News

  • Designing for Community: The Future of Build-to-Rent

    NEWS

    Designing for Community: The Future of Build-to-Rent

    As the housing crisis in Australia continues to intensify, the build-to-rent (BTR) sector has been identified as a housing option that may relieve the rental market. With BTR set to become the most significant ... more

  • Shortlist announced for 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards

    NEWS

    Shortlist announced for 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards

    The Australian Institute of Architects has unveiled the shortlist for the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards, showcasing the best architectural projects in the state. With a record number of entries from all... more

  • Clean up completed at Minihans Reserve following asbestos discovery

    NEWS

    Clean up completed at Minihans Reserve following asbestos discovery

    The City of Casey has completed clean-up works at Minihans Reserve — in Melbourne, Victoria — after a small sample from a mulched garden bed tested positive for asbestos. A clearance certificate has been... more

  • Sydney remains Australia's priciest city for construction

    NEWS

    Sydney remains Australia’s priciest city for construction

    Sydney continues to hold the title of Australia's most expensive city for construction, according to the 2024 International Construction Costs report by Arcadis. The report, covering 100 large cities worldwi... more

  • Designing for Community: The Future of Build-to-Rent
  • Shortlist announced for 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards
  • Clean up completed at Minihans Reserve following asbestos discovery
  • Sydney remains Australia’s priciest city for construction
Proposed planning changes aim to boost BTR residences in Central Sydney

Proposed planning changes aim to boost BTR residences in Central Sydney

In a bid to address the housing crisis and enhance inner-city living, the City of Sydney is proposing significant changes to planning rules, encouraging developers to focus more on building rental properties. The proposed amendments to the Sydney Local Environment Plan 2012 are now open for public comment until 14 May, with the city seeking feedback from residents and stakeholders. Under the proposed changes, developers would be granted increased floor space allowances of between 20 per cent to 75 per cent for build-to-rent (BTR) developments, depending on the location of the site. This incentive would ... more
Decmil Group enters SID with Macmahon Holdings

Macmahon Holdings commences Decmil Group acquisition

Decmil Group Limited (ASX: DCG) has announced the signing of a binding Scheme Implementation Deed (SID) with Macmahon Holdings Limited (ASX: MAH). Under the SID, Macmahon will acquire all fully paid ordinary shares in Decmil for a cash price of $0.30 per Decmil Share. Additionally, Macmahon intends to acquire all Decmil redeemable convertible preference shares (Decmil RCPS) on the issue for the aggregate of $0.343 per Decmil RCPS. The proposed acquisition will be conducted through separate, inter-conditional, contemporaneous schemes of arrangement. Macmahon plans to operate Decmil as a wholly owned s... more

Warehousing sees $33.3 billion investment as green transition drives industrial values, says Savills Report

Australia's industrial property sector is being propelled into a new era of growth and innovation as business’ rapid transition to green initiatives underpins the continued strength of the sector - with a new report released today by leading agency Savills Australia revealing a mammoth $33.3 billion investment in warehousing in the last five years. The new Spotlight report, titled ‘Is Manufacturing Making a Comeback?’ examines how increased adoption of renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and electric vehicle (EV) technologies is directly bolstering demand for industrial space across Australia, wit... more
Michael Kilgariff appointed as CEO of CCAA

Michael Kilgariff appointed as new CEO of CCAA

Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has announced the appointment of Michael Kilgariff as its new CEO, effective from 6 May 2024. George Agriogiannis, Chair of CCAA, expressed confidence in Kilgariff's ability to lead the organisation during a critical period of renewal and transformation. CCAA serves as the peak body for the heavy construction materials industry in Australia, representing members engaged in cement manufacturing and distribution, concrete batching, quarrying, and sand and gravel extraction. The industry plays a vital role in supporting Australia's infrastructure and buildi... more
First Graphene reveals success with graphene-enhanced cement

Field trials reveal success with graphene-enhanced cement

First Graphene Limited (ASX: FGR) has reported continued positive results in field trials of its graphene-enhanced cement, with a slab reaching over 200 days in operation at a wheel washing facility in South East England. The enhanced concrete slab, incorporating First Graphene's PureGRAPH, has maintained its strength and integrity, showing no defects, damage, or deterioration. The slab was prepared using a graphene-enhanced CEM II A/L concrete mixture produced by Breedon during site trials last year. Increase in the core strength of graphene-... more
Research shows Australian apartment designs not family-friendly

Research shows Australian apartment designs not family-friendly

As more Australians, including families with children, are opting for apartment living, a recent study led by UNSW Sydney has shed light on a significant mismatch between the layouts of new units and the needs of those residing in them. Published in the Australian Geographer, the research suggests that many apartment designs prioritise developers' interests over residents' needs. According to the study's co-author, Professor Philip Oldfield, there is a growing trend of families with children choosing apartments as their homes. However, the study found that developers tend to focus more on the number of ... more
New practice standard for NSW professional engineers

New practice standard for NSW professional engineers

The New South Wales government has unveiled a new practice standard for professional engineers, aiming to enhance work and behavioural standards across the engineering profession in the state. The standard, mandated under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, is set to be implemented from 1 September 2024, applying to all professional engineers registered under the Act. This new standard sets out mandatory minimum work and behavioural standards for NSW engineers, with failure to comply potentially resulting in fines and the suspension or cancellation of registration. Key features of the standa... more