Marvel Engineers’ Post

We're excited to see the amount of investment and prioritisation that is going into active transport projects lately in all levels of government! The Australian Government has committed $100 million to a national Active Transport Fund that will deliver many new walking and cycling paths. This Fund will start rolling out projects from 1 July 2025. Brisbane City Council also released their "The race to gold - Brisbane's Games transport legacy" document last month, with active transport highlighted as one of the four key transport themes to transform Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic Games. This includes projects such as the Toowong to West End Bridge, inner city mobility options, and mobility super-highways. Prioritising active transport is essential and has many tangible benefits for the community, including health, environmental, economic, accessibility, quality of life and network resilience. Read more about how Marvel goes about designing for active transport here: https://lnkd.in/g4cE88bf

This year, the theme for R U OK? Day is "Ask R U OK? Any day"   So, the Marvel team did just that today. Alongside our usual weekly team meeting we took the opportunity to start the conversation and play a get-to-know-you game with the R U OK? playing cards.   It was a relaxed way to check in with each other while having morning tea and a good laugh.   We will be bringing the cards out regularly, keeping the conversation going throughout the year and asking R U OK? Any day.   What is your team doing to start the conversation?   #ruok #mentalhealth #starttheconversation #ruokanyday #wellbeing #checkin #wearemarvel

🏗️ ENGINEERING MARVELS 🛞 The Falkirk Wheel in Scotland - the world’s only rotating boat lift - connects the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, elevating vessels into the air in a fusion of art and engineering. Constructed as part of the Millennium Link Project to reunite the two canals, it replaced the previous system of 11 locks, which took nearly a day to navigate. Previously, travellers had to operate 44 lock gates to journey between the canals, a task that ended when the locks were dismantled in 1933. In comparison, the Falkirk Wheel, which opened in 2002, enables vessels to transition between the waterways seamlessly. When one of the wheel's gondolas is lowered, the opposite one rises, keeping the 1,800-tonne boat lift in perfect balance as it carries canal barges 35 metres into the air in a matter of minutes. Combining modern technology with the ancient principles of Archimedes, it stands as a remarkable feat of engineering!   Have you been to visit the Falkirk Wheel? Tell us what you thought below. #engineering #engineeringmarvels #canals 

Last month, Director James Gleeson, presented on "Unlocking Early Contractor Involvement in transport infrastructure: Insights for future success" at Department of Transport and Main Roads' Engineering, Innovation and Technology Forum in Brisbane.   In concluding his presentation, James introduced Marvel's 'Productivity Optimisation Framework', designed to better manage change, strengthen innovation, increase digital adoption, and embed sustainable practices. The framework provides a roadmap for how to implement productivity improvements during delivery of any infrastructure project with a focus on: 💪Accountability – knowing your role and owning it 📢Communication – understanding your audience and tailoring your messages 🏃♂️Continuous Improvement – learning from experiences and increasing productivity 📖Consistency – do it right, do it once If you're curious as to how this framework can be implemented on your project, please reach out to us to learn more!    #technology #engineering #infrastructure #productivity #lean #nimble #digital #communication #projects

Last Thursday, Marvel team member Elise Brown had the privilege of attending the Engineers Australia Climate Smart Engineering Conference, where the spotlight was on Australia's journey toward a sustainable energy future. The agenda was packed with forward-thinking discussions, including:   AI's transformative role in boosting energy sector efficiencies The critical importance of social license and deep community engagement Evolving skill sets for a cleaner energy landscape.   There was a lot of great information shared and much to think about.   🌏 Decarbonisation: ESG is at the heart of our industry, driving momentum as we shift towards a sustainable future. The stakes are high - inaction could threaten the viability of Australia’s industries. 🏘️ Social license: Building trust through genuine community partnerships is essential. A people-centred, place-based approach to energy transition ensures long-term benefits. 🌄 Community legacy: It's about more than just consultation—it’s about true partnership. There is a need to support First Nations Peoples in a meaningful way. 🤖 Digital transformation: AI is already here, embedded in our systems, and we need to leverage it to rethink how engineering firms operate. 👷Workforce capacity: Collaboration across all sectors is key to overcoming the challenges in workforce capacity and capability.   As we continue to navigate this transformative period, it's clear that collaboration, innovation, and genuine partnerships are key to achieving a sustainable energy future. At Marvel we're committed to playing our part in this transition and driving forward the conversations that matter.   What do you believe is the most pressing challenge in Australia’s energy transition?   #CSE24 #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #EngineeringInnovation #ClimateAction #ESG Mike Kaiser, Gerard Coggan, Russell Reid, Allys Todd, Bernadette Foley

