- Gooday Construction Newsletter
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- 10/10/2025
10/10/2025
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
šØ Safety Updates
From 1 December 2025, new Victorian regulations require employers to identify and manage psychosocial hazards at work. The focus is on eliminating or reducing risks linked to work design and interactions. A new Compliance Code offers detailed guidance. Employers must now demonstrate proactive systems to manage psychological health and ensure compliance.
ā Headlines & Industry
Touted as a model for the energy transition, a "quick and easy" high-voltage powerline project linking South Australia directly to New South Wales is running dramatically over time and over budget.
Two years after the RSV Nuyina was banned from going under Hobart's Tasman Bridge to refuel, the Australian Antarctic Division has formally ditched the possibility of trying to overturn the decision.
In 2024, Pacific construction faced 1.2% growth amid rising costs, labour shortages, and delays. However, government-backed projects in infrastructure, housing, and renewables are set to drive recovery. From 2025ā2028, Australiaās construction sector is forecast to grow 2.9% annually, while New Zealand expects 3.4% growth, supported by strong infrastructure investment.
Global construction will contract 4.5% in 2025 to $9.3tn due to weak Chinese real estate and high US mortgage rates, then rebound 3.8% in 2026. Residential and non-residential sectors decline, while civil engineering grows slightly, impacted by tariffs and shifting economic policies.
šļø Projects
NSW
As of October 2025, Snowy 2.0 is 67% complete. Cost reassessment is underway due to rising material and supply chain costs, productivity shortfalls, and challenging geology. Independent experts are reviewing figures. Despite delays, progress has improved post-reset, and Snowy 2.0 remains vital to Australiaās renewable energy future and storage capacity.
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has granted planning approval for Potentia Energy's 500MW Tallawang solar-plus-storage project.
SA
The South Australian government has announced the first of three tunnel boring machines set to work on the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project has begun its journey to Adelaide. The T2D Project involves constructing two separate tunnels ā the Southern Tunnels and the Northern Tunnels, which will be connected by an open motorway. The first TBM received the green light to be shipped to South Australia, following successful factory acceptance testing in China.
VIC
Leading Australian demographer, Bernard Salt AM, is set to visit Bendigo in November to launch the development of Bendigo 2050 ā a bold new vision for the cityās future. City of Greater Bendigo Council CEO, Andrew Cooney says Bendigo 2050 will be a forward-thinking strategy designed to guide long-term development and investment, foster collaborative partnerships, stimulate economic growth, and prioritise key projects that will shape Greater Bendigo over the next 25 years.
The Victorian Government has appointed 135 new board members across the stateās water corporations, Catchment Management Authorities and the Birrarung Council, marking a major step in strengthening diversity and inclusion within the stateās water governance.
WA
The proposal is for the development of an onshore wind farm and involves the construction and operation of up to 20 wind turbines, generating up to 100 MW. Associated infrastructure includes meteorological masts and communication towers, operation and maintenance building, substation and transmission infrastructure and other supporting infrastructure.
Roger Cook has denied the State is struggling to attract more construction workers as his Government faces pressure to achieve ts housing construction goal. The Premier pointed to a rise in construction trainees and apprentices despite overall worker numbers dropping. The number of workers on the tools fell from 167,800 in November 2024 to 147,800 in May 2025, the Construction Training Fundās annual report showed.
š Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
Rio Tinto has struck a charter agreement with Hitachi Construction Machinery to develop remote operation technologies for ultra-large hydraulic excavators, marking the next five years as a period of close-knit collaboration that began in Western Australia.Technological Resources Limited, a Melbourne subsidiary of Rio Tinto, signed the contract in Tokyo yesterday (8 October) in a move to support the next generation of mining operations that include operator assist, remote operation, and partial autonomy of digging and loading for ultra-large hydraulic excavators.
Experts are helping councils shift from reacting to crashes, to preventing them before they happen. A s Australia faces its fourth consecutive year of rising road trauma, the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) is working closely with councils to shift how local government approaches road design.
Australiaās commercial infrastructure is entering a new era. Facility owners, developers, and government clients want systems that not only meet operational demands but also anticipate them.
A global survey of construction leaders shows AI adoption remains cautious. Despite rising hype, most firms aren't actively deploying AI, citing data challenges, legal risks, and uncertain ROI. Designers and engineers are most optimistic, but contractors remain wary. Overall, the āAI revolutionā in construction appears delayed rather than imminent.
AI-powered quality control is transforming construction by detecting over 95% of defectsāfar surpassing human inspectors. It enables faster, more consistent inspections, improves accountability with digital audit trails, and optimizes inspection frequency. The future blends AIās precision with human judgment for strategic, high-quality building processes.
š± Sustainability ā& Environment
Tunnel projectsā main carbon sources are cement, steel, and fuel. Reducing embodied carbon involves choosing low-carbon concrete, optimizing tunnel design (single vs. twin bore), minimizing ground treatment, reusing TBMs, and adopting innovative launch methods. Careful planning and material choices can cut emissions significantly while meeting Envision CR1.1 standards.
Balfour Beatty has exceeded environmentally responsible construction targets on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (Team2100) framework, one of the nationās biggest flood defence initiatives.
WorldGBC welcomed seven new membersāincluding Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Mongolia, Belgium, and Saudi Arabiaābringing its global network to 85+ councils. Representing all regions, they strengthen efforts to promote sustainable, zero-carbon, healthy, and resilient buildings, driving collaboration, innovation, and policy change for a greener built environment worldwide.
š Around the World
Marina Bay Sands, Singaporeās most iconic landmark, defies engineering norms with three 200-metre towers linked by a 340-metre SkyPark. Built on reclaimed land, its leaning towers and record-breaking rooftop pool are feats of precision and innovation. A fourth, even more ambitious tower is now rising, expanding this architectural marvel.
The authorities in Saudi Arabia have been accused of using power and water cuts to forcibly displace people from al-Muwaila village to make way for the Oxagon megaproject, which is part of Neom.
Singapore reclaimed 800 hectares using the Dutch polder method, creating dry land below sea level with dikes and advanced water management. This approach reduces sand use by 50%, minimizes environmental impact, and supports climate resilience with flood control systems. The land will expand military training space and free mainland areas.
š Miscellaneous
Virginia Tech Helmet Lab introduced the first construction helmet rating system, highlighting Type II helmetsā superior protection. Testing revealed Type II helmets reduce concussion risk by 34% and skull fractures by 65%. Top-rated helmets include Milwaukee Tool Bolt, Studson SHK-1, Dewalt DPG22, and Kask Zenith X2.
Andrew Kitley, Kitall co-founder, advocates for embracing neurodiversity in construction hiring. He stresses inclusive workplaces, flexible processes, and team fit over skills alone. Using tools like Myers-Briggs and walk-and-talk interviews, he challenges stereotypes, urging employers to value individuality and create supportive environments for all employees.
When Schlamās engineering team in Mackay set out to build a new Hercules truck tray for Glencoreās Collinsville Open Cut mine, they knew this one would be unlike any other.Painted in a striking shade of hot pink, the tray was designed not just for durability and performance, but to raise awareness and funds for Mater Chicks in Pink ā a not-for-profit organisation that supports women undergoing breast cancer treatment at Mater Private Hospital Mackay.
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Alex
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