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CPB Contractors and NAWIC launch a major industry challenge to transform culture

CPB Contractors and NAWIC launch a major industry challenge to transform culture

During April, CPB Contractors Executive General Manager NSW & ACT, Rob Monaci joined NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville, the Australian Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, and more than 100 leaders and employees from CPB Contractors and the Warringah Freeway Project to launch the National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Male Allies Training and Industry Challenge.

Hosted at CPB’s Warringah Freeway Project site shed in St Leonards, the event marked a key milestone in the national Allyship in Action: Transforming Culture to Attract and Retain Women initiative, which is actively engaging men to drive gender equality, foster inclusive workplaces, and dismantle systemic barriers that disadvantage women in work.

The Male Allies Training and Industry Challenge forms part of the three-year project, which has received $5 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers (BWC) Program and is being delivered in partnership with NAWIC, CPB Contractors, ADCO Constructions, the Australian Workers’ Union and Holmesglen Institute.

The Industry Challenge calls on organisations and individuals across the construction and built environment to demonstrate their commitment to building safer, more respectful and inclusive workplaces by completing NAWIC’s free, online Male Allies Training Course. Before the launch even kicked off, more than 50 CPB Contractors employees had already commenced the training with more than 20 completing it.

A finalist in NAWIC’s Male Ally of the Year for 2026, Rob Monaci explains that respectful culture is everyone’s responsibility and recognises the critical role males play in driving cultural change.

“As an industry, we have a way to go on our diversity journey. Progress requires ongoing effort and accountability from everyone, which is why programs like the Male Allies Industry Challenge are important. The online training is excellent, and we’ve already seen great participation at CPB Contractors, with most senior members of my team completing it.”

NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville said, “This initiative is designed specifically for the construction and built environment, using realistic scenarios and practical strategies that reflect the day-to-day experiences of our workforce. By engaging men as allies, we are not only supporting women to enter and stay in the industry but strengthening the entire sector for the future.”

CPB Contractors Project Engineer, Isabella Gilbert who works on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade Project shared how support from colleagues has helped her advance from Junior Engineer to Site Engineer and now Project Engineer. “At the Warringah Freeway Project, allyship isn’t a checkbox. It’s how we work, men and women supporting each other to deliver a high-quality project, safely and efficiently in a complex environment. It's great to see programs like NAWIC's Allyship in Action, which foster a work environment where women can contribute fully, progress their careers meaningfully, and be valued as essential members of the delivery team.”

The free Male Allies Training course is practical, accessible and designed for real-world application, with five short, self-paced modules that can be completed on a phone, tablet or computer.

Speaking at the event, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, commented:

“Women continue to encounter systemic and cultural barriers in trades and technical fields. Case studies show workplace culture and recruitment practices continue to deter women from entering and staying in the construction industry.”

“Supporting workers to call out outdated attitudes and foster positive culture change strengthens the entire construction workforce. That cultural shift is essential if we are to deliver the projects communities depend on,” Minister Giles said,

“Increasing women’s participation is not only the right thing to do, it’s critical to ensuring we build a workforce that can meet the growing infrastructure and housing needs in New South Wales,” the Minister concluded.

Image: (L-R) Isabella Gilbert, Minister Giles, Cathryn Greville, Rob Monaci, Greg Belle, Ruth Mukheibir, Steven
Courtesy NAWIC ©2026

Cost of venue construction and renovations for 2032 Brisbane Olympics projected to exceed $7.1 billion

Cost of venue construction and renovations for 2032 Brisbane Olympics projected to exceed $7.1 billion

In addition to funding for the 17 new or upgraded venues, an additional $12.4 billion is earmarked for transportation infrastructure projects identified by Queensland as essential for the Games.

The Games will involve the construction of the new Victoria Park Olympic Stadium and the Brisbane Arena, as well as massive projects such as Cross River Rail, the Brisbane Metro, and the upgrade of the tunnel running beneath the Gabba area.

In recent years, Sarens – a global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services - has been involved in some of Australia’s most significant public works projects, such as the Parramatta Light Rail in Sydney and the Darlington Bridge Project in Adelaide, and is currently in discussions with the government to assess its involvement in the projects required for the Olympic Games.

The upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, to be held in Brisbane in 2032, will have a significant economic impact on the country. Not only because of the expected spending by visitors, estimated at over $44 billion, but also due to the high level of investment required in infrastructure - more than $7.1 billion for the renovation and construction of venues, of which $3.4 billion will come directly from federal funding.

