Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Global construction machinery manufacturer XCMG will be joining the likes of Komatsu , Wurth , Position Partners , Coast 2 Coast Attachments ,  FAE Australia Pacific ,  Aussie Buckets ,  Alfasi Hire , and many more exhibiting at Inside Construction Expo 2023. Visit Inside Construction Expo – to be held from 10am-5pm, 20-21 September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – and see in person the equipment displayed by XCMG Melbourne.  Tickets for the exhibition and conference are free. Related stories: Nominations open for Inside Construction Foundation Awards 2023 Introducing Inside Construction Expo 2023 Industry solutions will be amplified at Inside Construction Expo and Foundation Awards 2023 Would you like to increase your company’s exposure among reputable industry leaders such as  XCMG Melbourne ? Exhibiting is the best way to showcase your business to qualified attendees from the construction sector. The centrepiece to the eve...

Transitioning from his previous role as a diesel fitter, Chris Soleman joined Coates in January 2022 and has quickly made his mark in water treatment as an Engineering Solutions Specialist. As a diesel mechanic, Chris worked for various earthmoving companies and gained valuable experience across field service, mine sites and workshops. While juggling 12-hour days as a part-time diesel fitter, he dedicated two days per week to studying environmental science, sustainability and management at university. “I then focused on securing a role in the environmental space where my passion lies,” says Chris. At Coates, Chris is part of a specialist team of engineers, technicians and project managers with extensive experience in pumps, fluid management and water treatment. When the unexpected happens on site – as it often does with water – the team has to respond rapidly with equipment and expertise to move, treat and manage wastewater. “My days are often very different, which makes my job ch...

Last week marked the 100-year anniversary of work starting on building the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. A century on, the critical work continues, and a dedicated team spends more than 19,000 labour hours each month carrying out maintenance work on the bridge and in the domain tunnel. On 28 July 1923, NSW Minister for Public Works and Railways Richard Thomas Ball turned the first sod to signify the start of work on the northern approach to the bridge. Premier of NSW Chris Minns said the sod-turning ceremony hit global headlines at the time. “This event showed our state’s commitment to build what became the world’s largest steel arch bridge,” he said. “The bridge build project brought employment through the Depression, not only to Sydney but across NSW.” “It boosted the steelmaking industry of Newcastle, while Moruya played a pivotal role in the construction through the supply of granite for the pylons.” The project became known as the “iron lung” for providing essential jobs dur...

ACCIONA has been selected as the successful tenderer to design and construct the $120 million Majors Road Interchange Project in South Australia. Jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, each committing $60 million, the project involves the construction of new on/off-ramps for the Southern Expressway at Majors Road. Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the Australian Government is jointly funding the Majors Road Interchange Project to improve traffic flow and road safety. “This project will provide commuters in Adelaide’s southern suburbs with better access to the Southern Expressway, while providing all commuters improved access to Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, the Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility and the Southern Soccer Facility from the Southern Expressway,” said Minister King. Friends of Glenthorne , an Adelaide-based volunteer environmental group, wil...

The Queensland Government has released artist impressions of the new Coomera Hospital, which once complete will deliver 404 new beds for the Gold Coast region. These indicative concepts follow the announcement of Multiplex Constructions as the successful tenderer to lead the design stage of the $1.3 billion hospital project in June. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Coomera Hospital will transform the Northern Gold Coast and give residents access to the services they need closer to home. “The Big Build will also create 3,100 local jobs during constructions, which is huge for the local economy,” she said. Related stories: Sod turned on Queensland’s Satellite Hospital Construction tender awarded for new Toowoomba Hospital Queensland Budget 2023-24 includes Big Build investment The new hospital will feature surgical, medical, ambulatory, sub-acute, emergency and mental health treatment facilities as well as speciality services including Intensive Care, Coronary...

The NSW Government is encouraging community organisations across the state to apply for funding under its $12.5 million Infrastructure Grants program . From 31 July, the program will welcome applications for arts, sports, community infrastructure and disaster preparedness projects to build or upgrade facilities. Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said the NSW Government is pleased to be supporting organisations making a positive difference in their communities. “The Infrastructure Grants program is all about supporting projects that improve community connectedness in the arts and sport, provide new or improved facilities or deliver innovative local solutions in emergency preparedness,” said Minister Harris. “Over the last 10 years, more than 700 projects have been funded right across NSW, under this program, helping to create connected, cohesive and resilient communities.” “I look forward to the next rounds doing the same.” There are four funding categories: Arts and C...

