Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

(L-R): Michael Wright, national secretary of the Electrical Trades Union; Chris Donovan, assistant national secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union; Kristin Moss of the Australian Constructors Association; Alanna Herbst, chief people and communications officer at Seymour Whyte; and Michael Degotardi, chief operating officer at UGL. (Image: Australian Constructors Association) More than 500 industry leaders gathered at Nissan Arena yesterday for Foundations and Frontiers 2025 (FF25), hosted by the Australian Constructors Association (ACA). Now in its second year, the national forum has become a rallying point for Australia’s construction sector to drive productivity reform. FF25 brought together major contractors, clients, union heads, insurers, developers, designers and financiers, alongside representatives from all levels of government and leading industry bodies. The message was clear: if construction is to improve productivity, procurement must change. Real-time polling con...

Adam Jones, CEO of CLT Toolbox, is simplifying mass timber design and helping engineers build faster, cleaner and smarter. (Image: Engineers Australia) The future of engineering is being defined by rapid change, as new technologies, materials and design approaches influence how construction projects are planned and delivered. Adam Jones shares his five predictions for where engineering is headed and how today’s engineers can stay ahead. By Adam Jones, 2023 Engineers Australia Professional Engineer of the Year and CEO of CLT Toolbox. 1. Manufactured products will redefine design Prefabricated buildings are one of the clearest paths to cutting costs and decarbonising construction. Manufactured products are the building blocks of this future. They are repeatable, catalogued and designed for the factory floor. These products benefit directly from artificial intelligence , digitisation and advanced modelling , making the process smarter and faster. 2. Performance-based design is the...

Coates RAP artwork ‘Kengatha Kathiwatha Kathini’ by Jade Kennedy. (Image: Coates) Coates is continuing its reconciliation journey with the publication of its third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, Coates’ Innovate 2.0 RAP outlines key initiatives to be implemented over the next two years, aimed at strengthening advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, respecting Traditional Owners and their lands, and uniting Australia as one. “At Coates, our vision for reconciliation is not merely a commitment but a transformative journey. Through our Reflect and Innovate Reconciliation Action Plans, we’ve taken important steps forward,” said Murray Vitlich, CEO of Coates. ”Now, we must focus on building stronger connections with local First Nations communities and empowering our employees with the knowledge and tools to walk this path meaningfully.” Focus areas for 2025-2027 Leveraging 140 years of experience, Coates...

Empowered Women in Trades joined Bunnings Newcastle for a networking event that brought together tradeswomen and allies to connect and share experiences. (Images: Empowered Women in Trades) Construction may be tough, but Empowered Women in Trades believes that overcoming challenges begins with prioritising wellbeing. By Melinda Davis, GM of Empowered Women in Trades. As the Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) team has been travelling across the country, a common theme keeps coming up in our conversations: people are exhausted. Life can get busy – juggling work, personal commitments, family and more. Sometimes, trying to keep all the balls in the air can make you feel overwhelmed, tired and unmotivated. Navigating this in the moment can be challenging. With cold winter mornings, sunsets at 5pm and long dark nights, we thought now was the time to remind you that looking after your wellbeing is critical. No matter what your role is in construction, from apprentice to project manager, ...

The RFID tags have been introduced with the VEGAPULS 6X radar level sensor – commonly used to monitor concrete silos, bulk storage tanks and process water facilities – and will later be available across all PRO series instruments. (Image: VEGA) Scratches, dents, weather damage – even the toughest level sensors show their scars after years of hard work. On construction sites, in quarries or at concrete plants, environmental wear and tear is unavoidable. Recognising the need for better asset identification in challenging conditions, VEGA has introduced radio frequency identification (RFID) tags across its PRO series sensors. The idea is simple: even if a sensor’s nameplate is faded, scratched or completely illegible, the sensor itself can still be identified and traced using the embedded RFID chip. Although RFID technology has been available for some time, it has only recently become a durable and practical solution for industrial applications such as bulk material storage silos or...

TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology – Construction (IATC) graduate Jaydon Brown is gaining hands-on experience as a project management trainee with Arcadis. (Image: IATC) TAFE NSW has helped a former Central Coast furniture salesman make an unlikely career switch, trading couches for construction as he now helps manage “mega-highways” and major infrastructure projects. Jaydon Brown, 23, was unsure of his career path after school and spent several years selling furniture at stores across the Central Coast. Keen to find an in-demand and rewarding career, he completed short courses in project management and sustainability at the TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology – Construction (IATC) in 2024. Four months ago, Brown secured a traineeship with global design, engineering and consultancy firm Arcadis. He now works as a junior project manager while undertaking a Diploma of Project Management through IATC. “Being a project manager is a dream job because the work is varied and...

Attendees will hear directly from project leaders and gain valuable insights into complex, large-scale builds. (Image: Panumas/stock.adobe.com) Australia’s largest municipal, commercial and civil projects are being shaped by the vision of industry leaders. This September, Converge Expo 2025 will bring these decision makers together, creating a platform where innovation meets practical application across the construction and infrastructure sectors. Across two days, the event will feature more than 50 expert speakers delivering strategic insights and actionable solutions for the challenges facing Australia’s built environment. Organisations driving some of the nation’s most ambitious infrastructure, transport and construction projects will take the stage, including: BMD Major Road Projects Victoria CPB Contractors Inland Rail McConnell Dowell Suburban Rail Loop Authority UGL Viva Energy Arcadis Procore Technologies  From cutting-edge tunnelling and rail initiatives...