Flinders University hosted 2nd DBI Workshop at Flinders University as part of the International Researcher Network on Decarbonising the Building Industry (DBI) initiative on 3 October 2025. Attendees were from construction, mining and recycling industries, and academia to discuss innovative approaches and practical solutions tailored to the unique needs of sustainable construction. The workshop aimed at learning from experts, sharing different ideas, and bridging the gaps on collaborating for innovative solutions to decarbonise construction and building industries.
Initially, Dr Aliakbar Gholampour as a Senior Lecturer in Civil and Structural Engineering at Flinders University and also Steering Committee Member of the DBI network talked about the aim of the workshop and highlighted the urgent need for decarbonising construction to achieve net-zero targets by 2050. Then, Professor Alistair Rendell as the College of Science and Engineering Vice President and Executive Dean welcomed the attendees to Flinders University. Professor Tuan Ngo as the DBI Convenor introduced DBI initiative and its aims and programs. Prof. Doo-Yeol Yoo from Yonsei University, South Korea, talked about South Korea’s strategy to carbon neutrality by 2030 and then their novel research project on calcium-based geopolymer. Nicole Argent as the Environment and Sustainability Manager at John Holland discussed John Holland’s project pathway to net zero and Scope 3 carbon in water capital projects from tender to as built. Dr Weiwei Duan as the lead researcher at Hallett Group talked about their company’s up to date work on decarbonisation of concrete and potential opportunities on that. Dr Amin Safari as the principal backfill engineer at Quattro Project Engineering discussed mining perspective on decarbonisation and their company’s project for sustainable underground construction. Dr Thomas Vincent as a Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering at Flinders University shared Flinders’ facilities to run sustainable construction projects. Finally, Dr Aliakbar Gholampour talked about the research projects of the Flinders on sustainable construction materials and technologies.
Find out more of the presentations through this post.
The workshop then featured a panel discussion, facilitated by Dr Aliakbar Gholampour, on challenges and opportunities in sustainable construction, including Nicole Argent (John Holland), Dr Mark Ellis (KBR), Weiwei Duan (Hallett Group), and Amin Safari (Quattro Project Engineering). The main topics covered in the discussion were: programs specified for waste management, challenges for construction waste management including waste separation, local industrial by-products for construction, carbon intensives of the construction materials, testing requirements for structural elements, and admixtures to help decarbonising underground construction.
The workshop wrapped up with lab tours that left everyone energised. From Korean geopolymers to South Australian mine backfill and Melbourne’s net-zero water project, the day proved that the technologies, facilities and willingness already exist. What remains is faster regulatory support, bolder trials and tighter collaboration. Events like this show that Australia’s construction and mining sectors are ready to lead the world toward genuine low-carbon building – one innovative cube at a time.
