Celebrating 35 Years with INDESCO

Indesco began providing civil engineering and land development services 40 years ago, branching out into project management, construction phase services, and structural, façade and traffic engineering over time. Indesco has worked on both private and public projects throughout Australia and Southeast Asia, demonstrating extensive skills and experience in all the areas they practice design.

From 2015 to 2022, Indesco worked with their team of subconsultants and Suburban Land Agency (SLA) to deliver the highly successful Taylor residential project, which consisted of over 300 hectares containing 2,500 residential blocks, a P–10 school site and district playing fields. Taylor was a significant Greenfields land development project in the ACT with a total construction value of over $100 million. Indesco was involved throughout the project’s life cycle – from the initial master-planning through to design and documentation of the Estate Development Plan (EDP) across 3 stages and the completion of construction. During the EDP process, Indesco obtained endorsements from all relevant authorities and agencies to the design proposals through diligent documentation and collaborative engagement with all stakeholders.

On completion of the design and approval phase for each stage, Indesco was appointed by the SLA to act as PAP for the superintendence and administration of the 20 separate construction contracts. Using local civil contractors and the framework provided by the GC21 form of contract, Indesco and the SLA established highly collaborative construction project environments with a focus on joint problem solving.

Indesco’s beautiful Acton Waterfront project saw a similar level of success and also took home the CCF Earth Award for 2023 Project of the Year in the ACT. The size of their operations gives them the unique balance of being substantial enough to handle expansive projects, yet small enough to maintain a personal touch, with decision-makers remaining embedded in the day-to-day and fostering direct connections throughout the team. They are also in collaboration with Australian universities developing and testing new technologies, such as rammed earth and mass timber construction.

The Indesco team is fuelled by a genuine passion for design and construction, and united by their aim to shape environments and create a positive impact within our communities.

Congratulations, Indesco.

Asset Construction Hire celebrates the first 12 months of their new general hire branch at 25 Cessnock Street, Fyshwick

Rewind six years, and Asset Construction Hire was a supplier of elevated work platforms, operating from a small commercial yard in the back roads of Queanbeyan.

A lot of has changed since then, and chances are you’ve seen a big blue “A” or three on Cessnock Street in Fyshwick. Yes, with the support of Canberra’s builders and trades, loyal customers and a strong relationship with the MBA, Asset Construction Hire has expanded to offer a complete range of vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment.

Opening in 2023, Asset’s General Hire Branch (lovingly called the Depot by its staff) brought a whole new era of rental to Canberra and its surrounds. Not only is the site stocked with major brands and a plethora of equipment, the entire thought-process of its design and layout was tailored towards customer experience.

Drive in. Get recommendations from experts. Transact with friendly staff on their tablet device. Have a coffee if you like. Drive away. You won’t ever get stuck behind a counter while someone answers an incoming call.

Stocking the shelves with new gear

Need More? You can’t get more Canberran than Nige Johnson. Not only is he a beloved presenter on MIX 106.3 with another dedicated digital radio station in his name, yes... he also joined Asset Construction Hire as brand ambassador in 2023.

Have a look around on Asset’s social media, and you’ll find videos galore of Nige interracting with staff and machinery at Cessnock Street. Everything from instructional videos, to a humble electric lawnmower burnout.

Need more generators, compressors, bobcats, excavators, forklifts, telehandlers, trailers, lawn mowers, wood chippers, concrete tools, motor vehicles, portable toilets, pumps or elevated work platforms?

Chances are that Asset Construction Hire has exactly what you need!

Visit the friendly staff for advice and grab a copy the 2024 Catalogue, or browse for equipment online at www.assethire.com.au instagram.com/assetconstructionhire 25

Monday

Need more? Nige knows who to visit!

EVENT WRAP-UP: Annual Dinner

On Thursday 2 November 2023, Master Builders ACT members and partners gathered at the National Arboretum to celebrate the longstanding members of Master Builders ACT.

Renowned cricketer Holly Ferling emceed on the night as everyone settled happily in The Village Centre, which was named after Village Building Co., who contributed a significant amount to the arboretum during its development. The venue created a fitting atmosphere for the celebration of Bob Winnel’s 30 years of Master Builders ACT Life Membership. Bob is founder and managing director of Village Building Co. and a past treasurer and president of Master Builders ACT.

Master Builders Life Member Paul Murphy of Project Coordination took to the stage to describe Bob’s contributions: ‘his energy and his influence have been a driving force to where we are now’. Bob is an integral part of the ACT building and construction industry and the crowd’s fond respect for him was obvious as he spoke of standout memories during his eventful career.

Fae Haskins presented the inaugural John Haskins AM Memorial Award in honour of her late husband. Fae described John’s career as an ‘outstanding contribution to the [Master Builders] movement as a whole’. John even founded the Master Builders ACT alumni to continue to ensure that mentors were available for anyone seeking advice. You can read more about the remarkable award recipient, Peter Henden, on page 17.

Keynote Speaker Jana Pittman spoke on mental resilience, toiling physically and overcoming pressure to take a chance on a big idea. Jana advised, ‘Never write yourself off… because you don’t think you have it in you.’ She gave insights on her optimistic view of mistakes, including that, if she had won the last Olympic Games she entered, she would not have become a doctor. Much like Fae, Jana stressed the importance of great mentors.

Throughout the night, members were awarded with framed certificates for their considerable milestones. Their dedication and passion ensures that our capital city continues to thrive as an enjoyable space for all who live, work and visit here.

