1PUBLISHER: Chinese firm inPROJECT PUBLISHERS Standard Gauge Railway probe notTEL: incorporated in Kenya.+27 11 346 5053EMAIL: The Chinese company contracted to Berth 19 at the port of Mombasa, [email protected] build the Sh447.5 billion Standard Southern and Northern bypass andWEBSITE: Gauge Railway line between the Mtito Andei-Bachuma Gate roadwww.projectpublishers.co.za Mombasa and Nairobi is not construction, among others,” Muli incorporated in Kenya but has a said.62, 2ND AVENUE, registered office, Transport PrincipalHOUGHTON, Secretary Nduva Muli has said. The revelation comes days after itJOHANNESBURG. emerged that the CRBC file had Mr Muli was responding to gone missing at the Registrar ofP.O. BOX 92744, Parliament’s Public Investment Companies after Parliament wantedNORWOOD 2117 Committee (PIC), which is probing to unmask the faces behind theJOHANNESBURG, the railway saga. He, however, did company.SOUTH AFRICA. not provide the names of the company’s directors. Parliament has been pursuing aDESIGN AND LAY OUT OF THE theory that CRBC Kenya may haveMAGAZINE: He told PIC that China Road and one or more directors that are notIN - HOUSE Bridge Corporation ( CRBC) was Chinese in a bid to uncover the formally established in 1979 as much-talked about brokers. MPsPROJECT PUBLISHERS publishes China Road and Bridge Engineering also want to know who the localprojects Magazine and several special Company (CRBEC) but entered the shareholders are, if they exist.Stand Alone Publications in different Kenyan market in 1984, when itsector industries, mainly in South Africa. registered a local branch office with Muli explained that in 2005, CRBCWe aim at high standards of quality of the the same name. and China Harbour Engineeringservices we offer advertisers as well as Company merged to form Chinareaders. The Publisher does not accept “In 1991, due to expanding Communications Constructionany responsibility for the accuracy or business, CRBEC was restructured Group (CCCG).authenticity of the contributions contained into a group and named China Roadin the Magazine and advertisements. and Bridge Corporation. He said this saw CRBC registeredViews expressed by the contributors are again by the State Administration fornot necessarily those of the Publishers In 1996, the Registrar of Companies Industry and Commerce on approved the change of name to December 8, 2005.© All rights reserved CRBC, aligning it with the parent company,” Muli, who was appearing Muli was hard-pressed to explain his in his capacity as a former managing sudden change of heart after he was director of Kenya Railways, said. appointed the Principal Secretary given that he had dismissed the free But probed further to present feasibility study done by CRBC as documents used in the registration having not returned a commercially by PIC, Muli was armed only with a viable project. letter from the Registrar of Companies confirming the change Muli maintained that most of the of name to CRBC and a registration issues he had raised were part of a certificate. process to ensure Kenyans got value for money and that CRBC had SHAREHOLDERS responded satisfactorily to them or “China Road and Bridge had arrived at a compromise to save Corporation has over 30 years of costs. civil construction experience in Kenya, where it has undertaken projects such as the construction of 1
SAXENI -FOSKER FEATURE We utilize mostly our own Established in 2008, SAXENI is a South African WHAT WE OFFER YOU equipment on projects of owned and operated company, based in Sundra, which a couple are listed Mpumalanga. We function as a multi disciplinary Project managementbelow. Our Current fleet of contracting and management concern in the Turnkey projects vehicles is in excess of 80 mining and construction industries. Construction management and installationunits and expanding as the Strategic alliances industry demand for our Because our core personnel have been working together as a team for the past ten years, our Range Of Services work increases. collective ability and expertise enables us to deliver on our mission statement. Overland conveyor systems Dome installations Heavy lifting and rigging Stacker and reclaimer installation Process plant installation and material handling design Plant civil works and Bulk Earthworks Steel fabrication Steel and mechanical piping installation HDPE Piping Electrical and C & I Eskom HV line installation All personnel are actively involved in the in day to day activities of the Company. Safety and Quality Saxeni is a Black Ecomonic Empowerment SAXENI management and workers are Company, with Managing Member Mr Samuel committed to safety. Our strive is “TARGET Makolane holding a 26% Shareholding in the ZERO” Even though SAXENI is not accredited company . Our current B-BBEE Status is Level 2. with ISO 9001, we comply to all standards and procedures, and will accommodate reasonable We are committed to supplying good quality requests from our clients, given the uniqueness products and superior service to all our clients. and nature of the project.2
Tel: +27 (0)87 944 2082 Tel: +27 (0)13 661 1773 Fax: + 27 (0)86 743 1869 Email: [email protected] Website: www.saxeni.co.za 72 Modderfontein Rd Plot 408 SUNDRA 2200 South Africa P.O. Box 269 SUNDRA 2200 South AfricaSaxeni is a management concern, providing both services and equipment to the mining and construction industries.Our strength lies in the diversity of our personnel, providing expertise on project management, construction management, plantinstallations and partnerships in strategic alliances.We pride ourselves on our multi disciplinary team able to offer advice, management services or the infrastructure needed in thecomplex world of mining and construction.WHAT WE OFFER YOU RANGE OF SERVICES Project management All types of process plant installations Turnkey projects Overland conveyor systems Construction management and installation Dome installations Strategic alliances Heavy lifting and rigging Construction plant sales and hire Stacker and reclaimer installation TO BE THE MOST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERTO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS … AND BE THE BEST IN EVERYTHING WE DO. 3
Kenya’s Thika superhighway leads tomore mega-projects The 50 kilometre-long Hari Ramesh, chief resident engineer for the 50.4 The construction of the houses was done by China WuThika superhighway in kilometre-long Thika superhighway in Kenya, said its Yi. This same company is constructing the KCB Bank completion was an engineering feat as it was done Centre in Upper Hill, Nairobi, one of the first buildings Kenya, which was when the road was still in use. that will utilise green technology to reduce demand for funded by AfDB but power and water. The superhighway is one of the biggest infrastructure constructed by projects by Chinese companies so far. It was handled Mr Ramesh said a project of the magnitude of Thika Chinese firms by SinoHydro Corporation, China Wu Yi and Sheng Li superhighway is not only about easing transport but is Engineering Company. also about technology transfer. SinoHydroCorporation, China Wu The involvement of the Chinese in mega infrastructure For instance, under the construction phase, projects in Kenya appears to be increasing. China engineering students and professionals from Kenyan Yi and Sheng Li Bridge and Road Construction has been chosen as universities and technical colleges would beEngineering Company the contractor of the standard gauge railway line. embedded with the project engineers to improve their on-the-job skills. Anhui Construction Engineering Group and China National Aero-Technology International Engineering He said the project also received delegations from Corporation are the chosen contractors of the across Africa as project planners mainly drawn from Greenfield Terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International the public sectors sought to learn about the project. Airport in Nairobi. “This is a historic infrastructure project for Kenya and it Chinese companies may also benefit from contracts to is vital that the mistakes made and how they were or develop the LAPSSET infrastructure in particular the are being resolved become future reference points,” pipeline to move oil from Uganda, Kenya and South said Evaristus Irandu of the University of Nairobi, Sudan to the yet to be constructed Lamu Port; the Department of Geography and Environmental railway line linking Ethiopia to Lamu Port and other Studies. related infrastructure. While much of the co-operation has been in Analysts see infrastructure and trade as the biggest infrastructure development, the Chinese are seeking drivers of China-Africa relations. to widen the scope to other sectors, according to Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan. “The ties between China and Kenya will continue to grow because of the converging interests in One key focus is the media. “Nowadays, both the infrastructure, innovation and natural resources,” said Chinese and the African people are eager to Denise Kodhe, the executive director of the Institute understand each other more than ever before. This for Democracy and Leadership inAfrica. trend presents vast opportunities for China-Africa media co-operation,” said Mr Guangyuan. Analysts said there is well co-ordinated co-operation between Chinese public and private institutions in He said that the Chinese government will this year set their competition with the West to win big up the China-Africa Press Exchange Centre in China infrastructure contracts in Africa especially where where East African media houses have been invited to bilateral concession loans have been provided by set up offices so that they can tell African stories to the Chinese public financial institutions. Chinese people more directly. Pricing Four Chinese state media houses have also established headquarters and branches in several Chinese companies give competitive prices for African countries, with state news agency Xinhua projects, which is an added advantage. This has seen having a presence in more than 40African countries. them win projects financed by Western financial institutions and multilateral bodies like the African China has also established several Confucius Development Bank, which financed the Thika Institutes to teach Chinese language and culture in superhighway. Africa and will start offering masters degrees in Chinese language this year. READ: China’s lending to Kenya hits $750m Another advantage that Chinese firms have is that their government uses its financial and technology muscle to give Chinese companies an edge inAfrica. For instance, in 2009 the China Development Bank gave a loan to Kenya construction company Erdemann Property for the construction of 586 houses.4
Duyaza ConstructionWE OFFER CONSTRUCTION IN THE FOLLOWING BUT NOT LIMITEDEXTENT OF EXPERTIESBulk Earthworks: Sanitation: – Building Platforms – Trunk Mains – Dams – Pump Stations – Sports fields – Treatment Works – Landfill Sites – ReticulationRoad Construction: Water: – Gravel Access Road – Trunk mains – Residential Roads – Reservoirs – Provincial Roads – Reticulation Concrete: – BridgesStorm water Drainage: – Causeways – Culverts – Gabions – Pump Stations – Box Culverts – Lined and unlined open drains – Reticulation Phone: 0318360001 - Mobile: 0820810101 - Fax: 0866070201Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 415 Sangro House 417 Anton Lembede Street Durban 9
President Uhuru Kenyatta officiatesconstruction of JKIA passenger terminal. The construction of the Sh55.6 billion Greenfield annual 12 per cent per annum. Terminal at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is finally set to start after years of controversy. By 2020, the passenger numbers are expected to almost triple to 17.1 million and grow by a further 100 President Uhuru Kenyatta officiated the ground per cent to 35.3 million by 2030. JKIA is projected to breaking ceremony for the new terminal that will contribute over 10 per cent of the GDP through further push up the status of Kenya as a regional support of tourism, horticulture and other sectors. aviation hub. The Greenfield Terminal is set for completion in 2017. In August last year, Mr Kimunya came under fire for cancelling the tender for the construction of the new The proposed terminal has been a battlefront for terminal. Kimunya was protesting the award of the competing interests whose fights for the control of the contracts to Anhui Construction Engineering Group tender has spilled into boardrooms, courts and even and China National Aero-Technology International the National Assembly. The terminal was initially set to Engineering Corporation, which had been awarded start in early 2012 but this was halted after transport the contracts after clearance by the Public minister Amos Kimunya argued the selection of the Procurement and Oversight Authority. The awarding two Chinese firms that were to start construction had of the contract to the two firms might have cost former been unprocedural. Managing Director Stephen Gichuki his job. “The new terminal will be constructed to increase Though he served a first three year term, he had been annual handling capacity by 20 million passengers. sent on compulsory leave in August last year on Construction begins in December 2013 and will be allegations that the award of the contract was completed in 2017,” said the Kenya Airports Authority irregular. This was however, overturned by the in a statement. Industrial Court that ruled the board should reinstate him But soon his luck would run out, because he was The facility will increase JKIA’s passenger handling never considered for a second term. Instead, the capacity to 20 million passengers. The current airport board sent him on a terminal leave in August, two was originally designed for an annual capacity of 2.5 months before his term expired. This, the board had million passengers. Presently it handles 6.5 million – said, was in line with hiring rules that required Mr or three times more than it was designed to handle, Gichuki be away so as not to influence the hiring leading to difficulties in meeting international process. The Greenfield Terminal will transform JKIA customer service standards. into among the largest airports inAfrica. PASSENGER TRAFFIC Passenger traffic at the airport has been growing at an6
New entrants could impact on projectmanagement trendsEngineering, procurement and construction management is definitely a growing trend from the Tenova Bateman’s coremanagement (EPCM) services provider Tenova owner’s perspective. Van der Post says the range of focus is on building solidBateman says several relatively new entrants in services a project management company provides partnerships with all itsAfrica’s mining sector may play a pivotal role in needs to be comprehensive, as should the depth and clients to ensureevolving project management trends. breadth of knowledge and experience that the objective transparency company employs, to be able to effectively integrate throughout the project’sThe most influential participant is China, a country the various elements of the project value chain to life cycle.becoming more prominent in Africa, Tenova provide a single point of contact.Bateman sub-Saharan Africa project executionsenior GM Stehan van der Post tells. “You do not necessarily have to have all the services under your own umbrella, but you certainly need toHe explains that Chinese miners’ approach to provide a single point of contact for the clients,” heconsulting with contractors and implementing says.projects, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, ismarkedly different to the approach of the mining The Key to Successhouses that dominated the market in the past. Van der Post believes that an alignment of objectives between all project parties is key to a project’s overall“We gained valuable experience with Chinese success.miners during projects we have been involved in overthe last three years in countries such as Namibia,” “A good working relationship between the client’ssays Van der Post. He notes, however, that miners project team and the EPCM’s project team willwho are new to Africa and who are trying to establish ensure proper alignment of objectives, resulting inthemselves on the continent always present a less energy being spent on exhaustive efforts to“unique challenge”. manage a detailed contract,” he notes.He adds that Tenova Bateman accommodates Van der Post adds that major mining clientschanging market requirements by focusing on clients approach projects differently, compared with mostand providing tailor-made solutions. midtier and junior mining companies in terms of project evaluation, depth of feasibility studies and“It is necessary for project houses to be flexible, as capital available for projects, among other facets ofthey need to adapt to clients’ specific needs,” notes project management.Van der Post, further pointing out that a rigidapproach might discourage prospective clients who Major mining houses emphasise building the rightrequire a unique method of project management. business relationships by focusing holistically on a portfolio of projects and the project pipeline. “TheseFuture of Project Management mining houses require strong business relationshipsVan der Post notes that growth in the mining industry with the engineering and construction serviceis currently slow, compared with historical trends. providers,” he says.The fact that the industry is “extremely competitive” Identifying mature service providers is another keydoes not help, he says, adding that many projects do aspect of ensuring the success of a project,not receive funding to proceed. “Given the shortage especially when dealing with complex projects, saysof new capital projects, a project management Van der Post. With the assistance of corporatecompany needs to be clear on what it offers, and maturity assessments, the competence of EPCMcommunicate that to market,” says Van der Post. contractors can be determined by assessing the quality of their work and expertise before“An important part of ensuring that we develop the commissioning them.best client solutions is the innovation that we bring toour project through our flow sheets and design. We Fundingfocus on developing solutions through . . . the most Van der Post explains that newer compa- nies oftenadvanced technologies, always seeking to balance face a stumbling block in the form of funding. “In theprocess efficiency with capital expenditure and junior to midtier arena, assistance with projectoperational expenditure requirements through fit-for- funding is impor- tant,” he says, adding thatpurpose solutions. companies usually rely on external facilitation of funding to allow for feasibility studies and projects to“Our approach to project implementation further proceed.enhances this by ensuring a high level of control overall the stages of a project, productive use of project “Tenova Bateman is active in this regard and thereresources and effective teamwork between are various ways through which we can help secureourselves, our client and our subcontractors,” he funding for projects and feasibility studies,” he says.says. Besides the traditional financing providers, Van derHe adds that the need for external project Post says many governments are willing to provide 7
