Infrastructure Magazine September 2022

Published by

Monkey Media Enterprises

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F: (03) 8456 6720 monkeymedia.com.au info@monkeymedia.com.au infrastructuremagazine.com.au news@infrastructuremagazine.com.au

Editor Jessica Dickers

Assistant Editor Mikayla Bridge

Journalists

Lauren DeLorenzo

Christopher Allan

Holly Tancredi

Stephanie Nestor

National Media and Events Executives

Rima Munafo

Brett Thompson

Design Manager

Alejandro Molano

Designers

Luke Martin

Danielle Harris

Marketing Manager

Radhika Sud

Marketing Associate

Andie James

Digital Marketing Assistant

James Holgate

Jackson Barnes

Publisher Chris Bland

Managing Editor

Laura Harvey

ISSN: 2206-7906

EDITOR’S WELCOME

Recently, the National Civil Contractors Federation did a nationwide survey of its members about current skills and capacity challenges in civil infrastructure. Not surprisingly, it found that the shortage of skilled workers is the number one issue impacting the sector.

The survey results also highlighted the importance of infrastructure procurement reform and the need for government to bring to market a greater number of small to mid-sized infrastructure projects. You can read more findings from the survey on page 20.

One of the other major challenges we explore in this edition is how local and global supply chains can keep up with the massive current and future project pipeline. Thomas Westrup, Economist at BIS Oxford Economics, explores this in-depth in his article on page 22, highlighting the risks should supply chains fail to meet demand and what we can do about it.

However, there are some innovative projects and processes being undertaken across the industry to improve current infrastructure assets and ensure we're moving in the right direction to meet unprecedented growth.

When it comes to asset management, the use of data and digital technologies is providing significant benefits. In this issue, we look at how to make the most out of data, as well as how to improve corrosion management using artificial intelligence, and how digitalisation could solve supply chain challenges in Melbourne.

As always, we’re committed to looking at the sector through a sustainable lens and identifying what needs to be done to improve sustainability, especially in transport infrastructure, which accounts for 18.3 per cent of Australia’s emissions. Have a read of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s article about this on page 46. The risks of not moving fast enough on sustainability have already been seen here and around the world, including with the recent Australian floods.

Issues around culture and mental health are still impacting the construction industry, which is why we’ve dedicated coverage to how we can improve diversity in the infrastructure industry, as well as practical steps on how organisations can be more proactive about mental health at work.

The Infrastructure magazine team is lucky to have strong relationships with key infrastructure leaders as shown by our wonderful contributors, and we also partner with some great industry events that are bringing together key stakeholders in specific sectors. For this edition, we’ve partnered with the ITS Australia Summit 2022 and the Infrastructure Association of Queensland (IAQ) Infrastructure Assembly 2022, and will be distributing the magazine at these key events.

If you have any topics, projects, technologies or challenges you want to see in future editions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Jessica Dickers Editor

Drop me a line at jessica.dickers@monkeymedia.net.au or feel free to call me on 03 9988 4950 to let me know what you think. Don’t forget to follow Infrastructure magazine on social media – find us on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

DATA AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN ASSET MANAGEMENT

In May/June 2022, Civil Contractors Federation National (CCF) undertook a nationwide survey of its members to better understand the skills and capacity challenges facing the civil infrastructure industry to ensure CCF can respond appropriately at a national level.

Fiscal stimulus remains an important chapter in the economic playbook. Governments worldwide have set their sights firmly on public infrastructure investment as a means to spark demand and employment following the coronavirus-induced economic downturn.

Digital technologies are having a significant impact on the way Australia manages its critical infrastructure. As a tool, digital is allowing vast amounts of data to be collected and analysed, resulting in better asset decisions. Here are some of the key discussion points from the ‘Making the most out of data in asset management’ panel at this year’s Critical Infrastructure Summit.

A STANDARDS-CERTIFIED AND COMPLIANT SOLUTION FOR WATERPROOFING AND REHABILITATING BRIDGE DECKS

Bridge decks are continuously exposed to a number of elements that can cause deterioration, creating safety risks for road users, putting the structure’s durability at risk, and reducing its service life. Selecting a proven, standards-certified and locally compliant waterproof bridge deck membrane, such as the Matacryl WPM system, can help protect and repair the structure, while also providing assurance that the product is safe, extensively tested and fit for purpose.

SIGNPOSTS ON THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

KPMG, in collaboration with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Roads Australia, the Australasian Railway Association, Arup and other partners, recently released its report, The journey to net zero, exploring the way forward for Australia’s infrastructure to meet future sustainability challenges.

GLADSTONE PORTS HELPING TO TRANSFORM AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY LANDSCAPE

During the past five years, Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has been strategically planning for the global shift in energy.

INDEX

IMPROVING CORROSION MANAGEMENT THROUGH ARTIFICIAL TECHNOLOGY

Corrosion-related damage to infrastructure in Australia continues to be a growing concern for the construction industry and is estimated to cost a staggering $8 billion each year.

DIGITALISATION: THE KEY TO MELBOURNE'S SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES

In the third report in its Digital CBD Research series, RMIT explores how to utilise innovative emerging technologies to address the supply chain challenges and cybersecurity risks within Melbourne’s CBD.

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S TRANSPORT NETWORK

Hundreds of local, national and international data, transport, vehicle, and infrastructure businesses are set to converge on the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to explore initiatives that will determine a pathway towards an accessible and automated future transport network.

6 NEW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE APPOINTED

8 $500 MILLION TO DEVELOP FASTER RAIL FOR NSW 9 CONSTRUCTION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED 10 ROMILLY MADEW LEAVES INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA 11 SMART TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR BRUCE HIGHWAY 12 LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL PROJECT RECEIVES HIGHEST SUSTAINABILITY RATING 13 DARWIN SHIPLIFT CONTRACTOR ANNOUNCED 14 HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A SEALANT THAT IS FIT FOR PURPOSE?

16 NEW PROJECTS BOOSTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITY LIST

Craig Haymes

CEO, Gladstone Ports Corporation

Craig is a highly experienced civil engineer with more than 30 years of experience in multinational companies across Australia, Canada and the US. He has held numerous senior executive positions with ExxonMobil and INPEX and has been involved in the implementation and operations of major projects and assets in environmentally sensitive areas in multiple regions and countries.

Craig has a reputation for leadership, business operations, project management, sustainability performance and corporate governance, all with a focus on environmental protection and maintaining a safe workplace. He is also passionate about volunteering and participating in the community in which he lives and works.

Dr Ingrid Johnston

Chief Executive Officer, Australasian College of Road Safety

Dr Ingrid Johnston is a passionate advocate for social justice and health. With an extensive network across government, academia and non-government organisations, Ingrid is an experienced and accomplished advocate and campaigner.

Ingrid was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian College of Road Safety in May 2021 and is actively engaged in supporting the advocacy and knowledge sharing work of the College members. Ingrid is also a Director on the Board of the Climate and Health Alliance, a coalition of health care stakeholders with a mission to build a powerful health sector movement for climate action and sustainable healthcare.

Fleur Laurence

Integrated Infrastructure Partner, PwC

Fleur is an Integrated Infrastructure Partner based in Sydney. She is a highly experienced engagement practitioner with over 20 years’ experience working in community and stakeholder engagement, strategic, corporate and risk communications, media relations, and as a journalist. Fleur knows great infrastructure can be and should be positively life changing for current and future generations.

She is passionate about engaging communities and stakeholders early in major infrastructure projects to shape sustainable social and economic outcomes for people and the environment. Fleur has led and worked on a range of high profile and challenging infrastructure programs and projects, predominantly in energy and transport, across all project and program stages.

Contributors

Simon Hickey

Chief Executive Officer, Western Sydney Airport (WSA)

A senior executive of more than 30 years across aviation, construction and retail, Simon Hickey leads the team developing the business and infrastructure for Sydney’s new airport, Western Sydney International.

With a focus on transformational customer experience and big data, Simon approaches the once-in-a-generation challenge of building a greenfield airport determined to set a new benchmark for passengers, airlines and air cargo operators, and inspired by the project’s purpose as the catalyst for socio-economic uplift for the people of Western Sydney.

As former chief executive of Qantas International and Freight, Simon led the return to profitability of this global employer of almost 9,000, establishing new network alliances, improving aircraft utilisation and increasing customer advocacy for the flagship Australian brand.

Bringing together customer experience and data analytics to drive strategies based on human and data-centric insights, Simon’s leadership transformed Qantas’ loyalty program from its origins of 20 people in direct marketing to a separate, independent business that is now valued at over $3 billion.

Ainsley

Simpson Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC)

Ainsley joined ISC in May 2016, bringing exceptional management, leadership and business experience, underpinned by a strong science and sustainable resource management technical background. Ainsley is an experienced executive with a distinctive track record in professional services.

Ainsley was an executive at Pacific Environment, Strategic Environmental Focus and Coffey International. Now at ISC, Ainsley works across the infrastructure industry to advance sustainable outcomes through the deployment and development of the IS rating scheme. She also oversees ISC’s learning and development portfolio aimed at building marketing capability across industry.

Ainsley is committed to making a real impact in organisations that anchor in their core values, develop their people and support the advancement of women with leadership aspirations.

Chris Melham

Chief

Executive Officer,

Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) National

Chris has accumulated over 30 years’ experience as an industry advocate within the not-for- profit industry association sector. He has represented a number of industries at state, federal and international levels including agriculture, transport and logistics and currently the Australian civil infrastructure sector.

In his capacity as the Civil Contractors Federation National CEO, Chris also sits on a number of high level Federal Government Advisory Committees representing the interests of CCF and the sector, including: Australian Government Security of Payments Working Group; Australian Taxation Office Fuel Schemes Advisory Group; National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Industry Reference Forum; Standards Australia Council; and the Australian Construction Industry Redundancy Trust Fund.

Catherine King is the new Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, with Carol Brown as Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

Catherine King replaced Barnaby Joyce.

NEW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE APPOINTED

Government. ALC has worked closely with Minister King during her time as Shadow Minister and we are confident that her understanding of the industry will serve the sector well.

Civil Contractors Federation National (CCF) also welcomed Ms King’s appointment.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled,” Ms King said.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues in the states, territories and across local governments to deliver the projects and the reforms that will make a real difference to the lives of all Australians.”

Industry leaders from across different sectors welcomed the appointment and the opportunity to work with the newlyelected Federal Government to tackle issues around supply chains, civil infrastructure and transportation.

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed the appointments to portfolios that are critical to Australia’s freight and logistics supply chain.

ALC CEO, Brad Williams, welcomed the opportunity to continue discussions with the new government on the importance of the supply chain to Australia’s economy.

“This is an important time for the sector and we look forward to working collaboratively with Prime Minister Albanese’s new government,” Mr Williams said.

“We welcome the appointment of Catherine King as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local

CCF Chief Executive Officer, Chris Melham, said the CCF looks forward to working with her and the Government in addressing ongoing infrastructure investment and policy reforms to further strengthen the sector’s ability to contribute to Australia’s economic growth.

“Ms King has held senior roles in both Opposition and Government relating to the transport and infrastructure portfolio and therefore has extensive experience and understanding of the challenges, opportunities and solutions facing the civil infrastructure sector,” Mr Melham said.

The Australian Airports Association (AAA) congratulated the new federal ministry and said it looks forward to working with them to build on the strengths of the airport industry.

AAA Chief Executive, James Goodwin, said he looks forward to a continued focus on efficient and safe infrastructure that meets the needs of the community and economy.

“The new ministry will provide an opportunity to refocus the policy and regulatory settings for the airport sector at a crucial time to rebuild and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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$500 MILLION TO DEVELOP FASTER RAIL FOR NSW

The New South Wales Government has committed $500 million to help build fast rail connections between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle.

The funding will go to the first stage of the Northern Corridor, helping build two new electrified rail tracks between Tuggerah and Wyong, new platforms and station upgrades, new bridges including over the Wyong River and safeguarding future fast rail connections to the north and south, subject to agreement with the new Federal Government.

The New South Wales Government commitment is conditional on $500

million in matched funding from the Federal Government that was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prior to the federal election.

New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet, said the State Government’s Fast Rail vision could slash travel times between Sydney and Newcastle to one hour, Sydney and Gosford to 25 minutes and Sydney to Wollongong in just 45 minutes.

“This investment will improve reliability and increase capacity in the rail network, helping deliver better services closer to home for the people on the Central Coast as we plan a brighter future for the people across the state,” Mr Perrottet said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the New South Wales Government’s commitment for rail improvements on the Central Coast builds on a Federal Government commitment to this part of the state.

“This is in addition to the $300 million investment in the state-of-the-art rail maintenance yard in Kangy Angy, which has helped create over 90 full time jobs for Central Coast locals,” Mr Crouch said.

Site investigations as part of the project are scheduled to commence before the end of 2022.

he Sydney Metro City & Southwest Tunnel and Station Excavation (TSE) Works by John Holland, CPB Contractors and Ghella Joint Venture was announced the winner of the 2022 Australian Construction Achievement Award (ACAA).

The project included a whopping 15.5km twin rail tunnel, dive structures and six complex underground stations between Chatswood and Sydenham, including the first rail tunnels under Sydney Harbour.

The project, which achieved the highest ever ISC Infrastructure Sustainability rating, saw a team of 11,000 people work in challenging geotechnical conditions alongside heritage and live transport infrastructure.

