Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

A Maxijet MX3-MKII. (Images: Jacon Equipment) Since 1978, Jacon Equipment has been at the core of Australia’s construction industry. With high-performing concrete pumping, spraying and transportation solutions, Jacon continues to meet the toughest challenges head-on. Whether paving suburban driveways, reinforcing a high-rise tower or tackling ambitious infrastructure projects, the company’s trailer-mounted and truck‑mounted pumps, alongside its cutting‑edge shotcrete rigs, have cemented a legacy of durability and resilience. Jacon’s impact stretches beyond its robust machinery. At the heart of the company lies a commitment to forging lasting partnerships with customers. “We’re not just selling machines; we’re partnering with our customers, delivering tailored solutions that drive long-term value,” says Darryl Simms, product specialist at Jacon Equipment. “Many customers come to us unsure of what they need. We guide them to the right solutions, helping their projects succeed ...

Participants in the Deal or No Deal session at Foundations and Frontiers (L-R): Sally Stannard, director-general of Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads; Adam Spencer, Foundations and Frontiers MC; and Meg Redwin, global executive director and general counsel at Multiplex. (Images: Australian Constructors Association) Building on recent strides towards a more collaborative industry, the Australian Constructors Association announces the return of Foundations and Frontiers in 2025. By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association. It’s 2025 and time to rethink the rules. Construction has been stuck in a ‘winner takes all’ mindset for too long. Gains for one party have often come at the expense of another. This zero-sum approach has fuelled inefficiency, mistrust and missed opportunities. But what if we flipped the script? What if collaboration replaced conflict, and construction became an industry where workers, government and businesses could succeed to...

The Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) Shoalwater Bay Training Area facilities project delivered by Laing O’Rourke. (Image: Bryce Millar/Mad Dog Productions) Laing O’Rourke has completed the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) Shoalwater Bay Training Area facilities project, located 80km north of Rockhampton. The upgraded facilities will enable Singapore Armed Forces personnel to conduct unilateral training for up to nine weeks annually. Appointed as managing contractor in 2018, Laing O’Rourke led the development of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area , including the construction of new facilities and upgrades to current infrastructure, supporting training activities for both the Australian Defence Force and Singapore Armed Forces. Mark Dimmock, managing director at Laing O’Rourke, said the company was proud to have delivered the project, helping the Department of Defence achieve its strategic objectives while creating long-term benefits for...

Hala Taouk, senior commercial manager at CIMIC Group’s UGL. (Image: HumeLink West JV) Hala Taouk has traded fitting in for standing out, carving her path in the construction industry with authenticity and unwavering enthusiasm. Speak with Hala Taouk, senior commercial manager at CIMIC Group’s UGL, and it quickly becomes clear: she is proudly herself – passionate about construction and a natural leader. But this sense of authenticity was hard‑won, honed over many years of perseverance and self-discovery. A civil engineering graduate from the University of New South Wales, Taouk wasted no time diving into the construction world. Her debut project – a high-rise building in Sydney – saw her stepping onto a site as the sole woman among 200. While many might have been daunted by such an environment, Taouk rose to the challenge, overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger in the process. Reflecting on it now, despite its challenges, she says she enjoyed the experience. “I started as a ...

Visibuild directors Damien Quinn (left) and Ryan Treweek (right). (Image: Kristoffer Paulsen) Visibuild isn’t just following the blueprint – with a clear vision, expertise and a strategic edge – it’s carving out a new approach to construction quality management. In the construction industry, quality control has often been relegated to an afterthought – a task to tick off the list once a project is nearing completion. But what if quality wasn’t just something to inspect at the end? What if it was the foundation of every decision, every task and every project from day one? This is the shift championed by Visibuild, a quality assurance platform developed by members of the Australian construction industry. Visibuild is on a mission to challenge the status quo and position quality as the cornerstone of every construction project. Quality as a culture, not a checklist In an environment where speed, efficiency and productivity have long been prioritised, quality control has often been...

Daniel Maloney, project manager at Multiplex. (Images: Multiplex) Multiplex has reported a four-fold increase in the number of men taking primary carers leave compared to five years ago, reflecting a shift in how parenting responsibilities are viewed and shared. According to data supplied to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), 34 men took primary carers leave at Multiplex in 2023/24, compared with just one in 2018/19. This coincides with Multiplex’s launch of an enhanced gender-neutral parental leave policy. Together with other gender equality initiatives, such as workplace behaviour training and family wellbeing programs, the policy is driving cultural change. “These numbers are encouraging because they represent a positive shift in mindset,” says Caitriona Comerford, executive director of people at Multiplex. “It shows us that men are viewing their responsibilities at home differently and that they feel able to make choices about how they share those responsibilities...

Image: Bluebeam As infrastructure projects grow in scale and complexity, technology plays an increasingly vital role in enhancing efficiency, mitigating risk and ensuring successful outcomes. From digital collaboration tools to automation and data-driven decision-making, technology is reshaping the way major projects are planned and delivered. Infrastructure is critical to economic growth, yet much of the UK’s network is ageing and in need of upgrades. While government investment is planned, budget and resource constraints create challenges. Digital tools are helping to bridge these gaps, making high-profile projects more efficient and cost-effective to deliver. Bluebeam’s new eBook explores how technology is enhancing infrastructure delivery, covering: The role of software in improving project efficiency How digital solutions are driving change and improvement in construction Practical steps for adopting the latest technology With infrastructure demands increasing, emb...