Property and construction is unquestionably one of the most significant industry contributors to the Australian economy in terms of GDP and employment. Yet globalisation, advances in technology, environmental factors and changes in the structure of the Australian economy are presenting new and serious challenges. To increase its contribution to Australia’s wellbeing and to capture new opportunities, the industry must respond positively. New challenges require new approaches. Looking to the future is an important step in self improvement. This report presents the results of Construction 2020 — an important national initiative, carried out by the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation, to identify where the Australian industry believes future directions lie, explore barriers to achieving these and to define the research required to realise the future of this industry. Quantitative and qualitative analysis completed in early 2004 highlighted the need for a more collaborative approach to industry research and development and education.

Nine key visions for the future emerged from the Construction 2020 process: 1. Environmentally sustainable construction 2. Meeting client needs 3. Improved business environment 4. Welfare and improvement of the labour force 5. Information and communication technologies for construction 6. Virtual prototyping for design, manufacture and operation 7. Off-site manufacture 8. Improved process of manufacture of constructed products 9. Australian leadership in research and innovation. Each vision is presented separately in this report. The visions provide a framework within which Australia can set its own research and industry development agenda to position itself to perform more competitively at an international level. The overarching (or ninth) vision of achieving Australian leadership in research and innovation in delivering the 2020 vision is for the industry to embrace the concept of industry, government and research working together through applied research and innovation. A culture of selfimprovement, mutual recognition, respect and support underpins this vision. By 2020, the vision is for the industry to be taking more responsibility for leading and investing in research and innovation. The tripartite collaboration between industry, government and research should have developed a robust and viable national research and innovation capability delivering real value to Australian property and construction business. Australian industry has also clearly expressed the need in this change process for improved education and training. Accordingly, an important focus will be on education and training providers to deliver relevant education programs for both fresh industry entrants and experienced professionals to prepare them for tomorrow’s challenges. It will be the responsibility of the property and construction industry as a whole to ensure its ongoing future by exploiting research and innovation to continuously improve itself in line with international competition and to meet the increasing demands of clients and the community. Government at all levels has a responsibility as a major client and industry regulator and legislator to use its position of influence to drive industry improvements and promote research and research user linkages.