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Episode Description

What happens when experienced builders speak openly about the industry? 

In this episode Brian & Simon sit down with Dean Backman and Luke Callery of Build Insite bringing real insight from real people on a pursuit to build better homes.

With decades of hands-on experience, they share honest insights on the National Construction Code, labour shortages, sustainable building, and how collaboration and social media are reshaping the construction industry.

Episode Covers

• How Building Site started and why builders are sharing knowledge instead of competing
 • The challenge of working with the National Construction Code in real projects
 • The reality behind the labour and apprenticeship shortage
 • Why sustainability and client education matter more than ever
 • How social media is helping builders connect and improve the industry

Episode Highlights

05:20 – The idea behind Build Insite
12:45 – Changing the industry’s negative reputation
22:10 – Apprenticeships and attracting new talent
35:15 – Different building regulations across states
48:00 – Final thoughts and what’s next

Perfect For

• Builders and tradies wanting practical industry insights
• Apprentices entering the construction industry
• Homeowners curious about how building really works
• Industry professionals interested in collaboration and innovation

To learn more about the Sustainable Builders Alliance head to our website: https://www.thesba.com.au/

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Episode Description

Cathy Inglis, industry expert in masonry and brickwork, joins Brian Guinan and Simon Clark from SBA to explore the future of brick, block, and masonry in Australian construction. She discusses innovative construction materials, bespoke and architectural brick options, labor challenges, robotics in bricklaying, and strategies to support apprentices and small bricklaying businesses. Cathy also shares her views on the volatility of brick pricing, the complexity of the NCC, and practical solutions to make construction more efficient and sustainable.

Episode Covers

• Innovative brick and block systems for speed and design flexibility
• Bespoke and architectural bricks, breeze blocks, and custom manufacturing
• Labor challenges and support for small bricklaying businesses and apprentices
• Robotics and automation in brick and block laying for commercial builds
• Managing bricklaying costs and industry price volatility
• National Construction Code simplification and practical interpretation
• Sustainability and resilience in masonry applications
• Personal insights: preferred materials, design approaches, and cultural influences

Episode Highlights

• Alternative brick systems allow interior work while exteriors progress, reducing project timelines
• Double-story inset projects explore structural efficiencies using advanced materials
• Bespoke bricks and breeze blocks enable unique architectural features while meeting structural and safety standards
• Most bricks in Australia are extruded; dry press manufacturing is limited
• Brickies Network and ABBTF provide training, education, and support for apprentices and small business operators
• Robotics like the FBR Fast Brick Robot show potential for repetitive commercial builds but still require human input
• Brick pricing reflects labor supply and demand; larger companies stabilize costs by employing bricklayers directly
• NCC simplification would reduce misinterpretation, with clearer performance requirements preferred
• Cathy shares personal insights: traditional brick, passive solar design, Wallabies supporter, and classic rock music fan

Perfect For

• Builders, developers, and pre-construction consultants
• Masonry contractors and bricklayers
• Architects and designers exploring innovative brick and block solutions
• Urban planners and residential construction professionals
• Anyone interested in construction efficiency, sustainable materials, and industry trends

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Episode Description

Melissa Neighbour, Founder and Principal Director of Sky Planning, takes us inside Australian council planning and residential development. She explains how state policies, council approvals, and incentive-based strategies shape projects, explores the shift from quarter-acre blocks to apartments and low-rise infill, and shares insights on sustainability, community-focused design, and navigating bureaucracy.

Episode Covers

• The evolving Australian dream: apartments, terraces, dual occupancies
• State vs council planning and non-discretionary standards
• Incentive-based planning: FSR and height bonuses for sustainable, high-quality design
• Affordable housing integrated into luxury developments
• Planning complexity and how expert planners help navigate approvals
• Sustainability, environmental resilience, and community-focused urban design
• Propinion: knowledge-sharing platform for planning professionals

Episode Highlights

• State laws override restrictive council controls, easing approvals
• Low-rise mixed-use and dual occupancy developments are increasingly feasible
• Incentives encourage sustainable design and higher-quality outcomes
• Affordable housing bonuses improve supply in high-value areas
• Well-designed communal spaces and public transport critical for density
• Green facades and Nightingale-style apartments show functional, vibrant communities
• Engaging a planner streamlines approvals and maximizes property potential
• Propinion platform enables industry-wide knowledge-sharing
• Melissa advocates better integration between planning and the NCC, with AI as a future tool

Perfect For

• Builders, developers, and pre-construction consultants
• Urban planners and residential designers
• Anyone interested in sustainable, community-focused housing

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Episode Description

John, Managing Director of Bowens, shares the story of a family-owned business founded in 1894 and his leadership journey since becoming Managing Director in 2005. We discuss how Bowens has grown through innovation, automation, and a focus on quality, speed, and ease of doing business.

