Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

An industry expert has peer-reviewed Dincel’s Waterproof System Warranty, confirming Dincel Structural Walling has produced an effective way of waterproofing basement walls using its wall panels and accessories. Steve Darwell, COO at Dincel Structural Walling and chairperson of the Permanent Formwork Industry Council. Conducted over six months, ACOR Consultants has reviewed in detail Dincel Structural Walling’s (Dincel) investigations and technical development of the Dincel Waterproof System and the associated warranty to determine the validity of the claims and the effectiveness of the system. Inside Construction caught up with Steve Darwell, COO at Dincel and chairperson of the Permanent Formwork Industry Council to discuss the review’s findings and how the Waterproof System Warranty for basement walls can improve compliance and building outcomes in the construction industry. One of the biggest issues impacting the built environment today, says Darwell, is building defect...

The Inside Construction Expo 2023 conference program has been announced, with six themes being discussed over three stages across the two-day event. More than 150 construction industry professionals and experts will be speaking throughout the conference addressing key themes for the major vertical construction and infrastructure sectors, including Australian Rail Track Corporation Head of Safety and Environment James Kennedy. Kennedy has over 27 years’ experience in the construction industry working for Tier 1 Contractors both in Australia and Asia. Now applying his extensive construction delivery experience and client-side focus to lead safety and environment functions at business unit level to create safer and more sustainable workplaces, he will be sharing his insight and knowledge of managing construction teams and contractor safety management. GHD Smart Cities and Digital Solutions Lead Harman Singh will also be speaking at the event. With over 20 years of global professional...

In an effort to boost productivity, the Australian Constructors Association is proposing a concerted national approach to construction productivity reform. By Jon Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Constructors Association. Jon Davies, CEO, Australian Constructors Association. Construction in Australia is facing a big problem. It is becoming less productive as other costs continue to increase. This should worry all of us because if we don’t fix this issue, we won’t be able to keep up with the demand for housing and infrastructure as our population grows. Construction’s productivity problem reflects a broader problem in the economy. The Productivity Commission highlights that Australia is experiencing the worst productivity growth in 60 years. If we don’t change things, our living standards will drop, and we’ll have to work longer and earn less. As one of the largest centres of value in the Australian economy, the construction industry plays a pivotal role in this stor...

A $57.5 million renovation of the Australian Museum, known as Project Discover, has been named Best Public Building at the 2023 Property Council of Australia’s (PCA) Innovation & Excellence Awards. Celebrated for stripping back past layers of the building to expose the historical essence of the original museum, Project Discover (Stage 1) received the Woods Bagot award – which recognises excellence in a new or refurbished building – at the PCA Awards in Sydney on 23 August 2023. Project Discover is the largest renovation ever undertaken at the Australian Museum, adding more than 3000 square metres of new public space. Led by architect Rachel Neeson from Neeson Murcutt + Neille and Joe Agius from Cox Architecture, the complex adaptive reuse project delivered a touring exhibition hall, enhanced visitor facilities, as well as member and education spaces. The PCA award is the tenth major accolade received by Project Discover. Other major recognitions include the National Award for ...

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) has launched its $50 million Training Plan to increase Queensland’s immediate construction workforce capacity while preparing for future infrastructure needs. With increases in infrastructure work across that state, the plan aims to support the industry in getting ready for the avalanche of transport, health, renewable and Olympics projects on the horizon. CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said Queensland’s construction industry would continue to operate under familiar pressures over the next 12 months as it works to deliver large government projects alongside other streams. “We are entering a unique cycle for the construction industry where all sectors and regions will be active, and this is going to bring challenges,” says Mr Schimming. “CSQ is tracking $49 billion of construction that will be underway over the next 12 months, and this is shared almost evenly across building and engineering work.” “The page has been turned on the housing boom and we a...

