Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Image: James Thomas Photography/Prime Creative Media. The deadline for nominations for the Women in Industry Awards has been extended to 17 May 2024, granting the construction industry one last chance to submit entries for this year’s program. In 2023, women made up only 15 per cent of the building and construction workforce in Australia, as highlighted in the Breaking Ground: Women in Building and Construction report by Master Builders Australia, March 2024. Recognising the crucial role women play in advancing the industry has never been more critical. The Women in Industry Awards presents an opportunity to honour the exceptional women demonstrating commitment to the industry or their company. Related stories: Sponsors come on board for Women in Industry Awards 2024 The Women in Industry Awards is returning in 2024 Winners of the 2023 Women in Industry Awards announced These awards not only acknowledge women in construction but also in traditionally male-dominated sector

Emma Williams, assistant services manager at Multiplex. (Image: Emma Williams) In conversations with Emma Williams about her career in the construction industry, one can’t help but be captivated by her profound passion for the field. When Williams was studying at university, little did she anticipate that a seemingly straightforward request to draw a window would set in motion her journey towards a thriving career in construction. At the time, pursuing a degree in product design engineering – a blend of mechanical engineering and industrial design – she envisioned herself entering a design role within the manufacturing sector. However, fate had other plans when a friend of a friend, Dan from Horizon Building Group, sought her artistic skills for a window project. Given her love for drawing, a significant aspect of her academic studies, she gladly accepted the task. What began as a favour of drawing a window, quickly evolved into a significant window of opportunity. Williams bega

The curved ochre-winged roof adds to the distinctive green roof above the station. (Image: Built Environs) As part of the Western Program Alliance (WPA), McConnell Dowell Constructors (McConnell Dowell) has successfully completed the level crossing removal on Mt Derrimut Road in Deer Park, delivering a new rail over-road bridge and a new Deer Park Station for V/Line rail services. Raising the bar for sustainable infrastructure design and execution, the project is a testament to the outcomes that can be achieved through effective collaboration and innovation. The WPA is one of the five ongoing program alliances established by Victoria’s Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) to deliver the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) , under Victoria’s Big Build. Led by McConnell Dowell, the WPA comprises design partners ARUP, Mott MacDonald, rail authorities Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line, and the LXRP. On the Mt Derrimut Road project, the WPA also collaborated with architect

Image: Bits and Splits/stock.adobe.com This August, the Australian Constructors Association is gearing up to launch a ground-breaking event, Foundations and Frontiers, with the goal of influencing positive change and reshaping industry practices for the greater good. By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. There is a growing recognition that in its current form, the construction industry is not able to deliver the infrastructure and projects that are needed, when they are needed and at a price that can be afforded. The gap between the available workforce and the workforce needed is growing whilst productivity is stagnating and costs increasing. In a similar way to the threat posed by global warming, this is a matter of national importance that requires a coordinated national response. Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. (Image: Australian Constructors Association) To tackle these issues head-on, the Australian Constructors Associ

Motion’s Head Office at Chullora in Sydney. (Image: Motion) Motion Australia has transformed its collection of heritage brands into a unified powerhouse, combining global expertise, expansive scale and cutting-edge solutions to propel success throughout the nation’s industrial and engineering landscape. In a strategic evolution, Motion Australia (Motion) has transitioned its established heritage brands to a unified line of service for the industrial and engineering sectors. With a legacy spanning over a century, the company now offers a comprehensive, streamlined suite of solutions for industry in Australia. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across various segments and roles at Motion, Jeff Mrak attests to the company’s continuous growth. He emphasises that this strategic realignment directly addresses the increasing customer demand for an industrial supply partner capable of providing the complete package. “Over the past decade, the demands of the Australian construc