The works were further complicated by the numerous existing infrastructure assets under the harbour, mining under heritage buildings and the design and construction of massive bespoke formwork for an underground station that won International Awards.

The ACAA is in its 25th year and was hosted by the Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia. Australian Constructors Association CEO, Jon Davies, said that despite many challenges, the industry continues to rise to the occasion.

“This year’s winner delivered several Australian firsts that would not have been possible without the one team culture established from the outset. All finalists have demonstrated that our industry is at its best when it works together,” Mr Davies said.

Other ACAA Finalists included:

♦ Additional Works Package 1 – Cheltenham and Mentone Level Crossing Removal Project, Victoria by Southern Program Alliance: Acciona, Coleman Rail, WSP, Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) and the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP)

♦ Mordialloc Freeway, Victoria by McConnell Dowell, Decmil Group and Major Road Projects Victoria

♦ Quay Quarter Tower, Circular Quay, New South Wales by Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd

♦ The Regency Road to Pym Street Project, South Australia by R2P Alliance – Department for Infrastructure and Transport, McConnell Dowell, Arup and Mott MacDonald

♦ Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade, New South Wales by Pacific Complete – Laing O’Rourke and WSP

ROMILLY MADEW LEAVES INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

Romilly Madew has left her position as Infrastructure Australia’s Chief Executive to take up the role of Chief Executive of Engineers Australia.

Infrastructure Australia Chair, Col Murray, said, ”Romilly has been an outstanding Chief Executive for Infrastructure Australia and we will miss her leadership, collaborative approach and skills.

“Under her leadership, Infrastructure Australia has strengthened the Infrastructure Priority List and refreshed Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework, broadening the Assessment Criteria to allow for more holistic reviews of a proposal’s potential benefits, in addition to those that can be monetised through traditional cost-benefit analysis.

“During her time as CEO, Romilly oversaw the publication of the 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit, 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan and provided support to the Australian Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all highly regarded pieces of work to drive economic

growth, maintain and enhance our standard of living, and improve the resilience and sustainability of nationally significant infrastructure.

“Romilly has also led a range of new initiatives for Infrastructure Australia, including our Infrastructure Market Capacity program, Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps and Delivering Outcomes research and implementation of our first Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Ms Madew said, “I am extremely proud that I have been able to lead Infrastructure Australia over the past three and a half years with all that we have accomplished, and I am looking forward to seeing a new CEO appointed to take Infrastructure Australia even further.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with Federal, state and territory government officials to drive transformation across the infrastructure sector and appreciated their willingness to authentically collaborate.”

Infrastructure Australia’s board has announced Adam Copp as its new Acting Chief Executive Officer.

An accomplished and transformational public sector leader, Mr Copp has over 15 years’ experience in a range of policy, strategy and public affairs roles in Australian Government agencies across infrastructure, workplace relations and the Council of Australian Governments, and is currently Infrastructure Australia’s Chief Operating Officer.

As Chief Operating Officer, Mr Copp has led Infrastructure Australia’s Strategy, Finance, Risk, People & Culture and Digital Technology functions.

Mr Copp has also worked for more than a decade in strategic stakeholder engagement and government relations roles, including creating and leading Infrastructure Australia’s public affairs and government relations functions.

Mr Copp is an Advisory Board member to Deakin University, Chair of Infrastructure Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan and holds qualifications in policy, law and business.

SMART TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR BRUCE HIGHWAY

Additional smart traffic management technologies will be installed along a 60km stretch of the Bruce Highway to allow agencies to monitor and respond to changing traffic and weather conditions.

The additional Smart Motorways technology rollout along the Bruce Highway has started between the Pine River and Caloundra Road.

Ramp signals, variable speed limit and message signs, vehicle detection systems and CCTV cameras will allow agencies to proactively monitor and respond to changing conditions such as crashes, wet weather or heavy traffic conditions in real time.

These works are part of the $105 million Bruce Highway – Managed Motorways Stage 2 – Gateway Motorway to Caloundra Road Interchange project, which is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis by the Federal and Queensland Governments. Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said through Federal Government investment, motorists can expect to see improvements in safety, efficiency and reliability along this busy stretch.

“As part of our commitment to improving the safety and performance of our national highways, the Federal Government has allocated $84 million towards this project, which is part of the 15-year, $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program,” Ms King said.

“Resilient and reliable transport is the backbone of the nation – delivering this type of infrastructure creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity.”

Queensland Deputy Premier and Member for Murrumba, Steven Miles, said it’s great to work with the Federal Government to deliver this $105 million project for the people of Murrumba.

“This technology will significantly improve the reliability of travel times on the stretch through to Caloundra Road, making it easier for locals to travel,” Mr Miles said.

The project will install wireless traffic sensors at priority locations along the highway to monitor vehicle travel times, traffic flow and speed. These traffic sensors will provide the coverage and resolution necessary to accurately monitor the highway’s performance in real time.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said the investment in new technologies is keeping cars moving right across the state.

“This next stage will expand on the success of the program between Pine Rivers and Uhlmann Road by continuing through to Caloundra Road,” Mr Bailey said.

Targeted vegetation clearing, site establishment, investigative works and earthworks will also be occurring at various locations along the project corridor.

Preparations are currently underway around CabooltureBribie Island Road to widen the southbound entry ramp to the Bruce Highway and install a suite of technologies, including ramp signalling, variable speed limit signs and a new shared path across the highway.

Works are expected to be completed in 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting.

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The Bell to Moreland level crossing removal project has received the highest sustainability rating and green star rating for works completed at Moreland and Coburg Stations in Melbourne.

LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL PROJECT RECEIVES HIGHEST SUSTAINABILITY RATING

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) has awarded the Moreland level crossing removal project in Melbourne its highest rating ever, with a score of 98 points for sustainability.

Additionally, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has awarded Coburg Station a six-star green star result – making it Australia’s first As Built six-star train station.

The score of 98 points for the Moreland project, which established two Melbourne Cricket Grounds worth of open space (the unique Victorian unit of measurement) under the new elevated rail line, is the highest As Built rating ever to be awarded by the ISC.

ISC ratings are calculated by assessing sustainability elements, covering everything from environmental management to stakeholder participation, climate change resilience, community health and wellbeing, and the design and protection of heritage buildings.

The ratings are scored out of 100, with ten bonus points available for innovation.

Green Star is a sustainability rating awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). It’s an

internationally recognised rating system that assesses the sustainability outcomes from the design and construction of new buildings or major refurbishments.

The Bell to Moreland project involved the removal of four dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne’s north, including Moreland Road in Brunswick as well as Reynard Street, Munro Street and Bell Street in Coburg.

Two new state-of-the-art stations were built at Coburg and Moreland, and 2.5km of new open space was welcomed by the community, including walking and cycling paths with bike repair stations, active equipment, playgrounds and dog parks.

Some of the sustainability highlights on the Bell to Moreland project include:

♦ Use of eMesh in the footpaths around the stations. EMesh uses 100 per cent recycled synthetic fibres to reinforce concrete

♦ Energy and water monitoring systems

♦ Solar panels at Coburg Station

♦ Water sensitive urban design

♦ Woody Meadows, plantings of Australian native flora throughout the project

Melbourne’s Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings from across the city by 2025.

DARWIN SHIPLIFT CONTRACTOR ANNOUNCED

Aconstruction contractor for the multi-million dollar Darwin Shiplift project has been announced, following the success of its design and construction tender.

Following a two year procurement process, a joint venture between Clough and BMD has been confirmed as the project’s preferred contractor.

The shiplift will be able to service large vessels including those involved in coastal shipping, offshore petroleum, fishing, pearling, and Defence and Border Force operations. It will be 103m long and capable of lifting vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes in weight.

The first vessels are anticipated to use the shiplift by October 2024, with the facility to be completed in 2025.

The Northern Territory Government forecasts the project will employ around 250 people at peak construction, and will generate and support hundreds more jobs in the maritime support sector when the shiplift is operating.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King, said the announcement is a significant development for the Northern Territory, and ensures design and construction on the project can soon get underway for Darwin Harbour.

“The announcement of the preferred contractor means the design and construction of the shiplift can proceed as soon as the contract terms are finalised,” Ms King said.

“The NAIF has been an early and long-term supporter of the shiplift project, and has committed $300 million in loans for the project in the East Arm precinct.”

Colin Picton, ANZ Product Segment Specialist for Waterproofing & Sealants at Fosroc, said sealants are viewed by some as a 'commodity' product, but Fosroc doesn’t see it that way.

"We have polyurethanes, hybrids, silicones, polysulfides and now a polyurea sealant," Mr Picton said.

“It is imperative that sealants are specified and installed correctly.”

SILICONES

The Fosroc Nitoseal SC silicone range offers sealants for infrastructure, general construction, and other specialist requirements such as anti-pick sealants for prisons, bio resistance and AS4020:2018 potable water compliance.

For concrete cladding, its new product Fosroc Nitoseal SC100 offers huge benefits for multi-residential projects. A big difference to other products is that it won't bleed colour into the concrete.

“We think it's the best cladding sealant on the market," Mr Picton said.

POLYURETHANES

Polyurethane sealants are well known in the ANZ market and are used in many projects, from home renovations right through to large general construction projects. Fosroc Nitoseal PU polyurethane sealants enable gunning up to three times faster than other PU sealants on the market, especially in colder climates.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A SEALANT THAT IS FIT FOR PURPOSE?

When choosing a sealant that is fit for purpose, achieving the right movement capability is one factor, but what about chemical resistance, UV stability, paintability, fire ratings and compliance with potable water standards? Here is a quick guide on how to find the right sealant for your next project.

"Helping applicators get the job done faster with less clean-up is the key benefit of choosing Fosroc Nitoseal PUs compared to other PUs," Mr Picton said.

SILYL MODIFED POLYMER (HYBRIDS)

With no isocyanate, low odour and very low VOC, Fosroc Nitoseal MS250 and MS400 are elastomeric joint sealants that comprise a blend of silicone and polyurethane. As environmental credentials become increasingly important, Mr Picton believes Fosroc's hybrid sealants can play a key role in the construction industry.

"Our hybrids use polymer technology to blend silicone and polyurethane. They are friendlier on the world and the user, compared to PUs," Mr Picton said.

"Excellent weathering and adhesion performance are key physical benefits. Effectively, they offer the best elements of both polyurethane and silicone sealants."

Hybrids can also be painted over, unlike straight PU sealants that can suffer from plasticizer bleed, resulting in discoloration and a tacky surface that attracts dirt and dust.

POLYSULFIDES

For infrastructure requiring fuel resistance, specifiers can look to Fosroc’s Thioflex 555 and Thioflex 600. Thioflex is a trusted solution for roads, airfields and refuelling stations, bridges, car parks and transport hubs, as they are fast curing which minimises facility down time.

POLYUREA

A brand new product in the ANZ market, Nitoseal PY350 is a two-part, gun-applied, hybrid polyurea that offers excellent return to service times and wheel-resistant hardness for concrete floors in retail, warehousing, bunds and other industrial settings.

"It will be fully cured within two hours, compared to days and weeks for more traditional sealants," Mr Picton said.

"It also cures very hard. It's the ideal choice to handle forklift wheels, for example."

Fosroc’s

• Gun grade sealants – suitable for use in vertical and horizontal joints, including potable water storage

• Fire rated, fuel resistant, chemical resistant and biodegradation resistant sealants

• Pouring grade sealants – designed exclusively for horizontal joints in floors and pavements

Future Proof.

NEW PROJECTS BOOSTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE

PRIORITY LIST

Infrastructure Australia published its June 2022 update to the Infrastructure Priority List – a national guide to the top investment opportunities for developing Australia’s cities and regions over the next 15 years. Here, we break down some of the key additions to the List, including two new investment-ready proposals in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

Amid-year update to Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) Infrastructure Priority List will continue to steer Australia’s infrastructure sector towards critical projects for the next fifteen years. The 30 new entries to the List include 25 early-stage proposals (Stage 1), three potential investment option proposals (Stage 2), and two investment-ready proposals (Stage 3).

A statement from Infrastructure Australia emphasised that this update reflects a greater focus on “delivering resilient rail and road connections in regional Australia, enhancing the efficiency and connectivity of our transport networks, and promoting development in northern Australia.”

The transport sector is well-represented in the update, with 23 of the 30 new additions relating primarily to the transport sector.

The Infrastructure Priority List is a credible pipeline of unfunded nationally significant proposals. A living and collaborative document, the list is open to proposal submissions at any time and is guided by IA’s Assessment Framework.

TWO NEW INVESTMENT-READY PROPOSALS

A key outcome of this update is the inclusion of two new investment-ready proposals (Stage 3). The Stage 3 grading reflects that they are solutions recommended for Federak investment following the development of a strong business case independently assessed by Infrastructure Australia.

1. Australia-Asia PowerLink (Sun Cable)

The first of the new proposals is the Australia-Asia PowerLink project, a $35 billion investment that would establish an international solar export industry in the Northern Territory.

Singapore-based Sun Cable has laid forth its plans to establish a giant solar PV farm and battery energy storage complex on a 12,000-hectare site in the Northern Territory. The solar farm would have a generational capacity between 17GW and 20GW, with the storage system sized between 36GWh and 42GWh.

