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- 28/11/2025
28/11/2025
The Daily Dirt Aus
By G’day Construction………….……
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
🚨 Safety Updates
The Buddie System is transforming crane site safety in Australia by adding a fail-safe when radios fail. This simple, scalable device alerts operators immediately if communication with dogmen is lost, preventing accidents. Already adopted by major contractors and distributors nationwide, it’s a proactive leap in PPE and workplace safety. Sign up for more.
✒ Headlines & Industry
New national environment laws aim to speed up approvals for housing, renewable energy and mining projects. Clear standards and regional plans will replace slow, inconsistent assessments, cutting timelines from years to months. The changes target major delays like those seen in Cairnlea and are expected to support faster construction and infrastructure delivery.
ACIF’s November 2025 Forecasts indicate slower growth in Australia’s construction sector, with building and engineering activity rising just 1.6% in 2025–26. New project starts have halved, cost pressures and wage growth are easing, and capacity can shift toward housing, helping moderate inflation and support residential supply.
🏗️ Projects
NSW
Cascade Pier on Norfolk Island is moving into the design phase of a $10 million upgrade. Works include raising and extending the apron to improve freight handling, cyclone resilience, and safety. Consult Marine is engaging stakeholders to shape designs that support more efficient construction, loading, and island freight operations.
Inland Rail NSW works accelerate on the Albury–Illabo section, including demolition and reconstruction of Albury and Culcairn footbridges, substructure and piling works at Wagga Wagga and Junee, and a new driver changeover platform. Track closures and detours support delivery of double-stacked freight capacity ahead of project completion in 2027.
Sydney Airport has launched a $6 billion, five-year capital works program, shifting to long-term partnerships with architectural and engineering firms. The T2-T3 terminal link will expand capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance passenger experience, marking one of the airport’s largest infrastructure projects. Sign up for more.
Eire Constructions has been appointed to deliver Crescent Head’s $18.4 million water treatment plant upgrade in NSW. The new facility, treating 1.08 million litres daily, will replace ageing infrastructure, improve reliability, meet drinking water standards, and support peak demand. Construction begins March 2026, completing mid-2027, enhancing regional water security.
Potentia Energy’s Tallawang Solar Hybrid project near Gulgong, NSW, has received Australian government EPBC approval. The 500 MW solar park paired with a 500 MW/1 GWh BESS will begin construction in 2027, generating 1.3 TWh/year by 2030. The project forms part of Potentia’s 7 GW Australian renewable energy development pipeline.
SA
A South Australian council has raised concerns about a big battery project taking up prime agricultural land, but the developer says it is the most affordable way to bring renewable energy to the area.
VIC
The Albanese and Allan Governments are investing $10.6 million in eight Victorian projects to improve motorcyclist safety through new barriers, better signage, and safer intersections. Works span Gippsland, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Melbourne, aiming to reduce road trauma as motorcyclists remain highly vulnerable road users.
Tender awarded for Bairnsdale worker accommodation, with BFN Developments to build 26 modern units supporting healthcare staff. The project will boost worker housing, ease rental pressure, and strengthen services for East Gippsland, backed by Victoria’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.
An independent review of Victoria’s proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has raised concerns about its impact on agriculture, economy and lack of consultation, causing Greater Shepparton City Council to call for major changes.
🧰 Construction Au Other
CCAA’s 2025 AGM confirmed stable leadership with Holcim CEO George Agriogiannis as chair and Adbri CEO Paul Headd as deputy. The association will focus on evidence-based advocacy, functional EPBC reforms, and long-term resource planning to support Australia’s heavy construction materials sector, underpinning infrastructure, housing, transport, and renewable projects.
Australia’s construction equipment market is growing steadily, driven by infrastructure, real-estate, and mining demand. Valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2024, it’s projected to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2033. Growth is fueled by fleet modernization, eco-friendly machinery, rental adoption, regional development, and specialized equipment for mining and large infrastructure projects.
🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
iVolve, co-founded in 1995, has celebrated 30 years of industrial technology innovation in Australia. Acquired by Komatsu Australia in 2023, iVolve’s Smart Quarry Site platform enhances fleet management for mining and quarry operations, providing real-time data dashboards that improve efficiency, maintenance, and operational decision-making globally.
