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_{THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES}

🚨 Safety Updates

Huge Tradies Brekkie – Kickstarting Conversation & Connection

Bomaderry Mitre 10 is proud to host a Huge Tradie Brekkie on National Tradies Day, Sept 19, 6–9am, supporting tradie mental health. Partnering with Nedd Brockmann and Speak & Share, we’re building awareness, offering prize draws, and handing out mental health packs to keep the conversation going strong.

Let's build an R U OK? Culture in our workplaces

SafeWork NSW is urging businesses and workers to build an R U OK? culture to help create psychologically safe and healthy workplaces where people feel confident asking and answering this simple yet important question.

✒ Headlines & Industry

BHP dumps solar, battery projects that promised to cut emissions

BHP has dumped plans for major renewable energy projects in the Pilbara, prompting concern the miner is backing away from emissions reduction goals. In 2023, BHP announced it would spend about $US2 billion ($3 billion) building more than 500 megawatts of large-scale wind, solar and battery projects to clean up and electrify its iron ore business in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Builder of Sydney Metro, new airport hit with cover-up claims

The international construction giant, Webuild building Victoria’s North East Link and the Sydney Metro train terminal at Australia’s newest international airport is accused of covering up a worker exploitation scandal and concealing evidence of unlawful conduct on its projects.

A plan for better buildings: beyond the National Construction Code

The NCC is overloaded—used as a catch-all for problems better addressed through training, certification, and accountability. Builders face complexity, cost, and inconsistent enforcement. Real reform means smarter design, better education, and performance-based accountability—not just regulation. Buildings must evolve fast to meet future climate, comfort, and energy challenges.

Mid-sized firms hold the key at construction’s digital crossroads

Mid-sized construction firms are emerging as the sector’s growth engine, contributing double the output of large builders. According to MYOB, their unique mix of scale and agility enables fast adoption of innovation and smarter systems—positioning them at the forefront of industry transformation.

Akaysha secures $300 million to accelerate global battery rollout

Akaysha Energy, owned by United States-based investment giant BlackRock, has raised $300 million (USD 195.4 million) in debt to advance the development and construction of its battery energy storage project pipeline in Australia, Japan, the United States and Germany.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

Seven-building mixed-use development proposed in Canberra

A development application has been submitted for the masterplan and first stage of a major mixed-use precinct on a 1.8-hectare site in Canberra’s inner-north. The site of the proposed development is the Dickson Tradies site in the suburb of Dickson, currently occupied by the Canberra Tradesmen’s Union.

NSW

A metro that works for western Sydney: what success looks like

The Western Sydney Airport Metro is one of the most ambitious infrastructure commitments in decades. A new line linking St Marys to the Aerotropolis and western Sydney International Airport in 15 minutes promises to reshape the region’s economic geography.

QLD

SMEC to support the Next Generation for Delivery (NG4D) Program for Urban Utilities

SMEC, Mott MacDonald and Fulton Hogan have been appointed by Urban Utilities as one of two Delivery Groups for the Next Generation for Delivery (NG4D) program in South East Queensland, Australia. This 5 + 3 + 2 year collaborative framework will transform water and wastewater capital delivery across the region.

Apartments approved within Bulimba Barracks masterplan

The transformation of Brisbane’s historic Bulimba Barracks has progressed following Brisbane City Council’s approval of an apartment complex within the 21-hectare riverside precinct. 

VIC

Game-changing training centre

The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) has opened an education and training centre in Morwell. The location means local CFMEU members can access training for free, rather than travelling to Melbourne to attain the tickets needed to work on various job sites. Non-union members can also use the new Morwell facility, at cost.

Making Local Roads Safer As 200 Projects Approved

The Allan Labor Government is investing $210 million into the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program, funding over 200 council-led safety upgrades. Projects include pedestrian crossings, intersection improvements, and speed-calming measures—supporting safer daily travel and working towards halving road deaths by 2030.

Hepburn Shire voices opposition to 80-metre tower plan on prime farmland

Hepburn Shire Council has formally lodged its “vehement opposition” to the Western Renewables Link Project (WRL), with its submission to the proposal’s Environmental Effects Statement.

Contract awarded for Swanson Dock West Remediation Project

he successful contractor for the second stage of the Swanson Dock West Remediation Project in Victoria has been announced. Following the successful completion of the Swanson Dock West Remediation Project – Stage One, McConnell Dowell will also complete the next stage.

Mt Fyans Wind Farm

The Mt Fyans Wind Farm is a proposed renewable energy project located within Victoria's Southwest Renewable Energy Zone. The scope of the project includes: 81 turbines 400 megawatt (MW) generation capacity, and 18 kilometres of overhead transmission lines to the Mortlake substain.

WA

WA introduces landmark State Development Bill

The Western Australian Government has introduced the State Development Bill 2025, billed as the most significant reform of the State’s development framework since 1952. The legislation is designed to streamline approvals for strategically significant precincts and projects, while positioning WA as a global leader in investment attraction and industry facilitation.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Instant Products Group designs portable bathroom solution for regional and remote areas

Instant Products Group has designed a portable bathroom solution for regional and remote areas, like worksites, to reduce costs and issues around access to power and water.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Bots with the lot

Engineering robots are helping industry by conducting dangerous inspections of dams and working high up in tunnels, showcasing their potential to transform concrete works.

Strength Loss in Heat-Cured Concrete Reduced with Expansive Additives

Ettringite-based expansive agents effectively improve the performance of heat-cured self-compacting concrete, offering a cost-effective, sustainable solution.

AI in construction projects jumps from 15% to 75% in two years

A new report by the Association for Project Management reveals that most project professionals now use AI, with 25% planning AI integration into construction projects. Key benefits include improved resource allocation, risk forecasting, and automation. Industry leaders emphasise AI as a supportive, not replacement, tool for project managers.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Top sustainability recognition for Brisbane Metro

Brisbane Metro has secured Queensland’s highest-ever sustainability rating, setting a new benchmark for transport projects. Under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s (ISC) rating scheme, the project achieved a score of 82.86, earning a prestigious ‘Leading’ rating – the top category in the national program.

Why sustainability fails without structural engineers

UK sustainability regulations are tightening, yet many projects fail to meet green goals. Structural engineers are key to bridging ambition and reality—ensuring embodied carbon is addressed, green features are implemented, and buildings perform long-term. Their early and consistent involvement is vital for truly sustainable, future-proof construction.

WA opens $60 million clean energy funding

Developers of clean energy projects can now apply for funding from the second round of the WA Government’s New Energies Industries Funding Stream, with up to $60 million available under the Investment Attraction Fund (IAF).

📖 Miscellaneous

As storms become more extreme, it’s time to rethink how we design roofs

As extreme wind events are becoming more intense across New Zealand and the Pacific, roofs are often the first point of failure. But they remain one of the most overlooked elements in discussions about resilience and safety.

BHP settles $110m Australia class action over Brazil dam disaster

BHP has agreed to pay $110 million to resolve a dispute with Australian shareholders over the 2015 Samarco tailings dam disaster in Brazil, in an early settlement separate from a broader $70 billion class action targeting the mining giant.

The infrastructure moment

As infrastructure expands to include digital, social, and energy-tech assets, McKinsey projects $106 trillion will be needed by 2040. Governments, investors, and operators must shift from siloed approaches to integrated strategies, embracing cross-vertical investment, modern technologies, and private capital to meet rising global infrastructure demands.

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Alex

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