Tenova Bateman is grants to support feasibility studies. He explains that to keep up with this trend, companies currently involved in need to conduct broader prefeasibility and feasibility Tenova Bateman has a strong team specifically studies that encapsulate all aspects affecting studies for the focused on project funding to assist midtier and junior sustainability, such as a project’s impact on local expansion of London companies with key aspects of securing funding. This communities and the environment.Mining’s Marampa iron- prompted Tenova Bateman to adopt a commercially flexible approach when dealing with junior and midtier Van der Post says the implementation phase is the ore project in Sierra companies. pinnacle point of any project. Leone; planning has “We pay special attention to risks involved in smaller “We focus on detailed planning, after which we started for the projects, especially with regard to schedule and implement the project as quickly as possible. Theexecution phase of the capital overruns,” says Van der Post. He explains that detailed planning phase ensures that sufficient Tenova Bateman, through its proactive approach, is definition is gathered so that we can get production project. willing to take some of the risk on board when it is under way as soon as possible,” says Van der Post. provided with sufficient definition, in terms of prefeasibility studies, for example. Tenova Bateman is a member of the Construction Industry Institute (CII), which provides access to “We would need to investigate a progressive lump- international standards of best practice. Van der Post sum model, taking on progressive risk where the notes that being a member of the CII is integral in definition allows us to,” says Van der Post. On that keeping up with industry-based best practice, basis, Tenova Bateman studies clients’ funding reinforcing the need to stay at the forefront of models and takes into account their risk appetite innovation within the built environment. according to their existing project portfolio. Project Scope Sustainability The company is also involved in a joint- venture (JV) Van der Post further highlights sustainability as a EPCM contract with engineering consultancy and continuing key industry trend. project management service provider AMEC. The project was awarded to the JV by Swakop Uranium in late 2012 for the Husab uranium project – Namibia’s largest. Tenova Bateman has a project team supporting the Husab project office in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Tenova Bateman is also undertaking several studies for projects in Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia, among others. For example, it is involved in a feasibility study for a pig iron project for Mozambique- focused mining company Baobab Resources, and for the North River lead/zinc project in Namibia.8
Construction Regulations 2014provide legislative platform toaddress health and safetyThe Department of Labour (DoL) promulgated the “Being granted a construction work permit will not be “All stakeholders,Construction Regulations 2014 providing a automatic. Each application will properly be including workers, bearlegislative platform to address health and safety in scrutinised to ensure that it meets the requirement responsibility for creatingthe SouthAfrican construction industry. for granting such a permit,” she said. and maintaining safe construction workplaces,The 2014 regulations amended the first South Another important aspect introduced in the with clients holding theAfrican construction regulations promulgated in regulations was the registration of construction greatest potential2003. The process to amend the original regulations professionals in three categories, namely leverage, which is thehad started in 2006, after which the revised construction health and safety agent, construction authority to influence theregulations were published for comment in 2010. health and safety manager, and construction health behaviour of others,” and safety officer. Oliphant explained.Speaking at the launch of the regulations, Minister ofLabour Mildred Oliphant said for the country’s This registration would have to be done through theeconomy to grow, proper infrastructure, which South African Council for the Project andincluded cities and towns, was needed and the only Construction Management Professions, andindustry that could make this possible was the professionals would be subject to a process,construction industry. including an interview or exam to test their competence.“[However], even though this industry is the heartand soul of our economy, it continues to be “Some of the more tangible benefits that arebedevilled by poor health and safety management,” expected from the regulation of construction healthshe said, adding that while some efforts were made and safety professionals were, among others, theto improve health and safety, the industry was still not improvement of health and safety management onup to standard. all construction projects, increased employee and public confidence in employer construction health“The safety of employees must be an absolute and safety projects, and enhanced quality of life,”priority. It is unacceptable that on average two South Nxesi stated.African construction workers die every week,” PublicWorks Minister Thulas Nxesi said, also speaking at Oliphant further announced that she had instructedthe promulgation. the health and safety chief inspector to establish a construction health and safety technical committee,He added that, according to extensive research by which would consist of various industrythe Council for the Built Environment a deficiency of stakeholders.regulation in the area of construction health andsafety was one of the fundamental reasons for the “The primary role of this committee will be to advisecurrent poor standards of health and safety the chief inspector on construction-related codes,management in the delivery of construction projects. standards and training requirements, and to designate persons in writing to examine safety“We are satisfied that with these regulations we have systems and records of companies which have highaddressed concerns raised by a number of incident rates and provide recommendations to thestakeholders, including the Construction Industry chief inspector of occupational health and safety onDevelopment Board, with regard to the need to have the findings,” Oliphant explained.regulations amended to promote optimum healthand safety throughout all phases of a project, PUBLIC WORKSparticularly in the conception, initiation and detailed Meanwhile, Nxesi pointed out that the Department ofdesign phases,” Oliphant stated. Public Works (DPW) also had the role of regulating the construction sector, adding that it strived toShe further noted that the new regulations, aside improve the industry’s health and safety compliancefrom providing a legislative platform for addressing levels.health and safety, also sought to harness the powerof the different competitive forces to work together for “This will be achieved by [among other measures]the good of projects, identifying and also placing including occupational health and safetycertain legal responsibilities on different key requirements [in] the grading system forstakeholders. contractors,” he said.The Minister further said, importantly, the The department would also enforce necessaryConstruction Regulations 2014 introduced the measures to ensure compliance by those involved inconcept of a construction work-permit system that early project planning and design stages, as well aswould require an application to be lodged with the to ensure that bills of quantities by bidders orDoL 30 days before construction work was contractors encompassed a site-specific health andundertaken. safety plan. 9
Namibia: Alternative ConstructionMethods Are Crucial Shelter, food and Considering its importance in nation building, the system, as matter of fact, flourishes in China'sclothing are regarded Chinese government has made relevant policies and sheltering culture. We are pleased to see that the LSS in Chinese culture as invested huge amounts of capital to realize and secure system is also rooted on Namibian soil. these human rights of Chinese citizens, including three fundamental price control mechanisms and subsidized housing A demonstration house of the LSS System has been parts of basic human projects for the low-income earners. The UN will kick constructed by Afrina Property Developer cc at the off its post-2015 debate on Sustainable Development Habitat Research Centre in Katutura, making Namibia rights and play a Goals this year. The dominant themes in this UN the 16th country to employ this technology in housing pivotal role in social discussion will surely be jobs, economic growth, construction. However, it is not easy to apply theharmony and stability. infrastructure development and poverty alleviation. alternative construction systems with regard to home These material benefits to satisfy our individual rights loans and municipality approval in Namibia. People to property, food and clothing should be at least are just biased and prejudiced about new treated with equal consideration as our civil rights, if technologies, which pose itself as a severe obstacle to not take precedence over political rights. Shelter is a social and economic development in Namibia. severe challenge to many countries, especially to African countries. According to relevant Namibian laws, regulations and laws, a client must submit building drawings for To resolve the housing problems, we cannot only rely approval from the municipality before he/she will get a on traditional technologies or systems. We need to home loan approval from a local commercial bank. It change our culture and mindset. At the opening of the will be again difficult to meet the bank requirements, Cabinet meeting on 11 Feb 2014, President because there are too many procedures to follow and Hifikepunye Pohamba said, \"We must come up with a too many things to do. In some cases, you will not be sustainable solution,\" to address the high and able at all to satisfy the bank/municipality to issue you unaffordable housing prices. The current Mass an approval, especially when an alternative Housing Programme by the Namibian government is a construction method is involved in residential clear indication that the welfare of Namibians is under construction projects. caretaking on par with their political rights. The international communities have been seeking and For instance, though the AAC Block system enjoys a adopting sustainable solutions to shoulder the heavy high reputation for infrastructure development across load of housing and also to deal with the resource the world, the municipality will only give a green light to crisis human beings are facing. Alternative it when you are in possession of a certificate thereof construction methods are known as the most efficient, from a Cape Town institution. To make it worse, a economic and green methods to counteract the demonstration house of such system must be first pressure of sheltering. erected for testing in Cape Town before this institution will approve it. Among the alternative construction methods are the Lightweight Steel Structure (LSS) System and I fail to understand why Namibia, an independent Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Block System. country for 24 years, must still observe South African These systems have been widely applied across the laws or regulations regarding alternative construction world, namely in Germany, Russia, Canada, America, methods, which have already received a warm China and some African countries as well. Fifteen welcome as a sustainable solution for housing across African countries have offered welcoming hands to the world? Namibia has a huge housing backlog, a embrace the LSS System already. To comply with her difficult problem for the government to address. The sustainable solution policy, China has engaged best way to \"come up with a sustainable solution\" to herself positively and actively in alternative stop the high and unaffordable housing prices lies in construction methods for her potential urbanization alternative construction methods, which in fact have projects across the nation. There are five been chosen by some institutions in their tenders for manufacturing bases of the LSS system in China infrastructure development. Go for alternative building millions of houses for citizens. The LSS construction methods!10
WBHO revenue up but subdued WestAfrican mining weighsWBHO ’s revenue for the six months to December Subdued mining activity affected revenue from the The fall in earnings wasrose 11.3%, but operating profit fell 15.1% and civil engineering division. While building and civil mainly because of lossesheadline earnings plunged 20.4%, the construction engineering operating profit rose to R152m from from Capital Star Steel, itsgroup reported on Monday. R139m in the previous period, operating margin fell steel pipe factory in marginally to 4.3%. Mozambique, and from“This is the second reporting period in a row in which the disposal of Symo, aWBHO has reported increased revenue and lower The group said operational and contractual shelving business withinearnings,” Stephen Meintjes, head of research at complexities of large civil projects, together with a Capital Africa Steel.broker Imara SP Reid, said on Monday. In the last lengthy claims resolution process, had prompted afinancial year the culprit was provisioning of R91m more conservative approach towards profitfor collusion penalties. recognition. In coastal areas, markets remained stable and its divisions performed largely in line withPoor mining activity in West Africa affected both expectations.revenue and profit from the roads and earthworks Revenue from the Western Cape shot up 29%,division in the period under review. Operating profit in mainly on revenue from the Kathu solar farm project,the unit plunged 23% as margins slipped to 8.8% in continuing projects at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfrontthe period from 10.7% last year. and residential flats. In KwaZulu-Natal, provincial hospital work at Empangeni, commercial offices inBut 15% growth from that unit’s South African Umhlanga and a Transnet pipe project in the harbourbusinesses partially offset the losses. In addition, were the significant revenue contributors in the six-revenue from Botswana and Mozambique was month period.stable.The group said its building and civilengineering division largely drove the growth in In the Eastern Cape, construction of the FAW truckrevenue. This was as a result of sustained assembly plant in the Coega Industrial Developmentimprovement in the South African building sector, Zone near Port Elizabeth was nearing completion. Inmost notably in Gauteng. addition, the construction of the business school for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University wasRetail projects in West Africa, including a mall in progressing well.Ghana, further boosted revenue growth. But abouthalf of the revenue increase related to the full Australian revenue from subsidiary Probuild fell 6%consolidation of Capital Africa Steel in the period, in dollar terms, but “solid performance” from itsWBHO CEO Louwtjie Nel said. WBHO civil unit, which grew revenue 67%, offset the 11