The winners of the 2023 Fleetwood Challenge Cup – developed by modular building industry peak body prefabAUS and Fleetwood Australia – have been announced. The Challenge Cup is a national design competition that provides university teams across Australia, made up of both architectural and engineering students, with the opportunity to demonstrate creative and innovative solutions, unmatched by traditional construction. Hexad Studios from Monash University entered a beehive-inspired design for Malvern East in Victoria, while Quokka Quarters and The Baleen entries from Curtin University put forward bold plans for the redevelopment of a tourist facility on Western Australia’s Rottnest Island. Quokka Quarters was announced as the overall winner of the $7,000 first prize at the prefabAUS national conference, Offsite 2023 at Melbourne Connect in Victoria, with The Baleen placing second and scoring a $3,500 prize and an additional $2,000 as the winner of the Fleetwood Industry Award. The ...

Cranes have started coming down at the site of the Victorian Government’s new Footscray Hospital, which was said to be home to the most cranes in the Southern Hemisphere. Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas toured the site last week, where the main hospital tower has now reached its maximum height, marking the completion of structural works on the main hospital tower – the final building to be ‘topped out’ in the new health and education precinct. “These iconic cranes have graced Footscray’s skyline for the past couple of years – and now they’ll start coming down, meaning we’re one step closer to delivering the new Footscray Hospital,” said Premier Andrews. With the first three buildings in the precinct topping out earlier this year, the hospital’s main clinical buildings are the latest to reach the milestone, including the 10-storey inpatient unit (IPU) tower. Multiplex Victorian Regional Managing Director Ross Snowball said t...

Coates , an Australian equipment hire and solutions provider, has agreed to acquire the fleet assets of Baxter Hire, an equipment hire provider based in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Established in 1971 and servicing the south east South Australia and Western Victoria local communities, Baxter Hire provides an extensive range of reliable, well-maintained equipment and competitive daily, weekly and weekend rates for local businesses across the region. The acquisition of Baxter Hire’s fleet assets will enable Coates to expand its customer focus in the Limestone Coast region of south east SA, with neighbouring Victorian Coates branches in Portland and Warrnambool situated 100 kilometres and 200 kilometres east of Mount Gambier respectively. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Coates CEO Murray Vitlich said the acquisition is “testimony to the dedicated team of Baxter Hire employees who, alongside owner Peter Burchell, have built and maintained a loyal customer base and...

This month’s Green Construction feature provides you the opportunity to showcase your business’s sustainable construction solutions. The building sector accounts for almost 40 per cent of global emissions , but the Australian construction industry is striving for change. Contractors and project stakeholders are actively searching for greener construction methods, materials and technologies. They’re targeting green building certifications. They’re seeking solutions that can help reduce carbon emissions across all stages of the project lifecycle. As the industry ramps up its commitment to reducing emissions – with many construction companies aiming to be operationally net-zero by 2030 – now is the time to put a spotlight on the products, materials and initiatives that are driving improved sustainability across Australia’s built environment. The October 2023 edition of  Inside Construction  will shine a light on the businesses that are offering sustainable products and innov...

Thirteen women graduated from CPB Contractors’ 2023  Women in Construction  paid training program on Friday 18 August – with all guaranteed a job on a major Sydney infrastructure project. CPB Contractors Chief Operating Officer and Executive General Manager, NSW & ACT, Major Projects and Tunnelling Don Johnson said programs like Women in Construction can help address the industry’s skilled labour shortage. “We are removing common barriers for women wanting to change careers, as the training not only provides job-ready skills and financial security, but also leads into full-time employment on a major construction project that contributes to local communities,” said Johnson. “Women have been under-represented in the sector.” “This program is about creating a more equitable construction industry and delivering real jobs and real opportunities to more people. “As the demand for construction continues to grow, particularly with a focus on affordable housing and Austr...

