Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

TAFE NSW is strengthening the construction pipeline through Girls Can Too. (Images: TAFE NSW) TAFE NSW is helping young women break down barriers and build futures through Girls Can Too – an initiative designed to boost female participation in construction and trades. Delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP), the program gives high school girls hands-on experience in traditionally male-dominated trades. From week-long sessions to six-week courses, students are introduced to construction, electrotechnology, plumbing, refrigeration, appliance servicing, carpentry and more. Recent programs have been delivered at campuses in Leeton, Ulladulla, Griffith, Tamworth and Broken Hill, with more locations coming on board as interest and industry demand continue to grow. Alongside practical skills, students tour job sites, connect with industry professionals and build job readiness – including interview preparation and w...

A QR code on the machine gives users instant access to user manual information. (Image: VideoFlow/stock.adobe.com) MCS Rental Software has launched MCS AI Insights, a new suite of AI-driven tools designed to support users in everyday equipment rental operations. Developed to deliver time-saving, efficiency-boosting solutions, the suite moves beyond industry hype to provide tools with practical impact. “MCS Rental Software understands the demands and challenges of equipment rental businesses,” said development director Chris Clarke. “While the industry talks about the potential of AI, our focus has been on delivering tangible tools that make a real difference. MCS AI Insights isn’t just about innovation for innovation’s sake. These tools provide a helping hand for employees, allowing them to work smarter.” The first tool in the suite, Equipment Manual Assistance, allows users to quickly access relevant content from user manuals via natural language chat. Integrate...

Andy Rampton, industry transformation leader (APAC) at Procore. (Image: Procore) Andy Rampton, industry transformation leader (APAC) at Procore , will be speaking on the high-impact panel Innovate or Stagnate: Harnessing Technology to Revolutionise Construction at Converge 2025. Rampton brings extensive and varied experience to the discussion – from delivering advanced research and manufacturing facilities for one of the UK’s largest defence contractors, to reshaping school and hospital delivery through PFI/PPP models, modernising construction practices globally at Lendlease, and contributing to Neom’s ambitious THE LINE project in Saudi Arabia. Now back in Australia, Rampton leads Procore’s transformation efforts across the region, connecting industry challenges with purpose-built technology solutions. His leadership reflects deep, hands-on insight into how digital change can improve performance at every level of the construction process. Related stories: Procore shapes the ...

Image: Payapps Construction productivity is back in the national spotlight. With Australia facing its slowest productivity growth in decades, pressure is mounting on key industries to do more with less — and construction is firmly in the crosshairs. Despite being one of the largest contributors to GDP and employment, the construction sector’s productivity has barely moved in 30 years. According to the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), construction productivity has fallen 7.8 per cent since 2002, while wages have risen by over 85 per cent. Governments are calling for reform. The media is highlighting delivery delays and cost blowouts. But while the headlines focus on cranes and concrete, the real productivity opportunity lie deeper — we must address one of the industry’s most overlooked inefficiencies: manual, fragmented, and inconsistent back-office workflows. Beyond the jobsite: where productivity really breaks down When productivity is discussed, focus often turns to...

Artist’s impression: Benalla railway station. (Image: Inland Rail) Construction is set to begin on the long-anticipated revamp of Benalla railway station, with Inland Rail and construction partner John Holland now preparing the site for major works. The project will see the removal of the existing pedestrian underpass to make way for a new, accessible underpass with lifts and pathways – part of broader modifications to accommodate double-stacked freight trains. The works also include relocating the east track to form a new west track, building a new platform, and creating an open forecourt and upgraded car park. Benalla is one of eight Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury (B2A) Tranche 2 sites now under construction, alongside locations including Broadford, Wandong, the Hume Freeway at Seymour and Tallarook, and Euroa. Related stories: Wangaratta Station opens as Inland Rail B2A Tranche 1 wraps up Inland Rail project pours over $100 million into regional Victoria The transfor...

