Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

OpenSpace Reality Capture technology gave Lipman a new-found confidence in accurately capturing the entirety of its projects, an invaluable asset for the construction company’s ongoing delivery of school infrastructure projects in the Central West region of New South Wales. With more than 55 years in the construction game, commercial builder Lipman has delivered an abundance of iconic projects across New South Wales, including Sydney’s Raging Waters water park and the Macquarie University Arts Precinct . The company has a passion for construction excellence and harnesses the latest innovations, materials and design to ensure the success of its projects – a passion that led to its partnership with construction technology solutions provider OpenSpace. In 2022, Lipman’s IT Manager identified the potential for improved project management by utilising OpenSpace Capture, an automated site capture system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide a live, as-built record of a constr...

The digital transformation of the construction industry is moving full steam ahead and McConnell Dowell’s digital engineering team is keeping pace, utilising a wide range of systems and technologies to deliver some of the most complex, large-scale projects around the country. The fast-growing development of new construction technologies is changing the way the industry builds in terms of speed, efficiency and safety. As the release of artificial intelligence (AI), building information modelling (BIM) and automated data collection technologies heightens, McConnell Dowell’s digital engineering (DE) team is at the front line, leveraging new techniques, systems and technologies to take its operations to the next level. Tom Gill, Group Engineering Services Manager at McConnell Dowell. Tom Gill is the Group Engineering Services Manager at McConnell Dowell and oversees the company’s temporary works design and digital engineering capability. Joining the McConnell Dowell Group in 2008, he...

The City of Melbourne has announced Lendlease as its preferred development partner to deliver the south site of the Queen Victoria Market precinct. Part of the council’s Renewal Program, the circa 3.2-hectare, $1.7 billion redevelopment is reportedly the largest urban renewal project undertaken by the City of Melbourne. The proposed scheme includes three new buildings to transform the site south of Queen Victoria Market’s car park, that will be known as Gurrowa Place – with Gurrowa meaning a place of exchange and interchange to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People, the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which the Queen Victoria Market resides. Lendlease Managing Director of Development Tom Mackellar said delivering the project is an opportunity to be a part of one of Melbourne’s historic and beloved landmarks. “The creation of Gurrowa Place begins the next chapter in the evolution of Queen Victoria Market,” said Mackellar. “It will celebrate the rich history of the place, whil...

Developed to address common constraints associated with concrete walling, the Dincel permanent polymer formwork system is transforming buildings around Australia. When the first Dincel polyvinyl chloride-based permanent formwork system for concrete walling rolled off the production line in 2006, the construction industry was quickly drawn in by its durable, versatile and cost-effective application. Today, internationally recognised as Dincel Structural Walling, the system is changing the landscape of formwork construction. Burak Dincel invented and launched Dincel Structural Walling after five years of intensive research and development. His background as a structural engineer, builder, developer and manager of a multi-disciplinary engineering firm gave Burak a multi-focussed view on how to arrive at the ideal structural system. Its successful development was further bolstered by his deep understanding of buildability, architecture and construction practices, the Building Code of ...

Coates has supported the annual shutdowns of the Boral Berrima Cement Works facility for more than 27 years. The facility plays a vital role in Australia’s cement production, producing a significant portion of cement products consumed in NSW and the ACT, as well as various construction materials used locally and internationally. To ensure optimal performance of the plant’s kiln, annual shutdowns are essential, necessitating safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of maintenance works – and Coates has been there to support this important process year after year. Jimmy Cergovski, Industrial Services Manager at Coates, shares valuable insights into his firsthand experiences of this successful, long-term relationship. “My connection with the Boral Berrima Cement Works dates back to 1996 and over the years the partnership has grown and thrived,” says Cergovski. “What started with a few tool containers has now evolved into a comprehensive managed tool store solution, with SiteIQ, o...

Orlagh Brady has forged an impressive construction career, and a passion for building furniture flatpacks at home was the catalyst that started it all. Since her early years Orlagh Brady has had an eagerness to learn, an inquisitive nature and a zest for hands-on activities. When she struggled to engage in her studies at school, Orlagh channelled her energy into other passions such as building flatpack furniture at home and playing sports – striving for personal growth in areas that aligned with her interests. Throughout her search for the ideal career path, Orlagh dabbled in a number of industries. She then moved to Dublin, Ireland in 2018 where her family originates from and picked up a role in human resources. When she returned to Brisbane, Orlagh says she was thrown straight back into the deep end of decision-making. “I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I made the decision to study paramedicine,” she says. “I did that for six months before realising it wasn’t the right path f...