Ensure the success of your civil construction project through formwork services by Cycon Monero. Uncover the types of formworks suitable for these projects. Formwork services are specialised services provided by contractors that involve designing, supplying, installing, and removing formwork systems in construction projects. These services make sure the proper construction of temporary structures that support the shape and form of concrete structures until they secure and gain sufficient strength. Formwork design is one of the services that involve formwork systems. It utilises engineering principles and software tools to generate efficient and safe formwork designs. Formwork supply is another service that contractors offer. It basically involves the procurement of formwork panels, beams, props, connectors, and accessories. Another service involving formwork is installation, which should be done correctly to form a stable structure. Formwork maintenance must then be carried out to in...

Cost escalation and cash flow worries, skills shortages and rising interest rates may capture headlines but Victorian businesses remain remarkably optimistic. This confidence is realised through more than half of Victorian businesses, who plan to bolster their spending on technology this financial year. In partnership with Master Builders Victoria, Procore is hosting a webinar – How We Build Now 2023: Tracking Construction Technology and Trends – to share its latest findings from the How We Build Now benchmark report. The insights will uncover the greatest challenges and opportunities facing Victoria right now. Learn: + How to manage risk in light of the recent stream of insolvencies. + Why Victorians intend to increase spending on construction tech in the next year and why Victorians are more confident than the rest of ANZ in industry conditions. + What competitive advantages will exist in the coming years. Register today . The post Tracking construction technology and tr...

The Queensland Government has committed $91.95 million towards a new Rockhampton Mental Health Unit Refurbishment and Expansion project. A contract for the construction of the new development is expected to be awarded later this year, with construction anticipated to begin mid-2024 following a detailed design process with the contractor. Queensland’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said the new mental health facility will provide more beds and essential support services closer to home for residents in Rockhampton and surrounding areas. “We know regional areas are particularly vulnerable to mental health crises and by increasing our commitment to services in Rocky we can ensure this community has access to the support and services they expect and deserve,” said Minister Fentiman. “I have met with the hard-working staff in the hospital’s cardiac ward who are committed to delivering the very best care for their patient...

The project team working on the Metro Tunnel stations is finalising architectural elements for the five new stations inside a Footscray warehouse. The warehouse, a former flower market, houses a mock train station with architectural elements from each of the underground stations – offering an insight into how the finished stations will look when they open a year ahead of schedule in 2025. Victoria’s Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the design and construction of the Metro Tunnel is creating jobs and supporting businesses. “As the stations take shape, test trains are running at line speed deep beneath Melbourne – bringing us closer to the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025, a year ahead of schedule,” said Minister Allan. Over the past three years, architects, designers and engineers have prototyped and tested everything from ticket gates to floor finishes inside the Footscray warehouse. Related stories: Metro Tunnel Project crews clock 40 million ho...

Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) and construction partner Fulton Hogan have invested in a new high-tech robot for the Craigieburn Road Upgrade. Designed to make the job of surveyor’s line marking the road easier and safer, the robot is equipped with advanced GPS and automation technology to deliver precise, reliable measurements faster than traditional methods and can autonomously paint extremely precise points, with accuracy of between one and three centimetres. Major Road Projects Victoria Senior Project Manager Dimuth Gammampila said the new state-of-the-art three-wheeler has quickly become an important tool for the Craigieburn Road Upgrade and will help the project team get the job done safer and sooner. “Our surveyors are able to be so much more efficient with this newer and technologically advanced robot, as part of our investment to give our team the resources they need to work safely in all areas of construction,” said Gammampila. The robot, dubbed the ‘TinySurveyor Ter...

Multiplex has achieved practical completion at 308 Exhibition Street – the $600 million twin towers developed by Malaysian developer S P Setia and designed by Fender Katsalidis in collaboration with Cox Architects. The development encompasses two separate high-rise towers comprising apartments and will be the future home of Melbourne’s Shangri-La hotel. Multiplex Regional Managing Director Ross Snowball said the practical completion milestone is a testament to the collaboration and determination of Multiplex’s team and subcontractors. “Constructing two towers simultaneously takes exceptional planning and management, especially when facing construction and engineering complexities like the iconic sky bridge, 46 storeys in the air,” said Snowball. “This iconic development breathes new life into the CBD, and it’s set to become Melbourne’s next landmark.” Related stories: Multiplex installs tower cranes at new Sydney Fish Market site Multiplex begins works on Market Square develo...