The historic gates in the heart of Chinatown. (Image: Will Jones/City of Sydney) Sydney’s iconic Chinatown gates have been restored, renewing a cultural landmark that has stood on Dixon Street since 1980. Located in the heart of Haymarket, the ceremonial archways were originally designed with traditional Chinese materials and ornamentation. They mark the entrance to a precinct long known for its food, culture, business and community ties. The City of Sydney recently completed a major restoration of the gates, officially unveiled by Lord Mayor Clover Moore at a community event on Saturday 14 June. “Haymarket’s ceremonial gates are a treasured part of our city’s fabric and reminder of our heritage. These painstaking restorations will ensure they will continue as a symbol of Chinatown and celebration of our Asian communities for generations to come,” said Moore. “Every time you look at them, you notice something new – from the traditional pagoda-style roof with exposed timber raft...

The Western Sydney International Airport terminal in Badgerys Creek. (Image: Multiplex) Multiplex has completed construction of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) terminal in Badgerys Creek. The project marks Sydney’s first major airport build in over a century and will be the city’s only 24-hour airport. Delivered for Western Sydney Airport Corporation, the terminal was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and COX Architecture. Spanning four levels, it is built to accommodate up to 10 million passengers a year. Multiplex worked closely with consultants including Airbiz and Woods Bagot to refine the terminal and surrounding infrastructure, improving overall performance and enhancing the passenger experience. Construction planning ran in parallel with early site works to ensure delivery remained on schedule and within budget. “Western Sydney International Airport is a once-in-a-lifetime project,” said David Ghannoum, NSW regional managing director at ...

The National Construction Industry Forum convened in October 2024 to shape the blueprint for the future of the sector. (Images: Australian Constructors Association) As part of the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF), the Australian Constructors Association has helped develop a plan to guide the sector towards long-term improvement. By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. The construction industry has been drifting off course for too long and it’s time to get it back on track. Financial instability, skills shortages, industrial disputes and poor culture have all weighed the sector down. Recognising the need for urgent action, and the opportunity to reset industrial relations following the Building Bad media investigation, the Commonwealth Government refreshed the NCIF and tasked it with developing a blueprint for change – a practical plan to set the industry on a more sustainable path. Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. ...

Holcim’s new concrete plant at Badgerys Creek will support construction across the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. (Image: Holcim) Holcim Australia has started construction on a high-capacity concrete plant at Badgerys Creek to produce its low-carbon ECOPact range. The facility is positioned to support the rapid development of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis , including the future Bradfield City Centre. Located just 1.5 kilometres from Western Sydney Airport and 2.5 kilometres from Bradfield, the plant places Holcim within one of Australia’s most ambitious infrastructure and urban renewal zones. Its proximity is expected to reduce concrete delivery times and minimise disruption across key construction sites. Construction began in May 2025, with the plant scheduled to be operational by mid-2026. Greg Price, executive general manager for ready-mix concrete and major projects at Holcim, said the company is aligning closely with the region’s momentum. “We’ve positioned ourselves exact...

The Electrolux Group Queensland Distribution and Experience Centre at the Port of Brisbane. (Images: McNab) McNab has taken out the Queensland Sustainability Award (over $2 million category) at the 2025 Australian Institute of Building Awards for its work on the Electrolux Group Queensland Distribution and Experience Centre at the Port of Brisbane. The award recognises the project’s standout environmental performance and highlights the role of McNab and the Port of Brisbane in driving sustainable industrial development. McNab CEO Kunjan Ganatra said the win was a positive milestone for the Queensland building sector ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. “This award is a testament to the strength of our partnership with long-term client Port of Brisbane and with the Electrolux Group. This was an ambitious and complex project, and from day one, every partner was committed to pushing the boundaries of what we could achieve,” said Ganatra. “Early on, we were invited to join an ...

Artist’s impression: Edgars Creek Reserve at New Epping. (Image: Stantec) Engineering consultant Stantec has helped deliver a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating for New Epping, a major urban regeneration project in Melbourne’s north. Certified by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the rating represents world leadership in sustainable development. The certification places New Epping among a select group of Victorian projects to achieve this status, recognising performance across governance, liveability, economic prosperity, environment and innovation. Working in partnership with developer Riverlee, Stantec developed a tailored sustainability framework and provided expertise across water, transport, social impact and sustainability planning. Kenneth Yuen, sustainability project technical lead at Stantec, said the outcome reflects strong collaboration and a shared commitment to the client’s vision. “Our role was to help shape that vision into a framework that could ...

