Sustainable Builders Yak

Sustainable Builders Alliance

For Australian construction professionals building high-performing, sustainable homes and homeowners looking to create their own sustainable, high-performing home.

Play

Open in

21 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 53 min
English

Episodes 21

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

September 21 · 1 hr
An Ex-AFL Ruckman's Plan to Put Solar on 500 Footy Clubs: Tom Campbell, Footy for Climate
Send us Fan Mail Most climate conversations in sport start with the elite game. Tom Campbell starts with the clubrooms: a grassroots footy club whose power bill dropped from $9,000 a year to $900, with the $8,000 difference going straight back into the club. Brian and Simon are joined by Tom Campbell, co-founder of Footy for Climate, which he started while playing at North Melbourne, in the season the Black Summer bushfires filled the training track with smoke. Its Power Forward program puts solar and battery systems onto community footy clubs so the savings stay in the community game. Most of the hour lands on the part builders will recognise: the clubrooms are owned by councils, the tenants pay the bills, and almost nobody is funded to fix them. Campbell is blunt that climate action has to save money before a club or council will touch it, which is the same case builders make for efficiency, insulation and retrofit every day. The conversation also gets into what the savings unlock, from concussion screening at community level to why a changing climate is already moving the fixture. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Power Forward, and what solar plus battery does to a community club's power bill Why councils own the clubrooms, and why that is the hardest part to solve Why solar on its own no longer stacks up, and what winter footy does to the numbers What the savings unlock, including concussion screening at community level The $20 million that would retrofit 220 Victorian clubs and save $3.5 million a year CHAPTERS 0:00 - Meet Tom Campbell, and why Black Summer started Footy for Climate 4:07 - Offsetting player flights, and why that model stopped 7:10 - Power Forward, and a club power bill from $9,000 to $900 11:24 - The council owns the clubrooms, so how does a club get solar? 15:16 - Why solar alone no longer stacks up without a battery 18:48 - What the savings unlock, beyond the carbon 24:34 - Is the AFL on board, and does it fund the work? 26:49 - Mandatory reporting, and the clubs already moving 31:16 - Having a climate conversation inside a footy club 35:32 - An open chequebook, and the $20 million Victoria needs 39:17 - Concussion, and neuropsych screening at community level 41:22 - Five years out, and 500 clubs by 2030 43:25 - What players know, and the media training behind it 47:42 - Climate is already moving the fixture 50:15 - What keeps you going when progress is slow 53:05 - Quickfire ABOUT TOM CAMPBELL Tom Campbell is co-founder of Footy for Climate, which he started over five years ago while playing at the North Melbourne Football Club. He played 14 years of AFL across Melbourne, St Kilda, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs before retiring in 2026. Footy for Climate began by offsetting player flights and now runs Power Forward, a program putting solar and battery systems onto grassroots footy clubs so the savings can go back into the community game. LEARN MORE Footy for Climate: https://footyforclimate.org.au Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
September 7 · 1 hr 17 min
Australia is Running Out of Timber: with Matt de Jongh, Responsible Wood
Send us Fan Mail Australia is the seventh most forested country on earth, yet it imports around $5 billion more timber than it sells, and the gap grows every year. Matt de Jongh, a forester of about 25 years and now with Responsible Wood, the body behind timber certification in Australia and New Zealand, explains how that happened. His blunt version: at home, we have run out of wood. Most of the conversation digs into what "sustainably managed" actually means on the ground. Matt breaks down the difference between certified and uncertified timber, how the "no deforestation" rule works when trees are still being cut, and why independent third-party auditing, not a landholder's word, is what sits behind a Responsible Wood or PEFC label. From there it turns political. Matt argues that ending native forest logging in Victoria and WA has pushed demand onto Tasmania and onto imports from countries with weaker rules, and he uses the Pilliga koala population as his example of what happens after active management stops. The episode also covers mass timber, the carbon locked inside a timber product, and why architects keep coming back to wood. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why the seventh most forested country still imports about $5 billion more timber than it exports What "no deforestation" actually means: permanent land-use change, not selective harvest and regrowth Certified vs uncertified timber, and how independent auditing backs a Responsible Wood or PEFC label The Pilliga koala argument, and what Matt says happened after a managed forest became a national park Mass timber, stored carbon and the case for building in wood CHAPTERS 0:00 - Meet Matt de Jongh, and the science of forestry 4:33 - What "sustainably managed" actually means 5:17 - Plantations, native forests and how thinning works 7:33 - "No deforestation" defined, and who checks it 13:22 - Forest certification, PEFC and Responsible Wood 18:25 - Certified vs uncertified timber, and the illegal logging laws 24:08 - Why timber is the ultimate renewable, and biogenic carbon 26:55 - The forests that aren't certified, and small landholders 30:25 - WA's gum plantations and the scheme that planted in the wrong place 35:05 - The $5 billion question: a forested country that still imports timber 39:12 - A shrinking forest estate and the housing crisis 43:24 - Engineered timber, mass timber and traceability 46:17 - Is there a fix, and why it is political 49:09 - Victoria, Tasmania and the media story 51:19 - The Pilliga, koalas and what happens when management stops 1:05:47 - The silver bullet: procurement and wood encouragement policies 1:11:15 - Quickfire ABOUT THE GUEST Matt de Jongh is a forester with around 25 years in the industry, from operational forestry across New South Wales to policy roles with the Australian government, and he is a director of Forestry Australia. He now works with Responsible Wood, the standards body that runs forest and chain-of-custody certification in Australia and New Zealand and represents PEFC locally. LEARN MORE Responsible Wood: https://www.responsiblewood.org.au Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
August 24 · 1 hr 8 min
We're Building to Yesterday's Climate: The NCC Risks Builders Face, with Ailie Gallant, Climate Scientist
Send us Fan Mail Australia's National Construction Code climate zones and NatHERS and PHPP models built on them, are calculated from climate averages that are no longer holding. When Brian raises this, Monash University climate scientist Ailie Gallant stops and admits it's a gap: she hadn't considered the building code angle, and says she'll take it back to her team to look into. The bulk of the episode is a plain-language climate science primer, delivered without jargon by someone who does this for a living. Ailie explains the greenhouse effect as a window that different gases open and close, walks through carbon dioxide moving from 280 to 432 parts per million, and puts that in context: roughly a 55% increase in eighty to a hundred years, where comparable past shifts took millions. She also explains why the scientific consensus holds despite researchers actively trying to discredit each other's work. For builders and designers, the practical content is in what comes next. Ailie sets out the regional picture: drier winters and more time in drought across southern Australia, hotter and more humid up north, fewer cyclones but more intense ones, and rainfall arriving in short violent bursts rather than steadily, which is a drainage problem before it's anything else. She's also cautiously optimistic: the worst emissions scenarios modelled a decade ago now look unrealistic, and the conversation lands on two to three degrees rather than five or six. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Whether NCC climate zones will shift and why a 100 year house in Melbourne might need to be built for central New South Wales "This is not our new normal, this is our changing normal" why updating the code once won't be enough Carbon dioxide from 280 to 432 parts per million: a 55% jump in a century, where past shifts took millions of years Hotter and drier down south, hotter and more humid up north, and cyclones that come less often but hit harder Rain arriving in short violent bursts instead of steadily: a drainage problem waiting to happen LEARN MORE Monash University: Ailie Gallant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailie-gallant-b36839a9/ ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century: https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
August 10 · 1 hr 13 min
How Far Should You Push Performance? Rethinking High-Performance Building with Andy Marlow of Envirotecture
Send us Fan Mail Andy Marlow's definition of efficiency in passive house and airtightness will annoy some people: it's doing the bare minimum required to clear the hurdle, which he says is much the same as being really bloody lazy. Andy is a director at Envirotecture, a long-time passive house advocate and former Australian Passive House Association board member — and he thinks the industry's obsession with beating its own numbers is costing builders money for no measurable gain. The core of the conversation is where the point of diminishing returns actually sits for high performance. Once a building is genuinely airtight, the model becomes predictable (you can't model a sieve) and that predictability is what lets you cut back everything else. Andy walks through the UK apartment work presented at the Passive House Conference where parts of the building are deliberately built worse than code because the form factor absorbs it, the concrete footings nobody needs to perfect, and the one thing you can never compromise on: condensation risk. Brian makes the same case from the other direction — that a decade of chasing certified air-tightness is what teaches you how much performance you can buy for far less. They get into the airtightness arms race between builders, the bloke who hit 0.06 and probably wasted his weekends doing it, achieving 2 ACH cheaply through the plasterboard line, and whether a tiered certification pathway would drag the volume market across the line. Andy also explains the relaunch of Passive House Design & Construct as pre-designed-only homes — the same logic applied to design fees. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS An educated way to cut corners. The airtightness arms race — 0.6 versus 0.5 versus the 0.06 warehouse, and where the ego takes over from the engineering Condensation risk as the one thing you don't get to compromise, and Andy's caution on loosening airtightness Low Energy Building as the sensible tier down, and why a 300mm-plus wall isn't always financially sane Health, comfort and longevity as the real product — "no one cares about energy efficiency" Applying the same logic to design: the relaunch of Passive House Design & Construct as pre-designed homes you can't modify LEARN MORE Envirotecture: https://www.envirotecture.com.au/ Passive House Design & Construct: https://passivhausdc.com.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
July 27 · 1 hr 15 min
Working 80-Hour Weeks & Losing $400K: Kyle Zanetto & Luke Davies on Running a Profitable Building Company
Send us Fan Mail Kyle Zanetto lost close to $400,000 in a single year working eighty-hour weeks. Luke Davies sat $75,000 in overdraft with a maxed-out mortgage and had to sell his house. Both now run successful Tasmanian building companies — and together founded Future Builder to stop other builders repeating their mistakes. The core of the conversation is what sits between a good builder and a profitable building business: markup versus margin, estimating bottlenecks, recovering overheads, and how business structure determines the numbers. As Luke puts it, if someone tells you what your markup should be, they don't know your business. Kyle explains how a 30-point client questionnaire now filters roughly fifty leads down to two, and why that shift — not cost-cutting — is what protects quality. They also walk through Future Builder itself: the asset library, the courses, the Monday masterminds, and Alfie, the AI business companion Luke has been building for nine months that runs a 104-point health check across six business pillars and connects to Xero. The conversation moves into lean methodology on site, burnout and why builders won't ask for help, suicide in the industry, and what each of them would change in the NCC if given one shot. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How a builders markup can make or break a business — and the difference between markup and net profit Kyle's 30-point client entry questionnaire: open-book negotiated tenders, 30% cash, and turning down 48 of 50 leads Luke's approach to saying yes to the right job even when the schedule is full Alfie, the AI business companion: business life stages from start-up to prime, the 104-point health check Lean methodology on the building site — spaghetti maps, rework, and the triple hit to the bottom line Burnout, self-awareness and hustle culture: the routines to business owners use to keep operating at high load LEARN MORE Future Builder: https://www.futurebuilder.co/ Zanetto Builders: https://www.zanettobuilders.com.au/ Davies Construction: https://www.daviesconstruction.com.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
July 13 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep #66 Underinsured and Wide Open: The Insurances Builders Must Have with Daniel Webber
Send us Fan Mail Most builders are more exposed than they realise, and usually find out at the worst possible moment. In this episode, Daniel Webber of Webber Insurance, a broker who specialises in complex construction risk, walks through the cover a builder actually needs and what each policy really does. The core of the conversation is the essentials — home warranty, contract works material damage, and public liability — then the covers builders routinely underestimate: statutory liability, professional indemnity, cyber, and key-person. Daniel is direct about where the gaps sit and why assuming you're covered is an expensive habit. It also digs into the traps: worker-to-worker claims where an injured sub's insurer comes after the builder, insuring the existing structure on renovations, and how blown-out project values or timelines can quietly void a claim. The throughline is simple — more insurance isn't always the answer, but understanding your cover, running an annual health check, and getting your subcontractor contracts right are non-negotiable. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The three core policies every residential builder needs — and what each actually covers Why home warranty protects the homeowner, not the builder, and how your limit is tied to your finances Worker-to-worker claims: how an injured subcontractor's insurer comes after the builder Statutory liability, and why public liability won't cover SafeWork fines or investigations Professional indemnity for builders — and the "design and construct" element people miss Insuring the existing structure on renovations, and the home-insurance chat to have with clients Why fixing your subcontractor contracts is the single biggest risk lever a builder has LEARN MORE Webber Insurance: https://www.webberinsurance.com.au Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY The Sustainable Builders Alliance