The episode explores timber and building supplies, expansion into claddings and linings, the importance of local manufacturing, supply chain reliability, and Bowens’ commitment to sustainable building and high-performance homes

Episode Covers

• Bowens’ history and family legacy
• Leadership, innovation, and automation
• Timber and expanding product ranges
• Local manufacturing and supply chains
• Sustainable building and collaboration

Episode Highlights

• Bowens’ evolution from 1894 to today
• Investment in automation and innovation
• Supporting sustainable, high-performance homes
• Industry challenges and future opportunities

 Perfect For

• Builders and construction professionals
• Sustainable building and timber advocates
• Industry leaders and innovators

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Episode Description:
In this episode, we sit down with Simon Croft, Chief Executive of Industry and Policy at the Housing Industry Association (HIA), to explore the current state of Australia's housing market. Simon shares his extensive experience in construction, policy, and building, delving into the pressing challenges of housing affordability and supply shortages. With the government targeting the construction of 1.2 million homes in the next five years, Simon discusses the obstacles in meeting these ambitious goals, particularly the need for long-term planning and a sustainable workforce. He also highlights the regional housing boom and how millennials are driving the shift away from metropolitan areas in search of more affordable living options.

As we dive deeper into the construction industry, Simon explains the impact of escalating construction costs and the industry's need for stabilization. With a focus on government policies, regional housing development, and industry workforce solutions, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of what it will take to meet Australia's housing demands and build a sustainable future for all.

Episode Covers:

• The challenges of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years
• Regional housing growth driven by millennials and remote work trends
• The impact of construction costs and the ongoing need for industry stabilization
• The importance of long-term planning for Australia’s housing strategy
• Diverse solutions required for varying regional housing needs

Episode Highlights:

• Insights on Australia's housing shortage and supply chain issues
• The government’s role in addressing construction workforce gaps
• Navigating policy changes and innovative solutions to meet housing targets
• How regional areas are shaping the future of housing development

Perfect For:

• Builders and tradespeople
• Policy makers and industry advocates
• Anyone interested in the future of housing and construction in Australia

This episode offers a detailed exploration of the challenges facing Australia's housing market and the steps necessary to overcome them. Tune in for a candid conversation about the future of housing affordability, supply, and the workforce, and how these factors intersect with broader policy and sustainability goals.

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In this episode:
We sit down with Saul Griffith to explore his journey from metallurgy to MIT, Silicon Valley, and now leading work in policy, engineering, and sustainability. Saul shares insights on electrification, zero-emissions infrastructure, and how tradespeople are central to building a clean energy future. We also dive into innovative ideas for long-lasting homes, smarter energy markets, and practical ways Australians can trade and generate electricity.

Episode Covers:

• Electrification and the role of tradespeople in a zero-emissions future
• Reforming the electricity market to empower households
• Improving the National Construction Code and building “thousand-year homes”
• Sustainable construction materials: bricks, timber, and hybrid approaches
• Cost savings, public health, and community benefits of clean energy
• Challenges and opportunities in clean tech supply chains and domestic manufacturing
• Saul’s productivity rituals and a sneak peek at his upcoming book

Episode Highlights:

• Saul criticizes star ratings for homes and proposes energy efficiency measured in kilowatt hours per square meter per person
• Discussion on Australians trading solar power peer-to-peer
• Vision for long-lasting, durable, zero-emission homes
• Fun rapid-fire questions: favorite sports teams, snacks, and music preferences
• Insights into upcoming book and Substack updates

Perfect for:

• Sustainability enthusiasts and clean energy advocates
• Tradespeople and engineers interested in electrification
• Policy makers and innovators in energy and infrastructure
• Anyone curious about practical solutions for a zero-emission future

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In this episode, Jennifer Snyders, President of the Bamboo Society of Australia, shares her journey from indifference to advocacy for bamboo in sustainable construction, environmental restoration, and carbon reduction. Born into a bamboo legacy—her father founded House of Bamboo in 1972—Jennifer explains how this fast-growing, renewable material can transform Australia’s building landscape.

Simon Clark highlights bamboo as a potential solution to construction supply challenges, noting its impressive CO₂ sequestration, rapid growth, and soil remediation. Jennifer also explores the development of structural bamboo in Australia, showing how engineered bamboo (CLB/LVB) could be a faster, sustainable, termite-resistant alternative to traditional timber.

Growing and Using Bamboo in Australia:

• Bamboo seeds rarely (once every 100–150 years); propagation is usually through cuttings.
• Species thrive in diverse climates—from snow to temperate cities like Melbourne.
• Clumping bamboo prevents uncontrolled spreading.
• Bamboo is ideal for screens, landscaping, carbon offset, and building materials.
• The Bamboo Society (bamboo.org.au) lists growers and suppliers nationwide.

Barriers to Adoption:
Outdated perceptions, regulatory gaps, and misconceptions about bamboo as “non-structural” are slowing its uptake. Jennifer emphasizes engineered bamboo, performance-based standards, and carbon reduction targets to drive mainstream adoption.

Episode Highlights:

•  From bamboo newbie to advocate for sustainable building
• Carbon storage, oxygen boost, and soil/water remediation benefits
• Fast-growing, termite-resistant structural bamboo for construction
• Works with timber machinery and plantations—collaboration potential
• Tackling perception, scaling, and regulatory hurdles

Bamboo is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for construction, landscaping, and environmental restoration. Jennifer’s insights reveal its untapped potential and how performance-based engineering could make bamboo a mainstream building material in Australia.

