Category: Civil Contractors

Sydney’s impressive urban and natural landscapes are no accident. The construction industry, particularly civil construction, has committed itself over decades in transforming Sydney through maintenance, design, and development of natural and physically built environments, with future decades in mind. At Civil and Scape, our civil contractors are taking to create more environmentally sustainable infrastructure, such as using eco-friendly materials, designing for energy efficiency, and implementing green building practices to plant the seed for sustainable infrastructure, including reduced carbon emissions, lower operating costs, and increased resilience in the face of climate change.

What is sustainable infrastructure, and why is it important to us?

Sustainable infrastructure is becoming increasingly important as we strive to address climate change and reduce our impact on the environment. It refers to the creation of infrastructure that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

As major contributors to the development of infrastructure, we have a crucial role to play in promoting sustainability. Fortunately, many civil contractors have already begun to embrace sustainable practices, recognising the benefits of doing so for Sydney’s environment. By incorporating sustainable materials, designing for energy efficiency, and implementing green building practices, Civil and Scape is helping to pave the way towards a more sustainable future.

What does a civil contractor do for Sydney’s urban and natural landscape?

Civil contractors are typically responsible for providing construction services for various civil engineering processes, including but not limited to:

• Roads
• Commercial Buildings
• Construction Projects
  
• Other infrastructure projects

These tasks can include everything from earthworks, such as excavation and demolition, to the finishing touches, such as landscaping and maintenance. A civil contractor will handle every aspect of your construction project, from the first dig to the final touch.

A civil contractor company manages the entire construction process for civil engineering projects. They work with various professionals and subcontractors to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required safety and quality standards. Some of the specific tasks that civil contractors may be responsible for include:

• Planning and Design: A civil contractor company may work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create detailed plans and designs for the construction project.
• Earthworks and Site Preparation: Civil contractors are responsible for excavating and grading the site, including levelling the land and removing any obstructions. This includes bulk excavation, demolition, and rock sawing.
• Construction: Civil contractors manage the construction process, which includes overseeing the work of subcontractors, managing materials, and ensuring that the project is progressing according to schedule.
• Concrete and Paving: Civil contractors are responsible for pouring and finishing concrete, as well as laying asphalt and other paving materials.
• Drainage: Civil contractors are responsible for installing and maintaining stormwater and sewage systems, including pipes, drains, and treatment plants.
• Landscaping: Civil contractors are also responsible for the final touches, including planting trees, laying turf, and installing irrigation systems.
• Project Management: Civil contractors are responsible for managing the entire construction project, including scheduling, budgeting, and coordinating with all stakeholders.

How civil contractors contribute to a more sustainable Sydney

1. Eco-Friendly Materials 

   Civil contractors increasingly use eco-friendly materials in their projects, recognising the benefits of sustainable construction practices. Some of the most common types of sustainable materials used in civil contracting include:

   • Recycled Materials: Many civil contractors are using recycled materials, such as recycled concrete, asphalt, and steel, to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
   • Sustainable Wood: Sustainable wood, such as bamboo and reclaimed wood, is an excellent eco-friendly option for civil contractors who want to reduce their environmental impact.
   • Insulated Concrete Forms: Insulated concrete forms are made from foam insulation and are becoming an increasingly popular choice for civil contractors due to their energy-efficient properties.
     
     

   While eco-friendly materials have numerous benefits, they can also have some drawbacks. For instance, they can be more expensive than traditional materials, and finding suppliers may be more challenging. However, the benefits of using sustainable materials often outweigh the costs, particularly regarding the long-term benefits of reduced environmental impact.

2. Designing for Energy Efficiency    
   Designing for energy efficiency is another essential consideration for civil contractors who want to create sustainable infrastructure. Energy-efficient design can help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and save costs over time.

   One strategy for creating energy-efficient infrastructure is to use passive solar design principles. This approach maximises the use of natural light and heat, reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating systems.

   Another strategy is to incorporate renewable energy sources into infrastructure projects. For instance, solar panels or wind turbines can be installed to generate electricity for buildings and other infrastructure.

3. Green Building Practices
   Green building practices incorporate sustainable design and construction principles to create buildings and infrastructure that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.

   Green building practices offer numerous benefits, including improved energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and improved indoor air quality. Several projects worldwide incorporate green building practices, including the One Central Park in Chippendale, NSW.

While there are some challenges to implementing sustainable practices, the long-term benefits of reduced environmental impact and improved resource efficiency make these efforts worthwhile. As the demand for sustainable infrastructure grows, we can expect to see an increasing number of civil contractors join us in embracing these practices, creating innovative solutions to address the challenges we face as a society. With a shared commitment to sustainability, we can build a more resilient, prosperous, and equitable world for generations to come.

Choosing the Best Civil Contracting Company in Sydney

Choosing the right civil contracting company is crucial to the success of your construction project, especially in light of current environmental issues. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice towards a sustainable Sydney:

• Look for experience: a company with a proven track record of success is more likely to deliver quality work.
• Check for certifications and qualifications: ensure the company has the necessary qualifications and certifications to handle your project.
• Ask for references: speak to past clients to get an idea of the company’s reliability and quality of work.
  
