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- 03/09/2025
03/09/2025
🏗 🚧 🌏 🛠🚀 🦺 ♻ 🤖 🧱 🏛 🧰
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
🚨 Safety Updates
During Electrical Safety Week 2025, NT WorkSafe highlights lithium-ion battery dangers. These batteries, common in everyday devices, can cause fires due to overheating, damage, or faulty charging. Use approved chargers, avoid heat exposure, never charge on flammable surfaces, and dispose of batteries properly to prevent fires and ensure safety.
âś’ Headlines & Industry
Australia is still 40,000 new home approvals short of annual federal government targets intended to tackle the nation’s housing crisis 13 months after they were implemented. The nation’s new home ambitions took a backwards step in July as building approvals plunged, setting up the probability that a goal of building 240,000 new homes in a year will actually take more than 15 months.
The Queensland branch of the CFMEU was put into administration last year. Earlier this year a report compiled by Geoffrey Watson SC made scathing allegations about the union's culture. CFMEU boss Jared Abbott today said those issues had been fixed.
As tradespeople work long hours to meet demand and fewer school leavers choose apprenticeships, industry leaders say Australia does not have the workforce to meet its ambitious housing goals.
The Queensland government is facing an uphill battle with union members who want to work less for the same pay. Protests Monday came amid a warning the state's productivity was shockingly low and major projects were costing more and more amid attempts to ramp up construction for the Olympics. Workers who help maintain critical infrastructure from the likes of QBuild, Queensland Health and Transport and Main Roads today marched on parliament demanding better conditions.
Nation’s biggest urban renewal project hit by university’s decision to halt $2 billion project, at least until the 2030s.
Queensland is gearing up for major infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Olympics but faces declining construction productivity. The Australian Constructors Association urges smarter planning, fairer procurement, and stronger collaboration to improve efficiency. Key reforms include better project coordination, rewarding value over cost, and adopting digital tools to deliver faster, cheaper, and higher-quality projects.
🏗️ Projects
NSW
A $215.5m proposal will transform Parramatta Leagues Club into a world-class precinct with a 149-room hotel, new club, leisure centre, and rooftop terraces. Designed by Cox Architecture, the revamped site aims to boost tourism, enhance game-day experiences, and support Parramatta’s urban renewal. Community engagement is encouraged.
A proposal for twin towers in Parrmatta’s CBD, designed by SJB in collaboration with Land and Form, is currently on exhibition within the NSW government’s major projects planning portal.
Zauner Construction will build $9.5M on-site accommodation at Albury Hospital to support healthcare worker recruitment and retention. Funded by federal and state governments, the modern, self-contained units will open in 2026, strengthening the health workforce as part of the $558M Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital redevelopment.
Mitsubishi Estate and Mirvac have entered a joint venture (JV) to develop Sydney’s Harbourside project, valued at over $2bn. The Harbourside project is a mixed-use development planned for Sydney’s Darling Harbour. This project includes the redevelopment of the area as part of a wider urban renewal programme.
Scalabrini Villages will redevelop two Drummoyne buildings into 54 seniors units and a Care Hub. Approved by the IPC, the $59.94M project includes balconies, communal spaces, and riverfront access. It will create 210 construction and 47 ongoing jobs, enhancing aged care in a high-amenity waterfront location.
Company set to break ground on first Japanese project in December. During the company’s earnings results last week, NextDC said it was seeking to establish a joint venture platform to own, develop, and operate its proposed S4 and S7 data centers in Western Sydney, in partnership with third-party private capital.
NT
The Northern Territory Government approved APA Group’s $66.5 million Sturt Plateau Pipeline, a 37km gas conduit linking Tamboran Resources’ Shenandoah South project to the Amadeus Gas Pipeline. Expected by early 2026, it will support Darwin’s energy needs, create 150 jobs, boost economic growth, and advance decarbonisation efforts.
TAS
ACEN Australia's 900MW Robbins Island Wind project has secured Federal Government approval - a major step in unlocking one of the largest private investments in Tasmania's history and positioning the state as a major player in Australia's clean energy transition.
VIC
Community consultation is open on removing Spotswood’s dangerous Hudsons Road level crossing. A new rail bridge and modern Spotswood Station will be built by 2028, easing congestion and improving safety. Locals can share feedback until 6 October.