- Transcript
June 29 · 54 min
Ep #65 Solving Construction's Skills Shortage: Apprenticeships & Workforce Development with Ben Bardon
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ben Bardon, CEO of the National Australian Apprenticeships Association (NAAA), shares his journey from working as a painter and decorator to becoming one of Australia's leading voices on apprenticeships, skills development, and workforce planning. The conversation explores the challenges facing the construction industry, including labour shortages, apprenticeship completion rates, skills pathways, and the growing demand for qualified tradespeople needed to meet Australia's housing and infrastructure targets. The discussion dives into the realities of the apprenticeship system, examining how young people enter the trades, the role of schools and vocational education, and the barriers preventing more Australians from pursuing construction careers. Ben also unpacks the impact of migration, government incentives, workforce participation, and industry culture, while highlighting practical solutions to improve apprenticeship outcomes, attract more women into the trades, and build a stronger, more sustainable construction workforce for the future. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Ben's journey from tradesperson and educator to CEO of the National Australian Apprenticeships Association The state of apprenticeships and workforce shortages in the Australian construction industry Why apprenticeship commencements and completions are struggling to keep pace with demand School pathways, vocational education, and helping young people discover careers in the trades The role of migration, government incentives, and workforce planning in addressing skills shortages Supporting apprentices through training, mentoring, and industry pathways Increasing female participation and creating more inclusive construction workplaces The future of Australia's construction workforce and the challenge of delivering enough skilled tradespeople LEARN MORE NAAA: https://www.naaa.com.au/about-us Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY The Sustainable Builders Alliance
- Transcript
June 15 · 59 min
Ep #64 Raising the Standard: Sustainable Design and the Future of Australian Housing with Candice Halliday
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Candice Halliday from CNA Design Studio shares her journey from founding a successful architecture practice to becoming a leading voice for emerging professionals within the Australian architecture industry. As the incoming president of Imagine at the Australian Institute of Architects, Candice discusses the importance of collaboration, sustainable design, and creating healthier, higher-performing buildings that meet the challenges of a changing climate. The conversation explores the role of Passive House principles, building performance, retrofit design, and the future of sustainable construction in Australia. Candice shares insights from the Thrive Passive House Conference, discusses the need for better building quality and public education, and explains why architects, builders, policymakers, and industry organisations must work together to drive meaningful change. We also dive into adaptive reuse, reducing embodied carbon, improving building standards, and how emerging technologies and AI could help shape the future of architecture and construction. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Candice's journey from sole practitioner to founder of a growing architecture practice Lessons and insights from the Thrive Passive House Conference Passive House principles and improving building performance in Australia Building healthier, more energy-efficient homes through better design Retrofit strategies, adaptive reuse, and reducing embodied carbon The future of sustainable architecture and the role of the NCC Why collaboration between architects, builders, and industry bodies matters AI, innovation, and emerging opportunities for the next generation of architects LEARN MORE CNA Design Studio: https://www.cnadesignstudio.com/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY The Sustainable Builders Alliance
- Transcript
June 1 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep #63 Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Australia's Home Performance Crisis with Ben Walsham
