Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Victoria’s Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced the commencement of the second application round for the Building Fund for Non-Government Schools . Independent schools in Victoria can benefit from the $450 million fund by applying for grants of between $50,000 and $3.6 million. These grants are intended to support the expansion or enhancement of existing facilities, facilitating the upgrade and construction of modern, tailored learning environments for students. “We are proud to support all schools across the state, as every student deserves access to a quality school close to home, regardless of their background or where they live,” said Minister Carroll. Related stories: Victorian Government acquires land for new schools in Melbourne Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop project creates hundreds of jobs Building begins on $28 million Pacific Pines State High School “Building the Education State means providing all schools, including non-government schools, opportunities...

Boost construction efficiency with formwork services by Cycon Monero Group. Learn the role of good formwork design in construction. Call us at 0414 979 169! Formwork is a critical aspect of any construction project as it provides temporary structures and moulds that support freshly poured concrete until it cures and becomes self-supporting. Designing it properly is critical to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of the construction process. Primary Roles of Formwork A variety of roles can be carried out by formwork as long as it is designed optimally. These roles include the following. • Provides Support : Formwork serves as a temporary framework for concrete, making sure it maintains the desired shape and structure during curing. It provides essential support, preventing deformation, sagging, or collapsing while the concrete is still in its liquid state. • Distributes Weight : Formwork also contributes significantly to the structural integrity of the final building or st...

The 2023 Engineers Australia Excellence Awards – People & Projects unveiled some of the nation’s foremost engineers and engineering projects during a gala dinner held last night in Melbourne. Speaking at the event, Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew said the awards highlight the significant contribution engineers make to the community. “Our 2023 people and project finalists are an outstanding field and exemplify the positive impact of the profession on so many facets of society,” said Madew. “They are the innovators, changemakers, leaders and mentors for the next generation of engineers.” “Their work and its impact elevate the profession and raise its profile in the community, and with industry, government and educators.” The Engineers Australia Excellence Awards recognise the achievements of the engineering professionals and cutting-edge engineering projects driving Australia forward. Award winners Project of the Year:  Boola Katitjin | Murdoch University ...

As part of the Greater Meander Irrigation Scheme , Tasmanian Irrigation has implemented a unique uniculvert system to replace ageing pump station inlet structures, aiming to enhance efficiency and minimise maintenance requirements. By the National Precast Concrete Association Australia. Project – Greater Meander Irrigation Scheme Client – Tasmanian Irrigation Master Precaster – Hudson Civil Located in Tasmania’s mid-north, the Greater Meander Irrigation Scheme is an extensive agricultural endeavour aimed at efficiently managing water resources to support agricultural activities in the region. During the winter months, water is captured in the Meander Dam, then delivered over a 150-day period throughout the district during summer by releases into the Meander River and via pipelines along the river. Deteriorating inlet structures At the heart of the scheme, pump station inlet structures play a crucial role in the distribution and regulation of water flow to various agri...

Two new referrals from the Department of Defence will be considered by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works under the  Public Works Committee Act 1969 , one of which involves a billion-dollar rebuild for the Australian Defence Force Academy. The projects are: Department of Defence – RAAF Base Learmonth Redevelopment Enabling KC-30A Operations  – $662.2 million – Exmouth, Western Australia The works will deliver upgrades to the airfield at RAAF Base Learmonth to meet Defence requirements for the support of KC-30A operations and to improve overall airfield resilience. Department of Defence – Canberra Defence Precinct Tranche 1 Australian Defence Force Academy Living-in Accommodation Project  – $1.25 billion – Canberra, ACT The works will replace existing Living-in Accommodation facilities and associated infrastructure at the Australian Defence Force Academy with contemporary, safe and suitable accommodation that will support recruitment, reten...

The building and construction industry’s most outstanding projects and achievements were celebrated at the 2023 National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards in Perth on Saturday night. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn congratulated the winners of the 51 award categories and finalists for reaching this highly competitive stage. The three-day annual event culminated in the recognition of the nation’s top builders in residential, commercial and civil construction, highlighting the projects that have earned them acclaim. John Holland, Built, Hutchinson Builders, Built Environs and Lendlease Building each clinched victories (some even multiple) during the event. The night also saw the announcement of four major awards: National Apprentice of the Year, Toyota National Young Builder of the Year, National Residential Master Builder of the Year, and National Construction Master Builder of the Year. Built, in a joint venture with Obayashi (BOJV) and in partnership with W...

Inland Rail has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by salvaging an impressive 20,000 tonnes of steel from its recently completed Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project , to store for future use. In addition, Inland Rail is donating surplus steel and other materials to construction projects in New South Wales and Queensland, and to local community groups. These initiatives exemplify Inland Rail’s overarching dedication to sustainability throughout the project. By repurposing materials, the project not only extends the lifespan of these resources but also significantly reduces emissions that would have resulted from the production of new components. Importantly, these efforts contribute to minimising the environmental impact by diverting materials from landfill. Inland Rail’s director of health, safety and environment, Stephen Jones, said the team is completely committed to building a sustainable future by prioritising reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives. “Those of ...

