The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

_{THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES}

🚨 Safety Updates

Understanding airborne contaminants: new animations now available!

Safe Work Australia released five multilingual animations explaining airborne contaminants, their health risks, sources, exposure identification, and control measures. Available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese, these resources support employers and workers in managing exposure and preparing for the 1 December 2026 transition to workplace exposure limits.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Alga Roads Conference in Bendigo

At the ALGA Roads Conference in Bendigo, Infrastructure Minister Catherine King highlighted the Albanese Government’s $120 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, reforms for sustainable investment, and record funding for local councils. Key initiatives include doubling Roads to Recovery to $1 billion annually, boosting road safety programs, re-indexing maintenance funding, and supporting active transport projects.

Billion-dollar wind and battery project axed by Queensland LNP forges ahead with federal approvals process

The $1 billion Moonlight Range Wind Farm near Rockhampton, Queensland, is resuming its federal EPBC approval process after retrospective state approval was cancelled. Greenleaf Renewables plans an 88-turbine, 450 MW wind project with a big battery, emphasizing community engagement, environmental assessment, and a Social Impact Assessment ahead of development applications.

John Holland ends agreements with CFMEU for major NSW infrastructure projects

Construction giant John Holland and the CFMEU have voluntarily ended their agreements requiring the company to only use three specific labour hire businesses on two major NSW infrastructure projects.

Former CFMEU boss John Setka charged with threatening and harassing union administrator

Former construction union boss John Setka has been arrested and charged by Victoria police after allegedly sending threatening and harassing emails to a union administrator.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

Inside the NSW planning shake-up poised to speed up development 

The state has made big changes to its current planning laws with housing delivery at the front and centre.  A new planning bill has passed both houses of parliament in New South Wales, in the state’s latest effort to deliver housing supply faster. Described as a significant overhaul of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), the Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 aims to modernise NSW’s planning system so more homes can be delivered across the state. 

Revealed: The plan to transform a rotting Sydney bridge into an ‘urban island’

In July, the Minns government awarded a $4.3 million contract to architecture and engineering firm Arup to provide concept and urban design services to restore and reactivate the existing bridge.

Financial close reached on $900 million Blind Creek solar and battery project

Octopus Australia has begun construction on the $900 million Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery project near Bungendore, New South Wales. The 300 MW solar and 243 MW/486 MWh battery agrisolar development combines renewable energy generation with sheep grazing, boosting local productivity and supporting Australia’s clean energy and agricultural sectors.

Solarig commences Stubbo Solar Project in Australia

Solarig has commenced operations at the Stubbo Solar Project in New South Wales, a 400 MW / 520 MWp solar farm built by PCL Construction and owned by ACEN Australia. Valued at $760 million, it will power 185,000 homes annually, include a 200 MWh battery, and marks Solarig’s 2 GW O&M milestone in Australia.

Gilgandra’s $20m wastewater plant to deliver better services

Gilgandra is set for a $20 million wastewater upgrade, replacing its 60-year-old plant with a modern IDEA system to improve effluent quality and reliability. NSW Government contributes $17.8 million, with $2.2 million from the council. Construction begins 2026, enhancing regional water resilience, supporting growth, and safeguarding the environment.

QLD

New Queensland Procurement Policy gains industry support

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has welcomed the release of the new Queensland Procurement Policy and the removal of the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC), calling it a major step toward smarter, more transparent and more innovative public procurement.

Hinchinbrook Council’s $26 million pre-election pitch

Hinchinbrook Shire Council in Queensland is calling for $26.75 million in construction-focused projects to drive regional growth — including marine access upgrades at Forrest Beach, major sewage infrastructure works in Lucinda, and a new recycling waste facility near Ingham. Mayor Ramon Jayo says these projects will strengthen resilience, sustainability, and local employment.

VIC

La Trobe unveils $5 billion University City masterplan

La Trobe University has unveiled a $5 billion, 30-year masterplan to transform its Bundoora campus into “University City” — a sustainable innovation and education hub for 15,000 residents and 40,000 students. The project will create jobs, boost the regional economy, and showcase La Trobe as a global sustainability leader.

Final Designs Released For Newport Level Crossing Removal

The Allan Labor Government has unveiled final designs for Newport’s level crossing removals, featuring new rail bridges over Maddox and Champion Roads. Inspired by local heritage and nature, the project boosts safety, cycling, and connectivity. Major works begin November, removing both crossings by next year toward a level crossing-free Werribee Line by 2030.

Improved Connections Along The Great Ocean Road

The Albanese and Allan Labor governments have completed a $14.86 million project to replace the 1950s Wye River Bridge along the Great Ocean Road. The new 50-metre reinforced concrete bridge improves safety, pedestrian access, and load capacity, ensuring safer, more reliable connections for locals, tourists, and freight between Lorne and Apollo Bay.

Iberdrola wins bid to develop VNI West transmission project

Spanish energy company Iberdrola, which has a total installed capacity in Australia of 2.3 GW, has been selected to develop the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, or VNI West transmission line.

Victoria’s biggest hospitals need $8 billion in urgent upgrades

Victoria’s three largest hospitals—the Alfred, Austin, and Royal Melbourne—require urgent $6–8 billion upgrades to address aging infrastructure, patient care challenges, and outdated facilities. Infrastructure Victoria recommends staged redevelopment over the next decade, alongside expanded digital health and community services, aiming to improve capacity, safety, and preventative healthcare across the state.

