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- 03/10/2025
03/10/2025
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
šØ Safety Updates
This Safe Work Month, WA celebrates Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) for their vital role in safer workplaces. Videos highlight their impact, and six HSRs are finalists for the 2025 WHS Excellence Awards. Workplaces are encouraged to host #SafeTea events and join in promoting safety all year round.
ā Headlines & Industry
One year into federal Administration, the CFMEU has seen major purges of militant organisers, especially in Queensland, where the union faces mounting attacks on wages, safety, and conditions. Activists warn that collaboration with employers and government threatens the union's fighting tradition and must be resisted through grassroots organising.
The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) is calling on the Crisafulli Government to permanently remove Best Practice Industrial Conditions (BPICs). This is to ensure renewable energy projects can be delivered quicker and more affordably, while maintaining strong workplace health and safety standards said QREC Chief Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder.
Global infrastructure faces major delivery risks, including political instability, outdated practices, and weak supply chains. A new Revizto report urges systemic reformāstandardisation, digital tools, resilient networks, and stronger collaboration. With $94 trillion in investment needed by 2040, long-term planning and cross-sector alignment are essential for sustainable, efficient project delivery.
Darwin Portās masterplan outlines a $1.2ā1.6 billion, phased upgrade by 2055 to expand bulk exports, container trade, and cruise tourism. Key works include channel widening, new berths, and wharf upgrades, supporting growth in energy, defence, and tourism sectors.
šļø Projects
NSW
Origin Energyās proposed Northern Tablelands Wind Farm in NSW aims to deliver 608MW via 76 turbines and an 800MW/1,000MWh battery. Announced in September 2025, itās slated for 2030 construction. The project is in the early planning stage, with EPBC referral and scoping report lodged with state planning authorities.
Delta Power is developing the Vales Point BESS, a 400MW/800MWh battery at the Vales Point Power Station site in NSW. Announced in February 2025, construction is set to begin in July 2026 and finish by December 2027. The project is in detailed planning, with SEARs issued in September 2025.
The Federal Government has approved new wind farm in New South Walesā Central West, unlocking another 943MW of clean energy generation capacity. Located near Coolah in Warrumbungle Shire, the Valley of the Winds Wind Farm consists of 131 wind turbines paired with a 320MW battery facility, and marks the 102nd renewable energy project approved by the Federal Government. During construction, the Federal Government said that the project is expected to support up to 400 jobs, as well as 50 during ongoing operation roles.
Anson Group has secured approval for a $208.9-million, 50-storey tower in St Leonardsāequal tallest in North Sydney at 180 metres.
The Minns Labor Government has confirmed a new roundabout will be built at the Valla Beach Road and Giinagay Way intersection to improve safety. This follows community calls and expert studies after crashes and near misses. Construction is expected to start this year, alongside existing safety measures like reduced speed limits and speed cameras.
QLD
Over 53 hectares of bushland will be cleared for Queensland's $4.4-billion Paradise Dam rebuild, raising concerns for vulnerable species like the lungfish and snapping turtle. Environmentalists fear habitat loss, while Sunwater promises mitigation and offsets. Road upgrades have begun as planning and environmental approvals progress for the new dam wall.
Another slice of inner-city riverside land looks set for a major transformation, with plans submitted to Brisbane City Council for a $2 billion-plus mixed-use precinct on contaminated land. The project would transform a 168-hectare site into a residential precinct with five 30-storey towers and one 12-storey tower in Brisbaneās West End.
Edify Energy is planning the Callide Solar Power Station in Queenslandās Callide Renewable Energy Zone, featuring 240MW of solar and a 200MW/800MWh battery. The project is in detailed planning, with construction expected in 2026. It received EPBC approval in July 2024 and was acquired by La Caisse in 2025.
SA
A major land rezoning in Concordia, in the Barossa Valley, is set to enable 12,000 new homes to support an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 residents over the next 30 years. Located about 40km north of Adelaideās CBD, Concordia was identified as a strategic growth area by the SA government in 2023. The rezoned land spans 984 hectares, making it one of the largest planned residential projects in the state.
BHP has boosted its underground mining productivity through a $840 million investment, with the funding contributing to a series of growth-enabling projects at its Olympic Dam project in South Australia. In a bid to continue building its āworld-class copper provinceā in the stateās far north, the Big Australian will develop an underground access tunnel, a new backfill system to deliver paste fill via underground pipes to new areas of the mine, expansion of ore pass capacity, and installation of a new oxygen plant.
VIC
The Allan Labor Government has fast-tracked 270 new homes in Geelong through its Development Facilitation Program. Projects on Malop, Hope, and Autumn Streets will deliver diverse housing near transport and services. These initiatives aim to boost affordable housing, support jobs, and meet Victoriaās growing housing demand faster.
