The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

_{THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES}

🚨 Safety Updates

Leading from the front: Management’s role in lifting safety

Management plays a critical role in lifting operations, where leadership decisions directly impact worker safety and legal liability. Australian incidents highlight the consequences of poor oversight. Cultivating a strong safety culture, enforcing training, risk assessments, and LEEA guidelines ensures lifts are planned, supervised, and executed safely, protecting people and operations.

✒ Headlines & Industry

“Final step:” Marinus Link inks $1 billion contract for onshore construction works of undersea cable

Marinus Link has signed a $994m contract with TasVic Greenlink for major onshore civil works on stage one of the $5bn Tasmania–Victoria undersea cable. The agreement completes key procurement steps, clearing the way for construction to begin in 2026, following financial close, government approvals and supplier appointments.

Pipeline Report. - Infrastructure Pipeline

In November, the Australia and New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline (ANZIP) added five new projects, including two energy and three defence initiatives, updated 28 projects, and recorded 11 status changes. Key developments include planning for Defence Estate works, hospital expansions, renewable energy projects, major rail and road upgrades, and ongoing construction on Clean Energy Link, Gold Coast Light Rail Stage Three, and the New Sydney Fish Market. Several projects reached operational status, such as the Kwinana Waste-to-Energy facility and Mornington Battery. The ANZIP report highlights the growing role of defence infrastructure, renewable energy, and transport projects shaping the next decade of regional development.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

Geocon gains approval for Phillip apartment and pool proposal

Geocon secures approval for the first stage of Phillip Pool redevelopment in Woden, featuring two 13-storey towers with 286 units and a new year-round Phillip Aquatic Centre. Despite community opposition, the project integrates modern recreation facilities, wellness amenities, and a café, supporting urban revitalisation and long-term residential and community benefits.

NSW

Developer unveils $3.2bn Rhodes waterfront vision

Developer Billbergia has unveiled a $3.2bn mixed-use vision for Rhodes waterfront, proposing 1,800+ homes, eight residential towers, retail and dining, and 16,000sqm of public open space. The masterplan would reopen long-privatised Parramatta River foreshore land, with staged delivery from 2026 to 2034.

CWO marks a significant milestone

The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWO REZ) in NSW has reached its delivery phase, the first in the state via a PPP-style, long-term DBFOM contract. The project combines hybrid PPP and regulated asset structures, covering transmission infrastructure for multiple renewables, with a deep-dive on procurement, risk allocation, regulation, and social licence.

NT

NT gives the nod to APA Group pipeline prep work

The Northern Territory Government has approved early planning for APA Group’s proposed 1,580km North to East Australia (NEA) Pipeline, aiming to transport Beetaloo Basin gas to the East Coast. APA has received a permit to survey potential routes, marking the first step in advancing this significant energy infrastructure project.

SA

Australia’s largest energy transmission project is now 90 pct complete

Transgrid’s Project EnergyConnect, Australia’s largest energy transmission project, is now 90% complete. Linking South Australia with NSW, it features 700 km of new transmission lines, major substations, and over 10 million worker hours. The project supports renewable energy integration, grid security, local jobs, and collaboration with 325 local businesses.

Work gets underway on $17.5m creative heart for the Barossa

Construction has commenced on the $17.5 million Barossa Creative Industries Centre, transforming Tanunda Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and Barossa Regional Gallery. The project involves extensive redevelopment works, including performance, exhibition, and studio spaces, aiming to create a multi-purpose cultural hub that enhances the region’s infrastructure, tourism appeal, and creative industry facilities.

WA

Port of Port Hedland set for ‘critical infrastructure’ upgrades

Construction will soon begin on the final stage of the Port of Port Hedland revetment upgrade in Western Australia. MGN Civil’s $8.6 million contract includes installing new rock armour along the inner harbour, enhancing cyclone resilience, protecting critical infrastructure, supporting local jobs, and strengthening the regional economy.

Subsea7 wins Chevron installation contract for Gorgon Stage 3 offshore Australia

Subsea7 has secured a $150–$300 million contract from Chevron for subsea installation in Gorgon Stage 3 offshore Western Australia. Scope includes engineering, procurement, fabrication, transportation, installation, and pre-commissioning in 1,350 m water depth. Offshore works start 2028, supporting Chevron’s brownfield LNG expansion, with engineering led from Perth, Kuala Lumpur, and Paris.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Why building better, not just faster, is the key to solving Australia’s housing crisis building certifers and surveyors say

Building surveyors and certifiers want a national registration and licensing system to ensure that buildings meet consistent professional standards because “we cannot continue relying on a patchwork of state-based rules and assume that quality will somehow rise to the surface”.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Researchers Develop Algae-Based Binder to Boost Asphalt Durability in Cold Climates

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an algae-based asphalt binder that improves pavement durability in freezing conditions. Using Haematococcus pluvialis, the bio-binder enhances flexibility, moisture resistance, and self-healing, showing up to 70% better deformation recovery than conventional bitumen, while reducing carbon emissions and supporting more sustainable, long-lasting road infrastructure.

