The young guns of Canberra's building and construction industry

The tide is turning in Canberra’s building and construction industry with a new generation starting to make its mark on the landscape.

This was evident at last month’s Master Builders ACT Building Excellence Awards when, according to the organisation’s CEO Michael Hopkins, the median age of the finalists dropped significantly on previous years.

“After many years of long-standing members consistently upholding our industry standards, a new generation is budding,” said Mr Hopkins.

“We look forward to see where this new generation takes us as we move into the future.”

Kirsty Reaks is one such “young gun” in the local industry.

In 2015, while studying nursing, the 27-year-old took a part-time job as a traffic controller at Downer EDI Works.

“It feels like I have been on a rocket to the moon the past three years,” she said.

“I started work as a traffic controller to give me the flexible hours needed to balance work and study.

“Through that role, I got to know Downer and in about three months, Downer offered me a junior on-site administrative role that I accepted. In that short period of time, the industry grew on me and I have never looked back at nursing.”

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Ms Reaks is passionate about traffic control, in particular the safety it delivers to sites.

“Safety, or ‘zero harm’ as we call it, is embedded in our culture and I share the view it is fundamental to our success,” she said.

“Traffic control is one of the critical elements of ‘zero harm’ that I prioritise on my job sites as I believe that if you set it up correctly from the start, you not only get safe outcomes, you also improve productivity.”

At the MBA Building Excellence Awards, Ms Reaks was nominated for project manager of the year for the ACT Resealing Contract.

Other young guns recognised on the night included Dean Struys, 32, of 360 Building Solutions and Chris Walmsley of Walmsley Building Solutions who won the custom built homes 150-250 square metres project and renovation/ extension $450,000, respectively.

Matt Bellingham, 31, was also recognised at the awards, taking out the MBA award for renovation/ extension $250,000-$450,000, for his project Dive Place in Nicholls.

“Originally, the owners just wanted a kitchen renovation but then we ended up fully gutting it,” he said.

“We improved the flow of the home and added more light to it.”

Matt Bellingham (R) and business partner Brent Redmayne. Photo: Michael Phanprachit.

Matt started a carpentry apprenticeship when he was 15. After working in the industry for a few years, he started a business with fellow carpenter, Brent Redmayne.

After a few years, the pair got their builder’s license and their company, Status Living, expanded.

“When I was a kid I just wanted to be a builder, my next door neighbour was a builder and I looked at what he was doing and desperately wanted to do it as well,” said Mr Bellingham.

“We’ve been running Status Living for about six years and we mostly do extensions and knockdown rebuilds in the ACT.

“It’s been really good to see the business expand, the hard part is having the trades expand with us so we can continue to ensure a high-end finish.”

Mr Bellingham said one of his favourite parts of the job is seeing the clients’ reactions to his work.

“It’s pretty cool when you finish a high quality job and you’re able to stand back and admire the work. Also with the clients, just watching how it changes their life as well,” he said “particularly when they have been saving up for their dream home for most of their life.”