The B1M and Procore have joined forces in a global campaign to tackle the alarming rates of suicide and mental health issues prevalent in the construction industry. Together, they aim to herald a new era of wellbeing and wellness within the sector. In July of this year, The B1M and Procore formally launched Get Construction Talking , a global initiative reshaping the conversation around mental health in the construction sector. Since its debut in London, the campaign has quickly gained momentum, expanding to Chicago in September and reaching Sydney in November. Hosted by Sasha Reed, senior director of industry transformation at Procore, and Fred Mills, founder of The B1M, the Australian launch brought together industry leaders to contribute to the ongoing conversation about mental health in the field. During the discussions, Alison Mirams, executive chair at Roberts Co, shared valuable insights into the implementation of a five-day work week for all Roberts Co projects. She emp...

In partnership with the Office of the Building Commissioner, NSW Environment Protection Authority and Local Government NSW, SafeWork NSW has introduced a new online Asbestos Awareness and Safety Course . The course aims to provide construction workers and tradespeople with essential education on how to best protect themselves when handling asbestos-containing products. This training supports a key priority for the NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee (NACC), which works to improve asbestos management and monitoring, and response to asbestos issues in New South Wales, through collaborative efforts and programs. A number of NSW state agencies  and other organisations collaborate through the NACC. The Asbestos Awareness and Safety Course was launched during National Asbestos Awareness Week , which this year is marking the 20th anniversary of Australia’s nation-wide ban on the manufacture, use and importation of asbestos. Despite this ban, asbestos is still likely to be found in...

What should the framework for collaboration look like to genuinely change the culture around safe work in the Australian formwork industry? By Michael Sugg, chief executive officer, Formwork Industry Association. I was asked a similar question as part of a panel at the recent Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Show in Sydney. Panel members were discussing this question in relation to working at height in construction. All very relevant, considering that height-related incidents in our industry are a major cause of injuries. My research uncovered some interesting points on the subject of ‘collaboration’ – something that is essential if change in culture and improved safety is to happen – as well as a tool that was referred to as being critical for success in the 24 recommendations outlined in the Building Confidence report by Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir. So, in this issue I thought we would look at the research findings and how we, as an industry association, are working towards...

Coates, John Holland and BHP have come together to champion increased female representation in both sport and heavy industry. As sponsors of the AFLW, these three companies are spearheading efforts to encourage more women to participate in their historically male-dominated sectors. Elise Manns, executive general manager – people and safety at Coates, said the company is implementing various initiatives to improve female participation rates across all key job groups within the organisation. “We’ve increased representation of women in our nationwide workforce from 18.4 per cent in FY21 to 22.2 per cent as of 31 October 2023, and in management roles from 16 per cent to 22 per cent over the same period,” said Manns. “But we know more needs to be done, as do our customers at John Holland and BHP.” “Only through understanding the challenges women face – both in sport and in the workplace – can we start to identify how we can continue to remove the barriers and even the playing field for ...

BESIX Watpac has broken ground on the Eastwood Private Hospital project, marking a major step forward for the South Australian healthcare sector. The Eastwood Private Hospital project is a six-story development poised to stimulate an estimated $90 million in economic activity. It will feature a six-theatre perioperative floor, a 51-bed ward, a multi-level car park, a café and retail area, and medical services such as imaging and pathology. The incorporation of high-quality operating theatre facilities is expected not only to reduce surgery waiting times but also to provide patients with a wider range of healthcare options. Mark Baker, CEO of BESIX Watpac, said the Australian-grown and globally backed company, which this year celebrated 40 years of delivering complex infrastructure in both Australia and New Zealand, was primed to deliver the project. Related stories: BESIX Watpac relocates NSW HQ to 210 George Street BESIX Watpac awarded Townsville University Hospital expansion...

Mirvac has celebrated a significant milestone in Melbourne with the topping out ceremony for LIV Aston, its third build-to-rent project. With the installation of the highest structural element now complete and construction progressing, LIV Aston is on track for its scheduled completion by mid-2024. Mirvac CEO and managing director Campbell Hanan and fund manager – BTR sector lead Angela Buckley joined Sara Thomas, director at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), and Yuzo Nishiyama, head of Australia at Mitsubishi Estate Asia (MEA), to celebrate the construction milestone. “Three years of operating LIV Indigo, our first build-to-rent development in Sydney, plus 12 months at LIV Munro in Melbourne has given us invaluable insights to leverage into the overall LIV platform and offering,” said Buckley. “Today we have more than 1,200 customers, and this will triple within the secured portfolio, so we are continuously learning and refining to deliver the best living experience for...