Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

A local support team helps keep fire alarm monitoring connected and compliant. (Images: Romteck Grid) Slow approvals, compliance hurdles and service issues can turn the final stage of a construction project into an unnecessary headache. For commercial builders and developers, fire alarm monitoring is often the last piece of the puzzle, and when it’s mishandled, it holds everything up. Fire alarm monitoring is not necessarily top of mind during the planning and build phases of a commercial project. It’s a compliance requirement, a final sign-off item, something to sort out closer to handover. But for builders and developers racing toward practical completion, it’s this mindset that turns a straightforward process into a costly delay. Fire alarm monitoring sits at the intersection of technical compliance, contractor coordination and regulatory sign-off. Get it wrong and the consequences ripple out across the project timeline. Australia’s construction sector faces increasing regulator...

FF26 is supported by sponsors committed to a more progressive, productive and sustainable construction industry, including Access Construction, Autodesk, DroneDeploy, InEight, Maddocks, Revizto, RIB Software and Telstra. Foundations and Frontiers 2026 (FF26), the Australian Constructors Association’s (ACA) flagship forum, has announced its speaker line-up, bringing together leaders from government, industry and beyond to spotlight ‘pockets of potential’ across construction. ACA president Annabel Crookes said the construction sector is facing challenges, but also opportunities. “Foundations and Frontiers is about identifying what’s working and scaling it, so we can deliver better outcomes across the industry,” said Crookes. “It’s not just about conversation; it’s about learning from what’s already delivering results and applying it more broadly.” Radio and television presenter Adam Spencer will MC the forum, putting tough questions to the room on what’s working and what needs to cha...

HIRE26 will bring together hire and rental professionals from across Australia and abroad. (Image: Rix Ryan Photography) The Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA) has confirmed the full program for HIRE26, taking place at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park from 20 to 21 May 2026. The event brings together hire companies, equipment suppliers, industry professionals and decision-makers from across Australia and abroad for two days of education, exhibition and networking. This year’s keynote program will feature Australian athletes, industry experts and senior leaders. The line-up includes three-time Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley, documentary filmmaker and co-creator of Earth Hour Todd Sampson, and Olympic gold medallist and media personality Giaan Rooney, who will facilitate a panel discussion and host the Hire Industry Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner. “HIRE26 is the event where the industry comes together, and every year we aim to raise the bar to make it som...

Hospital staff, stakeholders, community members and the project team marked the start of main works construction at a sod turn event. (Images: NSW Government) Main works have begun on the $50 million Glen Innes Hospital redevelopment, with health staff, stakeholders, community members and the project team gathering to mark the milestone at a sod turn event. The project will deliver a new acute services building on the existing hospital campus, housing an expanded emergency department, medical imaging, ambulance drop-off and bays, back-of-house areas, mortuary and a new main entry. To support construction, a temporary internal access road is being built on the eastern side of the hospital campus. The next phase of works will include the creation of the new ambulance access. The Glen Innes Hospital will continue to operate as normal during construction, providing care for local and surrounding communities, and will remain as a district hospital networked to Armidale and Tamworth hosp...

Winners of the ARBS 2026 Industry Excellence Awards were announced during a gala dinner at Zinc, Federation Square. (Images: ARBS) The HVAC&R and building services industry gathered in Melbourne last week for the ARBS 2026 Industry Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. Seven awards were presented, honouring achievement across product innovation, project delivery and education, with six individuals also inducted into the ARBS Hall of Fame. Amanda Searle , CEO of ARBS, said the awards recognise the exceptional work taking place across the industry each day, celebrating the people and businesses driving progress, innovation and excellence. “From innovative products that are changing what’s possible, to projects that demonstrate exceptional skill and dedication, and individuals who have shaped this industry for decades – on behalf of the entire ARBS team, I offer our warmest congratulations to every winner and Hall of Fame inductee,” she said. The ARBS 2026 Industry Excellence Awards winn...

Hickory’s executive leadership team. (Images: Hickory) Hickory has added five executives to its leadership team as it accelerates growth in the digital infrastructure and living sectors while expanding its New South Wales footprint. The vertically integrated construction and property company’s new appointments include former Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp as chief strategy officer, Michael Curtis as chief financial officer, Persia Gough as chief marketing and communications officer, Pete Howell as chief people officer, and Ben Williams as construction director. Hickory group CEO Michael Argyrou said the appointments would support the company’s work in modern methods of construction and manufacturing, growth within the data centres sector, and expansion in Sydney and the wider NSW market. “For more than 30 years, we’ve continued to invest in developing our people and systems to advance the property industry and this new executive team is no exception,” said Argyrou. “Each of t...

