As the demand for sustainable infrastructure increases, a renewed look at whole-of-lifecycle savings and the ongoing cost of corrosion is challenging engineers to look beyond conventional construction materials Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite rebar, also known as fiberglass rebar, is one such material that in eliminating the risk of corrosion, is proving to be a leap forward in securing an extended asset lifespan. Continue →

Tiny needle-like fibres that can become airborne if bedrock is disturbed has the potential to cause an asbestos-type disease, scientists warn The fibres come from a mineral called erionite which originates in silica-rich volcanic rock commonly found in many parts of the world and especially throughout the Auckland region. Continue →

A combined plea from three key infrastructure associations garners a partial response from a government accused of using shovel-ready projects for politicking ahead of the election Details of 59 projects were released on July 27 by the government’s Infrastructure Reference Group after infrastructure industry leaders and opposition party MPs had earlier called for the release of the government’s full list of shovel-ready projects. Continue →

Construction and infrastructure leaders are calling for urgency around the release of the government’s full list of ‘shovel-ready projects’ as increasing numbers of workers face redundancy and business confidence amongst construction and infrastructure companies nose-dives Early this month the Government announced it had selected 150 projects worth NZD$2.6b that would create or retain 20,000 jobs. Continue →

$2.6 billion of the shovel ready infrastructure fund has been allocated to 150 projects, but details on these projects are sorely needed for the infrastructure sector to plan its future workforce needs Ministers Robertson and Jones announced today that $2.6 billion of the $3 billion shovel ready fund has been allocated to 150 projects, with $400m still to be allocated. Continue →

The construction industry has now published a revised standard and protocols for ongoing operations under Level 1 The key changes from Level 2 are: The relaxing of physical distancing requirements on site. Continue →

Homeowners, builders and DIYers will soon have an easier time making basic home improvements as the Government scraps the need for consents for low-risk building work The Government is introducing new exemptions to the Building Act in a move save homeowners $18 million in consenting costs each year, though building work must still meet the Building Code, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa announced today. Continue →

Industry and government have been working with Site Safe to update the existing construction protocols to reflect what is now permitted under Level 2 Site Safe Chief Executive Brett Murray says “we’ve been working with a cross-industry working group to make sure everyone has access to this important information as soon as possible, so businesses will have time to get to grips with what level 2 means for them. Continue →

A new national Standard and Protocols have been developed for the construction industry, providing clarity over what will be expected as the industry returns to work under Alert Level 3 “The government’s announcement that construction will be able to operate under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 is a huge relief to us all,” says Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock.  Continue →

Auckland Council has submitted a list of 73 key projects to the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group, the taskforce set up by the Government to seek out ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects that can start quickly to stimulate the economy and reduce the economic impact of COVID-19 The list is made up of two parts: 30 key projects ranked in order of priority and a further 43 projects that are not ranked but that also meet the Government criteria. Continue →

After four years of planning and court battles, the demolition and re-development of Invercargill CBD is facing more hold ups with the country under lockdown As all non-essential workers head home for a minimum of four weeks to combat COVID-19, the Invercargill CBD development is unlikely to meet its target open date. Continue →

Government guidance on handling construction contracts will give many construction companies the confidence to continue to employ their people and take a lead role in the economic recovery following the lockdown, says Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock Government commitment to a fair and consistent approach to construction contracts impacted by COVID-19 closedown is welcome and will make a huge difference for construction companies. Continue →

The New Zealand Government’s recent announcement that it has established an industry-led taskforce to identify fund large “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects after the COVID-19 lockdown is welcome news to a sector reeling from the impacts of the pandemic When the time comes, the construction and infrastructure sector will play a critical role in New Zealand’s economic recovery and the government’s acknowledgement of this will help alleviate some concern about what life may look like past the pandemic. Continue →

A Government announcement to invest $12 billion in new infrastructure projects has the potential to fill a major gap in the transport infrastructure work pipeline and start to overcome NZ’s infrastructure deficit, but now details are needed for civil contractors to get to work Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced $12 billion of new investment, with $8 billion for specific capital projects and $4 billion to be added to the multi-year capital allowance. Continue →

The Government’s plans to bring projects forward and lift spending on significant infrastructure projects in the short to medium term is welcome news for Kiwi civil contractors and communities, says Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s weekend announcement to “significantly increase spending on infrastructure” was welcome news for communities, contractors and their employees, and recognised infrastructure’s importance in boosting the economy and improving living standards. Continue →

Yesterday’s update of the Infrastructure Pipeline is a sign that the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga is making good progress and we look forward to more government agencies, councils, and council-controlled organisations contributing to the pipeline over time, says Paul Blair, CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand The Commission has launched its first update of the Infrastructure Pipeline, a tool which catalogues proposed and underway infrastructure projects across the country. Continue →

The way projects are being delivered in Australia is rapidly changing with the emergence of mass timber, an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional structural systems The Urban Developer Mass timber encompasses a suite of building elements that transform relatively low value timber feedstock into structural elements that have superior weight-to-strength performance than steel or concrete. Continue →

The contracting relationship between government and the construction industry is set to be redefined, with new construction-specific guidelines created to accompany new government procurement rules coming into force tomorrow, says Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock If the new Construction Procurement Guidelines and the new Government Procurement Rules 4th Edition were properly implemented with agencies held accountable, it could signal a new era. Continue →

The announcement of a $2.4 billion, 10-year construction partnership between Watercare and Fulton Hogan and Fletcher Construction is a positive development for the wider infrastructure industry that will lead to better outcomes for all parties, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair By committing to a long-term programme of work rather than one-off projects, Watercare is giving the certainty that construction companies like Fulton Hogan and Fletcher Construction need to be able to invest in skills, drive efficiencies, and innovate. Continue →

The infrastructure sector sees a major role for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga in lifting the nation’s sagging infrastructure performance The procurement performance in New Zealand has fallen in the last two years, both in the public and private sector. Continue →