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EDITOR’S WELCOME
As Adam Copp, the Acting CEO of Infrastructure Australia, says in his article in this edition, Australia’s infrastructure market is currently at a critical juncture, with a variety of challenges combining to create a perfect storm.
The sector has a massive major project pipeline underway and planned for the future, but is struggling to meet this demand due to skilled worker shortages, increased material costs and supply chain delays, and the critical need for productivity reform across the board. This is also while dealing with the impacts of climate change and ensuring our infrastructure is built with sustainability in mind.
As always, we’ve tried to tackle these challenges in this edition, including an in-depth look at attracting and retaining workers. There is, however, some great progress happening in this space.
In Melbourne, we have the Victorian Tunnelling Centre helping to train new tunnel workers by using two replica tunnels that can simulate different conditions that occur on real tunnelling projects. Meanwhile in the rail sector, the National Transport Commission (NTC) has established the National Rail Skills Hub to address skill shortages and provide a platform for collaboration to create a more skilled and mobile workforce.
These initiatives, and others, are starting to make an impact on the way we’re dealing with training and skills demand. These will help meet demand for some of the major projects underway, some of which we’ve highlighted in this issue – including the Suburban Rail Loop and Coffs Harbour Bypass.
Another key aspect that plays a part in all of these conversations is digital transformation, as more and more infrastructure organisations are implementing innovative digital technologies to help increase productivity, and reduce costs. The need for digitally minded workers is also a growing concern.
Our Software, communications and connectivity feature takes a closer look at this conversation, in particular on page 48, where we have global construction business advisor Shivendra Kumar exploring the most important part of any company’s digital transformation – its people.
On a more personal note, we have some exciting changes happening here at Infrastructure. After leading this magazine for the last seven years, this will be my last issue of Infrastructure. I have loved covering this industry over the years and working closely with the sector's best minds so I sincerely thank all of our contributors and our readers for their overwhelming support. I look forward to seeing the exciting direction the team takes the magazine.
Jessica Dickers Managing Editor
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A WORD FROM INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET IS AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE
ROADS AND TRAFFIC
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TO WEATHER THE STORM, WE MUST REFORM
It’s no secret that these are challenging times for many organisations engaged in the delivery of infrastructure across Australia. Over the past year, a multitude of negative pressures – any one of which would in themselves represent a major issue – have combined to produce a storm of such force that parties of all sizes across the industry are feeling the effects.
A WORD FROM CCF
Unprecedented demand from a massive major project pipeline combined with the lingering symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a perfect storm that is bringing construction companies to their knees and threatening budget blowouts that will hit the public purse. 18
EXCELLENCE IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION RECOGNISED AT 2022 CCF NATIONAL EARTH AWARDS
Freeways, rail bridges, drainage and cycle facilities were just some of the projects recognised at the 2022 Civil Contractors Federation National Earth Awards.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
THE KEY ISSUES THAT WILL DEFINE INFRASTRUCTURE IN 2023
Australia’s infrastructure sector is feeling the pinch like never before, as the peak of investment committed during the pandemic begins to bite.
SELECTING THE RIGHT CABLES FOR TUNNELS AND OVERHEAD TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
SUBURBAN RAIL LOOP POWERS AHEAD
MEDIUM VOLTAGE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BUILT TO LAST
THE DISCUSSION SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORT
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY WORTH?
HOW DO YOU KEEP REMOTE, TEMPORARY AND UNWIRED SITES SECURE?
SUPPLY
SOFTWARE, COMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIVITY
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Infrastructure companies are undergoing digital transformation programs to create new investment opportunities, more efficient operating models, and greater sustainability. While the technologies implemented are important, the most crucial element of this process is actually understanding the impact on your employees. This is referred to as maintaining the human perspective.
HOW A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GROUND CONDITIONS HELPS TACKLE RISK
A CASE FOR STRATEGIC ASSET MANAGEMENT: ECOLOGICAL VS TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
HOW IOT, CONNECTIVITY AND EDGE COMPUTING CAN SUPERCHARGE REGIONAL AND RURAL AUSTRALIA
Regulars
1 EDITOR’S WELCOME
4 CONTRIBUTORS
76 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
76 FEATURES SCHEDULE
SPATIAL & GIS
FROM LANDS, TO SEAS, TO STARS –THE FUTURE OF GEOSPATIAL
Ahead of the Locate23 Conference in May, Infrastructure Magazine spoke with Bradley Slape, Surveyor-General of South Australia, to explore the current applications of geospatial data and technologies in the infrastructure sector, shared challenges and future direction, as well as why he thinks land applications should be prioritised over sea and space.
SIGNALLING, TRACKING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RAIL SIGNALLERS
Victoria’s Big Build is on the hunt for the next ‘unicorns’ of the rail industry to take part in fasttracked training to fill vital signalling jobs.
TRAINING AND SKILLS
TRAINING TOMORROW’S TUNNEL WORKERS
GROWING A RAIL WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE
Australian rail is experiencing an unprecedented level of investment. To ensure its success the National Rail Skills Hub is helping the industry double its workforce and improve skills portability.
NEWS
6 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSES NEW HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY BILL
6 VIC’S BIG BUILD DIRECTOR GENERAL STEPS DOWN
7 ROUND THREE OF REGIONAL AIRPORTS PROGRAM ROLLED OUT
8 SYDNEY METRO ST MARYS STATION CONTRACT AWARDED
8 EXTRA $65 MILLION FOR NSW BYPASS PROJECT
9 WEBUILD COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CLOUGH
10 $80 MILLION ACCELERATED FUNDING FOR PACIFIC HIGHWAY
10 CONTRACT AWARDED FOR $7 BILLION TRAIN PROGRAM
12 STREAMLINING THE ACCOMMODATION SECTOR
13 $400 MILLION INTERMODAL FREIGHT TERMINAL TO BE BUILT IN MELBOURNE
14 SOPHISTICATED CYBERATTACKS POSE NEW CHALLENGES FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
