EDITOR’S WELCOME

As I write this the sector finds itself in a state of flux, with long-held promises of culture change and inclusion finally coming to fruition.

Fittingly, Infrastructure Magazine itself is going through a change of its own – our Editor since November 2017, Jessica Dickers – has moved on and handed the publication to me. I have been editing Infrastructure’s sister magazine Council Magazine for 18 months, and I am excited to delve into one of the nation’s most critical sectors as it moves into a new era.

It seems like perfect timing in a way – I have entered the scene just as the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) pledges to change the industry’s culture for the better. As a young woman entering this sector this is music to my ears, and I can’t wait to bring our audience the latest updates and stories along this journey.

To cover this pledge in more detail, this issue features a op-ed by ACA President Annabel Crookes, discussing the challenges the sector is facing and how it is imperative that it transforms to be more inclusive.

Amanda Rose, Founding Director of Western Sydney Women, also weighs in on the gender ratio in the sector, exploring the issue in her article and offering advice.

Our June issue also highlights the other ways the sector is changing – such as the Australian Airport Association’s (AAA) article covering net-zero being a top priority in the industry; and Healthy

Trucks & Sheds showcasing how mental health can be prioritised and improved in the workplace.

Another hot topic is cyber security, as data breaches become an every-day threat, with the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre explaining the new rules for the industry, and how they affect critical infrastructure operators.

All of the above points to a slow – but steady – change. As we await the results of the Federal Government’s 90-day review of the Infrastructure Investment Program the future may seem uncertain, but historic change for the industry is a non-negotiable.

I look forward to delivering the latest news and content from the sector, and if you have a story idea or a tip, reach out – my digital door is always open.

April Shepherd Editor

A Word From Infrastructure Australia

PAVING THE WAY TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Milk bottles, bread bags, food wrappers and bubble wrap may seem like unlikely source materials for a road project. But 570t of these hard-to-recycle materials – equivalent to the plastic waste collected from 25,000 Victorian households in just one year – was transformed into the noise walls that line Mordialloc Freeway in Victoria. This one story illustrates the possibilities when we stop seeing waste and start seeing wasted potential.

30 AIRPORT COMING INTO LAND: MOVING TOWARDS NET-ZERO AT AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS

Australian airports are striving to achieve emission reduction goals through good planning, new technology and critical investment, with many already on the path to cleaner and greener operations.

READY FOR TAKE-OFF: PAVEMENT STABILISING SOLUTIONS FOR AUSTRALIA’S AIRPORTS

EXPANDING VICTORIA'S REGIONAL AIRPORTS FOR THE 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

A WORD FROM CCF

RESULT BREAKDOWN: 2023 CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET CAPACITY SURVEY

The 2023 Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) National Infrastructure Market Capacity Survey has once again produced valuable data on the productive state of the civil construction industry in Australia.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

WHAT THE AUKUS SUBMARINE DEAL MEANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR – WILL IT TAKE OUR RESOURCES?

FEDERAL BUDGET 2023-24: THE BUSINESS PLAYBOOK

OPINION: WHY A CULTURE TASKFORCE WON’T GET MORE WOMEN INTO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

PAINT THE TOWN GREEN: BUILDING UNIQUE RAIL TRACKS USING GREENERY

The Commonwealth Games are coming to Victoria in 2026, with preparations underway to deliver the infrastructure required to host the grand sporting event. But while stadiums and accommodation are vital, the aviation sector is just as essential to ensuring interstate and international visitors can access the iconic event.

Urban Development

WASTE

NOT, WANT NOT: MRPV’S NEW RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP

Due to the rigorous nature of construction projects, work clothes and personal protective equipment (PPE) experience plenty of wear and tear and are often sent to landfill once considered unwearable. However, initiatives such as the recent partnership between Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV), Seymour Whyte and UPPAREL are enabling these assets to be recycled, creating new possibilities for discarded materials.

CREATING THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST TRUE DIAGONAL ARCH BRIDGE

THE POWER OF A CONNECTED WORKFLOW FOR GEOTECHNICAL SUCCESS

MAJOR CONTRACTORS PLEDGE TO TRANSFORM THE CULTURE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERED: GEELONG’S LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

THE NEW RULES OF CYBER SECURITY: RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NOW REQUIRED Australian businesses and critical infrastructure operators continue to face a deteriorating risk environment – from cyberattacks and ransomware, to fire and flood, malicious insiders and malign foreign powers – there’s no shortage of risks that need to be thought about and managed in the modern era.

HOW SMART TECH HELPS ICONIC TRAM NETWORK DELIVER 500,000 TRIPS A DAY

WHY COLLECTING SUBSURFACE UTILITY INFORMATION IS CRITICAL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

SNOOZE CONTROL: HOW WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY CAN TACKLE FATIGUE

Despite decades of attention and countless safety campaigns, the number of injuries and fatalities on construction worksites remains unacceptably high, however wearable technology could change that.