This week marks Queensland Road Safety Week, an initiative of Queensland Government Street Smarts. This year's theme is "We're one team Queensland. Let's drive like it". Did you know that one third of drivers agree they don’t leave enough room for others to merge or change lanes, they push in, or weave between lanes, and tailgate? Did you also know that tailgating contributed to nearly 2,000 serious crashes from 2014 to 2018?! As we move into the business end of the year, let's remember to slow down, plan ahead and be patient on our roads. The Street Smarts website has lots of useful information on road safety, as well as events for Road Safety Week. Check it out. https://lnkd.in/g77BTXRz #roadsafety #wereoneteam #safedriving 

This week, Department of Transport and Main Roads is holding its Engineering, Innovation and Technology Forum in Brisbane.   Yesterday, Marvel Director James Gleeson presented on "Unlocking Early Contractor Involvement in transport infrastructure: Insights for future success". James provided unique insights into the delivery of major transport infrastructure under the Early Contractor Involvement model through the lenses of both a supplier and a principal.   At Marvel we offer actionable recommendations through the application of our productivity optimisation framework. Designed to better manage change, the framework strengthens innovation, increases digital adoption, and embeds sustainable practices for future major transport infrastructure projects. Reach out to us if you would like to learn more.   "It had been such a long time since our industry had come together like that. It was so great seeing so many familiar faces, catching up with colleagues and gaining wonderful insights into the great work we all do. Such a great day," James said on reflection.   Cinar Kundaz Scott Blake   #innovation #technology #engineering #networking #ECI #infrastructure #productivity #lean #nimble 

Check out our new merch!   There was no way we were going to have any boring, run-of-the-mill Marvel merch, so we reached out to local business Yarn to help us choose these vibrant indigenous designs. Yarn has created an inclusive marketplace for and in collaboration with the Indigenous community.   Georgia O’Connor is proudly modelling the lanyard, which features a design by Merindah-Gunya titled Hopkins River. The artwork represents the Hopkins River on Gunditjmara Country in Victoria.   James Gleeson will be making good use of the stubbie holder, with a design by Mandy Draper titled Heal our Nura. This painting is an interpretation of everyone coming together to stand up and support one another to heal and protect our land, our Country.   And Scott Blake is enjoying a cool beverage from the insulated bottle designed by Charlie Chambers Jnr, titled Our Many Tribes. The different shades of colours in the background represent different states; but long before those states came along, we had boundaries of our own. The defined segments represent all the different tribes that existed in Australia, long before colonisation. These tribes made up the nation within itself.    Which is your favourite? #people #planet #merch 

ALBEM OPERATIONS and SGQ have recently been awarded the construction of the Townsville Connection Road Stage 3 project for the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Marvel is thrilled to partner with the joint venture to provide #BIM Management services during construction. Duplicating the Bowen Road Bridge over Ross River, the project is the final stage that connects to the upgrade of Stuart Drive. We're looking forward to piloting TMR's BIM Execution Plan template together with the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR), released earlier this year. We're very grateful for the opportunity and eager to start progressively developing the federated as-constructed model in #collaboration with all #stakeholders. Be sure to stay tuned for #insights and #learnings as we look for ways to better manage project information and increase #productivity of transport infrastructure delivery. #projectwin #construction #transport #infrastructure #informationmanagement #lean #nimble #digital 

Last week, our team members Elise Brown and Georgia O’Connor enjoyed a night networking with industry friends at the QMCA Young Professionals Culture & Networking evening.   The night was opened by Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) CEO Andrew Chapman where he highlighted the importance of a positive work culture and the changes we need to see in the construction industry, an industry that has historically been slow to change.   A presentation on the outcomes from the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce (Culture in Construction) were discussed, with a focus on the "Culture Standard: time for life, wellbeing, diversity & inclusion". They found that when Saturday half-day shifts were changed to an optional activity, most people valued the additional time they could spend with their family and friends, rather than the additional income they would make taking on these shifts. The taskforce found that those in the construction industry most valued: 1️⃣ Time for life 2️⃣ Flexibility of working times. Currently, these are the two areas that people feel they have the least control over.   An expert panel of Cherie Ellis (Fulton Hogan), Darren Broderick (Silverstrand ), Annabelle Agnew (CPB Contractors) and Brad Thompson (Fulton Hogan) discussed the issues currently facing our industry: 💡Unrealistic programs and working hours 💡The issue of “perceived productivity” by working those extra hours 💡Flexible working arrangements not fully implemented in site roles 💡Lack of diversity 💡Skills shortage.   Potential solutions were also examined: ✅Collaboration from the outset of a project between clients, contractors and consultants ✅Setting realistic programs and budgets where all parties are aligned ✅Investigate splitting shifts or providing more flexible options for site-based workers ✅Encouraging more men to share the parental leave balance ✅Leaders to set the standard.   A worthwhile discussion and many insights shared. Thanks to QMCA for an insightful evening.   #constructionindustry #productivity #culture #skills #flexibility