AI Reveals the Perfect Low-Carbon Concrete Recipe

Researchers have developed an AI-powered hybrid model (ANN-BBO) to optimize low-carbon geopolymer concrete using ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS). The model predicts CO₂ emissions, identifies ideal mix designs, and reduces experimental time. ANN-BBO improved accuracy by 27 % over standard AI, enabling stronger, more sustainable concrete for construction and infrastructure.

NBN’s digital twin marks a turning point for intelligent infrastructure

NBN Co and RMIT have developed a digital twin of Australia’s national broadband network, enabling predictive, data-driven planning and resilience modelling. This deep-dive approach mirrors real infrastructure, forecasts outages, and optimises upgrades, marking a shift from reactive management to proactive, integrated planning across telecom, smart cities, and energy networks.

Engineering intelligence: Balancing the power of AI with human expertise

AI is transforming infrastructure engineering, improving efficiency, data analysis and asset management. However, its greatest value lies in augmenting—not replacing—human expertise. In safety-critical infrastructure, balanced AI adoption, strong governance and human oversight are essential to improve resilience, decision-making and long-term operational performance.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Seven sustainability stories that shone in 2025

In 2025, GBCA highlighted milestones across sustainability, design, and careers. Key moments included Richard Evans’ career podcast, Naala Badu gallery’s ecological design, the circular procurement guide, the “wicked problem” housing newsletter, AFR Sustainability Leader recognition, Marketing Rules downloads, and Cundall achieving 500 Green Star certifications, inspiring industry-wide progress.

Lower-carbon concrete underpins Gawler East water tank upgrade

SA Water’s $17.7 million Gawler East water tank upgrade in northern Adelaide has reached major construction milestones, tripling storage to three megalitres. Around 375 m³ of lower-carbon concrete—made with 65% blast furnace slag—was poured, reducing emissions by 50% and improving durability. The tank will support 6,000+ customers and regional housing growth, with completion expected mid-2026.

85+ Funding Opportunities Powering Climate & Nature Solutions

Australia offers construction-focused funding through federal and state programs supporting sustainable infrastructure, decarbonisation, regional development and skills. Key opportunities include the Building Better Regions Fund, ARENA industrial decarbonisation grants, circular economy infrastructure funding, clean fuels initiatives and construction training capital grants across multiple states.

🌏 Around the World

America’s $500M Dam Upgrade Has a Big Problem

The Gross Reservoir expansion in Colorado is a rare and complex project, raising the 340-foot dam by 131 feet using roller-compacted concrete to triple capacity. Construction faced legal and environmental hurdles, with mitigation measures underway. The deep-dive video hosted by Fred Mills explores engineering, climate risks, and ongoing regulatory challenges.

HS2 completes final slide of 4,600t viaduct across M6 without closing motorway

Engineers working on the HS2 project have slid a 4,600t viaduct section across the M6 without a full carriageway closure, in what contractors say is a UK first that will reduce disruption for drivers.

$1B Fayetteville Outer Loop Completed After 26 Years of Construction

After 26 years, North Carolina’s $1 billion, 39-mile Fayetteville Outer Loop is complete. The final $151.8 million, five-mile western section opened November 25, featuring interchanges, bridges, and new exits. The full loop connects key routes, eases traffic, supports economic growth, and carries over 40,000 vehicles daily, finishing ahead of schedule.

📖 Miscellaneous

Fortescue’s battery-electric locomotive

Fortescue has received the world’s largest battery-electric locomotive, Progress Rail’s 265-tonne SD70J-BB, for its Pilbara iron ore network in Western Australia. Equipped with a 14.5 MWh battery, it runs on 100% battery power, supports diesel reduction, regenerative braking, and provides insights into deploying large-scale low-emission locomotives in heavy-haul mining operations.

Records broken in WA annual resources report

Western Australia’s resources sector achieved record $220 billion sales in 2024–25, despite global challenges. Iron ore led with $122 billion, gold hit $29 billion, and LNG reached $36 billion. Employment remained strong at 134,009 full-time positions, reaffirming WA’s status as a resilient, globally competitive mining and investment hub.

Thanks for reading,

If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!

Alex

PS;Thanks for reading to date, we will be taking a break between 19^th December 2025 - 5^th January 2026

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