Rino Recycling’s design demonstrates that waste is not the end of the line but rather a raw material for the next generation of sustainable construction. (Image: Supplied by Rino Recycling) Rino Recycling’s new facility in Queensland signifies a significant stride towards a circular economy in the construction industry. Located in Pinkenba, Queensland, Rino Recycling’s (Rino) new state-of-the-art facility utilises advanced technology to transform a variety of construction, demolition and excavation waste streams, previously destined for landfills, into high-quality outputs. These resources are then reused in construction projects throughout the state, meeting the increasing demand for sustainable materials within Australia’s built environment. Daniel Blaser, Rino’s general manager, highlights the facility’s ability to recycle various materials, including waste from skip bins, soil from pool excavations as well as concrete and rubble sourced from notable projects such as Brisbane

Image: Rawpixel.com/shutterstock.com Empowering users to seamlessly send, sign and track contracts within a single platform, the Dropbox Sign for Procore integration by TEAM IM is enhancing operational efficiency for construction businesses globally. Formerly known as HelloSign, Dropbox Sign has streamlined the process of sending and requesting electronic signatures (e-signatures) for over a decade, strengthened by its integration with key technology partners. Now, Dropbox Sign seamlessly integrates with Procore, one of the industry’s leading construction management platforms. Authorised Procore users can leverage the Dropbox Sign for Procore integration to efficiently select and send contracts, work orders and purchase orders, ensuring swift and secure document signing. This streamlined process, as noted by Volker Schaberg, chief technology officer at TEAM IM, saves contractors time, money and eliminates the burden of physical paperwork. “The construction industry involves var

The 3M E-A-Rfit Dual Validation System empowers workers to fully grasp the significance of properly fitting hearing protection. (Image: 3M) The 3M Personal Safety Division is actively promoting awareness of onsite hearing conservation and workers’ auditory health through its innovative fit-test system. Despite regulatory efforts, occupational noise-induced hearing loss remains a prevalent issue within the Australian construction industry. The persistent need for hearing protection devices in the sector, driven by challenges such as dynamic work environments and the transient nature of the workforce, emphasises the urgency for proactive measures to address this enduring issue. This is where the 3M E-A-Rfit Dual Validation System plays a crucial role, providing a solution that not only upholds best practices but also surpasses traditional hearing conservation models, supported by education and science. As a longstanding advocate for best-practice in hearing protection, 3M’s Person

Image: sittinan/stock.adobe.com Despite signs of optimism re-emerging in the construction industry, a recent report highlights ongoing uncertainty, indicating that the sector still faces challenges ahead. By Andy Cunningham, senior regional director for Australia and New Zealand at Autodesk. For several years, Australian companies across design and make sectors have faced multi-faceted volatility, and in many cases, complete … The post Construction sector finds renewed optimism appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

Sarah Brunton, national technical officer at the Electrical Trades Union. (Image: Sarah Brunton) With years of hands‐on experience across the construction, mining and oil and gas industries, Sarah Brunton now dedicates herself to nurturing and advocating for the next wave of electrical trades professionals. Growing up in the Northern Territory, Sarah Brunton always had a penchant for adventure, enjoying travel and other outdoor pursuits. Throughout her education, she was drawn to technical subjects, particularly those traditionally dominated by males such as metalwork and woodwork, driven by her affinity for practical work. “I was often the only female in these classes,” says Brunton. “As I progressed through high school, I encountered resistance when I expressed interest in pursuing similar subjects at a senior level.” Despite being told that fields like mechanics or welding wouldn’t serve her well in life, Brunton stood her ground. With the unwavering support of her mother, sh

BINGO Industries’ Patons Lane Resource Recovery Centre will be able to process up to 200,000 tonnes of washed recycled products. (Image: BINGO Industries) Already a major contributor to Australia’s circular economy, BINGO Industries has taken the next step in changing the landscape of construction and demolition waste with the launch of the Patons Lane Wet Recycling Facility in Western Sydney. With an ambitious vision, BINGO Industries (BINGO) strives to pave the way for a waste-free Australia. Currently producing approximately 900,000 tonnes of recycled products annually which are reintegrated into the market, the recycling and waste management company is soon to launch its latest venture, the Patons Lane Advanced Wet Recycling Centre (AWRC). Set to commence operations by mid-year, the Patons Lane Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) became part of BINGO’s portfolio in late 2017. Complementing the company’s existing Eastern Creek Recycling Ecology Park and Landfill, the new AWRC faci