The Building Economist - March 2015 - The Future Issue

THE JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS

THE FUTURE ISSUE

FEATURING TREND ALERTS FOR 2015 WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE INDUSTRY THIS YEAR

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF CONSTRUCTION

BROADENING HORIZONS AND PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES

TRANSPORT THE NSW WAY

CONGESTION, INVESTMENT AND THE FUTURE FOR TRANSPORT

MARCH 2015

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THE

BUILDING ECONOMIST

10 PEOPLE 16

ITRENDNSIALERTSGHT FOR 2015

BE takes a look at what is in store for the industry this year and the influences that are changing the way we are working and building.

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF CONSTRUCTION

BE talks to one young professional who is broadening his horizons and pursuing opportunities in different and often less traditional territories and embarking on a new and exciting chapter in his everevolving and dynamic career.

20

MAR 2015

CONTENTS

PROJECT TRANSPORT THE NSW WAY

BE took time out with Minister Gladys Berejiklian to discuss Sydney congestion, investment, and what the future looks like for the transport systems in New South Wales.

Managing Editor Jenna Harfield Executive Editor Emma Marshall Art Director Julian Brown - Nose to Tail Chief Executive Officer Michael Manikas

REGULARS

02 07 08 24 26 SNAP SHOT

FROM THE CEO

NUTS AND BOLTS

QS KIT

SOCIAL

Contributions Articles relevant to construction economics and related subjects, pictorial material, letters etc are welcome. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. All contributions should be addressed to the editor: Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, National Office, Level 6, 65 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

The Institute does not, as a body, hold itself responsible for statements made and opinions expressed in this Journal.

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ISSN 0007-3431 Designed and printed for the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (ACN 008 485 809) by Nose to Tail Pty Ltd

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 1

SNAPSHOT

GEORGE STREET PLANS REVEALED A new study, George Street 2020: A Public Domain Activation

outdoor dining, vending, creative and cultural activities to

Strategy, has been released by the City of Sydney and shows

encourage walking and dwelling, including seating.

the future transformation of George Street into a light rail and pedestrian area.

“The transformation is unique opportunity to ensure that George Street becomes a world class boulevard that is also

The plan features light rail to run through the middle, with a

a thriving business and retail environment,” said Lord Mayor

pedestrian area along the building edges, and recommends

Clover Moore.

2 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

SNAPSHOT

LOWER INTEREST RATES FOR GREEN BUILDINGS IN US Multiresidential properties with a green building certification, such

“We clearly see the value in the triple-bottom line of certified green

as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, will be

buildings: financial benefits of lower operating costs for owners

rewarded with a lower interest rate.

and tenants; social benefits of better quality housing for renters;

US Federal National Mortgage Associate, Fannie Mae, is now granting a 10 basis point reduction in the interest rate of multifamily refinance, acquisition, or supplemental mortgage loan.

and environmental benefits for everyone. Our lenders are ready with financing solutions to help multifamily owners make their properties more energy and water efficient for today and for the future,” said Jeffery Hayward, executive vice president of Fannie Mae.

AWARD WIN FOR ARUP AND GXN Arup and GXN have walked away with the JEC Innovation award

cane and other crops, the BioBuild facade panel has been designed

for construction, a top European innovation award, for their

for use in commercial buildings with no increase in costs.

prefabricated biocomposite facade panel that reduces energy by 50 per cent.

Comprising of natural fibres, like flax and hemp, and natural resins

The facade was developed as part of a collaborative project to increase the use and competitiveness of biocomposites, and was funded by the European Commission.

made from the byproduct of agricultural processing of corn, sugar

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 3

SNAPSHOT IN BRIEF

GREENEST BUILDING IN WA OPENS DOORS Western Australia’s greenest public building, Green Skills Training Centre at Perth’s Central Institute of Technology, has officially opened the doors to its $17 million, 6 Star Green Star rated educational showcase.