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ben Walsham from Arkata shares his journey from studying as an architect to becoming a certified energy assessor, and how witnessing underperforming, single-glazed luxury developments drove him to step away from traditional volume building to tackle Australia's home performance crisis. The conversation explores how a simple shift in mindset, moving away from added R-values and looking at total U-values instead, can completely reframe how architects and homeowners understand heat loss and window budgets. The conversation digs deep into the realities of modern construction, bridging the gap between design theory and actual on-site sequencing. Ben explains how Arkata utilises early-stage thermal modelling and a unique "value engineering for performance" dashboard to eliminate weeks of frustrating coordination, helping clients optimise their designs before town planning approval. We also dive into the future of the industry, unpacking the upcoming 2029 code changes, the rise of AI-powered compliance tools like NatHERS Hero, and why mandatory energy disclosure at the point of sale is the ultimate financial catalyst needed to transform Australia’s housing market. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Ben’s origin story: from volume builder graduate architect to sustainability consultant The reality gap: how architecture curriculum falls short on contract admin and buildability Reframing metrics: why added R-values mislead the industry and how U-values expose glass as the weakest link Value engineering for performance: using upfront dashboards to balance budgets and hit 8+ star ratings The 2029 code roadmap: AI-powered software, NatHERS Hero, and scaling efficiency to 200,000 homes a year As-built verification: the transition toward airtightness testing and closing the performance gap Mandatory energy disclosure: how banks, ESG ratings, and point-of-sale reporting will drive the retrofit economy Quick-fire round: passive house vs. solar design, SIPS alternative construction, and a surprising love for death metal LEARN MORE Arkata: https://arkata.com/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY The Sustainable Builders Yak Podcast
- Transcript
May 25 · 13 min
Bonus Episode: Scaling Your Building Business with Kyle & Luke from Future Builder
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kyle and Luke from Future Builder share how their platform is helping builders scale their businesses through structured systems, training, and community support. They dive into the fundamentals of running a profitable construction business—from accurate pricing and strong sales processes to effective project management. They also introduce Future Builder’s core tools, including Base Camp, The Vault, and Key to the Kingdom, designed to provide builders with practical resources and white-label assets. Kyle, a 32-year-old custom home builder from Tasmania, also shares his journey in the industry and the lessons he’s learned along the way. The conversation explores the future of construction, including the growing impact of AI and robotics in improving productivity and efficiency. Episode Highlights: Understanding pricing and profitability Improving project management systems Building an effective sales process Overview of Base Camp, The Vault, and Key to the Kingdom Role of AI and robotics in construction Insights from a custom home builder’s journey Guest: Kyle & Luke – Future Builder Company: Future Builder Company URL: https://www.futurebuilder.com.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
May 18 · 50 min
Ep #62 Closing the Loop: Solving Construction's Plastic Waste Problem with RecycleAll
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Damien Collins from RecycleAll and NeverStop Construction shares his journey from plumber to eco entrepreneur, and how building some of Melbourne's most celebrated sustainable projects — including the prototype for the Nightingale Housing model — led him to tackle construction's most overlooked problem: plastic waste. The conversation explores the circular economy opportunity hiding in plain sight on every building site, from cable spools and polystyrene packaging to PVC pipe offcuts. Damien explains how RecycleAll's app-based bin system makes on-site waste separation simple, contaminant-free, and commercially viable — and why it often costs builders less than traditional landfill skips. We dive into the 18 months of groundwork required to build relationships with processing partners, the landmark RMIT study on construction site packaging waste (a world first), and what Extended Producer Responsibility could mean for the industry. The episode also covers the devastating axing of Sustainability Victoria, the future of waste-to-energy, and why mandatory stewardship schemes are the missing piece in Australia's circular economy puzzle. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS RecycleAll's origin story — born from frustration on a city of Yarra job site How the bin system works and what it actually costs builders Processing partners, contamination-free supply chains, and the end market The RMIT global first study on construction site packaging waste Extended Producer Responsibility and voluntary vs. mandatory stewardship Sustainability Victoria's axing and what it means for recycling infrastructure Waste-to-energy and the future of landfill in Australia Advice for eco entrepreneurs: passion, immersion, and learning by doing LEARN MORE RecycleAll: https://www.recycleall.com.au NeverStop Construction: https://www.neverstop.com.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY
- Transcript
May 11 · 11 min
Bonus Episode: Iain from Keystone Construction on Better Clients & Smarter Builds
Send us Fan Mail In this Rethink bonus episode, Iain from Keystone Construction shares his unique journey into building—from a background in biology and environmental engineering to delivering innovative, sustainable homes. He discusses the challenges of entering the industry, the value of SBA badges in attracting better clients, and why stronger collaboration between designers, architects, and builders is key to improving outcomes. Ian also shares insights into a current hemp house project, highlighting his commitment to pushing boundaries in sustainable construction. Episode Highlights: Transition from environmental science to building Value of SBA badges for credibility and clients Need for better collaboration across the industry Educating clients on sustainable building Innovative hemp house project in Geelong Guest: Iain – Keystone Construction Company: Keystone Construction Company URL: www.keystoneconstruction.com.au Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
May 4 · 54 min
Ep #61 Building Better: Matt Carland on Sustainability, Mindset & Industry Change
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt Carland from Carland Construction shares his journey from aspiring surgeon to builder, and how it led him to focus on sustainable, high-performance homes. The conversation explores key challenges in the construction industry, including skills shortages, licensing, and the influence of social media. Matt also highlights the importance of mental health and mindfulness for long-term success. We dive into Passive House principles—airtightness, insulation, and thermal bridging—and how they are shaping better building practices in Australia. The episode also covers motivation and reward systems for apprentices, financial literacy for builders, and the realities of managing workload, setting boundaries, and avoiding overcommitment. Matt shares practical insights on planning, client communication, and making smarter financial decisions to grow a sustainable business. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Sustainable and high-performance building focus Mental health and mindfulness in construction Passive House principles and building standards Skills shortages and licensed trades Financial literacy and scaling a building business Work-life balance and avoiding overbooking Planning and client communication LEARN MORE Carland Construction: https://www.carlandconstructions.com/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY This episode is proudly brought to you by Craftwood Hardwood, Wunderbuild, and Powerhaus.
- Transcript
April 27 · 15 min
Bonus Episode: A Passion to Learn with Matt from MS Constructions
Send us Fan Mail In this Rethink bonus episode, Matt from MS Constructions shares a real, on-the-ground perspective—from financing challenges and valuation gaps to the growing divide in builder knowledge. He explores the frustration of delivering high-performance homes in a system that doesn’t yet value them, and why some clients still walk away—even after years of education. Matt also highlights the shift from competition to collaboration, and the difference between proactive and reactive builders. A candid look at the challenges—and opportunities—shaping the future of building better homes. Episode Highlights: Bank valuation vs high-performance homes Clients choosing cheaper builds Shift from competition to collaboration Proactive vs reactive builders Importance of ongoing training Guest: Matt – MS Constructions Company: MS Constructions Company URL: https://www.msconstructions.net.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
- Transcript
April 20 · 55 min
Ep #60 Building Science & The Air We Breathe: A Deep Dive with Sean Maxwell
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sean Maxwell from ATMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association) breaks down the essential intersection of building science, air tightness, and occupant health. He dismantles the industry myth that "houses need to breathe," explaining why modern buildings must be airtight to stay durable while the people inside receive controlled, filtered air. Sean shares insights on the global growth of testing data, the shift in air tightness metrics, and why a well-ventilated, airtight home is the ultimate secret to a restorative night’s sleep. Episode Highlights: The myth of the "breathing" house ATMA’s global data on air tightness Surface area vs. volume metrics The critical role of HRV/mechanical ventilation Controlling moisture and "drying" potential The luxury of quiet, fresh-air bedrooms Guest: Sean Maxwell – ATMA / Scheme Manager Company: ATMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association) Company URL: https://www.atma.com.au/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY This episode is proudly brought to you by Craftwood Hardwood, Wunderbuild, and Powerhaus.