The solar complex will link with Singapore through a 5,000km transmission network, including a 800km overhead transmission line from the solar complex to Darwin and a 4,200km submarine cable from Darwin to Singapore.

The Australia-Asia PowerLink project is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power more than three million homes a year – or up to 15 per cent of Singapore’s electricity needs.

The listing of the Australia-Asia PowerLink project as a Stage 3, investment-ready project ready for Federal support

could spark a world-first project in intercontinental electricity trade, while also establishing a major growth industry for the Northern Territory in large-scale, dispatchable renewable energy exports.

Sun Cable hopes to reach financial close on the project by early 2024, with construction to start in the same year. The first electricity is expected to be supplied to Darwin in 2027, with the project to be fully operational by 2029.

2. Circular Quay Renewal (NSW Government)

The second of the two new investment-ready proposals is the Circular Quay Renewal project, a project from the New South Wales Government that would transform an iconic gateway to Sydney’s many cultural destinations.

Despite Circular Quay’s strategic importance, the transport infrastructure is aging and non-compliant, amenity is poor and public spaces are disjointed, detracting from the experience for the millions of people who visit and travel through the area every year.

The Circular Quay Renewal project would revitalise Circular Quay as both a vital public transport interchange as well as a popular public space.

The renewal involves updating the transport infrastructure and amenities, activating public spaces, and improving retail offerings and the overall quality of the public domain.

The three aims of the Circular Quay Renewal project are to:

1. Strengthen Sydney’s location as a ‘destination of choice’ that activates the public domain, growing the local and tourist economy

2. ‘Celebrate Country’ by renewing Circular Quay under a shared vision that welcomes everyone and highlights the historical and cultural significance of the area

3. Integrate sustainable, whole-of-life initiatives into the form, function and operation of Circular Quay

Key deliverables in the proposal include: five new finger wharves and a new Wharf 1, an upgraded Circular Quay Station, 14,500m² of additional public space, conservation of heritage items and views highlighting the cultural significance of the area, and a new program of major events.

The funding proposal for the Circular Quay Renewal project would see the New South Wales and Federal governments each contribute $486.5 million.

The indicative delivery timeframe for the proposal would see works commence in 2022, before start of Construction in January 2025, with project completion by Q2 2028.

The full list of all 30 new proposals added to the Infrastructure Priority List in June, is provided on the next page.

Stage 1: 25 EarlY-stage Proposals

New South Wales zero emissions buses – NSW Government

Greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and noise pollution associated with diesel-powered public buses in NSW

Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula transport connectivity – NSW Government

Poor connectivity to and from precincts in Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula, limiting ease of movement

NSW heavy vehicle rest stops provision – NSW Government

Insufficient or inadequate infrastructure to allow drivers of heavy vehicles to stop and rest across NSW

NSW Inland Rail interface improvements – NSW Government

Ensuring interoperability between the Country Regional Network and Inland Rail to maximise productivity and efficiency of freight movements from regional NSW to domestic and export markets

Sheahan Bridge (Hume Highway) upgrade – NSW Government

Strength limitations on the northbound Sheahan Bridge at Gundagai are constraining High Productivity Vehicle movements on the Hume Highway

Mulgoa Road upgrade – NSW Government

High levels of congestion and safety risks on Mulgoa Road in Western Sydney

Parramatta North health and innovation precinct (Stage 1)

– NSW Government

Opportunity to redevelop Government-owned land in Parramatta North, capitalising on the redevelopment of Westmead and the Parramatta Light Rail

Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) growth area enabling infrastructure – NSW Government

Opportunity to co-ordinate delivery of infrastructure to support sustainable growth in Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula

M1 Pacific Motorway northbound capacity (Wahroonga to Mt Colah) – NSW Government

Extreme congestion on the M1 Pacific Motorway between the existing North Connex portal and Mt Colah

Melbourne intermodal terminal capacity – VIC Government

Existing intermodal terminal capacity in Melbourne is unable to service Inland Rail trains (1,800m long, double-stacked)

Melbourne middle and outer suburban transport connectivity

– VIC Government

Melbourne's monocentric urban form is constraining the economic potential of Melbourne's middle and outer suburbs

Ipswich City Centre cross river connectivity and network resilience – Ipswich City Council

Strong forecast population growth and a single river crossing is expected to place increasing pressure on the transport network in Ipswich

Southern Gold Coast-northern Tweed transport connectivity – QLD Government

Limited route choice and public transport options, as well as high car dependency will exacerbate existing congestion with population growth

South East Queensland intermodal terminal capacity – QLD Government

Existing intermodal terminals in SEQ are restricted in their ability to service Inland Rail trains (1,800m long, double-stacked)

Active transport connections across the Brisbane River – Brisbane City Council

Within the inner-city, current and forecast employment and housing growth exacerbate traffic congestion as a high proportion of short trips are by private vehicles. This is partly due to the Brisbane River being a physical barrier to journeys between strategic centres, including the Brisbane CBD

Sunshine Coast transport connectivity - CaloundraMaroochydore – QLD Government

Strong population growth, a constrained road network and limited transport options are contributing to congestion between Caloundra and Maroochydore

Pilbara energy transmission and storage infrastructure

– WA Government

A lack of energy transmission and storage infrastructure across the Pilbara in WA

Western Australia Coastal hazards adaption – WA Government

Increasing coastal erosion and inundation risks across WA

Great Eastern Highway improvements – WA Government

Deteriorating road conditions, increasing travel times, aging bridges and relatively high road maintenance costs on the Great Eastern Highway

Ord East Kimberley irrigation expansion – WA Government

Opportunity to upgrade and extend irrigation channels to expand irrigated crops in the Ord River Irrigation Area in North-West WA and the Keep River Plains in North-East NT

Perth active transport improvements – WA Government

Worsening road congestion, high private vehicle use and a lack of dedicated active transport connections that link key strategic centres in Perth

Fremantle to Murdoch and Cockburn Central transport capacity

– South West Group

Limited high priority public transport services to connect employment centres and tourism hubs with major residential and commercial developments. This proposal is an expansion to the previous Fremantle to Murdoch transport capacity listing.

Adelaide's outer ring and inner-city capacity improvement – SA Government

Increasing population growth in Adelaide is expected to increase congestion and travel times in the suburbs surrounding inner-Adelaide, to the CBD, as well as impact freight productivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This proposal is an expansion to the previous Adelaide's outer ring capacity improvement listing.

Disaster Early Warning & Communications Infrastructure

– Infrastructure Australia

As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increase due to climate change, early warning systems present an opportunity to improve the safety and wellbeing of communities in high-risk zones

Regional road and rail freight corridor resilience

– Infrastructure Australia

During severe natural disasters, regional and remote communities are often isolated due to corridor closures on the National Land Transport Network (NLTN)

Stage 2: 3 Potential Investment Option Proposals

M1 Pacific Motorway capacity; Eight Mile Plains to Tugun – QLD Government

Options analysis for the section between Daisy Hill and Loganholme aligns with the requirements of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework

Great Northern Highway improvements: Broome to Kununurra – WA Government

The proponent has demonstrated that a program of road upgrades to the existing highway is the most appropriate response to the problems and opportunities they have identified

Land transport access between Karratha and Tom Price

- Manuwarra Red Dog Highway – WA Government

The proponent has identified and assessed a wide range of options to improve land transport access between Karratha and Tom Price.

Stage 3: 2 Investment-ready Proposals

Australia-Asia PowerLink (updated from the existing listing for NT large-scale solar generation) – Sun Cable

The public outcomes to the Australian community from the Australia-Asia PowerLink proposal are highly positive. The benefits are premised on the proposal being largely developed on a commercial basis with private funding. The realization of benefits is dependent on the proponent achieving contracted energy supply

Circular Quay precinct renewal (new listing) – NSW Government

The proposal demonstrates alignment with local and state government strategies and priorities, and embeds a place-based, holistic approach to investment that activates the broader precinct. We consider the economic appraisal to provide a thorough assessment of the economic merits of the proposal, and that, on balance, it is expected to deliver net economic benefits to society

SHINING A LIGHT ON CAPACITY IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

by Chris Melham, Chief Executive Officer, Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) National

In May/June 2022, Civil Contractors Federation National (CCF) undertook a nationwide survey of its members to better understand the skills and capacity challenges facing the civil infrastructure industry to ensure CCF can respond appropriately at a national level.

The CCF Infrastructure Market Capacity Survey was undertaken against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable international economy which is impacting the domestic economy, including higher input prices and a shortage of materials.

CCF also undertook the survey at a time of unprecedented growth in infrastructure projects at the federal, state and local government levels.

Results of the survey will be provided to the Federal Government, including its independent advisor Infrastructure Australia, which is currently developing its second Market Capacity Report due for release later this year.

CCF’s online survey, which was undertaken in each state and territory, focused on obtaining industry data across three key areas:

♦ The market capacity of the civil construction industry

♦ The civil construction industry’s ability to undertake additional projects now, and into the future

♦ Any resource constraints affecting civil construction companies

RESCALING, NOT REDUCING

The results of the survey make for interesting reading.

They confirm that more than half of the companies surveyed could take on additional work, and that more than three quarters of companies could ‘scale up’ to meet additional work within six months.

To maximise this capacity, however, governments need to bring to market a greater number of small to mid-sized infrastructure projects, including in rural and regional Australia.

‘Rescaling, not reducing’, and smoothing of the infrastructure pipeline, are significant survey outcomes.

Now more than ever before, in light of the current market conditions, governments need to disaggregate or de-bundle large infrastructure projects

to facilitate greater participation from tier two and tier three head contractors.

On this point, CCF looks forward to working collaboratively with the incoming Federal Government on its ‘Buy Australian Plan’, which recognises the importance of infrastructure procurement reform to increase Australia’s sovereign capability.

This important policy, which CCF backed prior to the election, acknowledges the economic benefits of breaking up large contracts where possible to allow tier two, tier three, tier four and smaller SMEs an opportunity to bid for civil infrastructure tenders.

This is consistent with findings of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities’ report Government procurement: A sovereign security imperative

The survey also found that price escalation is a growing concern for industry, which reinforces CCF’s argument that industry should not be expected to bear a disproportionate burden of unavoidable price escalations.

CCF believes there needs to be a greater level of collaboration between industry and government for both parties to take on a proportionate level of risk.

The survey also highlighted concerns with red tape, such as slow environmental approvals, as a major concern for industry, and one which is hindering efforts to meet a growing infrastructure pipeline.

SKILLS SHORTAGE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE

The most significant finding of the survey, however, related to the availability of skilled tradespeople and professionals.

Survey respondents were asked to rank a number of threats to the delivery of infrastructure projects, ranging from the availability of products such as precast concrete products and sand or quarry products, through to the availability of skilled and unskilled labour.

In each state and territory, the highest ranked issue was the availability of local skilled tradespeople and professionals to undertake construction projects.

This finding provides clear evidence that urgent action is required in a number of key areas.

Currently, civil employers, apprentices and VET providers are significantly disadvantaged as they continue to be omitted from Federal Government skills and training programs.

Civil occupations need to be accurately reflected on the Australian

New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which is an important step towards addressing skill issues.

This will enable civil occupations to be included on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List and therefore eligible for funding under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

Action in this area is a critical first step in addressing the looming skills crisis facing the civil construction industry.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently reviewing the ANZSCO, including a targeted update of construction-related trades occupations.

This provides an excellent opportunity to improve the accuracy and coverage of how these occupations are described in ANZSCO, which in turn will support industry’s efforts to attract, retain and skill up the industry’s future workforce.

ACTION NEEDED NOW

Failure to act however will impact on industry’s ability to efficiently deliver Australia’s growing civil infrastructure

pipeline, including our roads, rail, bridges, pipelines, drainage, ports and utilities.

More broadly, the findings of CCF’s survey highlight the need for closer engagement and collaboration between industry and governments to address ongoing infrastructure investment and policy reforms.

As such, CCF will continue to push for a federally-led infrastructure consultative body that provides a seat at the table for industry and government to work collaboratively in addressing the many challenges facing the sector, including procurement reform, the rising cost of materials, skill shortages, and the efficient delivery of Australia’s infrastructure pipeline.

From CCF’s perspective, one first item of business for this consultative body should be an analysis of the results of the CCF Infrastructure Market Capacity Survey and a development of strategies to help, not hinder, the sector’s ability to contribute to Australia’s economic growth and capacity.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

FISCAL STIMULUS IN THE GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION

MARKET

by Thomas Westrup, Economist, BIS Oxford Economics

Fiscal stimulus remains an important chapter in the economic playbook. Governments worldwide have set their sights firmly on public infrastructure investment as a means to spark demand and employment following the coronavirus-induced economic downturn.

The benefits of infrastructure investment are underpinned by the key assumption that projects can be delivered on time, on budget and on scope. But what if the avalanche of project announcements and growing pipeline of work is too great for local or global supply chains to keep up with?

As supercharged infrastructure construction demand is set to push total construction market activity beyond previous peaks, there is no guarantee that supply will be able to rise to the occasion.

In Australia, this has been highlighted by Infrastructure Australia in its recent Market Capacity Report, wherein a near doubling in public infrastructure investment over the next three years will drive exceptional increases in demand for labour, plant, equipment and materials.

In the case of construction, it isn’t often apparent if there is spare capacity in the supply of materials, plant or labour until after the contract has been signed or the build commences, with risks of project delays or higher prices often borne by the contractor.