Stockland has awarded ADCO Constructions the contract to deliver the final stage of M_Park Stage 1 in Sydney’s Macquarie Park. The contract includes the construction of two commercial buildings, retail amenity and a 2,500-square-metre open park. ADCO will deliver a six-storey workplace building with three basement levels at 17 Khartoum Road and a seven-storey workplace building with three basement levels at 15 Khartoum Road. Stockland CEO of Commercial Property, Louise Mason said M_Park Stage 1 is gathering some real momentum and, with this new construction contract, is on track to be completed in 2025, just one year after the Metro expansion. “We are pleased to be working with ADCO on the final stage of M_Park Stage 1 which will set the benchmark for enabling the future of work at our flagship work, life, and innovation precinct,” said Ms Mason. “The workplace environment is evolving and there is a need for high quality workplaces that drive performance and enhance the wellbeing o...

Heavy civil construction challenges can come in many forms. The most common include struggling to win work and increase profits, optimising project plans, keeping projects in control, and having little insight into field performance. With the right technology, you can solve these challenges. The most successful heavy civil construction contractors have constant insight into their project’s productivity and performance. They always understand where they are in terms of space, time, and budget. They know where they are going with planning tools that optimise resources, reduce risk, and ensure on-time delivery. They recognise how to get there faster by connecting resources and automating workflows, such as quality and safety, so that teams spend more time working on value-added activities. However, gaining this level of project oversight is not easy. Roadblocks and challenges present themselves at every step. To find out more, download the e-book here: The post Solve your biggest heav...

In good news for Melbourne’s outer north, the Victorian Government has acquired land for school sites in Wollert and Wallan East. Victoria’s Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today announced that land has been purchased in the growth corridor for the delivery of Wollert Andrews Road P-6 Primary School (interim name) and Wallan East Primary School (interim name), with the schools planned to open in 2026, following confirmation of future construction funding. “We’re ensuring that more Victorian kids are getting the top-class education they deserve close to home,” said Minister Hutchins. “This latest land acquisition means local families in Melbourne’s outer north will have the access to great schools they deserve.” “We’re continuing to build and upgrade schools across the state, so our students have the best spaces to learn, our classrooms have the best teachers, and every child gets a quality education.” Both schools, located in the City of Whittlesea and Mitchell S...

Construction is set to begin on the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline, with the first pipes for the project arriving in Rockhampton earlier this week. The 117-kilometre pipeline will run from the Lower Fitzroy River in Rockhampton and connect to Gladstone Area Water Board’s existing water network at Yarwun. The Queensland Government approved construction of the $983 million project with $548.5 million to be spent in 2023-24 to continue its delivery. Last week’s Budget also included an equity allocation of $550 million made possible by the uplift in royalty revenue. Queensland’s Water Minister and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the pipeline will deliver long-term water security to the Gladstone region to support more job creating industries. “The Bradfield panel recommended investing in the use of water closer to where it falls as well as developing Regional Water Grids, and we are doing just that,” said Minister Butcher. Related stories: McConnell Dowell and Vivid partners...

Works on Victoria’s North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen are quickly progressing, with the on and off ramps at the Manningham interchange now being built. Once complete, the new 6.5-kilometre road tunnels are expected to take 14,700 cars and trucks off Bulleen Road each day. Two massive tunnel boring machines are set to arrive from overseas late this year for the tunnelling works. Victoria’s Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan visited the Bulleen site earlier this week to view construction progress where crews – and a 450-tonne crane – are building structural walls known as ‘diaphragm walls’ to allow excavation of the ramps and the tunnel boring machine retrieval box. “The North East Link is more than just Victoria’s biggest road project – it’s an investment in communities in Melbourne’s north east, getting trucks off local roads and slashing travel times,” said Minister Allan. “With so many great opportunities to work on Victoria’s biggest road pro...

