25/11/2025

November 25, 2025

The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

National Asbestos Awareness Week 2025 reminds Territorians that aging asbestos in buildings, particularly pre-1990 structures, can release harmful fibers causing lung cancer and mesothelioma. Commercial properties require asbestos registers and management plans. Owners should inspect regularly, and tradies must check registers before work. WorkSafe inspectors provide guidance: 1800 019 115.

 

Safe Work Australia’s 2025 National Return to Work Survey shows a decline in return-to-work rates to 88.9%. Workers with psychological injuries return less often than those with physical injuries. Most resume duties but fewer hours. Employer support improves outcomes. Reports, factsheets, and an interactive dashboard are available for detailed insights.

âś’ Headlines & Industry

Minister Madeleine King has announced a 10-year extension of the $7 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), supporting jobs, development, and critical infrastructure across northern Australia. With 32 current projects worth $4.3 billion in approved loans, NAIF aims to generate $33 billion in public benefits, boost the economy, and undergo five-year operational reviews.

Google is launching TalayLink, a new subsea cable connecting Australia and Thailand to enhance digital connectivity across Asia Pacific. Alongside TalayLink, new connectivity hubs in Western Australia and Southern Thailand will improve network resilience, support AI services, and strengthen Thailand’s role as a digital gateway, boosting regional economic and technological growth.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

NSW has launched nine new mid-rise apartment designs via its Housing Pattern Book, supporting faster delivery of 112,000 homes. Ranging from three to six storeys, designs suit small, large, and corner lots, prioritise light, ventilation, and solar access, and benefit from streamlined DA approvals to accelerate construction near town centres and transport hubs.

Octopus Australia advances its $900 million Blind Creek Solar Farm and 243 MW/486 MWh battery project in NSW. GRS will handle EPC and O&M, GHD construction management, and partners PV Hardware and Wartsila provide key components. The 300 MW facility will power 120,000 homes, create 300 construction jobs, and boost renewable energy integration.

NT

Alice Springs Town Council has confirmed the $20 million Public Library will be built above the Civic Centre car park. The central, accessible site will support a modern facility for the next 40 years. Extensive community consultation will guide design, layout, and services, while existing library programs continue uninterrupted during planning.

TAS

Hydro Tasmania seeks 1,500 GWh annually of new wind and solar to offset drought-impacted dams, translating to roughly 500 MW capacity within six years. Offtake agreements aim to support local energy security, enable export via Marinus Link, and help developers finance projects, complementing hydropower while addressing industrial electrification and growing energy needs.

VIC

Equis Wind Australia proposes the 840 MW Wanganella Wind Farm with 105 turbines—the largest in Australia—and a 600 MW/2400 MWh battery in NSW’s South West Renewable Energy Zone. Linked to the NEM via VNI West, the project aims to minimise land impact, support clean energy, and integrate with major transmission and Snowy 2.0 infrastructure.

Victoria plans five new Renewable Energy Zones—Western, Central Highlands, Gippsland, North West, and South West—alongside the Gippsland Shoreline REZ. These zones, spanning key transmission corridors, aim to coordinate renewable generation, storage, and transmission. Public consultation runs until February 22, 2026, supporting community input and a smooth energy transition.

Construction has begun on Melbourne’s $70 million Moonee Valley Racecourse redevelopment, led by Symal Group. The project will deliver a new racetrack, upgraded racing infrastructure, track lighting, retaining walls, and community spaces. Works are expected to take several years, with racing resuming for the 2027/28 season, securing the venue’s long-term future.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Mining and civil infrastructure services provider Macmahon Holdings has been appointed by PT Citra Palu Minerals (CPM) to provide underground mining services for the Poboya gold project in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The interim contract will involve Macmahon in all underground mining development and ore mining activities including drilling, loading, hauling, equipment maintenance and mine services support, with the expectation to finalise a five-year alliance-style contract.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Boman Group has launched a $60 million fund, in partnership with JPCX, to back construction tech startups in Australia, focusing on modular and prefabricated housing. The fund aims to accelerate high-quality, faster, and lower-cost housing solutions, addressing Australia’s housing shortage while supporting scaling construction innovation companies.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Construction decarbonisation challenges and highlights SENSE 600, an Australian-made steel using 16.7% less material and reducing embodied carbon by up to 39%. It substitutes for standard 500N bars without changing design, fabrication, or construction processes, and comes with verified EPDs and GECA certification—practical insights for sustainable construction.

NSW’s Renewable Fuel Strategy commits $170 million to renewable fuel and biomethane, expanding the Renewable Fuel Scheme and funding local manufacturing and R&D. Across Australia, the federal government and states are pursuing biofuels and biomethane, with WA, Queensland, Tasmania, and NT launching strategies, trials, or feasibility studies to boost clean energy, decarbonisation, and regional jobs.

đź“– Miscellaneous

South Australia is inviting the public to name the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for the River Torrens to Darlington Project. Names so far range from Julia Drillard to Drillcilla. The tradition honours Saint Barbara and adds personality to TBMs. Submissions close 30 November, with community voting to follow.

Thanks for reading,

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

Alex

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

⏳ Stay up to date in minutes

Read the most important construction related news stories of the day – Industry headlines, safety alerts, technology and innovations.

🏗 Get latest project updates

Get the latest project updates near you, contract awards, and global trends.

❌ No Noise news

Get the latest news in a simple format, with NO marketing emails, EVER.

 đź§  Get ahead

Stay a head with the latest information that will improve your knowledge, performance and increase your opportunities.

💰 Love Gooday Construction? Tell your friends! We’re growing and the more we grow the more quality news we can get to you!

Want to advertise in Gooday Construction? đź“°

If your company is interested in reaching an audience of Construction professionals and decision makers, you may want to advertise with us. Please reply to this email.