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Here’s what’s coming up in today’s Smoko
Quick Hits: $10k sweetener for apprentices, construction safety stats, and why job prospects are looking solid for tradies
The Feature: Oops, Wrong Block Mate! Victorian couple accidentally builds their dream home on someone else's land and faces losing $500k
The Review: Hilti's new battery platform promises one charger for everything, but does it deliver on the hype?
Sports Wrap: AFL finals race goes down to the wire, Moses gives teammate the spray of a lifetime, and Tim David smashes South Africa.
Cheers,
Liam
QUICK HITS
Weekly Wrap Up
💰 $10K sweetener for housing apprentices now live. Eligible apprentices get $10,000 in incentive payments on top of wages over their apprenticeship term to tackle the housing shortage.
⚠️ Construction injury claims still above average. Safe Work Australia stats show serious claims from construction are well above industry average despite falling fatality rates nationwide.
📈 Job prospects looking solid for tradies. Employment prospects remain exceptionally strong with 95% of apprentices securing work immediately after training, mostly with their host companies.
THE FEATURE
Oops! Wrong Block, Mate
A Tradie’s guide to not building some else’s dream home
Where am I?
Well, here's one for the toolbox. Victorian couple Melanie and David Moor accidentally built their home on the wrong block of land in Camperdown and are now facing the mother of all headaches.
Back in 2021, the Moors thought they'd scored a ripper deal on a 2-hectare block. They purchased what they believed was a 2-hectare block in a large subdivision, fell in love with the views, and put down a $5,000 deposit. Sounds like a dream, right? After securing all the necessary permits, they installed a driveway, connected power and water, and moved a relocatable house onto the land.
But here's where it gets messy. Three years later, as they were putting the finishing touches on their home, the council called with shocking news: they'd built on the wrong block. The land they actually owned was next door.
The whole thing's a right mess involving everyone from the real estate agent to council inspectors. Even council staff visited the site multiple times to inspect the work, but no one picked up on the error until it was too late. The Moors have spent over $500,000 - essentially their entire life savings and now face losing the lot.
Lesson learned: triple-check those lot numbers before digging that first trench!
TOOL REVIEW
Hilti Expands Nuron Battery Range
Hilti Nuron Range
Hilti's expanded their Nuron battery platform with some new tools, including the DD 150-U-22 Cordless Diamond Core Rig - apparently the first core rig that runs on the same batteries as their handheld tools. The idea is you can swap batteries between light and heavy-duty gear instead of carrying multiple charging systems.
They've also updated their DSH 600/700 cut-off saws and added three rotating lasers (PR 4, PR 40, and PR 40G) with one-button operation for jobs up to 300 meters. All designed for single-person use.
For crews already running Hilti gear, the unified battery approach could genuinely streamline things - fewer chargers, less gear to track, and batteries that work across the whole range. The real test will be whether the performance holds up when you're pushing these tools hard on site.
What's your take on single-platform battery systems? Game-changer or just good marketing? Drop us a line by replying to this email and let us know how they’re working for you.
SPORTS WRAP
Weekend Wrap: Finals Heat, Footy Spat, and Darwin Demolition
AFL: Dogs Bite Back as Finals Race Goes Down to the Wire
The Bulldogs held off Melbourne in a thriller at the MCG to keep their finals dream alive, while Sydney's revenge puts the Lions' flag defense in jeopardy after denying Brisbane a crucial top-two spot.
Adelaide sits on top of the ladder heading into the final round, and with Melbourne's coaching situation in flux after Simon Goodwin's departure, there's plenty of drama brewing.
Looking ahead, Hawthorn and Collingwood face off in a must-win clash. That one's going to be massive for finals positioning, s.
NRL: Moses Gives Teammate the Full Treatment
Mitch Moses gave young Tallyn da Silva an absolute spraying during the Eels' clash with the Cowboys, and the cameras caught every heated word. The Parramatta captain unloaded on his teammate three times in ten minutes after some questionable last-tackle decisions that had Moses seeing red.
Da Silva, who only joined the Eels mid-season, copped it sweet from his skipper as the team's finals hopes hung in the balance. The incident has split the rugby league world , with some reckoning Moses was right to demand better standards, while others think airing it out on the field wasn't the way to go.
Cricket: David Delivers in Darwin
Tim David absolutely belted South Africa at Marrara Oval yesterday, smashing eight sixes in a brilliant 83 off 52 balls to rescue Australia from a shaky 75/6. His explosive knock helped Australia post 178 and win by 17 runs in the T20 series opener, with international cricket returning to Darwin after 17 years.
South Africa had the Aussies in real trouble early, reducing them to 75/6 inside eight overs, but David's counterattack turned it around completely. South Africa's Rickelton made 71 in reply but it wasn't enough, with Ben Dwarshuis picking up 3/26.
SIGN OFF
Twice The Charm
Thanks for sticking with us for issue number two, you bloody ripper!
Whether you're on the tools or just love a good yarn about sport and trades, we're glad you're here. Got any suggestions for what you'd like to see? Just reply to this email and let us know.
Catch you next week!
Cheers,
Liam