Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

The hotel’s structure and façade feature 668 precast concrete elements. (Image: Advanced Precast) The Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina in Shellharbour uses precast concrete to resolve the geometric, logistical and durability demands of a complex coastal build. By Cadell Taye, CEO of National Precast . Project: Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina in Shellharbour Location: 10 Waterfront Promenade, Shell Cove, New South Wales Developer: Oscars Group in partnership with Frasers Property Australia and Shellharbour City Council Builder: Growthbuilt Architect: DBI Architects Engineer: BG&E Engineering Precast supplier: Advanced Precast (Australia) Precast elements: 668 total – 183 wall panels, 445 spandrels (including curved), 40 upstands Along the South Coast of New South Wales, a new landmark has risen as part of the Shell Cove waterfront development. The five-storey Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina in Shellharbour stands as the architectural focal point of the precin...

On-site tools record quantities and condition, feeding into auditable digital registers aligned with compliance and reporting requirements. (Images: Refit8) Verified asset intelligence is helping keep materials and products in productive use across the built environment. Project briefs across construction, fit-out and asset management are carrying new demands: waste prevention, embodied carbon accountability, compliance reporting and product stewardship. Sustainability expectations are influencing procurement frameworks and delivery models, yet one barrier persists: limited visibility of the products, materials and assets already inside buildings. Without verified information, reuse becomes difficult to plan, carbon reporting relies on assumptions, and de-fits default to removal instead of recovery. “We’ve built an industry that’s good at delivering new outcomes,” says Paul Rosenberg Vella, co-founder of building materials intelligence platform Refit8. “But we’ve historically p...

Glenfield’s Scheriya Cuello, 26, has made an unlikely shift from childcare to waterproofing. (Image: TAFE NSW) A former childcare worker has made an unlikely career shift to waterproofing, part of a growing cohort of TAFE NSW-trained waterproofing technicians helping to address one of the leading causes of building defects in the state. It comes as the 2023 Strata Defects Survey, conducted by Building Commission NSW in partnership with Strata Community Association NSW, found waterproofing to be the most common defect, present in 42 per cent of surveyed buildings. Glenfield’s Scheriya Cuello, 26, completed an Early Childhood Education and Care traineeship through TAFE NSW after leaving school but always harboured ambitions to pursue a trade. “My dad and grandad were both in construction and I’ve always enjoyed home DIY projects,” said Cuello. “There was always a sense that females don’t belong in the trades but that’s been changing in recent years, so I decided to make a change.”...

Winners will be announced at the ARBS Industry Excellence Awards Gala Dinner and the ARBS Future Leader Forum, both held during ARBS 2026 in Melbourne in May. (Image: ARBS) The ARBS 2026 Awards finalists have been announced, with categories spanning products, projects, education initiatives and emerging industry professionals. Following a competitive nomination process, the quality of submissions reflects the depth of talent and innovation driving Australia’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R), building services and technology sector. “The response to this year’s program has set a new benchmark for the awards. We received almost 100 nominations, the biggest submission round in the history of the ARBS Awards,” says Amanda Searle, CEO of ARBS Exhibitions. “The quality and breadth of entries were exceptional, from major infrastructure projects to emerging tradespeople and innovative new technologies. It’s a genuine reflection of the talent and amb...

The 460-metre-long structure, with a main span of 183 metres, is among the world’s longest asymmetric cable-stayed pedestrian bridges. (Images: BESIX Watpac) Australian and Queensland firsts in sustainable construction have contributed to Kangaroo Point Bridge achieving an Excellent rating under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s (ISC) Design and As-Built Rating Scheme . Delivered in partnership between Brisbane City Council and Brisbane-headquartered builder BESIX Watpac, the project highlights a shared focus on environmental performance and social outcomes. Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner said: “With almost 10,000 trips a day and more than four million in just over a year, Brisbane has clearly embraced the Kangaroo Point Bridge. “We’re committed to keeping Brisbane moving and our partnership with BESIX Watpac and the Federal Government delivered this vital link for our growing city. “But it’s more than concrete and steel – it’s become a destination, with loca...

Funding will support the purchase or upgrade of recycling, reprocessing and remanufacturing equipment across Victoria. (Images: Sustainability Victoria) Sustainability Victoria is inviting construction businesses to apply for up to $1 million in funding under Round 6 of the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund (CERMF). The CERMF combines Australian and Victorian government investment to support projects that strengthen recycling capability, build capacity and improve the resilience of the state’s resource recovery system. Victorian businesses can apply for grants from $50,000 to $1 million to buy or upgrade recycling, reprocessing and remanufacturing equipment that enables the recovery of materials, including soft plastics, e-waste, tyres (crumb rubber), liquid paperboard and textiles. The fund aims to diversify and attract new investment to increase the quality of recovered materials, improve circularity, and support technology and processes that provide new ...

