2006-07 - Construction Innovation

7
6. Increased recognition of the CRC’s contribution to
improved standards of design and construction
2006–07
7. Contribution by CRC participants in developing
public policy initiatives
2006–07
The Building Commission is using the research outcomes (guidelines
and a checklist) from the Wayfinding in the Built Environment project
to promote consideration of wayfinding systems in the design of
buildings through information dissemination via web, newsletters
and eBulletins. The wayfinding project collaborated with Standards
Australia to ensure alignment and the project outcomes reinforce the
Australian standard in this area, specifically for commercial buildings.
The project won the Queensland Government’s 2007 Disability Action
Week Award in the Building and Accessible Environments Category.
Construction Innovation’s DesignCheck project won the research
and development category at the AIB 2006 New South Wales
Professional Excellence in Building Awards. The project also won
a High Commendation in the 2006 Professional Excellence Award
for Research and Development at the AIB National Awards in
September 2006.
Industry provided funding for the development of two new research
projects which focus on the development of national guidelines for
sharing data between disciplines based on case-studies of projects
using BIM and the development of a collaborative ICT platform where
such data can be shared.
In 2006–07 Construction Innovation also strengthened its collaboration
with IAI, the organisation which established the international open
standard IFC for object technology in construction and facilities
management.
2005–06
Standards Australia has recognised the CRC project Decision Support
Tools for the Rehabilitation of Concrete Infrastructure as providing a
necessary set of industry guidelines for practitioners’ use. A technical
manual is being produced by Standards Australia based on this
project outcome to be co-badged, and with sales income to be
shared by both organisations.
Construction Innovation’s extensive industry collaborations in
developing improved functionality and robustness of digital modelling
have provided a foundation for enhanced industry uptake of this tool.
Studies in the United States have indicated that digital modelling will
allow improved design, team collaboration, construction bidding,
planning and execution and real owner value at all stages of the life
cycle. The comprehensive US report (NIST, 2003) has provided an
Australian valuation of the benefit of improved productivity through
digital communication and sharing at $1.2 billion.
• Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation
(Productivity Commission)
Construction Innovation’s CIBE project prepared a submission to
the Productivity Commission, in their study on the performance
benchmarking of Australian business regulation. On the basis of
this submission, the CRC was invited to attend a closed round
table discussion on benchmarking the regulatory environment.
The work of CIBE project, and the CRC has been noted in the
final published report.
• Submission to the Draft Brisbane Economic Development
Plan (Brisbane City Council)
Elements of Construction Innovation’s submission have been
incorporated into the final Brisbane Economic Development
Plan — particularly in relation to infrastructure. These inclusions
focused on construction industry skills development, and the
likely impact of continued population growth on transport
infrastructure in Brisbane, and surrounding local government
areas.
• Inquiry into a Sustainability Charter (House of Representatives
Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage)
Construction Innovation was invited to address the Standing
Committee as part of a select Round Table discussion in
October 2006 on the Sustainability Charter. Construction
Innovation nominated ASBEC to participate. ASBEC has
subsequently met with the Minister for Environment and Water
Resources in relation to the submission.
• Queensland Department of Public Works is using outcomes from
the Off-Site Manufacturing project to inform policy development.
• Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council are using
recommendations arising from Construction Innovation’s
eTendering project to inform the development of wider adoption
of eTendering in procurement.
2005–06
Construction Innovation continues to make a recognisable
contribution in developing public policy initiative – through its
participant policy makers in QDPW, QDMR, QDSDTI, ABCB, Building
Commission (Victoria) and BCC. Our CRC has made public policy
comment to a draft Brisbane Economic Development Plan and the
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and
Heritage Inquiry into a Sustainability Charter. Additionally the ABCB
is moving to more complete adoption of sustainability provisions in
the new Building Code of Australia. The study recommended to the
ABCB the need to include sustainability requirements in the BCA. It
demonstrated the need to control and regulate sustainability along
with the methods available to control and regulate it.
53