Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Construction has commenced on the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory Government is investing $6.1 million into the project, which will deliver an additional 1.2 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power to the community, along with a Battery Energy Storage System with a capacity of 3 megawatt-hours. With a population of over 2,000 residents, Wurrumiyanga is on its way to being powered by 50 per cent renewable energy thanks to this initiative. The Northern Territory’s Minister for Renewables and Energy Nicole Manison said the pilot program in Wurrumiyanga marks a significant stride toward the state government’s goal of achieving 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. This objective also aims for an average of 70 per cent renewables in communities supplied by Indigenous Essential Services. “We will keep doing the hard work as we push towards our target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 20...

Autodesk has announced the launch of Autodesk AI ,  an intelligent technology designed to unlock creativity, address challenges and streamline productivity across sectors in the construction industry and beyond. Autodesk AI, available in Autodesk products and native to its Design and Make Platform , offers intelligent assistance and generative capabilities. This empowers users to imagine and explore without constraints, yielding precise, accurate and innovative outcomes. Andrew Anagnost, president and chief executive officer at Autodesk, said the company views artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for empowering its customers to effectively tackle the challenges they face and turn them into opportunities. “Autodesk AI is the assistant that lowers the learning curve for designers and engineers, supercharges their productivity, and accelerates innovation,” said Anagnost. Benefiting from the expertise of seasoned professionals at the forefront of AI research, Autodesk stand...

Australian Constructors Association head of policy Robert Sobyra outlines the challenges constraining construction firms in their efforts to invest. By Robert Sobyra, head of policy at the Australian Constructors Association. Why is it so difficult for construction firms to invest? The Australian Constructors Association’s (ACA) latest report, Nailing Construction Productivity , prompted a lot of people to ask me this question. Our key recommendation is that governments lead the development of a National Construction Strategy with a singular focus on lifting the rate of construction productivity from its current low level (zero) to the national average. The challenge I’ve been getting goes like this. Why does government need to solve this problem for us? Why can’t construction firms simply go ahead and invest in innovative technologies? After all, there’s no shortage of technology out there – you just need to adopt it. It’s a fair question. Industry bodies are often guilty of aski...

When Keller, a specialist in civil works and retention, began planning how to support a large basement excavation for the Bowline Wickham residential development in Newcastle, the company initially preferred ground anchoring. When the adjacent rail asset prevented this shoring method for the southern half of the excavation, it soon became clear that a hybrid solution was needed. Keller designed an anchored retention system for the northern half of the excavation and approached Coates Engineering Solutions to design an internal bracing system for the southern half. Darren Browne, temporary works engineer at Coates, acknowledges that although the project presented complexities from its inception, it was only as the work progressed that the true intricacies and challenges became evident. “With strict design criteria from Transport for NSW and challenging soil and site conditions, it became clear that both Coates and Keller needed to work closely together for the project to succeed,” ...

After a 16-year journey from his initial proposal of light rail and pedestrianisation along George Street, the architect behind the transformation of the Sydney CBD has, for the first time, laid eyes on the results of his work. Danish architect and urbanist Jan Gehl was commissioned by the City of Sydney in 2007 to conduct a study supporting the city’s long-term strategic plan – Sustainable Sydney 2030. Informed by international best practices, the Public Spaces and Public Life study paved the way for the transformation of Sydney’s CBD. It articulated the imperative for more space for people, the creation of a pedestrianised light rail corridor and the establishment of new public squares – all with an emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability. Gehl recently consulted on the city’s updated strategic plan and visited Sydney to advocate for landmark civic squares. This included proposing improvements to the public plaza situated between Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral, al...

In the ongoing journey to gender equality, and the attraction of diverse cohorts into trades and trades-based roles, one influential yet often overlooked tool is language. Empowered Women in Trades is putting a spotlight on the power of language in transforming trades-based industries. By Hannah Keirl, Head of Commercial at Empowered Women in Trades . The impact of language on the inclusivity of women, non-binary, LGBTQI+, cultural and linguistic diversity, and other diverse groups of people in trades-based industries cannot be overstated. Language plays a key role in fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and empowerment. Language might seem like a minor player in the realm of inclusivity, but its effects ripple throughout an organisation. In fact, it can have an impact before one is even employed. Let’s take job listings as an example. Traditionally, they’ve been riddled with gendered language that subconsciously discourages women and non-binary people from applying. By ad...

Construction has officially begun on the CDU Trades Training Centre, the newest addition to Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Trades Precinct, at Casuarina campus. Northern Territory Minister for Skills, Training and International Education Joel Bowden recently joined CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, CDU TAFE Pro Vice-Chancellor Mike Hamilton and Aspire Design and Construct executive director Lisa Jenkinson to view the initial progress onsite. Aspire Design and Construct, a local Darwin company, will lead the trade centre’s ongoing design and construction. Minister Bowden said the State Government recognised the need to grow a skilled, agile and capable workforce for the Territory. “The Northern Territory Government is investing $4.8 million to help strengthen vocational education and training pathways for Territorians,” Minister Bowden said. “The Territory needs an innovative, capable and skilled workforce to meet industry demands and we are committed to delivering mor...