2006-07 - Construction Innovation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
and standardisation of building and infrastructure elements. The
industry outcome will be improved sustainability, increased productivity
and quality delivered with improved safety and at lesser costs – better,
faster, cheaper and safer construction.
on and complement Construction Innovation’s existing work and will
run in parallel with the existing CRC to June 2008 and as a standalone
program through to June 2009.
Six additional industry participants have joined Construction
Innovation to assist in delivering the extension program.
In response to current industry pressures, and to maintain the critical
R&D service to our growing participant-base, our Centre will submit
a competitive bid to the CRC Programme’s 2008 Selection Round.
The focus of this bid will address these issues through digital
technology, which provides the capacity for industry to be more
productive and sustainable.
Image © 2007 Jupiterimages Corporation.
1.1 Context and major developments during the year
The Australian construction industry is currently in the grip of a
resources-led boom, which has resulted in severe pressure on
infrastructure delivery, particularly in the states of Queensland and
Western Australia. This has impacted on the construction industry in
a number of ways, through staff shortages and scarcity of materials.
The mining industry has attracted tradespeople who might otherwise
have worked in construction and the volume of work has resulted in
fewer staff in our industry participant organisations being available to
work on Construction Innovation projects.
The buoyant nature of the industry is also placing significant demand
on resources, other than staff. There is a high nationwide demand
for construction products, which places additional pressure on
infrastructure and results in increased costs throughout the supply
chain. To address these challenges, Construction Innovation has
increased its focus on research to enhance the productivity of
delivering national infrastructure.
Integrated digital modelling research projects in our extension
program, which commenced on 1 July 2007, are as equally relevant
for infrastructure as for buildings. The Interoperable Standards
Development project looks at developing the current IFC international
standard, which covers the building, to a standard which can apply
for where the building meets the ground and with civil and external
works like pavements, retaining walls, landscaping and underground
services. Similarly, the Collaboration Platform project promotes the
shared usage of digital tools and data for clients and contractors in
building and infrastructure.
The offsite design and manufacturing component of the rebid will
impact on industry in several ways. Work normally done onsite would
be undertaken in factories, which would alleviate skill shortages
on site, as less skilled labour would be required. Development of
building components such as facades, bridge beams and bathroom
modules, to a higher quality standard in a factory environment would
also enable these materials to be produced more sustainably with
less waste, more safely and economically – leading to better, faster,
cheaper and safer construction.
With increased industry engagement and support from its partners,
Construction Innovation is recognised for the unique role it plays in
providing leadership of industry-wide research and development.
Our Board and the team of 351 industry, government and research
professionals who undertake and deliver our research are committed
to continuing to provide valuable outcomes for Australian industry
through applied research, education and technology transfer for
the future.
John McCarthy
Chair – CRC Construction Innovation Board
Keith Hampson
CEO CRC – Construction Innovation
Other projects in the extension program, such as the development
of Safety Effectiveness Indicators against critical safety management
activities and research to improve project Dispute Avoidance and
Resolution are highly applicable for building and infrastructure and
have been strongly industry-driven. The extension program will build
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