WA

'Deeply disappointing': Council mishap sees unauthorised removal of 46 trees

A Perth council says it "deeply regrets" a mishap that saw 46 trees mistakenly cut down at a popular park during an $8.1 million redevelopment.The 4.6-hectare Elizabeth Baillie Park is being upgraded to include 43 new trees and 23,160 new plants, while the accompanying heritage-listed house is being transformed into a hospitality and entertainment district.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Have your say on NSW tunnelling code

The NSW Government is updating its Tunnels Under Construction Code of Practice to improve safety, manage silica dust, and reflect modern tunnelling methods. Public consultation is open until 28 November 2025. Updates include ventilation controls, occupational hygienists, psychosocial hazard management, and tunnel boring practices. Submissions can be made via Have Your Say.

The Economic Impact of the Aura Network

Telstra InfraCo’s $1.6 billion Aura Network is Australia’s new national fibre backbone, linking cities and regions with high-capacity, low-latency connections. Supporting AI, IoT, cloud computing, and edge applications, it enhances digital competitiveness, enables critical sectors like healthcare and mining, and strengthens Australia’s role in the Asia-Pacific digital economy.

SHAPE Australia acquires Arden Group in $25 million deal

SYDNEY — SHAPE Australia Corporation Limited (ASX: SHA) announced Wednesday it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the business and assets of Arden Group, a national retail fitout and facilities maintenance specialist, for an upfront payment of $25 million.

Downer awarded contract by Chevron

Downer EDI Ltd has been awarded a contract by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd for the provision of maintenance and support services over a maximum term of 15 years.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

CleanSpace launches SMART App for real-time respiratory safety

CleanSpace Technology has launched the CleanSpace SMART App, a breakthrough in connected respiratory protection for the mining industry.The app connects with CleanSpace CST PRO and CST ULTRA — the only powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) with SMART protection — to give workers and safety teams instant visibility into respiratory performance and compliance.

Bridging sectors: What water can learn from transport delivery

Victoria’s water sector can learn from transport delivery by adopting digital tools, co-design, and agile planning. Lessons from projects like Melbourne’s M80 Ring Road highlight smarter lifecycle asset management, sustainability integration, and community engagement. Cross-sector knowledge enhances resilience, efficiency, and long-term benefits, ensuring water infrastructure meets evolving public needs effectively.

Hyundai E&C Wins Three Smart Construction Innovation Awards

Hyundai Engineering & Construction won three awards at the 2025 Smart Construction Challenge, including Grand Prizes in BIM and railway categories. Recognized for AI-based pre-construction, VR safety management, and a SLAM-enabled material transport robot, the achievements highlight Hyundai E&C’s commitment to advancing smart, safe, and efficient digital construction technologies.

New technology using geocells is the construction industry's bet to replace some of the concrete and crushed stone in foundations and pavements

Geocells, three-dimensional polymer structures, reinforce soil in foundations, pavements, and slopes, reducing concrete and gravel use by up to 50%. Lightweight, durable, and recyclable, they enhance load-bearing capacity, cut costs, lower CO₂ emissions, and accelerate construction, offering a sustainable, efficient alternative for modern infrastructure and civil engineering projects.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

How to regulate construction site noise levels for hearing loss prevention

Construction sites expose workers to hazardous noise from machinery, tools, and vehicles, often exceeding 85dB and causing hearing loss. Effective management—including regulatory compliance, hearing protection, noise barriers, equipment maintenance, and site planning—reduces risks, protects workers’ hearing, enhances safety, and minimizes disruption to surrounding communities, fostering healthier, more efficient worksites.

🌏 Around the World

Bridge Collapse in China

Wild footage has captured the moment a 762m bridge collapsed in China after its construction was only completed earlier this year.Harrowing video of the incident shows the landslide pounding rubble onto the bridge, with the span collapsing under the weight and impact.

Bouygues builds €500m, 600-bed Moroccan hospital in two years

Bymaro, Bouygues’ Moroccan subsidiary, completed the 280,000 m² Mohammed VI University Hospital in Rabat in 24 months. The €500 m complex features 600 beds, 24 operating theatres, 30 medical specialties, 15 lecture theatres, and sustainable design with solar panels and low-carbon materials, serving as a model for future Moroccan university hospitals.

EU unveils ambitious plan to supercharge high-speed rail by 2040

The European Commission plans to revolutionize EU rail travel, aiming for halved journey times and a fully interoperable high-speed network by 2040. Investments of €34.4 bn support 804 projects, with cross-border harmonisation, faster trains, fairer access, and improved ticketing. The initiative targets sustainability, connectivity, competition, and a carbon-neutral transport future.

📖 Miscellaneous

Supply boom in cheaper renewables will seal end of fossil fuel era, says IEA

The world is expected to build more renewable energy projects in the next five years than has been rolled out over the last 40, according to the flagship annual report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The report shows that this increase in renewable energy could meet nearly all the world’s growing appetite for electricity, which is on track to rise by 40% over the next decade, fuelled by the growing demand for electric cars, heating, cooling and to power AI data centres.

Scientists Create Digital Twin of Earth, Accurate to a 1-Kilometer Scale

Scientists have created a digital twin of Earth with nearly kilometer-scale resolution, combining weather and climate modeling. This breakthrough model, developed by researchers led by Daniel Klocke, uses 672 million cells to simulate Earth's dynamic systems, including weather and slower processes like the carbon cycle.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

Engineers Australia calls for shared responsibility and a coordinated response to deliver diversity in STEM

Engineers Australia acknowledges the Australian Government’s response to the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review and welcomes the opportunity to work with government and industry partners to build a more inclusive and innovative STEM workforce. 

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