A & A Contractors Pty Ltd

A&J Projects Australia Pty Ltd

ABA Construction Managers (AUST) Pty Ltd

ACTEWAGL Retail

Ahern Construction Dispute Consultants

Calibre Consulting (ACT) Pty Ltd

CBRE (V) Pty Ltd

CE Construction Solutions

Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd

Indesco Pty Limited

Mail McDonald Barnsley Pty Ltd

O’Connor Harris & Co. Pty Limited

Stantec Australia Pty Limited

Upmarket Canberra Pty Ltd

Waco Kwikform Limited

Whiteholme (Canberra) Pty Ltd

Binutti Constructions Pty Ltd

CDH Building Group Pty Ltd

Classic Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd

Colliers International (ACT) Pty Ltd

Country Builders

FGC Developments

Gracious Homes

J

D Bates

Leeden Pty Ltd

RAM Constructions

Regal Homes Australia

Willemsen Constructions (ACT) Pty Ltd

Architects Ring & Associates Pty Ltd

Better Building Services

Chapman Built (CRMB Pty Ltd)

Corkhill Bros Sales Pty Ltd

Custom Plumbing Services Pty Ltd

Decca Building Group Pty Ltd

Domain Design Projects Pty Limited

Ellcon Concrete

G H Constructions Pty Ltd

Lander Homes Pty Ltd

Livingroup Pty Ltd

Mark Hallam Building Services

Milin Builders Pty Limited

Network Development Group Pty Ltd

Sellick Consultants Pty Ltd

Shaw Building Group

Tim Porreca

Victory Homes Pty Limited

A M Building Services

Auscap Group Pty Ltd

Chase Construction (ACT) Pty Ltd

Construction Control Australia Pty Ltd

Design Construct Industries Pty Ltd

Hamson Constructions

Heiniger Joinery

J & F Homes Pty Ltd

J Building

Jim’s Fencing (ACT/Southern NSW)

M & R Investments Pty Ltd

MHK Enterprises

New Age Living Homes

Pedro da Silva

Strawford Builders

Strika Homes Pty Ltd

Tri-Delt Pty Ltd - Quay Building Group

Trussme Pty Ltd

South Jerrabomberra At Tralee

Discover the exciting amenities South Jerra has to offer:

• Dog Park

• Town Park

• Nature Play

• Formal Play

• Learn to Ride Facility

• Splash Pad

• Community Gardens & Orchard

• Outdoor Gym

• Town Centre & Outdoor Dining

Additional amenities:

• Regional Sports Complex

• Highschool

• Jerrabomberra Highschool

Town Park

Outdoor Gym

Community

OUTDOOR DINING

TOWN CENTRE

SPLASH PAD

FORMAL PLAY NATURE PLAY

COMMUNITY CENTRE

LEARN TO RIDE

EVENT WRAP-UP: Excellence Awards Launch

On 23 January 2024, winners and partners of the Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire Excellence Awards gathered at Canberra Grammar School’s Snow Concert Hall –the 2023 Project of the Year. The launch signified 34 years of Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards.

In his welcome address, Master Builders ACT CEO Michael Hopkins described the building as a ‘national-level standard’, congratulating builders Construction Control on their position as a finalist in the national 2023 Master Builders Excellence Awards.

Asset Construction Hire Managing Director Darrell Leemhuis spoke of the importance of the awards and how members of the ACT building and construction industry differentiate themselves from the extremely high-budget projects in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne through their finishings: ‘You don’t need the budget, you need the skills and the passion. That’s it.’

Darrell stated that supporting a cause that gives Members a platform that gets the government talking to the people they need to be speaking to is a ‘no brainer’. He voiced his hope that this advocacy would continue for his family’s fourth generation in the industry, his 17-year-old son Brody, and the next generation in the industry after Brody.

Canberra Grammar School Principal Dr Justin Garrick stated that it was ‘a privilege to host and show off what we’re so proud of’ and that the concept for the project had evolved from a lot of problems. When the school’s population grew to 2,300 students, they outgrew the 1950s gym that they were using as a gathering hall, the building where the auditorium used to stand was crumbling and music lessons were taking place in leaking classrooms from the 1970s. Now, they have a spacious state of the art building.

Justin mentioned the teamwork of the project fondly, citing the ‘shared commitment in it, pride and problem-solving’ and was especially complimentary of the team’s ability ‘to make something special in the midst of many, many, many challenges and to make it on budget too’.

Construction Control Project Manager and 2023 Project Manager of the Year Nick Barnier spoke of how the team turned problems into solutions, using the pandemic as an opportunity to get work done without the school’s high-level restrictions on noise and vibrations, though they were still careful not to disturb the brick foundations of the heritage buildings next to the site. To wrap up the launch, attendees were taken on a site tour by Nick, who is a former student of the school, and Canberra Grammar School Director of Business Kent Peters. The duo advised the group that the concert hall was built for non-amplified acoustic music, with everything down to the prefabricated concrete walls designed for this purpose. The 52-fold concrete moulds ensure that the sound shatters rather than bounces, and the vents placed under every second chair, pump in 35,000L of air per second with no impact on the acoustic quality.

Nick was particularly proud that they had pulled off pouring ‘a 12 meter high suspended slab with no formwork underneath it’ and of the efforts made to ensure that no one would need to risk their safety to access the extremely high ceiling. This includes the use of laser smoke alarms and moving railings to provide easier access to stage lights.

With six international closed concerts held already, the Snow Concert Hall is the finest acoustic venue in the region and a great contributor to the life of the city. All attendees left the event in awe of the project and looking forward to what this year’s finalists will bring to our community.