Perth recorded 12.2 per cent growth in construction activity in 2024, leading the nation. (Image: sam richter/stock.adobe.com) Australia’s construction sector is facing a critical juncture in 2025, according to the Arcadis Half-Year Construction Market View, which outlines a landscape marked by opportunity and constraint. While national GDP is expected to grow by 1.5 per cent in both 2025 and 2026, the construction industry is lagging – held back by persistent labour shortages, rising … The post Arcadis flags strain in construction recovery appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

The combined clay mix – heat-treated and ready to supplement cement. (Image: RMIT University) Engineers at RMIT University have found a way to strengthen low-carbon concrete using cheaper, more abundant forms of clay – offering a promising alternative to traditional cement and its heavy carbon footprint. Cement is one of the world’s largest sources of industrial emissions, contributing around 8 per cent of global carbon dioxide output. While blending … The post Humble clay found to strengthen low-carbon concrete appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

Much of the contaminated wood from building sites is still destined for landfill. (Image: leszekglasner/stock.adobe.com) Researchers from Monash University and Charles Darwin University (CDU) have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of identifying contaminated construction and demolition wood waste with 91 per cent accuracy. Published in Resources, Conservation & Recycling , the study introduces a real-world image dataset of contaminated wood waste – a development that could help improve recycling rates and reduce landfill reliance in the construction sector. The research team, led by Madini De Alwis and Dr Milad Bazli from CDU, and supervised by associate professor Mehrdad Arashpour, head of construction engineering at Monash, trained deep learning models to detect six common contamination types using standard RGB images. “We curated the first real-world image dataset of contaminated construction and demolition wood waste,” said De Alwis, a PhD candidat...

The Queensbridge Building. (Images: Time & Place) Time & Place, in partnership with MaxCap Group and Hickory, has topped out The Queensbridge Building in Melbourne’s Southbank. The 65-storey development has now reached its full height of 209 metres, marking a major construction milestone ahead of its scheduled completion in late 2025. Once finished, the building will offer 353 apartments, alongside a 188-room boutique hotel – the Hannah St. Hotel – which will join the Collection by TFE Hotels portfolio. It will feature a separate lobby and food and beverage offering adjacent to the residential entrance and will also service shared resident facilities within the building. Designed by architects Fraser & Partners with interiors by David Flack of Flack Studio, The Queensbridge Building includes rooftop terraces, gardens, a lap pool, wellness studios, co-working space, and a resident-only clubhouse. Hickory is delivering construction. With the structure now complete, att...

Artist’s impression: Showground Pavilions. (Image: Deicorp) Sydney developer Deicorp has commenced construction on its $1 billion Showground Pavilions project in Castle Hill, a major residential development within the Hills Showground Station Precinct in Sydney’s north-west. Known as Precinct East, the development will deliver 873 apartments across five buildings designed by Turner Studio and GroupGSA. The project includes 44 affordable dwellings, a 3,500-square-metre public park and landscaped communal spaces featuring courtyards, a playground, barbecue areas and shaded seating. A sod-turning ceremony was held earlier this month, attended by Hills Shire mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Deicorp founder Fouad Deiri, Fr Nabil Kachab and members of the project’s design team. “The Hills Shire is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, with our population projected to reach 328,000 by 2041. This rapid growth presents significant challenges, particularly amid a national housing cri...

Eastern Freeway Upgrades near Estelle Street. (Images: Tunnelling Solutions) Tunnelling Solutions has been awarded the contract to deliver the Estelle Street sewer relocation as part of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades in Victoria. Part of a broader plan to improve capacity and connectivity across Melbourne’s transport network, the Eastern Freeway Upgrades are being delivered in three stages. The sewer relocation sits within Stage One of the program – Burke to Tram Road – led by the Eastern Freeway – Burke to Tram Alliance, comprising Major Road Projects Victoria, Laing O’Rourke, Symal, Arcadis and WSP. The Burke to Tram Road package will deliver six new express lanes to reduce congestion, dedicated Eastern Busway lanes with park-and-ride at Bulleen and Doncaster, and 11km of walking and cycling paths. It will also include 11 kilometres of new and upgraded noise walls, eight million new trees and plants, and the revitalisation of 43,700 square metres of the Valda Wetlands. ...

