Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Now in the fit-out phase, the 10-storey Maroochy Private Hospital is on track to open in early 2026. (Image: McNab) Construction of the Maroochy Private Hospital has reached practical completion, with builder McNab handing over the 10-storey facility to developer Fortius Hospitals more than six weeks ahead of schedule. Located in the heart of Maroochydore’s emerging city centre, the hospital forms part of a growing health and research precinct set to deliver surgical specialties, allied health services, advanced imaging, clinical trials and education. McNab commenced work in January 2024 and has now officially transferred the building to Fortius Hospitals, which will oversee the internal fit-out across Levels 8 and 9. Other medical tenants – including Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group, Sunshine Coast Radiology, Sports & Spinal and the University of the Sunshine Coast – are preparing to begin their own fit-outs in the coming weeks. The hospital is on track to welcome its first ...

AI tools are being integrated into construction to strengthen skills and workforce capabilities. (Image: Procore) By pairing AI with human expertise, the construction industry is building a future-ready workforce, where technology and trade work hand in hand to drive progress. By Preeya Selvarajah , APAC senior product marketing manager at Procore . The construction industry stands at a crossroads, balancing long-standing practices with a rapidly advancing technological future. As projects grow in scale and complexity, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how work is planned, executed and managed. While AI often sparks concerns about job displacement, the industry consensus is that AI won’t replace jobs. Instead, those who learn to harness it effectively will thrive. The future lies in a human–AI partnership that enhances efficiency, productivity and innovation, while building healthier, more engaged teams. Attracting and retaining talent through AI For owners and exe...

“The construction sector has some of the highest accident rates in the world, including here in Australia,” said Charles Darwin University senior lecturer in business Dr Tianyi Long. (Image: Charles Darwin University) Negative stereotypes about construction workers could be putting lives at risk, according to new international research led in collaboration with Charles Darwin University (CDU). The study found that workers who feel their jobs are devalued by society are less likely to follow safety procedures or engage in safety programs. A survey of 243 construction workers … The post Stigma against construction workers puts lives at risk appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

Integrated model-based planning brings project teams together by aligning schedules and 3D models for seamless collaboration from the start of a project. (Images: Elecosoft) Elecosoft, a UK-based construction software provider, has released a new whitepaper, Model-Based Planning: The Future of Integrated Construction Delivery . Developed in response to persistently low productivity in the UK construction sector, the paper outlines how 4D model-based planning can accelerate delivery, improve accuracy, and create greater certainty in construction and engineering projects. By integrating automation and real-time visualisation, it highlights how project teams can identify issues and opportunities earlier, reducing delays and cost overruns. Breaking free from traditional planning The whitepaper argues that static Gantt charts and disconnected datasets perpetuate information silos and fragmented processes. These limitations drive inefficiencies such as manual data entry that pulls res...

BESIX Watpac designed and constructed the South Mosman ferry wharf. (Images: BESIX Watpac) BESIX Watpac has become the first builder to be recognised as a Maritime Technically Assured Organisation by Transport for NSW (TfNSW). The accreditation reflects the company’s sustained record in complex maritime infrastructure delivery, including projects under the Ferry Wharf Upgrade Program (FWUP3). It covers a broad spectrum of works – from wharves, jetties and pontoons through to piling, fendering and corrosion control. For TfNSW and other delivery partners, the status provides greater confidence in the reliable delivery of assets. It also establishes a framework of accountability and quality, embedding competency-based assurance processes to ensure projects meet expected standards and performance benchmarks. “This accreditation is a testament to the technical depth and collaborative spirit of our people,” said Giovanni Polimeni, general manager for New South Wales at BESIX Watp...

L-R: Built development director Jono Cottee, federal member for Hughes David Moncrieff, Liverpool City Council mayor Ned Mannoun and UOW vice-chancellor and president professor G.Q. Max Lu break ground on the final stage of Liverpool Civic Place. (Image: Mike Bell/Raw Life Studios) Built has commenced construction on a landmark research and knowledge precinct in Liverpool, signalling the final stage of the Liverpool Civic Place development. To be known as Helix Hub, the 17-storey facility will house a vertical university and life sciences building, serving as a catalyst for innovation and enterprise in South West Sydney by uniting health, education, research and business. The University of Wollongong (UOW) has reinforced its commitment to Liverpool Civic Place, securing an additional 11,300 square metres in the precinct’s final stage. This is in addition to the 6,000 square metres it will occupy in Liverpool Civic Tower from 2026. UOW vice-chancellor and president professor G.Q....

The Wurundjeri Way extension links Dynon Road in West Melbourne with Wurundjeri Way at Docklands. (Images: VIDA Roads) Melbourne is set to gain its first new city bypass in 25 years, with the West Gate Tunnel Project preparing to open the Wurundjeri Way extension next month. Victoria’s Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams confirmed the new link will open to traffic on Monday, 27 October, improving connections across the city ahead of the West Gate Tunnel’s opening later this year. “The Wurundjeri Way extension is Melbourne’s first new city bypass in 25 years – and it’s set to give drivers more choice, better connect the west, and take pressure off some of the CBD’s busiest streets,” said Williams. The 1.5-kilometre road connects Dynon Road in West Melbourne to Wurundjeri Way at Docklands, offering an alternative to Spencer and King streets. Capacity will start at more than 10,000 vehicles daily, rising to 15,000 once the tunnels and elevated Footscray Road op...

