23/05/06
The Western Australian Government is to support a research body established to examine and develop new methods and efficiencies in the commercial construction sector.
"The construction industry is critically important to WA and its economy, and the Government is keen to ensure it has the support it needs," Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts said today.
Mrs Roberts said the State Government welcomed the opportunity to join the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation.
The Government would provide $300,000 a year in financial support, and in-kind support worth a further $100,000.
Addressing members of the centre in Perth today, Mrs Roberts said the Cooperative Research Centre had been established to foster innovation in the construction industry.
"The centre is aimed at building co-operation between industry, government, and researchers," the Minister said.
"Research has not always been a high priority in the construction industry - particularly when there is huge pressure to just get the job done.
"By co-ordinating research efforts in the construction industry, the Cooperative Research Centre can achieve more than the individual areas of the industry could achieve on their own."
As well as working with the Cooperative Research Centre, the State Government, through the Department of Housing and Works, will also work strongly with Curtin University.
The university will be the primary focus of Cooperative Research Centre research in WA.
Issues being examined by the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation include:
- achieving better value in project delivery, particularly in terms of time and cost;
- increasing efficiency and effectiveness in construction procurement;
- developing effective interaction and communication between industry and clients;
- improving knowledge management and knowledge flow in the industry;
- developing ways of improving whole-of-life-cycle costs and sustainability; and
- developing better tools for managing construction risk.
"WA has one of the strongest economies in Australia," Mrs Roberts said.
The construction industry supports the growth in our economy, and grows with it as well.
"The construction industry in WA grew by 39.7 per cent in the four years to June 2005, and in the three years to June 2005, building activity rose by 52.6 per cent to be worth $5.625billion in 2004-05.
"In the same period, engineering construction increased by 87.2 per cent to be worth $5.838billion."
The Minister said the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation was already undertaking research on issues important to the to the WA Government and the WA construction industry.
"The results of that research will provide a firm foundation as we work towards an increasingly productive and sustainable built environment," she said.
"With the support of research undertaken through the centre, we look forward to seeing continued success in the drive to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the WA construction industry.
"In turn, this will support continued strength in the WA economy as a whole."
Minister's office: 9213 6600
