The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

_{THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES}

🚨 Safety Updates

Amendments to the model WHS laws published

Safe Work Australia has expanded model WHS laws, requiring broader incident reporting, including violent incidents, mobile-plant dangers, suicides and long absences. Crane operators will need specific licences and dogging qualifications. Other updates clarify PPE rules and streamline licensing and asbestos compliance. Changes apply only when adopted by each jurisdiction.

Concrete placing boom reducer drop

A young worker died when a concrete pump reducer fell from a placing boom. The alert outlines causes such as faulty or oversized clamps, missing R-clips and absent safety slings. Urgent actions include correct clamps, mandatory safety slings, daily and annual inspections, and compliance with manufacturer instructions and relevant standards.

Incident alert - Workers injured from two separate incidents involving falling from scaffold

Two scaffold-related fall incidents injured workers in 2025. In one case, a catch platform was removed too early, leaving an unprotected edge where a worker fell three metres. In another, an unlicensed worker dismantled an unsecured mobile scaffold that overturned. Both incidents highlight sequencing, licensing and stability failures.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Australia’s Infrastructure Outlook: Big Shifts, Bigger Challenges

Australia’s infrastructure is entering a major transition, driven by shifting investment into energy, digital, housing, and regional projects. Growth continues, but workforce shortages, rising costs, and regional constraints challenge delivery. Industry must focus on innovation, productivity, realistic planning, and understanding evolving pipelines to meet 2030s infrastructure and economic goals.

Queensland construction industry struggling to meet demand

CRA Construction CEO Kim Allen warns Queensland’s construction industry faces severe labour shortages and rising costs. Surging demand for housing and projects strains trades availability, with underqualified workers slowing progress. She stresses the need for improved training, safety, and skilled workforce development to ensure projects are completed efficiently and safely.

Former CFMEU boss John Setka hit with more charges over alleged offensive messaging

Former CFMEU boss John Setka faces additional charges for allegedly sending threatening and offensive emails to union administrators after being served notices to produce documents. Police seized devices during his arrest. Setka denies wrongdoing and is bailed to face court on January 30, while the CFMEU remains under federal administration.

Union 'turf war' dominates second week of Queensland CFMEU inquiry

Queensland’s CFMEU inquiry heard claims of a long-running turf war with the AWU, including alleged death threats, stalking, intimidation, tracking devices on vehicles, and daily site blockades. AWU leader Stacey Schinnerl detailed escalating fears, tense confrontations, and concerns over CFMEU influence on government policy ahead of further hearings.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

Cost of Sydney's new metro lines blows out by $6 billion

Sydney Metro costs have surged by $6 billion, with Metro West now $27–29 billion and City & Southwest up to $23 billion—more than double initial estimates. The budget review cites design changes, competing projects, tunnelling overruns, and "funding black holes" from previous governments, prompting an extra $2.4 billion commitment.

ARDG celebrates green light for major quarry project

ARDG’s Stone Ridge Quarry in New South Wales has gained approval after nine years, allowing annual production of 1.5 million tonnes of hard rock for the Lower Hunter, Central Coast, and northern Sydney markets. Rigorous testing confirmed high-quality reserves, and site access via the Pacific Highway ensures efficient, safe transport for decades of operations.

NT

Plans for contentious Darwin waterfront hotel abandoned

Developer CEL Australia (previously SH Darwin) has reportedly dropped a project for a $100 million, 10-storey hotel attached to the Darwin Convention Centre, which was proposed for the city’s waterfront precinct. 

QLD

$1.1 billion land project fast-tracked to deliver 1,200 regional homes

DevCore’s $1.1 billion Coral Cove Ocean Estate in Bundaberg is fast-tracking 1,200 homes, with builds planned for 2028 now starting in 2026. A $22 million Queensland Government grant funds roads, sewers and water infrastructure, enabling continuous land releases, house-and-land packages from $700k–$1 million, and delivery of over 700 homes in five years.

Residential Tower – Maud Street, Newstead

A mixed-use 18-storey residential tower is proposed at 16–22 Maud Street, Newstead, Queensland, featuring 131 two- and three-bedroom units, rooftop communal space, 172 car parks, and centre activities including retail and offices. The design emphasizes high-quality architecture, landscaping, and a subtropical response that respects nearby heritage elements.

SA

SA's biggest construction winners and losers exposed

SA construction hotspots surged in 2025, led by Munno Para West–Angle Vale, Hindmarsh–Brompton and Prospect, while Norwood, Davoren Park and Gawler declined. Industry leaders say sustaining growth requires faster land release, streamlined approvals, skilled-trade investment and diverse housing supply to meet rising demand and national building targets.