Capacity issues have been further exacerbated by the unique challenges of the coronavirus outbreak – varying levels of movement restrictions on internal and overseas migration have limited key sources of skilled labour over the past two years.

These constraints can be amplified in regional areas – where supply chains are generally geared to cater for a particular, usually mild, level of demand.

Other international factors are already straining capacity and raising resource costs – the rebound in demand for energy commodities following the global easing of lockdowns,

coupled with sanctions on Russian oil and gas has already driven prices to record high levels.

The potential for more extensive sanctions and the ongoing disruptions to international supply chains has only magnified uncertainty regarding the future supply of energy. Rising energy costs impact other key construction resources, including the price of Chinese steel, which has barely budged from the price peak in late 2021.

RISKS IF SUPPLY CHAINS FAIL TO MEET DEMAND

In Australia, the upcoming rise in private investment and the expansive program of public infrastructure investment will further tighten domestic resource markets, which in combination with existing international capacity challenges, may work to deliver a sustained period of high escalation rates across the entire industry.

This challenge has been faced before – in Australia, periods of supranormal growth in construction during the mining boom drove large increases in wages and other local input costs. In tandem, exceptional strength in global oil and steel prices drove construction cost growth well above inflation, peaking at over ten per cent in the late 2000s.

There are substantial consequences of failure if supply chains fail to meet the demand challenge, beyond the financial health of the supplying firms themselves and the sustainability of the construction industry.

Sustained periods of high-cost escalation and growing backlogs among domestic material suppliers will increase the prevalence of delays, cost overruns, or project failures. This isn’t isolated to new builds; the operations and maintenance of existing infrastructure will exceed budgeted expectations due to overlapping inputs.

Severe delays and project overruns will distort the ability of federal and state governments to accurately time public infrastructure investment. Stimulus measures may not provide the economic support in the period in which it is needed, and instead, may further enlarge an already ‘overheating’ economy.

The taxpayer is the eventual loser as resource price rises erode the value for money delivery of infrastructure and increased spending flows through to higher costs rather than higher real activity.

The increasing saturation of global construction markets in an industry with historically poor productivity growth globally – noting that multifactor productivity in the Australian construction industry is now lower than it was in 1990 –suggests that governments should place greater emphasis on ensuring either that capacity can rise to meet forthcoming demand or that infrastructure is procured or delivered more productively to ensure that scarce inputs are put to effective use.

TAKING A LONG-TERM VIEW

Developing a highly visible, sustained long-term funded pipeline of infrastructure would help shift the sector away from the steep peaks and troughs that hamper industry confidence and productivity. A sustained pipeline of works, particularly in regional and remote areas, provides the security for businesses to invest in their own capacity and allows skilled labour to be more easily attracted and retained over time.

Governments can also play a transformative role in raising productivity, including procurement reforms, productivityenhancing technologies, enhanced flexibility and coordination in delivery.

Beyond this, governments could consider more direct intervention in the market – identifying risks and potential supply ‘pinch points’ by developing comprehensive assessments of capacity across construction resources and regions.

This may include audits on domestic material production capacity, workforce capability modelling for skilled roles, and further research on the quality, price, strategic and security resource risks for imported resources.

Capacity assessments, in combination with a richer understanding of future resource requirements, allow for targeted investment and policy shifts to alleviate specific supply bottlenecks.

In the context of an upcoming global boom in construction activity predicated on large-scale public infrastructure investment, accomplishing the above will be difficult. Political factors, including election cycles, reduce the incentives for long-term planning. The focus can easily shift to short-term wins through targeted investments in marginal electorates or a change in government disrupting long-term plans.

Meanwhile, with challenges in securing essential skills consistently rated by industry as the greatest supply side risk to infrastructure delivery, it may be time to focus once more on the longer term competitive efficiency and productivity benefits that flow from investment in ‘well-chosen’ infrastructure, rather than the number of jobs it will create during construction itself.

Ultimately, this requires a shift in mindset. As major economies navigate towards sustainable economic recovery and growth, attention will need to divert from using infrastructure to boost demand and employment to making productivity and supply the ‘new sexy’.

WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT TAKING FLIGHT

The countdown is on until the first plane takes off at Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport and with terminal and airfield construction underway, the site is starting to look more like an airport.

With only four years left until the rubber hits the runway, Western Sydney Airport (WSA) Chief Executive, Simon Hickey, said the project has achieved some major milestones this year and is on track to welcome passengers in 2026.

“We are nearing completion of major earthworks on the biggest earthmoving project in Australia’s history, which has seen us move 24 out of 26 million cubic metres of earth,” Mr Hickey said.

“This has been a huge feat when you consider the enormity of the project. The Western Sydney International site is three times the size of the Sydney CBD and will eventually become Sydney's biggest airport.”

The CPB Contractors, ACCIONA joint venture, will this year begin work on the runway and taxiways, which will include the installation of more than 40km of roads and 3000 aeronautical ground lights.

BMD Constructions and Seymour Whyte joint venture have been contracted to construct the carparks, roads, bridges, utilities connections, operational buildings, and landscaping.

This includes integrating the new M12 Motorway, which will connect the airport to Sydney’s motorway network, and the airport’s two stations on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line, with one stop at the passenger terminal and the other at the Business Precinct.

Multiplex is making great progress on WSI’s state-of-the-art terminal, which incorporates a seamless mix of Australia’s natural beauty, the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage, and strong sustainability elements.

Domestic and international gates will be located under the one structure and designed to expand with capacity as the airport’s second runway comes online in the 2050s.

With the terminal slab being poured and three out of four jump forms erected to support the steel framework of the terminal, Western Parkland City’s skyline is beginning to take shape.

“There is no doubt that WSI is a project that will benefit generations to come. Our airport, cargo and business precinct plans will be designed in a way that will evolve with demand to eventually become Australia’s biggest gateway for passengers and air cargo,” Mr Hickey said.

“From day one of operating, WSI will have the third largest catchment of any Australian airport and capacity for ten million passengers a year.”

The most recent major contract was awarded to DXC Technology at the end of 2021 to deliver the foundational technology platforms in partnership with Western Sydney Airport. This will see WSA leverage innovative technology to transform the customer experience and optimise efficiency for passengers and airlines alike.

“The airport’s design is pioneering and ambitious. We’re building a terminal that caters for technology and innovation that, in some instances, has not been invented, to ensure our customers have a seamless and convenient airport experience for decades to come.”

“At Western Sydney International, lost luggage will be much rarer. Our technology will allow passengers to track their baggage, removing the anxious wait at the baggage carousel that we are all too familiar with at other airports,” Mr Hickey said.

Ground transport links will also create a seamless experience to connect passengers from the airport to the aerotropolis and surrounding Western Parkland City. The central and western end of the 16km toll-free M12 Motorway contract was recently awarded, and Metro will commence work before the end of the year.

“Everything about Western Sydney International will be focused on our customers. Whether that’s our passengers, the airlines they fly with or our air cargo partners, we’re taking advantage of building a new airport from the ground up to ensure the experience is unlike any other Australian airport,” Mr Hickey said.

“Whether you’re flying for business, leisure or reuniting with loved ones around the world, we’ll draw on new technology, backed up by a clever layout and great transport links to ensure that when people choose our airport, their experience will be fast, seamless and reliable.”

AWARD-WINNING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WSI’s innovative and pioneering sustainability measures have earned the project an ‘Excellent’ Design IS rating certificate for their major earthworks, awarded by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council.

“Sustainable design, energy efficiency and circular economy principles are front of mind as we design the airport and it’s a great accomplishment for this to be acknowledged by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council,” Mr Hickey said.

In what has been hailed as one of WSI’s most significant construction sustainability measures to date, more than 4.5 million tonnes of sandstone have been transported from the Metro and WestConnex tunnelling sites for use at the airport.

“The high-quality crushed sandstone is being used to construct heavy vehicle roads on the airport site as well as a supportive layer, which will sit beneath taxiways and the runway,” Mr Hickey said.

“This is about proven and sensible sustainability and efficiency, reusing resources and reducing carbon emissions.

“WSA is continuing to engage with other infrastructure projects, industry peak bodies, and suppliers to learn from their experience and understand different sustainability options and opportunities,” Mr Hickey said.

“At Western Sydney International, effective water management is one of our top priorities. We’re very proud to say around 98 per cent of the water used on our site so far is recycled water.”

The WSI site has also trialled a world-first innovation by retrofitting a drum compactor with grading technology to increase efficiency and safety when compacting earth. This has had flow on effects on site by improving safety through plant minimisation, reducing fuel, and increasing precision.

Mr Hickey said Sydney's new international airport will be a game-charger, creating a new era of jobs and opportunities for many decades to come.

“Around half of the project’s workforce are Western Sydney locals and we’re exceeding our First Nations employment targets. This number will increase over the next few years as the project reaches peak activity,” Mr Hickey said.

“We are committed to empowering our Western Sydney community to take advantage of the jobs and opportunities the airport will deliver to their doorstep.”

“We are also investing locally, injecting more than $100 million into Western Sydney businesses during construction so far, with a lot more to come.”

To mark the launch of Western Sydney Airport’s first Reconciliation Action Plan, a 500m geoglyph was installed earlier this year alongside the airport’s runway that can be seen by air.

WSI also recently opened its Connectivity Centre, a one-stop shop providing holistic support to jobseekers by coordinating a range of services to help jobseekers secure sustainable employment.

Located in the Penrith CBD, the Connectivity Centre is a collaboration between WSI, Multiplex and TAFE NSW. It also includes wrap-around services with all levels of government to support members of the community including First Nations support, migrants and refugees, emergency housing, as well as charity groups and local schools.

“We want to ensure Western Sydney International drives generational change and social uplift, creating opportunities for those who need it most and setting them up for success long after the airport is built,” Mr Hickey said.

With sustainability and social impact at the heart of the project, WSA has already donated 400t of asphalt to the Luddenham Show Society for resurfacing local roads and pavements in the nearby village.

“The airport can only be as successful as the region it serves so we’re playing our part in the sustainability of Western Sydney and its surrounds,” Mr Hickey said.

INVESTMENT IN JOBS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

WILL BE CRITICAL TO THE DELIVERY OF

TRUSTING COMMUNITIES MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

by Fleur Laurence, Integrated Infrastructure Partner, PwC

The Australian infrastructure sector is booming, with investment in public infrastructure over the next five years estimated to top $218 billion. But as the pace and scale of delivery increases, so too does the pressure on communities.

More than ever, communities want and expect to be involved in the decision-making and planning of major infrastructure programs – and why not? Major projects take time, require significant investment, impact communities and, critically, shape social outcomes for generations to come.

Timely delivery of major infrastructure can be an incredible enabler for social improvement. However, we still see significant community opposition to projects to the point where scope is minimised, costs increase, works are delayed and even cancelled. If communities’ views aren’t considered, no one wins. We get all the impacts that come with significant projects but none of the benefits.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS HAVE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

For projects to get past the starting block, ideally they’d first pass the public scrutiny of the ‘pub test’. Does the project provide value for money? Is this what taxpayers want their money to be spent on at this time? However, there’s rarely a real pub test, as these estimations are confidential and not shared publicly at this stage.

All being well, the project is announced and then progresses to the environmental assessment and approval stage. Communities can then have a say on potential environmental and social impacts both informally and formally through the submission process.

If a project will impact surrounding communities, is contentious, and engagement has been limited, the submission process during the environmental assessment stage can be protracted as a project team responds to each of the potentially thousands of individual submissions, addressing each concern.

Our communities are diverse, intelligent, and care – so responding to submissions comprehensively requires input from a range of subject matter experts. To be able to answer questions asked by community members, the proponent may have to make planning and delivery, and even design decisions, that they are not necessarily ready to make this early in the assessment stage.

Most people will only provide feedback in a formal submission process if they feel that it is important that their voice is heard. As a result, feedback received on major infrastructure projects during the environmental assessment stage is often negative. It is also received at a time in a project’s development when the ability for this meaningful feedback to be acted upon is diminished – for example, a preferred option has been selected.

It takes time for people to prepare a submission, it takes time for governments or other proponents to respond to submissions, and the experience on both sides is more often frustrating rather than constructive. Surely there is a better way?

If governments and project proponents were willing to bring communities in earlier, these frustrations may be alleviated on both sides. So why doesn’t this happen? Perhaps it is because governments and project proponents don’t trust that communities will accept the ambiguities and realities of project planning during the early concept stage.

SO WHY NOT INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY EARLIER?

Broadly speaking, people want to understand what is going on in their neighbourhood and their region, and they want to contribute to the planning of infrastructure because they know that they can provide an important perspective. They can provide meaningful information about their circumstances and their local area to help governments or developers test that the project being planned is hitting the mark and will create better social outcomes.

Early involvement is effective and powerful; it demonstrates that community opinions matter and that people’s experience and knowledge are valued as part of the planning and decisionmaking process. It also creates trust – and with trust comes the licence to govern and deliver essential infrastructure for people.

However, in the early planning stages of major projects, some information will be confidential (i.e. commercial in confidence). There will also be uncertainty about whether a project will proceed and what it will look like. Communities are therefore often engaged only when a business case has been finalised or funding has been approved – which could be years after a project has been placed on a priority infrastructure list and is out in the public domain. This creates a vacuum of information, and nothing can fill a void more quickly than an emotive social media campaign (it doesn’t even have to be true).