In the face of the current uncertain market conditions, further compounded by labour constraints, making sound procurement decisions can be daunting. That’s why EstimateOne is hosting a webinar – Navigating the tight labour market to make the right procurement decisions – on Wednesday 23 August to discuss solutions. EstimateOne Chief Executive Officer Chris Dobbyn; and General Manager, Builder Audience Melanie Bull, will delve into strategies aimed at reducing risk and enhancing the procurement process, expanding business reach to subcontractors and enabling well-informed decision-making to meet the demands of this evolving landscape. What will be discussed: The cost of poor procurement decisions and shaping the future of post-award strategies. Current market and labour conditions affecting procurement and project delivery. Strategies for better subcontractor relationship management and obtaining broader quote coverage. Creating a consistent process for subcontractor negotiat...

A stormwater management system is an essential foundation in the early stage of any large-scale civil works. Designed to effectively control and minimise impacts of stormwater runoff, whilst protecting the environment, modular tank systems like Flo-Vault use underground infiltration and detention techniques. These streamline the installation process, provide increased compressive strength and operational life, whilst delivering long-term environmental benefits such as flood relief and improved wastewater management. When building from the ground up on any major construction project, the design and installation of an effective stormwater management system serves as the foundational piece in the broader puzzle. Buried beneath the surface in strategically designed pits, the right water containment and pump system infrastructure are essential components that must work in tandem to ensure the reliability and integrity of an asset and its surrounding environment. Traditional systems typi...

Development Victoria is encouraging developers to express their interest to develop five key sites as part of the Junction Place project in Wodonga. Almost 50,000 square metres of land is being made available to interested developers during the Expression of Interest process, which is now open and closes on Monday 21 August. Development Victoria Group Head Precincts Niall Cunningham said this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future direction of Junction Place. “We will continue to work closely with the City of Wodonga council and the community to plan and deliver the best outcomes for Junction Place,” Mr Cunningham said. “We are seeking developers passionate about making a positive impact in Wodonga, one of regional Victoria’s fastest growing cities.” “The next stage is an opportunity to build on the good work already done to revitalise the heart of central Wodonga and we want developers to come forward with their best proposals to enhance the precinct further.” Related st...

Using innovative construction methodologies, Multiplex has completed the complex installation of three tower cranes above the water on its new Sydney Fish Market site. Reportedly the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the new Sydney Fish Market will feature a waterfront promenade, ferry wharf and more than 6,000 square metres of new public open space. The crane installation and support system required complex planning and engineering due to the site’s unique location in Blackwattle Bay and exposure to marine conditions including tidal waters. Multiplex project manager Paul Couani said the first two tower cranes were installed within the waters of the bay and before the cofferdam was closed off, which meant the project teams were exposed to tidal changes. “We undertook detailed planning in partnership with Marr Contracting and SMC Marine, and the complexity required four times the typical amount of time needed to complete a dry land installation,” said Couani. Related s...

Ensure safe earthmoving services with expert tips from Cycon Monero. Discover essential guidelines and best practices for a secure working environment. Earthmoving operations like excavation, grading, or moving heavy materials are vital to many construction and infrastructure projects as they help prepare the site, create a level surface, and shape the terrain based on the requirements of a project. Normally carried out for building foundations, road construction, land development, mining, and landscaping, these operations must be carried out optimally to ensure the success of the said developments. And since they may come with inherent risks, they should be managed properly. Implementing best practices for a risk-free earthmoving operation is pivotal to the safety of workers and equipment as well as to the success of the project. Many practices can be carried out to achieve a risk-free earthmoving operation. Some of these practices are as follows. Conduct Risk Assessments Before ...