Created to show sustainable building and construction students exactly what state of the art sustainability looks like, elements such as the blackwater plant and the building’s 3D BIM model are on display as teaching tools.

AUSTRALIA MISSES OUT ON GBCA AWARDS FIRST TOP 10 SUSTAINABLE CITIES 5 STAR GREEN STAR – PERFORMANCE RATING

According to a new listing of sustainable cities compiled by natural and built asset design and consultancy firm Arcadis, Australian cities are not as sustainable as we thought.

In a measure of environmental, social and economic performance of 50 major cities, Sydney took out 11th place, and Melbourne placed 17th, with European cities taking out most of the top 10 places.

Wollongong City Council’s Administration Building has achieved the highest Green Star – Performance

Germany’s Frankfurt was given the title of the world’s most sustainable city, with London coming in a close second, in the research conducted by the Center of Economics and Business Research.

rating in Australia to date.

The 13-story Administration Building houses 660 Council staff, and was awarded the 5 Star – Green Star Performance rating by the Green Building Council of Australia in recognition of its improvements to the building’s sustainability performance.

Based on the Green Star – Performance rating tool’s calculations, the upgrades and altered practices have resulted in

FRANK GEHRY’S UNCONVENTIONAL BUILDING OPENS IN SYDNEY The University of Technology Sydney’s Dr Chau Chak Wing Building was officially opened in Sydney in front of federal education minister Christopher Pyne and the building’s designer,

energy efficiency gains of 55 per cent

Frank Gehry.

and water efficiency gains of 85 per cent.

The unconventional, “crumpled brown paper bag” building is Frank Gehry’s only Australian building, and cost $180 million and forms the centrepiece of UTS’s $1.2 billion master plan to create a more unified campus environment.

4 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

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FROM THE CEO

THE FUTURE ISSUE

AUSTR ALIA IS IN THE MIDST OF ELECTION MADNESS. WE HAVE HAD TWO STATE ELECTIONS, IN VICTORIA AND QUEENSLAND, WITH THE INCUMBENT GOVERNMENT LOOSING MAJORITY AND BY THE TIME THIS MAGAZINE HITS THE SHELVES THE NSW ELECTION WILL BE DECIDED. There is also a possibility that we could have a Federal Election sometime in the next six months. This could mean that Labor may return to having a majority control of the states and federal government. NSW may be the only state which bucks the trend and the Coalition may retain power but with a smaller majority.

Social media and popularity seem to become more important to many voters than supporting politicians with long term visions of change for good. It seems to be increasingly harder for politicians to implement sometimes unpopular short term policies for the greater good of the electorate in the long term.

This political instability is affecting both foreign and local investment in Australia including both the resources and construction sectors.

Internationally political unrest associated with extremist religious groups continue to plague a major recover in the construction sector globally. Greece also had an election earlier this year and the win be the left wing Syriza party sent shockwaves through the global financial markets due to its ant-austerity position.

Our recent talk by Chris Caton, Chief Economist from BT, highlighted that the recovery form the GFC has been slowest of any of the previous financial markets crashes dating back to 1929. The outlook is for continued slow growth globally with both India and China topping the charts in terms of economic growth but at lower levels than seen previously.

Despite these uncertain political times, the future is looking bright for the AIQS, however, with increased member growth and in turn increased offerings to members. The newly established AIQS Academy will see approximately 100 courses added to the platform in the next 12 months which also includes the AIQS top-up course for those potential members that have not completed an accredited degree.

We are also excited that we are about to launch the Infinite Value Awards for 2015, our annual celebration of the best movers and shakers in our industry. Start thinking about which projects and people you can nominate this year in order to receive global recognition and take home one of the most sought after trophies in the construction industry. We can’t wait to see what you have to offer this year. Good luck.

“ THIS POLITICAL INSTABILITY IS AFFECTING BOTH FOREIGN AND LOCAL INVESTMENT IN AUSTR ALIA INCLUDING BOTH THE RESOURCES AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS.”