Although much of this funding will be dedicated to the construction of 17 new or upgraded venues, including the new Victoria Park Olympic Stadium and the Brisbane Arena, the federal government has also set aside an additional investment of over $12.4 billion for the construction of transportation projects identified by Queensland as strategic for the successful staging of the Games, and which will be of great utility once the Olympic event has concluded. Notable among these is the Cross River Rail project, Queensland’s most ambitious, a new line spanning over 10 km that includes a 5.9-km twin tunnel under the river and the financial district, and the Brisbane Metro, a 21-km system connecting the suburbs to the city centre via 24-meter-long vehicles in a trackless metro configuration.

With the Australian construction industry set to face one of its busiest and most demanding periods in the coming years, Sarens, a world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport, and crane rental services, is already in talks with the federal government to explore its potential involvement in some of the public infrastructure construction projects that will be carried out in the country in preparation for the Olympic Games.

Headquartered in Brisbane, its proximity, together with its ability to mobilize heavy-lift cranes from its fleet internationally from anywhere in the world, as well as its commitment to sustainability - Sarens offers a range of electric cranes that operate with a zero carbon footprint - make the company one of the most relevant and reliable partners in the Australian industry.

Sarens has extensive experience in developing public infrastructure projects in Australia. In recent years, it has worked on strategic projects in the country, such as the Parramatta Light Rail in Sydney, where it participated in the installation of the James Ruse Drive steel arch bridge, weighing over 1,425 tons, using 48 axle lines of SPMTs (Self-Propelled Modular Trailers) and strand jacks in an operation lasting just eight hours.

The company also played a direct role in the Darlington Bridge Project in Adelaide, overseeing the movement and installation of a 3,000-ton, 183-metre-long bridge section. This project marked the first time in the history of Australian civil engineering that a bridge of this size was installed using modular construction methods and SPMTs, with the operation completed 38 hours ahead of schedule.

Willem Jobse, Sarens’ Regional Director for Oceania, commented: “We are aware of the significant demands that will be placed on the construction sector in general, and the heavy lifting sector in particular.”

 “At Sarens, we have over 70 years of international experience in carrying out all types of projects, regardless of their scale or duration, so we are prepared to meet any potential needs of the federal government or private companies that require a reliable partner for the development of public infrastructure in the country ahead of the Brisbane Olympics,” Mr Jobse added.

 

ABOUT SARENS
Sarens is a global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.

 With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors.

 Find out more at: https://www.sarens.com/

 

No props required: SlimDek 210® delivers fast floors and fitout for National Storage

No props required: SlimDek 210® delivers fast floors and fitout for National Storage

As one of Australasia’s largest self-storage providers, National Storage continues to expand and optimise its network of facilities to meet growing residential and commercial demand. At their Tullamarine site in Melbourne, the team set out to increase usable space and improve on-site efficiency.

The Fielders solution
The project team selected Fielders SlimDek 210®, a long-span steel formwork system purpose-built for multi-storey, steel-framed environments.

Capable of achieving unpropped spans up to seven metres, SlimDek 210® eliminated the need for back-propping in the drive-through areas, helping maintain clear height and reduce site congestion. Its unpropped design allowed the team to commence fit-out works beneath the slab within days of pouring.

SlimDek 210® offered the dual advantage of structural simplicity and program efficiency, helping keep the build moving without compromising the design intent.

From early planning to slab pour, Fielders played a hands-on role in supporting the build process, including provision of specific details, review of the final design drawings and ensuring SlimDek 210® was installed to specification.

Key outcomes:

    • 7,500m² of suspended floor area installed with no back-propping required
    • Unpropped spans of up to 6.2 metres achieved
    • Early under-slab access allowed fit out to begin within 48 hours of pour
    • Reduced site congestion and improved safety
    • Project delivered on time and within budget

While SlimDek 210® was a new system for some installers on site, the learning curve was short and well-supported. Once the installation process was understood, the system proved simple and highly efficient to work with. 

Conclusion
The success of the Tullamarine suspended floors came down to smart system selection, clear communication, and practical on-site support. The project team delivered a structurally efficient solution that aligned with National Storage’s budget, operational needs and tight construction program.

For more information visit: https://fielders.com.au/profiles/slimdek-210