Rock Ventures Selects SHoP Architects toLead Design Process for DowntownDetroit's Iconic Hudson's Site Rock Ventures today announced it has selected SHoP process and engagement with academia, we look Architects as the architect of record to lead the design forward to becoming part of the local culture and process for the 2-acre site of the former Hudson's conducting a dialogue about the future of downtown,\" Department Store in downtown Detroit. said William Sharples, SHoP Principal. Headquartered in NYC, SHoP will partner with Detroit- based Hamilton Anderson Associates (HAA) to create \"The Hudson's block is historic and full of symbolism an innovative concept for a signature development on for Detroiters everywhere; it is the emotional and Woodward Avenue in the heart of Detroit's Central physical heart of downtown,\" said Kent H. Anderson, Business District bordered by Gratiot, Grand River Principal, Hamilton Anderson Associates. \"This and Library Street. project has the capacity to link disparate parts of downtown and become a catalyst for change and \"These two firms, known as premier urban catalysts, development beyond its immediate surroundings. were chosen for their innovation and creativity, as well Breathing new life into this site purveys what we have as their track record of committing to community all been waiting for -- confirmation that the heart of the engagement. We believe SHoP and Hamilton Central Business District will beat strong. We are Anderson will join a long list of distinguished architects proud to be part of the design team in this critically including Yamasaki, Burnham and Kahn who have important effort.\" created landmark buildings in Detroit that stand the test of time,\" said Jeff Cohen, Founder, Rock Originally an eight story building constructed in 1891, Companies, LLC, a member of the Rock Ventures Hudson's Department Store was an iconic fixture in Family of Companies. \"From its six-dimensional downtown Detroit and a shopping destination for Building Information Modeling (BIM), to a live millions of Michiganders for nearly a century. With construction mobile and web application, SHoP's well- frequent additions, it grew to 25 stories and 2.2 million rounded, entrepreneurial approach is a perfect fit for square feet before closing in 1983. The building was our culture and for Detroit.\" imploded in 1998. SHoP is the architect on dozens of world-renowned \"Blending the talents and expertise of Detroit's own projects like the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards in Hamilton Anderson Associates with a firm of SHoP's Brooklyn, New York, where the world's tallest modular international acclaim is a winning combination for housing towers -- also designed by SHoP -- are everyone involved,\" said George W. Jackson, Jr., currently under construction. The modules are being President and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth fabricated in a nearby factory setting with the Brooklyn Corporation (DEGC). \"This is a site that was important Navy Yard and point to a promising new frontier for to Detroit's past and is significant to its future. It urban manufacturing. Hamilton Anderson's notable deserves a design team that can respect downtown's Detroit area projects include the Tech One Building at rich architectural heritage and project its strong steps the TechTown Research and Technology Park, Wayne toward the future.\" State University Welcome Center and the award- winning North Terminal at Detroit MetropolitanAirport. In the coming month, SHoP and HAA will meet with local stakeholders to discuss programming and \"SHoP and HAA will be charged with the mission of design concepts. In early 2014, the two firms will host designing one of the most important sites in downtown a lecture series for the community to learn more about Detroit that honors the city's architectural legacy as the architects, the Hudson's site and what it will take to well as complements Detroit's recently-renovated and get a project of this magnitude underway. newer buildings,\" Cohen added. \"Designing a signature architectural project from the The selection of SHoP comes on the heels of a global ground up in downtown Detroit -- or any great city -- is architectural ideas competition for architects, an opportunity of a lifetime, and we are committed to designers, planners, artists and the public hosted by getting it right,\" said Dan Gilbert, Chairman and Rock Ventures in March 2013. This competition was Founder of Rock Ventures. \"We look forward to designed to reengage the community with the working with our local and state partners to help build a Hudson's site and attract and exhibit ideas for the lasting contribution to our city. potential future use of this key location. The competition attracted more than 200 entries from \"Our goal is that this project will become not only a across the globe. To see all of the design ideas, symbol of Detroit's past and present, but more winners and learn more about the competition visit importantly, highlight the high-tech potential, creative http://hudsons.opportunitydetroit.com. Judging for the future of opportunities for Detroiters and visitors from Hudson's site ideas competition took place in June of around the world,\" Gilbert added. this year with interviews of several additional architectural firms occurring over the past few months. About Rock Ventures Detroit-based Rock Ventures LLC is an umbrella entity \"In visiting Detroit, we've experienced the zeal and managing a diverse portfolio of companies, sense of entrepreneurship that underpins a vibrant investments and real estate. Rock Ventures' flagship urban environment. Through our inclusive design12
company is Quicken Loans, the nation's largest SHoP's range of services includes Planning,online home lender and fourth largest overall Architecture, and Interior Design. SHoP worksresidential mortgage lender. closely with its sister company, SHoP Construction. Formed in 2007, SHoP Construction extends theAbout Rock Companies firm's knowledge base and capacity for constructionA member of the Rock Ventures family, Rock management, Building Information Modeling andCompanies strives to provide unique and innovative Virtual Design and Construction, sustainabilityproducts and services in the real estate field that engineering, as well as building envelope consulting.represent superior and measurable values to all For details, visit www.shoparc.com.stakeholders -- customers and investors alike. RockCompanies includes Rock Management, Rock About Hamilton Anderson Associates (HAA)Construction Company and Rock Equities. To learn Hamilton Anderson Associates (HAA) is a multi-more about Rock Companies, visit disciplinary design firm dedicated to improving thewww.rockcompanies.com. built environment through creative, contemporary design. Their design process combines rigorousAbout SHoP analysis, intuitive curiosity and thoughtful executionLocated in New York City, SHoP Architects is an to create inspiring, contextually responsiveinnovative design firm known for a process-driven solutions.approach to the design and construction of beautifularchitecture around the globe. SHoP is headed by As a Minority Business Entrepreneur (MBE), HAA'sseven Principals with a staff of over 150 talented diverse group of design professionals workarchitects, designers, engineers, project managers, collaboratively across multiple disciplines, includingand innovators. Since its founding in 1996, the office architecture, landscape architecture, planning,has taken on critical projects and created cultural urban design, strategic planning, interior design, andicons throughout New York and internationally, such graphic design. From three distinct locations --the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the Detroit, New Orleans, and Las Vegas -- HAA offersmaster plan of the Menil Collection in Houston, informed perspectives to create compelling,Texas, the Botswana Innovation Hub in Gaborone, sustainable projects, that provide a lasting andAfrica and collaborated with clients such as Google positive impact. For details, visit: www.hamilton-in Mountain View California and the Fashion Institute anderson.comof Technology in New York City. 13
Building towards a better South AfricaThe 2013 SB13 Southern This conference, that ran from October 15 to 16 2013 professors has been accepted to stand at the event.\"Africa Conferences held is a superb opportunity for experts to examine topics such as climate change, building urban resilience, Themes to be explored in Cape Town was the regenerative design and development, as well as Ngowi is a civil engineer, a project management sub-Sahara Africa overcoming barriers to sustainable development. expert specialising in infrastructure and project version of the procurement, and management of contracts with The conference theme was \"Creating a Resilient and local and international expertise. Sustainable Building Regenerative Built Environment\". conference series and He has more than 80 international and localprovided a superb forum The conference provided attendees with an publications under his belt and his keynote speech opportunity to meet with leaders in the field and build examined development, inclusivity and for researchers and a brighter future forAfrica and the world. sustainability within this framework.practitioners to address the issues that face the The overarching theme was to examine changes to \"I have been lecturing at both undergraduate andbuilt environment today. how sustainable development is to be managed and postgraduate level on construction and project driven forward amid concerns about climate change management in general, as well as on strategic and negotiated ecosystem services. project management in particular,\" says Ngowi. These issues are particularly relevant to sub- \"The conference is a super opportunity for us to Saharan Africa, a region that is already carrying a examine prevalent issues facing the built heavy load in terms of environmental challenges and environment and to look to solutions and ideas that developments. will carry us into the future, upholding the ideals of inclusivity and sustainability along the way.\" The conference addressed these concerns and examined ways in which this region could tackle the The key points of the speech by Du Plessis covered growing demand for sustainable development while resilience, regeneration, advances in sustainable simultaneously improving the standard of living. building design and construction practice, and resilience, adaptive capacity and a co-evolutionary \"The annual Congress of the World Green Building partnership between humans and the natural Council and the South African Green Building environment. Council Congress was also held within this time frame,\" says Dr Fidelis A Emuze, conference Her experience as associate professor at the secretary. department of construction economics at the University of Pretoria allowed for a dynamic and \"The SB13 2013 Conference provided an academic engaging analysis of these topics. counterpoint to these events and the Green Building Council offered a professional audience for the Her skills have resulted in her speaking at over 17 demonstration of best practice within this arena.\" international conferences during the course of her career. This year the SB13 Southern Africa conference was driven through contributions and support from Moving on to the considerations of green buildings, universities and institutions across South Africa, governmental interventions and policy, strategy and including the Central University of Technology South African construction, Milford offered insight (CUT). and understanding into tricky topics. The university has played a pivotal role in bringing He is currently the programme manager for the conference to life and one of the leading keynote construction industry performance at the speakers and members of the international advisory Construction Industry Development Board and committee, Professor Alfred Ngowi, is the dean of knows what is needed to ensure effective change the faculty of engineering and information and development within this sphere. technology. Smallwood explored sustainability within the context Other keynote speakers included Professor Chrisna of construction worker health and safety, and du Plessis, Dr Rodney Milford, councillor Thabo examining their health and how a green building Olivier, Professor John Smallwood and Emilio cannot be labelled as such if workers die or are Miguel Mitre. disabled. \"CUT was host to the SB13 Southern Africa conference and has worked hard to provide the He is the professor and head at the department of attendees with a vibrant, insightful and challenging construction management, programme director: programme,\" says Emuze. MSc built environment, and a member of Construction Research Education and Training \"The keynote speakers are of the highest calibre and Enterprises. we are extremely pleased that one of our own14
Covering the global vision for sustainable building at for positive impact on food, water, jobs and The Adaptation to Climatethe SB13 regional conference and the SB14 communities. Change session lookedBarcelona conference was Mitre, who has more than into the effects of climate27 years’ experience in bioclimatic design. The third element is the necessity to mainstream change on urban this discussion as soon as possible before the development andOlivier is the serving elected councillor with the window closes and the chance to act is gone. infrastructure, how toMangaung Metropolitan Council in the Free State and design for a world that’sthe founder of the Qala Tala Greening Project. He Under Building Urban Resilience, attendees four degrees warmer andexamined communities, homelessness, hunger and investigated how to assess risk and vulnerability how to adjust greensustainability within SouthAfrica. within urban systems, the factors that contribute building codes to climate to urban resilience and institutional innovations to change.\"The speakers we had at the SB13 conference are adaptive management.world-class,\" says Ngowi. Regenerative Design and Development\"They uphold the highest in academic standards and undertook analysis of designing for a thrivinghave years of experience and understanding behind world, rethinking assessment systems, eco-them. We were extremely excited to hear what they effective technologies and infrastructure andhave to offer the attendees and to see how they have retrofitting and re-use.tackled the thorny issues that they present. It was adynamic and engaging experience that saw this The Overcoming the Barriers segment offered anyear’s conference lead the way in changing thinking in-depth assessment of topical issues that needand inspiring solutions for a more sustainable future.\" to be addressed for a sustainable future to be possible.Inside the hallsThe growing understanding of how climate change Under discussion were models of cost and value,and rapidly declining ecosystem services affect the redesigning the regulatory environment, a newbuilt environment has driven the theme for the SB13 built environment curriculum, knowledgeSouthernAfrica conference. management, creating a green economy and fostering green jobs.There was an examination of resilience, adaptationand the ability to regenerate a thriving global social- \"The conference has been designed to offer allecological system within a set of planetary attendees with commentary that will pique theirparameters that have shifted and changed. professional interest and hopefully inspire debate and academic analysis,\" says Emuze.How can the built environment meet these problemshead on and what factors must be considered to do \"It is only by working together that we can create aso? truly resilient and regenerative built environment and this event is designed to encourage best\"The conference looked at the particular practice, understanding and collaboration withvulnerabilities presented by this region and how we some of the finest minds in the industry.\"can take these challenges and use them to createsolutions that are powerful, robust and unique,\" says An abstract approachNgowi. The SB13 conference included abstracts and papers that have been reviewed by members of\"We can find ways of resolving the present concerns the scientific committee and undergone aabout food and water security, job creation and rigorous acceptance process.collaborative communities.\"The conference pushed for greater understanding They were all released as a printed book withand innovation and we hope to inspire others to find electronic copies provided to all pre-registeredsolutions that can take our country, and the rest of attendees.Africa, forward into a sustainable future.\" \"Although several abstracts were originallyThere were a number of factors that contributed to the received, only 50% of them resulted intodevelopment of the theme. accepted papers for presentation at the conference and inclusion in these proceedings\".The first was the growing realisation thatsustainability can no longer be exclusively defined as \"The reason for this is that numbers meanconserving natural capital, while improving the different things to different people and theirstandards of living for both current and future interpretations may be misleading. To be eligiblegenerations. for inclusion the papers needed to have a minimum score of three out of five allocated byInstead the reality demands resilience and the peer reviewers during the final reviewadaptation. The second was the understanding that process.\"sub-Saharan Africa is vulnerable and its rapidlydeveloping status presents an opportunity to create a The structures under which these documentsnew type of built environment that has the potential were assessed included terms such as relevance 15
The SB13 Southern to the conference theme and objectives, originality, \"Considering how rigorous the blind review Africa Conference academic rigour, research methodology and proceedings were, this is a huge achievement and provides an robustness of analysis or findings, empirical research demonstrates our commitment to delivering a leading and critical current literature review. educational programme within the built environment.\" international forum to examine the issues A glimpse at some of the submitted abstracts shows The conference embarked on a journey that will that affect the built that these processes have delivered some superb hopefully offer solutions, insights and ideas that can environment. essays to the floor. herald positive change in sub-Saharan Africa within the built environment. The abstract by SO Eromobor and DK Das from the As academics and professionals meet to discuss the department of civil engineering, CUT, on Dynamic concerns that hang over the industry and seek ways in Modelling Approach for Designing Sustainable Green which they can use their skills to provide the people Buildings demonstrates a very concise grasp of the and industry on this vast continent, there was a free issues at hand. flow of ideas that could potentially revolutionise how the built environment tackles the future. \"The submissions that have made it through the ranks include ideas from Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, These ideas and solutions are not limited to the dusty Denmark, Tanzania and Uganda,\" says Ngowi. \"We plains of Africa; instead there is an opportunity to are extremely proud to have no less than six of these develop solutions that are sustainable and adaptable from CUT. for the global stage. \"We are proud to be a part of something that has the potential to revolutionise the industry and can offer those who work within it a chance to make a difference, to come up with sustainable solutions,\" says Ngowi. \"Over the course of the conference we uncovered gems of insight and understanding that can be used to open important discussions and lead the way to a country and continent that forges new pathways through the global crisis. \"With this level of innovation and passion we have the potential to place the built industry at the forefront of environmental awareness and sustainability.\" — Tamsin Oxford.16
Mogale City eyes continued infrastructuredevelopment, reshapes CBDThe Mogale City central business district (CBD) is establishment of community food gardens, fence- According to the draftset to get a facelift once the local municipality making and bakery cooperatives, as well as a toy policy, low-incomeimplements its Social Housing Policy, executive library and an early childhood development centre in households were definedmayor Koketso Seerane said. Kromdraai. as earning between R1 500 and R3 500 a month,The Gauteng-based city was currently finalising the Further, with rural housing development a key priority and low- to medium-Social Housing Policy, which would guide the for the municipality, the Rural Housing Strategy was income householdsestablishment and promotion of a sustainable developed to ensure “orderly housing development” earned between R3 501housing environment, after sourcing public comment in the rural nodes of the municipality. and R10 000. Qualifyingin February. criteria for social housing “The strategy is aimed at the eradication of informal included South African“Most business buildings in the CBD will be settlements, ensuring sustainable delivery of basic citizenship and earningsconverted into residential apartments with varying services and addressing security of tenure. Through of between R1 500 and R7occupation arrangements that include rental, rent-to- implementation of this strategy, the socioeconomic 500, besides others.buy and outright purchase,” Seerane said during his landscape of the rural areas is transforming for theState of the CityAddress. better,” Seerane explained.The policy aimed to accelerate the provision of To date, 558 and 203 houses have been built in Ga-housing to the low- and middle-income citizens as a Mohale and Rietfontein Village, respectively, withway to “restructure and integrate” previously another 97 units completed and 86 underexcluded groups in the city. construction in Ethembalethu.The large-scale rural-to-urban migration had put The city pointed out that approval for the mixed-great pressure on government to intervene in the housing development of Refentse Township, inrental market, as the demand for housing stock could Nooitgedacht, had been granted and plans were“no longer catch up” with the population increases, underway to develop this township, as well as the Drthe policy explained. Molefi Sefularo Village, in Hekpoort.“Our priority in implementing this policy will be to TRANSPORT AMBITIONSensure people live closer to working opportunities Meanwhile, as Mogale City recorded significantand revive the inner city,” Seerane explained, adding growth, a Local Integrated Transport Plan, whichthat Mogale City had seen significant growth “on would see various transport hubs upgraded to meetvarious fronts” despite the global economic the growing demand for an efficient public transportdownturn. system, had been tabled.Seerane said the city, which had approved R16.2- The mayor said development proposals werebillion in building investment since 1994, with R7- currently under consideration for the upgrade of thebillion realised within the past five years, would Krugersdorp railway station after the Passenger Railspend about R4-million on refurbishment of the Agency of South Africa budgeted R30-million for theGreen Hostel in Kagiso. project.Phase 2 of the Kagiso Hostel conversion project, “This project is part of a slew of interventions aimedcomprising the construction of additional 45 family at the regeneration of the Mogale City CBD,”units, was expected to start soon. Seerane said.RURAL RISING “The city will work with the Gauteng TransportIn an effort to accelerate the region’s rural Commission to accelerate opportunities presenteddevelopment, the Presidency introduced the by the phased introduction of the bus service in theComprehensive Rural Development Programme. West Rand as pronounced by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane in her State of the Province address,” heThe Hekpoort-Kromdraai rural node was identified added.as one of the four pilot sites for the programme. Efforts were also under way to conclude plans to“The municipality is working with the national upgrade the N14 between Mogale City and Tshwane,government to implement an agricultural project in as part of the export-import driven “Lanseria City”Hekpoort. The project focus will be on the planting of development.Kenaf, a plant species with a variety of uses andenvironmental benefits,” Seerane noted. Further, tenders were currently out for the construction of the regional taxi rank at the much-Various projects, in collaboration with other awaited R2-billion Leratong Nodal Development.government units and the private sector, had beenimplemented, including the erection of 100 ELECTRIFYING MOGALEEnviroLoos at Lethabong and Tswelelopele, the Mogale City said more than R200-million had been 17
spent on the upgrade of the various substations and besides other initiatives in areas such as Kromdraai, the upgrading of transmission lines to improve the Lanwen, Munsieville and Magaliesburg. city’s electrical supply capacity to accommodate new developments. New reservoirs would also be constructed in Munsieville, Magaliesburg and Muldersdrift, while the The city also injected R5-million into the electrification Kenmare reservoir, sump and pump station would of houses in Kagiso Extension 13 and Sinqobile, “receive further attention”. besides others, and provided for public lighting in informal settlements, including Pangoville, Tudor This emerged after the municipality said it spent over Shaft, Joe Slovo and Makhulugama. R220-million on water and sanitation projects, including the resealing of reservoirs, maintenance, Mogale City was currently exploring alternative off- refurbishment, the installation of new water and sewer the-grid energy provision for informal settlements pump stations, upgrading three wastewater treatment across the city, while initiatives were under way to plants and the extension of water reticulation to other reduce the impact of conventional electricity areas of the city, over the past few years. generation on the environment, Seerane added. “We also supply tankered water to informal “For example, a process of installing energy-efficient settlements across the city,” Seerane added. light fittings has started in municipal buildings and on street lights, [while] a solar geyser installation A municipal priority for the year ahead would be a programme is [also] being rolled out. Currently, a water pipeline replacement programme and the waste-to-energy strategy is being developed to add continuous installation of prepaid meters to reduce impetus to an existing move towards alternative and the volumes of unaccounted-for water. renewable energy.” “Provision will also be made for bulk water supply to The City and the Department of Energy entered a the Chief Mogale mixed-housing development. All memorandum of understanding to pilot a smart these water projects are expected to cost about R79- metering and other renewable-energy projects in million,” the mayor said. Munsieville, with the department contributing R10- million towards the project. WATER The city’s provision of other basic services would also be boosted, as the municipality allocated R53.8- million for construction of bulk water and sewer pipelines and the installation of prepaid meters,18
Safe Work AustraliaThe establishment of Safe Work Australia was safety laws is to reduce regulatory burden for “Safety begins with ‘S’provided for in the Intergovernmental Agreement for businesses operating across borders, create but starts with YOU” wasRegulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational equitable safety standards for all workers and the theme for this year’sHealth and Safety (the IGA) and agreed by the improve efficiencies for governments. Ultimately this Safe Work AustraliaCouncil of Australian Governments (COAG) on 3 will help to reduce the incidence of work related Week. The statementJuly 2008. injury, illness, and death inAustralia. serves as an important reminder that everyThe main focus of Safe Work Australia since its Significant effort has already been made over the last worker shares aestablishment has been the development of model two decades to bring consistency to Australia’s work responsibility to promoteWork Health and Safety (WHS) laws. In October this health and safety regulations, particularly through safety. “It doesn’t matteryear, Safe Work Australia launched the Australian the development of National Standards and Codes of whether you are the CEOWork Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022. Other Practice. Governments, however, were under no or an entry level worker, itkey initiatives of the agency are national Safe Work binding obligation to adopt them. is up to you to startAustralia Week, coordinating and developing improving safety,” Safenational policy and strategies, undertaking research, Now this important issue is being addressed via the Work Australia Chair Tomand collecting, analysing and reporting data. IGA where for the first time the Commonwealth, Phillips insists in a state, and territory governments have formally related press release.The Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy committed to harmonising their work health andThe Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy safety laws by adopting model legislation consisting2012-2022 (Australian Strategy) provides a ten year of a model WHS Act, supporting regulations andframework to continue improving work health and codes of practice.safety across Australia. It aims to drive key nationaland collaborative activities by regulators, industry, A comprehensive national review was conducted byunions, other organisations and all levels of an independent panel along with substantial publicgovernment to achieve the vision of healthy, safe and consultation to best determine what a model actproductive working lives. should entail. A key focus of the review was to ensure that the new laws captured the wide range ofTwo key principles underpin the Australian Strategy: employment arrangements in place today.first, that all workers have the right to a healthy andsafe workplace; second, that well-designed, healthy “There is not [just] the standard employer-employeeand safe work leads to more productive working relationship anymore,” explains Julia Collins,lives. Director of Implementation and Review. “You’ve got so many different types of employmentThe Australian Strategy builds on the previous arrangements nowadays. In previous laws [that]National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy were aligned on employee-employer duties, people2002-2012, under which significant progress was were falling through the cracks.”made to improve work health and safety. Thisprogress includes the incidence rate (claims per Therefore one of the key reforms of the model Work1000 workers) of injury and musculoskeletal claims Health and Safety Act is to introduce a clearerdropping by 28 per cent between the base period understanding of who is responsible for workplace(2000-01 to 2002-03) and 2010-11, and the safety and who is protected by the regulations. Theincidence rate of compensated fatalities from injury duty to protect workers will fall to the ‘personand musculoskeletal disorders falling by 47 per cent conducting a business or undertaking,’ with theover the same period. This is more than double the definition of ‘person’ being either an individual or atarget set out in the National OHS Strategy for fatality company. The definition of a ‘worker’ has alsoreduction. broadened to cover far more than just an employee and now includes volunteers, people on workIt is hoped that collective and sustained national experience, and apprentices.effort under each of the sevenActionAreas and in thepriority industries and diseases identified in the The laws now “clearly put the duty on those whoAustralian Strategy will continue to reduce the create the risk,” Ms Collins says. The Act alsonumber of Australians killed, injured or made ill by includes a positive duty for ‘officers’ of corporationswork each year. to exercise ‘due diligence,’ which places more responsibility on people at the leadership level suchThe Model Work Health and Safety Laws as CEOs and board members who make strategicThe Commonwealth, states and territories are decisions affecting health and safety.responsible for developing and enforcing their ownwork health and safety laws. While these laws all Of course the new act will be of little impact if it istake a similar approach to regulating workplaces, inadequately or inconsistently enforced. For thisvarious details of the law and its application differ reason Safe Work Australia has also developed afrom state to state. Not only does this increase the national compliance and enforcement policy thatchances of someone falling through the cracks, it lays out how, and under what circumstances, thealso introduces challenges for businesses that regulators will use the available compliance andoperate nationally because they must navigate enforcement tools.multiple regulations.The goal of harmonising Australia’s work health and 19
Australia’s Underground CityThe South Australian town lies along a barren stretch chisel out some extra space. Need more shelving? The secret to Cooberof outback halfway between Adelaide and Alice Just dig another hole in the wall. Feeling a bit too Pedy’s dugout successSprings. Four thousand residents from 45 different cramped? Dig a second, third, or fourth bedroom. Or, lies in the area’scountries have been drawn to the desolate like Ms Nayler, hollow out a space large enough for a geological makeup –settlement by a cache of precious opal lurking billiard table and, voila – instant game room. And of sandstone. Sandstone issomewhere beneath the surface. These hidden course, with every “new addition” or “remodel” there ideal for tunnelling. Itgems are every bit as enticing – and elusive – as a is always that glorious chance of unearthing the opal takes little effort to digpirate’s treasure from the pages of an old fashioned mother lode. In fact, this possibility creates more than through, yet is veryadventure novel. But, unlike the romantic imaginings a little incentive because mining for opal within the strong and stable, soof Treasure Island, no X marks the spot in Coober town’s borders is no longer officially allowed. But who cave-ins are never anPedy. Instead, countless hands (and more recently is to say a resident can’t enlarge that back bedroom issue. As a result,machines) have hollowed out the earth in this just a bit… homebuilding requires nounforgiving, isolated outpost, searching for the understanding ofmesmerising stone that most will never find. Also, the buildings aren’t actually dug deeply into the architecture or ground, as many people assume. Most structures engineering. No oneTo up the ante even more, only 5 per cent of all the are actually tunnelled into hillsides and have ground needs to stop and ponderopal found in Coober Pedy has any value. A level entrances, with rooms stretching back into the ceiling heights or spanswhopping 95 per cent is colourless – and completely hill behind. One of the community’s underground in Coober Pedy. If youworthless. A prospector could spend his whole life churches, for example, has a sizable stone façade can dream it up, you canhere and never earn a single dollar.Few Coober (complete with steeple) that, to the uninitiated, might build it – or dig it, rather.Pedy residents unearth the opal of their dreams. But, be mistaken for the entire structure.the countless hours of tunnelling and digging havenot been completely in vain. The decades of effort Homes often utilise natural light in the front roomshave created an underground city of sorts – a (usually the kitchen and the living room) through widestrange, science fiction-like community hiding ventilator shafts. Bedrooms are often placed at thebeneath the surface of an inhospitable desert. back of the house to create a dark, quiet environment ideal for sleeping. These backrooms are stillThe bizarre landscape surrounding the underground ventilated, but with narrower vertical shafts. In fact,city adds to the science fiction effect. Film makers on some Coober Pedy hillsides, the only evidence offrom around the globe have come to shoot a picture the bustling life below are the clusters of tubes pokingin the nearby Painted Desert, the Moon Plain, and through the ground.the Breakaways, including Mad Max: BeyondThunderdome, Ground Zero, Fire in the Stone, Pitch Nowadays, modern tunnelling machines do all theBlack, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Red work, so creating or expanding a home is muchPlanet. Coober Pedy’s underground buildings and easier than when Ms Nayler dug hers out by hand.striking natural landscape are so captivating, in fact, The tunnelling equipment also leaves an interesting,that tourism has become a crucial, stabilising source aesthetic pattern across the walls. The sandstone isof income for the hit-or-miss opal seeking already a lovely swirl of rich maroon and warm rose,community. so no painting or decorating is necessary. Homeowners just add a coat of clear sealer to wardTourists may be surprised to discover that the off dust and the new room is move-in ready.Coober Pedy dugouts are not the dark, cramped,caves many people imagine. These underground Living conditions have also improved since thehomes, hotels, shops and churches are truly state of settlement’s early, rugged days. Today, Coober Pedythe art feats of imagination, thrift, and Australian self- dugouts boast all the comforts of a modern home,reliance. In the early years, Coober Pedy dugouts from stoves and microwaves to electric lights andwere hollowed out of hillsides completely by hand. running water. When the community was firstFor example, Faye Nayler, with the help of two established, however, life was much more difficult forfriends, painstakingly dug out her home using only residents. Water and provisions, for example, had topicks and shovels – a process that took an entire be hauled long distances through harsh terrain.decade to complete. Today, water from an underground source 24 km north of the settlement is pumped through anBut what a home it is. Ms Nayler’s underground underground pipeline to a desalination/reverseresidence boasts three bedrooms with walk in osmosis plant before arriving in undergroundclosets, a living room, bar, wine cellar, billiard room, kitchens and bathrooms.and even a swimming pool. The home’s constructionbegan almost 60 years ago by the local mail truck Coober Pedy’s first residents were already used todriver, who shovelled out a room to serve as an all-in- hard living conditions when they arrived; most of theone living space. When Ms Nayler bought the original founders had just returned from the infamousproperty from him, she took it upon herself to convert trenches of the First World War. It is theorised that lifethe cramped interior into the home of her dreams. in the trenches gave these men the idea, and experience, to create an unusual community hiddenThis is one reason why the town’s underground just below the surface. With above groundhousing is so enticing. Just about anyone can design temperatures soaring to a sweltering 45°C, theand build their own home – using no more than a sandstone shelters provided the men with a welcomepick, shovel, and the earth itself. Truly, Coober Pedy relief from the dry and searing desert air. Theis the ultimate in do it yourself construction. Too many underground temperature always remains aclothes for the bedroom closet? No worries – just constant and comfortable 24°C. 21
Building a Better CommunityGreater Springfield, the “We started off with a blank canvas,” explains has successfully completed the city’s major largest planned city in Managing Director Bob Sharpless, which has allowed infrastructure projects, and many new construction the Springfield Land Corporation to create an ideal developments are slated to commence over the next Australia, is place to live, work, and play. six to twelve months. celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Each residential suburb – Springfield, Springfield Transportation and Accessibility was one of the first The vision of Maha Lakes, Spring Mountain, Brookwater, and Augustine areas on which the company focused. Several major Sinnathamby and the Heights – includes a neighbourhood centre for easily highways and arterial roads already make the city accessible shopping and dining. These suburbs are all easily accessible from the North, South, East, and “brainchild” of arranged around Springfield Central, the community’s West, and a new rail system is currently underway. Springfield Land thriving CBD, which contains a high density of retail The Queensland government is funding the $1,2 Corporation, this and commercial space as well as some residential billion Springfield Rail Project (of which stage one is ambitious project has housing. Everything – from shopping centres and already completed), as well as duplicating the educational facilities to healthcare and recreation – is Centenary Highway, which will complete the city’s successfully conveniently available within the city limits. “You don’t transportation requirements by December of next transformed an need to leave Greater Springfield,” Mr Sharpless year. economically and points out. “In fact, we want people to come the other socially depressed way. We want to draw people from outside of the Health City Springfield is a 52 hectare, integrated area into a vibrant project to facilities within Greater Springfield.” health precinct located in Springfield Central with a centre for education, wide range of medical centres, researchtechnology, and health. Creating a strong commercial sector is the key to opportunities, aged care facilities, and a private The entire community making this vision a reality. An increasing number of hospital able to accommodate both private and publichas been painstakingly businesses are moving into Springfield Central, and patients. The hospital, which will be owned and planned in order to the result is “more and more employment close to operated by Mater Health Services, begins provide the highest where people live. We think that is a more sustainable construction in January 2014, after five and a half level of convenience, way to live then the alternative which, for a lot of years of planning. The facility will meet the healthcareamenities, and comfort people, has been to hop in the car and drive to needs of Brisbane’s western corridor and “be a to residents and Brisbane to work,” Mr Sharpless explains. “We want catalyst for a lot of other development that will take people to live close to where they work, or the reverse place around it,” Mr Sharpless says. “Hospitals are a businesses. of that – to work close to where they live. We want that great infrastructure that attracts a lot of other commute to be as small as possible.” opportunities.” To attract the necessary commercial interest, The research and educational opportunities Health Springfield Land Corporation has made top notch City provides will complement Greater Springfield’s infrastructure a first priority. “We are doing things to a education initiatives, a key pillar in the corporation’s high standard,” reports Mr Sharpless. All facilities are master plan. The hospital will be strategically located “brand new, state of the art, leading edge.” Every beside Education City, the community’s centre for commercial building must rate at least four stars on the higher learning. “That will foster other opportunities Green Star standard and be aesthetically pleasing. within the education project to train doctors and other “We certainly want high quality architecture in health workers,” Mr Sharpless points out. Education everything that we do.” For example, the city’s new City, also located in Springfield Central boasts a Polaris Data Centre is thoughtfully designed with bustling University of Southern Queensland campus. architectural details such as terra cotta panelling to Fifty million dollars in federal funds have just been “make it look more like a commercial building rather allocated to fund the University’s new building than a plant room.” The company also held an program, which will add even more to the community’s architectural competition to plan the CBD’s large new already strong educational offerings. A Catholic office building, which ensured an eye catching design. school is also currently under construction. “We’ve got “We keep pushing for high quality design and I think about ten and a half thousand people in the project that the buildings we have here reflect that very well,” that are students at one level or another, which is the Mr Sharpless adds. highest ratio of students to population that you will find in the country,” Mr Sharpless reports. Mr Sharpless believes that one reason the development has been so successful is because the Greater Springfield also boasts brand new, leading entirety of the project is in the hands of one edge technology infrastructure. The Polaris Data organisation. “There are some parts of your project Centre, located in Springfield Central, is the most that make money and there are some parts of your advanced ICT facility in Australia. “It’s a core asset for project that don’t make money,” he explains. “If you the group that underpins our IT platform,” Mr have fragmented ownership, obviously everyone Sharpless explains. The $250 million, highly wants the same pieces, those pieces that make specialised facility houses the ICT platforms for a money.” Planned cities with fragmented ownership number of major companies. “We decided we would often have problems because “it is very difficult to get be on top of [ICT] from day one… That’s just one everyone to agree on what should go where.” With one example of us being proactive and trying to look ahead team and one vision, Springfield Land Corporation in terms of where people are going and society is22
Constructing a Clear View to the FutureIn 2004, the CRC for Construction Innovation (CRC- be more competitive.” In a more recent paperCI) – now the Sustainable Built Environment National co-written in 2008 byResearch Centre (SBEnrc) – introduced its 2020 According to the paper, these businesses are less Mary Hardie of the SchoolConstruction Vision Report. The report is the result of likely to embrace innovation and technology due to a of Engineering atthe collection and analysis by the CRC-IC of direct variety of factors ranging from lack of money (and by University of Westernindustry input gathered through a series of extension, also a lack of skills and time), to lack of Sydney and Karen Manleyworkshops held between November 2003 and supplier support, to a reliance on “tried, tested and of the ProjectFebruary 2004 in every Australian capital city. true techniques.” Management Academy atThrough workshop discussions and a questionnaire, Queensland University ofthe CRC-CI was able to craft its Vision for the built They write, “In recent years the concept of innovation Technology, entitledenvironment industry based on real concerns of as a driver of industry performance has been widely Exemplars of Successfulindustry players and the expected improved future embraced by large, international construction Innovation Delivery byenvironment in which its stakeholders would like to companies but this lead has not necessarily been Small and Mediumwork. followed by SMEs.” At the same time, SMEs are Construction Enterprises, known by many as a lively source of new ideas, the authors explore theThose concerns were not trivial, as noted by CRC typically backed by hard-earned skills and quality different challenges faced–CI Chair, John McCarthy, who did not mince words craftsmanship. by SMEs – which make upin his Foreword to the Vision Report. “Our industry is the preponderance of theunder pressure,” he stated. “Globalisation, advances “Among the most effective characteristics of small Australian constructionin technology, environmental factors and changes in and medium sized firms,” their study continues, “is industry (with a reportedthe structure of the Australian economy are their innate flexibility and their tendency to favour ninety-four per cent ofpresenting new challenges. To increase its multi-skilling. Despite this ability to respond to Australian constructioncontribution to Australia’s wellbeing and to capture particular circumstances quickly, the absence of businesses employingnew opportunities, the industry must respond significant levels of spare capacity or even of the fewer than five peoplepositively.” most basic resources can sometimes lead to a each). tendency for SME construction firms to rely heavilyBear in mind, this report was published eight years on ‘business as usual’ solutions rather than riskago – well before the game changing GFC, before adopting new or innovative practices.”the threat of China’s competitive rise became critical,and before the skilled labour shortages. Certainly, in Many small- and medium-sized firms do indeed find it2004 the year 2020 must have seemed to be but a difficult to compete in today’s tight markets. Althoughfaraway dream, a dazzling ideal. Today, however, some support does exist within the industry viaeight years after the Vision Report was released, we research organisations such as the SBEnrc, take-upare at its halfway point and while the industry is by no of that technology into the construction industry –means behind the times, it has been debated and specifically its SME sector – is a complexwhether its gusto for research and innovation has process involving an intricate network ofbeen strong enough to take us the rest of the way to researchers, sponsors of research, clients,our 2020 Vision. consultants, contractors, trade and industry associations, and other parties.Indeed, such a vision was necessary in the early2000s, with the construction industry – according to State Thorpe and Ryan, “While there have beenthe Australian Bureau of Statistics – contributing an successes in terms of achieving this transfer (theaverage of nearly six per cent of Australia’s GDP construction industry has generally been quitewhile maintaining one of the lowest proportions of innovative), there is a need to improve the rate atbusiness innovating at 30.7 per cent. which innovation occurs in the industry.”In a 2004 publication entitled Improving Technology What does this mean for the built environmentTransfer in the Australian Construction Industry, co- industry in Australia? How can we overcome theauthors Dr David Thorpe of the University of hurdles of skilled labour shortages, limited businessSouthern Queensland and Professor Neal Ryan of opportunities and extreme competition from largeQueensland University of Technology lamented this multinationals enough so that we might also advancediscrepancy. the state of the art? What does it take to transform“This is clearly not a low rate,” they wrote, “but it is new ideas into new technologies, industry gaps intowell behind that of other industries such as industry niches?communication services, electricity, gas and watersupply, in which over half the businesses undertook Unfortunately, due to the very nature of SMEs –innovation.” which are of such variable size, operational structure and specialty that they are near to impossible toUnquestionably, the construction industry’s consider in a generalised manner – these studiescontribution to the Australian economy – in terms of have found that no simple solution exists by which weGDP and employment – is significant. It is precisely might increase the uptake of innovation in thefor this reason that the industry has the ability – and construction industry.perhaps even the responsibility – to drive thecommonwealth forward in a very real way. However, the 2008 Hardie and Manley report, which explored four different case studies of successfullySays Mr McCarthy, “Construction is the backbone of innovative SMEs, did produce a shortlist of commonthe Australian economy. If the industry uses its factors which most clearly underpinned innovationresources more effectively and realises its efficiency by SME construction contractors. Those threeby reducing the construction cost and time, and factors were described in the study as: activeincreasing quality, Australian industry as a whole will 23