Regards,

Michael Manikas CEO The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 7

NUTS AND BOLTS

2011 – 2012

2012 – 201

$MIL

122,131

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2015?

% CHANGE

+5.4% ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION $MIL

115,839 % CHANGE

+34.6%

As a companion to our feature article on future trends, Nuts and Bolts looks at Building and Construction work done in the last few years across 3 sectors, and what we are expecting for 2015–16. $MIL

$MIL

46,241

45,836

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

% CHANGE

% CHANGE

+0.9%

-5.5%

NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

$MIL

$MIL

33,679

32,343

% CHANGE

% CHANGE

-3.2%

2011 – 2012

8 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

-4.0%

2012 – 2013

2013 –

13

– 2014

2013 – 2014

2014 – 2015

2014 – 2016

$MIL

116,886

$MIL

% CHANGE

-4.3%

114,201

$MIL

% CHANGE

107,985

-2.3%

% CHANGE

-5.4%

$MIL $MIL

60,943

57,587

% CHANGE

$MIL

% CHANGE

+5.8%

51,205

+12.5%

% CHANGE

+10.7%

$MIL

$MIL

$MIL

34,084

33,114

33,892

% CHANGE

% CHANGE

% CHANGE

+2.9%

+2.4%

2014 – 2015

-0.6%

2014 – 2016

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 9

INSIGHT

TREND ALERTS FOR 2015

ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS AND EXCITEMENT BUILDS ON WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. THERE IS CONSTANTLY SOMETHING NEW ON THE HORIZON AND FOR 2015, THERE ARE SOME EXCITING NEW TRENDS EMERGING. BE TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE INDUSTRY THIS YEAR AND THE INFLUENCES THAT ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE ARE WORKING AND BUILDING. 10 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 11

INSIGHT

12 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

“ WHILST CREATING A PRODUCT TO RESPOND TO THE INCREASED SPENDING, ANDREW HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED ANOTHER NEW TREND EMERGING – AN INTEREST IN RETURNING TO AUSTR ALIAN MADE.”

Working within the building and construction industry can be like

“We have moved a lot of manufacturing overseas and it is time we

riding a rollercoaster. Each day, each week, each month presents

brought it back. It is time we recognised that it is not sustainable

its own challenges. Starting a new year brings with it a fresh

if we move everything overseas and the Australian market

sense of hope and a look towards the future. For 2015, the next

has matured enough for companies to invest in Australia and

twelve months looks set to welcome some very interesting trends

manufacture their products here,” says Andrew.

that will open new doors and could possibly change the direction

“This should have happened a long time ago. Australia needs

of the property sector.

to be smart and start creating manufacturing jobs here. We can

For the past few years, there has been a trend of tightening

give them a better product. At AusTruss, we are sourcing all our

the belt and riding out the GFC. However, there seems to be a

materials here, building everything to the Australian standards

new trend in town. Confidence has returned to the industry and

and everything has been certified here.”

investment is high. There is a feeling that a building boom is

All of this makes it easier for everyone involved in the construction

just round the corner and the cost of sites is on the increase.

teams. The knock on effects of overseas delays, poor quality and

Competition between developers for these sites is fierce, and

lack of suitable compliance paperwork can hold up a project with

according to AusTruss Managing Director, Andrew Fowler, this

serious financial consequences.

development explosion is leading to builders struggling to get

With a continuous focus on sustainability and the reporting

resources – especially in the multi-unit arena.

involved in obtaining a rating system for a building, the right

“In just one bathroom there are about 8000 elements required,

paperwork and materials is even more important.

from screws to washers, to tiles and tap wear. That’s 4,000,000 items that would need to be procured and brought onsite for 500

If the Green Building Council of Australia’s Chief Operating Officer,

bathrooms,” explains Andrew.

