Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Image: Summit Art Creations/stock.adobe.com Connected vehicle and asset solutions company Geotab has expanded its platform with the Geotab Sustainability Centre and EV Charge Monitoring, providing fleet managers with a centralised hub to track sustainability metrics and optimise electric vehicle (EV) operations. The sustainability centre enables fleet managers to monitor, report and act on key data, including fuel consumption, emissions, idling trends and electrification potential. By consolidating these insights into a single platform, it helps improve efficiency, reduce costs and minimise environmental impact. With rising business costs, organisations – particularly those in construction – are increasingly relying on data to enhance resilience. Geotab developed the sustainability centre to address this need, offering management and sustainability teams a dedicated resource for cost control, compliance and operations. “Even small changes like monitoring idling can have a big i...

The Topcon MC-Max system improves the accuracy of grading, excavation, and earthworks operations. (Images: Aptella) Topcon technology is igniting a surge in productivity for Universal Civil Contracting Brisbane. Universal Civil has built a strong, enduring partnership with Aptella over the past 15 years, beginning with the purchase of its first Topcon lasers. From the outset, Universal Civil recognised the value of Topcon’s technology, remaining a loyal advocate ever since. This long‑term relationship has been instrumental in supporting the company’s growth and maintaining its position at the forefront of the construction industry. As a foreman at Universal Civil, Mark Smith oversees a range of large-scale construction projects across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, including new schools, shopping centres and logistics facilities, such as the Australia Post distribution centre at Brisbane Airport. Related stories: The sky’s the limit for construction layout technology Lowcock B...

The National Association of Women in Construction CEO Cathryn Greville (left) and director of finance and audit Gennifer Tan (right) in Canberra. (Image: The National Association of Women in Construction) In 2024, the National Association of Women in Construction championed advocacy by delivering key campaigns in conjunction with its chapters, focusing on core priorities for change and reform across the sector. By the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Safe and appropriate facilities Starting the year with a bang, we focused on one of our five priorities – appropriate facilities. For too long, women have been required to travel to, share, or use unsafe toilets – or, worse, have no access to toilets at all. This issue is critical not only for women’s safety but also for all workers, particularly those with gastrointestinal-related illness. In Australia, every state and territory require employers to provide “appropriate facilities.” But what does this mean? W...

A hybrid generator powered by biodiesel and solar, paired with stormwater harvesting from site sheds for toilet use. (Images: Winslow) For Winslow, sustainability isn’t just a box to tick – it’s a responsibility to embrace. While the civil construction company has championed sustainable practices for years, it hasn’t always been vocal about its efforts. Dean Lal, Winslow’s group environment and sustainability manager, says the company’s focus has always been on delivering results, not seeking recognition. “We’ve realised that sharing what we’ve learned can drive broader change across the industry. It’s not about saying, ‘look at us.’ It’s about fostering collaboration and empowering others to join the journey,” says Lal. With more than 25 years of environmental sustainability expertise, Lal understands the power of collective action. Winslow’s projects are designed with sustainability in mind, but the company is now stepping up to forge deeper partnerships with government and pr...

Image: jechm/stock.adobe.com Building Commission NSW is inviting tradespeople and construction professionals to join its new Building Industry Research Panel. The panel offers members the opportunity to influence policies, services and initiatives shaping the New South Wales construction sector. Members will have the chance to: share their experiences and perspectives on sector-related topics; participate in research activities, such as surveys, interviews and focus groups; and help shape the future of home building and construction projects in NSW. Examples of activities include providing feedback on course translations, such as the Supervisors Responsibilities micro-skills course. For certain activities, like focus groups or product testing, panel members may receive gift vouchers for their participation. Members can choose which activities to engage in and may leave the panel at any time. All responses are confidential. To join, participants must be at least 16 years old and...

Jacon Equipment ensures spare parts are always within reach. (Image: Jacon Equipment) Unexpected equipment failures can bring construction projects to a halt, leading to costly delays. To address this challenge, Jacon Equipment has introduced a 24-hour spare parts support service, ensuring urgent assistance and rapid delivery to keep operations running. Minimising downtime with rapid response Many construction projects operate around the clock, and breakdowns can happen at any time. Jacon’s after-hours on-call service ensures emergency orders are promptly handled. When a major construction site in New South Wales faced a critical machine failure, Jacon delivered the necessary parts in under 24 hours, preventing financial losses and keeping the project on track. Reliable supply chain and global reach With distribution hubs in Brisbane and satellite warehouses in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, as well as expansions into Indonesia, Mongolia, Vietnam and South Africa, Jacon ensures s...

The new Sydney Fish Market’s completed roof. (Image: Multiplex) The new Sydney Fish Market has reached a milestone with the installation of the final roof panel on its 200-metre-long floating canopy. This achievement signals a shift in focus from structural work to internal finishes, bringing the project one step closer to completion. Multiplex NSW regional director Daniel Murphy highlighted that the milestone reflected the dedication of the construction team and partners. “We can’t wait to see visitors enjoying this impressive building when it opens to the public,” said Murphy. NSW Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper praised the roof’s completion, calling it a testament to world-class engineering and design. “The roof not only enhances the market’s aesthetic with its magnificent wave-like form now in place, but also the environmental sustainability of the building,” said Kamper. “It is incredibly exiting to have reached this stage in the build and start work on fin...