Construction is steaming ahead at Sydney House, a 50-storey tower above the heritage-listed former City Tattersall’s Club. (Image: Richard Crookes Constructions) Construction is gaining momentum at Sydney House, a landmark mixed-use development underway in the city’s CBD. Richard Crookes Constructions has moved into the next stage of major works, with the project on track for completion in 2027. A joint venture between First Sponsor and ICD Property, the development will deliver 241 residences above a 135-room boutique hotel. BVN Architecture is leading design on the tower and interiors, while FJC Studio is responsible for the heritage podium. Richard Crookes Constructions construction manager Elliot Hicks said demolition and bulk excavation are complete, with structural works now progressing at a steady pace. With the third tower crane installed, the team expects the core to reach level 7 and structural slabs level 3 by the end of May. A key component of the project is the prot...

The survey is now open. (Image: Jessica L J/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com) The NSW Government’s 2025 Women in Construction industry survey is now open, inviting on-site workers of all genders to share their experiences of workplace culture. Launched in 2023, the inaugural Women in Construction survey was the NSW Government’s first coordinated effort to understand women’s participation and sentiment in the construction industry. In 2024, the second survey expanded this work, identifying challenges around culture and diversity and highlighting opportunities to drive change. Now in its third year, the 2025 survey builds on that foundation. It aims to deepen the state’s understanding of cultural dynamics on site, assess the impact of the NSW Women in Construction Program and industry-led initiatives, and inform the direction of future efforts. Related stories: Advocating for women in construction: NAWIC’s impact in 2024 ‘It’s Possible’ campaign invites women to tour live const...

11 Khartoum Road, Macquarie Park. (Images: Stockland) Stockland’s first workplace building within the MPark precinct has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design and As-Built v1.3 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) . The rating – the highest available under GBCA’s Design & As-Built assessment system – recognises excellence across eight categories, including resilience, nature and leadership. Frank Ianni, Stockland’s head of workplace development, said the achievement reflects a sustainability-first approach across the project’s entire lifecycle. “We are proud to have achieved a 6 Star Green Star rating at 11 Khartoum Road. The team has worked hard to create a vibrant and sustainable workplace building that prioritises smart design, energy efficiency, and the use of low carbon materials,” said Ianni. “We know that the sustainability credentials of buildings are a key decision driver for tenants and investors who actively seek future-ready buildings. 11 Kha...

‘Coates Climbers’ limbering up for the 2025 Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn. (Image: Coates) On Sunday 25 May, Coates employees joined thousands of participants to tackle Sydney’s steepest street in the 2025 Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn, raising funds for sick children across Australia. Now in its 24th year, the event sees families, athletes, schools and corporate teams ascend Mosman’s 420-metre Awaba Street in support of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Funds raised help deliver essential medical equipment and healthcare initiatives to more than 500 hospitals and health services nationwide. Coates has supported the Balmoral Burn since it began in 2001. This year, the company provided more than $75,000 in hire equipment – including generators, portable toilets and crowd control barriers – to assist with event logistics. Coates also entered teams across multiple categories, including the ‘Coates No Burn Walk.’ Through the Coates Foundation, the company contributed a further $25,000 in F...

The Activity Hub can be customised to suit individual working styles. (Image: MCS Rental Software) MCS Rental Software has launched its new Activity Hub feature, aimed at improving efficiency and task visibility for construction and plant hire businesses. Designed to simplify day-to-day operations, the Activity Hub provides users with a tailored, prioritised task list based on their role. Upon logging in, users are presented with a clear overview of their responsibilities for the day, helping teams respond faster to customer enquiries and stay on top of critical tasks. “The new feature allows users to quickly identify and complete daily tasks, significantly improving response times to customer enquiries and ensuring tasks are completed on time,” says Nick Thomson, sales director at MCS. The Activity Hub can be customised to suit individual working styles, supporting better organisation across departments. Teams can personalise their dashboard to include meetings, follow-ups and...