Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Dewatering is a regulated activity in Australian construction. (Image: Coates) On many construction and infrastructure projects, dewatering is treated as a practical site activity – install the pumps, move the water and keep the project moving. But across Australia, dewatering is far more than a pumping exercise. It is a regulated activity, and failing to address approvals, environmental impacts and compliance early can expose projects to delays, financial penalties and reputational risk. According to Ernest Lapornik, engineering solutions specialist at Coates , the challenge is that dewatering is still frequently approached as an operational task rather than a regulatory and environmental consideration. “Dewatering is often seen as just pumping water,” he says. “But regulators across Australia look at much more than the pump itself. They regulate the right to take water, the works used to extract it and how that water is used or disposed of.” In New South Wales, these requirem...

Neverfail approaches water sourcing through a stewardship lens, recognising water as a finite resource that must be carefully managed over time. (Images: Neverfail) Neverfail believes access to reliable drinking water should be a baseline requirement on construction sites. Access to drinking water is often taken for granted in construction planning, but on site, temporary compounds and dispersed work fronts mean crews are not always close to a reliable mains supply. As projects spread across metropolitan growth areas, regional centres and remote locations, water access, quality and day-to-day hydration arrangements vary from site to site. Neverfail supports construction projects with end-to-end spring water solutions, helping ensure water supply does not become an operational risk. Hydration is operational Risk on site is actively managed through planning and systems, covering tools, traffic and working at heights. Hydration warrants the same discipline. When drinking water is...

The KXZ3 R32 VRF series’ integrated safety systems address the requirements of A2L refrigerants and ensure compliance with local and international standards. (Images: MHIAA) Specification of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems on commercial construction projects is now being guided by operational carbon, regulatory compliance and life cycle asset performance, an area where Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) is seeing stronger engagement from project teams. Long considered a downstream technical package, HVAC today is evaluated against emissions modelling, NABERS projections and long-term ownership strategy. Roy Arindam, national commercial manager at MHIAA, says the energy profile of modern buildings is a primary driver of this change. “Commercial buildings make up roughly 30 to 40 per cent of national energy consumption,” he says. “Within those buildings, HVAC alone can account for 40 to 50 per cent of total energy use. As such, a...

ARBS 2026 will take place from 5 to 7 May in Melbourne. (Image: ARBS Exhibitions) The CEO of ARBS Exhibitions explains why building services are shaping project outcomes earlier than ever. By Amanda Searle, CEO of ARBS Exhibitions. When people picture construction, they often think of the physical structure and cranes defining the skyline. However, it’s the less visible factors – mechanical, electrical, controls and commissioning – that influence how quickly a project reaches handover. The biggest cost in the built environment isn’t what we spend to build; it’s what we spend to run. Construction costs represent only a fraction of a building’s life cycle cost, with the majority of expenditure occurring during the operational phase. For this reason, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC&R) and other building services have become pivotal to successful construction outcomes, including how early and how effectively components are integrated into design, sequ...

Foundations and Frontiers 2026 is about momentum. (Image: Digital Art Studio/stock.adobe.com) Foundations and Frontiers 2026 centres on progress, not problems. By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. What if we stopped obsessing over what’s broken in construction and focused on what’s already working? That’s the idea behind Foundations and Frontiers 2026 (FF26). On Thursday, 20 August in Sydney, the industry will come together to share examples of projects and practices that are delivering better results now. Not theory. Proof. And to close the day, the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) will host a black-tie presentation of the Australian Construction Achievement Award (ACAA), celebrating the best project in the country. From problems to progress For the past two years, the Foundations and Frontiers forum has focused on the industry’s biggest structural challenges . That work matters, but this year, we’re shifting gears. FF26 is about momentum. I...

Aaron Smith, engineering manager – installations at Coates Engineering Solutions. (Image: Coates) Temporary works often operate behind the scenes, but they play a critical role in keeping construction and infrastructure projects moving safely and efficiently. In this Expert Profile, Aaron Smith, engineering manager – installations at Coates Engineering Solutions, shares insights on the challenges facing the industry and how specialist installation teams help deliver complex temporary works solutions under tight timelines. Aaron Smith has spent nearly a decade with Coates and more than 25 years in the construction industry. With a background that spans both trade and engineering roles, he brings a practical perspective to delivering temporary works solutions on complex construction sites. Here, Aaron shares insights from the front line of the industry. Describe your role and what an average workday or week looks like. My role involves managing the installations team to deliver b...

As Far East Consortium Queensland established operations for projects like the Queen’s Wharf Tower, it implemented Payapps from the outset to lay a foundation for rapid scaling. (Image: Far East Consortium) Payapps explains why a project-first strategy allows contractors to build confidence before scaling construction technology across the business. By Ian Moss, marketing leader for Australia and New Zealand at Payapps – An Autodesk Company. Ian Moss, marketing leader for Australia and New Zealand at Payapps – An Autodesk Company. (Image: Payapps) As the Australian construction sector faces a continued productivity imperative, the industry is entering a critical transition. While the project pipeline is beginning to stabilise, the sector remains under pressure from tight margins, skills shortages and heightened scrutiny of value for money. Recent analysis, including commentary following the Queensland Productivity Commission’s Final Report: Opportunities to Improve Productivi...

Cupix, an AI-powered spatial intelligence platform, helps teams maintain complete site records. (Image: mikitiger/stock.adobe.com) Spatial capture is being integrated into John Holland’s site workflows to verify works, coordinate trades and document site conditions during delivery. John Holland’s portfolio, built over more than seven decades, stands out for its concentration of large, technically challenging projects. In recent years, the contractor has ramped up its digital engineering strategy in line with the rising complexity of the works it takes on, supported by a suite of technologies including spatial intelligence. Mitchell Erickson, group manager of digital engineering at John Holland. (Image: Mitchell Erickson) One such platform is Cupix, an AI-powered spatial intelligence platform that captures and visualises construction sites in a virtual environment. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and 360-degree cameras, it enables remote site monitoring, progress tracking an...

The PC220LCi-12 has automation embedded in its core machine functions. (Image: Smoke Photography & Video) Construction equipment is being engineered for a more demanding job site, and Komatsu signals where performance expectations are heading next with its latest machines. Mark Boyes, national business manager for construction at Komatsu. (Image: IndustriArc) The company’s latest equipment enters a market where performance is being judged less on sheer output and more on control, integration and usable machine data. Project directors and asset managers are weighing how accurately a machine can execute to digital models, how safely it can function in tight work areas, and how effectively its systems inform site-level decision making. Mechanical capability remains fundamental, but intelligence, configurability and systems integration are now influencing how equipment is selected and deployed. Komatsu’s PC220LCi-12 hydraulic excavator and intelligent Machine Control (iMC) 3....

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...