Those planning major infrastructure projects often genuinely don’t want to upset people unnecessarily by telling them that a road may be built through their property, when it is still only one of many options being considered. For those potentially affected, it is understandably difficult to think rationally about this, but a lack of information can foster even more distrust. In addition, as funding for major projects is usually staged, it is also often impossible to provide certainty on the next step of the project until the budget has been confirmed, which further exacerbates feelings of distrust within the community. If left unattended, distrust becomes outrage.

Without the trust of the community, it’s difficult to deliver important infrastructure – and that means wasted money, wasted time, and stress all round.

Establishing and maintaining trust takes time and continual effort. The earlier trust is gained with communities, the easier it is to negotiate shared beneficial outcomes. But trust is a two-way street. What would happen if governments and developers started to trust communities more and involve them earlier? What if governments worried less about not being able to initially provide certainty to communities, and became more comfortable communicating ambiguity with sensitivity and transparency? This would require the government or other proponents to be honest with communities about not yet having all the answers, and for communities to trust that this uncertainty is okay.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS THE SOLUTION

To enable positive partnerships among governments or developers and communities, the people who will live in and around the new infrastructure and its users must be engaged early. This will help to keep projects on the right track to meet the community’s needs now and into the future.

Governments or other proponents of major projects can improve engagement, minimise costly delays and create better project outcomes by:

♦ Creating a safe environment that encourages communities to get involved

♦ Involving communities in the early planning process and treating them as a partner

♦ Engaging in a way that works for all community members

♦ Championing the benefits of community voices

♦ Being actively inclusive by making the effort to engage with those who are hard to reach and making it easy for them to provide feedback

♦ Using insights from community engagement to get better at including communities in the planning process

♦ Assessing community engagement as a critical success factor, and a risk if communities are not engaged

♦ Being creative in ways to seek and consider community feedback throughout the project lifecycle

♦ Paying it forward – engaging with the operators of the asset once constructed to ensure they understand the community and are set up to keep engaging with the community during the operation of the infrastructure Engaging communities doesn’t have to be complicated. We know that people want to get involved. We know that early and frequent engagement works. Gaining and maintaining the trust of communities minimises the risk of a project not proceeding and creates better outcomes. But trust cuts both ways. Communities often don’t trust governments and developers because it can feel like governments and developers don’t trust them enough to be included in the early planning of infrastructure when their voice really matters.

It’s time for governments and developers to trust communities more and to partner with them from the outset of projects, so that together we can create the infrastructure solutions our societies and environments will continue to need.

IMPROVING SOCIAL INCLUSION IN INFRASTRUCTURE

In New South Wales, there are a number of stakeholders working to create opportunities for Indigenous Australians to contribute to state, territory and national economies. The New South Wales Indigenous Chamber of Commerce focuses on nurturing, enabling, accelerating and mentoring Indigenous leadership within the infrastructure industry across Australia.

The New South Wales Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation whose biggest asset is its expertise and partner value proposition.

The NSWICC represents the interests of 500 certified Indigenous-owned businesses in New South Wales.

New South Wales was the birthplace of the first Indigenous Chamber of Commerce in Australia, established in 2006 to support Indigenous people to establish and operate their own businesses and provide a forum for business owners to come together to network, share and learn from each other. Since its establishment in 2009, the NSWICC has built a respected brand as the peak body and voice for New South Wales Indigenous businesses.

The company’s advocacy work, at all levels of government, has resulted in a national agenda that acknowledges economic participation as key to addressing generational disadvantages for Indigenous people.

Deb Barwick, NSWICC CEO, said, “Moving forward, the NSWICC will leverage our unique position and expertise to create a self-sustaining chamber model that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit of Indigenous people, accelerates Indigenous business and employment growth, and facilitates

relationships and networks that enable sustained economic and social inclusion in New South Wales.”

The company’s mission is threefold. It wishes to:

♦ Establish collaboration and reciprocal relationships that enable cultural education and mobilise economic opportunities

♦ Accelerate Indigenous entrepreneurship and aid enterprising communities through education, training and capacity building programs

♦ Inform policy and support regulated actions that deliver, measure and account for sustained Indigenous employment and business growth

The NSWICC works with government, industry and Indigenous communities to progress an agenda of economic and social parity. Daily interactions with stakeholders informs its work to develop a strong pipeline of Indigenous-owned businesses and to foster and sustain their engagement in the supply chains of government and industry.

The NSWICC is a strong advocate for greater efficiency, regulation and transparency when it comes to the certification of Indigenous businesses and the implementation of the New South Wales Government's Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) and the Federal Government's IPP.

“Policy created to impact Indigenous people in any way must always be informed and guided by Indigenous people or their representatives,” Ms Barwick said.

The NSWICC is well placed to work with businesses to maximise opportunities for Indigenous participation in the delivery of infrastructure projects. Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) partnerships with the NSWICC offer a return on investment unequalled by other service providers in the market. Partners also have the opportunity to contribute resources to the NSWICC’s capacity building programs.

Please note that the NSWICC is also a respected Indigenous supplier of specialised consultancy services by local, state and federal governments.

The NSWICC board and staff look forward to all future partnerships that will bring many reciprocal learnings and benefits that enable economic and social parity for Indigenous people and communities.

NSWICC INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION FORUM 2022

Despite a growing pipeline of Indigenous-owned businesses with immense capacity to serve diverse industries and the enormous and unprecedented opportunity that procurement policies and diverse supply chains offer, economic prosperity for Indigenous people in New South Wales is still an aspiration, with purchasing from Indigenous suppliers and the employment of Indigenous people still less than it could be and should be.

The reason for this is clear: both sides of the supply chain are lacking in their capacity and/or capability to fully engage with each other.

As the state's peak Indigenous business body, the NSWICC has appropriately responded with a new and innovative partnership and service model to grow the capacity and number of Indigenous businesses supplying New South Wales and beyond and to better equip government and contractor procurement and engagement processes.

The NSWICC Infrastructure and Construction Forum 2022 intends to showcase leadership and the best practices in supply chain and workforce inclusion of Indigenous businesses and people in New South Wales.

The knowledge and teachings shared, and connections made, at this event will support a cohesive and efficient environment for sustained engagement between governments, contractors and subcontractors, maximising Indigenous supply and employment outcomes.

Join the NSWICC for this event of thought-provoking speakers; a showcase of Indigenous businesses supplying the industry, workshops for procurement, case studies, award presentations, fine food and entertainment.

The event is alligned with the current diverse needs of governments, contractors, businesses, Indigenous suppliers and people seeking careers in the infrastructure industry.

Further event details can be found at https://www. nswiccevents.com/.

THE THREATENING STORM OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON ROAD SAFETY

By Dr Ingrid Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Australasian College of Road Safety

The stereotypical complaint from the public about road infrastructure usually centres around the seemingly endless task of fixing potholes. As climate change impacts continue and increase, that is going to change.

We are already seeing this in many places around the world, with road infrastructure maintenance challenges increasing dramatically. This isn’t going to stop – it’s going to get worse. So, we need to better understand the connections; the impacts of climate change on road safety, the impact of the transport sector on climate change, and the solutions in common.

In disaster-prone Australia, the impacts of climate change on road safety are becoming clear. In the February – mid March 2022 floods in Queensland, 13 people lost their lives. Of these, ten deaths were related to vehicles and roads.

Cars and motorcycles are being washed away, people are trapped in cars stuck in floodwaters, drowned while trying to swim to safety from a vehicle, pedestrians are swept away trying to cross a flooded road. And it’s not just floods.

A Risk Frontiers study of bushfire deaths from 2010–2020 in Australia found that 45 per cent of these deaths were related to vehicles, most commonly being burnt in a vehicle whilst trying to evacuate or fight the fires.

EVER-GROWING DANGERS

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of various kinds of extreme weather events and disasters, including Australia’s intense rainfall, cyclones, floods and bushfires. Statistically, increased intensity of rainfall and heatwaves are both already associated with increased crashes on our roads.

For those responsible for road infrastructure, the picture is equally challenging. Infrastructure damage directly related to climate change is diverting resources from road safety improvements to maintenance. There are already local councils in Australia who can barely keep up with the increasing damage from the flooding over the past 12 or so months.

The challenge has been explicitly recognised in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. The 2022 report has high confidence that infrastructure, including transportation, has been compromised by extreme and slowonset events, with resulting economic losses, disruptions of services and impacts to well-being.

The report goes on to say that key infrastructure systems, including transport, will be increasingly vulnerable if design standards do not account for the changing climate conditions.

Costs for maintenance and reconstruction of urban infrastructure, including transportation, will increase

As the impacts of climate change continue to devastate Australia’s infrastructure and transport sectors, it’s become clear that road safety and maintenance is not only important – it will save lives.

with global warming levels, and the associated functional disruptions are projected to be substantial particularly for cities, settlements and infrastructure located on coasts.

At the same time as feeling the effects of climate change, the transportation sector is a major contributor to it. In Australia, the transport sector is responsible for 17 per cent of emissions, and this proportion is increasing.

About three quarters of transport emissions globally come from road vehicles. Poor air quality from vehicle emissions has health impacts for pedestrians and cyclists, discourages people from using public and active travel options, and puts them back into their cars in a cycle of increasing emissions.

Fine particulate matter PM2.5 from vehicle emissions is associated with nine million deaths globally every year, and nitrogen dioxide, another vehicle emission, is associated with four million cases of childhood asthma every year around the world. It’s time to re-define the safety part of road safety.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

The transport infrastructure construction needed to improve road safety requires significant amounts of natural raw materials. The extraction, transportation and production of these materials produces waste, consumes energy, and emits greenhouse emissions.

Significant benefits can be realised by finding new uses and solutions to reuse, repurpose and repair civil infrastructure.

Recycled, alternative, and sustainable materials are being successfully used, and more can be done.

The IPCC report also recognises that there are solutions in common to the road transport and climate change challenges. A low-emission transport sector would bring many benefits. Many mitigation strategies in the transport sector would have co-benefits, including air quality improvements, health benefits, equitable access to transportation services, reduced congestion, and reduced material demand.

The planning of healthy cities strongly favours public and active transport. The health benefits from reduced car dependency are increasingly influencing urban planning processes. Decision-making tools that focus on health benefits encourage cities to increase emphasis on public transit and active transport.

The transport sector, finding itself as both a contributor to climate change and impacted by that climate change, can also become part of the solution, improving road safety and the climate at the same time. The responses from the infrastructure perspective will require concerted effort and creative thinking to achieve sustainability in the future. The challenge has been set.

For more information, visit acrs.org.au.

IMPROVING SAFETY BEHAVIOUR THROUGH DI g ITALISATION

Risks in the construction and infrastructure sector are ever present. However, you can improve risk mitigation by accelerating your company’s digital transformation.

Changing worker behaviour is one of the leading ways to reduce risk and improve safety but unfortunately traditional safety reporting metrics are reactive. They look at the end results; the number of near-misses and injuries, rather than the ways to reduce potential risks.

Through digital applications designed to improve compliance and safety, construction companies can change risk potentials, improve productivity, use data to gain insights and recognise positive behaviour.

KMPG’s 2021 Going digital, faster report found that in 2020, 67 per cent of surveyed organisations said they had accelerated their digital transformation as a result of the pandemic, which put their operations years ahead of where they expected.

With the increase in digitalisation due to COVID-19, the construction industry is falling further behind. Deloitte’s 2020 CIO Insider report shows that the construction industry’s IT budget averages just 1.68 per cent of its yearly revenue – the lowest of eleven sectors reviewed. By focusing on proactive measures and digitising operations, construction companies can take the time and guesswork out of safety and governance.

VISIBILITY AND AUTOMATED SAFETY PROCESSES

Given each construction company’s unique people, processes and data management, the right technology needs to be flexible, simple, reliable and designed to work across departments.

Major construction companies, including Acciona and John Holland, use the digital applications of 3D Safety, a platform that provides real-time visibility and automated safety processes that improve compliance, data and plant processes. 3D Safety is currently supporting some of the largest infrastructure projects in Australia including the Westconnex

– Rozelle Interchange project in Sydney and the LXRP Southern Program Alliance in Melbourne.

The proof is in the pudding - a spokesperson from the joint venture partnership behind NorthConnex’s 9km NSW twin tunnel, said, “Responding to issues on projects in a timely manner is critical on a project.

“3D Safety provided us with the evidence we needed to demonstrate good governance and helped us address issues quickly, saving us tens of thousands of dollars. The investment in 3D Safety was recouped many times over within the first 12 months of the project.”

860 PER CENT ROI FOR NORTHCONNEX

Unlike other systems designed by office-based programmers, the 3D Safety platform is Australian owned and designed, and managed by a team with thirty years’ groundlevel experience in the industry.

All onboarding and inductions happen online prior to worker arrival onsite – reducing costs and ensuring, when the worker arrives, they are vetted and qualified to work.

The platform is flexible to be configured to your process of work, and enables workers to record observations and incidents on their phones and automates notifications and data reporting, which leads to increased engagement and real-time audit and compliance records.

