Smart Cities & Suburbs Program of the Australian Government

Australia’s economic future is closely linked to that of its cities. That is the main reason when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took the charge unveiled a 34-page Smart Cities plan. A total of AU$28.5 million is being allocated across all areas of the country, with every project being co-funded by local governments, private companies, universities, research organisations, industry and not for profit bodies. The government also pointed out that 40 percent of the projects are located in regional areas.

Key elements that will be the part of smart city project–

• Digital Infrastructure
• Climate Change
• Smart Energy
• Sustainability
• Transport & Mobility
• Affordable Housing
• Healthcare
• Education
• Migration & Refugees

Submissions and feedback received through the Smart Cities Summit in April 2016- are shaping how the Australian Government delivers the Smart Cities Plan and City Deals. In the earlier programs, it was only the big cities that got the biggest emphasis but in the new initiative, big and small both cities got equal importance. Regional capital cities in Australia are growing much faster than the national average, and with more smart city features involved to make life easier and sustainable, that rate is only expected to rise.

Now, this is changing. In July, the Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand (SCCANZ) and the Green Building Council of Australia announced a partnership under which the two bodies would work to create a new Code for Smart Communities – a voluntary code which will provide guidance to government and private sector developers as they go about implementing the smart cities agenda.

Many regional cities were waiting to see how the new agenda would roll out in reality. Building smart cities and communities will take decades. In fact, the process will never end – it will be ongoing. So it is never too late to start.

Why Construction & Building Sectors are Australia’s Strongest Economic Drivers

It is the construction manager who looks after that a construction project go smoothly from start to finish. The construction industry is heterogeneous and enormously complex. The major classifications of construction differ markedly from one another: residential, commercial, industrial, infrastructure, bridges, schools, hospitals, power plants and roads, as well as specialties such as electrical, mechanical, framing, excavation, and roofing.

A professional construction manager is constantly on top of costs and makes the necessary adjustments when unexpected complications or issues arise. They oversee specialized contractors and other personnel. They schedule and coordinate all design and construction processes to ensure a productive and safe work environment.

With continued foreign and domestic investment, it is the construction sector in Australia that remains one if the country’s strongest economic drivers. The building and construction market in Australia have reached a record high over the last couple of years and the division revenue is expected to grow at an annualized 0.4% over the five years through 2017-18, to $356.4 billion. This is the primary reason the demand for the construction and building managers in Sydney and all over the Australia is running hot.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for construction managers is expected to grow by 17 percent in the next ten years in Australia. Construction and building management companies in Sydney also make sure jobs are completed on time and on budget with the right number of tools, equipment, and materials. For large scale projects, construction managers and building management professionals work hand in hand with other construction managers to complete the project successfully. They hire and organize various contractors and suppliers, and coordinate the subcontractor’s activities for the project.

With the growing demand of construction experts, there are multiple construction and management companies in Sydney and all over Australia that provide training programmes, which allow those wanting to pursue a career in construction management.

3 Ways to Make a Building Fire-Proof

With the ever-growing development of building and construction projects, the risk and frequency of fire outbreak are also growing steadily. There is no question that a comprehensive fire risk assessment (FRA) is an important cog in the wheel of overall fire safety management of a building and a construction project.

According to the professionals of the building and construction management companies, fire safety and fire prevention can be achieved via innovative architectural design using international fire safety codes and should be implemented during the design process prior to construction and operation.

Fire Resistant Building Materials-

The most important element is to build a construction in which fire would take effect slowly, giving the occupants ample time to escape. External cladding, flooring and clearing are the vital factors in making a building fire resistant. Flame resistant building materials are extremely important elements for fire-proofing homes. For the roofing of a building construction- clay, composition shingle, stone walls, asphalt, metal or cement tiles can be used. for exteriors walls- stucco, cement, plaster and masonry can be used.

Fire-Resistant Windows-

To protect your house, consider installing fire-resistant windows. One example is dual-paned glass windows, which, in addition to providing energy efficiency, also double the time it would take for fire to break the windows.

Fire Alarms- It is the key part of making a building fire-proof. A fire alarm system is primarily designed to warn occupants of a fire so they can safely evacuate the premises. An early detection can get you out of a situation that would potentially turn into a tragedy. Ultimately, the only safe way to escape a fire is to leave the area. Fire alarms give you this opportunity, by sounding at the first sign of danger.

You should also beware that commercial properties are subject routine fire safety inspections throughout the year. Building and construction management professionals also advise you to check the fire system on a daily basis to make sure they are in a peak working condition.

Why Australians Need to Built Bushfire-Proof House

Bushfires tend to occur when Eucalyptus trees, which have a high oil content in their leaves, have dried out, usually following periods of below average rainfall. The vast majority of the population will face above-normal bushfire risks this year and homeowners must prepare now, Australia’s fire chiefs have warned at the launch of the bushfire outlook.

Many of the nation’s most highly populated areas — including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart — all face above-average risk of out-of-control bushfires in the coming months, according to the latest update from the Bushfire and National Hazards CRC. Most of Australia had above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall over winter and this had contributed to an elevated fire risk for the bulk of eastern and south Australian coasts.

