Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Hobson Engineering’s tension‐controlled bolts have a unique three‐character trace code on the bolt head and offer an accurate visual inspection via break‐off spline. (Image: Hobson Engineering) Hobson Engineering’s tension-controlled (TC) bolts are enhancing efficiency in major construction and infrastructure projects throughout Australia. In structural engineering, advancements often come in the form of small innovations that promise big advantages. One such innovation making waves in the construction industry is TC bolts. Gavin McPherson, lead engineer at Hobson Engineering. (Image: Hobson Engineering) Gavin McPherson, lead engineer at Hobson Engineering, says that TC bolts have great potential in improving efficiency in structural applications. He explains that, unlike traditional methods relying on manual marking or additional direct tension indicators, TC bolts simplify the installation process. “Hobson Engineering’s TC bolts offer a streamlined installation process usin...

Image: Autodesk Stowe Australia, a leading privately-owned electrical and communications contractor, has undertaken its largest technology roll-out with the adoption of Autodesk Construction Cloud across the business. This cloud construction solution is designed to boost agility, enhance collaboration and drive data efficiencies company-wide. Stowe Australia is leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud to generate insights that extend beyond individual projects ­– its most significant technological innovation to date. “Stowe has built an industry reputation for service excellence in its 100-year history,” said Matt Fern, digital engineering manager at Stowe Australia. “A lot of this has been built on the knowledge gained by our employees – many of whom have worked for the company for years.” “While project data was being shared within the company, it was often done manually, relying on the memory and experience of employees.” Fern explained that there was a business need to b...

Empowered Women in Trades’ Louise Azzopardi and Melinda Davis with trailblazers of trades. (Images: Empowered Women in Trades) Empowered Women in Trades’ Melinda Davis is putting a spotlight on the trailblazers and changemakers creating a brighter future for women in trades. By Melinda Davis, COO of Empowered Women in Trades. The world of Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) has been incredibly exciting over the last few months, with trips to Toowoomba in Queensland, Timboon and Ballarat in regional Victoria, and the first women in trades networking event in South Australia. The hive of activity has been lots of fun, but in the quiet moments, when you have an opportunity to reflect, that’s when the real excitement happens. A movement is happening in the world of trades. Supporting more women to go into trades has been an ongoing issue for many years, with less than 3 per cent of women in trade roles across the country. However, this is slowly changing. Women in Plumbing statistics s...

Emmeline Rocks, civil engineer and project manager at Zauner Construction. (Images: Simon Dallinger Photography) Emmeline Rocks is making waves in the construction industry as a civil engineer and project manager at Zauner Construction, overseeing major projects across regional New South Wales and Victoria. Emmeline Rocks’ experience exemplifies the diverse pathways and abundant opportunities in the construction industry. Early in her career, she has already achieved remarkable success, earning industry recognition and inspiring the next generation of construction leaders. Her journey into the construction world began with a passion for architecture in high school, which later transitioned to engineering. “I wanted to be more involved in actually building structures rather than just designing them,” says Rocks. “So, I enrolled in the engineering course at Charles Sturt University, which involves 18 months of full-time study on campus, along with four year-long work placements.” ...

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. (Image: Artie Duggin) From the award-winning Modbury Hospital Upgrade, honoured with the National Health Facility Award, to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) Stage 3 Redevelopment, Built Environs continues to set benchmarks in the health sector. These projects showcase Built Environs’ expertise in managing complex endeavours within operational environments, demonstrating its ability to deliver large-scale, world-class health infrastructure . Tony Jachmann, general manager for South Australia at Built Environs, sheds light on the company’s focus on the health sector, the challenges faced and the innovative techniques employed to ensure seamless integration with existing hospital operations. “We have been constructing medical facilities for the better part of 20 years,” says Jachmann. “In the last five years, we have focused more intensely on this sector, aligning with our strengths in safely delivering high-quality, complex projects within operatio...

Pier installation in Carrum, Victoria. (Images: Australian Constructors Association) With a substantial economic boost projected from improved construction productivity, the Australian Constructors Association is championing innovation as the path forward. By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. The Australian Constructors Association’s (ACA) report, titled Nailing Construction Productivity , highlights a potential $56 billion boost to Australia’s economy through enhanced construction productivity. However, the benefits extend far beyond financial gains. The construction industry is grappling with an ageing workforce and a declining number of new entrants. In an industry plagued by inefficiencies, the only way forward is to become more efficient, not by reducing our workforce, but by leveraging innovation and modern methods of construction (MMC) to do more with the people we have. A common mis...

Payapps enables the Buildcorp team to focus on high-value project tasks rather than spending extensive time on manual administration. (Images: Buildcorp) Buildcorp has long been at the forefront of systems innovation, leveraging cutting‐edge software from key technology providers like Payapps to streamline its operations. As a prominent commercial Tier 2 builder with a robust presence in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, Buildcorp boasts an impressive track record, having successfully delivered over $8 billion worth of projects across diverse sectors, including education, health, commercial and sports. One standout project in Buildcorp’s portfolio is the Bondi Pavilion restoration and conservation in Sydney, NSW, which clinched the ‘Restoration/Adaptive Re‐use of a Historic Building: $50‐$100 million’ category at the Master Builders Association of NSW’s 2023 Excellence in State Awards. In Victoria, Buildcorp delivered the fit‐out for the MinterEllison building, earning a...