IS YOUR SURVEILLANCE BEST IN THE MARKET?

1

PORT OF NEWCASTLE DELIVERS FOR AUSTRALIA USING SAAS

CREATING PSYCHOLOGICALLY SAFE WORKING

AUTOMATED AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

CHARGING AUSTRALIA’S EV UPTAKE WITH STRATEGIC INTEGRATION

With the increasing uptake of electric vehicles, researchers at the Reliable, Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (RACE for 2030) are leading a project to demonstrate how strategic integration with Australia’s electricity grid and energy storage is vital for electric vehicle adoption.

4

72

72 FEATURES SCHEDULE NEWS

6 FED GOV TO REVIEW $120B INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE

10 WEST GATE TUNNEL REACHES MILESTONE

12 BRISBANE AIRPORT UNDERTAKES LARGEST INDUSTRIAL PROJECT IN ITS HISTORY

14 FIRST STAGE OF $80M TAS ROAD UPGRADE COMPLETE

14 INLAND RAIL DOUBLE-STACKED TRAINS TAKE ON NEW ROUTE

16 ECOLOGIQ’S GREENER INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE RETURNS FOR 2023!

Shivendra Kumar Principal Consultant, Shivendra & Co

Dr Kumar is the founder of Shivendra & Co, a business consultancy firm that works with small to medium-sized engineering and construction companies to improve performance and maximise growth potential. Shivendra & Co. assists clients on strategy execution, process improvement and digital transformation.

Dr Kumar's mission is to help build thriving businesses that will lead the transformation of the construction industry while concurrently helping develop a future-ready infrastructure delivery ecosystem.

He is also the host of The Competitive Contractor podcast, where he invites infrastructure’s key players to share insights and advice for business success.

Amanda Rose Founding Director, Western Sydney Women

Ms Rose is a founder of six founder of six businesses (since sold one), Australia’s foremost strategic connector, professional development trainer, business consultant and keynote speaker.

Ms Rose is the founding director of Western Sydney Women which is a grassroots organisation committed to advocating for all women in Western Sydney. She is also the founder of Small Business Women Australia, an organisation dedicated to providing a voice for women in small business.

Annabel Crookes President, Australian Constructors Association (ACA) Director - Legal, Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

Ms Crookes has more than 22 years’ experience in the construction industry and, for the last 15 years, has held a number of leadership positions at Laing O’Rourke Australia. She joined the Australian Executive in June 2018, and was the first female Australian Executive.

Ms Crookes was elected as Director of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), and the first female Vice President in December 2019. She has also been a SteerCo member and Industry Lead of the Construction Industry Leadership Forum (CILF), a collaboration between the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, since 2018.

James Goodwin Chief Executive, Australian Airports Association (AAA)

Mr Goodwin is an experienced executive and non-executive director with a corporate affairs and public policy background, with a particular interest in the transport, aviation and infrastructure sectors.

He was appointed Chief Executive of the Australian Airports Association in early 2020 and successfully guided the AAA through one of its most difficult challenges in history.

He continues to lead the AAA in supporting its members and advocating for national airport policy to ensure the nation has a thriving aviation system that is safe, secure, competitive, and environmentally responsible, with a skilled workforce to benefit all Australians and visitors.

A former journalist and news presenter, he worked for major network news outlets in Sydney and Canberra, including several years in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Adam Copp

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Australia

Mr Copp was appointed Acting Chief Executive of Infrastructure Australia in August 2022. An accomplished and transformational public sector leader, he has over 15 years’ experience in the Australian Government holding a range of policy, strategy and public affairs roles across infrastructure, workplace relations and the Council of Australian Governments. Prior to his appointment, Mr Copp was Infrastructure Australia’s Chief Operating Officer.

As Chief Operating Officer, Mr Copp was responsible for leading Infrastructure Australia’s Strategy, Finance, People & Culture and Digital Technology functions. He joined Infrastructure Australia in 2014 and set up the public affairs and stakeholder engagement function, before expanding his role across the other operational functions of the business. He is a passionate advocate for Reconciliation and First Nations engagement.

Oliver

Mr Hill is a Research Program Manager focused on network integration for the RACE for 2030 CRC. RACE for 2030 is an industry led cooperative research centre established in 2020 with $68.5 million of Commonwealth funding – to invest $350 million of resources over ten years to catalyse lower energy costs and a substantial reduction in carbon emissions.

Prior to RACE for 2030 he worked on the development and delivery of collaborative industry initiatives such as the Australian Energy Transitions Initiative and consulted professionally across sustainability, environmental and mining sectors.