Exciting times ahead for NSW members

I am beyond grateful to have been elected as the NSW State President of the Hire Rental Industry Association. I’m excited to see what we can achieve as an industry over these next few years and how we, as an association, can assist in banding together to ultimately provide hire solutions to our customers.

It’s such an exciting and busy time in NSW with all the current developments and projects under way in our State and a pipeline of future developments projected in the coming years. While it’s hard to isolate a few for mention, the likes of Western Sydney Airport, Westconnex, Sydney Gateway and Inland Rail are some of the largest projects to highlight in our state at the moment.

We have a pipeline consisting of close to 150 infrastructure projects of which half have already received funding commitment for delivery while the other half are in planning. The transport sector continues to account for the majority of the Pipeline (59% of projects) including bypasses such as Coffs Harbour, Singleton to Muswellbrook, Parkes, Mt Ousley and more up on the north side with the M1 Upgrade.

Like most Australians, we have felt the effect of interest rate increases and inflation, leading to more difficult decisions and conversations to be had, compared to previously. Some of these impacts have extended to the collapse of construction firms, which has negatively impacted our industry.

Another hot topic that is consistently arising lately, is sustainability and net zero emissions. There are many recent surveys, and the constant theme in the data shows that an average of 70–80% of Gen Z have a strong commitment to sustainability and are willing to take action (if not already) in changing their behaviour to reduce their impact on the environment. This stems all the way through to their purchasing habits. They are the future, and if we don’t begin the process to listen and adopt now, we will miss the boat once it’ll be too late.

There is so much currently happening in NSW and by far the most exciting times are ahead in our industry.