24/10/2025

October 24, 2025

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

A worker was seriously injured when a two-tonne aluminium load fell while being unloaded with a forklift. Risks include unstable loads, forklifts, terrain, and pedestrian proximity. Safe work systems, traffic management, training, appropriate equipment, and PPE are essential. Regular review of controls is needed to prevent similar incidents.

✒ Headlines & Industry

The draft Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Amendment Bill 2025 aims to strengthen SOP for subcontractors and streamline payment protections.

Australia’s building ministers have approved key NCC 2025 updates, including tighter commercial building energy efficiency, improved waterproofing, reduced condensation, and enhanced carpark fire safety. Other non-essential changes, like residential energy efficiency and EV charging provisions, are paused until mid-2029. NCC 2025 will be published by February 2026.

Queensland has paused the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) “sweetheart deal” for union tradies on new government projects, citing ballooning costs and stalled construction. BPIC perks included double pay in rain, extra allowances for remote work, and annual pay rises. The LNP government will review productivity and costs before deciding the deal’s future.

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA), in partnership with Arcadis, has released the 2025 Construction Market Sentiment Survey, revealing that improved collaboration is the most powerful lever for boosting productivity across Australia’s construction sector.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

The exterior of the new Sydney Fish Market has been completed, offering the public its first full look at the landmark’s striking architecture ahead of its official opening on Monday, 19 January 2026. 

Sydney Metro West achieved a world-first using a custom Lining Erector Machine (LEM) to line 762 m service tunnels at Clyde. Completing a full tunnel ring in about an hour, the LEM replaces slow cast-in-situ methods, improving speed, safety, quality, and watertightness, while leveraging TBM-inspired technology for precast segment installation.

The NSW Government has approved APA Group’s plan to repurpose the 1200 km Moomba–Sydney Ethane Pipeline to transport gas from South Australia. The project, part of APA’s East Coast Gas Grid expansion, will deliver 20–25 TJ/day by year’s end, improving supply reliability while supporting the transition to renewable energy generation.

Broken Hill Mines has raised $38.5 million to accelerate expansion works at its Rasp and Pinnacles projects in NSW. The funding will support major drilling, open-pit development, and installation of a new tailings dewatering facility to unlock the Rasp plant’s 750,000-tonne annual capacity, strengthening regional mining infrastructure and production efficiency.

The Minns Labor Government has released a draft NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan to address Greater Sydney’s looming landfill shortage by 2030. The plan outlines strategies to expand waste and recycling infrastructure, manage FOGO rollout, and avoid a projected $23 billion economic impact, with industry consultation now open.

QLD

The Queensland government is calling for submissions to develop “one of Brisbane’s last remaining industrial riverfront sites,” currently home to the Visy glass recycling and manufacturing facility.

A 200 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) is seeking federal approval for installation on a 15.83 ha rural-residential site in Kelso, south of Townsville, QLD. Samsung C&T Renewable Energy plans to locate the BESS behind an existing dwelling, leveraging nearby transmission infrastructure to store and export electricity, enhancing grid reliability while the home remains occupied.

VIC

A private developer is planning to build a large-scale battery storage facility on bushfire-prone land in central Victoria, sparking community debate. South Energy is hoping to build a 100-megawatt battery system on a five-hectare site along Black Forest Drive between Gisborne and Macedon. According to South Energy's website, construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be operational by the second quarter of 2028.

Victoria is investing $24 million in year-round maintenance on the West Gate Bridge, ensuring safety and reliability for 205,000 daily vehicles. Works include inspections, asphalt resurfacing, and concrete protection. The program reduces unplanned closures, supports freight and tourism, and prepares the iconic 47-year-old bridge to remain strong for decades.

Victorian network operator CPU will install 100 pole-mounted 22 kW EV chargers in a contested kerbside trial, leasing access to retailers while charging itself the same fees it charges third parties. The AER approved the waiver with conditions on transparency, data sharing, demand management, and future-proofing to mitigate competition and network risks.

WA

Golden Sedayu’s $3.8 billion Burswood Point project has moved a step closer to delivery, with Urbane appointed to build the River Homes and CU Building Group to construct the Garden Homes, marking a major milestone in the development of the riverfront townhouse precinct.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Swedish startup AI-BOB uses AI to prevent construction errors by automating compliance checks on blueprints within BIM models. Founded by Elin Mårtensson, it targets accessibility, usability, and regulatory issues, fitting into architects’ and developers’ workflows. Early adopters include White Arkitekter and CF Møller, aiming to reduce mistakes, costs, CO₂, and improve building quality.

In Zhejiang Province, China, drones were seen delivering meals to construction workers in mountainous areas. The drones carry food across rugged terrain, lowering it carefully to workers below. It highlights modern solutions that support efficiency and safety for workers in challenging environments.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Fortescue Metals aims for “real zero” emissions by 2030, advancing decarbonisation with 10 electric excavators, a 190MW solar farm, and upcoming diesel-equivalent electric haul trucks from Liebherr and XCMG in 2026. Partnerships with BYD, Longi, Envision, and Nabrawind support a $6.2B decarbonisation program, including a new 2GW wind project in Pilbara.

A new report released today by Greenpeace Australia Pacific and Springmount Advisory shows for the first time how Western Australia can slash emissions by 90 % across four major sectors by 2050, and become a global renewable energy powerhouse, by rapidly scaling up investment in green energy and industry.

Recycled steel fibers from tires offer a sustainable solution for concrete reinforcement, enhancing tensile strength while addressing environmental concerns.

🌏 Around the World

Holcim will acquire German building materials firm Xella for €1.85 billion, expanding its footprint in Europe’s €250 billion sustainable construction market. Xella, with 50 plants across 21 countries, produces walling and insulation systems. The deal supports Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy and strengthens its position in Europe’s growing repair and refurbishment sector.

Texas is investing $13 billion to expand and reroute Houston’s I-45, one of America’s deadliest highways. The multi-segment project will rebuild 88 miles of roadway, improve storm drainage, and realign major interchanges to boost safety and evacuation capacity. Critics argue it will displace communities and expand car dependence instead of promoting public transport.

The New York State Public Service Commission on Oct. 16 approved a joint proposal to build a two-mile, 345-kV underground transmission line linking National Grid’s Clay substation to Micron Technology’s planned semiconductor manufacturing campus in Central New York’s Onondaga County.

📖 Miscellaneous

FOI documents reveal the City of Greater Bendigo misrepresented stakeholder consultation during the Bendigo Showgrounds master plan. Key user groups were promised input on project scope and design but were largely excluded. Funding was approved and works commenced despite limited engagement, raising concerns about governance, community input, and planning integrity in the redevelopment.

Snowy 2.0 is a $12 billion pumped hydro project linking two reservoirs via a 27 km tunnel. It will provide massive long-duration energy storage, stabilise Australia’s grid, reduce reliance on gas and coal, support renewables integration, and minimise new transmission needs, becoming operational around 2028.

The IRU Green Compact Survey 2025 shows Australian transport operators face high decarbonisation costs and older fleets, with 71% worried about profitability impacts. Many rely on improving diesel efficiency, while infrastructure and customer cost barriers persist. NatRoad urges government support for a realistic, economically viable transition to low-carbon road transport.

With defect claims rising, contractors must protect themselves through comprehensive documentation across all project stages. Detailed site diaries, photos, quality control records, and communication logs provide vital proof of compliance. Consistent digital record-keeping and contract administration training strengthen defences, ensuring contractors can effectively manage risk and respond to future defect claims.

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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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