Construction

  • Graphene oxide study strengthens smart concrete

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Graphene oxide additive strengthens case for smart concrete

    Engineers from RMIT University and the University of Melbourne have added graphene oxide to cement mixture to make stronger 3D printed concrete that is easier to print — paving the way for the creation of pot... more

  • Hoffmann Green and Spie Batignolles sign carbon-free cement supply contract

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    French construction major to specify carbon-free cement

    French construction company Spie Batignolles has announced it will use carbon and clinker-free cement to replace its traditional cement sourcing for its projects. With sales of €2.3 billion (AU$3.8 billion... more

  • Sustainability on the rise with biggest increase in Green Star certifications

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Construction sector sees biggest increase in Green Star certifications

    Green Star certifications increased by more than 80 per cent in the 2022-23 financial year, with over 800 certifications issued across Australia, showing sustainability is on the rise. Green Building Council... more

  • "Our cities are faced with an increasingly pressing problem of how to manage heat and care for the people living in them," says Dr Negin Nazarian. Western Sydney's Norwest City project integrates blue and green infrastructure to manage heat. Image courtesy of FJC Studio

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Five ways to cool cities as temperatures soar

    As Australia heads into an El Niño summer, UNSW’s Dr Negin Nazarian, an expert in urban climate, explains five crucial strategies to keep cities – and people – cooler. There are several factors that i... more

  • Graphene oxide additive strengthens case for smart concrete
    05 Dec, 2023
  • French construction major to specify carbon-free cement
    28 Nov, 2023
  • Construction sector sees biggest increase in Green Star certifications
    28 Nov, 2023
  • Five ways to cool cities as temperatures soar
    16 Nov, 2023
ARA launches new sustainability guide

Railway association launches new sustainability guide

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has released a dedicated Sustainability Guide to support the rail industry move faster towards a net zero future. The guide — On Track to a Sustainable Future– Australasian Railway Association Sustainability Guide — launched today at ARA’s major conference AusRAIL PLUS 2023 in Sydney, offers practical solutions for small-to-medium businesses in the rail industry. ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie said rail will play a crucial role in Australia and New Zealand’s sustainable development and growth and is key to achieving net zero targets. “Continued investment in sustainable transport systems is critical to achieving net zero targets…
ARFA President Dan Lovell

Floorcovering suppliers back waste recovery scheme ResiLoop

ResiLoop — Australia’s first national stewardship scheme for resilient flooring — will receive funding support from 15 local market suppliers of resilient floorcoverings. This new product stewardship scheme focuses on recycling research and development to address the challenges presented by past, current and future consumption of resilient floorcoverings in Australia. Initiated by the Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA) in 2022 and funded by the Federal Government, ResiLoop began to address the 60,000 tonnes of flooring waste generated annually — from installation and end of use — after a proposed approach was released in May 2023. Resilient floorcoverings such as sheet…
New report promotes the construction of greener buildings

New report promotes the construction of greener buildings

A new report detailing a suite of recommendations for local governments to drive down carbon emissions in buildings has been released by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the Property Council of Australia. Every Building Counts – For Local Government makes 19 policy recommendations over six key themes to shape a greener, healthier, and more equitable built environment. GBCA CEO Davina Rooney said the report highlights the importance of local governments continuing to demonstrate climate leadership by setting targets for achieving net zero by 2050 or sooner for their local area, underpinned by clear, long-term strategies that will…
MENA Regional Network grows with the addition of Mostadam

MENA Regional Network grows with the addition of Mostadam

Mostadam (Sustainable Building) has joined World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) global network as an Affiliate Partner for Saudi Arabia in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Network — bringing their expertise to sustainable building in the region. Mostadam (Sustainable Building) is a green building rating system developed by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and administered by Sustainable Building. This building rating system is created for Saudi Arabia’s local climate and environmental characteristics and supports the Saudi economy and employment. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is currently home to…
NSW first to implement enhanced sustainable building standards

NSW first to implement enhanced sustainable building standards

The New South Wales State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022 (SEPP) has now come into effect, aiming to deliver equitable and effective water use and greenhouse gas reductions across NSW. NSW was the first state to implement agreed updates in the National Construction Code 2022 (NCC) via introduction of the Sustainable Buildings SEPP and updates to the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX). NCC 2022 was agreed and adopted by all jurisdictions in 2022. However, each state and territory has set its own implementation timeline for introduction of the new standards to reflect local industry and supply chain capacity. The new…
Awards

Awards to showcase exemplary sustainable steel designs

Sustainable use of steel in building and construction projects has never been more important. With this in mind, the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) has launched the Steel Sustainability Awards to recognise exemplary achievements in sustainable design and use of steel.   The new awards will showcase the sustainable achievements of the end-to-end steel supply chain across two broad focus areas: the use of steel in building and construction projects; and company steel sustainability initiatives. The awards are open to everyone in the steel supply chain eg, architects, designers, engineers, steel manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, processors, builders or constructors. Categories The awards…
recycled concrete

Research into recycled concrete product to combat waste

Western Sydney University is paving the way with leading research into recycled concrete products that can aid in the reduction of construction waste. With a commitment to sustainability, the innovative products can transform how the growing construction industry impacts the environment. Professor Vivian Tam, Director of the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering, Associate Dean (Research and HDR), Associate (International) and Discipline Leader (Construction Management) at the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, has spent the last eight years as one of the co-inventors developing CO2 Concrete. “More than a third of all the waste generated in Australia each year comes…