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Our Uniting Westmead Stage 2 project continues to take shape, with recent milestones marking great progress across the site. The last of the bulk and detailed excavation works have been completed, along with all inground footings, services, and the placement of concrete to the final basement slab on ground in late June.

The three buildings are progressing well, with transfer slabs ongoing throughout, and we’re targeting the start of the building’s structure shortly. The pool structure is also complete, allowing the team to move forward with pouring footings and inground services.

On the ground, the team is working with precision and pace. Two cranes service the three buildings, supported by three tower concrete booms and three hoists, one per building, to streamline logistics and delivery.

Residents living the Stage 1 buildings have been kept in the loop through quarterly catch-ups and viewing panels installed on the hoarding, offering a glimpse into the evolving site.

Our Taylor project team also hosted a Taylor Women in Construction (TWIC) event on-site, bringing together women from across the business for an afternoon of connection, learning, and leadership. We were joined by special guest Julia Palmer, CEO of Relatus, who provided an insightful and practical keynote about the C.A.R.E Framework; a model for building relational intelligence and leading with empathy. The event reinforced TWIC’s goal to support growth, champion inclusion, and inspire future generations.

Upon completion, the facility will comprise 153 Independent Living Units with private balconies, as well as various common areas, an indoor pool, and village green.

Over the last few months, significant progress has been made at Wollongong Hospital, with key milestones achieved across the Medical Ambulatory Care (MAC), MRI, and Emergency Short Stay areas.

Medical Ambulatory Care & MRI Areas

The Level 8 MAC is now fully operational and in use, marking a major milestone for the project. In the Medical Imaging zone, structural steel installation and Level 2 suspended deck formwork stripping were completed, enabling Level 1 fitout works to commence.

Roofing and external wall framing secured the building envelope, while core holes were drilled for stormwater and mechanical drainage. The external fire-rated wall was erected, and high-level services rough-ins began across both levels, laying the groundwork for mechanical, electrical, communications, and hydraulic infrastructure.

Upcoming works will focus on continuing services rough-ins and interior fitout activities. This includes high-level services installation within corridors to connect to existing infrastructure, installation of the siphonic drainage system for roof drainage, and underslab shielding works by the MRI contractor on Level 1. Internally, framing and lining of stud walls and cladding works will begin, while externally, the Level 2 Plant Room is being prepared for topping and waterproofing to support external plant and equipment installation.

Emergency Short Stay Area

Significant progress was also made in the Emergency Short Stay Area, with early civil and services works completed. Earthworks preparation and excavation for pad footings enabled the start of foundation construction. Saw cutting of the external sewer trench and removal of existing concrete in trench alignments and wet areas facilitated sewer rough-ins. Existing clashing services were relocated, and high-level services rough-ins commenced across applicable zones.

Looking ahead, the focus will shift to substructure and services installations. Completion of sewer works will allow for backfilling and slab preparation. The team will proceed with formwork, reinforcement, and pouring of footings, columns, beams, and the extension slab. Structural steel installation will follow, establishing the superstructure framework. Internally, corridor fire rating works will be completed, and the external wall envelope will be finalised with framing and brickwork.

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) have been on the agenda for years, yet they’re still treated as an optional extra. Despite the proven benefits of speed, safety, quality, and sustainability, MMC remains at the fringe of how we build.

Recently, I joined an expert panel at TSA Riley’s MMC — Now or Never? event, alongside industry leaders from Homes NSW, Freecity Group, and Building 4.0 CRC. The message was clear: it’s not technology holding us back, it’s mindset.

What needs to shift?

MMC can’t be retrofitted into a traditional process. It must be embedded early in the brief, the budget, the procurement model. We also need to broaden our definition of value. Beyond cost, we should also consider measuring carbon footprint, reusability, and long-term adaptability.

What’s working?

Examples like Freecity’s Macquarie Park and CRC’s System 600 prove that standardised systems, when planned up front, can deliver scale and flexibility — without compromising design.

At Taylor, we’ve seen success with CLT structures and prefabricated pods at projects including The First Building, Scape Kingsford, and Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo. These projects show that MMC can deliver quality outcomes, but only when the right conditions are created from the outset.

If we want different results, we need to build differently; with early alignment, clear intent, and the courage to challenge business-as-usual.

Written by Jessica Evans, Head of Strategic Partnerships

Junior School students at Ravenswood School for Girls recently took part in a ‘Name the Crane’ competition, inspired by the ongoing construction of the new Wellbeing and Sports Centre.

The winning name, ‘High Spirits’, was chosen by a Year 3 student and celebrated with a flag-raising ceremony attended by all Year 3 students, Ravenswood’s Principal, Head of Junior School – Deputy Principal, and members of the Taylor site team. Craig Scott, Taylor’s Senior Site Manager, and Daniel Diab, Project Engineer, also hosted a Q&A session with the students, answering questions about the crane and the new development.