Taking Timber to New Heights Cross Laminated In just a few weeks, Australia will become home to the also be included on each apartment balcony to Timber, or CLT, is an tallest timber building on the planet. Forte, a promote locally grown produce and healthy living. residential apartment complex rising over 10 stories, engineered wood will also be the first of its kind on the continent. Lend Forte’s use of Cross Laminated Timber is arguably its product that Lease, the company behind the innovative, greenest feature, however. In fact, CLT advocates environmentally friendly project, is constructing the 23 believe that more widespread use of the material proponents believe boutique apartments and four townhouses using could be a plausible strategy in combating global has the potential to Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) to create a climate change. CLT buildings require less energy to revolutionary tower with walls, floors, and ceilings heat and cool than conventional concrete structures. rival steel and made of solid wood. Furthermore, concrete requires an energy intensive concrete as the go-to construction process that produces a substantialbuilding material of the The process is completed using computer guided amount of greenhouse gases. Switching from future. The product is saws and drills to carefully cut out the exact concrete to wood significantly reduces a structure’s measurements of each architectural detail, from carbon footprint because fewer greenhouse gases are formed by bonding windows and doors to ventilation and plumbing produced during the build itself. Any concrete that thin timber boards to openings, as well as passageways for electrical Forte does use contains high fly ash content, which is one another, creating wiring. Although the end result may sound like lighter and more energy efficient than typical concrete, oversized plywood, the manufacturing process yet every bit as strong. layers. Unlike other actually creates a product able to withstand the same engineered wood pressure as prefabricated concrete. Furthermore, Green Magazine reports that, when compared to the products such as because CLT is designed and produced in a controlled concrete and steel standard, Forte’s construction environment, it takes less time and money to build and process will reduce carbon dioxide equivalentglued laminated timber can achieve higher quality finishes. emissions by a dramatic 1,400 tonnes. Furthermore, – or GLULAM – each the carbon locked inside Forte’s wood panels via board is positioned But can a high rise really be constructed entirely from photosynthesis helps to offset whatever greenhouse perpendicular to the wood – even wood endowed with super strength? gases will be released during the build. The Proponents explain that CLT panels are more closely environmental benefits of CLT, combined with theprevious one, enabling related to concrete than timber frame, and that CLT building’s energy efficient design, will grant the high the material to retain actually makes a lot more sense than traditional rise at least ten years of carbon neutrality. its shape better. Up to construction in which relatively small wooden beams 11 layers are then are fashioned together using weaker materials like Another benefit of Cross Laminated Timber is that, coated in glue, plywood and plasterboard. CLT panels also work because the panels are premade in a factory, on site together to evenly distribute the building load, insuring construction time is greatly reduced. By using CLT, hydraulically pressed, against progressive collapse and even enabling the Forte will be completed in only nine months, 30 per and trimmed until a building to remain standing if one area is destroyed by cent faster than with a traditional steel and concrete solid timber panel is an explosion or other unexpected disaster. structure. The shorter build time translates into formed. environmental savings by reducing construction related traffic and waste. And, because time is money In fact, CLT has already proven its worth in several for any builder, economic savings may be substantial buildings up to nine stories tall, and developers are as well. eager to push the envelope even further. In October of this year, Forte will edge out European competition – An obvious counterargument to CLT’s environmental London’s Bridport House and Stadthaus – by 242 advantages is the fact that panels require a large centimetres to earn the title of world’s tallest wooden amount of wood. In fact, a standard CLT wall is likely to residential building. The Melbourne based project is use six times more wood than a traditionally built wall the brainchild of Lend Lease, an international property of the same size. Advocates point out that trees are a and infrastructure group with a long standing renewable resource and that CLT should only utilise commitment to sustainable building. timber from responsibly managed forests. Europe is the site of most of the timber felled for CLT, and the In keeping with its core philosophy, the group carefully New York Times reports that Austria, which enjoys a designed the $11 million tower to minimise long history of well managed forests, provides around environmental impact throughout its lifetime. 80 per cent of CLT panels for the world market. Rather Rainwater will be collected in dedicated tanks for use than opting for a plantation timber, most CLT is made in the building’s fire system and toilets. All of Forte’s from European spruce, which has an average rotation common areas will use motion activated LEDs for of around 70 years. energy efficient lighting. Tenants can also easily manage without owning a car, reducing the collective carbon footprint even further – trams and buses are only minutes away by foot and Southern Cross station is an easy ten minute walk. A bike share point is also just minutes away and tenants are provided with a dedicated bike rack on ground level. When a car is necessary, a car share point is conveniently located directly in front of the building. A vegetable garden will24
GBA ProjectsGreg believes it takes at least five to ten years of Greg concedes that the national and regional GBA providesexperience in any chosen profession to become a industry outlook is not terribly cheerful, even in South professional projecttrue project manager in that particular field. In the Australia – GBA is based in the centre of Adelaide – management,construction industry specifically, it is necessary to and that this depressed market tends to encourage constructionwork on a large number of projects; “indeed, dare I disputes, general head-banging and an adversarial management, planning,say it would be good to work on a few that didn’t go environment. GBA is particularly engaged on a large scheduling, monitoringright, to know what you shouldn’t be doing,” Greg number of building projects where disputes have and control services toexplains. “We find that too often people get a piece of arisen concerning extensions of time. “They are industries andpaper that says, ‘I am now a project manager,’ or get getting more and more complicated and we are being organisations acrosssome project software, but don’t see how things go asked to act as an independent referee as to what diverse sectors includingtogether. I have seen over the years that people should be the time extension granted on a particular infrastructure; buildingclaim to be project managers or planners and project.” In some instances, he says, this is a result of and construction; energy;schedulers but come up with what I consider to be construction companies promising the earth just to mining; informationinept plans and project management practices that win the business; his team is often in a situation of technology andactually cost the project quite dearly.” having to advise a client completing a tender that government. Greg started they are in danger of not completing on time and that the company more thanThis deficiency is industry wide and global. they need to increase resources in certain sectors. 26 years ago and now his“Currently we are involved in a project overseas “Sometimes this advice is ignored, but fortunately for sons have joined him; hewhich is a major civil project in dispute and we have most clients who use us, they take heed.” But that delights in the “blend ofbeen asked to prepare extension of time claims can mean they then do not win the projects, because youth and experience”which will be arbitrated on in the next couple of they are allowing correctly for time and resources tag. The latter includesyears.” Greg says the problem is becoming worse, compared to rivals who under-bid and store up what he termstoo. Particularly when things get tight, it can be trouble for the later stages of the project. “dinosaurs” like him, withtempting to cut corners in bids and tenders to save a their years of work on afew dollars and this often takes the form of skimping There is a warning, too, that obligations are two- vast array of projects aton experienced people because they are too sided. “Clients in general need to administer their home and abroad; theexpensive. Mistakes get made because the people contracts properly as well. They also generally have former includes the kindengaged on the projects lack the experience to avoid an obligation, even if it is not claimed as an extension of innovative in-housethem. “Experience,” Greg says, “is not valued as of time, to grant extensions of time to contractors software that provides ahighly as it should be.” whom they have delayed. What we see is clients – or new dimension in more usually, their representatives – trying to support, procedures andThis could have led to difficult times for a firm of browbeat the contractor. You need to analyse what guidelines for clients’GBA’s expertise, but Greg says the company has the effect of the time is.” You can’t just double the projects.successfully diversified – into defence and the resources on site to achieve completion on time, heresources sector among others, working on major explains, not least because the resources in manyprojects for many of the top names. “Currently we are parts of Australia are already in short supply. “It’s allworking in dispute projects as expert witnesses both very well to say ‘you are running behind so get morein Australia and overseas.” Two senior staff have so resources’ – but where will you get them from?”far spent more than two and a half years on one Perhaps the only way out of such an impasse is toparticular overseas dispute, “and we are only just “work smarter. If you take the experience of peoplegetting to the bottom of what happened on this eight- who have been there before, you can work outyear project. But that is the type of situation people different ways of doing your construction,” such asget themselves into, then they start fighting over switching to pre-cast concrete which won’t cost lesssums that may exceed 200 million dollars.” Disasters but may enable a catching up of time.on this scale can stem from the simple matter ofselecting inexperienced (read ‘cheap’) people to Greg adds that even major clients, such as the topmanage a project, says Greg. resources names, are sometimes guilty of underestimating things like lead times for equipmentGBA Projects has considerable experience and supplies needed for projects. They can snapnationally and internationally in providing expertise their fingers and requests of suppliers, “but thereover a broad range of projects which require dispute comes a point when you just can’t do it any better.” Inresolution processes. Detailed forensic investigation many cases right across industry, “not enoughprocesses can help clients identify and address key attention is devoted to what you need to procure onpieces of evidence relating to a dispute. Experts time to deliver your projects on time. It’s a large areaprovide accurate advice to help deliver favourable of dispute: ‘I couldn’t get my materials on time.’ ‘Well,outcomes on all contractual issues. In the event that did you order them in time?’ This gets worse with thematters proceed further to a legal resolution, GBA larger organisations, who are very prone tocan also provide expert witness services to support impatience once they have approved a project,clients. Services in this area include adherence to wanting completion before it is feasible to supply longcontractual obligations, contract dispute resolution, lead-time items. This happens quite a lot in theforensic analysis, expert witness and arbitration resources industry where they require things to beadvice, preparation of expert witness reports and done yesterday.”presentation to the court process. 25
Reducing RiskAlcohol and other drug Aside from absenteeism, job turnover, interpersonal well over the limit.” use is not unique to job issues, poor job performance and lost productivity, Risk Factors the construction alcohol and other drug use in construction can be industry. In a recent particularly dangerous. When affected by alcohol and Sydney’s Foundation House is a 28-day drug, alcohol Policy Talk paper other drugs on site, you risk on-the-job injuries or and gambling rehabilitation treatment centre run by written for the death as a result of impaired coordination, judgement the Construction Industry Drug and Alcohol Australian Drug and the ability to see and respond to hazards. Foundation. Chief Executive, Tony Papa, says that lunchtime and after work drinks have long been anFoundation, workplace So how common is risky drinking and other drug use in industry tradition, making risky drinking a major issuealcohol and other drug the construction industry? What are the risk factors in construction. and most importantly, what can employers do to experts Ken Pidd and prevent it? Chris agrees that tradition has a lot to do with the levelAnn Roche identify the of alcohol consumption in the industry. “Generally the full extent of the issue Alcohol and other drugs in the Australian construction industry begins work at 7am and with a workplace standard days’ work we are finished at 3.30pm. The of alcohol and other They recognise that the annual cost of alcohol-related rest of the workforce generally doesn’t finish til 5- drugs on Australian absenteeism alone is estimated to be up to $1.2 5.30pm which gives the guys a couple of hours to have billion, while alcohol and other drug use (not including a few beers after work. Historically, after a day’s work, workplaces. tobacco) account for about $5.2 billion in lost everyone would head back to the site office and the productivity and workplace injuries and deaths. Foreman looking after the job would have a fridge always fully stocked with beer and guys would drink for Phillip Collins, Head of Workplace Services at the free until they either ran out of beer or had to go home. Australian Drug Foundation, says that these figures We are in a heavily male dominated industry and when are quite staggering. “Best practice organisations guys socialise generally the first instinct is to head to recognise that these costs directly impact on their the pub.” bottom line and that the drinking activities and drug use of an employee can affect work performance,” he Bill* who works on another site, is in his early 40s; he says. too describes the role that drinking plays in the culture of the construction site. “We still do lunchtime drinks While the dollar cost to businesses across Australia but nothing excessive, though one guy I know will might be quite a shock to some, it’s nothing compared always have five pints at lunch every day… We also to the human cost. Alcohol use contributes to 5 per occasionally have a traveller or two on the way home. cent of all Australian workplace deaths and 11 per cent of accidents, as well as the huge human toll on families “The young ones coming in are an initial concern. and relationships impacted by alcohol and other They binge on the weekend, but don’t drink as much or drugs. smoke during the week. They soon learn that they can only sustain this level of abuse for a short period of Alcohol and other drugs in the construction industry time (three to five years), and usually when a girlfriend The construction industry has one of the highest levels or wife puts pressure on them to stop they do.” of workers who use illicit drugs, second only to the hospitality industry. Tradespeople are the Alcohol and Methamphetamines occupational group who are most likely to drink at risky Tony Papa from Foundation House says that alcohol is levels. what brings most people through his doors. “Alcohol is constant through all admissions to Foundation House, So, what does this mean on the job? either by itself or in combination with other drugs.” In In a 2012 survey of construction workers by the regards to other drugs, Mr Papa says, “the main Sustainable Built Environment National Research increase… [is] in methamphetamine (ice) users.” Centre, one third of workers reported experiencing negative effects from their co-workers’ drinking. Australian Drug Foundation’s Phillip Collins says that Chris*, a 30-year-old Victorian construction worker, though alcohol is the major concern, it appears to be says that it’s hangovers from late nights out drinking the case that a growing number of people are using that cause the most concern for him on site, as he ice. “Ice is a common name for crystal worries about his co-workers and his own safety. “The methamphetamine which is sometimes also known as guys were rained off the site at midday yesterday and crystal, meth, crystal meth, shabu, tina or glass. Ice is a large group of them went to the pub straight after… usually smoked or injected, but it can also be snorted it’s the next morning and the guys are all in the sheds or swallowed. It’s a stimulant that speeds up the before work holding their heads nursing massive messages going between the brain and the body. hangovers as they got home at 10.30pm. That’s a good 10 hours of solid drinking. “Ice is a highly addictive drug capable of triggering aggressive and violent behaviour, causing significant “When it comes to safety I guess the guys tend not to trauma in our communities. It’s a drug that once used care as much about safety or how they affect others’ heavily, is difficult to escape, and is increasingly taking safety. We have people driving on site who would be hold of people’s lives.”26
