11/12/2025

December 11, 2025

The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

Safety for construction workers will be improved following changes to regulations around working from heights. Changes to work health and safety regulations to reduce the height limitation of high-risk construction work from three metres to two metres has been approved and will come into effect from 1 July 2026.

Safe Work Australia has released its 2023–24 Jurisdictional Comparison data. WHS regulators conducted 301,000 interventions, issued 62,000 notices, and finalised 421 prosecutions with $37.2m in fines. Disputed compensation claims were 4.6%, while scheme funding ratios declined to 106.6% (central) and 108.7% (private). Explore the new dashboard for details.

✒ Headlines & Industry

EMO’s Draft 2026 ISP outlines a $128 billion plan to meet 2050 energy targets, requiring 120 GW of new wind and solar, 32 GW of batteries, 14 GW flexible gas and 6,000 km of transmission. Coal retires by 2049, consumption doubles, and upgraded networks remain the least-cost path to a reliable, renewable grid.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

The historic Coggans bakery site in Braddon will be transformed into Coggans Village, featuring a 14-storey West Building with 129 apartments, retail, and a supermarket, and a 12-storey East Building with 64 apartments and a 191-room hotel. The project includes pocket parks, dual laneways, heritage restoration, basement parking, and enhanced streetscapes.

NSW

Seven Hills is set for a major upgrade, with the Albanese Government providing $2.376m for a new precinct plan. The project will enhance Boomerang Place, create a public plaza beside the $35.8m Community Hub & Library, and improve walking and cycling links. Planning begins early 2025, finishing mid-2027.

The NSW Government has approved Phase 2 of Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star section, upgrading 15 km of track to boost regional freight, connectivity, and sustainability. The Commonwealth-funded 1,700 km link will cut travel times, shift freight from road to rail, and create 200 jobs, supporting regional economies and cleaner transport.

Newcastle Council has chosen not-for-profit Home in Place to deliver 48 affordable units on the final undeveloped section of the former heavy rail corridor. The Rail Bridge Row project will include mixed apartments, ground-floor retail, new links for pedestrians and cyclists, and begins mine-remediation works in 2026 ahead of construction.

Sydney Water has awarded MDGJV (McConnell Dowell & Gamuda) a major contract to build an 11 km DN900 drinking-water pipeline from Ryde Pump Station to Pymble and Wahroonga Reservoir. Using open-trench and trenchless methods, construction begins early 2026 and completes in 2028, enhancing water resilience for Sydney’s growing North Shore.

QLD

Queensland has announced over $15 million for four North Queensland councils under the 2024–28 LGGSP. Projects include water main upgrades, flood-mitigation works, staff housing and road improvements across Burke, Burdekin, Charters Towers and Palm Island. The funding aims to boost essential services, community safety, resilience and local economic growth.

Neoen has begun construction of the 305 MW/1,220 MWh Stage 3 Western Downs Battery in Queensland, adding to its existing solar farm and two earlier batteries. The project lifts site capacity to 845 MW/2,300 MWh. Neoen also signed 250 MWh of virtual battery contracts with Engie. The four-hour Tesla Megapack system is due in 2027.

Thiess has secured an alliance agreement with Harmony to deliver multiple packages of work at the new Eva copper project, including mining services over five years from June 2026 Parent company CIMIC said the mining scope was valued at about $700 million. The agreement also covers workshop construction as well as bulk earthworks and civil.

VIC

TagEnergy has reached financial close for its 150 MW/600 MWh four-hour battery next to Victoria’s 1.33 GW Golden Plains wind farm, now Australia’s largest. Backed by Westpac, Bank of China and Siemens, with Tesla Megapacks and a Snowy Hydro virtual tolling deal, construction starts soon and completes in 2027.

Spark NEL, the consortium delivering Victoria’s North East Link, has signed up UK-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm nPlan to provide artificial intelligence AI-led schedule assurance and risk management as project moves into its final phases.

The Victorian Government and South East Water’s Dingley Recycled Water Scheme will deliver 1.8 billion litres of Class A recycled water annually via a 25 km pipeline network, benefiting parks, golf courses, and nurseries. With a $24 million investment, it will create 240 jobs, boost the local economy by $90 million, and reduce pressure on drinking water supplies.