Robin Mellon, is to be believed, the right supply chain will be more of a focus in 2015. This shift of focus is making it a burning issue

Primarily a steel frame business, AusTruss has created a new

for large companies.

way to respond to this trend. AusPod Modular Bathrooms can be created offsite, reducing the project’s overheads and the risks that

“Lend Lease, for instance, gained Green Star Innovation points

can delay a project.

last year on its T2 project – the first to achieve certification at

“This is about efficiency. The timeframe on site to create a bathroom is around four weeks. By building parallel to what is happening on site, we are reducing this timeframe.”

Whilst creating a product to respond to the increased spending, Andrew has also identified another new trend emerging – an interest in returning to Australian made.

Barangaroo in Sydney – for a supplier engagement framework that helps sub-contractors, manufacturers and other suppliers get on board with the company’s sustainability objectives,” says Robin.

“Increasingly, we’ll see companies have to change their operating practices if they want to work with the large players in the industry.”

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 13

INSIGHT The influence of this trend for accountability is not only coming

“We receive about one application a week for a new green wall

from the big building and construction companies, but also from

or roof,” says Jock. “Whilst the biggest driver behind choosing to

the wider Australian population. According to Robin, the need for

include a green wall is that it is aesthetically pleasing, they are

transparency is a trend that no one can ignore.

actually an integral part of the design.”

“The Global Reporting Initiative has found that around 40 per cent

“The green walls we install are also functional. They move air

of jobseekers read a company’s sustainability report. The Globe-

through so it removes all the pollutants and bacteria. The building

scan Aspirational Index finds that more than 2.5 billion people are

could almost not function without it.”

committed to responsible consumption.”

“People expect more from companies than ever before - whether

The importance of indoor air quality is another focus that does not seem to waver in 2015. Temperature, humidity, air movement,

“ THE TREND FOR CITY AND APARTMENT LIVING IS PUTTING MORE IMPORTANCE THIS YEAR ON THE TREND FOR INCREASINGLY LIVEABLE PUBLIC SPACES. THESE NEW COMMUNITIES ARE CRYING OUT FOR GREEN SPACES TO RELAX, COME TOGETHER, AND BE ACTIVE. IT IS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SHAPING THE LOOK AND FEEL OF OUR CITIES.”

that’s the organisation they work for, or brands that they buy,”

ventilation rates, air quality, daylight, artificial lighting, sound and

continues Robin.

acoustics are all monitored to make sure that people are getting

Jock Gammon from green wall company Junglefy, agrees that the Australian communities are pushing the building agenda in 2015.

“There has been a shift in the mindset of the Australian people.

They are demanding to live in more green surroundings.

Communities are driving it because they love it and interestingly, they will spend the extra money for it.”

The trend for city and apartment living is putting more importance

the most out of their buildings.

“I think we are entering a new epoch where we will understand that technology is not just about creating data, but about using this data to create better places for people,” says the GBCA’s Robin Mellon, and Jock agrees.

“We are moving towards cities within our parks as opposed to parks within our cities.”

this year on the trend for increasingly liveable public spaces.

However, regardless of who you talk to, there is a strong feeling

These new communities are crying out for green spaces to relax,

that in order to see any of these trends flourish, there needs to be

come together, and be active. It is the people that are shaping the

strong leadership and investment from government.

look and feel of our cities.

You don’t need to look far to find a wealth of plans from local and state government showing what the future looks like for our towns and cities. And a trend that does not seem to be going anywhere in 2015, is that of embracing green.

“Governments are starting to wake up and realise that they need to provide more funding,” concludes Andrew.

There is hope for an industry that is on the up. If there is one thing that our leaders love to be, it’s on trend.