An on-site sod-turning and Smoking Ceremony marked the start of construction, with representatives from NEXTDC and Multiplex in attendance. (Images: George Fetting) Multiplex has broken ground on NEXTDC’s S4 Sydney data centre in Western Sydney, one of the digital infrastructure developer’s largest Australian facilities. Located at 16 Johnston Crescent in Horsley Park and designed by HDR and Greenbox Architects, the 30,743-square-metre facility spans two four-storey buildings. An on-site sod-turning and Smoking Ceremony marked the project’s commencement, led by Uncle Colin Locke and attended by NEXTDC group chief development officer Simon Cooper, Multiplex regional managing director David Ghannoum and Multiplex regional director Patrick Murphy. “This milestone marks the beginning of a significant new phase in NEXTDC’s investment in Australia’s digital infrastructure, reflecting the scale of demand to support growing AI adoption and hyperscale cloud requirements,” said Cooper. “...

Laing O’Rourke’s Gender Equality Action Plan sets a pathway to achieve gender parity across its global workforce by 2033. (Image: Dallas Kilponen/Laing O'Rourke) Laing O’Rourke Australia has been awarded the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation for the fourth consecutive period. This distinction has been achieved by only a small number of organisations across Australia, and few within the construction sector. Now awarded on a three‑yearly basis, the citation recognises organisations that demonstrate a sustained, genuine and measurable commitment to gender equality through policy, action and impact. Mark Dimmock, managing director – Australia at Laing O’Rourke, said the recognition reflects more than a decade of deliberate effort to challenge industry norms and create lasting change. “We are incredibly proud to be recognised once again by WGEA, particularly in an industry where progress has historically been slow. Thi...

The Rozelle Interchange formed the final stage of WestConnex, one of Australia’s largest road infrastructure projects. (Image: Steve/stock.adobe.com) Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has released a report highlighting the essential role of the industry in underpinning Australia’s infrastructure pipeline and the broader economy. The findings come amid growing global uncertainty and pressure on supply chains. The report,  The Economic Contribution of the Cement Concrete and Aggregates Industry in Australia , finds the industry contributes $20.7 billion to GDP and supports 112,970 jobs nationwide, forming the foundation of the construction and infrastructure sectors. CCAA CEO Michael Kilgariff said the findings reinforce the industry’s central role in enabling construction, infrastructure delivery and broader economic stability. “If construction materials supply is disrupted, whether through global shocks, fuel constraints or planning bottlenecks, the impacts a...

Peter Colacino, incoming CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. (Image: ACA) The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has appointed Peter Colacino as its next CEO, effective 4 May 2026. He succeeds Jon Davies, who will step down after six years and remain with the ACA until June to support the transition. ACA president Annabel Crookes said Colacino brings a combination of industry insight and policy experience. “Peter understands the construction sector from every angle, having worked closely with contractors and been at the centre of government policy discussions shaping the industry’s future. Peter is well placed to translate the work that has gone before into change felt on the ground,” said Crookes. “With major initiatives such as the National Construction Strategy now well progressed, the task ahead is to turn that work into improvements for contractors, clients and workers across the sector. At a time when Australia is asking more of the construction industr...

Australia attracts strong global investment in data centres. (Image: Sashkin/stock.adobe.com) Following the release of its National AI Plan in December 2025, the Australian Government has set new expectations for data centres and AI infrastructure developers. The expectations are designed to make investment in Australia easier, setting nationally consistent signals to support engagement with communities, coordination with states and territories, and faster progress for projects aligned with national priorities. “Australia has a significant number of national challenges to solve, and AI, data centre investment and advanced industrial and technological capability can help us get there,” said Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres. “Securing this infrastructure onshore strengthens our security, supports our start-ups and researchers, and ensures Australian data benefits Australians, not offshore jurisdictions.” The expectations focus on five key ar...

The upgraded solar-powered level crossing north of Narrabri. (Images: Inland Rail) Inland Rail has introduced solar-powered systems at two level crossings as part of finishing works on the Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) Phase 1 section. The level crossings – one north of Moree and the other north of Narrabri – are the first on Inland Rail and the ARTC network to be upgraded from passive to active using a solar-powered standalone power system. Traditionally, level crossings rely on grid-connected electricity and battery back-up systems. By using solar power, Inland Rail avoids the need to connect to existing power infrastructure or build new electrical assets, reducing land access requirements and minimising impacts on adjacent landholders. Each upgraded level crossing now features solar-powered high-intensity LED flashing lights, bells and retro-reflective boom gates to improve safety for users. Both have completed detailed testing and commissioning trials. In addition, internal...

Bankstown plaza is now open. (Image: NSW Government) Bankstown plaza has opened as work continues towards completion of the Metro Southwest line. Bankstown is a key transport interchange in southwestern Sydney, with 330,913 passengers passing through on trains and buses in February alone. Patronage is expected to increase when the Metro Southwest line opens in the second half of the year. The new plaza forms part of the broader station precinct upgrade. The 90-metre-long, tree-lined space creates a direct pedestrian link between the north and south sides of the station, connecting commuters to the future metro, buses, trains and Kiss-and-Ride parking. Designed to improve access and movement through the site, the plaza also increases public space within the precinct, with new lighting, shaded seating, benches and timber decking installed beneath the 150-year-old fig tree. Areas have also been future-proofed for dining and retail opportunities. Related stories: Sydney Metro nam...

Daracon Group’s pilot Role Ready program prepared eight new entrants for a strong start in the civil construction industry. (Image: Daracon Group) Daracon Group has secured $11,200 in Smart and Skilled funding, a NSW Government program, to deliver a new pilot initiative preparing eight new entrants for a strong start in the civil construction industry. The company’s funded, nationally accredited Role Ready program, delivered in partnership with Major Training Group, supports people new to civil construction and equips them with foundation skills as they begin their careers. Participants in the pilot group completed a suite of entry-level units, including carrying out manual excavation, working as a safety observer or spotter, communicating in the workplace, entering and working in confined spaces, working safely at heights, and identifying, locating and protecting underground services. The pilot program commenced on 2 February 2026 and concluded in mid-March. Developed by Daracon...

Artist’s impression: Street view of the new tower at 570 Little Bourke Street. (Images: MaxCap and Hickory joint venture) Integrated construction and development group Hickory and commercial real estate fund manager MaxCap have commenced construction on a $300 million purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Melbourne’s CBD. Student accommodation operator UniLodge has been appointed to operate and manage the property, with students to be welcomed in Semester 1, 2028. Located at 570 Little Bourke Street, the 26-level building will deliver 892 student beds across 748 units, with amenities including a library, gymnasium, cinema, music room, group dining, lounges and games spaces. Designer Nettletontribe has reinterpreted the site’s historic façade and surrounding bluestone, sandstone and red brick context into a contemporary design that restores warmth and human scale to the streetscape. The project will also revive the historic Great Western Hotel, bring new retail sp...

About 613 cubic metres of concrete was poured over 90 hours. (Images: NSW Government) The $526.8 million Ryde Hospital Redevelopment has reached a key milestone, with the first major concrete pour for the new seven-storey Acute Services Building now complete. About 613 cubic metres of concrete was poured over 90 hours, forming the base structure of the new building. A sustainable concrete mix is being used for the project, with 40 per cent of traditional cement replaced with recycled materials, reducing carbon emissions while maintaining structural strength. The use of sustainable concrete is expected to save almost 4,800 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking more than 1,000 cars off the road for a year or powering more than 800 New South Wales homes for 12 months. Related stories: Seven tenders released for High Speed Rail Newcastle to Sydney Contract signed for Blackwattle Bay redevelopment Sydney Metro names partners for Hunter Street Station precinct Th...

Artist’s impression: Bank Street Park. (Images: NSW Government) Construction is underway on the 1.1-hectare Bank Street Park in Sydney’s Blackwattle Bay, the first open space to be delivered within the wider Bays precinct redevelopment. Connected to Bays West by the Glebe Island Bridge, the project forms part of the broader transformation of more than 10 hectares of former industrial land into a sustainable harbourfront destination. Bank Street Park is also a NSW Government Women in Construction pilot project, being delivered by BESIX Watpac in partnership with Infrastructure NSW, targeting 50 per cent participation of women across the project lifecycle, well above the industry average of 12 per cent. “We’re proud to partner with Infrastructure NSW on a project that advances greater equity across the industry and aligns with BESIX Watpac’s commitment to supporting women to build fulfilling careers in construction – currently 87 per cent of the BESIX Watpac team delivering this ...