Both Chris and Bill have seen ice affect some of dealing with all aspects of alcohol and drug related “Web-based training intheir co-workers. “I have noticed we have a couple issues within the workplace. particular has beenof ice users on our job site, which is starting to identified as a reallybecome alarming. These guys tend to have very He says education and training are also key valuable way to educateerratic behaviour and are generally painful to work elements to any successful workplace strategy. employees coming intowith. Ice is never a good thing and there is no real “Employers need to make sure they are able to the industry. As anmeans of support or material to prevent guys from provide regular and ongoing education and employer, you can usetrying these drugs,” Chris says. training, as well as access to counselling and web-training to inform treatment,” he says. “There are lots of forms of employees of yourBill adds that while there may be an increase in ice education and training, including the ‘Not at work’ company’s policies aboutuse at the moment, it’s something he’s been seeing resources, online learning and more substantial alcohol and other drugsaffect the industry for years. “Ice is very nasty but it awareness sessions. in the workplace, andalways has been and it’s been around for a long educate them on thetime. A mate I used to work with had to pack up his “Other strategies include health promotion, early harms they can cause.family and move to Tasmania to get away from it. interventions and drug testing,” he says. “In The Australian DrugHe started out doing cones all the time to then particular, formal peer support programs can Foundation has producedgetting on ice and it just messed him up. Had encourage workers to become role models for the a great tool called AWAREanother mate I worked with whose marriage fell younger ones coming through.” which can be tailored forapart because of ice.” individual companies.Approaching the Problem Tony Papas from Foundation House agrees that peer support programs as a great way to go. “MostPhillip Collins says that it’s not all bad news for large construction jobs now have safetyemployers when it comes to drug and alcohol use. committees, where peers liaise with the company“At the Australian Drug Foundation, we started to help assist affected workers. The Buildingworking with businesses because we identified the Trades Group Drug & Alcohol Program, which isgreat potential the workplace has to positively affiliated with Foundation House, helps to trainaffect a person’s health and wellbeing. We also safety committee workers and also gives talks onsaw employers looking for ways to reduce health sites to workers about the dangers of workingand safety risks.” affected by drugs and alcohol.”According to Phillip, many employers within the Phillip Collins says co-workers are in a greatindustry are already stepping up their efforts to position to recognise and respond to employeesprevent alcohol and other drug problems at their with alcohol or drug problems. “Putting the rightsite. “One great example of some work already policies in place can allow workers to look out forbeing done is the CFMEU’s ‘Not at work’ campaign. each other more effectively.”This campaign provides employers with resourcesthat they can use to educate their employees about “What’s clear is that it’s time for a culture shift –how drinking and drugs – even out of hours – can great strides have already been made; now it’s timeaffect work performance and put people at risk.” for employers to go that extra mile to reduce the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the industry.”He says that while campaigns like this are a greatstart, to turn the statistics around, a multi-prongedapproach is required.The first step should be a formal workplace policy.Phillip says a policy should provide an outline of theorganisation’s position with a set of guidelines for 27
Government Investment in Civil WorksTaxes are, of course, a It is no wonder then, that “Investment in major program will improve selected sections of the Bruce, primary means of infrastructure projects was a significant theme of the Warrego, Newell, Stuart, Princes, Colder, Dukes, funding public 2012-13 Federal Budget,” reports Hawker Britton, a Midland, Great Eastern and Great Northern highways. leading government lobbying firm. “Investment in infrastructure. Over these nationally significant projects is designed to Railroads are also on the agenda. The 2012-2013the past several years, expand Australia’s productive capacity, relieve budget includes significant funding toward the congestion and improve road safety.” modernisation of the Interstate Rail Freight Network. many national Funding Government will partner with the private sector toinfrastructure projects design, build, and operate the $1.6 billion Moorebank Of course, roads, sewer systems, ports, railroads, Intermodal located in south west Sydney. Hawker have been funded in bridges, and dams don’t come cheaply. In fact, the Britton reports that, upon completion in 2017, the cooperation with Minister for Infrastructure and Transport reports that initiative will remove 1.2 million trucks from Sydney’s Government has put an unprecedented sum – $36 roads and drastically reduce congestion around Port managed investment billion – into road and rail infrastructure over the six Botany. In fact, Hawker Britton’s budget report insists trusts (MIT). To year period from 2008-09 to 2013-14. This funding that the project will “ultimately transform the comes via the Nation Building Program, which was movement of freight across the entire eastern bankroll current and launched to aid national, regional, economic and seaboard.” The Federal Government is also allocating planned projects, the social development through the improvement of land $232 million toAdelaide’s suburban rail network. transport infrastructure. Overall, the Federal Labor federal government Government has raised Federal infrastructure The 2012-2013 budget also provides funding for made the move last spending from $141.00 to $269.00 perAustralian. communications infrastructure. According to the Department of Broadband, Communications, and the year to raise the Private investment through public-private Digital Economy, investing in the National Broadband concessional MIT partnerships (PPPs) have also become an Network (NBN) is absolutely essential. “The NBN withholding tax rate increasingly attractive option for funding. In this represents a significant leap in the quality and speedfrom 7.5 per cent to 15 model, government obtains needed support from the of broadband access currently available to most private sector for developing, operating, and financing Australians, and is part of a comprehensive plan to per cent. public infrastructure. PPPs have become more and prepare Australia’s telecommunications infrastructure more common in recent years, both in Australia and for the future,” the department’s website states. In fact, abroad, and there is substantial evidence that these Hawker Britton reports that NBN Co. will begin work in partnerships encourage innovation and increase over 1,500 communities and 3.5 million properties efficiency. However, some argue that PPPs actually around the country over the next three years. come at a higher cost to the public than the traditional Looking Ahead government-owned asset model. Another infrastructure funding option is to require the motorists The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) insists who actually use a road or bridge to help cover the cost that road improvement is an urgent issue that will through tolls. require even more funding and attention in the near future. In an April 2013 press release, AAA president 2012-2013 Infrastructure Budget Ross Herron stated that, “It is becoming increasingly clear that many of our roads are not coping. We need The 2012–2013 infrastructure budget, as reported by stronger investment and new approaches to funding Hawker Britton in May 2012, pours an additional $3.56 for roads and other crucial land transport billion into the Nation Building Program and covers a infrastructure to combat growing congestion in our variety of initiatives designed to improve road quality cities and to provide safer roads in the regions.” He and safety. A portion of this money is being given to also pointed out that projects of this scale will require existing programs to ensure that current projects are cooperation and leadership as well as money. “We will continued. $300 million dollars will be used to extend need strong leadership and an effective long-term the Back Spot Program for an additional five years. plan. Given the size of this investment, it is going to Hawker Britton reports that the investment may require a significant contribution from all levels of prevent more than 2,000 accidents and save as many government and a more effective approach to attract as 14 lives every year. The Heavy Vehicle Safety and other sources of funding.” Productivity Package is getting $140 million for the continued provision of roadside facilities, including There is little argument thatAustralia’s infrastructure is safe, updated rest stops. $1.75 billion has been set in dire need of attention and an ongoing investment is aside to fund the Roads to Recovery Program through essential. In February 2012, Leighton Holdings 2019. This money will supplement funding from the released an infrastructure report stating that, Financial Assistance Grants Scheme to help shires “Australia’s productivity is being constrained by a lack and councils maintain and improve local roads. of infrastructure. Poor roads choke our cities; half completed networks restrict our ports; and people and Seventy five per cent of the Federal roads budget is goods can’t get where they need to, when they need set aside for projects in regional and rural Australia. to, because our infrastructure can’t deliver. Australia is The 2012-2013 budget also allows for the possibility of a gateway to the world’s fastest growing economies a full duplication of the Pacific Highway by the end of yet we are squandering our opportunities because of a 2016 if funding is matched by the NSW government; lack of investment in the productive capacity of our completing the project will require an estimated $7.1 nation.” billion. In addition, a $28 billion road construction28
End of the TunnelAlthough Wilhelm is unable to forecast a rosy new leading for some time. “Because there are so many MBA believes the nationdawn, he does have a cautiously optimistic view from new entrants into this industry all the time, it is needs to do something tohis Canberra office of the prospects for many of the important that those new entrants should realise that reduce its carbonassociation’s members. the technical capability of putting up a house – footprint. As for the although it is an important part of the job – is only one Carbon Tax, WilhelmThe industry – both residential and non-residential component. There are other equally important asserts, “we are notsectors – has faced very tough conditions over the aspects such as understanding cash flow and more climate-change deniers.last two years. Indeed, “the only positive in the whole importantly, in terms of meeting the market and The issue we have is thesector is engineering construction associated with making sure the needs of the client are always policy architecture andthe resources boom,” says Wilhelm. Is there any uppermost in their business plan.” cost impost it wouldpositive prospect? “There is a very mixed picture impose on the industry.”which suggests some sort of recovery is about to This is the only way to run a sustainable and The association – and thetake effect but no one is confident it will be a boom- profitable business, he suggests. There is a lot more broader industry – is farstyle recovery but a soft one; better certainly than to this game than putting bricks on top of each other from the dinosaur it hasbumping along the bottom. In terms of timing, we or putting up a frame; it is no longer sufficient to be a been painted as in somedon’t expect anything tangible until mid-year at the technician. Business skills are vital to existence, quarters, he adds, but isearliest.” whether the economy is good or bad. worried about the effectiveness of the tax asUnderstandably, there is still negative sentiment The lengthy election period is not helping any implemented. “We haveamong investors and potential buyers (particularly recovery of markets as investors and house-buyers supported an emissionsfirst-timers). Wilhelm is in a good position to see if the tend to hang back in such conditions. “We expect this trading scheme and atrends are uniform across Australia. “No, it’s very election cycle to be no different,” Wilhelm says. He market-based approach.patchy,” he explains. “Of the states that are looking politely (and not surprisingly) will not be drawn on the For the critics who havemore optimistic, Western Australia is well placed and possible effects of the industry on the outcome of the pigeon-holed us asthere are early signs that New South Wales might be September stoush but says, “we have been climate-change deniers:starting to flicker.” constantly lobbying governments and oppositions on they are wrong.” many issues. At a high level we have been remindingNT is benefiting from the resources sector input but both government and the Coalition of the importantthe market in South Australia, Wilhelm believes, is role of this industry in terms of its ability to kick-startprobably the least well placed at present to improve an economy.”in the short term. “There is also an expectation thatQueensland will start to pick up quite soon,” he adds. Indeed, many independent and international analyses have recently shown the AustralianMBA represents builders large and small, down to economy slowing to a considerably reduced growththe sole trader, and is “renowned for providing a full pattern over the next year or so and it is MBA’s viewrange of services, assisting the big companies who that the government could use the constructionmay in particular require advice on complex industry responsibly to help stimulate the economy,industrial relations services as well as the one- particularly the housing sector. MBA has beenperson operator who is looking more for contractual banging this drum for some time and “we will beor business advice,” Wilhelm explains. The accelerating our efforts in the current months.”organisation also offers invaluable opportunities fornetworking. Wilhelm concedes that the current government has listened to some of the arguments from the industry,Industry wide, Wilhelm estimates that some 60,000 for example in the area of labour. “It has beenjobs have been lost in the industry and there is an supportive in terms of making sure that overseasexpectation that this fall has not ended. However, skilled migration can supplement labour shortages inand significantly, although the industry has seen the industry – especially in the mining sector and inmany corporate casualties, MBA membership has remote areas where, despite best efforts byfallen only slightly, suggesting that members of this companies to recruit people from the east coast, theypeak body may be among the hardier, more stable have been unsuccessful.”and even better quality builders. Also, “it’s in toughtimes when you need your association most,” acting The judicious use of 457s as a very importantas an umbrella, advisor and sometimes, “a shoulder supplementary measure to deal with the short-termto cry on.” skills shortages experienced by the industry may not be liked by the unions but “the reality is that becauseWilhelm is wary of the notion that hard times have of the cycles and because of the insufficient numberprompted a ‘clear-out’ of the industry. But he accepts of apprentices entering the industry, for long-termthat companies with sound balance sheets and good sustainability the industry does need to rely from timebusiness plans, that have planned for a downturn, to time on skilled migration to fill its labour needs.”who have a focus on customer service and delivering Otherwise, he warns, you end up with massivevalue for money, “are the companies that, regardless inflationary pressures that stoke interest rates andof which sector, are able to weather the economic wage levels, house prices rise and affordabilitystorm.” suffers and a vicious circle is created. It’s nothing new and it’s not rocket science; “If you don’t have anThis drive toward a greater focus on customer adequate labour force, it follows that labour costs goservice and satisfaction is one that MBA has been up, construction costs rise and next thing you know there is an economic recession.” 29