New micro-credentials from National Precast target the precast industry’s training gap. (Images: National Precast) As Australia’s construction industry embraces precast concrete for its speed, quality and sustainability benefits, one glaring gap is becoming harder to ignore: the lack of formal training for those who design, specify or work with it. By Sarah Bachmann, executive advisor at National Precast. While the use of precast continues to grow across commercial, residential and infrastructure projects, there is still no nationally endorsed training program tailored specifically for precast concrete workers or for allied professionals such as builders, engineers and architects. Sarah Bachmann, executive advisor at National Precast. Despite the critical role precast plays in modern construction, many of those on the tools, or in design offices, are left to ‘learn on the job’ – an unusual reality in an industry where safety, compliance, quality and productivity are on the li...

To make appropriate equipment choices, it is important to understand the electrical energy load profile and size accordingly, rather than oversizing for the rare peak day. (Image: Smileus/stock.adobe.com) Australia is pressing ahead on its path to net zero, with the Federal Government setting new climate targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 62 to 70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050. Construction plays a critical role in this effort: in 2023, embodied carbon from building … The post Six practical ways to cut emissions on construction sites appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

Opt Hire helps clients adopt the latest equipment and technology to achieve more sustainable outcomes. (Images: Blue-tree Studios) Opt Hire is replacing the constant churn of diesel with technology that works harder and emits less, lifting the load without adding to it. There is no smoke, but the pressure is rising. Construction site emissions often go unnoticed, from diesel generators humming in the background to light towers left burning at dawn. It is a familiar hum, but one that is starting to grate. As contractors face mounting pressure to build cleaner, Opt Hire is stepping in with kit built for the shift. David Ewan, business unit manager at Opt Hire. With a growing fleet of hybrid generators , solar-charged battery systems and low-emission lighting , Opt Hire is helping contractors drive down emissions without stalling productivity. For business unit manager David Ewan, the real question is whether the industry can move beyond intention and drive change. “When we talk...

The efficient delivery of data centres relies on collaboration and technology. (Image: Stantec) The world is experiencing an unprecedented boom in digital infrastructure, with data centres at the core, driven by growth in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-intensive services. Global data centre spending is on track to reach $400 billion by 2027 , as technology giants such as Microsoft and Meta race to expand their footprints to support next-generation AI models and cloud workloads. This surge in demand brings a new set of challenges for data centre design and construction. Delivering these hyperscale facilities requires not only significant capital investment but also intricate coordination across architecture, engineering and construction teams. A multidimensional challenge Data centre construction is defined by complexity. Timelines are often fast-tracked, with design for large facilities sometimes completed in as little as 10 weeks. The work demands multidiscip...

Winners of the 2024 Excellence Awards. (Image: Engineers Australia) For more than a century, the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards have brought the engineering community together to honour its greatest achievements and the people and projects that shape how society lives, works and creates. Throughout September, Engineers Australia will shine a spotlight on outstanding engineers and projects from every state and territory. Local finalists are recognised for the vital contribution their work makes to communities across Australia and beyond. This recognition also inspires the next generation and strengthens the future of the profession. Engineering impacts almost every aspect of life, and engineers are essential to addressing some of the greatest challenges of the modern era, from climate change and the energy transition to the circular economy and AI. Engineers help build communities, drive technological advancement and foster productivity. Within this remit, some projects an...

Transmutation has built a wheel stop made from recycled plastic to house Park Agility’s vehicle sensor technology. (Images: Transmutation and Park Agility) When Transmutation teams up with a tech-savvy innovator like Park Agility, the result is smart, sustainable and anything but ordinary. Turning hard-to-recycle plastics and waste into high-value consumer goods, Transmutation is no stranger to innovation or ambitious ideas. The South Australian company continues to evolve through a mix of research, development and creative thinking, with collaboration playing a central role. From large-scale manufacturers to artisan makers, Transmutation’s network thrives on strong, trusted relationships. That spirit of connection recently sparked a new partnership with parking guidance technology provider Park Agility. According to founder Brad Scott, the link came through Second Sphere Partners, a Sydney-based group that helps businesses raise capital, refine strategy and scale impact. “Some...

More than 400 customers and staff attended the two-week-long event in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley region. (Images: Komatsu) After a seven-year hiatus, Komatsu’s ‘Boots On’ event made a bold comeback in June, bringing together construction, utility and digital site solutions. Set against the bush surroundings of Hunter Plant Operator Training School in Cessnock, New South Wales, the event gave attendees a chance to jump in the cab, see machines at work and talk directly with the people behind the controls. It was also the stage for a headline debut: the PC220LCi-12 excavator, marking the first major redesign in Komatsu’s 24-tonne class in almost 20 years. “This is a clean-sheet redesign,” says Mark Boyes, national business manager for construction excavators and mobile crushers. “New hydraulics, new engine, new layout and critically, a fully integrated intelligent Machine Control (iMC) 3.0 system.” The soon-to-be-launched iMC 3.0 platform brings enhanced automation to everyda...

Survey Management Solutions (SMS) performs total station work to record utility asset locations. (Images: SMS) Survey Management Solutions (SMS) is making underground risk visible and project delivery more efficient, without the complexity. A fractured water main. A severed cable. An unmarked pipe lurking just beneath the surface. When construction goes wrong underground, the fallout is rarely minor. At SMS, the focus is on preventing these issues before they arise. With a multi-disciplinary team and integrated delivery model, the company is helping civil contractors reduce risk, improve efficiency and stay on track in the face of increasingly complex site conditions. “We’re a survey and locating company operating across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland,” says Travis Gains, business unit manager at SMS. “Our focus is on supporting Tier 1 and Tier 2 civil contractors, and design consultants, from initial investigations through to the final delivery of surv...