VINCI wins a contract to modernise a dam near Brisbane in Australia

- Safety improvement and modernisation of the Cressbrook Dam in Toowoomba (Queensland)

Increasing flood capacity for greater climate resilience

- A project worth over €86 million

Seymour Whyte, a VINCI Construction subsidiary in Australia, has been awarded, in a consortium with the engineering company SMEC, the contract to improve Cressbrook Dam, in the Toowoomba region, around 100 km from Brisbane. The "alliance" type contract brings together the design-build consortium and the client, Toowoomba Regional Council, in a single team.

The project focuses on a dual objective: to increase the dam’s capacity in order to protect the Toowoomba region from flooding, and to strengthen the infrastructure's climate resilience.

Construction works, which will take around two years to complete, include upgrades to access roads, widening of concrete spillway, extensive upgrades to the dam’s filtration system, and raising the dam’s crest height.

Lastly, Seymour Whyte intends to deploy a major environmental scheme, including the recycling of materials for the construction of the dam wall and technical improvements to allow for natural fish migration.

About VINCI

VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction businesses, employing 272,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. VINCI’s ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general. www.vinci.com

In the face of an environment riddled with high interest rates and economic turbulence, the interstate removalist industry has taken an unexpected upward turn. Despite the downturn in spending during the early part of the year, the removalist industry has been buoyed by an increase in interstate relocations. Cityremovalist and Storage, a veteran player in the field, have observed this intriguing resurgence in a recent customer survey.

Just over the last two month, the interest rate has not increased, there has been a significant rate increase in Australian interstate removalists industry, the interstate removalist activity in Sydney showed encouraging growth. In the face of these economic challenges, removalist firms are now carefully selecting new projects. This increase in interest has been particularly noticeable in areas like Parramatta and for Penrith Removalist Services, according to the Operations Manager of Cityremovalist and Storage.

The rise in household expenses has triggered consumers to seek out moving services, particularly in Sydney, where recent hikes in rental rates have made living in the city increasingly expensive. City Removalist suggests that there's a growing demand and confidence in the removalist industry, especially for those relocating to places like Brisbane and other states.

In recent months, demand for removalist services has proven to be "remarkably resilient", with a surge in enquiries and bookings noted by CityRemovalist and Storage. This rising demand is not just a reaction to increased interest rates. Commercial builders may also offer an economic buffer for customers against high borrowing costs, with the appeal of lower rents and living expenses in other states being a considerable pull factor.

This shift in rental demand has played into the hands of the interstate removalists in Sydney, as other states offer a more enticing rental market and a reduced cost of living. City Removalist has spotlighted this issue, which does not present an immediate or easy solution. However, they advocate for a sustained, collective effort from the government and private sector to establish a long-term plan for sustainable development and rental assistance.

CityRemovalist and Storage has come a long way since its humble beginnings over 25 years ago, when the founder purchased his first removalist truck. Today, the company boasts a fleet of over 45 trucks that can move entire households and offices across eastern Australia within 48 hours. With an intricate understanding of Sydney and its surrounding suburbs, City Removalist has served not only Sydney, but also Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Melbourne, with exceptional service, professionalism, and integrity for over two decades.

The furniture removal industry in Melbourne is currently facing a significant labour shortage, leading to operational challenges and disruptions in service delivery. The shortage of skilled and available workers has created a pressing concern for both removal companies and customers.

The labour shortage in Melbourne has emerged due to a variety of factors. The COVID-19 travel restrictions have limited the influx of international workers, who traditionally filled many positions within the industry. Additionally, the overall tight labour market in Melbourne has resulted in increased competition, making it challenging for removal companies to attract and retain skilled employees.

Several noticeable impacts have been found. For example, removal companies are experiencing delays in scheduling and fulfilling customer requests. The limited workforce has resulted in longer wait times and stretched resources, causing frustration among customers who are eager to settle into their new homes. Furthermore, with fewer workers available, movers are working longer hours and taking on additional responsibilities, leading to potential burnout and decreased job satisfaction.

In response to this pressing issue, industry leader, Jake Removals Melbourne has been adopting proactive strategies to navigate the labour shortage and ensure continued service delivery to customers.

Jake Removals are intensifying their efforts to attract new talent by launching targeted recruitment campaigns. They are leveraging both traditional and digital platforms to reach more potential candidates. To retain existing employees, they are implementing strategies to enhance job satisfaction and employee well-being. These efforts include providing a positive work environment and promoting work-life balance.

Jake Removals understand the importance of offering competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain skilled employees. They are reviewing and adjusting their salaries to remain competitive within the labour market. Jake Removals are also embracing new technology to streamline operations and optimize efficiency. Automated systems are being adopted to reduce manual workload and improve productivity.

