27/10/25

October 27, 2025

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

TLC Surface Treatment, formerly RPC, was fined $975,000 after a 16-year-old worker was crushed by a 425kg steel beam in Perth. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure worker safety despite prior prohibition notices. The fatality highlights ongoing workplace safety concerns in WA and prompted calls for stricter protections.

Kabbe Njie, CIOB Paul Dockerill Award winner, developed BSM² and the Resident Culture Code Toolkit to embed cultural safety in construction. The frameworks make safety visible, measurable, and accountable, connecting strategy to daily practice, engaging residents, and promoting trust, candour, and ethical leadership across building lifecycles, from design to occupation.

✒ Headlines & Industry

The Albanese government faces criticism for failing to reform the CFMEU, 14 months after placing it into administration. Whistleblower Charles Farrugia alleged corruption, cover-ups, and continued influence by former leader John Setka. Opposition claims the scandal-plagued union still “terrorises workers” and inflates construction costs, damaging public projects and housing affordability.

Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have charged three men overnight as part of an investigation into an alleged $6.6M extortion of a Melbourne construction company in October last year.

Candice Arnall turned her home renovation hobby into a carpentry career but struggles with the construction industry’s inflexibility. With labour shortages delaying builds, women like her represent an untapped workforce. Only 2% of tradespeople are women, and lack of flexibility, mentorship, and support for parents limits participation despite high demand.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

The Albanese and Minns Governments have awarded contracts for the $744 million Richmond Road upgrade in North-West Sydney. Works will widen nearly four kilometres of road, add lanes, shared paths, flood-resilient features and a new M7 flyover. Construction begins in 2026, easing congestion and improving safety for 70,000 daily motorists.

QLD

Brisbane-based developer GCAP Property is set to deliver a new chapter in Gold Coast apartment living with its upcoming $100 million Hamilton Avenue project in Surfers Paradise.Recently approved by Gold Coast City Council, the 18-storey development at 12–14 Hamilton Avenue will comprise just 20 ultra-luxury residences, marking a shift toward more considered, boutique-scale design in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

A development application has been lodged for a 37-storey residential tower at 91 Montague Road and 6 Bouquet Street, South Brisbane, within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct. Designed by Bureau Proberts, the proposal includes 204 apartments above a six-level podium with basement parking.

Union members are taking ‘stop work’ action at Genex Power’s Kidston pumped hydro project in protest at what they say are unacceptable conditions at the workforce camp. 

GenesisCare has begun construction of a new cancer care centre in Redcliffe, Queensland, as part of the $30 million Altiva Health development by Allamanni Developments. Slated to open mid-2026, the facility will provide radiation therapy for over 450 patients annually, enhancing local healthcare infrastructure and supporting the growing Moreton Bay community.

Samsung C&T’s Block BESS project is located near Townsville, Queensland, adjacent to the Ross River Substation, with other nearby projects including the 116MW Ross River Solar Farm. Construction is expected to start 31 March 2027, with operations planned through 31 March 2059, giving a 32-year lifespan.

SA

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas pledged $500 million to unlock central Adelaide housing if Labor wins the March election. The policy will finance up to $30 million per project, targeting 2,400 approved CBD apartments to boost construction and city living. Labor aims to act as guarantor for off-the-plan developments.

VIC

The Allan Labor Government is upgrading key roads across Melbourne’s west, including Werribee’s Ison Road connection to the Princes Freeway, set to open in 2026.Big Build Roads and construction partner Decmil are delivering the extension in partnership Wyndham City Council – with major works to build the connecting road between the complete Ison Road Overpass and upgraded intersection of Geelong and Wests Road due to begin in late November.

The Allan Labor Government has awarded BMD Constructions the contract for the Point Cook Road and Central Avenue Intersection Upgrade. The project will replace the roundabout with traffic lights, add a freeway off-ramp, and improve pedestrian safety—creating 550 jobs and easing congestion for 28,000 daily road users by 2027.

Symal has been awarded the $83.5 million contract to deliver the Ballan Road Intersection Upgrade in Wyndham Vale. The project will replace busy roundabouts with traffic lights, add pedestrian crossings, cycling paths, and bus lanes. Jointly funded by federal and state governments, it begins early 2026 and supports over 1,600 local jobs.

Property Japan's Marubeni to build $300m apartment complex in downtown Melbourne Trading house seeks to leverage Australia's growing population and housing demand.

WA

Construction is underway on a new $60 million water treatment plant in Western Australia's SouthWest that will ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality drinking water for the growing region.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Holcim reported strong growth in the first nine months of 2025, with net sales of CHF11.91 bn and recurring EBIT up 9.8 % to CHF2.275 bn. The company advanced its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, acquiring Xella to expand Building Solutions, while low-carbon ECOPact concrete and ECOPlanet cement boosted sustainable construction and circular economy leadership.

Cavotec will supply a motorised cable reel to Civmec for installation at Port Hedland, WA, one of the world’s largest iron ore export hubs. This first major collaboration strengthens Cavotec’s footprint in Australia’s mining and bulk materials sector, with delivery scheduled for Q3 2026.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Buildots has launched an underground utility tracking service that turns drone imagery into actionable construction intelligence. Integrating with existing workflows, it provides visual overlays, progress metrics, and pace forecasts. Piloted by Mortenson Construction on a US data centre project, it improves visibility, risk spotting, and project control from day one.

Integrated, worker-focused construction tech lets contractors meet sustainability targets without added costs or complexity. By tracking materials, reducing waste, and streamlining workflows, these systems cut inefficiencies, optimize resources, and support green building standards. User-friendly tools boost productivity, adoption, and project outcomes, aligning efficiency with environmental goals.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

The study introduces a sustainability-driven framework for evaluating reclaimed steel in construction, focusing on logistics and reuse efficiency impacts.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), mindful MATERIALS, International Living Future Institute (ILFI), International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have announced a first-of-its-kind international partnership to harmonise how sustainable materials are assessed across the globe.

🌏 Around the World

The Danjiang Bridge in Taiwan has completed its steel decking, marking its 12 May 2026 opening. At a 450m central span with a 200m mast, it will be the world’s longest single-tower asymmetric cable-stayed bridge. Jointly delivered by Sinotech, Leonhardt & Zaha Hadid Architects, it eases congestion and links coastal expressways.

Construction firms across the Nordic region have made a high stakes bet on a building site the size of about 400 soccer fields just south of the Arctic Circle. That’s where startup Stegra AB is developing the world’s biggest green steel plant.

Labour shortages are constraining Europe’s construction sector, with 28% of firms citing limited personnel and 14% planning to hoard labour. Material shortages are low at 6%, while weak demand aligns with historical trends. Upcoming fiscal stimulus and renovation programs could boost work, but workforce capacity remains the key challenge.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

Watch the YouTube video to find out more.

Victorian Trades Council’s Amanda Threlfall says half of trade apprentices quit due to exploitation and mistreatment. RBA Governor Michele Bullock urges students to consider trades as apprenticeship numbers fall 8%. Threlfall says the Albanese government is reforming incentives with industry stakeholders to boost completion and participation.

The Queensland government has announced a pilot program which would subsidise the wages of apprentices who are taken on by small businesses. Some small businesses say the cost of training an apprentice can make it financially difficult. The industry warns more innovative solutions are needed if the state is going to meet construction targets.

As new home building markets improve, Australia’s housing construction trade shortage is starting to deteriorate again, the latest data suggests.

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.

 đŸ§  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 and get a chance to win $20 amazon voucher ! We’re growing and the more we grow the more quality news we can get to you!

Want to advertise in Gooday Construction? 📰

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.