With the 3D Safety platform, businesses are able to:

♦ Remove repetitive processes

♦ Analyse data in one place

♦ Log information in real-time

♦ Identify and reinforce positive behaviour

♦ Obtain consistent compliance reports

By using 3D Safety, more than 25,000 workers on NorthConnex saved the project millions, with an ROI of 860 per cent.

The best safety outcomes are achieved where metrics are made available directly and immediately to decision-makers.

3D Safety empowers frontline staff with tools that provide insights and help to make good decisions that influence and change any potentially risky behaviour as soon as they see it.

3D Safety has "Boots on the ground"

GETTING PROACTIVE ON MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.

One of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increased focus on workplace mental health. The Black Dog Institute, which offers workplace mental health training, said great strides are being made in the construction industry, but challenges remain.

When it comes to workplace mental health, the construction industry faces some major challenges with some of the highest rates of depression and suicide of any industry.

This not only has repercussions on individual workers but incurs a huge financial cost to companies in lost participation and productivity each year.

Fortunately, there are new approaches being taken to turn this around. But while the industry is shifting, there is more work to be done to reduce the stigma around mental health and change organisational culture, which starts from the top.

Dr Mark Deady is a UNSW Senior Research Fellow at the Black Dog Institute and the Research Lead within the Workplace Mental Health Research Program, which has a strong focus on mental health initiatives in high-risk industries, including male-dominated industries such as construction.

Dr Deady said there are a number of risk factors at a job, team and organisational level that can affect mental health at work, including some more commonly seen in construction.

“One factor is that work can be insecure, currently more so due to the shifts in supply chains and other challenges relating to COVID-19, and there also tends to be high job demand in terms of the amount of work required in a short period of time,” Dr Deady said.

“For remote workers, there can be challenges around long working weeks and separation from support networks.

“Another big challenge in terms of workplace stressors is bullying and harassment. This is certainly not unique to the construction industry – it happens across industries – but the research shows this is a significant issue especially among young workers within construction.”

Cutting across all of this is that the construction workforce is the most male-dominated in Australia – 87 per cent of workers are male. Men are more likely to bottle things up and, sadly, take their own lives.

“In general, men seek less help than women,” Dr Deady said.

“In male-dominated industries, this lack of help-seeking is even more pronounced. There still tends to be quite a stigma around mental ill-health and there can be difficulties expressing emotions and a greater focus on selfreliance and self-medication (through drugs and alcohol).”

CHANGE STARTS FROM THE TOP

In a positive shift, the industry is starting to see more take-up of initiatives such as mental health training. Programs run by the Black Dog Institute are tailored to different role-levels and delivered by expert psychologists, either face to face or online.

Importantly, the training not only helps all parts of an organisation – from team members on the ground through to senior leaders – become more knowledgeable about mental ill-health and the signs and indications to be aware of, but it also looks at what can be

done organisationally to improve work conditions and culture.

“Employers need to be proactive in creating mentally healthy workplaces and really look at what can be done in terms of prevention,” Dr Deady said.

“Factors addressing workplace stress and improving working conditions can make the biggest difference in supporting employee mental health, whether that’s reducing job demand or isolation at work, or providing evidencebased mental health training for leaders and managers.”

Aedan Hewitt, a construction worker with more than 25 years’ experience, agrees that the industry is seeing a definite shift. As the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager at Fulton Hogan Egis, a joint venture working on Sydney’s WestConnex project, he currently oversees a diverse team of 120 people across multiple disciplines.

The O&M team recently participated in the Black Dog Institute’s mental health training, with team members across all levels of the organisation taking part, and Mr Hewitt is already seeing a difference in how colleagues are supporting each other.

“The training was excellent. It really made us take a deep dive into where we were at in terms of mental fitness and health,” Mr Hewitt said.

“I’ve had some close friends go through some really serious battles with depression. I think that’s helped me realise when I’m feeling down or maybe spiralling myself. I think that helps me see things in others.

“As individuals or leaders, we’re all dealing with the same stuff but no

one would really know that. So the training was really good because people looked at each other and realised we weren’t  dissimilar.”

Mr Hewitt added that COVID-19 has been a particularly tough time for people and work is being done to ensure colleagues feel supported and have someone to talk to.

“For a lot of people, COVID-19 has highlighted or exacerbated things. For example, I know some people have gone through serious break-ups, not seeing their kids anymore. Then they might be on night shift, sitting in a truck on the side of the road, with too much time to think,” Mr Hewitt said.

“So we’re trying to do a bit of work there. We buddy people up a lot, a bit like the police. Over time they start to open up, talking about their family, how they’re coping.”

LIFTING THE LID ON MENTAL HEALTH

Mr Hewitt himself did the Black Dog Institute’s leadership training, which looks at the significant role managers play in recognising and responding to mental health issues in their teams, as well as changing organisational culture.

“Importantly, leaders aren’t just the people who are managers. We have a

whole heap of people who didn’t see themselves as leaders but they’re go-to people. They’re good listeners, so people would go to them. We didn’t want them to feel burdened, so we cascaded the training to them to ensure they have some tips and tools to manage it.”

Mr Hewitt said that, for the most part, there’s been broad acceptance of mental health initiatives like this.

“I’d say 75 per cent of people are on board with it. Not everyone’s there yet, some people are still very protective when it comes talking about mental health, almost squirmish when the topic comes up. I wouldn’t say it’s stigma, it’s more generational – that old-school ‘toughen up and deal with it’ attitude.

“But we’re lifting the lid on things. There’s a lot more talking, more camaraderie, more respect within our team, people checking in on each other. That’s been a common theme,” Mr Hewitt said.

BUILDING MENTALLY HEALTHIER WORKPLACES

Black Dog Institute is a worldrenowned medical research institute, translating research into programs, resources, services and digital tools to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.

The organisation combines science, compassion, and action to provide leading workplace training Australiawide. A range of evidence-based programs are available with flexible delivery options and short time commitment to improve mental health at an individual, team and organisational  level.

Free training, proudly funded by the New South Wales Government, is available for New South Wales businesses with up to 200 employees.

To find out more, visit blackdoginstitute.org.au or email workplace@blackdog.org.au

IMPLEMENTING DATA AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN ASSET MANAGEMENT

by Holly Tancredi, Journalist, Infrastructure magazine

Digital technologies are having a significant impact on the way Australia manages its critical infrastructure. As a tool, digital is allowing vast amounts of data to be collected and analysed, resulting in better asset decisions. Here are some of the key discussion points from the ‘Making the most out of data in asset management’ panel at this year’s Critical Infrastructure Summit.

This year’s Critical Infrastructure Summit featured the panel, ‘Making the most out of data in asset management’ at its Asset Management for Critical Infrastructure conference.

The panel was led by Copperleaf’s Boudewijn Neijens, and panellists included Tim Mumford, Principal - Digital and Innovation at Beca; Julian Watts, Director, Engineering and Asset Management at KPMG Australia; and Mark Simister, Head of Program Delivery at Sydney Water.

The panel explored how to best leverage data and new digital assets, as customer demand grows and COVID-19 restrictions lessen, as well as challenges around legacy systems, processes and integration of new asset management technologies.

SYDNEY WATER DIGITAL SPINE AND INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK

Mr Simister said that over the last few years, Sydney Water has had a very successful infrastructure program, but the utility recognises customer demand is increasing.

“You have to reimagine how your infrastructure framework is established and set up. A key component of that is incorporating a digital spine and a digital enablement,” Mr Simister said.

Sydney Water introduced a new infrastructure delivery framework called Partnering for Success (P4S) in 2020 to do more with less and to be able to become more productive and efficient in how Sydney Water delivers to its customers. He said the success of asset management comes from the inbuilt maturity matrix in the P4S framework.

The matrix designs the exact steps and stages both Sydney Water and its partner organisations need to take over a ten year period, under eight core metrics. A digital framework that lays out expectations and key steps allows the utility to make decisions towards clear, specific objectives.

The digital spine supports the myriad of decisions and steps towards growth, and Sydney Water was able to utilise legacy and demonstration as two key metrics to deliver more for less with the same resources.

“The digital spine is becoming something that's critical to be able to rapidly progress our projects through the planning, design and construction phase and into maintenance,” Mr Simister said.

“We really are pushing at the forefront of being able to make sure that you are encompassing everything from a BIM approach to delivery of infrastructure, right from the get go.

“We have projects that were up to, a couple of years ago, taking probably two and a half years from dream to reality and finish. Now some of those we've got down to less than 12 months. So, time is money and we're demonstrating how much faster we can go through and deliver, but with the same, or even better results in terms of outcome.”

THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP AND VISION

The future of data in asset management is not only about operational pressure and customer demands, it is also reliant on having the right team and leadership to succeed.

The panellists discussed how, for some organisations, the data they have access to is being underutilised, and requires a change in processes moving forward which needs to be embraced throughout the organisation.

In regards to what makes the ‘right team’, the panel said having a blend of experts who have been analysing data for years, as well as newer minds that can challenge how data can be interpreted and turned into a valuable asset, is key.

Mr Simister said there needs to be a balance between making the most out of expert knowledge and experience in an organisation, while opening the door for new minds who will push boundaries.

“There's a real bright future ahead and loads of opportunity, but we've got to make sure that we're taking everybody on that journey,” Mr Simister said.

Mr Simister said that is what Sydney Water tries to do –curate integrated teams. He said asset managers are already embracing data and systems, which is second nature, but added that humanity, which allows us to connect, lead, and engage, should not be forgotten.

“It's very good to be able to critically review data because a lot of engineers use maths. The calculations that are in the background, that's the rules that are there and they just apply the rules. Sometimes the innovation and the ability to think at a different angle can be lost.”

Mr Mumford described finding the right team as difficult. You need enough understanding of technical matters, a level of domain knowledge, and a healthy dose of industry experience. Most importantly, people need to understand the problem or challenge the client or user is facing. This requires a healthy dose of enquiry, conflict resolution and strong, effective communication, alongside a degree of ownership when problems arise.

“These people are unicorns,” Mr Mumford said.

“We need to think about integrated learning for engineers and for this community broadly.

“Collaboration, working across organisations, bringing the right skills to the table is going to be really key.”

Mr Mumford said a problem in the industry is sometimes asset managers wait for corporation owners to drive data and digital innovation.

“I would say the digital asset management space is often perceived by very senior leaders as someone else's accountability or someone else's responsibility,” Mr Mumford said.

“It's everyone's responsibility and everyone has an accountability to work more efficiently through tools like digital.”

Mr Mumford concluded by posing a statement for a potential future environment.

“Imagine a world where we hold each other responsible for data quality. Imagine a world where innovation became everyone’s responsibility; where we were all empowered to innovate.”

for free to watch the Critical Infrastructure Summit’s ‘Making the most out of data in asset management’ panel by visiting www.critical-infrastructure.com.au.

A STANDARDS-CERTIFIED AND COMPLIANT SOLUTION FOR WATERPROOFING AND REHABILITATING BRIDGE DECKS

Bridge decks are continuously exposed to a number of elements that can cause deterioration, creating safety risks for road users, putting the structure’s durability at risk, and reducing its service life. Selecting a proven, standards-certified and locally compliant waterproof bridge deck membrane, such as the Matacryl WPM system, can help protect and repair the structure, while also providing assurance that the product is safe, extensively tested and fit for purpose.

Bridges are continuously exposed to severe stresses and construction-related factors that affect their longevity, including inadequate protection specified at the design phase, quality and handling of concrete and/or steel, physical and chemical exposure, climatic conditions, traffic types, and frequency, regularity and quality of maintenance.

A particular challenge in Australia is that bridges are exposed to unique weather and climate conditions, which means that very stringent attention has to be paid to ensure that they perform as designated for their intended lifespan. In order to mitigate these factors and ensure the bridge’s longevity, a bridge deck waterproofing system can be used to prevent degradation of concrete and steel on both new bridges and restoration projects.

To deal with the harsh Australian conditions, the selection of a bridge deck waterproofing system needs total compliance with tight specifications, and needs to be installed by nominated partner applicators with the relevant training and experience.

A PROVEN SOLUTION

Matacryl’s WPM system is an ideal bridge deck waterproofing system as it bonds with the substrate and asphalt overlay to enhance and extend bridge service life. It can be used on new bridge

constructions, routine maintenance or bridge rehabilitation where uneven or irregular surface profiles exist.

The Matacryl WPM system has been tested and certified in accordance with internationally accepted standards, including some of the most stringent such as BBA HAPAS, ASTM and KIWA. Furthermore, it has undergone local testing to ensure it can withstand the Australian climate, and is compliant with the Victorian Department of Transport (Section 691) and Transport for New South Wales B343

This proven solution has been used on some of Australia’s most iconic bridges and biggest bridge projects including the West Gate Bridge, Princes Bridge, and on 47 bridges for the Pacific Complete W2B (Woolgoolga to Ballina) project in New South Wales.

MATACRYL IN ACTION

The West Gate Bridge is a ten-lane dual-carriageway freeway bridge, carrying five lanes of motor vehicle traffic in each direction. According to VicRoads, the freeway corridor (including the bridge itself) carries a total of between 180,000-200,000 cars, trucks, and motorcycles every day. This makes the West Gate Bridge and West Gate Freeway one of the busiest road corridors in Australia.

The Department of Transport Victoria has been undertaking a resurfacing project on the bridge and needed a

solution to waterproof it and inhibit corrosion. The selected solution was required to be Section 691 compliant and BBA certified – a combination that very few products on the Australian market can offer.