14 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

PEOPLE

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF CONSTRUCTION WITH THE RESOURCES SECTOR SLOWING IN RECENT TIMES, IT SEEMS THE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING INDUSTRY CAN NO LONGER RIDE ON THE COAT TAILS OF A MINING BOOM THAT WAS SUGGESTED BY MANY TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY BUOYANT INDEFINITELY. RECENT SHIFTS IN DEMAND FOR SERVICES HAS REQUIRED PROFESSIONALS TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES IN DIFFERENT AND OFTEN LESS TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES. BE TALKS TO ONE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS DONE JUST THAT, EMBARKING ON A NEW AND EXCITING CHAPTER IN HIS EVER-EVOLVING AND DYNAMIC CAREER. 16 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

Matt Ellis from PwC Capital Projects Team

Like many industries, the professional consultant marketplace has

up and widening its reach to create a robust and diverse offering

had to respond to, at times, dramatic shifts in market forces in order

which maximizes the opportunities emerging from new and exciting

to continue to meet client needs. The phrase “value for money” has

places. New smaller or boutique consultancies are opening up,

never been so pertinent and no meeting, workshop, proposal or

and businesses not traditionally associated with capital projects

estimate can be complete without its inclusion it seems.

are branching out from their core business offering in pursuit of

It is an exciting time, but a daunting time – clients are savvy about

diversification.

their needs, competition in the marketplace is fierce, and the typical

Matt Ellis is one young professional who has embraced this change

consultant or advisor is expected to be versed in the art of marketing

and taken a leap into global powerhouse PwC, joining their newly

and business development on top of their professional expertise.

established Capital Projects team. BE sat down with Matt to discuss

In true Aussie style, rather than shy away from these challenges,

his recent move and the journey that has led him to where he is today.

we have an industry that is evolving before our very eyes; rising

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 17

PEOPLE What is your background and how you have got to where you are today?

I started out studying architecture at the University of NSW, when less than a year into the course, I realised it wasn’t for me. For me it felt that architects were bound by so many constraints that inhibit creative

exclusively on large transport infrastructure projects with some mining work thrown in. My work there took me as far as Bogota, Colombia on a “fly-in, fly-out” basis for over a year delivering a bankable feasibility study for one of Brazil’s largest energy and resource companies.

licence. My friends studying building and construction management

Late last year the opportunity to join PwC’s newly formed Capital

were really enjoying it so I made the switch and never looked back.

Projects team presented itself and it ticked all the boxes as the

In my final years of study I started as a cadet at a small fit-out company. My first project was a major renovation of the Bourbon and

logical next step in my career. I’m currently enjoying the challenge of growing the business in what is an exciting time in Australia for large infrastructure projects.

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Beefsteak in Kings Cross. I was a contract administrator, with a love of numbers and aspired to one day become a commercial manager.

How long have you been at PwC and what is your current role there?

I joined PwC as Associate Director of the Capital Projects team within

With a little under two years’ experience I decided I knew enough

the Deals business in late November 2014. In Capital Projects our

and headed off to the UK to further my career. I landed at Multiplex

core focus is helping our clients through any or all stages of a capital

Constructions UK and started work on an eight star residential

project’s lifecycle, with a particular focus on the delivery stage. Our

development in Belgravia, London as a project surveyor. I learned a lot

reach is national, but my focus in NSW and the eastern seaboard

during this time working under an exceptional commercial manager.

is transport and social infrastructure but my team has capability in

Personal circumstances took me back to Australia where I landed my

mining, oil and gas.

first commercial management role with a tier-1 contractor but was lured back to the UK following an international recruitment drive by a large UK QS and project management firm.

Working client-side was a steep learning curve for me. Not only that but my timing was terrible - the global financial crisis was just kicking off and wave after wave of redundancies followed. Whilst a number of other Australian’s lost their jobs, I was still standing, most likely because I had secured a cost management role on the Athletes’ Village for the 2012 London Olympics.

How would you define the current landscape of the profession?

