- G'day Construction Newsletter
- Posts
- 03/12/2025
03/12/2025
The Daily Dirt Aus
By G’day Construction………….……
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
🚨 Safety Updates
Always Energy director Matthew McCourt has been fined $101,250 after a worker fell three metres installing solar panels in 2022. McCourt pleaded guilty to failing his WHS officer duties. SafeWork NSW urges businesses to prevent height-related risks. Workers can report safety concerns anonymously via 13 10 50 or Speak Up Save Lives.
Evidence Matters 2025 highlights Safe Work Australia’s renewed focus on data-driven policy to improve workplace health and safety. CEO Marie Boland emphasises robust research, collaboration and emerging WHS risks. Key insights include vehicle-related fatalities, rising psychological injuries and new industry data profiles. The Agency aims to strengthen research, partnerships and prevention strategies.
A 45-year-old man died and a 19-year-old was seriously injured after a retaining wall collapsed at a West End construction site. Emergency crews spent 90 minutes freeing the trapped teenager using disaster-zone equipment. Police, paramedics and workers acted quickly, likely saving his life. Authorities are investigating the fatal collapse.
âś’ Headlines & Industry
Australia’s National AI Plan centres on attracting large-scale data centre construction, with states streamlining approvals and incentivising greenfield development. Fast-tracking projects near renewable power aims to accelerate investment, despite concerns over water, energy and environmental impacts. The plan prioritises AI growth over regulatory guardrails, leaving major governance gaps unresolved.
Neil MacDonald has been appointed CEO of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), starting early 2026. He will lead the $7 billion agency’s next phase, investing in infrastructure, jobs, and economic growth across northern Australia. NAIF’s 32-project portfolio spans QLD, WA, and NT, supporting thousands of jobs and generating $33 billion in public benefits.
🏗️ Projects
NSW
A $200 million upgrade for Sydney’s Homebush Bay Drive–Australia Avenue intersection will replace the roundabout with a signalised intersection and extra lanes to reduce congestion and improve safety. Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments, construction is expected to start in 2027, benefiting thousands of daily commuters and future growth.
A vision for a new masterplanned district in Sydney’s lower north shore comprising up to 1,500 new homes has been unveiled, with FK appointed as the lead architect for the redevelopment by the NSW government’s development agency, Landcom.
Construction of the HumeLink transmission project has begun near Wagga Wagga, with the first towers raised. Spanning 365 km, the line will deliver 2,200 MW from Snowy 2.0 and other renewables, powering three million homes. The project creates jobs, supports regional businesses, and advances Australia’s clean energy transition.
QLD
Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector (M9) has opened, providing a safer, faster four-lane, four-kilometre route between Coomera and Helensvale. The project includes interchanges, a 1 km bridge, shared paths, and 65,000 tonnes of asphalt. Jointly funded ($3.4 billion), it eases M1 congestion, supports freight, local jobs, and regional growth.
APA Group and CS Energy will develop the 400MW Brigalow Peaking Power Plant in Queensland, adjacent to Kogan Creek. Operational by 2028, it will provide firming capacity for renewables. APA will hold 80% ownership, CS Energy 20%. Hydrogen-ready turbines and a 23 km gas pipeline will support rapid, low-carbon energy delivery.
SA
South Australia is consulting on multiple planning and development proposals, including the Smithfield and Seaton Code Amendments for medium- to high-density housing, Southern Barossa winery and hotel EIS, Sellicks Beach growth area, Concordia infrastructure scheme, and City Building Heights Code. Future Living Code Part 2 enables co-located housing applications across six councils.
The new South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) headquarters in Adelaide showcases low-carbon concrete, achieving over 30% CO₂ reduction. Using Holcim’s ECOPactActive and ECOPact mixes, the project met 5 Star Green Star standards without compromising strength or durability. Designed by Cox Architecture and KBR, it sets a benchmark in sustainable community infrastructure.
TAS
A hotel in Hobart’s bustling Salamanca Place is set to quadruple its accommodation capacity, following the City of Hobart’s approval of a $30 million expansion.
VIC
Construction on the Horsham Junction Upgrade began with pre‑works in July 2025, with major works starting late November/early December. The A$14.38 million project, jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, will build a new roundabout, slip lane, lighting, and shared path to improve traffic flow, safety, and support local freight.
Lendlease’s 899 Collins Street build-to-rent project in Melbourne Docklands secures Tokyo Tatemono as a strategic minority partner. The $500 million development, in partnership with NSKRE, will deliver 499 apartments across 24 levels with premium amenities. Construction is underway, targeting early 2027 completion, aiming for high sustainability ratings and a new standard in Australian rental living.
The Albanese and Allan Governments are funding $12.3 million for two Victorian projects enhancing water resilience. Westernport Water upgrades will improve supply security, water quality, and smart infrastructure for 23,000 residents and 3 million visitors. A $1 million climate information project will guide long-term water planning and investment.
WA
Regional councils in Western Australia are preparing for multi-billion-dollar wind farm projects, with shires like Victoria Plains and Carnamah facing major infrastructure, workforce, and housing challenges. WALGA and the state’s Powering WA program are supporting councils, while a forthcoming Community Benefits Scheme aims to ensure projects deliver economic and social advantages to local communities.
DP World has begun an $18 million Fremantle Rail Interchange, linking its container terminal to North Quay Rail Terminal. The upgrade will reduce 20,000 truck movements annually, increase rail freight share from 22% to 33%, cut emissions, improve efficiency, and create over 50 jobs, supporting WA’s integrated freight network.