Hychem’s Matacryl WPM system was selected to waterproof the bridge deck and provide effective corrosion inhibition prior to the asphalt wearing layers being installed. The project is being completed over a number of years, with the first section completed seven years ago and still performed excellently today: 2015 – 2,200m³, 2019 – 1,200m³, 2020 – 3,500m³ and 2021 – 3,500m³, with another section expected to be completed in 2022-23.

To complete the sections, Matacryl Primer CM was applied to the substrate, followed by one layer of Matacryl Membrane, and Matacryl STC Tack Coat and Aggregate before being SAMI approved and the Asphalt Wearing Course installed.

As the Matacryl WPM system is fast curing, it is ideal for the project due to the amount of traffic on the bridge. It is weather-resistant and ready for use 60 minutes after application including rainfall. The rapid set time reduces ‘possession’ and enables fast installation, lower labour costs and far quicker handover times to subsequent construction phases.

Seamless waterproofing and corrosion resistant membranes for bridges

SIGNPOSTS ON THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

by Ainsley Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Sustainability Council

KPMG, in collaboration with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Roads Australia, the Australasian Railway Association, Arup and other partners, recently released its report The journey to net zero, exploring the way forward for Australia’s infrastructure to meet future sustainability challenges.

Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel project does more than renovate a road. It also features Australia’s first veloway, a 2.5km elevated and enclosed path that connects cyclists with a direct route from Footscray to the Melbourne CBD.

Sydney’s first metro line, the North West Rail Link, does more than get people from A to B. Since it opened in May 2019, more than 83,000 tonnes of carbon emissions have been offset through a power purchase agreement with a new solar farm in regional New South Wales that has created 150 jobs.

And the Mordialloc Freeway doesn’t just provide a safer and more reliable journey for people travelling between the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne’s southeast. Dubbed Australia’s greenest freeway, the 9km route incorporates 800,000 tonnes of recycled and reused material, including the world's first recycled plastic noise wall.

These are just three inspiring signposts on the road to sustainable transport infrastructure – a future in which we drive down emissions and seize a bounty of co-benefits, whether that’s connected communities, cleaner air, regional jobs or healthier cities.

But with 70 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions influenced by infrastructure, our challenge is as supersized as our carbon footprint. Transport is one of our hard-to-abate sectors. Around 18.3 per cent of Australia's emissions come from

transport, and both road and rail emissions are on the rise.

Some of these emissions are embodied, and are a consequence of the materials, products and energy required to construct and maintain our transport infrastructure assets. A much larger percentage comes from how we use transport – the choices, lifestyles and economies that are so dependent on carbon-intensive modes of mobility.

Fast facts

» 70 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are influenced by infrastructure

» 18.3 per cent of Australia’s emissions come from the transport sector

» Transport emissions are projected to rise from 92 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2020 to 100 MtCO2e by 2030

Source: The journey to net zero, 2021.

BEYOND BUSINESS AS USUAL Road and rail have always influenced the shape of our cities and regional centres. Transport innovations of the past helped us to move faster and more efficiently, while enhancing the health of our cities and changing the

daily commute. But as Australasian Railway Association CEO, Caroline Wilkie, observes, “the step change we must achieve in the years to come is perhaps both our biggest challenge and opportunity”.

Despite the COVID-19-induced migration pause, Australia is expected to grow from its current 26 million to 29.3 million in just five years. Population growth, rising congestion, resource constraints and a range of environmental impacts are converging. We cannot continue with business as usual.

Transport infrastructure has undergone radical transformation before. Julius Caesar banned the movement of private vehicles during daylight hours to reduce congestion and improve safety on Rome's streets. The advent of the automobile saved New York City from the problem of horse pollution, which had seen 1.8 million kilograms of manure pile up on the city streets each day.

But climate change is too pressing a challenge to “simply ban something or sit back and wait for the ‘great technological shift’,” notes Chief Executive Officer of Roads Australia, Michael Kilgariff.

Inaction comes with dire consequences. The Climate Council estimates that, on current trends, the reduction of agriculture and labour productivity will exceed $211 billion by 2050 and $4 trillion by 2100. Property and infrastructure values will take a $770 billion hit by the end of the century, the Climate Council notes.

RETHINK, RESHAPE

So how do we rethink and reshape the way we plan, design, build and operate transport infrastructure in Australia?

This is the question that a recent report, The journey to net zero, asks and answers. The report was written by KPMG in collaboration with Roads Australia, the Australasian Railway Association, Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Arup and other committed industry partners.

This collaboration is important. No one person or organisation can achieve net zero emissions alone. Systemwide change means saving a seat for everyone at the table.

"By 2036, how Australians use, share, operate and power transport services – from cars to mass transit and even bicycles – will have undergone the biggest upheaval since the internal combustion engine."

2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan

The report aims to galvanise government and industry around five clear recommendations:

1. Create a national strategic approach to the transport sector and its infrastructure that revolves around placemaking

2. Introduce policy, investment and incentives at the state and federal levels that drive an efficient, sustainable and resilient transport system

3. Implement exemplar governance structures, processes and approaches to drive transparency and support sound decision-making

4. Enable collaboration, capacity building and education at all stages, and advocate for new approaches to procurement to foster a culture of collaboration

5. Adopt and promote technology solutions that assist the transition to a low carbon economy

The magnitude of the task ahead will be like scaling a series of mountains. We must unearth zero emissions construction solutions, electrify our vehicles and embrace alternative fuel options, create safe and accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and reorient our urban design around 15-minute cities.

But we cannot afford to look myopically at our immediate infrastructure needs. We must look with binoculars for the long-range impacts and co-benefits that lie ahead. Now is the time to lift our gaze and set our sights on sustainable transport infrastructure.

Figure 1: Carbon reduction potential of strategic infrastructure choices

GREEN RAIL TRACK SYSTEMS AS UNIQUE AS YOUR CITY

Large cities are now more ecological, quieter and sustainable, and are continually looking for new ways to increase greenery and reduce the urban heat sink impact. Where there are existing or proposed light rail systems in Australia, city planners and architects aim to maximise the amount of green track installed to improve the urban environment.

Green tracks, using lawn or sedum, retain a large amount of rain water and bind fine particulate and road dust to improve the micro environment in urban centres. Moreover, recycled rubber encapsulation of rail ensures primary airborne noise and vibration is reduced significantly.

The STRAILastic Top of Rail (TOR) Light Rail system provides, not only the opportunity for new routes to be greened using its various green track options, but also simple, cost-effective green track conversion of ballasted track using the STRAILastic R Green track design.

STRAILastic TOR Green Track Conversion could provide Sydney’s T1 Dulwich Hill Line and Melbourne’s Canterbury Road, St Kilda line with a new lease on life by converting the existing ballast track to green track.

ADAPTING TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES

STRAILastic TOR provides a track system that is stable and reliable in Australia’s unpredictable climate. The benefits of the vulcanised rubber solution extend beyond its resilience and stability. While made from 70 per cent recycled rubber, the outer cover of virgin rubber contains UV, ozone and fireresistant materials to withstand the elements.

Cities across Australia can have rapid temperature changes. Melbourne often has four seasons in one day with temperature variations of ten degrees or more in an hour. A southerly change in Sydney can turn a 40°C day into a 20°C evening, and South-East Queensland’s tropical storms can rapidly drop the mercury.

Besides wreaking havoc on what to wear, these temperature variations place significant stress on tram and light rail

track infrastructure, whether it be asphalt, pavers or concrete. Installing ‘green tracks’ can mitigate these rapid temperature changes, reducing the high stresses by expanding and contracting.

Andreas Göschl, STRAILastic’s International Operations Director, said, “Based on 40+ years experience in moulding vulcanised rubber, the STRAILastic TOR track systems have a high temperature stability, and easily manage the expanding and contracting of temperature ranging between -40°C and +90°C, with a glass transition point of -55C, ensuring a stable TOR product under normal operating conditions.”

FITS LIKE A GLOVE AGAINST RAIL

Installation is simple, with the precisely moulded selfclamping chamber filler fitting like a glove against the rail to finish level with the railhead. It withstands the wear and tear of traffic, is easy to undertake rail replacement, and has a non-slip moulded surface for bikes and pedestrians.

Its small tolerances avoid gaps, preventing entry of water, sand, sediments, and dirt between the rail and the chamber filler. This ensures there are no electrical conductivity issues or corrosion of the rail web.

Chamber-filling elements are common in many light rail networks, but not all are created equal.

“STRAILastic does not use polyurethane as it is more like plastic, expanding when warm and shrinking when cold, reducing the life of the track,” Mr Göschl said.

STRAILastic has experience in long-life light rail track damping in over 30 cities to date, keeping city’s trams and light rail quietly moving.

New STRAILastic_mSW 730

mini soundprotection wall with high absorbing surface

The new version of the STRAILastic_mSW adds a higher wall to the product range. This version is used for train speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Benefits at a glance

¬ No foundation required for installation

¬ easy and quick installation

¬ Short delivery times > noise hot spots can be supplied with products quickly

¬ Closer to the noise source than any other sound protection

¬ Break-proof due to bre-reinforced rubber compound with a cover layer of virgin rubber > UV and ozone resistant

¬ No material fatigue caused by vibrations or pressure and suction forces

¬ No problems with oversized loads

STRAILastic - sound protection

Due to the higher design, it gains even more e ect in the area of the wheel.

STRAILastic_mSW 730 is fastened to both rails with an insulated, decoupled substructure or directly in the subsoil using ground screws.

STRAILastic_mSW 730 > mini goes maxi.

1. STRAILastic_mSW 730 new version of the mini sound protection wall

2. STRAILastic_IP the infill panel

3. STRAILastic_mSW the established mini sound protection wall

4. STRAILastic_A inox 2.0 rail dampers

GLADSTONE PORTS HELPING TO TRANSFORM AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY LANDSCAPE

During the past five years, Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has been strategically planning for the global shift in energy.

The Port of Gladstone has earnt a global name for being one of the world’s top five exporting ports, with over 30 different products exported around the world.

GPC prides itself on having decades of experience providing energy to the markets in Europe and Asia.

“The last decade has seen a huge growth in our exports and a greater mix of energy diversification including liquefied natural gas (LNG). As the state’s energy transformation powers new growth and jobs opportunities,

GPC’s management team are now firmly focussed on the future,” Gladstone Ports Corporation CEO, Craig Haymes, said.

Within the decade, GPC expects to make history – exporting green ammonia. It’s all part of the renewable revolution and it’s taking shape at GPC. Mr Haymes believes renewable energy is the way of the future and can be executed through a seamless sustainability strategy.

“Things are moving fast,” Mr Haymes said.

The Port of Gladstone’s future renewables precinct is located adjacent to the 27,000 hectare Gladstone State Development Area. It has been identified as the ideal precinct for renewables developments – a significant industrial and manufacturing enabler.

“Just in the past two years alone, GPC has moved more than one million cubic metres of material through a reclamation program to form new port land areas at the Renewables Hub Precinct.

“The precinct has the capacity to expand up to eleven wharves in response to demand, and will generate more regional opportunities and jobs.”

Mr Haymes said.

Discussions with multiple large scale international proponents are already underway.

“GPC has been working with a number of proponents to facilitate hydrogen in the region with established agreements already in place,” Mr Haymes said.

BECOMING AUSTRALIA’S LEADING HYDROGEN EXPORT LOCATION

Mr Haymes took the reins of CEO at GPC earlier this year and is no stranger to the phrase ESG.

The highly experienced civil engineer has more than 30 years of experience in multinational companies. He has earned a reputation for his focus on suitability performance, environmental protection and maintaining a safe workplace.

“All the strategic planning, tactics and infrastructure undertaken is underpinned by GPC’s strong ESG credentials,” Mr Haymes said.

“ESG forms part of sustainability at GPC and informs and records our performance against key criteria, driving the direction of the organisation through continual improvement.”

Since the Australian Government’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) began in 2009, GPC has recorded a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which is helping meet Australia’s international reporting obligations.

It’s all been achieved through a number of voluntary energy and fuel efficiency programs and the mandatory Renewable Energy Target electricity contributions.

“We are setting ourselves up for success by focusing on safety and environmental performance and we’re looking to the future by embracing innovation and delivering on our environmental, social and governance obligations in the pursuit of being Australia’s premier multi-commodity port,” Mr Haymes said.

“There’s no doubt that GPC has a reputation for strong relationships with its customers, its resilience and adaptability and its multi-commodity trade base.

“The future of hydrogen in our region is becoming very real, we’re already seeing hydrogen vessels bunkering at our Port – it’s a glimpse into the future and we’re excited to harness it and make history.

“By 2030, we expect GPC to be Australia’s leading hydrogen export location,” he said.

IMPROVING CORROSION MANAGEMENT THROUGH ARTIFICIAL TECHNOLOGY

Curtin Corrosion Centre

Corrosion-related damage to infrastructure in Australia continues to be a growing concern for the construction industry and is estimated to cost a staggering $8 billion each year. by the

billion tonnes of concrete are used for construction each year and concrete continues to be the most widely used material in the industry, being used twice as often as all other industrial materials such as wood, steel, plastic, and aluminium combined, due to its low cost, versatility, and durability.

Reinforced concrete has been used with outstanding success in a wide variety of civil infrastructures, such as tunnels, bridges, marine structures, and sewer systems.

