Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Lendlease has introduced a new paid parental leave scheme for its Australian workforce, delivering further support for its employees and their families. The company is providing both primary and secondary carers 26 weeks paid leave in addition to the Federal Government’s current 18 weeks paid leave for primary carers. Dale Connor, CEO Lendlease Australia says the move is a step in the right direction for the company. “This is an important and positive step forward in our continued support for equal and equitable outcomes for our people, increasing female workforce participation and implementing industry-leading employee benefits across all our operations in Australia,” says Connor. “More support and flexibility for families improves participation and productivity across the whole economy.” “We want to offer our people the best workplace in the country and this new policy, combined with the many other benefits Lendlease is known for, is a game changer for our industry.” The 26 wee...

Last month, Inside Construction got up close with one of National Precast Concrete Association Australia’s more recent Industry Partners, Shisham Stanley Group. National Precast Concrete Association Australia (National Precast) Industry Partner and Supplier members play an important role not only in supplying products and services to National Precast members, but in supporting the important work that is undertaken by the industry’s peak body. Shisham Stanley Group (Shisham) joined National Precast in August 2022 and Managing Director Dean Messina was proud to catch up with Inside Construction to share the company’s journey. How long has Shisham been around? Dean: We have been operating for over 40 years. We are a second-generation family operated engineering company that remains Australian owned, operates with branches in Melbourne and Brisbane, and supplies nationally. With customers across Australia and abroad, and manufacturing and fabricating plants located both in Austral...

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for a Managing Contractor to deliver what’s said to be an Australian-first processing facility for critical minerals like vanadium. The state-owned Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF) will be a purpose-built testing and demonstration facility located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville. Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said delivery of the new facility reinforces the state’s commitment to the critical minerals industry in North Queensland. “Once operational the facility will enable North Queensland to leverage their abundant critical minerals and rare earth elements to secure local supply and meet the growing global demand,” said the Treasurer. “There is already interest from companies in using the facility, and opportunities for jobs, new manufacturing and processing supply chains and investment to North Queensland is expected follow.” Initially, the facility will focus...

Victoria is getting ready to race, with Motorsport Australia nominating the Avalon Airport Precinct as the site of the state’s proposed Home of Motorsport. Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events announced the site late last week, saying motorsport supports thousands of jobs and delivers significant economic benefits to Victoria. “A Home of Motorsport at Avalon would inspire and encourage the development of up-and-coming drivers in their efforts to become household names like local heroes Oscar Piastri and Cameron Waters,” Minister Dimopoulos added. The Victorian Government is set to invest $1.6 million to help with the design and planning of Victoria’s Home of Motorsport, which will see the 150-hectare plot at Avalon earmarked for the new multipurpose motorsport precinct. Currently more than 4,300 jobs are supported by motorsport in Victoria each year at events like the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, wit...

The Big Dig is set to kick off at Victoria’s Glen Huntly, bringing the suburb one step closer to a new train station and the removal of two level crossings at Neerim and Glen Huntly roads. Crews are working hard to get the site ready, with more than 2,250 piles in place to make up the walls of the one-kilometre rail trench. When the Big Dig commences, more than 500 workers will be on site 24/7 excavating about 65 Olympic swimming pools worth of soil, pouring more than 30,000 cubic metres of concrete, installing new tracks and signalling, and building the new station which will open in August. Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews said the project is expected to be delivered ahead of schedule. “We’re getting rid of two dangerous and congested level crossings in Glen Huntly a year ahead of schedule – it’ll save lives, ease congestion and get Victorians home sooner,” he said. The Glen Huntly Road level crossing has one of the last remaining tram squares on the metro network – removing it...

As the construction industry continues to face labour and skills shortages, Empowered Women in Trades’ Head of Programs Melinda Davis shares how investing in youth and attracting young people to apprenticeships could be the solution. By Melinda Davis, Empowered Women in Trades’ Head of Programs. By Melinda Davis, Empowered Women in Trades’ Head of Programs. Attracting young people to apprenticeships in industries like construction is a hot topic of conversation wherever the Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) team go. The construction industry is desperate for young people wanting to undertake apprenticeships. Employers are keen to share their knowledge and invest in providing future generations the opportunity to learn a skilled trade. We are constantly being asked why young people lack the enthusiasm or desire to enter a trade role. The short answer – the apprenticeship system is broken. Backed up by a recent report released by the National Youth Commission of Australia, Apprent...

The number of materials that can be used in building projects can be huge. These projects, after all, should last for numerous years. They must likewise bring value to property owners and their occupants while using and maximising them. One of the materials often used in building projects is concrete. Generally, concrete is a material mostly utilised by the building and construction industry. It is typically made from several materials, which include cement, fine aggregate, crushed stones, and water. As time passes, ready-mix concrete is now being offered to contractors as the elements needed to make this construction material are getting abundant in quantity. Notable Qualities of Concrete Concrete features tons of qualities that make it a great material for construction projects. First, concrete has remarkable strength. Various construction companies take advantage of concrete as it can withstand compressive and tensile stresses without attaining any damage. The strength of this ...