EPC Media Group

27/08/2025

NEIGHBOURHOODS MAY HOLD THE KEY
TO SLOWING COGNITIVE DECLINE

A 13-year study of older Australians has revealed that where you live may play a powerful role in how your brain ages.
A collaboration between researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney and the Australian Catholic University (ACU) has found that living in walkable, green, and well-connected neighbourhoods - especially those with access to public transport, commercial services, and blue or green spaces - may help protect against memory and cognitive decline.
The findings, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, come from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (MAS), one of Australia’s largest and longest-running studies of ageing and brain health. Over 1,000 adults aged 70 and older were followed for nearly 14 years to investigate the factors that predict cognitive stability, decline, and even improvement.
Participants living in more densely populated, greener areas with better access to services were less likely to develop dementia. Conversely, those exposed to higher levels of air pollution - particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - were more likely to experience cognitive decline.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest industry news with CEA News Online. Visit: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/cea-magazine

26/08/2025

BORAL’S FLAGSHIP BLENDED RECYCLED GLASS SAND
APPROVED FOR SYDNEY WATER

Leading construction materials company Boral Limited (Boral) has received approval from Sydney Water on its flagship blended high grade compaction sand for use as an approved non-standard product. The innovative product was designed specifically to meet Sydney Water's stringent material specifications, providing an environmentally sustainable and easily compacted alternative for pipe laying applications.
The Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre, Sydney Water’s largest infrastructure investment in Western Sydney, is the first project to use the flagship Boral Blended High-Grade Compaction Sand (HGCS) as an approved material, following more than 12 months of extensive collaboration and successful trials involving John Holland, Sydney Water and Boral, respectively.
Boral HGCS is a sustainable blend of natural sand combined with up to 40 per cent double-washed glass sand. Glass sand is made from washed, kerbside recycled glass bottles – a solution to the diminishing natural resource and has similar, but improved, engineering characteristics to natural sand.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest industry news with CEA News Online. Visit: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/cea-magazine

25/08/2025

SHIPPIT LAUNCHES AI-POWERED SOLUTION
TO FUEL NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH

Shippit, an eCommerce platform that powers hundreds of millions of orders for over 4,000 retailers, has launched NowGo by Shippit, a powerful new last-mile delivery orchestration solution for businesses that run complex, time-sensitive delivery operations and services.
The company claims that NowGo by Shippit customers have improved fleet efficiency by 12% and fleet utilisation by 15%, and reduced fuel consumption, driver downtime and the number of KMs delivery vehicles spend on roads.
The solution, which has been built on an AI-first foundation following Shippit’s acquisition of Premonition in 2022, is powered by a proprietary algorithm developed by Australian engineers. This capability sets NowGo by Shippit apart as the only Australian-based last-mile orchestration solution that does not rely on common third-party route optimisation services.
Already powering category-leading brands like Reece, Mitre 10, Healius Pathology and News Corp, NowGo by Shippit is ideally suited for businesses with complex, specialised and highly-regulated delivery needs such as trade supply, furniture retailers, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest industry news with HEA News Online.
Visit: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/hea-magazine

22/08/2025

BUILDING AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SLIP-FORM AIRCRAFT PAVEMENT

CPB Contractors Project Manager, Hassan Ghonaim and Superintendent, Paul Hamilton developed an innovative Australian-first slip-form methodology for Aircraft Pavement on the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), specifically Airside Civil and Pavement works project – the project was delivered in a Joint Venture with Acciona. Hassan and Paul’s idea to trial slip-form for the first time in Australia was not a conventional one but following its success, this work has become a game-changer that has set a new standard for safety and productivity for WSI, CPB Contractors and for future runway projects in Australia.
The ‘slip-form’ method paves the aircraft pavement without the use of the traditional dual steel forms – a first for Australian aviation. To achieve this, Hassan, Paul and the team modified the mix, ensuring total consistency by using the CPB Contractors batch plant on site.
“We conducted multiple successful trials, providing a precise, consistent, and high-quality surface finish. This method has now been carried forward to The Cargo Precinct project and will be transformational for future aviation projects,” Hassan said.
This innovative new slip-form methodology, combined with the utilisation of CPB Contractors’ onsite batch plant proved beneficial for both safety and productivity.
“It significantly reduced interactions between plants and people and the amount of manual handling by our form workers with the steel forms. The proximity of the batch plant and the slip-form methodology removed many interactions and truck movements, reducing the risk of delay or interruptions, eliminating gaps in the process, and saving significant time as we weren’t waiting for various suppliers to deliver the concrete mix,” he added.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest industry news with HEA News Online.
Visit: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/hea-magazine

21/08/2025

PRIME INDUSTRIAL SITE IN SYDNEY RELEASED FOR SALE
BY NSW GOVERNMENT

The NSW Government is launching an opportunity to acquire a prime piece of industrial land in the strategically located South-West Sydney Industrial Corridor.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, along with sales agent Colliers, has launched to market a 15,610 square metre vacant industrial site, close to major roads and large industrial operations.
The site is located at 55 Eastwood Road, Leppington – a highly accessible location close to major arterial roads including the M7 and the Hume Highway.
The NSW Government’s Property Audit identified the site as surplus and, while not suitable for housing, it is now being brought to market to unlock its industrial potential.
The site is zoned IN2 Light Industrial under the Camden Local Environmental Plan, allowing for significant development opportunity, including for a logistics facility or large equipment/ vehicle storage yard (STCA).
The site will be offered via public auction on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 at 2pm.

20/08/2025

GROUNDBREAKING STUDY REVEALS POWER OF CONNECTED DATA TO TRANSFORM AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT

A new national research collaboration led by ITS Australia and the University of Melbourne has revealed how integrating connected vehicle data, AI, and telematics can dramatically improve road safety, reduce congestion, and cut emissions across Australian transport networks.
The report, Integrated Connected Data for Safer, More Efficient Transport Management, presents the outcomes of a multi-agency project supported by the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, in partnership with Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland, Transport for NSW, Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, Transport Main Roads Western Australia, as well as the Transport Accident Commission.
The project examined how real-time connected vehicle and bicycle data, combined with traditional traffic inputs and advanced modelling tools, can be used to predict road conflicts, optimise signal timing, improve cyclist safety, and provide accurate emissions estimates.
ITS Australia and the University of Melbourne is now calling on interested partners to trial the tools and models developed through the project, including AI-based conflict detection, dynamic emissions mapping, and multimodal signal optimisation.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest industry news with HEA News Online.
Visit: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/hea-magazine

19/08/2025

Western Australia has reached a national milestone in construction innovation, with Contec Australia completing the country’s first multi-storey 3D printed concrete home, and the first project of its kind in Perth. Contec Australia, WA’s only operational 3D concrete printing company, used mobile robotic technology to print the full structural walls of the Tapping home in just 18 hours of active printing time. The entire two-storey build – from slab to completion – was delivered in only five months.
Read the full story at:

Western Australia has reached a national milestone in construction innovation, with Contec Australia completing the country’s first multi-storey 3D printed concrete home, and the first project of its kind in Perth. Contec Australia, WA’s only operational 3D concrete printing company, used mobile...

18/08/2025

Engineers Australia is waiving the $105 admin fee for August! Join by 31 August to get access to exclusive training, resources and career tools.
Visit: https://m.engineersaustralia.org.au/getsaving?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=HEA&utm_campaign=FeeFree25&utm_content=social

17/08/2025

TASMANIAN TRANSPORT PROJECT CLAIMS TOP INDUSTRY AWARD
Tasmania’s largest ever transport infrastructure project – the new Bridgewater Bridge – has taken out the 2025 Australian Construction Achievement Award (ACAA), the construction industry’s most coveted prize.
Presented by the Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia, the award recognises not only engineering and construction excellence, but how projects are advancing sustainability, workforce capability and social impact across the industry.
Delivered by McConnell Dowell for the Tasmanian Government, the 1.28-kilometre bridge connects key freight, and passenger routes and includes two new interchanges, seven intersection upgrades and a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.
Judges praised the project’s technical complexity, sustainable practices and local economic benefits, noting its innovative piling approach, protection of ecologically sensitive wetlands, and deep community consultation to manage cultural heritage considerations.
“The project successfully overcame considerable technical and environmental challenges, including highly variable ground conditions, ecologically sensitive wetlands and aquatic habitats and significant cultural heritage issues through extensive consultation. These were managed through the use of a temporary bridge and barge-based causeway as well as extensive stakeholder consultation,” the judges said.
A purpose-built precast facility on site enabled efficient and defect-free construction of more than 1,000 match-cast segments – weighing up to 90 tonnes each – keeping the project on track despite pandemic disruptions. Judges also commended the project’s “local first” procurement strategy and 85 per cent Tasmanian workforce.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest industry news with HEA News Online.
Visit: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/hea-magazine

17/08/2025

Rolls-Royce and Duisburger Hafen AG have opened a CO2-neutral and self-sufficient energy system for the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal, located in the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region of Germany. The core components are two mtu combined heat and power units designed for operation with 100 percent hydrogen, which are being used here for the first time worldwide. The system is supplemented by an mtu battery storage system, mtu fuel cell systems and a photovoltaic system integrated via an intelligent energy management system.
Read the full story at:

Rolls-Royce and Duisburger Hafen AG have opened a CO2-neutral and self-sufficient energy system for the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal, located in the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region of Germany. The core components are two mtu combined heat and power units designed for operation with 100 percent hydroge...

17/08/2025

Remediation works are complete on the Kidman Bridge over the River Torrens, ensuring its lifespan well into the future.
Located on Henley Beach Road in Lockleys, in suburban Adelaide, the Kidman Bridge was first constructed in 1936 and was named to commemorate Sir Sidney Kidman, who was known at the time as Australia’s largest landholder and ‘The Cattle King’, owning more than 600,000 cattle.
Read the full story at:

Remediation works are complete on the Kidman Bridge over the River Torrens, ensuring its lifespan well into the future. Located on Henley Beach Road in Lockleys, in suburban Adelaide, the Kidman Bridge was first constructed in 1936 and was named to commemorate Sir Sidney Kidman, who was known at the...

17/08/2025

Engineering is evolving fast — and the future belongs to those who adapt. Here are five hot takes from 2023 Engineers Australia Professional Engineer of the Year Adam Jones on where the industry is headed and how engineers can stay ahead.
Read the full story at:

by Adam Jones, CEO of CLT Toolbox Engineering is evolving fast — and the future belongs to those who adapt. Here are five hot takes from 2023 Engineers Australia Professional Engineer of the Year Adam Jones on where the industry is headed and how engineers can stay ahead. 1. Manufactured products ...