Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

The Delivering Under Pressure report will inform discussions at the Future of Construction Summit 2026. (Image: FuturePlace) Delivery certainty is emerging as a key priority for leaders across Australia’s construction and infrastructure sector, according to a new report by FuturePlace, the organisers of the annual Future of Construction Summit. Record project pipelines are colliding with persistent labour shortages, rising input costs, tighter capital discipline, increasing sustainability requirements and long‑standing productivity challenges. While none of these pressures are new in isolation, their combined impact is reshaping how projects are delivered. The reality facing the industry today is not simply higher costs; it is increasing difficulty in delivering projects at all. Margins for error have narrowed. Tolerance for delays, cost overruns and fragmented delivery models is disappearing across government, investors and boards. In this environment, traditional approaches ...

Unbound 2026: World Tour will feature global perspectives from Bluebeam leaders. (Image: Bluebeam) Bluebeam , a developer of solutions and services for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals, has announced Unbound 2026: World Tour, a new global event series designed to bring AI-powered construction innovation to industry professionals in their own cities. Unbound 2026: World Tour reimagines the traditional conference experience, giving AEC teams practical insights, opportunities for peer connection and live demonstrations of the latest advancements in Bluebeam, including the newest AI-powered features in Bluebeam Max . How AI is shaping the next era of construction As AI reshapes how the built environment plans, designs and delivers projects, AEC firms are under pressure to move faster, collaborate and reduce risk. Attendees will see firsthand how advancements, including Bluebeam Max’s expanding toolset, are being applied in real-world workflows. Each sto...

The module is designed to keep compliance on track through a clear, repeatable checklist for each asset or work area. (Image: Elecosoft) Elecosoft has introduced a Field Evidence module within Asta Siteprogress, designed to help site teams capture, approve and report field evidence directly from mobile devices into the program. The module connects to Asta Powerproject schedules and automatically creates checkpoints where photo evidence is required. When tasks are exported, site teams receive prompts to capture geo-tagged, date and time-stamped photos, submit them for internal review and generate audit-ready PDF reports once approved. Capture points are built directly from Asta Powerproject or Vision schedules, helping ensure key items are not overlooked. Site teams are provided with a mobile task list to record photos and notes in one place. Each image is tagged with geo-location, date and time, creating a reliable audit trail. Administrators can review and approve or reject su...

The Hollow Block Effect is a counterintuitive lesson from construction history that introduces the concept of depth by subtraction. (Image: Elena/stock.adobe.com) Construction has no shortage of software options, yet performance in practice often diverges from how systems are presented during procurement, a gap explored in a new eBook by Simpel. Construction Software Unfiltered: Understanding the Difference Between Coverage and Capability examines why some systems that appear capable on the surface fall short in day-to-day use and what that costs organisations once projects are underway. At the centre of the discussion is a distinction that often goes overlooked: breadth refers to what a platform covers on the surface, while depth reflects whether it holds up reliably in complex conditions without workarounds. “Most software looks capable when you’re seeing it in a controlled demo environment,” says Simpel CEO Kurt Robinson. “The real test is how it performs when it’s rolled ou...

The acquisition expands Kennards Hire’s capacity to support large-scale projects requiring specialist compaction and earthmoving equipment. (Images: Kennards Hire) Kennards Hire has acquired Solution Plant Hire, a provider of earthmoving and compaction equipment, expanding fleet capability and strengthening its position in the civil construction and infrastructure sector. David Schurman, general manager of fleet at Kennards Hire. David Schurman, general manager of fleet at Kennards Hire, said it is a step forward for the business, increasing its capacity to service a rapidly growing market. “We’ve seen a huge rise in requests from the civil contractors sector to be supported by one company across multiple project touchpoints, and that’s where Kennards Hire comes in,” said Schurman. “The acquisition supports this demand – it’s a clear sign of our continued growth.” The acquired fleet includes 2.5 tonne double drum smooth rollers (including CAT CB2.7 and Dynapac CC1200 series),...

More than 35 industry leaders will share insights. (Image: Quest Events) The Women in Construction Summit will bring a stronger focus on practical skills, leadership capability and industry connection in 2026. Taking place in Sydney on 6 to 7 May and Melbourne on 13 to 14 May, this year’s program introduces a more interactive format, with roundtables, group problem-solving sessions, masterclasses and facilitated networking. More than 35 industry leaders will share insights, including Cathryn Greville (NAWIC) , Sandra Nilsen (BESIX Watpac), Margot Brassil (Infrastructure NSW), Kate Wingad (John Holland), Gladys Woods (Haslin Constructions), Amy Lezala (Department of Transport VIC), Sally Law (Clough), Ashley Barnes (Icon), Sinèad Redmond (GeelongPort), Christina Hung (Nacap) and Roxy Shirvani (Major Road Projects Victoria). The event will focus on: Supporting career and organisational progression across the construction sector; creating opportunities for learning, networkin...