2006-07 - Construction Innovation

PROGRAM A: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
4.3 Research projects
PURPOSE:
TO IMPROVE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS, COMPETITIVENESS AND
DYNAMICS OF A VIABLE PROPERTY, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND FM INDUSTRY IN
AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS THROUGH:
GREATER INNOVATION IN BUSINESS PRACTICE
MORE EFFECTIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND CLIENTS
STRENGTHENED HUMAN RELATIONS AND ETHICAL PRACTICES.
Building Research Innovation Technology and
Environment (BRITE)
Research project 2004-021-A
Supply Chain Sustainability
Research project 2004-016-A
Project duration: 1 January 2006–31 December 2007
Project leader: Karen Manley, QUT
Project members: Arup: Richard Hough
CSIRO: Stephen McFallan
Queensland Department of Main Roads: Michael Swainston,
Sam Fernando
Queensland Department of Public Works: Dale Gilbert,
Wendy May-Taylor, Julia Willis
QUT: Mary Hardie, Stephen Kajewski, Linden Spindler
The BRITE project has improved industry
awareness of innovation and the capability
of firms to innovate, particularly small firms,
which generate two-thirds of value added
and three-quarters of employment. An
external review of BRITE’s impact conducted
in 2006 showed that 65% of respondents
felt that Construction Innovation’s BRITE
case studies have had a positive impact on
overall industry attitudes to innovation, while
90% of respondents felt innovation adoption
Karen Manley
rates would increase over time because of
the BRITE demonstration series. In 2006–07, Phase Two of the BRITE
project developed a national database of innovative contractors
with the purpose of identifying best practice innovation strategies
and share these with smaller contractors. An industry report, Being
the Best, was also produced investigating the way highly innovative
contractors sustain their market leadership. Available free of charge
online, 1024 copies of Being the Best have been distributed, with
the assistance of state government departments, to pre-qualified
contractors in the building and infrastructure industries throughout
Australia. Another 200 copies have been distributed through BRITE
project participants and to policy and contracting participants in
the Queensland Department of Public Works and Queensland
Department of Main Roads.
Project duration: 1 July 2005–30 June 2007
Project leader: Kerry London, The University of Newcastle
Project members: Brisbane City Council: Harry Copeland
Queensland Department of Main Roads: John Spathonis, Alan Carse
Queensland Department of Public Works: Don Allan, Wendy May-Taylor
QUT: Steve Rowlinson
Rider Levett Bucknall: Stuart Rayner
The University of Newcastle: John Burgess, Amir Mahmood
Construction sector policy makers have the
opportunity to create improvements and
develop economic, social and environmental
sustainability through supply chain
economics. This project examines supply
chain economic policy implementation by
two government agencies – Queensland
Department of Main Roads and Queensland
Department of Public Works. The project
also seeks to address Brisbane City
Council’s strategic objective of increased
Kerry London
recycled materials content from expansion
of the construction and demolition waste sector. The project informs
strategic policy development and offers long term benefits of
stabilisation of employment levels, reduction in high staff turnover
and flow on improvements in skill levels and OHS. Other benefits will
include improved product quality and reduction in remedial work and
wasted government resources to monitor a poor performing sector.
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