The marketplace for professional services is more fractured than it used to be with new players emerging all the time with business models that are disrupting the industry. Always a competitive marketplace, now large international organisations are going headto-head with boutique, specialist consultancies. In my opinion a driving force is the current abundance of activity in the transport infrastructure space in NSW and Victoria. Commonwealth and State governments have acknowledged the country’s infrastructure

Personal circumstances saw me return to Australia again where

problems and we appear to be entering a transport infrastructure

I took a role with a leading infrastructure advisory firm taking on

renaissance of sorts. For instance, NSW alone has a number of mega

engagements with more of a strategic edge and focusing almost

projects in the road and rail sectors all moving forward. For those with

18 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

domain knowledge, strong business management skills and solid professional networks, there has never been a better time to take the plunge and register a business name, and the number of new startups in the industry support that view.

In my opinion there is often only a loose correlation between the fee quoted and the value generated. So while there is certainly pressure for larger firms to reduce cost, it should be balanced with the ability to attract and retain the best talent.

As a new employee at PwC, what attracted you to a brand often not associated with capital projects?

My father worked at PwC for a number of years and enjoyed his time there. I also had first-hand experience working with PwC on some high profile engagements and had always been impressed by their

AS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF FIRMS, COST AND COMMERCIAL PROFESSIONALS WITH THE TRAVEL BUG CAN PUT THEMSELVES FORWARDS FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN ALMOST ANY PART OF THE WORLD.

professionalism and quality of work. I knew the Capital Projects team, as a new business to PwC, had an amazing opportunity to harness synergies with the firm’s more established businesses. I felt that being able to offer clients a one stop shop that would eliminate the problematic interface between the front end strategy and project What advice would you give to young graduates and cadets entering

delivery and operations would be an appealing proposition.

the industry looking to follow in your footsteps?

What does an average week look like for you currently?

I would say try and broaden your experience by exposing yourself to as

I’m currently splitting my time between Melbourne and Sydney. My

many different sectors as you can. This will increase your likelihood

time in Melbourne is spent assisting the Victorian Government in

of having continuity of work during the ups and downs of the different

evaluating the State’s first unsolicited proposal for a multi-billion dollar rail project in the city’s South East. When in Sydney, I’m actively pursuing the opportunities where I think our team can add value. In the evenings I’m working towards finishing a masters in applied finance.

There is a bit more domestic travel in this role but all-in-all it’s not too

environment and culture.

I would love to play a lead role in growing the Capital Projects team

professions within a large organisation like PwC? One of the great things about working at a large organisation like PwC

there is a need for a certain skill. One week you could be doing work

yourself outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself in a new

your new role?

What opportunities do you see for the cost and commercial

People seamlessly transition across different parts of the business if

feel is highly regarded by clients as it shows you are willing to put

What are your future aspirations and goals in the context of

dissimilar to my last role.

is that you get exposure to a rich and diverse range of engagements.

sector cycles. International experience is also something that I

while helping to improve the State’s infrastructure problems. I would like to be able to look back on my career one day and think that I helped make this city an even better place to live and do business. As a proud Australian and Sydneysider, that would mean a lot to me.

with the consulting team, and the next week you could be assisting the transaction services team. As a global network of firms, cost and commercial professionals with the travel bug can put themselves forwards for assignments in almost any part of the world.

Have you had to adapt as a professional to meet the demands of the role?

I think in this industry you are always adapting. Technological change coupled with an evolution in thinking around best practice for delivering complex projects means you are always learning and always adapting.

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 19

PROJECT

TRANSPORT THE NSW WAY

WHILST VICTORIA HAS BEEN TURNING ITS TR AIN STATIONS GREEN, TR ANSPORT NSW IS ON A MISSION OF ITS OWN. BE TOOK TIME OUT WITH MINISTER GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN TO DISCUSS SYDNEY CONGESTION, INVESTMENT, AND WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR THE TR ANSPORT SYSTEMS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Roads, buses, trains, light rail, ferries; New South Wales has it all, and at its helm is Minister Gladys Berejiklian. Taking on the job of sorting out the state’s transport system four years ago, Minister Berejiklian faced many challenges – and dealing with Sydney’s congestion was right at the top of the list.