SmartestEnergy Australia announces its certification as carbon neutral for its Australian business operations by Climate Active. The certification, awarded by the Australian Government, recognises SmartestEnergy Australia's commitment to voluntary climate action and its contribution towards a low-carbon future. Climate Active is a partnership between the Australian Government and businesses aiming to drive voluntary climate action. Its rigorous and credible carbon neutral certification is a testament to SmartestEnergy Australia's dedication to reducing its carbon emissions and investing in projects that offset the remaining emissions, ultimately achieving carbon neutrality. By attaining carbon neutral certification, SmartestEnergy Australia exemplifies its commitment to sustainable business practices and underscores its role in leading the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future. (Photo: Business Wire)

SmartestEnergy Australia Pty Ltd proudly announces its certification as carbon neutral for its Australian business operations by Climate Active. The certification, awarded by the Australian Government, recognises SmartestEnergy Australia's commitment to voluntary climate action and its contribution towards a low-carbon future.

Climate Active is a partnership between the Australian Government and businesses aiming to drive voluntary climate action. Its rigorous and credible carbon neutral certification is a testament to SmartestEnergy Australia's dedication to reducing its carbon emissions and investing in projects that offset the remaining emissions, ultimately achieving carbon neutrality.

Robert Owens, CEO of SmartestEnergy Australia, emphasizes the importance of carbon neutral certification, stating, "As a renewable energy retailer, becoming carbon neutral not only aligns with our vision to empower switched-on customers, generators and partners in Australia to get to net zero but also makes strong business sense. We have diligently reduced our carbon emissions and will continue to invest in projects that contribute to emission reduction or removal. As a result, our emissions are now neutral.”

By attaining carbon neutral certification, SmartestEnergy Australia exemplifies its commitment to sustainable business practices and underscores its role in leading the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future. As a member of the Climate Active Network, SmartestEnergy Australia joins a group of progressive organisations that share a common goal of combating climate change.

About Climate Active

Climate Active is Australia's premier initiative for climate action, bringing together the Australian Government and businesses to drive positive environmental impact. The certification awarded by Climate Active is a rigorous, government-backed program, enabling consumers, businesses and stakeholders to identify and support brands that make a tangible difference in addressing climate change.

What Does Carbon Neutral Mean?

Being carbon neutral entails taking comprehensive measures to reduce and offset an organisation's carbon emissions. SmartestEnergy Australia has meticulously documented and reported all greenhouse gas emitting activities (Scope 1, 2, and 3) throughout the year. Additionally, the company has invested in projects that effectively reduce or remove equivalent emissions, resulting in a net zero carbon footprint.

Joy Daly, Office Manager of SmartestEnergy Australia, reflects on the efforts undertaken to achieve carbon neutrality, stating, "Putting together all the necessary paperwork for procurement was a big job, but it was definitely worth it. Now, we're officially a certified carbon neutral organisation, thanks to the unique Climate Active program backed by the government. We're not just sitting around. We're determined to make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions. By teaming up with other Climate Active organisations, businesses can really make a difference.”

Proactive and Long-Term Emission Reduction Strategies

SmartestEnergy Australia remains steadfast in its commitment to proactively reducing emissions and fostering a renewable future. The company has established the following strategies to achieve its ambitious emission reduction goals:

Emissions Reduction Strategy: SmartestEnergy Australia is dedicated to reducing emissions across its Australian operations by at least 30% below the base year 2021/22 levels by 2030. This equates to a reduction of over 200 tCO2-e from the initial emissions of 691 tCO2-e.

Partnerships: Whenever feasible, SmartestEnergy Australia selects partner organisations that are certified Carbon Neutral by Climate Active or their UK equivalent, such as The Carbon Trust.

Travel: The company supports remote work and encourages employees to work from their home state whenever possible. For essential flights, SmartestEnergy Australia encourages staff to opt for carbon offset options.

Office: The Sydney office of SmartestEnergy Australia is powered by 100% GreenPower, reinforcing the company's commitment to sustainable energy sources.

Through these measures, SmartestEnergy Australia is proactively shaping employee behaviors, optimising procurement processes, and minimising the carbon impact of its operations, thus promoting a more sustainable and environmentally conscious business environment. The company will remain proactive throughout the year, with regular reviews of activities under SmartestEnergy’s direct control that could be altered or eliminated to reduce emissions.

SmartestEnergy Australia's carbon neutral certification underscores its position as an independent renewable energy retailer and its dedication to achieving a sustainable and low carbon future. By setting an example through voluntary climate action, SmartestEnergy Australia encourages other businesses to prioritise environmental thought leadership, empowering businesses to build a more sustainable, greener future.

About SmartestEnergy:

SmartestEnergy is a people-powered renewable energy company built on a team of NEM energy experts and strong relationships with our customers and partners. We opened our Sydney office in 2020, following two decades of growth and customer focus in the UK. We’re asset-light and operating without bias in the Australian market, which means we can offer reliable, innovative retail solutions for clean energy that suit different needs and stages of the sustainability journey. With the grid mix changing, balancing supply and demand has never been more important. Today, we’re driving the worldwide transition to net zero with offices spanning Australia, US and UK. We’re proud to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni, a Japanese corporation currently listed as a Fortune Global 500 company.

As a certified carbon neutral organisation by Climate Active, SmartestEnergy Australia leads by example and has made choices and changes in the way we do business to ensure our greenhouse gas emissions are carbon neutral.