Researchers have developed an AR platform to inspect Lausanne Cathedral, combining holograms, laser scanning, and structural analysis. The system visualizes weaknesses, monitors forces, and guides retrofits in real-time. By enhancing collaboration and decision-making, this technology transforms heritage conservation, offering precise, efficient assessments and potential applications across historic structures worldwide.
AI is transforming construction by improving health and safety through hazard detection, optimizing planning and design with generative AI, and reducing carbon emissions via smarter material and layout decisions. Despite adoption challenges, including high costs, AI enhances efficiency, sustainability, and project accuracy, reshaping construction operations and decision-making across the industry.
Superwood, developed by the University of Maryland and commercialized by InventWood, is ten times stronger and six times lighter than conventional wood. Resistant to fire, moisture, and impact, it enables lighter, more sustainable buildings with improved seismic performance. Its low-carbon footprint positions superwood as a revolutionary material for modern construction.
🌱 Sustainability & Environment
Australia’s construction sector contributes significantly to carbon emissions, making decarbonisation critical for net-zero targets. Coates advises six steps: right-size equipment, adopt hybrid site power, switch to low/zero-emissions tools, avoid idling, use alternative fuels, and hire on-demand. These practical actions reduce emissions, cut costs, and improve efficiency. Sign up for more.
Australia’s built environment shows climate leadership through COP30 engagement, Green Star milestones, and board renewals at the GBCA. Key achievements include 500 Green Star certifications, new directors with construction, materials, and finance expertise, and the release of Going for Green, guiding teams toward sustainable, high-performance buildings. Sign up for more.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s Strategy 2030 and 2025 Impact Report outline a roadmap for sustainable infrastructure. ISC-certified projects reduced nearly 3.5 million tonnes CO₂e and saved $1.2 billion. New tools, streamlined verification, and future-focused guidance enable projects across sectors to embed sustainability, enhance efficiency, and scale benefits in design, construction, and operation.
🌏 Around the World
The UK government has approved Heathrow Airport Limited’s £33bn 3.5km third runway over Arora Group’s 2.8km proposal, citing greater maturity, feasible surface access, and long-term operational resilience. The plan includes realigning the M25, fewer residential acquisitions, and positions Heathrow for future aircraft, shaping the Airports National Policy Statement review.
France’s Egis has won two major contracts to operate and maintain thousands of kilometres of roads in Qatar, and to manage the country’s national intelligent transport communication systems.
Nashville is replacing Nissan Stadium with a $2.1 billion state-of-the-art facility to attract the Super Bowl. The new stadium features a roof with lightweight ETFE panels, 60,000 fan-centric seats, luxury suites, advanced technology, and multi-purpose spaces. Completion is slated for 2027, aiming to host NFL’s showcase event by 2029–2030.
📖 Miscellaneous
A deadly Hong Kong high-rise fire highlights risks of bamboo scaffolding, widely used for speed, low cost, flexibility, and tradition. Lightweight poles can be quickly lashed for complex or tight sites, are locally sourced, and require minimal processing. Despite its benefits, combustibility makes it hazardous on tall, occupied buildings.
Australia’s Pilbara mining region exemplifies integrated “pit-to-port” efficiency, combining mines, private rail, and export terminals. Roy Hill and other operators use digitalisation and logistics control to streamline ore movement. Pilbara Ports achieved record 775.7 million tonnes in FY25, underlining infrastructure, technology, and diversification as key drivers of national mining competitiveness.
👷♀️ Tradies and Resource
The head of the CFMEU’s billion-dollar redundancy fund has resigned to focus on his health following a tumultuous year that includes a new investigation headed by a former Victorian treasurer into tens of millions of dollars in grants.
Jessica Paton, Brisbane City Council GM Strategy and Network Services, has been appointed CEO of Metro Tasmania. With experience at Queensland Rail and leading Brisbane’s New Bus Network and Metro operational readiness, she brings expertise in strategic planning, safety, workforce training, and zero-emission fleet operations to Tasmania’s public transport network.
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Alex
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