Supporting the Construction Industry ACIF members are In finding this ground, the organisation ensures personally, providing insight into everything from among Australia’s ongoing, active communication between key players upcoming local projects to the historical analysis of a in the residential, non-residential building, and particular neighbourhood. most significant engineering construction sectors, other industry Forecast 2013 construction industry groups, and government agencies. Another key ACIF initiative is developing short and long-term forecasts “It varies enormously,” Mr Barda says of this year’s associations and that reliably predict future demand for building and forecast. “We start by looking at three sectors – represent all aspects construction across all sectors and locations. The residential, non-residential and engineering organisation also supports the industry with a number construction. And the drivers for each of those are of building – from of other resources, including policy and productivity quite different.” Overall, however, “the fundamentals feasibility through tools, biannual ACIF Briefings, and a Directory of key of the Australian economy are quite strong,” he design, cost planning, organisations. reports. “And that is borne out by pretty much every construction and forecaster you talk to, and certainly ours. We are in The ACIF is led by a Board of Directors made up of the very good shape.” Mr Barda adds that, even though building, and chief executives and senior management of its there will be a “moderation in growth, we still expect to management. The member associations, and employs a Secretariat see historically high levels of activity in the mining and whose job is to support the Board and the working gas sectors, which will drive other parts of the organisation groups in their efforts to develop policies and economy.” encourages and productivity tools. supports members in Forecasts The greatest challenge at present may be overcomingtheir efforts to provide the collective apprehension still simmering in the wake leadership, create ACIF forecasts serve as a vital source of information of the GFC. “There is still this curious lack of change within the for the entire construction industry and provide all confidence as, I think, people wait to see what will industry, and increase sectors and geographical areas with the unique happen in Europe and the US, which means that theproductivity, efficiency, insight needed for successful business planning. The activity levels are not what they were five [or] six years rolling, ten year forecasts answer the gnawing ago,” Mr Barda points out. “[They] haven’t gotten back research and questions that can make or break enterprises – from to those pre-GFC levels.” However, because “the innovation. what kind of work there will be and where labour will be fundamentals are strong, we are sure that things will available, to how and when construction costs will turn back up… but it is still going to be probably at least increase. For instance, will business be booming, or another 12 or 18 months before we see a real return.” should companies tighten their belts? Should builders In a nutshell, the AFIC believes that the construction expect new construction opportunities, or will industry will be “flat and coming back to higher activity renovations be the better bet? Will these opportunities levels than we have seen over the last three years or be more plentiful in the retail and commercial sector, or so, but not the spectacular growth that we saw in the is engineering construction the way to go? mid-2000s.” The organisation’s forecasts are painstakingly Mr Barda warns that “there is no simple answer” produced by the Allen Consulting Group using data regarding the specifics, however. “It depends on from a range of reputable sources including the where you are, it depends on what sort of work you Australian Bureau of Statistics and Deloitte Access would like to do.” Residential work has been Economics. This wealth of data is processed through particularly impacted by the mining boom and the Shares Model after which project information from subsequent population shift from Victoria and New Cordell Information is applied. The final result is a South Wales to Queensland and Western Australia. series of comprehensive, and remarkably accurate, Not surprisingly, the outlook for the latter two states is local and national forecasts across residential, non- quite strong. Demographic changes arising from large residential and engineering construction. scale baby boomer retirement is also an important factor. And, of course, the cost of purchasing a home Before a forecast is released, it is also subjected to the remains a key driver. “With low interest rates we would careful scrutiny of the Construction Forecasting expect to see quite strong growth [and] demand for Council (CFC). This review board is made up of new dwellings,” Mr Barda says. But, “that’s not leading economists, researchers, and analysts who happening uniformly around the country. It is all in “are also on a daily basis involved with what’s going on different cycles.” Residential building in New South in the industry,” Mr Barda explains. “They do the reality Wales has been depressed for a decade, but the check. They might have their own ideas about whether region is slowly coming out of the slump with an the forecasts are too optimistic, or not optimistic expected $17 billion in new work this year and last. enough, or the timing is not right… And out of that Victoria has reached the end of its residential building process comes the final forecast.” boom, and “will be flat for the foreseeable future.” As a general rule, apartment and townhouse projects will Forecast updates are released twice yearly at ACIF dominate the residential building market as high Briefings held in April and September. Summaries are density living continues to grow in popularity. also available online at no cost. The ACIF’s website even offers a “Build your own Forecasts” option which allows users to dig down into the data that affects them30
The Australian Institute of Project ManagementThe Australian Institute of Project Management The construction sector, including infrastructure (but To qualify as a full(AIPM) is the peak body for project management in David says the resource sector, though accounting member of AIPM, oneAustralia. Formed in 1976, it has been instrumental for a considerable amount of the construction needs to have ain progressing the profession of project management industry, behaves rather differently), “is going diploma in projectin Australia over the past 30 to 35 years. The through an interesting phase at the moment. In management (orconstruction industry accounts for around a third of Australia, it has always been heavily dependent on equivalent), or tothe institute’s 10,000 members; this total is an government funding and the state of the economy. At demonstrateindication of the level of endorsement by the the moment I would say it is mid-cycle between peak experience that wouldconstruction industry, according to President David and trough.” The public has “wised up” to equate. “We wantHudson. He told us that the equivalent body in the government under-funding and under-investment people to reflectUK, for example, has some 18,000 members for a and is beginning to hold governments to their current practice andpopulation three times the size, while in Germany the promises on infrastructure development. “There is a they have to shownumbers are considerably lower. public perception that AIPM is heavily weighted application of thatSo does this mean Australians are better organised – towards construction but it’s not true – I think we have practice to projectsif that is what project managers do – or does every a good balance.” over a period ofAustralian simply call him or herself a project Industry “is maturing very rapidly,” says David. around five years. Inmanager? Certainly in the construction industry it is Organisations are developing competence and are addition there is therare these days not to hear a company, large or more aware that they need competent individual AIPM’s own optionalsmall, claim to offer project management as one of its project managers to work with them. Indeed, extra qualification,core activities. David says the term can be misused, “demand for certification is higher than it has ever held by around a thirdbut in general, all of industry (and construction too) been.” Not for its own sake, but “because you get of its members. Inhas been learning the meaning of the words and the confidence that the consulting engineers you put out addition to the activeAIPM’s certification process gives project managers on site can do the job, return a profit to you and alumni, AIPM has aa means of measuring their real capabilities in the deliver customer satisfaction – and they will get you much broaderprofession. repeat business.” Otherwise, how do you know engagement withAs of next year, the institute will additionally offer an whether you have chosen a ‘competent’ project practitioners whoelite grade, a ‘senior project manager’ category, for manager? First time out, it’s little better than sticking have takensuitably certified experts who demonstrate their a pin in a list. certification at someability to handle major capital expenditure projects Increasingly, certification is a process that helps stage in the past and,successfully. This will be of serious interest to major validate company procedures and quality we respect thatbuyers of construction services, who will be able to assurance. David points out that in Australia’s broader alumnisee at a glance whether their contracted company defence sector, it’s now virtually impossible to get relationship.”passes muster. This should also interest individual anywhere without AIPM certification – and othermanagers too, who will want to measure themselves industries are not far behind. From the constructionand their expertise. “People are naturally curious and perspective, those working for state governmentswant to find out how they stand up,” David says. are also increasingly required to use this certificationDavid firmly rejects the notion that this is just a piece because the conventional public-sector standard isof paper and a way to make money for the AIPM – the not to the required methodology.initiative will raise pennies if anything for the David acknowledges there are still many people whoorganisation. Rather, it formalises a title that has call themselves ‘project managers’ but who have littlebeen in common use across industry for a decade or claim to the title beyond downloading a piece ofso. Although qualified managers would always have proprietary software. He says he spends half his lifetheir own track record to use as a kind of CV, this new in airport lounges and daily hears other people’scategory will help in identifying those at ease with phone conversations; half of them are about projects“projects of hard dollars, technical complexity, multi- and they all seem to be going wrong. “As a purist, Idisciplinary applications and often geographical keep wanting to shout at them that they are NOTdispersion,” he explains. running a project. If they were, they wouldn’t be in the“There is huge demand for this. When we launch next sort of trouble the phone call is indicating! There are ayear, I expect the construction sector in particular will lot of people making claims. It’s the ‘Barramundiseek it because it’s one thing to identify the people Principle’ – the number of barramundi that peoplewho claim to be project managers but we are going to claim to catch in Australia nowhere near matches theprovide the opportunity to identify the person to amount of barramundi sold. That’s why thewhom you would give that really difficult project. It’s certification is important.” As far as the buildingmore of a professional assessment than a matter of industry is concerned, David speculates that it wouldcompetence. It will concern maybe the top 10 to 15 be useful to run awareness programmes with smallper cent of the profession. It will be a big help to the builders’ associations to raise awareness of whatconstruction and infrastructure sectors.” He adds project management actually means and entails, andthat he is receiving feedback from major client then perhaps run a programme of introductorycompanies who “are just waiting for us to get this up certification for small construction companies.and running.” Interestingly, when times in a particular industrialTheAIPM has always been a “community of practice” sector are tough, the popularity of certificationfor project management throughout its 35 year increases – and construction is no exception. “Therehistory, beginning as the Project Management is a higher rate of individual people applying forForum and changing its name in the 1990s to reflect certification during periods of downturn. Peopleits desire to be known as the centre of excellence for identify the fact that they need to get their actthe profession. It reflects what is required to sustain together, and another driver for them is to do so while‘best practice’ in the discipline. David is halfway their evidence is current.” Likewise on the client side,through a two-year term asAIPM’s elected president, clients are able to pick and choose more and demanda task he undertakes in addition to his day job; a higher standards of expertise. As the constructionproject manager himself following a military career. industry emerges in the next year or so from its“The first project I took on was a $300 million capex prolonged depression, it will not only be leaner and(capital expenditure) procurement.” From next meaner but also better qualified. For clients, that isJanuary, he takes over as Vice President of the good news, but for builders with certified expertise ininternational body, the IPMA, and for two years, he project management, it can mean more jobssays, “I forgot how not to volunteer.” completed with fewer screw-ups, lower costs and better customer satisfaction. 31
Australia’s Unique ArchitectureTree houses are usually Australia’s forward-thinking architects have designed allowing occupants a view of the city through associated with rough, some of the most dramatic and innovative homes on the window-like openings in the adjacent branches. planet. Klein Bottle House, Cloud House, and Letterbox Subdued, natural colours add to the camouflage wooden structures house by McBride Charles Ryan; HP Tree House by effect and complete the illusion that the home is a nestled atop high MMP Architects; and The Tree House by Jackson natural, almost expected, part of the surrounding branches, but this Clements Burrows are a few of the most remarkable forest. angular design by recent examples. Jackson Clements The home is airy and light throughout, and abundant Burrows actually Klein Bottle House / McBride Charles Ryan canopy-level views create a relaxed, almost The Klein Bottle House converts a complex math dreamlike atmosphere.mimics the tree itself. A concept into a stunning structure. Using CAD muted green exterior technology, McBride Charles Ryan has employed the The single level structure consists of three pavilions and rooms that non-orientable surface of a Klein bottle for a holiday separated by breezeways. The main pavilion protrude dramatically home in Mornington Peninsula. features stunning views through a full glass wall, and outward suggest the empties onto the outdoor living breezeway. The In mathematics, the Klein bottle refers to a surface outdoor dining space overlooks the ‘tree house’ colours and shape of a without a distinct inner or outer side, in which the left and lounge, which is open to the forest on all sides and sturdy trunk and thick right, or top and bottom, cannot be consistently defined covered by a large canopy roof. The breezeway (imagine a Mobius strip with no boundary). A real Klein leads to the master bedroom, an ensuite pavilion branches. bottle would require a four dimensional universe to exist boasting enchanting views of the adjoining rock face, (as opposed to our three dimensional one), but the which transforms into a private waterfall during the masterminds behind the Klein Bottle House have wet season. The third pavilion contains guest captured the essence of this intriguing geometric bedrooms and is separated from the living area by puzzle. laundry facilities and the entry breezeway. Using walls with origami-like folds and facets, the Klein Offering practicality as well as beauty, HP Tree Bottle house bends into itself to become one continuous House is carefully designed to be low maintenance volume. The rooms rise with the trees in a spiral around and ecofriendly. The roof is flat to allow easy access a central courtyard, connected by a dramatic red to the PV installation, membrane canopy, solar hot staircase. Exploring the interior instills a sense of being water, and gutters. Aluminium windows, Colourbond wrapped within the curls of a conch shell, and other steel external cladding, and a galvanised exposed occupants seem strangely far away and nearby at the structure all require very little upkeep. In addition, the same time. timber was either plantation grown or sustainably harvested, and the stone was locally sourced. The structure is designed to capture the lighthearted fun of holiday time while simultaneously blending into the Cloud House / McBride Charles Ryan surrounding trees and sand dunes. To emphasise the Cloud House is a double-fronted Edwardian home in dramatic creases and angles, recesses are finished in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North suburb that has been varying yet subtle shades of white and gray, while the renovated numerous times over the past century. For outer surfaces are boldly painted black. This black the latest changes, McBride Charles Ryan created a perimeter frames and accentuates the wild, scenic wholly unexpected, south-facing addition that background, allowing the peculiar structure to merge captures the shape and light-hearted whimsy of a effortlessly into the natural landscape, almost as though cartoon cloud. it has always been a part of the grass, leaves and sky surrounding it. This newest addition is divided into three distinct parts, a layout which produces a series of The home’s unique approach to architecture has been unexpected episodes, each of which is recognised internationally, and was named Best House foreshadowed by details within the previous room. at the 2009 WorldArchitecture FestivalAwards. The street façade has been left intact, HP Tree House / MMPArchitects acknowledging the original design and revealing the HP Tree House, designed by MMP Architects, has extent of the alterations within. A white interior, recently been awarded 2012 House of the Year by the emboldened by a dramatic floral carpet, leads to a Australian Institute ofArchitects (AIA). fragmented red box, which is actually the kitchen. This unexpected central feature acts as a bridge, Perched on the flanks of Mt Whitfield in Cairns, the home linking the surrounding spaces. A bulging, cloud- disappears into the surrounding rainforest. Well secured shaped living room makes up the final portion of the by galvanised steel supports stretching all the way from house. The playful space boasts a finely crafted ground to roof, the structure seems to float effortlessly wood-panelled interior in which the floor, walls, and amidst the trees. ceiling curve seamlessly into one another. The surrounding canopy has been left carefully undisturbed, hiding the home from the city below, yet still32
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