07/10/2025

October 07, 2025

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

✒ Headlines & Industry

Climate change is intensifying damage to Australia’s 900,000km road network, especially in rural areas. Construction now requires resilient design standards, improved drainage, and stronger materials like foamed bitumen and recycled aggregates. Upgrading roads post-disaster (betterment) is key. Building greener, flood-resistant roads is critical to reduce long-term costs and protect vital infrastructure.

Snowy 2.0 is 67% complete, targeting December 2028 finish despite cost and productivity challenges. Issues include tough geology, TBM halts, safety stoppages, and supply chain costs. A cost reassessment is underway, with plans to deploy a fourth TBM to manage risks and keep this vital renewable energy storage project on track.

Australia’s construction industry must adopt gold-standard water quality assurance to prevent costly failures and legal risks. With rising contaminants and climate challenges, a consistent, risk-based approach is essential—embedding water quality governance in planning, design, and operations to protect infrastructure, communities, and future-proof Australia’s water systems.

More than a dozen customers of a Melbourne building company say they have been left significantly out of pocket after the company went into liquidation last week. Clients of MJ Harris Group have told the ABC they have lost their life savings, with the company owing money to customers and staff.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

Visions for a new theatre in Canberra have been unveiled, designed by Cox Architecture in collaboration with Yerrabingin, Charcoal Blue theatre consultants and Arcadia Landscape Architecture. The design of the auditorium, which comprises stepped terraces of 1,000-seat stalls, a 500-seat circle and a 500-seat balcony, is aimed at enhancing acoustics and intimacy while reducing the building’s mass along the site’s main public frontages.

QLD

Pellicano has submitted a new development application to Brisbane City Council for a 40-storey mixed-use tower at 55 Boundary Street, South Brisbane, known as Boundary House. The proposal seeks to deliver a subtropical vertical community that blends residential living, commercial space, and wellness uses in one integrated tower form.

NSW

Ausgrid has received AER approval to begin transmission upgrades for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) without separating operations. Construction will involve upgrading distribution lines, replacing timber poles with stronger metal ones, and building two new substations. This accelerates development to support 1 GW of new renewable energy capacity.

TAS

Final upgrade designs for the South Arm Road and Acton Road junction in Lauderdale, Tasmania have been released, marking a large milestone for the Rokeby Road – South Arm Road Upgrades project. With a $44 million commitment from the Federal Government and $11 million from the Tasmanian Government, the project aims to improve safety and connectivity for the growing Eastern Shore communities.

VIC

The Ison Road Project includes a new overpass over the rail line, a road connecting to Geelong Road, and walking/cycling paths. Opening in late 2026, it aims to boost connectivity and safety, easing Werribee congestion. Future upgrades include Ballan Road and Princes Freeway interchanges, supporting growing transport demands.

Stage 2 of the Yan Yean Road Upgrade will duplicate lanes, upgrade nine intersections, and add 11km of walking and cycling paths. Construction begins November 2025 (Northern Package), easing congestion and improving safety for 24,000 daily users. Jointly funded by federal and state governments as part of broader infrastructure investment.Australian-owned-and-operated company Decmil will deliver the Northern Package of works between Bridge Inn Road and Orchard Road – improving traffic flow and slashing travel times.

The Star of the South wind farm, set to power 20% of Victoria’s electricity, has partnered with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. This agreement ensures cultural protection, job opportunities, and ongoing community involvement throughout development, aiming for construction by 2030 and supporting Victoria’s offshore wind targets.

WA

The Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) proposes to expand the Swan River Ferry Network ($107m upgrade) by constructing new ferry infrastructure and services at Matilda Bay and Applecross, and upgrades to existing infrastructure at Elizabeth Quay.The combined disturbance footprint across the three proposal sites is 1.65 hectares (ha) within an 8.66 ha development envelope.

Perth Airport chief executive Jason Waters said the project marked the beginning of ‘the largest private investment in infrastructure in Perth’s history’.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

LUMI robots, developed by Luminous, are streamlining large-scale solar construction in Australia by autonomously placing panels on racking systems. Backed by $4.9 million from ARENA, LUMI boosts installation speed, safety, and efficiency. Used at Goorambat East Solar Farm (VIC), the project is ahead of schedule, targeting 250 MW capacity by 2026.

John Deere’s new 944 X-Tier 4WD Hybrid Wheel Loader combines diesel and electric drive for improved fuel efficiency (13–33% savings), reduced emissions, and lower maintenance. Designed for heavy-duty sites like quarries and bulk eartherwoks, it offers powerful performance, enhanced operator comfort, and advanced connectivity for smarter, sustainable material handling.

Japan’s construction blends tradition and technology, with firms like Shimizu, Takenaka, and Daiwa House using BIM, AI, and automation to reduce routine tasks, connect data, and enhance collaboration. Innovation supports workers and longevity, reflecting a philosophy of building durable, people-centered projects that honor craftsmanship and serve future generations.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Concrete manufacturing, and especially cement production, accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. Amazon, Meta, and Prologis have joined the Sustainable Concrete Buyers Alliance (SCoBA) to boost demand for low-carbon concrete. By pooling purchasing power, they aim to finance decarbonization projects and scale sustainable concrete production, helping reduce cement’s 8% share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Additive Tectonics pioneers 3D printing in architecture using Selective Cement Activation, combining sustainability and design freedom. Their eco-friendly materials reduce waste and speed construction, enabling custom, structural components. With projects like Printed Nature and Venice Biennale installations, they aim to transform building logic for a greener, innovative future.

🌏 Around the World

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📖 Miscellaneous

Just a few years ago, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) was expected to be the saviour of the oil and gas industry, as major fossil fuel firms invested heavily in CCS activities aimed at decarbonising operations. Governments worldwide have encouraged companies to invest in CCS in recent years, funding green energy projects to help reduce the carbon emitted from oil and gas operations, and to allow countries to continue using fossil fuels to bridge the energy gap over the coming decades.However, as we see delays in the rollout of CCS projects and more evidence that suggests most CCS installations do not work as well as anticipated, many are questioning whether investing in this type of decarbonisation is viable.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

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