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, addressing attendees of the Western Sydney Outlook Breakfast. (Image: Naomi Chilcott/NSW Government) The NSW Government has launched an online resource to simplify the process for the construction industry to assess and bid on major school infrastructure projects across the state. At the Property Council of Australia’s Western Sydney Outlook Breakfast, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, introduced the School Infrastructure Major … The post New tender pipeline for upcoming school infrastructure projects appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

The ‘It’s possible’ campaign invites women to consider a career in construction. (Image: weyo/stock.adobe.com) Australia’s top contractors have come together to offer women from outside the industry the opportunity to explore live construction sites as part of the It’s Possible campaign. With support from the NSW Government, the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) launched the campaign today to encourage mid-career women to consider a future in construction. ACA CEO Jon Davies said many women either overlook construction as a career or have reservations about entering the industry. “We hear time and time again that women don’t apply for jobs because they don’t tick every box. The It’s Possible campaign shows women that they already have the skills to thrive in construction,” said Davies. “If we can give women the chance to visit our sites and experience it for themselves, they’ll see that construction has fantastic opportunities for everyone.” Related stories: Foundat...

NexGen is breaking down barriers, one classroom at a time. (Images: NexGen) NexGen’s primary program is helping forge the next generation of construction pioneers. By Lauren Fahey, executive director at NexGen. In Term 4 2024, NexGen delivered its brand‑new primary program, showcasing construction careers to more than 200 eager Kindergarten and Year 1 students, aged five to seven years old. The result? Pure magic. These tiny but curious minds were captivated, and we left the classrooms knowing we’d made a difference – not just for today, but for their futures. By Lauren Fahey, executive director at NexGen. When you’re five, your imagination has no limits. You believe you can be an astronaut, a pilot or a superhero. But often, our societal norms sneak in early. A man in a suit? He’s the boss. Someone in hi-vis? Just another worker. A woman in any role? Unseen. At NexGen, we’re here to smash those outdated ideas. This program was designed to meet kids where they’re at – full o...

Bulli Hospital & Aged Care Centre, NSW – The roof cladding is COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel in the colour Whitehaven® with a solar absorptance (SA) value of 0.23. Designed by architects Billard Leece Partnership. (Image: COLORBOND steel) This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: The power of cool roofs: Comfort, cost savings and sustainability appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

The Round – performing arts centre. (Image: Modular Masonry) Lightweight, strong and versatile, light gauge steel framing made from TRUECORE® steel is a key structural component that shapes the striking, curved masonry façade of The Round performing arts centre. Project – The Round – Performing Arts Centre Location – Nunawading, Victoria Principal Steel Product – 23 tonnes of light gauge steel framing made from TRUECORE® steel Builder – Kane Constructions Steel fabricator – CMG Frames Architects – BKK Architects and Kerstin Thompson Architects Brick façade fabricator – Modular Masonry Photography – CMG Frames, Modular Masonry and Derek Swalwell Set in the Melbourne suburb of Nunawading, The Round is a performing arts centre that was commissioned by the City of Whitehorse to provide local residents with a facility for community engagement, performance, entertainment and celebration. The Round performing arts centre replaced the 30-year-old Whitehorse Centre ...

Image: Sundry Photography/stock.adobe.com Coates has developed a guide to understanding the trends, challenges and opportunities that will shape the construction industry in 2025. The Australian Construction Industry Forum predicts just 0.9 per cent growth in the construction industry for the year ahead, reflecting slowing economic conditions, cost and inflationary pressure, and continued challenges around the availability of skilled labour. “Ultimately, 2025 will see a shift in several key trends that shape construction. Critically, we are seeing a compositional shift in investment focus, creating new challenges and opportunities across the industry,” says James Lawrence, group manager – customer and markets at Coates. This industry outlook explores some of the trends that will define the year ahead and highlights how the rental industry can ease pressure on construction businesses as they navigate the changing landscape. Growth in engineering construction Despite slight dec...

XCHEM PRO – Adhesive Anchoring System. (Image: Hobson Engineering and jm13129/shutterstock.com) Hobson Engineering, an Australian supplier of fasteners and XCHEM adhesive anchoring systems, is underscoring the importance of European Technical Assessment approvals in construction. In Australian construction, the demand for high-quality anchor products with the right certifications has become central to industry practice. At the forefront of this is the European Technical Assessment (ETA) – a certification evaluating construction products for performance and suitability in specific applications. Gavin McPherson, lead engineer at Hobson Engineering, emphasises the need for construction professionals to understand ETA approvals and their implications. “ETAs provide a consistent framework for evaluating products across various categories and suppliers,” says McPherson. “This standardised approach simplifies comparisons between products.” Why ETA approvals matter ETAs ensure product...

“I believe leadership starts with you.” (Image: David/stock.adobe.com) Grounded self-leadership, as explored by Dr Gretchen Gagel, is rooted in understanding purpose, values and self-awareness. Dr Gretchen Gagel. (Image: Heidi Victoria) By Dr Gretchen Gagel . Have you ever experienced a situation where you were working with someone, and you began to question their motives? Or perhaps you were not certain that their values aligned with yours? Or even what their values were? Perhaps this person did not have the courage to make difficult decisions, or they were not effectively processing information to make informed decisions. You began to question their ability to lead. Many people think that leadership starts with how you interact with others. I believe leadership starts with you. One of the greatest outcomes of writing my book on leadership in the construction industry was that it caused me to reflect upon my time as a leader, my time spent advising and observing leaders in ...