WA

A top WA union boss has urged an immediate asbestos audit of recent public works after revelations the notorious material was found at Edith Cowan University’s city campus construction project.

🧰 Construction Au Other

RSK Australia has acquired Civil Geotechnical Consultants (CGC), adding 35 geotechnical specialists across six offices. CGC brings expertise in site investigation, design, construction support, and asset management for major road and rail projects. The acquisition expands RSK’s multidisciplinary capabilities, retaining CGC leadership while enabling growth on large-scale infrastructure projects nationally.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

A newly excavated 79 CE building site in Pompeii has revealed how Romans made self-healing concrete. MIT researchers found evidence of “hot-mixing” with quicklime and pozzolana, creating reactive lime clasts that repair cracks when exposed to water. The discovery reshapes understanding of Roman construction, though its wider use remains uncertain.

Australia’s housing construction productivity remains stagnant despite modern methods of construction (MMC) and off-site building. Industry reforms in NSW show promise with upfront engagement, D&C contracts, and accountability frameworks. A national strategy focused on measurable outcomes, cost reduction, and mainstream adoption of MMC is needed to lift output, lower costs, and modernise the sector.

Buildcheck AI, an AI construction design review platform, raised $5.9M in seed funding led by Uncork Capital. Its AI analyzes drawings across all disciplines, detecting errors and coordination issues, delivering 10–35x ROI. Serving 50+ clients, Buildcheck speeds pre-construction review, improving accuracy and efficiency in commercial projects.

Fluke’s iSee Mobile Thermal Camera range (TC01A, TC01B, TC01C) puts professional-grade thermal imaging in tradies’ pockets. Compact, rugged, and phone-compatible, the cameras deliver 256×192 resolution, ±2% accuracy, real-time analysis, multiple colour palettes, and easy reporting. Lightweight and durable, iSee enables fast, on-site fault detection for electrical, HVAC, engine, and insulation work.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Monash University has launched the ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste (VAPUCW) to tackle Australia’s growing carbon and organic waste challenges. Led by Professor Lian Zhang, the hub aims to convert plastics, tyres, and organic residues into high-value products, reducing landfill, stockpiling, and waste exports.

Western Australia’s Morley-Ellenbrook Line, opened end-2024, became the state’s first rail project to earn a Platinum Infrastructure Sustainability rating. Innovations included solar-powered construction at Whiteman Park, modular pool covers reducing water use by 15%, and efficient Reptail ballast spreaders. The project demonstrated strong social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

🌏 Around the World

Buro Happold has been appointed lead design consultant for Expo 2030 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, overseeing masterplanning, public realm, landscape, infrastructure, and utilities. The 6 million m² event, hosting 197 countries, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming for a sustainable, world-class legacy that balances event needs with long-term urban and environmental impact.

The Republic of Ireland will invest €24.3 bn in transport from 2026–2030, covering public transport, roads, maritime, and aviation. Major projects include MetroLink Dublin, DART+ expansion, bus corridors, EV infrastructure, and walking/cycling paths. The plan aims to improve connectivity, sustainability, and accessibility across urban and rural communities nationwide.

The Prix Versailles has unveiled the winners of the 2025 World Titles, honoring outstanding achievements in architectural and interior design. In total, 72 projects were recognised as the ‘world’s most beautiful’ projects in categories spanning museums, hotels, restaurants, emporiums, airports, campuses, passenger stations, and sports.

📖 Miscellaneous

WSAA warns Australia’s booming data centre sector is straining water resources. A new report calls for national water standards, better reporting, and early utility engagement to guide efficient cooling, recycled water use, and climate resilience. Clear standards will help planners manage demand, protect drinking water, and support sustainable digital growth.

Australia’s rail industry, generating $40 billion and 200,000 jobs, drives economic, social, and environmental benefits. Passenger rail boosts connectivity, reduces congestion and emissions, while freight rail supports exports and is far less carbon intensive than road. Ongoing investment, network modernisation, and modal shift policies will underpin sustainable growth, skills, and national productivity.

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Alex

We monitor Australian construction 24/7—analysing thousands of articles from over 600 sources—to deliver the latest industry news straight to you.

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