• Look for a company that values safety and environmental sustainability: a good civil contractor will prioritise safety and environmental sustainability in all of their work.
• Consider communication: a good contractor will keep you informed throughout the project and be available to answer any questions you may have.

At Civil and Scape, we offer a range of civil, landscape, and maintenance services. We have the capacity and resources to deliver small to mid-scale civil projects and are passionate about delivering projects to the highest possible standards of workmanship and service.

If you would like to get to know our practices a little more and get a quote, get in touch today.

A quick link to our capabilities here at Civil and Scape:

At Civil and Scape, our civil contractors have had experience at several businesses across a number of industries. This experience has given them deep insight and unique knowledge into what services and materials are best suited for different types of businesses. We know that, sometimes, our clients are in the dark about what is most effective for their business. For this reason, we advise them on what is best depending on their industry and the physicality of their business. 

One of the most important and most popular requests from clients is to provide paving services for their business. We often get these enquiries from clients with large physical premises as they have enough room to require paving. Paving is when a material is used to add another layer onto the surface of a road. 

The material for paving varies and can include concrete and asphalt – both of which we offer. However, your material of choice should be done carefully. Materials have different characteristics and specific uses; choosing the wrong material can hurt your investment. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of asphalt and when it is best used.

What type of material is asphalt?

Asphalt is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It is obtained either as a residue from the distillation of petroleum or from natural deposits and consists of compounds of hydrogen and carbon with minor proportions of nitrogen, sulphur, and oxygen. 

Asphalt is known to be:

• Stable 
• Durable 
• Flexible
• Fatigue-resistant
• Skid-resistant
• Impermeable 
• Workable 

4 reasons why our civil contractors recommend asphalt paving

Extremely resistant, durable and safe

The #1 priority for most businesses is to invest in a material that is safe and long-lasting. Asphalt is one of the most resistant, durable and secure materials to pave your road, parking lot or access path with. 

Asphalt offers high skid resistance and provides high contrast in colour between asphalt pavement and road markers (if you were to add road markers), improving visibility for your business’s drivers or visitors to your premises. Asphalt does not deteriorate in the face of heavy rains or high temperatures and reduces glare (which can impair drivers) because of the asphalt road’s dark colour.

Asphalt roads are also much smoother and do not deteriorate under a lot of pressure which doesn’t just make them safe for business, but is particularly suited to construction companies that frequently have heavy trucks going in and out of their premises.

Cost-effective to build and maintain

Smooth roads save money because fewer holes and uneven surfaces mean that a business’ vehicles won’t be damaged as easily. Therefore, it can be surmised that asphalt roads reduce the maintenance costs of roads as well as the operating costs of vehicles.

As asphalt roads are incredibly durable and resistant, they require only periodic maintenance, reducing the overhead costs of your business. Asphalt roads can also be built very quickly and cost-effectively. As both the maintenance and construction of asphalt roads are cost-effective, this material can be considered economical in both the long and short term.

Requires very little disruption time

With any type of landscape construction, a major concern for businesses is the time it takes for the construction process to be complete. In many cases, construction can reduce productivity which ultimately, decreases the money coming into the business. 

With the paving of a road, businesses may expect that access to and from the physical building will impede visitors, customers and even employees, however, it is not the case with asphalt paving. Asphalt can be laid very quickly. Depending on the size of your project, it can be done in one day or even overnight. 

Provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a number of businesses

Asphalt is one of the most attractive materials that can be used for a business. Its durability means that it doesn’t wear easily and will maintain its flawless appearance for a long period of time. Asphalt itself is a beautiful material. It is jet black and gives any access path, parking lot or road a professional appearance.

At Civil and Scape, our contractors will be more than happy to discuss which material is best for paving your business. We understand that it requires a lot of careful thought and planning which is why we offer guidance upon your first meeting with us.

If you’re interested in seeing some of our work, browse through our gallery to view our past projects. Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message.

The Coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly affected how we think, act in public, and approach our work lives. 

Unfortunately, many industries were negatively affected due to these unforeseen circumstances. In sectors such as airlines, hospitality, retail, sport and the arts, almost a million jobs have been lost in Australia alone. 

In response to the pandemic, the federal government promptly actioned various funding initiatives to ensure citizens were as least affected as possible. In addition to this, much funding was invested into the construction industry, including infrastructure, providing, and improving employment opportunities. 

In Sydney, civil contractors and the construction industry as a whole continued to work through the pandemic and offered employment to those out of the industry to ensure more households can manage to pay their bills and put food on the table. At Civil and Scape, we continued our daily work and spent much time implementing safety measures for our staff to ensure the risk of COVID-19 transmission on our job sites was little to none. 

Civil contractors were able to thrive during this time, boosting the industry and helping the economy as a whole along the way. 

1. Increased employment offers

As the industry’s wheels kept turning during this time, employment in the sector remained stable and in some states increased, assisting the economy as a whole during the crisis. While other industries suffered unprecedented falls in employment rates, civil contractors and the building industry helped keep the economy afloat. 

