Made To Build by HIA

Australians have long dreamed of a house on a quarter-acre block, but housing challenges are shifting the traditional Australian Dream. Ben and Marie Doyle from Fiducia join the podcast to discuss why apartments and medium-density housing are becoming an increasingly important part of our country’s housing future.

They unpack the realities of delivering successful apartment projects, from feasibility and financial viability to planning approvals, zoning challenges, and balancing buyer expectations with construction costs. 

What does that look like? Good density isn't simply about building more homes — it's about creating communities, improving liveability, and designing places where people genuinely want to live.

We also talk about how the industry can rebuild trust in apartment construction, what developers and builders often underestimate when entering the apartment market, and why more builders may need to understand development opportunities as housing demand continues to grow.
 
Connect 
 fiducia.com.au 
 LinkedIn: Ben Doyle 
 LinkedIn: Marie Doyle

Luke De Vries and Lara Maeseele take us behind the build of Nebraska House, the 2025 HIA Tasmania Home of the Year. Set on a remote beachfront site on Bruny Island, Tasmania, the project required careful planning to balance architecture, construction, environmental conditions and complex logistics. 
 
They discuss how the project responded to the site's harsh coastal conditions, the challenges of building remotely with ferry access and limited resources. 
 
Luke and Lara also explore the role of materiality throughout the home, from the extensive use of Tasmanian Oak to the decisions that helped create a warm, durable retreat designed to stand the test of time. 
 
Along the way, they share lessons for builders tackling architecturally ambitious projects, why simplicity is often harder to execute than complexity, and what it really takes to create a home that feels completely connected to its environment. 
 
Connect 
 cwdconstruction.com.au 
 laramaeseele.com 
 Instagram: @cwdconstruction 
 Instagram: @laramaeseele_architect

Keeping good apprentices is one of the biggest challenges for any building business.
Peter Wright, 2025 HIA NSW Apprentice Host of the Year, shares the practical strategies he uses to build a team that sticks around. From structured onboarding and clear expectations, to genuine relationships on and off site, he explains how creating the right culture improves retention, accountability and performance.
He also shares the leadership lessons from his own apprenticeship and why something as simple as a weekly gym session helps keep apprentices engaged, accountable and on site.
If you're looking to reduce turnover and build a stronger, more committed team, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can put into action.

Facebook: Wright Building & Carpentry

Running a family business sounds good – until big decisions, pressure, and different opinions hit. Geoff Harrison and Mitch Harrison get into the reality of working father and son – how they handle decision-making, where they coordinate and clash, and how they’ve managed the business handover as Geoff steps back, and Mitch steps up. It’s a straight look at keeping the business moving without blowing up the relationship.

They also unpack the shift from old-school craftsmanship to modern systems, what’s worth changing and what isn’t. Plus, how business standards, habits, and expectations get passed down to the next crew. This is more than a family business handover – it's legacy.

Father-son dynamic
Tradition vs innovation
Stepping up
Mentorship and legacy

Connect

👉 Harrisonsjoinery.com.au
👉 Instagram: harrisons_joinery
👉 FB: harrisonsjoinerywagga

How does Tempo Living get clients to site in 10 weeks? Jeremy Whiting breaks down how they hit a 10-day tender, 10-week site start, and how they offer a guaranteed delivery time. He chats on how efficiency actually shows up day to day and where the real cost savings are. Jeremy also gets into how those same decisions drive better sustainability on-site - less waste, smarter layouts, and practical material choices that don’t blow the budget. Tune into this conversation goldmine: - Why standardisation creates efficiency - The hidden cost of delays for homeowners - Sustainable building without compromising affordability - The power of saying “no” to protect systems and quality - AI’s future role in the building industry - Why apprenticeships and trades still offer incredible opportunities Connect 👉 Insta: @tempo.living 👉 FB: @tempoliving 👉 LinkedIn: Jeremy Whiting Tempoliving.com.au