2024 Australian Steel Convention
With the theme of What it takes: sustainable building and infrastructure, the 2024 Australian Steel Convention was held from 8 to 10 September at the Pullman Brisbane King George Square.
More than 200 attendees heard from an exciting line-up of presenters and panels that examined: cost-effective, sustainable, and resilient steel solutions; case studies showcasing steel’s versatility, reusability, and traceability; demands and opportunities of the Australian infrastructure initiatives and projects pipeline; and the current and future requirements and capabilities of the Australian steel supply chain. For further details, see our article here.
2024 Australian Steel Excellence Awards
The feature of this edition of Steel Australia magazine is the 2024 Australian Steel Excellence Awards. Held every two years, the awards celebrate and recognise innovative steel projects, designs and people. They highlight collaboration throughout the Australian steel supply chain—from architects, structural engineers, and building contractors, through to steel fabricators and steel detailers—using steel as the primary building product.
A gala event at Doltone House in Sydney on 21 November saw 48 state and territory winners vie for national honours in six categories. The national winners were:
- Buildings (Large Projects): Sydney Modern Project at the Art Gallery of NSW
- Buildings (Small Projects): Rozelle Interchange
- Engineering Projects: Hay Point Shiploader
- Steel Clad Structures: Melbourne Quarter Tower
- Innovative Cold Form Steel Building: Glenelg Primary School
- Young Achiever: Mohammed Kassira
I would like to congratulate this year’s national and state winners and finalists. I would also like to thank all of our judges and sponsors, without whom the awards would not have possible. For further information, please see our article here.
Securing robust supply chains with strong local content
Our ongoing efforts to secure robust supply chains with strong local content have yielded significant progress, particularly in Victoria. Over the past few months, we have engaged with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to gain better visibility of government funded renewable energy projects and the Victorian Energy Policy and Investment Overview.
The ASI continues to advocate for local steel content via the Office of the Local Jobs Commissioner on behalf of fabricators quoting on steel bridge work (girders, foot bridge, gantries) on the North-East Link Eastern Freeway Upgrade project.
At the federal level, ASI briefed industry minister Ed Husic on the significance of the imported fabricated steel issue, and requested a meeting to discuss the problem. As a result, we met with the Anti-Dumping Commissioner.
In Western Australia, we met with Department of Jobs to discuss the state’s wind farm strategy, which is at a crossroads with both onshore and offshore wind farms facing protests and urgent demand from new industrial developments such as the Murchison Hydrogen Project. ASI advised the Department that steel supply is critical for the state’s ambitions and that OEMs should be encouraged to engage with the industry.
In New South Wales, we compiled a database of local steel producers, fabricators and manufacturers capable of supplying wind, solar, transmission and pumped hydro componentry and infrastructure for Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Services to use when evaluating tenders for energy supply projects.
The ASI attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event organised by the South Australian Office of Industry Advocate and engaged with numerous government agencies including the Office of Northern Water Delivery, Office of Industry Advocate, Office of Hydrogen Power and the Housing Authority to promote the local Australian steel supply chain and gain a better understanding of the South Australia’s major projects.
Industrial decarbonisation and green metals panel
I am pleased to report that I have been appointed to the industrial decarbonisation and green metals panel. The panel is a commitment under the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda to support investment in green metals and help the industry decarbonise iron, steel, alumina and aluminium. The panel members will give strategic advice on opportunities for a sustainable green metals industry. The panel’s insights will also help inform the Federal Government’s Industrial Net Zero Sector Plan.
Mark Cain
Chief executive, ASI