The majority of businesses were forced to close their doors and have their employees work from home. Civil contractor companies could then fast-track refurbishment/construction projects. The forecasting of projects was compressed due to extended hours where noise-polluted works were permitted, thus creating more hours and opportunities for employees and the industry. 

2. Continuous improvements to infrastructure 

Government investment in infrastructure and the remodelling of some of Sydney metropolitan areas will see improved living standards.  

The linking of metropolitan centres and an increase in business districts (thanks to continuous government investment) is one factor behind Sydney infrastructure’s constant improvement. 

The Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan involves major road and transport links that will deliver a much-needed surface transport network within the Western Sydney region. This ensures passengers, employees, and freight’s efficient movement once we edge closer to the Western Sydney Airport opening in 2026.

As a result, the civil landscape industry remains active, working hard to improve the cityscape of Sydney. 

3.Property values increased/stabilised due to infrastructure efforts  

Demands for residential housing in Sydney and a boom in the property market show a promising outlook for the industry in the years to come. Combined with the delayed shock of overseas migration, metropolitan areas such as Sydney and Melbourne have improved in property demand due to 2020 border closures.

The surge in residential improvements has also gained traction in improving civil works. 

Unprecedented times and unprecedented amount of jobs for Civil and Scape, with the flow of projects that continue to come through, our employees feel secure due to our workflow consistency. We, as a company, appreciate the support from the government for their investment in infrastructure and other grants. Our outlook on the future of our industry and economy is much brighter than it was this time last year. 

Civil and Scape thrive off meeting motivated and driven individuals who share our passion for our industry. Due to our company’s rapid growth, we frequently have new opportunities across our construction and maintenance divisions. Are you interested in joining our ever-growing team? Contact us today.

Concrete work does not come to mind when you think about creating a beautifully designed project. However, concrete work is the foundation and process needed for many popular design elements, even in landscaping. At Civil and Scape, commercial and civil concrete work is one of the services that we offer as we understand the advantage of having a team of experts in this field in our line-up of resources. It opens up the possibilities of your designs and gives us the tools to perfectly execute what you want.

With civil jobs, we work with other companies and organisations to provide accessible and professionally executed jobs. Whether you have a commercial or civil project, expect our concrete work to reflect a high standard of workmanship and refined design. Whatever the job, it must be done right. Here are the qualities you can expect from our commercial and civil concrete work services.

• Refinement – Our concrete work is always expertly constructed. Expect smooth edges and curves and meticulously completed details.
• Professionalism – Every finished concrete job gives the entire project a professional and expert finish, updating any project instantly.
• Functionality and accessibility – Concrete works allow for the construction of pathways making many projects functional and accessible for persons of varying abilities.

Kerbs

You can find concrete kerbs in both civil and commercial projects. They don’t only provide edging to a pavement or path but, they also neatly border flower beds, shrubs and trees, provide an elegant separation between a pathway and road, and enclose sections in gardens or communal areas.

Kerbs can be made from stone or concrete. Concrete kerbs make for an attractive permanent landscape accent in both civil and commercial jobs. Here are some of the advantages of including a concrete kerb in your next design project.

• Customisable with various colour and design options
• Flexible directional designs with flowing curves and straight lines allowing for optimal fluidity in a design project
• Economical and quickly executed
• Weather-resistant as it will not rust, decompose, break or move like other materials traditionally used to substitute concrete kerbing
• Does not disturb existing landscaping

Slabs

Concrete slabs are the pathway to many possibilities in design projects. Slabs are the base of elements like floors, roofs, ceilings, beams and columns. Though not a design element on its own, it is the foundation for many transformational elements of your design project. Here are some of the amazing elements that a concrete slab can incorporate into your project.

• Concrete beams – A plain concrete beam is elegant and sleek by itself, however several designs can be incorporated into it. Depending on your aesthetic, you can choose from regal, modern and rustic beams. Additionally, you can also frame concrete beams into a design. If your property is overlooking a spectacular view, a recent trend has been to use concrete beams to frame the view.
• Flooring – Concrete slabs are used as the base for flooring. Usually, wood, laminate or tile flooring is placed on top, giving you ample designs to select from and a guaranteed durable and solid foundation.

Access paths

In addition to providing conventional civil concrete pavements, concrete can also provide firm and durable footpaths in your home or commercial building. It is a versatile material to use for an access path as it can be easily customised to fit its surroundings and is extremely weather resistant. A concrete path is more accessible and practical because of its smooth finish and hard surface, making it perfectly suitable for persons with accessibility issues. To maintain the clean and sleek finish of a concrete footpath, it does not easily traffic dirt, mud and grease, making it the perfect option for Sydney living. Some of our favourite areas to use a commercial concrete footpath are:

• Access footpaths in communal gardens and outdoor lounge areas of apartment complexes
• Access ways from the beach or pool to hotel entrances
• Outdoor entertainment areas

Are you in need of commercial or civil concrete work for your design project? At Civil and Scape, we have a deep understanding of all aspects of landscape construction and maintenance which allows us to take a forward-thinking and unique approach.

We provide proactive and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome. 

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.