New Zealand Construction to Boom for Next Six Years

The value of construction in New Zealand is higher than its been in the past 50 years and this activity is expected to continue for the next 6 years at least. Most of the activity can be attributed to Auckland’s housing boom.

prefab walls
Source: www.getdomainvids.com

The National Construction Pipeline Report released by Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith confirmed this boom.

The report revealed that $209.4 billion of work is over the next six years, peaking in 2016 at $36.5 billion.

It has been estimated that 94,400 new dwellings approvals will take place between 2013-2020.

Read more at https://sourceable.net/nz-construction-boom-tipped-for-next-six-years/#

Superfast “Hyperloop” Construction to Begin in 2016

HYPERLOOP
Source: www.rt.com

Construction on Elon Musk’s “Hyperloop” may start sooner than we thought.

Travel in the superfast tube may begin in just a few years with a public opening of the five-mile test track in Quay Valley, California is planned for 2018.

What is it?

The  “hyperloop” would be made up of aluminum passenger pods, that would travel in an enclosed space shielded by steel tubes, mounted on pylons 50 to 100 yards apart. The hyperloop would travel at speeds even surpassing that of commercial jet liners, moving at more than 500 mph.

When it starts running, a trip in the hyperloop would take passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in just 30 minutes.

Read more about it here.

Study Proves Long Hours Could be Bad for Your Health

sleepy worker
Source: www.safetynewsalert.com

The results of a recent study are especially important for those in the construction industry to consider because of the long hours we sometimes work.

According to the study by researchers from University College London, working longer hours could affect a person’s cardiovascular health and increase the risk for a stroke.

During the study, those who worked longer hours have a 33% risk of having a stroke and 13% chance of having coronary heart disease than those who work standard hours of 35-40 hours per week.

To find out more, click here.

 

 

 

Who is Enforcing Electrical Safety in Homes?

electrical hazaRDS
Source: Iol.co.za

A recent post on Sourceable.net highlighted the high number of electrical defects that are left unfixed upon the transfer of sale of a home.  This is particularly concerning when you consider that according to the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES), more than 50 people across the country die every year because of home fires and many more people are injured.

The writer of the post highlights the importance of checks for RCD and smoke alarm compliance, downlight compliance and exposed cabling, as these checks can be life saving. The writer also explains that these checks should be compulsory. Read more here.

Elevator into Space to be Built in Canada

space-elevator
Source: Sourceable.net

Imagine being able to go into space just by getting into an elevator?

Well Canadian engineers have produced a design for a 20 kilometre tall  space elevator which will extend into the earth’s stratosphere, providing a quick  connection between land and space.

Thoth Technology, an Ontario-based space and defence company own the patent for the new space elevator which when built, would make even the tallest  skyscraper look short in comparison.

 

Find out more here.

CFMEU Welcomes Senate Defeat of ABCC Bill

cfmeu
Source: publicityworks.com.au

The recent failure of the federal government to have the Australian Building and Construction Commission reinstated has been cheered by the CFMEU.

The union welcomed news that a senate vote had defeated the bill to have the construction industry watchdog brought back after it was done away with by the previous government.

The government has vowed to continue to work to have the watchdog reinstated despite this setback, because it believes illegal activities are rife within the industry.

See more here.

Heavy Rains Delay Construction Work on Dam

RAIN 1
Source: www.vinci.co.za

Builders will understand the predicament that Suma Park contractor Geotech Pty Ltd. is in. The contractor is under pressure to complete work on the dam but one heavy rainfall could put a spoke in the works.

The NSW dam has risen from 55 per cent in June to 59 per cent by July 20, with water reaching 5.5 metres below the spillway, which is good news for water security but not such good news for builders. Low water levels were needed to raise and strengthen the dam walls.

Read more about it here.

Man Fell into Hole on Queensland Building Site

queensland paramedic
Source: www.som.uq.edu.au

A worker fell into a 5 metre deep hole on a building site in southeastern Queensland recently, resulting in injuries to his head and back.

The thirty-something man reportedly just stepped into the hole and fell.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene to get the man out of the hole. He was then rushed to Gold Coast Hospital for treatment and is in a stable condition.

Read more here.