KBL's Construction and Projects team was bolstered from 1 July with the arrival of Lex Orange, with the focus over the last 6 months of this year being on the private sector.
While margins in the industry have been tight, the year has seen pockets of continuing good growth, particularly for those with specialist skills differentiating them from the market. All of the industry is looking for new or innovative ways to deliver great service and we are no exception – whether that innovation is devising incentives for project outcomes or looking for alternative ways to resolve disputes and so deliver win-win results. There is no industry more competitive or more willing to embrace opportunity and 2017 will "up the ante".
Relationships continue to be a key factor in success for all industry players. It has been a pleasure and privilege working with all of our clients. Among them, we have enjoyed working with one of Queensland's premier civil contractors, one of Australia's largest owners of shopping centres and one of our State's building industry icons, covering work in both front and back end. We look forward to building existing and new relationships in 2017.
Another key area for 2017 is to build on KBL's already substantial reputation in the public sector space. Our construction and projects team are keen to engage with local government in particular having worked with the sector for more than 25 years. Local government, whether in regional Queensland or in our larger cities, plays an integral role in providing infrastructure to our communities and is a key component in keeping our local economies functioning. 2017, being year 2 of the election cycle, is a critical time to maintain momentum and in achieving those objectives. We look forward to playing a role in helping them deliver.