Entries close at 5pm AEST on 15 July 2026. (Image: Oat_Photo/stock.adobe.com) The Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) has opened submissions for the 2026 Project Management Achievement Awards. Now in its 26th year, the awards program recognises excellence in project delivery, leadership and innovation, celebrating project professionals, teams and organisations across Australia and internationally. The 2026 categories span government, community, technology and digital innovation, research and education, and diversity and inclusion. Government project entries may cover sectors including construction, utilities, infrastructure, urban development, education, health services, engineering and architecture. From complex infrastructure initiatives to organisational programs, the awards highlight how effective project management can strengthen economic, social and community outcomes. Related stories: Lifting construction productivity through professionalisation The crucial...

Artist’s impression: ALTA Property’s adaptive re-use of 10 Queens Road, Melbourne. (Image: ALTA Property) ALTA Property has received planning approval for a $200 million adaptive re-use project at 10 Queens Road, Melbourne, transforming a former commercial tower into 169 apartments. Designed by Fraser & Partners, the renewed building will offer a mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences, with ground-floor amenity including private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working areas, outdoor communal gardens and retail. The adaptive re-use approach gives the Queens Road project a sustainability-led foundation, retaining the existing 17-storey building’s shell and internal structure to reduce carbon emissions by 62 per cent compared with demolition and rebuild. Nigel Givoni founded ALTA Property in 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience in multi-level residential delivery. He said the Queens Road project offered an opportunity for the developer to further...

Representatives of Sekisui House Australia and Westbourne Constructions celebrated the topping out of Veue (Stage 4). (Images: Sekisui House Australia) Sekisui House Australia has topped out Veue (Stage 4), the largest residential stage within The Orchards masterplan – a new residential community under construction in New South Wales. Veue comprises 577 apartments across six buildings, with towers ranging from nine to 22 storeys. Designed by Crone Architects and delivered by Westbourne Constructions, the project has been conceived as a nature-inspired residential address where architecture, interiors and landscape come together to create a lifestyle-focused community. George Gesouras, project director – apartment and mixed-use developments at Sekisui House Australia, said the topping out milestone marks another step in the delivery of The Orchards. “Reaching the highest point of this development allows residents, neighbours and the broader community to fully appreciate the scale, b...

Forest Lake and Mabel Park State High School students explored Komatsu’s Brisbane facility as part of the Beacon Foundation’s Growth Industry Preparation Program. (Images: Komatsu) Komatsu has welcomed students from Forest Lake and Mabel Park State High Schools to its Brisbane facility for a behind-the-scenes look at construction and mining equipment, including time on machine simulators. The visit was part of the Beacon Foundation’s Growth Industry Preparation Program (GrIPP), which connects students with industry professionals and career pathways. Trevor Hyde, regional general manager at Komatsu Australia, says demand for skilled workers across construction, mining and heavy industry continues to grow, with programs like GrIPP helping build career awareness and practical skills for students. “Many students don’t know how many diverse career opportunities are available to them in heavy industries,” says Hyde. “Through our 26-year partnership with the Beacon Foundation and their pr...

Webuild has delivered technically challenging infrastructure projects around the world, including major tunnelling works. (Image: Webuild) Webuild has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2026 list, recognised as a “global construction innovator” in the Pioneers category. Published annually by TIME magazine, the list highlights companies selected for their global influence and impact. Webuild’s inclusion reflects its leadership in building complex, large-scale infrastructure, supporting sustainable growth and creating long-term social value. Webuild has delivered some of the world’s most technically challenging infrastructure projects across transport and mobility, energy, water and sustainable urban development, underpinned by a focus on safety, innovation, environmental responsibility and community outcomes. With operations spanning the globe, the group plays a pivotal role in enabling national development priorities and generating enduring benefits for commun...