Brought to you by:
Thermotek (Platinum sponsor), Binq and Live Life Build (Gold sponsors)

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In this episode, Simon Clark and Brian Guinan chat with Emma Sutcliffe, Director of EV Firesafe, about the realities of electric vehicle (EV) fire safety. Emma shares how losing her plug-in hybrid in a 2018 bushfire inspired her mission to protect emergency responders, educate the public, and advance EV safety research in Australia.

Dive behind the scenes of EV fire testing, from controlled burns in Perth to large-scale experiments with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the U.S. Emma explains EV battery longevity, recycling, and repurposing, and reveals insights from a Tesla Model Y crash investigation. She also highlights the need for more Australian-based EV battery recycling facilities.

The episode also explores Defence electrification projects, including the world-first electric Bushmaster armored vehicle, and wraps up with a fun rapid-fire round where Emma shares her favorite home design tips, music, and Tim Tam hacks.

Episode Covers:

• Expert insights into EV fire safety and battery testing
• Behind-the-scenes look at EV battery recycling and repurposing
• Tesla Model Y crash investigation and lessons learned
• Electrification of the Bushmaster armored vehicle in Australia

Episode Highlights:

• How a bushfire inspired Emma’s mission for EV fire safety
• Controlled burns in Perth and full-scale EV tests in the U.S.
• Challenges of end-of-life EV batteries and recycling solutions
• World-first electric Bushmaster and Defence innovation
• Rapid-fire fun: passive solar homes, Celtic music, and Tim Tams

Perfect for EV owners, first responders, sustainability advocates, and Australian innovation enthusiasts, this episode covers everything you need to know about EV safety, battery management, and future-proofing our electric mobility.

Brought you by: Weathertex (Platinum Sponsor), Evitat and Hydrowood ( Gold Sponsors)

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In Episode 49 of The Sustainable Builders Yak, we’re joined by Joel Seagren, National Mechanical Ventilation Engineer at Fantech, to unpack the critical (and often overlooked) role of ventilation in high-performance homes.

With a background in mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and a Master’s in building sustainability, Joel brings decades of experience to this conversation — from consulting on daylight modeling in the early 2000s to becoming a NatHERS assessor and championing heat recovery ventilation (HRV) in Australian homes.

This episode covers:

• The science of air tightness, energy efficiency, and healthy indoor air
• Why 6 air changes per hour is a benchmark for installing HRVs
• The difference between NatHERS and Passive House modeling
• The limitations of relying on window ventilation in Australia’s energy code
• The evolving National Construction Code (NCC) requirements around mechanical ventilation
• The need for a standardized testing method in high-performance construction
• New Zealand modeling data showing the energy-saving benefits of HRVs

Whether you're a builder, architect, or energy consultant, this is a must-listen if you're working on airtight, efficient, and healthy homes in the Australian climate.

🧭 Episode Highlights:

• Joel’s engineering background and sustainability journey
• The evolution of ventilation standards in Australia
• HRVs, airtightness, and indoor air quality explained
• Comparing NatHERS vs Passive House modeling systems
• Industry push for testing standards and updated building codes
• Moisture control, filtration, and the future of ventilation

🎙️ Brought to you by:

• Hygge Windows
• Webber Insurance
• NeXTimber
  
  

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How many hours have you wasted quoting jobs that never go ahead?

In this episode of The Sustainable Builders Yak, we’re joined by Richard Armstrong, a former Melbourne renovation builder who turned over a decade of hard-earned experience — and frustration — into innovation. After 15 years working on extensions and renovations across inner-city Melbourne, Richard saw firsthand how vague budgets, mismatched expectations, and time-wasting quotes were burning out good builders.

So, he built a solution: Procalc — a powerful feasibility tool that helps builders qualify clients early, set realistic budgets, and stop wasting time on projects that were never going to stack up.

Procalc now draws on data from over 35,000 real builder projects, delivering 93% cost accuracy even without plans. It’s changing the way builders have that all-important first conversation with clients — bringing more clarity, confidence, and credibility to the table.

Whether you’re a builder, designer, or consultant, this episode is packed with real-world insight on how to work smarter, quote less, and win more of the right kind of jobs.

📌 This episode covers:

• The real cost of vague briefs and unqualified leads
• How Procalc helps builders quote less and win more
• Using data (not guesswork) to manage client expectations
• Why feasibility studies should happen before design
• Building trust with clients, architects, and designers
• A new approach to sustainable, profitable building

🧭 Episode Highlights:

• Richard’s journey from builder to software creator
• The lessons (and pain) that inspired Procalc
• The surprising accuracy of 35,000+ real project data points
• Qualifying clients without needing full plans
• Using Procalc’s carbon calculator to guide sustainable choices
• Builder burnout, value management, and better conversations
• Quick-fire fun: Geelong Cats, R&B playlists & Anzac biscuits

 Brought to you by:

• McCormacks Australia
• JP Sustainable Homes
• Valley Windows