🧰 Construction Au Other
Zeotech and Cement Australia have signed a non-binding MOU to advance decarbonisation in Australia’s building materials sector. The collaboration will assess Zeotech’s AusPozz kaolin as a low-carbon supplementary cementitious material, exchange technical data, and evaluate infrastructure and supply chain requirements, aiming for commercial-scale, sustainable concrete applications by mid-2026.
FMS Group has acquired Cru Services (Schlam Cru) and The Pilbara Clean Machines, strengthening its nationwide maintenance services across mining, construction, renewables, and maritime sectors. The acquisition aligns with FMS’s people-first values, expanding capabilities, reinforcing culture, safety, and innovation, and supporting seamless integration for employees, clients, and communities.
ICN Victoria’s supplier collaboration has been pivotal in the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project, enabling local businesses to secure contracts and expand capabilities. Through strategic matchmaking, market insights, and early tender visibility, the initiative has driven job creation, strengthened the supply chain, and injected hundreds of millions into Victoria’s economy.
🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
Australia’s water sector faces a severe skills shortage amid infrastructure expansion, climate pressures, and an aging workforce. Digital twins—virtual replicas of assets—are transforming planning, design, and maintenance by integrating real-time data and predictive analytics. Utilities like Hunter Water use them to improve efficiency, reliability, and proactive asset management nationwide.
AI and geo-spatial technologies are transforming construction by integrating spatial and non-spatial data for smarter, predictive planning. They enable digital twins, real-time monitoring, risk mitigation, resource forecasting, and sustainable design. Projects become safer, faster, cost-efficient, and environmentally compliant, providing developers, engineers, and urban planners with actionable insights for future-ready infrastructure.
In 2026, construction will be transformed by AI/ML, predictive maintenance, robotics, modular workflows, and remote monitoring. General contractors become orchestrators, integrating data-driven insights for efficiency. Technology enables safer, faster, and cost-effective projects, while predictive analytics, automation, and integrated systems optimize productivity, transparency, and collaboration across complex construction sites worldwide.
🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment
The Prospect Pre-Treatment Plant in Blacktown reached a milestone with its first concrete pour using a sustainable mix containing 55% supplementary cementitious materials, cutting embodied carbon by 23%. Acciona delivered 570 m³ of concrete and 350 t of steel, partnering with SUEZ to support Sydney Water’s filtration for 85% of Sydney’s drinking water.
BEClimate, a digital-first climate infrastructure platform for the built environment, has launched the world's first fully integrated climate ecosystem tailored to decarbonizing buildings and infrastructure.
🌏 Around the World
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) will design Hamburg State Opera’s new 45,000 m² home on HafenCity’s Baaken Münft peninsula, blending waterfront public spaces, tiered terraces, and sustainable landscapes. The opera and ballet facilities feature state-of-the-art acoustics, open terraces, rehearsal connectivity, and ecological stormwater management, creating a cultural landmark for Hamburg, Germany.
Huajiang Bridge, 625 m above Huajiang Canyon, spans 2,890 m with a 1,420 m steel truss suspension. Asymmetrical towers are rock-anchored, and 93 truss sections totaling 22,000 t were assembled from the center outward using cable cranes. Precision GPS placement, fiber-optic tension monitoring, and wind/environmental testing ensured stability and safety in extreme terrain.
Argentina’s western provinces plan a US$4 billion rail expansion in the Cuyo region, restoring San MartĂn and Sarmiento lines. The project includes a Chile freight link via PlanchĂłn-Vergara, a branch to Vaca Muerta, and aims to boost mining and cereal exports, financed through public-private mechanisms and investment incentives.
đź“– Miscellaneous
New home building approvals fell 6.4% in October, down 1.8% year-on-year, with detached houses slightly up (+1.2%) but higher-density approvals down sharply (-12.1%). Australia remains well below the 255,000 annual homes needed under the National Housing Accord. Renovations (+3.5%) and non-residential approvals (+11.6%) saw growth.
Australia’s wind power market is rapidly expanding, driven by abundant resources, supportive policies, improved turbine efficiency, and storage integration. Valued at AUD 4.4 billion in 2024, it’s expected to reach AUD 7.7 billion by 2033. Onshore growth dominates, with offshore, hybrid, and corporate PPA opportunities accelerating the clean-energy transition.
👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource
Kate Fitzgerald has been appointed CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, starting 9 February 2026. Returning to NSW after 25 years, she brings extensive emergency management experience from senior roles in Victorian and Federal Governments. Fitzgerald will lead disaster recovery and preparedness, strengthening community resilience across the state.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) held its 2025 AGM on 25 November, electing three General Directors – Passenger (Howard Collins, Kat Stapleton, David Franks), one General Director – Freight (Beata Lipman), and one General Director – Contractor (Steve Butcher). Chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo and Board Director Rebecca Want were re-endorsed.
The AI boom is proving to be a windfall for construction workers building the massive data centers that power it all. According to The WSJ , workers moving into data-center construction are seeing pay jumps of 25% to 30% compared to their previous jobs.
Thanks for reading,
If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!
Alex
We monitor Australian construction 24/7—analysing thousands of articles from over 600 sources—to deliver the latest industry news straight to you.
⏳ Stay up to date in minutes
Read the most important construction related news stories of the day – Industry headlines, safety alerts, technology and innovations.
🏗 Get latest project updates
Get the latest project updates near you, contract awards, and global trends.
❌ No Noise news
Get the latest news in a simple format, with NO marketing emails, EVER.
🧠Get ahead
Stay a head with the latest information that will improve your knowledge, performance and increase your opportunities.
💰 Love Gooday Construction? Tell your friends! We’re growing and the more we grow the more quality news we can get to you!
Want to advertise in Gooday Construction? đź“°
If your company is interested in reaching an audience of Construction professionals and decision makers, you may want to advertise with us. Please reply to this email.