Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Sunwater has formed an alliance to deliver a new dam wall at the Paradise Dam on Queensland’s Burnett River, appointing CPB Contractors and Georgiou as construction partner and GHD as the ongoing design partner. Located downstream of the Paradise Dam, near Bundaberg, the infrastructure project aims to provide a long-term water security and storage solution for the region. The project is a response to the discovery of three unforeseen issues that have emerged in the 18-year-old Paradise Dam: swelling clay, cement leaching and carbonation. These issues, originating from the dam’s initial construction, have been identified as significant contributors to the compromised long-term strength and quality of its concrete. With extensive experience in dam design and construction, CPB Contractors, a member of the CIMIC Group, brings a wealth of expertise to the project. Related stories: CPB Contractors selected for Woomera Redevelopment Program Georgiou Group wins head contractor role for...

Gathering leaders from the precast industry, from manufacturers and suppliers to allied professionals, the National Precast Concrete Association Australia’s Sydney National Conference has emerged as a pivotal event for the sector. On 1 November 2023, members of the National Precast Concrete Association Australia (National Precast) travelled from far and wide to attend its National Conference in Coogee, New South Wales. Hosted by National Precast CEO Sarah Bachmann and president Jeff Stratford, the three-day conference commenced with a welcoming reception alongside an exhibition featuring prominent industry players including Leviat, Reid Construction Systems, CONQA, PSA, ConXedge, BOSFA, ECOTONE, PROGRESS GROUP, Barrason’s Engineers, Actech, Peikko, Hagane Systems, APTUS and Bennett Equipment. The exhibition showcased a diverse array of innovative products and solutions for the precast industry, from quality assurance software to structural precast connections. As the exhibition co...

In response to alarming health concerns, Commonwealth, State and Territory work health and safety (WHS) ministers convened in December last year to establish a unified national response to the recommended ban on engineered stone. The recommendation came from Safe Work Australia’s Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone, with ministers endorsing … The post Engineered stone ban spurs development of safer alternatives appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

Under the leadership of Harriet Christopherson, McConnell Dowell’s national rail business is thriving, expanding and evolving to contribute to the construction and maintenance of the nation’s railway network. With a portfolio of successfully delivered major rail projects and a growing presence in the national rail industry, McConnell Dowell is solidifying its reputation as a reliable partner in rail construction and maintenance. McConnell Dowell has a history of delivering targeted rail projects since the early 2000’s, launching a dedicated rail business, predominantly focussed on the Victorian market, four years ago in response to evolving customer needs and industry demands. Today, due to growth across all regions and markets, the company has transitioned from a single unit for its Australian business to a regionally based structure, appointing general managers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia – with Harriet Christopherson at the hel...

The final piece of the 95-metre-tall mast centrepiece for Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, installed by Marr Contracting’s M2480D tower crane , has been lifted into place. Situated along the bustling Brisbane River, the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project is being delivered by the BESIX Watpac-led consortium, Connect Brisbane, acting on behalf of the Brisbane City Council. A key challenge faced by the project team was devising a method to construct the bridge mast with minimal disruption to the daily operations of public ferries and private vessels using the river. Recognising this challenge early in the design phase, Connect Brisbane engaged Marr Contracting to develop a lifting strategy that supported their preferred construction methodology and addressed the challenges associated with constructing the 95-metre-tall mast. BESIX Watpac project director Rowan Riggall highlighted the crucial role played by the company’s in-house engineering team in identifying the crane as th...

Reflecting on a challenging year for the construction industry, Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies delves into transformative measures, including a National Construction Strategy, to chart a brighter course for the sector. By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. As we wrap up our dance with challenges in 2023, it’s clear we need more than just a change of partners; we need a whole new choreography. The $120 billion project review and the unexpected drama of IR reform kept us on our toes, but solutions seemed stuck in a traffic jam, leaving us on a hamster wheel of good intentions, going nowhere fast. The construction industry is operating on an outdated system. It encourages short-term focus and lacks room for innovation. The commercial environment actively discourages the long-term planning needed to upgrade and boost productivity. To break free from this hamster wheel, contractors and consultants need to be incentivised to invest in and adop...

Viva Energy’s steadfast commitment to sustainable bitumen solutions and continuous exploration of innovative alternatives is making a significant impact in reducing carbon emissions within the road construction and maintenance sector. Viva Energy is dedicated to mitigating the environmental impact of industries throughout Australia by offering an evolving and expanding range of lower carbon and opt-in carbon-neutral solutions across its fuels, solvents, and now bitumen. Bitumen, an engineering material, is vital for the country’s ongoing road network development and upkeep. While bitumen has minimal climate impact once a road is built and is 100 per cent recyclable, the production process and the use of heated bitumen during construction result in significant carbon emissions. This environmental concern has spurred both suppliers and constructors to actively seek out and explore greener alternatives. Nigel Preston, bitumen technical manager at Viva Energy Australia, has been worki...