National peak building and construction industry body Master Builders Australia has today released its  Building and Construction Industry Sustainability Goals 2050 inaugural report. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the report outlines the association’s commitment to fostering a more robust and sustainable industry in the long term. “By addressing critical issues affecting business performance, minimising risks, and maximising opportunities through an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, we aim to shape a sustainable future for businesses, workers and communities,” she said. “As our population grows and environmental challenges intensify, adopting ESG-focused building and construction practices becomes paramount.” “We must look beyond immediate concerns and make a dedicated, long-term effort to future-proof our industry and Australia’s built environment. “Through evidence-based analysis, Master Builders will continue to advocate for changes tha...

The rebuild of Melbourne’s St Kilda Pier, being delivered with a $53 million funding investment from the Victorian Government, is taking shape. Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne inspected progress at the St Kilda site earlier this week where recent works have included construction of the structure to form the new curved section. “We’re getting on with these important works at St Kilda,” said Minister Horne. “I’m delighted to see the progress at this massive project which will benefit Victorians, tourists and of course – our resident penguin colony.’’ “Our piers and jetties help drive tourism and our economy and are important focal points for families, communities, boaters and anglers and will remain so for years to come.’’ The new pier will feature a wider and more accessible walkway, tiered seating and a 140-metre-long protected habitat for the resident penguin colony, as well as a new penguin viewing area. Related stories: St Kilda Pier redevelopment takes shape C...

The NSW Government is investing $40.9 million to fast-track critical infrastructure projects for communities in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast, where around 18,000 new homes are expected to be built in the next three years. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state is getting on with the job of delivering infrastructure to go alongside the new housing. “The projects will help ensure these growing suburbs get the infrastructure they need and deserve,” he said. “It is an important step, but we know our work to enable housing supply does not stop here.” “We are making progress, but this is a big task with a lot more work to do.” Related stories: Upgrades complete for NSW school infrastructure NSW spends $100M on regional sports infrastructure NSW schools get $120M infrastructure boost The City of Parramatta, Central Coast Council, City of Ryde, The Hills Shire Council and Transport for NSW will be responsible for delivering the projects, with construction planned to start fro...

Earthmoving services play a vital role in construction projects as they involve the moving, excavation, and placement of earth materials to prepare the site for construction or excavation. These services can be carried out optimally with the help of heavy equipment like bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and backhoes. They are utilised to move, level, and grade the site to the desired specifications of construction projects. To ensure construction projects can be conducted optimally, they must rely on earthmoving services . Some phases of these projects that require earthmoving services are as follows: 1. Site Preparation Site preparation is the initial phase of construction that involves clearing and grading the land to make way for the subsequent phases of construction projects. This phase includes removing any trees, stumps, rocks, or debris from the site. It also includes excavating the soil, removing the topsoil layer, and grading the land to create a level and stable foundatio...

The New South Wales Government has selected Mulpha as the successful tenderer to develop the site adjacent to the Norwest Metro Station at 25-31 Brookhollow Avenue, Norwest. Intended to serve as the central civic gateway for the Norwest town centre, the development will include three multi-level towers which will sit atop two biophilia-designed mixed-use podiums, integrating business, education and retail uses. The podium and a public plaza will be activated by community, dining and retail spaces. Mulpha Head of Developments Tim Spencer said the company is thrilled to have been chosen to develop the site. “It will be the centrepiece in delivering another step-change to the Norwest Smart City vision,” he added. “Importantly, it will be a transit-oriented commercial development that aims to increase job supply in Sydney’s northwest and set the benchmark for the next phase of Norwest’s vibrant business centre.” The development will be designed to seamlessly integrate with the Norwest...

Due to unprecedented demand, the organisers of the Inside Construction Expo have extended the entry deadline for the coinciding 2023 Foundation Awards to 28 July. If you haven’t submitted your nomination yet, this is the right time. The awards will recognise the top performers in the industry, and with ten award categories available, there’s an opportunity for all construction businesses and individuals to get involved. Categories include: Rising Star of the Year Industry Leader Award Woman of the Year Operational Excellence Award Sustainability Initiative of the Year Safety Program Award Technology Solution Award Major Project of the Year – Commercial Major Project of the Year – Government Local Government Project of the Year The winners will be announced at a Gala Awards dinner on Wednesday, 20 September 2023. If you plan on attending the Gala Dinner, now is the time to secure your ticket . Related stories: Nominations open for Inside Construction Foundation Award...