Marine structures, such as jetties and ports, are commonly built with reinforced concrete and are most at risk as they corrode due to their exposure to harsh conditions, such as salt water.

The durability and lifespan of these structures is affected by the frequent exposure to aggressive environments which speed up the deterioration processes. This predominantly occurs due to the combined degradation of concrete and corrosion of steel reinforcement.

These structures are critical to the marine and transport industries which rely on these types of structures for their daily operations. If they become corroded, it can lead to loss of functionality, high maintenance costs, disruption to offshore operations, and in rare extreme situations, catastrophic failures causing injuries.

Being able to forecast the long-term durability performance of reinforced concrete structures in their actual environments is crucial for maintenance planning of existing structures, and for designing durable and sustainable new structures.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

Despite decades of research, the underlying mechanisms behind steel reinforcement corrosion and structural damage in marine environments remain elusive.

The team at the Curtin Corrosion Centre, with funding support from SmartCrete CRC, is setting out to find an innovative solution to tackle this growing problem.

Research has commenced in the development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported corrosion monitoring tool to improve the maintenance of marine structures impacted by corrosion and to look at better ways to repair ageing marine structures built with commonly used engineering materials such as reinforced concrete. A combination of asset history and novel wireless sensors will also be used.

The new AI-based decision-making tool will be fed data on the marine structures and the Machine Learning (ML) algorithms will produce reports of high-risk areas for the port authorities, so the maintenance strategies can be scheduled.

Based on the identified high-risk areas, suitable monitoring sensors will be installed. Investigation into better repair solutions to lengthen the life and extend the inspection interval for these structures will also be undertaken.

Development of new wireless sensors based on long-range communication technology forms part of the research project, as does establishment of new test protocols to assess the chloride-induced corrosion resistance of new and sustainable construction materials, new coatings and sealants and new corrosion inhibitors.

Corrosion affects us in more ways than we realise. The use of metals in the construction industry is high and these types of materials commonly corrode due to their exposure conditions. Depending on where this metal is used, the extent of corrosion can range from damage to infrastructure, contamination of drinking water, shortage of gas supply, and major environmental damage.

Currently, there is limited knowledge surrounding the corrosion of existing reinforced concrete structures and this may lead to conservative decisions and early repair or rehabilitation prior to the useful service life.

THE FUTURE OF CORROSION MANAGEMENT

A further challenge that both engineers and researchers will continue to face is the need to constantly assess the suitability of innovative and sustainable construction materials to meet the increasingly demanding durability requirements.

Corrosion monitoring techniques that enable early detection of corrosion are imperative to reduce the risk of structural disintegration. However, traditional corrosion monitoring techniques are typically expensive and labour intensive.

Conventional methods for measuring the chloride profile of reinforced concrete involve chemical or physical laboratory techniques, which extract samples from in-service structures. These methods are often destructive and incur high direct and indirect costs.

For example, traditional in-service inspection and maintenance programs of highway structures cause traffic delay, which accounts for 15 to 40 per cent of the construction costs. Therefore, development of automated corrosion monitoring techniques based on sensors has gained increasing attention worldwide.

The Curtin Corrosion Centre at Curtin University, is committed to leading research in this space and collaborating with industry to ensure this level of corrosion is managed more appropriately.

Considering the multifactorial nature of concrete corrosion, using new, developing technologies such as artificial intelligence is the way forward. These technologies are highly efficient for research and can play a key role in the construction industry.

Not only does AI help with improving the way corrosion is monitored daily, but it also reduces the amount of time spent by contractors assessing corrosion in person, which significantly reduces maintenance costs.

DIGITALISATION: THE KEY TO MELBOURNE'S SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES

by Distinguished Professor Jason Potts, Associate Professor Chris Berg, Professor Annette Markham, Professor Matt Warren, Professor Tania Lewis, Dr Max Parasol, Dr Alexia Maddox, Dr Darcy Allen, Dr Ahmad Salehi Shahraki and Mr Tulley Kearney, Report Contributors, RMIT University

In the third report in its Digital CBD Research series, RMIT explores how to utilise innovative emerging technologies to address the supply chain challenges and cybersecurity risks within Melbourne’s CBD.

RMIT’s third report in its research series, Towards just and resilient supply chains for the digital CBD, provides a strategic analysis on developing resilient and just supply chains for a digital CBD.

The report aims to provide a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges supply chains faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and explain how emerging technologies, such as blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT) and other digital infrastructures can be used to build secure digital supply networks into the future.

Victoria has become a prominent transport and logistic hub in Australia, with Melbourne at the centre of several key supply chains. Melbourne’s CBD is known as the fastest growing small area of the country. The city is strategically located with several major ports, roads, rail, airports and transport hubs that are well networked to move products through to local, regional, interstate and international markets.

Analysing the area’s supply chain challenges is critical to understanding the shocks that continue to disrupt larger economies, and how businesses can overcome such supply and demand uncertainty.

OBJECTIVES AND AIMS

Published by RMIT’s Blockchain Innovation Hub, the Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation and the Digital Ethnography Research Centre, the report highlights research opportunities and policy recommendations for building more resilient and just supply chains towards a digital CBD.

The report’s foreword, provided by RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub Co-Director Associate Professor, Chris Berg, discusses how supply chains “were hardly viewed as a central public policy issue” prior to COVID-19. However, the pandemic has shown industry that supply chains matter, and both policy actors and scholars need to bring the complex supply chain networks into their understanding of the larger economy. This report aims to explore two research objectives. The first objective is proving a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges supply chains faced due to the twin shocks of a simultaneous pandemic and economic crisis.

The second objective is to explain how emerging technologies and other digital infrastructures can be used to build secure digital supply networks that can reduce the information asymmetries

and enhance collaboration, agility and optimisation whilst embedding just and fairer practices into digital processes.

MELBOURNE’S DIGITAL AGE

The report found that, after reviewing the impact of COVID-19 on supply chains, the supply and demand shocks were caused by four key supply chain issues, including:

♦ Sudden workforce shortages

♦ Transportation and logistics disruptions

♦ Insufficient knowledge across the full supply chain network

♦ Increased number of security breaches and attacks in digital supply chains

The report’s co-author, Dr Tharuka Rupasinghe from RMIT’s Blockchain Innovation Hub, said “integrating digitalisation” is key to resolving these supply chain disruptions, now and in the future.

“Melbourne needs resilient supply chains that respond to shocks and threats with the ability to adapt to changing conditions,” Dr Rupasinghe said.

“The city has the potential to be a testbed for autonomous vehicles and to develop a blockchain pilot.”

The report states that supply chains all around the world have been revolutionised by automated or driverless technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics and drones, and that Victoria could develop the policies and shared infrastructure, and put in place incentives to trial the technology within Melbourne, positioning the city as a global leader in “autonomous last mile-delivery”.

The report also claims that, in combination with other emerging technologies, blockchain technology “has a myriad of benefits and can create more efficient, effective and resilient supply chains".

CRITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The report recommends that the Victorian Government create a blockchain-based supply chain pilot, highlighting the construction industry as “a great example” of an industry that would benefit from such a pilot.

The report also proposes the following five recommendations for the Victorian Government to action:

♦ The use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as a digital twin to mitigate against fraud, theft and loss

♦ Standardising supply chain cyber security requirements to support cyber resilience and mitigate against risks when operationalising emerging technologies

♦ Creating a supply chain data and governance framework

♦ Uplifting digital skills within supply chains

Associate Professor Berg said the report highlights how new technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, can facilitate innovation in supply chains that provides greater resilience and adaptability.

“At first glance, a single city might be a strange framework to think about supply chains when we associate supply chains with large-scale global networks rather than the urban and suburban environments of a city,” Associate Professor Berg said.

“But as this report shows, the city is shaped by supply chains both large and small. As economic activity shifts, as it did during the pandemic, so too supply chains are restructured around the new demands and environments.”

Ultimately, the report found that emerging technologies and digital infrastructures, such as NFTs, smart sensors, drones, autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence forecasting, would reduce the vulnerabilities in Melbourne’s supply chain, as highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report is the third report in a five-part series commissioned by the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF).

The report has been available for download since 12 May 2022.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

RMIT Research Centres – the Blockchain Innovation Hub, Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation and the Digital Ethnography Research Centre — have come together to conduct large-scale research into the acceleration of digital technology directly impacted by COVID-19 and consequently, the opportunity areas for a digital CBD.

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S TRANSPORT NETWORK

Hundreds of local, national and international data, transport, vehicle, and infrastructure businesses are set to converge on the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to explore initiatives that will determine a pathway towards an accessible and automated future transport network.

The ITS Australia Summit 2022, on 16–18 August, is the largest gathering of ITS professionals for more than three years in Australia.

At the Summit, delegates will learn about smart infrastructure projects that are forging the future of global transport. Speakers from Australia and around the world will explain how nextgeneration technologies are helping to realise global sustainability goals and helping to create a safer transport future for all.

The Summit program encompasses a broad swath of topics within transport technology, including smart transport infrastructure, connected and automated vehicles, intelligent mobility, transport data, sustainability in transport, equity and accessibility.

The three days of keynote speeches, panels, workshops, exhibitions, and technical tours was last held in 2019. ITS Australia President, Dean Zabrieszach, said he expects high attendance as the industry bounces back from the global pandemic.

“Australia has a reputation for hosting excellent events. Our intelligent transport systems industry is historically well supported by domestic leaders, as well as by international delegates who love to travel, network and connect, as well as enjoy local attractions,” Mr Zabrieszach said.

“This Summit is a significant event, and the committee has ensured the program is relevant and forwardthinking. With a focus on smart transport infrastructure, transport data, intelligent mobility, connected and automated vehicles and sustainability, attendees will shape future vehicle and transport connectivity with conference learnings shared locally, regionally and internationally.”

With more than 200 speakers participating in Summit 2022, there will be updates from across each of

Australia’s states and territories, as well as from international industry leaders.

France’s Marie-Christine Esposito, Head of Road Information, Information Systems and C-ITS Office at C-Roads France, is scheduled to speak about the C-Roads Platform, a joint initiative of European Member States and road operators for testing and implementing C-ITS services in light of cross-border harmonisation and interoperability.

Reuben Sarkar, President and CEO at the American Center for Mobility, is set to talk about the company’s Michigan-based facility, a leading smart mobility test center focused on the testing and validation of future mobility technologies. Mr Sarkar’s presentation will provide a viewpoint on the status of bringing connectivity into the automated vehicle space for commercializing Level Four/Level Five automated vehicles.

Dr Jason Chang, Director, Advanced Public Transport Research Center at the National Taiwan University, will provide an update on the work being done in Taiwan to progress connectivity in shared and public transport.

Representing the Australian transport technology industry, Dr Gillian Miles, Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of the National Transport Commission, will discuss how her organisation works to facilitate national transport reform and is also working with governments and industry on the settings needed for new transport technologies that know no borders.

Ms Miles will explore how generating ideas and learning from others can underpin the future of transport to deliver both social and economic outcomes.

Mario Filipovic, Manager Intelligent Transport Systems and Advanced Vehicle Safety, Advanced Planning DivisionToyota Australia, will talk about how, in an effort to improve safety, Lexus Australia has been trialling advanced

vehicle communication of safety messages within the Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot (ICVP) in Queensland.

Lexus’ research examines the capability and benefits of very quick data exchange between vehicles, between vehicles and traffic light equipment and receiving important road network updates.

Major Rachael Ayoub, Staff Officer Developing Technology from the Australian Army, will talk about how robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) have the potential to fundamentally change the way Australia’s army fights, trains and organises itself.

The Australian Army is investing in RAS technologies and concept development to understand how to be competitive in the future autonomouslyenabled battlespace. The army’s Autonomous Leader-Follower convoy with obstacle avoidance is a project being undertaken in partnership with the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) of Deakin University and aims to design and build, as platform agnostic concept demonstrator, an autonomous leader-follower convoy with advanced obstacle avoidance.

Summit 2022’s Premier Partners are the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the peak body for Australia’s automotive industry, representing light vehicle manufacturers selling into the Australian new vehicle market; The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, which moves and connects people, places, goods and services across Queensland; and Cubic Transportation Systems, a leading integrator of payment and information solutions and related services for intelligent travel applications in the transportation industry.

Other event partners include Braums, Kapsch TrafficCom Australia, Aimsum, Lexus, UGL, and VIA Transportation Inc.

FEATURES SCHEDULE

November 2022 Deadline: 7 October 2022

Rail IoT & cloud communication

Security Disaster management

Tunnels Airport

Drones/UAVS Bridges

Funding/investment

DISTRIBUTION

June 2023

AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION (AAA) NATIONAL CONFERENCE

AUSRAIL 2022

AUSTROADS BRIDGE CONFERENCE

Airport Urban development

Smart cities

Bridges

Automated and electric vehicles

Freight and logistics

DISTRIBUTION TBC

ADVERTISERS’

March 2023

Deadline: 17 February 2023

Roads and Traffic Digital Twins

Software, communications and connectivity

Signalling, tracking and control systems

Condition monitoring and maintenance

Spatial & GIS

Training and skills

DISTRIBUTION TBC

Ports

AI and machine learning

Asset Management

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

Safety and risk management

Sustainability

DISTRIBUTION TBC

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