Looking ahead: Industry drives new Centre projects
We are delighted to confirm that, at its meeting held on 16 November, the SBE Australia Governing Board recommended that detailed research projects be developed across six themes in the new funding period to start in 2023. These industry-driven themes arose out of active engagement with key stakeholders over the last three months who identified the sector’s needs, with face-to-face workshops held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
The themes are:
- Construction waste
- Sustainable procurement
- BIM/digital engineering
- Future cities and transport
- Social and affordable housing
- Green energy
Each theme
has strong support across our core partners and prospective collaborators nationally and fit into complementary initiatives internationally.
During the first quarter of 2023, and under the direction of Chief Operating Officer Ammar Shemery, the Centre will develop detailed agreements between our industry, government and research partners for the new projects to kick-off in April. In keeping with our ‘sweet spot’ approach to project duration, these 18 months-long core projects will
include additional partner leveraging activities, enabled from state and federal funds, linking project partners and international partners going forward.
SBE Australia: A history of achievement
With the SBE Australia and its predecessors spanning more than 25 years of built environment innovation, the Centre’s history is being captured in History of Achievement documents. Each document focuses on a key sector of the Centre’s research projects: Transport Futures, Social and Affordable Housing and Digital Technologies. Individually and collectively, they highlight the SBE Australia’s responsiveness to collaborative research driven by the needs of industry. Our achievements as a Centre would not have been possible without the valuable support of our core industry, government and research partners since the establishment of the SBE Australia and its predecessor, the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation (CRCci).
Online availability of the Digital Technologies report will follow in early 2023.
Vale Steve Golding AM RFD
It is with a heavy heart that we at the SBE Australia advise of the passing of our valued long-term mentor, supporter and experienced Project Steering Group (PSG) Chair, Steve Golding AM RFD (Member of the Order of Australia and Reserve Force Decoration).
Steve was a champion of built environment innovation and a real ‘doer’. In 2000, as Director-General of Queensland’s Department of Main Roads, Steve supported the initial submission document for the SBE Australia bid to the Australian Government to create the CRCci. Queensland Main Roads was one of three Queensland Government departments to establish a core strength of public industry leadership in this CRC – the
forerunner to the SBE Australia. When our bid was judged as successful, Steve signed the contracts and advocated for strong and close Queensland Government and industry research relationships, promoting industry-driven case studies across the nation.
Winding the clock forward almost two decades, Steve personally chaired the PSGs for the Centre on three consecutive projects over the past four years. His guidance ensured industry leadership was paramount in the formation, management and delivery of our BIM/Digital Engineering stream of projects, commencing with Unlocking Facility Value through Life Cycle Thinking.
Steve was an active senior sponsor for digitally driven innovation across the housing, building and infrastructure sectors of the Australian built environment.
It has been a privilege to work with Steve Golding for more than two decades. He was a champion of industry-driven research.
Rest in peace, Steve.
Bio: Stephen Golding was a scholarship holder with Queensland’s Department of Main Roads and following graduation served in both regional and specialist areas of the department. His final position was as Director-General from 2000 to 2005. Since then, he had been an active director on a range of governing boards in the areas of seaports, desalination, manufactured water and intelligent transport systems. Steve was a Director of North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd, Director and Chair of Transport Certification Australia Ltd, Director and Acting Chair of Transmax Pty Ltd and a Board Member of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. He was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia
and a Fellow of three other professional associations. In a parallel part-time career, Steve was an active Army Reservist, commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry. However, most of his regimental service was in the Royal Australian Engineers. He reached the rank of Major General as the Assistant Chief of Army (Reserves) and became inactive in 1998. For services to the Army Reserve, he was appointed a Member in the Order of Australia in 1998.
Wishing you a safe and satisfying holiday season
\As the year draws to a close, all of us here at the SBE Australia wish all of you – our research, industry and government partners, and your families – our warmest best wishes for a happy holiday period. In a year where our planet’s population reached a staggering eight billion, the built environment remains a crucial sector, as we work to mitigate emissions and minimise waste while addressing the increasing demands for infrastructure in rapidly growing cities sustainably. Working together, the SBE Australia is well-poised to rise and meet the challenges.
We are looking forward to continuing our valuable relationship with you in 2023.
Dr Keith Hampson, Chief Executive Officer
Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Australia
Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia
k.hampson@sbenrc.com.au
Our challenge is to continue growing the value and impact of our applied research more deeply and broadly across Australia. Australia’s Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (SBE Australia) is acknowledged as an excellent example of a CRC that has graduated into an independent organisation delivering unique industry, government and research collaboration.