Siemens has partnered with Bueno and Setmetrics, two Australian companies in the smart infrastructure sector, welcoming them to Siemens Xcelerator – an open digital business platform to accelerate digital transformation for customers of all sizes. As the first two Australian companies to join the Siemens Xcelerator ‘ecosystem’, Bueno and Setmetrics will also benefit from having access to global markets via the platform. Both companies play a key role in making digital transformation easier, faster and scalable, focusing on sustainable solutions for the built environment. Bueno’s Smart Building Analytics ingests data from a range of sources to provide rich insights to drive smarter decisions especially related to sustainability. Setmetrics allows rapid energy modelling to be built, to maximise the return on investment across operational and capital spend in buildings. Since the global launch in mid-2022, Siemens Xcelerator has grown significantly to include 100 partners worldwide. ...

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has today released its All risk, no reward report shining a spotlight on the poor health of the construction industry and the need for urgent action. ACA CEO Jon Davies said the message is clear – the industry is in deep trouble, and government must act now to stop the contagion and create a more sustainable industry able to build the housing and infrastructure the nation requires. “Building firms are entering administration at more than twice the rate of other industries,” said Davies. “Building sector profit margins have fallen from around 3 per cent to below 1 per cent and liquidity has collapsed from 15 per cent to below 5 per cent.” “Most concerningly, over half of all large builders are now carrying current liabilities in excess of current assets – a technical definition of insolvency. “The building industry is a textbook example of market failure.” Related stories: ACA launches future vision for construction industry ACA ad...

When building and construction company Empire Global Constructions encountered some unique challenges during its construction of a two-level basement for a high-end apartment complex in the ACT, it turned to the expertise of Coates Engineering Solutions. Joe Tonkovic, Construction Manager at Empire Global Constructions and Philip Lord, Temporary Works Engineer at Coates discuss how an internal shoring system, featuring the installation of one of Australia’s largest double-acting hydraulic rams, kept the basement build on schedule. The initial basement shoring design for the Emporium Apartments project specified the use of structural steel. However, this was not viable due to the close proximity of in-ground services and the inability to anchor below neighbouring properties. Recognising the importance of finding a dependable and cost-effective solution to uphold the project’s safety and integrity, Empire Global Constructions looked to Coates for help. Having previously entrusted Coa...

After promises of the Games leaving a “lasting legacy for Victorians” through the delivery of additional housing and world-class sporting facilities, the Victorian Government has today announced it will not proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026. With extensive planning work now completed, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the cost of hosting the Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games would likely have exceeded $6 billion – more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring the state. “We were pleased to be asked to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games – but not at any price,” said the Premier. “I think all Victorians would agree that more than $6 billion is just too much.” “Locals have told us that more places to live and more places to stay across regional Victoria is what really matters – so that’s exactly what we’ll deliver.” The Victorian Government has advised the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) that i...

The National Association of Women in Construction says supporting women during the parenthood stages of their career is vital to ensuring the construction industry can attract and retain a gender diverse workforce. By The National Association of Women in Construction . Parenthood is a complex journey, both personally and biologically. In Australia approximately one in every 18 pregnancies occurs via in vitro fertilisation (IVF). We are also seeing increases in same sex families, single parent families and parenting by fostering and adoption. Workplaces need to be aware that as society evolves, so does our understanding of the diversity of needs that parents and carers have. Some of our The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) members are on the tools, either tradespeople or with hybrid roles that require them to work onsite during their pregnancy. With the NAWIC Women on Tools committee in Queensland, we have created some resources to support those undertaking thi...

On the back of the 2023 Future of Construction Summit held earlier this year, Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies is calling for all construction professionals to play their part in setting industry transformation in motion. By Jon Davies, CEO, Australian Constructors Association. There should be no reason why a career in construction means giving up going out for nice mid-week dinners and walking the dog. Making money should not be considered a crime and innovation should be celebrated. Women should make up more than 12 per cent of our workforce and the construction industry should be viewed as an industry of choice for future generations. We need to fundamentally change how our industry operates and we need to start now. We know what needs to be done. We just need to get on and do it. During the recent Future of Construction Summit, I challenged the 750 plus attendees to commit to collaborative efforts in transforming the culture of Australia’s constructi...

The NSW Government has announced $1.7 million towards the expansion of the Singleton Roosters AFC clubhouse and facilities that will include a permanent memorial to acknowledge those who lost their lives in the Greta bus tragedy. The expansion will be jointly funded with the AFL and Singleton Council and aims to enhance community and social recovery efforts following the loss of several members of the club in the recent bus accident. NSW Premier Chris Minns said it is appropriate that a commemoration is built to mark the loss of lives and their legacy in the community. “This investment recognises the emotional toll of the recent bus tragedy, providing a space for healing and unity within the Singleton community,” said the Premier. “This clubhouse expansion will be of great benefit for the Singleton Roosters AFC and the wider community, empowering them to grow, host events, competitions, and gatherings that will enrich the social fabric of the region and help the local community he...