According to the Australian project management experts, the perfect bushfire-proof house would be a concrete bunker with no windows. Designing houses to withstand bushfire is about balancing not only the bushfire resilience of the house, but also the aesthetic qualities of the house, the aesthetic appeal of the surroundings, and the cost, practicality and availability of materials.

The key to survival is to understand the unique way in which a wildfire will attack your home. Homeowners need to be aware that there is no single solution that will totally protect their house, the design process is particularly complex; there is no one perfect solution but rather a variety of options that can be selected for any individual building site.

There are things they can do to decrease the risk of fire. Modern bushfire-resistant homes use bushfire resistant materials, and glazing to minimise the risk of ember attack. Steel-framed houses are rising in popularity in recent times. In other parts of the property such as window frames, verandahs, decks and gardens, materials such as stone, concrete, earth or galvanised iron should be chosen to prevent the spread of fire, should it hit your property.

Give a Face lift to your Construction Project with the help of Project Managers

Effective project management and governance are required to maintain the alignment of a construction project objectives with an organization’s objectives. They ensure that major stakeholders are provided with the reliable, updated and timely information needed to make critical decisions. The building and construction management companies are committed to providing a heightened focus on the delivery of the top-notch best construction project management services for the private and public sector.

During the late 1980s and the ‘90s, the interest in the science and art of project management continued to increase, which resulted in dramatic improvements in the processes and systems that had become the tools of the trade. At the turn of the new century, project management has become an integral part of all sorts of building and property development all over the globe.

Project managers have experience in one or more of the industries, adapt quickly to new environments, and above all are strong coordinators and leaders. With their excellent skill and man-management expertise, they fulfill the demand of the modern-day construction industry. They develop and drive integrated project plans, aligning project tactics with project strategy. Apart from this they also integrate on-site into the client environment to effectively lead project teams while building positive professional relationships with clients and associates.

Often working in highly regulated industries, project managers handle difficult projects through dedicated on-site leadership. The property development project management companies approach is to combine their client’s expectation with their own market-knowledge in order to inspire stakeholder engagement and buy-in, and to achieve project objectives.

You can save on costly errors or material handling mismanagement mistakes and save a huge amount of money by keeping experienced project management professionals by your side. When you use an industrial project management team, you are automatically eligible for additional turnkey services, updates, and training that keeps you one step ahead of the game.

Proper Acoustic Management a Must-Have Feature in Modern Construction

Acoustic management is something very few people aware of. The properties of sound differ substantially depending on the frequency range. Sound can be divided into infrasound, audible sound and ultrasound. The science of acoustic management begins with reverberation times, which are the parameters used to objectively describe the echoic quality of a room. Long reverberation times will cause sound waves to be prolonged and echoes are created.

The more reverberant a room, the more people will raise their voices to compensate for the increased noise level to make themselves heard over the background noise. This only compounds the problem and makes for a very unpleasant environment.

Most people accept noise as normal without being aware there are reasonable acoustic solutions and sound control strategies to manage the problem. To correct these problems consideration needs to be given to the shape, size and volume of the area, the surfaces finishes, the type of activities, the sound system and the budget. Acoustic materials are used for reducing the noise. Let’s take a look at them-

• Diffusors

Diffusors are used in areas with flat ceilings or parallel walls to stop or reduce sound echoes that can occur.

• Absorbers

Midrange and high frequency absorbers are acoustic materials that absorb any frequency above 500 hertz. Absorbers, like diffusers, reduce ringing and echoing but they also reduce the reverberation time of a room.

• Bass Traps

These acoustic materials reduce the reverb time in larger spaces like churches, auditoriums and large recording studios.

Property developers are now getting requests from their clients for the properties with proper acoustic management. Property acoustic systems are readily available which can be incorporated as wall or ceiling linings into any project design. Used correctly, these will assist in bringing down reverberation times to the recommended levels for a range of project types. Proper sound control acoustics need to be introduced to reduce the noise level.

How Audits & Compliance Strengthen a Construction Project

Do you ever get overwhelmed by the number of regulations and the frequent changes in the Australian construction industry? Getting it right matters. The construction project audits and compliance companies provide the regulatory and compliance information you need, when during a project. Whether you are pending public or private funds, construction project are highly complicated undertaking requiring significant financial commitments.

Construction project audits program consists of:

• Subcontract analysis
• Quality assurance and quality control
• Labor burden analysis
• Reconcile project expenditures
• Change order analysis and pricing analysis
• Equipment rental analysis
• Preparation of control schedules
• Material purchases
• Direct labor analysis
• Bonds and insurance analysis
• Verification of contracted scope

A construction audit should also ensure that hazardous substances on the construction site are handled and stored properly. The auditor will closely monitor the company’s procedures for safe disposal of waste items and containing accidental spills to prevent injury to employees or the general public. If an untoward incident has taken place on the construction site, the auditor will review the company’s documentation and the treatment of any employees who were exposed to harmful substances.

Having the right controls in place is key to reducing risk and cost in a construction project. The companies of construction project audits and compliance regularly consult with clients to help them implement overall-

• Project control structure
• Change order management
• Financial budgetary management
• Reporting
• Safety and insurance

They offer superior control of the entire project and place you in a position where you can be 100% sure of your success. Audit costs pre-emptively to verify compliance of contractor charges. Enhance schedule, quality, and cost management control processes, policies, and procedures. Construction project audits and compliance allow an owner to evaluate a prospective contractor’s proposed rates and related internal cost structure before actually agreeing to same in a contract. In addition to the significant financial benefits of a construction contract audit, our independent reviews strengthen relationships among contractors and suppliers.

Affordability Factor in the Housing Industry of Australia

The affordability of home is quite a challenge in Australia. The Australian housing industry has been identified as the most expensive. For decades, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are the most preferred location for property investors. In a recent trend, a remarkable change has been observed in the housing industry of Australia. Along with building high-value property, building and construction management companies are also focusing on making housing more affordable by coming up with low-budget housing complexes.

Take a look at the influence of affordability on Australian housing industry

• Residential buildings at a reasonable price are getting immensely popular especially among the young Australians. Owners of a start-up company or an employee of an MNC are looking for the houses they can easily afford without spending high. This mindset makes it necessary for the builders to offer low-cost dwelling places.

• Another reason why the popularity of affordable housing construction in Australia is catching up quickly, nowadays, millennials are shifting their location quite frequently for job purpose or other reasons. That’s why they want a property which they can buy easily and sell easily. Sometimes it becomes really tough to sell a costly property. People are looking more eager to invest in low-priced property and getting rid of it whenever they wish by finding a buyer rather quickly.

• Higher listing levels and the attempts of Australia’s banking regulator, APRA, to make stringent tax rules on high-priced properties are also contributing significantly for building affordable housing construction in Australia.

Affordable, cheap and decent housing is essential. Certainly, it fulfils a basic human need for shelter. The need for affordable housing is immense, and the lasting impact it can have on homeowners and their families is undeniable. Economical and low-cost homes also support the local workforce so they can live close to their jobs. Thanks to the housing industry of Australia, as it is providing living places to the Australians they can afford easily.

Why Construction Managers are the Important Players in the Industry

All construction and building projects need leadership and management expertise. The real world of construction management is all about knowing the proper planning, execution and direction. Building and construction management companies play a responsible role in developing properties with real value to their clients.

What are the valuable contributions of building and construction managers-

 

From the world’s tallest building to the residential property, all construction projects are rightly guided by the construction managers. They are important players in the industry. Along with the sound understanding of the legal frameworks, they are well-versed in the use of technology for managing projects. This together with negotiation, presentation and communication skills.

• Project management firms organize, lead and manage the process related to building construction.
• They possess deep understanding of the legal frameworks this together with managing people of different agencies.
• Promote sound building practices with emphasis on energy conservation, human comfort, and responsible resource management.
• They ensure the strategies are in place to increase both the asset value and the development returns.

After cataclysmic economic disruption triggered by the global recession, it seems the real estate market has entered a prolonged period of calm. Economic outlook, strong investor demand and an abundance of capital available for real estate investment and development has formidably contributed in the steady growth of this sector. Along with the growth of urban and semi-urban accommodations, the property development consultants also contributing significantly in the housing, retail, hospitality, and commercial sector.

Property development companies work with a vast range of international developers, landowners and local authorities to deliver financially viable residential and commercial development projects. They work with the developers of all sizes and their professional teams, to advise on the viability and feasibility of proposed developments, and how to achieve a successful outcome.

In a very competitive property market, building and construction manage help funders and investors wisely bid for and unlock Development opportunities. They offer market leading developments that are attractive to the stakeholders and investors.

Why Project Managers are Indispensable for Construction Industry

How you manage and run a project determine the organizational structure. Matrix, Project and functional are the three popular organizational structures where project managers offer their valuable services. Project managers keep their clients informed about the progress of their project. They act as a trusted person whom you can believe and rely for smooth completion of construction work of the property.

How project managers help to rescue a failing project-

The trained and highly experienced professionals of the project management services can take over a failing project and turn it into a successful story. It has been noted that many times project managers brilliantly rescued a project from the brink of failure by using their knowledge, expertise and guile. PMs usually has the reputation of being an amazing problem solver. With their safe pair of hands, they bring in the much-needed stability to a construction or a property work.

Why project managers are indispensable-

With the growing complexity of the building and construction sector, it becomes almost impossible to successfully complete them without the assistance of a project management company. The property and construction consultants know how to maintain a sound coordination among all the people and agencies involved in the project. They empower, coach and encourage everyone related with the project to step up and contribute efficiently to make it successful. Whether it is a new, running or halted project, management consultants have the ability to turn it around and make it supremely successful.
Large construction projects are divided into easily manageable parts and a separate project manager is involved to check out the progress of every part. Following are the tasks they perform:

• Create the project plan
• Get the project plan approved
• Obtain the budget and resources
• Monitor the entire work and finish it on-time within the set budget

They work collectively to ensure the effective use of time and money of their clients and stakeholders. The certified property and construction consultants guide the entire team and keep them focused and motivated for the flawless completion of the project.