Construction is well underway, with a towering 26-metre crane in place and all ground floor slabs now complete. Formwork to the upper levels is well underway, steadily unveiling the impressive scale of the building. The striking curved feature columns, designed to support the Level 3 rooftop slab, are now standing tall up to Level 2.

Taylor Chief Financial Officer, Clive Wickham, has successfully completed his 10ᵗʰ Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Outback Car Trek, joining more than 240 vintage vehicles on an 11-day, 3,800km journey from Bathurst to Cairns.

This year’s Trek raised an incredible $1.58 million+ for the RFDS and the communities it serves. This brings the total raised over the Trek’s 35-year history to more than $37 million.

The Trek not only delivered vital funds but also injected an average of $75,000 per day into local economies along the route. Clive and his brother Phil once again drove their custom-built 1970 Ford Mustang, continuing a tradition that began in 2007.

Congratulations to Clive and all Trekkers for their community spirit and incredible contribution to rural health.

Congratulations to our Scots College project team for their recent win at the Australian Institute of Building NSW Professional Excellence Awards, in the Commercial Construction $25 million – $60 million category!

The award celebrates the outstanding delivery of the John Cunningham Student Centre, a project that exemplifies design excellence, collaboration, and dedication to both modern education and historical preservation. The vibrant and accessible learning environment will support the College community for generations to come.

A special commendation was given to Jason Tulich, Project Manager, who was recognised for his leadership and professional excellence throughout the project. His guidance played a significant role in supporting the team and contributing to the successful delivery of the project. As a recipient of the NSW Professional Excellence Award, Jason will now be judged at the national level for the National Building Professional of the Year.

This achievement reflects the collective expertise and commitment of the entire team in bringing a transformative educational facility to life.

Well done to all and best of luck Jason in the national judging!

Our second peer group catch-up for 2025 brought together Cadets, Graduates and Trainees for an educational tour of two of our key delivery partners: Borger Cranes and Wire Industries.
This experience was more than a site visit. It was a chance to understand how our subcontractors operate and why strong relationships are essential to delivering with certainty.

What We Learnt:

Borger Cranes welcomed our team with a walk-through of their yard and maintenance workshop. They showcased:

• Cranes of all shapes and sizes, and how they’re prepared for site work.
• The logistics behind major lifts, including interstate operations and complex capabilities.
• Their approach to safety, reliability and readiness.

Wire Industries gave us insight into the reinforcement supply chain:

• How their schedulers operate and the software they use.
• The whole manufacturing process, from raw steel coils to finished product.
• The machinery and gantry cranes that support precision and efficiency.

Why It Matters:

This tour helped our emerging talent connect what they see onsite with the work that happens offsite. It reinforced the importance of collaboration, respect, and understanding across the supply chain.

We’re proud to support our Cadets, Graduates, and Trainees with opportunities that combine practical learning and professional development, building not just careers but also confidence and capability. Thank you to Borger Cranes and Wire Industries for opening their doors and sharing their expertise.

Bradfield City Centre’s First Building is a state-of-the-art new building that has set the benchmark for the future of Bradfield City, Australia’s first new city in 100 years.

Officially opened in March 2025 by NSW Premier Chris Minns, the First Building houses Stage 1 of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) alongside industry tenants, and marks the start of a new industry-led ecosystem. It is set to become an iconic and innovative landmark as the city develops into a 24/7 global hub of culture, creativity and innovation at the doorstep of the Western Sydney International Airport.

Creating future-focused jobs and skills in the manufacturing heartland of Western Sydney, the First Building offers world-class support to help businesses grow faster, reduce risks, and compete globally, while strengthening the NSW economy.

Deeply embedded in Dharug Country, the First Building is designed with Country, guided by cultural design and research agency Djinjama. Integrating Aboriginal knowledge and storytelling, it connects to the ephemeral waterways of Wianamatta, and the surrounding Cumberland Plain. Taylor constructed a building that is open and welcoming, and once established, will feature green, open spaces where residents, workers and visitors can gather.

The First Building is a high-tech facility. The unique urban pavilion connects three buildings under one roof, including an advanced manufacturing hall, office spaces, and areas for exhibitions, talks and events. In addition to this, Taylor constructed a rooftop viewing platform and green roof, associated roads, drainage works, services, carparking and landscaping. Surrounded by glass, visitors can witness advanced manufacturing and machinery on display, and watch as prototypes and new technologies are tested at the AMRF.

Sustainability, circular economy and a net zero future were core principles supporting the building’s aims for a 6-Star Green Star rating. It is energy positive, carbon neutral, water balanced, nature positive, healthy and inspiring. A key factor in achieving these targets was the extensive use of timber throughout the structure.

Our recent All-Staff Conference this year was about more than just coming together; it was about setting the tone for how we work together every day.

The team from Afterburner demonstrated the principles of Flawless Execution, and we walked away with a clear, simple framework to strengthen how we work:

✔ Plan
✔ Brief
✔ Execute
✔ Debrief

The Debrief, asking what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next, will be key to building our culture of learning, alignment, and continuous improvement.