TAS

New Macquarie Point stadium tenders to be released as project clears parliament

Tasmania’s $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium cleared parliament, with tenders for bulk excavation and heritage Goods Shed relocation to be released. The 24,500-seat stadium (expandable to 31,500) will create 1,500 construction jobs and 200 ongoing roles, supporting tourism and AFL, with completion targeted for 2029.

VIC

Securing Stewart Road Bridge's future for Kernot

The Albanese Government is investing $1.7 million in the $2.21 million Stewart Road Bridge restoration in Kernot through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. The upgrade, in partnership with Bass Coast Shire, will address structural and safety issues, future-proof the bridge, and improve connectivity for residents, farmers, and emergency services.

AGL latest company to abandon Victorian offshore wind project

Energy giant AGL has become the third company this year to abandon plans to develop an offshore wind farm in Victoria's east. AGL-backed Gippsland Skies consortium is the third joint venture to walk away from early-stage studies for an offshore wind farm in Victoria.

WA

Matilda Bay: Controversial ferry terminal and jetty plans to get greenlight despite community backlash

A $29.9m Matilda Bay ferry terminal is set to sail through approval next week, as river users mount a final-hour plea to stop a project they fear will endanger boats and reshape the iconic bay.

Skyway JV lands $1bn Perth third runway contract

Perth Airport awarded a $1 billion contract to the Skyway JV (BMD Group and CPB Contractors) to build its third 3 km runway, part of a $5 billion upgrade including new terminal and hotel. The three-year project involves demolition, utility diversion, earthworks, drainage, fencing, lighting, and landscaping, supporting future growth to 30 million passengers.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

The AI Method Making Concrete Testing Instant

A new IoT-ANN framework allows real-time, non-destructive monitoring of early-age concrete strength using embedded sensors and machine learning. Validated across multiple grades, it reduces waste, accelerates construction decisions, and improves sustainability. This system supports smarter on-site workflow, enabling timely formwork removal and structural loading while cutting reliance on traditional destructive testing.

The Secret to Ultra-Strong, Crack-Resistant Concrete is Hiding at the Nanoscale

A study shows adding 2 % zinc peroxide nanoparticles to foamed concrete significantly boosts compressive, tensile, and flexural strength, reduces porosity and shrinkage, and improves thermal properties. Nanoparticles refine the internal structure, creating ultra-strong, crack-resistant concrete, potentially expanding foamed concrete’s use in precast, insulation, and demanding construction applications.

PermitFlow Secures $54M Series B to Expand AI Construction Platform

PermitFlow raised $54M in Series B to expand its AI platform for construction permitting and workflow automation. The tools streamline inspections, licensing, and pre-construction tasks, reducing delays and administrative burdens. Funding will grow teams, enhance AI capabilities, and accelerate adoption across homebuilding, commercial development, and municipal projects.

Civ Robotics’ AI-powered CivNav brings solar construction a step closer to autonomy

Civ Robotics launched CivNav, an AI-powered material distribution system for solar construction. Compatible with skid steers and tele-handlers, it streamlines pile and pallet placement with 2-inch accuracy, reduces surveying needs, and tracks real-time productivity. CivNav bridges labor gaps, accelerates solar projects, and integrates with CivDot+ robots for greater automation.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Is Toxic Red Mud the Secret Ingredient for Greener Concrete?

A new study shows Bayer red mud (BRM), a toxic aluminum byproduct, can partially replace cement in concrete, boosting sustainability and strength. Optimal performance occurs at just 1 % BRM, improving matrix densification while remaining environmentally safe, offering a promising path for greener, more resource-efficient civil construction materials.

New construction material absorbs CO₂ and sets quickly for sustainable building

WPI researchers have developed enzymatic structural material (ESM), a carbon-negative, fast-setting alternative to concrete. Using enzymes to convert CO₂ into mineral solids, ESM cures in hours, is strong, recyclable, and sequesters 6 kg of CO₂ per cubic meter. It promises sustainable, low-impact construction for modular and resilient structures.

📖 Miscellaneous

Thirsty work: how the rise of massive datacentres strains Australia’s drinking water supply

Sydney’s growing datacentre boom, driven by AI investments, is set to strain water resources, with projected cooling demand expected to exceed Canberra’s total drinking water within the next decade, highlighting urgent sustainability challenges for infrastructure and urban planning in Australia’s largest city.

From Tasmania’s 100% Green Power to Victoria’s Delays: Mapping Australia’s Energy Divide

Australia’s renewable energy transition is uneven: Tasmania achieves 100% green power, South Australia leads in renewables, while Victoria risks missing its 65% 2030 target due to project delays, transmission constraints, and offshore wind setbacks. Faster investment, storage deployment, and contingency planning are critical to meet national renewable goals and ensure reliability

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