The redevelopment of the 150-year-old Queen Victoria Market has been described as the "biggest renewal" in its history with thousands of new homes promised, but some critics say the plans don't do enough for affordability.
Greater Western Water is inviting industry professionals to register their interest in attending an exclusive site visit to the Siddeley Street sewer upgrade works on Friday, 19 September 2025 (10:00 – 11:30am), following the conclusion of No-Dig Down Under. The guided visit will give delegates a behind-the-scenes look at a complex trenchless engineering project, spanning approximately 750 metres from Flinders Lane through Siddeley Street to Wurundjeri Way.
Designs for Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway upgrades from Tram Road to Springvale Road are open for public consultation. Improvements include better lane layouts, faster travel speeds, upgraded Koonung Creek Trail, new bridges, lowered freeway sections, noise-reducing asphalt, over 2,000 new trees, and extended noise walls, enhancing traffic flow and green spaces.
WA
The North Perth developer has acquired a site for $4 million from the state government, with plans to bring 200 dwellings to the area.
🧰 Construction Au Other
Wagners plans to develop several concrete plants in Queensland over the next year, supported by $15 million in recent land purchases. In FY25, revenue reached $431.3 million, driven by a 65% growth in concrete volumes. The company anticipates growth from Brisbane’s Olympics and SEQ housing in FY26.
Mining-focused contractor NRW Holdings will be chasing work in the booming data centre industry after striking a debt-funded deal to buy Sydney-based contractor Fredon.
🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
The NSW Government is integrating Artificial Intelligence solutions into the assessment of State Significant Development (SSD) applications, in an effort to reduce timeframes for major developments.
Ash Grove Cement, part of Adbri’s parent company CRH, is trialing Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot at its Washington plant. Spot conducts inspections with 4K cameras and lasers, detecting issues early to prevent downtime, improve safety, and free workers from data recording to focus on complex tasks.
🌏 Around the World
Poland has announced plans to launch Europe’s fastest high-speed rail network. The project will include a new central airport and is scheduled to start operations in 2032. Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak confirmed that the government aims for trains to reach speeds of 350 km/h, surpassing earlier designs of 250 km/h.
The government has launched a new consultation aimed at overhauling the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), in a bid to fast-track delivery and unlock over ÂŁ1 billion in savings.
EMSTEEL has announced that it has successfully delivered hydrogen-based rebar for the construction of Abu Dhabi’s first Net Zero carbon mosque in Sustainable City, Yas Island.
đź“– Miscellaneous
Datacenter capacity is forecast to surge 50 percent by 2027 driven by AI demand, with the sector's energy consumption doubling by 2030, according to the latest research from Goldman Sachs. But the financial services biz says it's watching for signs that AI adoption may fall short of current hype.
Findings indicate that U-shaped ECC in hybrid reinforced concrete beams improves structural behavior, offering long-term durability in challenging environments.
Australia must build more social housing in high‑amenity suburbs, where less than 5% of housing is currently social despite easy access to transport, jobs and services. A new AHURI report shows suburbs like Haymarket, Melbourne CBD and Brisbane City have just 0.3%, while low‑amenity areas exceed 20%—calling for smarter targeting and denser redevelopment.
Tuggeranong, Weston Creek, and Woden Valley are now projected to grow faster than expected, according to ACT’s latest population forecast. Canberra is set to reach 500,000 people by 2027 and over 800,000 by 2065. Growth is being driven by migration and new housing models targeting increased urban density.
👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource
A Brisbane worker revealed how being a hoist operator has helped her pull in thousands of dollars every week. An Australian tradie has revealed the job that she's been doing that can bring in more than $3,000 per week. With a weekly salary like that, the Brisbane worker could be earning $156,000 each year.
Plumbers, electricians and bricklayers in Perth are earning as much $250,000 a year as shortages of skilled workers push up construction costs and make it harder to deliver desperately needed housing, says leading developer Nigel Satterley.
In the constantly evolving construction sector, standing still is not an option. New materials, methods and sustainability requirements are transforming how projects are designed and delivered.
Tom Perkin has been announced as DT Infrastructure’s new general manager strategy. With 20 years of multidisciplinary experience across investment banking, energy and infrastructure, construction, and property development, he has served in various leadership roles.
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