Neoen has contracted CIMIC Group ’s UGL to design and construct Stage 1 of Collie Battery, a 219-megawatt/877-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system and associated energy infrastructure, in Western Australia. UGL will be responsible for the design, construction, testing and commissioning of the 33/330-kilovolt substation. Its scope of works will also include the installation of the Tesla2 XL Megapacks and the associated balance of plant infrastructure, the replacement of an existing bridge and construction of an access track to the site. CIMIC Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said battery energy storage systems play a key role in Australia’s net-zero aspirations. “As a leading designer and constructor of electricity generation and storage assets, UGL has delivered 17 major renewables generation and storage projects,” said Santamaria. “We are pleased to apply this experience at the Collie Battery.” UGL Managing Director Doug Moss said the company’s growth in the Australian re...

Continuing its expansion in Australia, Gamuda has completed its purchase of Downer’s Australian Transport Projects (DTP) division. The newly acquired business will operate standalone within the Gamuda group of companies, trading as DT Infrastructure Pty Ltd (DTI), alongside Gamuda Engineering (GEA) in the Australian market. The $212 million dollar sale will see over 1,100 staff and a forecast work in hand of approximately $2 billion transferred to DTI. DTI will be led by experienced infrastructure executive Mark Mackay, supported by his existing senior team. “We are working closely with our clients, partners and suppliers to ensure continuity for projects under delivery,” said Mr Mackay. “Gamuda’s global strength unlocks a wider range of projects for the business to pursue into the future.” “This is an exciting time for DT Infrastructure. Our 1,100 strong team is moving forward with certainty and optimism.” Related stories: Downer announces new CEO Downer invests in state-of-t...

Boral Limited (Boral) has been engaged on what’s said to be the largest crumbed rubber asphalt demonstration project in Australia. As part of the the Reusing Rubber: Recycling Tyres for Roads demonstration project by Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC), Boral will provide 2,000 tonnes of crumbed rubber asphalt in addition to 1,200 tonnes of controlled asphalt mix to be paved across eight local Sydney council streets. Tim Richards, Executive General Manager, Asphalt at Boral, says the project is huge in scale and will drive benefits for the broader industry and governments of all levels by helping to better understand how recycled rubber asphalt can be refined for maximum performance. “We are pleased to be working with local governments as they innovate and move towards a circular economy to drive sustainability,” Richards says. The project further aims to make council roads more sustainable, reduce capital and operating expenditure by extending road life...

With over three decades of experience, Jimmy Cergovski’s impressive journey at Coates began as a fitter mechanic, propelling him to his current position as Industrial Services Manager for NSW. What sets Jimmy apart is not only his strategic acumen in planning and optimising major shutdowns but also his genuine passion for executing successful events. “I get a buzz out of it,” Jimmy says. “I thrive on the excitement of mobilising a team, setting up a massive operation, and witnessing the collective energy as we work towards mission accomplished.” “Well-planned and executed shutdowns are a vital aspect of our customers’ operations.” In his busy role, Jimmy skilfully orchestrates shutdowns and maintenance events, delivering efficient and seamless operations that effectively meet the diverse needs of Coates’ customers. His dedication ensures that Coates provides the missing pieces – critical tooling and equipment backed by technology and end-to-end support services – so customers can ...

Earthmoving projects are significant construction projects that involve the manipulation of the soil and earth to create infrastructure, prepare land for development, or modify the natural terrain. Some processes involved with these projects include excavation, grading, compaction, and the construction of earthworks. For these projects to be effective, contractors must take advantage of various tools and equipment pieces. These tools include excavators, bulldozers, graders, and loaders. They should then be controlled by skilled operators to make projects safe and efficient. Now, one vital part of earthmoving projects that professionals should carry out is topsoil preservation. Topsoil is an important component of healthy soil as it contains organic matter, microorganisms, and nutrients needed for plant growth. Failure to preserve this soil part may only lead to soil erosion, compaction, and degradation. The Essence of Topsoil Preservation As mentioned earlier, topsoil preservation...

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has today launched its vision for the future of the construction industry, releasing its 2023-30 Strategic Plan. ACA President Annabel Crookes said the ACA’s strategic priorities, developed through consultation with government and other key industry stakeholders, focus on improving industry productivity and are grounded in a commitment to improving environmental sustainability. “The three crucial elements necessary for an enduring and sustainable construction industry are a good culture, equitable commercial frameworks, and sufficient capability and capacity,” said Ms Crookes. “Consider them as the three legs of a stool – if one of these legs is missing, the entire structure becomes unstable.” “To increase productivity and better manage environmental impacts, we need to work on improving all three of these areas.” Related stories: ACA’s 2022 Year in Review ACA addresses Federal Budget ACA releases new report on construction payment...