Counting the costs of the previous government’s spending, and a lack of trust and public support, this new team needed to fix the problems and take a new approach.

“When I came to the job four years ago, my first task was to rebuild trust with the community and the private sector – the state’s reputation was in tatters after the previous government had spent years announcing and cancelling major transport projects, including wasting $500 million on the Rozelle Metro – a project that never proceeded,” says Minister Berejiklian.

With Sydney in a congestion crisis, the Government needed to develop a clear blueprint for the state’s public transport and roads priorities, and something that was more than a quick fix, and would Minister Gladys Berejiklian

work for the long term.

“Congestion was getting worse and we needed a plan for how we

20 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

Sunshine Railway Station

were going to grow Sydney and keep up with increasing population

non-stop. There has been construction on the light rail system

and demand for services.”

in the Sydney CBD, with plans to extend it through Parramatta

“We worked hard for 18 months when first elected to deliver a Long Term Transport Master Plan. For the first time in NSW, this provided a 20 year blueprint for integrating public transport, roads and freight.”

No one can say Transport NSW has stood still. Over the past four years, new rail and road projects have popped up across the state. From WestConnex to NorthConnex, the changes have been

and Newcastle. The North West Rail Link was the first transport infrastructure project in the country’s history to use four tunnel boring machines at once. The sheer size of this project is impressive, and once opened to the public in the first half of 2019, will form the first stage of Sydney’s brand new rapid transit railway.

“When the North West Rail Link opens, customers will have access to a train every four minutes in the peak and a world-class service on brand new automatic rapid transit trains. Fast, reliable, clean

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 21

PROJECT and modern services never-before seen in Australia – this is the standard our customers expect to see in the country’s only global Footscray Railway Station

city,” continues Berejiklian.

There are now 16 construction sites currently in full swing. It is full steam ahead on the North West Rail Link with underground digging and the three major contracts awarded for tunnelling, and also for the iconic 4 kilometre skytrain and operations. Minister Berejiklian is definitely proud of what has been achieved so far, as well as what the future of this project looks like.

LOOKING FORWARD, TRANSPORT NSW HAS BEEN QUICK TO RECOGNISE THAT THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TOMORROW HAS TO BE CREATED FOR TODAY

“We started this project from scratch and now we have the best from across Australia and around the world working together to deliver this massive engineering feat. This is the future of infrastructure in NSW.” Meanwhile, a four year construction job has just finished in the city’s south west – a new 11.4 kilometre rail line built to service Sydney’s fastest growing region and the future home of Sydney’s second airport.

Looking forward, Transport NSW has been quick to recognise that

schedule and more than $300 million under its $2.1 billion budget.

the transport infrastructure needed tomorrow has to be created

Now that it is open to customers, thousands more jobs and families

for today. With Sydney’s South West growing at an impressive rate

are expected to the move in the region.”

– in just 20 years it is expected to have the same population as Canberra – the South West Rail Link has been built to grow with the community.

So what about the future? Does Transport NSW have more up its sleeve to help battle Sydney’s congestion? With the new Inner West Rail Extension proving to be the transport of choice for a lot of

Including 14 bridges, two new state-of-the-art stations, and 1,250

customers, the government is already preparing to introduce a new

new commuter car spaces for the community, the project also

$2.1 billion light rail network in the CBD and South East.

brought employment and was delivered under budget. This is something we almost never hear of from Government.

“3,000 jobs a year were created during the construction of the South West Rail Link and the project was delivered a year ahead of

And what about the rest of New South Wales?

“It’s impossible to move around NSW now without seeing construction work underway on critical transport links,” explains Minister Berejiklian.

22 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

“In NSW we have also been focused on lifting the standard of

in Western Sydney, we will deliver a 60 per cent increase in capacity

transport services for our customers. Since March 2011 more than

across the network.”

10,500 extra public transport services a week have been delivered across the network. We have rolled out Opal electronic ticketing to trains, buses, ferries and light rail.”

