New research has found that three in five Australian workers experienced a mental health condition this year (up almost 9 percentage points from 2019 to 59.5 per cent). Released today by SuperFriend, the research also shows clear benefits of improved financial and mental health outcomes for workers at organisations that invest in mental health initiatives, but more than half of Australia's workers (55.1 per cent) reported that no action is being taken in their workplace to address mental health. SuperFriend, the national mental health organisation that partners with the superannuation and insurance industr... more

The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) has warned that the Federal Government's 2020–21 Budget may not be enough to stop the pipeline of new construction projects drying up, thereby hampering efforts to create jobs in one of the economy’s biggest employing sectors. On Wednesday, AIA CEO Julia Cambage said they have measured the impact COVID-19 has had on the pipeline of future construction projects and it points to a dramatic and widespread stalling and slowdown of work. “This has major implications for the almost 1 in 10 people employed in the building industry.” Ms Cambage said the 202... more

This World Architecture Day (5 October 2020), the critical role urban design and architecture can play in building stronger, more sustainable and better-connected cities and communities was centre stage in celebrations. To mark the occasion, the International Architects Union (UIA), representing some 3.2 million members of the profession globally, hosted a live webinar. The discussion featured six panels of global experts examining how architects and professionals in related fields can address the challenges facing today’s cities: Water and Sanitation, Public Spaces, Air Quality and Housing. This was fol... more

The Federal Government plans to invest an additional $1.2 billion to support Australian business to employ 100,000 new apprentices or trainees as part of its COVID-19 economic recovery plan. From 5 October 2020, businesses who take on a new Australian apprentice will be eligible for a 50 per cent wage subsidy, regardless of geographic location, occupation, industry or business size. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said apprenticeships are an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there is a skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers. “During this pandemic the Federal Go... more

An international group, including researchers from Trinity College Dublin, have called on the global community, politicians, industry leaders, and societal decision-makers to better understand the critical importance of the built environment for sustainable development at global and local scales. The consensus has the backing of the leading professional associations in the domain of construction engineering and underlines the critical need to mitigate against global climate change. “Nothing less than a transformative and united worldwide effort from all stakeholders of the construction sector is required... more

Ahead of the release of the Federal Budget, CEO of Master Builders Australia (MBA), Denita Wawn, said that putting building and construction at the centre of the Budget recovery makes ‘perfect sense’. “With every $1 spent generating $3, construction is recovery’s accelerator,” Wawn said. “What we know about the Budget so far shows that the Government is learning from our former darkest days when the boldest reforms and most coordinated rapid responses were our lifeline.” “How the Government tackles the challenges of confidence and time will be key to the Budget’s overall success.” ... more

Researchers from RMIT University have developed an eco-friendly cement concrete, which all but eliminates corrosion. Concrete corrosion and fatbergs plague sewage systems around the world, leading to costly and disruptive maintenance. But now RMIT engineers have developed concrete that can withstand the corrosive acidic environment found in sewage pipes, while greatly reducing residual lime that leaches out, contributing to fatbergs. Fatbergs are gross globs of congealed mass clogging sewers with fat, grease, oil and non-biodegradable junk like wet wipes and nappies, some growing to be 200 metres long and ... more