215 2296
Rockhampton
Cnr Johnson & McLaughlin St,
Rockhampton QLD 4702
Telephone (07) 4936 2288
Facsimile (07) 4936 2100
South Brisbane
28 Cordelia Street,
South Brisbane QLD 4101
Telephone (07) 3255 2111
Facsimile (07) 3255 2144
West Burleigh
8 Junction Road,
West Burleigh QLD 4220
Telephone (07) 5593 5722
Facsimile (07) 5593 5085
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Gillman
113-117 Bedford Street,
Gillman SA 5013
Telephone (08) 8240 8888
Facsimile (08) 8341 1004
Marleston
156 Richmond Road,
Marleston SA 5033
Telephone (08) 8443 7222
Facsimile (08) 8443 7233
Seaford Meadows
1 Seaford Road,
Seaford Meadows SA 5169
Telephone (08) 8386 1966
Facsimile (08) 8327 2819
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Winnellie
147 Coonawarra Road,
Winnellie NT 0820
Telephone (08) 8984 4484
Facsimile (08) 8984 3778
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Albany
366- 368 Middleton Loop,
Albany WA 6330
Telephone (08) 9842 8970
Facsimile (08) 9842 3816
Bunbury
11 Allnut Court,
Bunbury WA 6230
Telephone (08) 9725 6766
Facsimile (08) 9725 6799
Canning Vale
132 Bannister Road,
Canning Vale WA 6155
Telephone (08) 9456 0610
Facsimile (08) 9455 4377
Mandurah
Lot 9, 57 Reserve Drive,
Mandurah WA 6210
Telephone (08) 9581 6815
Facsimile (08) 9581 6816
Wangara
29 Innovation Circuit,
Wangara WA 6065
Telephone 1300 652 666
Facsimile (08) 9302 6994
West Perth
15 Gordon Street,
West Perth WA 6005
Telephone (08) 9486 8238
Facsimile (08) 9486 8239
TASMANIA
Moonah
93 Albert Road,
Moonah TAS 7011
Telephone (03) 6278 9966
Facsimile (03) 6278 9865
Launceston
57 Dowling Street,
Launceston TAS 7250
Telephone (03) 6331 9922
Facsimile (03) 6331 8441
Boral Plasterboard Store Locations
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