Aimee Stanton, founder of Zadie Workwear, modelled the gear at the brand’s launch event while 37 weeks pregnant. (Images: NexGen) NexGen spotlights Zadie Workwear, a brand addressing the long-standing gap in fit, function and comfort for women working on construction sites. By Lauren Fahey, executive director at NexGen. If you’ve spent any time on a construction site, you already know the drill: long days, tough conditions and workwear that’s supposed to keep up. But for women on the tools, there’s been a long-standing, unspoken truth that most workwear has never been made for women. It’s traditionally been designed for the “average bloke”, with women left to make do. Lauren Fahey, executive director at NexGen. But that tide is finally shifting. And one brand leading that shift from the front is Zadie Workwear. Zadie isn’t just another label throwing pink on a pair of men’s pants and calling it women’s gear. This is workwear built from real experience, frustration and a desire to...

NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville (centre) and the Board of Directors – Talia Keyes, Anna Broughton, Susan Mercer (national vice chairperson), Jennifer Gillett (national chairperson), Allison Fietz and Stefanie Nutt – came together at the Face to Face event in Melbourne. (Images: NAWIC) Research from the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) identifies workplace barriers affecting women’s retention in construction. By Cathryn Greville, CEO of NAWIC. Across the board, people stay in positive workplace environments that meet their needs, and NAWIC research shows that even in ‘supportive’ workplaces, there are still issues. This includes inadequate health and safety policies, a lack of basic amenities such as women’s toilets and lactation rooms, and unclear parental leave policies. Cathryn Greville, CEO of NAWIC. It’s also well past time to recognise menstrual products as necessities, not privileges, as we work to remove barriers to women’s workplace participat...

Research by the International Institute for Women in Construction found that global female participation in construction is 8.69 per cent. (Image: Michael Cunningham/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com) With global participation data in focus, Dr Gretchen Gagel outlines how research informs efforts to increase women’s participation in construction. Dr Gretchen Gagel. (Image: Heidi Victoria) By Dr Gretchen Gagel. I recently asked a long-term friend and US construction executive, who once led construction for one of the largest technology companies, what percentage of US electricians he felt were female. His response: 15 per cent. The actual number: 2.6 per cent. Ten years ago, it was 2.1 per cent. I went on to ask several more leaders and received responses ranging from a more accurate two per cent to highs of eight to 12 per cent. The US is facing data centre construction slowdowns because of a labour shortage in most trades, including electricians. Women are one element of the solut...

KJ, a second-year mechanical engineering (fitter) apprentice from GT & JA Jones Engineering. (Image: EWIT) For the Empowered Women in Trades team, National Apprenticeship Week Australia is always a highlight on the calendar, but 2026 felt particularly special. By Melinda Davis, GM of Empowered Women in Trades. This year’s National Apprenticeship Week Australia was grounded in recognition, connection and gratitude. It gave the Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) team an opportunity to celebrate the apprentices who are building the future of construction and industry. Melinda Davis, GM of Empowered Women in Trades. (Image: Anna Nguyen Photography) We kicked off the week alongside the team at Swinburne in Croydon, where the energy was high and the message was simple: apprentices matter. With doughnuts, popcorn and chips on hand for morning tea (because celebrations should always include snacks), and generous giveaways from Steel Blue and DEWALT, we spent time acknowledging the commi...

Sam Pedram of the Australian Institute of Project Management says professionalisation is central to improving construction productivity. (Image: AIPM) An interview with Sam Pedram, chair of the Board of the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) , on how professionalisation can help lift construction productivity and address workforce challenges. The construction industry is under pressure at the moment. From your perspective, what are the key challenges? The construction industry is at the centre of Australia’s economic and social agenda, but it’s also facing a convergence of challenges. We’re seeing sustained workforce shortages, increasing project complexity and persistent productivity constraints. Reports from organisations such as Infrastructure Australia and Jobs and Skills Australia have consistently highlighted these issues, particularly the gap between demand for skilled professionals and available capability. At the same time, projects themselves are becoming...

Futurebuild Australia 2026 will include a 60-session education program. Futurebuild Australia returns to ICC Sydney from 11 to 13 June as builders, project managers and specifiers face growing compliance pressure. The event will bring together more than 15,000 design and construction professionals, more than 250 exhibitors and a 60-session education program focused on the decisions now influencing current and upcoming projects. Compliance moves earlier in the project cycle The NCC 2022 amendments, including 7-star NatHERS, whole-of-home energy budgets and updated Section J provisions, are still being worked through across the industry. At the same time, the Design and Building Practitioners Act has shifted accountability for everyone who signs off on a project. NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard will open Futurebuild Australia on 11 June with a session focused on building standards and compliance obligations. His address will examine where those obligations sit and how proje...