The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) recently hosted the inaugural Foundations and  Frontiers (FF24) forum, calling for industry-wide collaboration to overcome significant  challenges facing the construction sector.  

In a first for the sector, the forum brought together leaders from across the entire construction industry to discuss these challenges, including major industry associations, representatives  from state and federal governments, national union heads, and a diverse range of  stakeholders—from private clients and contractors to designers, developers, financiers, and  insurers. 

Polling from the day highlighted the growing concerns facing the construction sector, which is  one of the country’s largest industries.

Attendees said the biggest challenges the industry faces are a poor culture (31.5%), lack of productivity (31.5%), and lack of financial sustainability  (17.8%).

When it comes to thoughts on what the government should be doing to support a  ‘sustainable’ future for the industry, ‘procuring based on best value not lowest cost’ (37%) and  ‘ensuring fair allocation of project risk’ (29.3%) came out top.  

Frank and open discussions in plenary sessions informed separate leader roundtables where  potential ways of addressing the challenges were discussed and metrics to measure progress  proposed. 

The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and  Local Government, addressed the development of a new Federal Funding Agreement with the States aimed at supporting opportunities for Australian industries and businesses, advancing  skills development and workforce diversity, enhancing reporting requirements, productivity and culture of the construction industry.

In addition to these key focuses, Minister King highlighted  the importance of increasing the number of women in the construction industry (currently only  12%), especially given the current workforce shortages.

She praised initiatives like the  Construction Industry Culture Taskforce in addressing the underlying issues behind this lack of  diversity. 

Tom Gellibrand, CEO, Infrastructure NSW, discussed the NSW government’s plans to build on  the 10 Commitments to the Construction Industry published in 2018, with the publication of  government /construction industry partnership principles aimed at developing domestic manufacturing, improving the financial stability of the sector, and increasing productivity. 

In a timely segment given recent allegations surrounding the CFMEU, National Secretaries from  the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, Australian Workers’ Union, and Plumbing & Pipe Trades  Employees Union discussed the important role that law abiding unions have to play in shaping  the future of the industry.

The conversation focused on improving productivity by providing workers with job certainty, upskilling them to keep up with technological changes, establishing a mentally healthy workforce, and fostering better communication and collaboration between  unions and employers. 

To close the event, 75 industry leaders signed a communique recognising the importance of the  industry to Australia’s economy, the challenges that are being faced by the sector and  agreement to increase collaboration to overcome them. 

Jon Davies, CEO, Australian Constructors Association said that the timing of the first industry  wide forum was fortuitous.  

“Foundations and Frontiers 24 was conceived over a year ago, but the events of the last few  weeks provide a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate the pace of change and finally  create a more sustainable construction industry for the benefit of workers, employers and all  Australians.”  

“The name of the forum recognises that we are not starting from scratch. The foundations for a  more sustainable industry are already there but we need to push the frontiers for acceptable  outcomes in areas like industry culture, diversity, productivity and profitability, and we need to  do this quickly!” 

“This forum was not supposed to solve all industry’s problems in one go. It was designed to  start a movement for change and in that respect, I think it was an overwhelming success.”  

For more information visit: www.foundationsandfrontiers.com.au or contact Australian [email protected].