For Minister Berejiklian, the successes of the past are an indication for the state’s future.

“The last four years have demonstrated what can be achieved when

In the eyes of Transport NSW, customers have fallen in love with Opal, with 2.1 million cards now issued and more than 135 million trips made on the new system – the largest geographical rollout of

government focuses on building a world class public transport network,” she concludes.

As the new projects get completed, it will be the public’s turn to

electronic ticketing around the world.

“The next priority infrastructure is a Second Harbour Rail Crossing

judge the true triumph of this government’s legacy.

and extension of rapid transit services under the harbour and west to Bankstown. Together with major upgrades to the train network

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 23

QS KIT

THE FUTURE ISSUE

This issue we are embracing the gadgets, gizmos and accessories that enhance the way we engage with the technology in our lives. Considering how much time we spend “at one” with our phones and computers why not make that time a bit more fun and creative. Here are some ideas to get you started.

MOPHIE SPACE PACK FOR IPHONE 5S/5

LAZEWOOD KEYS FOR MACBOOK PRO

16GB - $179.95, 32GB - $199.95

$40 USD SHIPPED WORLDWIDE FROM SEATTLE, WA

Introducing the world’s first rechargeable battery case with

This is one for the design geeks out there- bringing you the

built-in storage space. Built specifically for the iPhone 5 and 5s,

tactile quality of cherry wood to your keyboard with Lazerwood

the SPACE PACK is a bolt on piece of hardware that gives you

Keys. Created to perfectly compliment the sleek style of Apple’s

a revolutionary 16GB or 32GB of additional storage. It is fully-

MacBook Pro keyboards, they are compatible with all MacBook

charged with the flip of a switch, and will provide an additional

Pro unibody (post 2008) models.

100% of battery life alongside all that extra storage. This is the perfect solution when you’re out and about and draining the battery life out of your device.

It takes a steady hand and some patience but the results are stunning. The thin adhesive-backed wood pieces fix to the keys firmly and the characters and symbols are laser cut with

You can also store, organize and transport all the files you need,

beautiful precision. If you’re careful, removal is possible without

simply by dragging and dropping from a computer with the

damage to the keyboard so you can change up the look of your

additional security measure, of a 4-digit passcode to prevent the

MacBook with ease.

foreign access to any personal files.

Available from the Apple Store nationwide

http://shop.lazerwood.com/collections/keyboards/products/ lazerwood-keys-for-macbook-pro

24 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

IRISCAN BOOK EXECUTIVE – MOBILE SCANNER

DECALS FOR THAT – BATMAN MACBOOK DECAL

$129.00 WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

$2.49 SHIPPED WORLDWIDE

This is one sleek mobile scanning solution that literally fits into

This is a little on the playful side but we couldn’t resist. It is a

your pocket. Battery powered with SD memory it can scan and

great and inexpensive way to inject a dash of personality into your

transfer any file, magazine clipping, invoice, whatever you need,

devices and the range available is incredible. We like the bold and

and transfer the files via Wifi to ANY device (Windows or Mac)

simple design of the Batman range, but the choices are endless.

at the click of a button. It converts all documents to an editable

This is also a great little gift idea for the tech-head who has

PDF, Word, or Excel file so you can access them and amend

everything.

where necessary once back to your desk.

It is one of those devices you never realised how much you needed it until you use and there is no going back!

Enjoy! http://shop.decalforthat.com

http://www.irislink.com

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 25

SOCIAL

FAMILY DAY SOCIAL INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER, MIDDLE EAST DIVISION, DUBAI, THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2015

26 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015

VICTORIAN CHAPTER TENPIN BOWLING 26 FEBRUARY 2015 MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

If you have held or attended an AIQS event in your area and want to feature it in the Social Pages please send the event details and photographs with the names of who is in the picture to editor@buildingeconomist.com.au

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – MARCH 2015 – 27