News

  • NEWS

    Engineering company fined after crane collapses onto building

    A structural engineering company has been fined $225,000 after three workers were injured when a tower crane collapsed onto an apartment block in Wolli Creek, NSW.  S&T Services Pty Ltd was investigate... more

  • NEWS

    Plumber fined and suspended following repeated failures

    A plumber has been fined more than $16,000 and had his plumbing licence suspended for one year after a string of failures relating to plumbing work at a property in Travancore, Victoria. Shameer Khan was fin... more

  • NEWS

    Building company fined $175,000 over death of worker

    A building company has been fined a total of $175,000 over the 2017 death of a contract worker in Yarloop, Western Australia. Gran Designs WA Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in the Bunbury Magistrates Court yesterday... more

  • hazardous

    NEWS

    Budget asserts the value of construction industry

    The 2021-22 Federal Budget, delivered by Treasurer of Australia, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP on 11 May 2021, will continue to strengthen the critical role of Australia’s construction industry. The Budget w... more

  • Engineering company fined after crane collapses onto building
    13 May, 2021
  • Plumber fined and suspended following repeated failures
    13 May, 2021
  • Building company fined $175,000 over death of worker
    12 May, 2021
  • Budget asserts the value of construction industry
    12 May, 2021

Federal Government pledges $1.3B for major WA infrastructure projects

The Federal Government has pledged $1.3 billion in funding for major new WA infrastructure projects ahead of the upcoming Federal Budget. Key projects to be funded include: $347.5 million for METRONET: Hamilton Street-Wharf Street Grade Separations and Elevation of Associated Stations, including Queens Park Station and Cannington Station and an enhanced METRONET Byford Rail Extension project, with new grade-separated rail crossing at Armadale Road and an elevated station at Armadale $200 million for the Great Eastern Highway Upgrades – Coates Gully, Walgoolan to Southern Cross and Ghooli to Benari ... more
Rethinking The Future Awards

Winners of the Rethinking The Future Awards announced

International architecture platform Rethinking The Future (RTF) has announced the winners of the 2021 Rethinking The Future Architecture Awards. The annual award program, organised by RTF, aims to raise awareness around the strategies architects and designers are employing to deal with contemporary global challenges and to bring the best of such projects into the light to inspire the next generation. The Rethinking The Future Awards recognises all fields of design with more than 45 different categories. This year more than 1,400 registrations were received from more than 50 countries. The jury for RTF A... more
building access

National building access reform to meet community needs

On 30 April 2021, a majority of commonwealth, state and territory Building Ministers agreed to introduce a building access reform which will include minimum accessibility provisions for residential housing and apartments in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 based on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (LHDG) silver standards.  The reform has come after the work of advocates over decades who have raised issues and highlighted the failure of housing stock to meet community needs. Over the past 10 years, voluntary guidelines have been tried but failed. ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Cons... more
logging

Database to keep track of timber origins and combat illegal logging

Western Australian-based software company Interpredata has been awarded a $60,000 Australian Government traceability grant to build a DNA database for timber and help prevent illegal logging. Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, and Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Senator, Jonno Duniam, said the database was an innovative step in providing certainty for businesses and combating fraud. “There have been problems in the past with illegal logging and timber substitution, and while DNA traceability is effective, it can be very slow and labour-int... more
vision

Urban design vision for Sydney that puts people first

The City of Sydney has released a new study to further its vision of a city centre that puts people at the forefront – with quality public spaces, three major new squares and more room for walking, cycling and relaxing. Based on international best practice and data tracking, Public Space and Public Life by world-leading urban design firm Gehl will help the City progress development of its new long-term strategic plan, Sustainable Sydney 2050. Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said the new Gehl study will help the City further its ambitious work toward a more attractive and liveable city. “We're ... more
skilled migration

Engineers Australia calls for skilled migration overhaul

Unless Australia’s skilled migration program is overhauled, and more support is provided to migrants and employers, the nation’s engineering capability is at risk. That is the warning from Engineers Australia in its submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program. CEO of Engineers Australia, Dr Bronwyn Evans, said while demand for engineers is high, the outcomes for migrant engineers proves the current system is no longer working. “We desperately need skilled migration to fill the gap between the number of engineers required and what unive... more
Northern Sydney

Northern Sydney construction sites under safety scrutiny

Construction sites across northern Sydney can expect a visit from SafeWork Inspectors this week who will be targeting unsafe working systems across all building trades. Meagan McCool, SafeWork NSW Director of Construction Metropolitan said as part of a state-wide crackdown on the industry, Inspectors will be focusing on scaffolding, working at height, site housekeeping including the condition of amenities, falling objects, electrical, moving plant operations, site security and controlling risks related to silica and asbestos. “Starting April 29, SafeWork will be undertaking a compliance blitz on constr... more