The Foreign Investment Review Board is scrutinising John Hollandās role in a $9 billion contract that reflects tighter vetting of foreign-owned companies in major infrastructure projects.
Edify Energy is planning the 360MWp Nowingi Solar Power Station with a 300MW/2.4GWh battery near Mildura. Backed by a $1.1 billion acquisition by La Caisse in 2025, the project is in detailed planning, with financial close expected in 2026. An EPC contractor is yet to be appointed.
WA
An initial assessment of Laborās controversial Burswood racetrack has revealed the apartments that will be most exposed to high noise levels, while arguing it will enhance the āvisitor experienceā in Perth.
Perth Airport has released its masterplan, outlining a multi-billion-dollar investment program into new and upgraded infrastructure. The announcement follows the release of renders in July for a new domestic terminal, specifically designed for Qantas operations, and an expanded international terminal.
Neoen awarded UGL the contract to build the 164 MW / 905 MWh Muchea battery near Perth, WA. The project includes installing 252 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, a 132kV substation, and infrastructure. Construction starts next month, completing by 2027, supporting renewable energy transition and reliability.
Fortescue is blaming a group of contractors, including Acciona and an offshoot of multinational engineer WSP, for an allegedly defective bridge that crosses part of its sprawling iron ore network.
š§° Construction Au Other
Cement Australia, a joint venture of Holcim and Heidelberg, acquired BGCās cement, concrete, and logistics assets, boosting their presence in Western Australia. Holcim and Heidelberg gain key sites, while Adbri expands in WA and SA. The deal strengthens market positions, supply security, and service capabilities across Australia.
š Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
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New testing at CSIROās North Ryde labs promises to unleash new demand for cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and lightweight timber-framed walls, thanks to a cladding system using stone wool that significantly enhances fire resistance.
The installation of almost 500,000 solar panels at Victorian solar farm will be completed this week, thanks in part to a collaboration with US robotics company Luminous, which has trialled its autonomous fleet at the site, during the construction phase. LUMI autonomously places solar modules onto racking structures, allowing onsite workers to complete the final securing process, reducing manual labour and improving installation speed, safety and cost-efficiency.
Dredge Robotics, a safety-first trailblazer since it was founded seven years ago, was formally recognised for its innovation at the 2025 Australian Mining Prospect Awards. Dredge Roboticsā market-leading technology was recognised at the 2025 Australian Mining Prospect Awards last week in Adelaide, with the Bibra Lake-based company being awarded the top prize for its āInnovative Mining Solutionā.
The use of intelligent inspection robots in structural health monitoring is advancing, reducing costs and risks while improving inspection precision and speed.
3D Printing Construction is transforming the industry by enabling faster, cost-effective, and sustainable building. Valued at $391.8M in 2024, itās projected to soar to $23.1B by 2030 (97.3% CAGR). Key drivers include affordable housing demand, reduced waste, innovative designs, and rapid urbanization challenges.
š± Sustainability ā& Environment
A fish passage that connects the Darling River with Lake Wetherell in order to redistribute native fish is being trialled with the aim of preventing more ecological disasters. The second stage of the Menindee fish passage trial connecting the Darling River and Lake Wetherell has begun.
AI is being used to identify native fish and redistribute them to other parts of the Murray-Darling Basin.
A new study presents a fire-safe transparent wood composite using phosphorylated cellulose (PC). By integrating PC into delignified wood aerogels and infusing them with UV-curable resin, researchers achieved strong, clear, and flame-retardant materials. The composite showed 42% lower peak heat release and retained 50% transparency and 30 MPa strength.
Achieving Australia's 2035 energy goals needs engineering firms to have project intelligence at their fingertips, through unified, real-time data about a project, its people, and finance, to ensure accurate forecasting, avoid delays and maximise performance.
š Around the World
South Asian migrant workers building renewable projects in Saudi Arabia face exploitation, including low pay (~$370/month), excessive hours, unsafe conditions, and forced labor, per a report by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Despite Saudiās green ambitions, systemic abuses persist under the kafala system, with limited worker protections.
Torontoās travel woes persist as the delayed, troubled Eglinton Crosstown LRT nears completion after 14 years. Meant to ease congestion on a booming cityās overcrowded transit, the $multi-billion project faces construction errors, software glitches, and legal battles. Despite setbacks, it promises improved transit for the fast-growing city.
The construction industry had only 188,000 job openings in August, down 38% from the month before and 38% from August 2024, according to analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics data by industry body Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).
š Miscellaneous
A dip in momentum last year hasnāt shaken confidence in Australiaās mining industry, with a new forecast projecting further growth and thousands of new jobs through to 2030.The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Associationās (AREEA) latest Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025ā2030, reveals 96 major mining and energy projects expected to start production between the five-year period.
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