- Transcript
April 13 · 14 min
Bonus Episode: What’s Broken in the Building Industry? With Matt from Pache Construction
Send us Fan Mail What’s really holding the building industry back? In this Rethink bonus episode, Matt from Pache Construction shares an honest, on-the-ground perspective—from rising training costs and limited access to education, to the ongoing challenge of apprentice retention. With 17 years of experience, Matt breaks down the gaps he sees across the industry and why improving education, increasing inspections, and embracing sustainable building practices are critical for long-term change. He also shares his journey from carpenter to registered builder, his work in renovations and extensions, and his mission to move toward passive house construction. If you’re a builder, tradesperson, or simply interested in the future of construction, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Follow the podcast for more industry insights, share this episode with a builder or tradie in your network, and leave a review to support the show. Episode Highlights: Matt’s 17-year journey in the building industry The real cost of education and why it’s a barrier Apprentice retention challenges Why sustainability and passive house building matter The need for better inspections and industry standards Notes: Guest: Matt — Pacha Construction Pacha Construction: https://pachebuilt.com/ Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://sustainablebuildersalliance.com.au/
- Transcript
April 6 · 1 hr 6 min
Ep #59 How to Build a Profitable Construction Business | Alex Campbell
Send us Fan Mail Episode Description Alex Campbell, director of Tallwood Custom Built Homes shares his journey from a two-way radio room to becoming one of Western Australia’s most awarded builders. In this episode, he unpacks the realities of building a profitable construction business—covering growth, client selection, insurance challenges, and long-term sustainability. Episode Covers Building a successful construction business without a trade background The importance of profit, systems, and smart client selection Navigating home indemnity insurance and growth limits Scaling teams, managing downturns, and industry challenges Planning succession and creating a business that lasts Episode Highlights From two-way radio room to award-winning builder Why not being a tradie can be an advantage Scaling from 3 to 42 staff—and back again Lessons from COVID and industry shifts Why profit is essential, not optional Winning projects and building a strong reputation Creating a clear exit and succession plan Perfect For Builders growing or starting a business Tradies transitioning into business ownership Construction leaders and developers Anyone interested in building a sustainable, profitable business Learn more: Sustainable Builders Alliance Tallwood Constructions
- Transcript
March 23 · 35 min
Ep #58 Sustainable Timber Cladding with Andrew Smith (Weathertex)
Send us Fan Mail Episode Description Simon Clark and Brian Guinan sit down with Andrew Smith from Weathertex to explore carbon-negative timber cladding and sustainable manufacturing. From their unique fibre-processing method to innovative product ranges like Weather Groove, Prime Board, and Natural Boards, this episode unpacks how low-carbon materials are shaping the future of construction. Episode Covers Weathertex’s manufacturing process and Mason gun technology How fibre processing improves durability and termite resistance Overview of Weather Groove, Prime Board, and Natural Boards Carbon-negative certification and Global GreenTag recognition Water recycling and sustainable production practices The role of education in promoting circular construction Episode Highlights Weathertex’s unique timber fibre process Prime Board’s 25-year warranty Natural Board’s raw, untreated finish Recycling over 1 million litres of water daily Driving innovation in low-carbon building materials Perfect For Builders and construction professionals Architects and designers Sustainability-focused industry leaders Anyone interested in low-carbon and circular building Learn more: Sustainable Builders Alliance Weathertex
- Transcript
March 9 · 51 min
Ep #57 Real Construction Insights with Build Insite & the Sustainable Builders Alliance
Send us Fan Mail 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/
- Transcript
February 23 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep #56 Cathy Inglis on the Future of Brick, Blocks & Masonry in Australian Construction
Send us Fan Mail 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
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes