11/08/2025

August 11, 2025

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THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

Ben Pieyre has witnessed a shift in attitudes toward mental health over his 20 years in construction. Once taboo, it's now more openly discussed, though stigma lingers. A tragic suicide in 2024 reinforced the urgent need for support. Through partnerships like Lifeline, Pieyre aims to embed mental wellness in workplace culture.

Tributes are flowing for Paulo Mau'u, who tragically died after a concrete pump fell at a Meriton construction site in Carlingford. The incident, which occurred around 9am, also left another worker critically injured. Colleagues and loved ones are mourning the loss, as investigations into the workplace accident continue.

âś’ Headlines & Industry

A new report shows the Culture Standard improves productivity, wellbeing, and diversity in construction without raising costs or delays. Piloted across major projects, it reduced turnover, boosted female participation, and supported 5-day work weeks. Industry leaders say it's a vital step toward a healthier, more sustainable construction workforce and culture.

A property data specialist says the building industry is stretched too thin to meet the federal government's target of 1.2 million homes by 2029. Eliza Owen, from property research firm Cotality, says the focus on accelerating building approvals ignores the problem of completing those dwellings.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

The Australian Government is funding this $62.2 million project and is being delivered in partnership with the NSW Government under the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program . Construction is now underway on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) Urban Channel Pipeline (UCP) Project, which will provide a range of benefits to the communities of Griffith and Leeton. 

NT

The Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project is in the planning and approvals stage, backed by the NT and Australian Governments. AROWS aims to double the Territory’s water supply by adding 60 gigalitres annually. Located near Lake Bennett, it includes environmental studies, engineering design, and community consultation over two years.

QLD

A development application has been lodged for a $250 million Resort expansion to the Sandstone Point Hotel, located at 1780-1820 Bribie Island Road, Sandstone Point.

The Queensland Government has announced the fast-tracked construction of almost 100 new homes in North West Queensland, under its landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.   The Government confirmed four projects will be funded in North West Queensland to unlock 94 new homes.   Round one funding will focus on the construction of critical trunk infrastructure needed such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and roads needed to unlock new residential developments.

Rio Tinto has approved a US$180 million investment to develop the Norman Creek region at its Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland. Construction is underway on infrastructure, with first production expected in 2027. The project secures long-term operations at Weipa and supports regional jobs through to at least mid-century.

The State Government says it is fast-tracking work to restore Paradise Dam, 80km south-west of Bundaberg, after a coordinated project declaration.   The declaration by Queensland Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan should ensure a streamlined approval and consultation process. Sunwater announced last year that testing for a planned $1.2 billion Paradise Dam improvement project had sparked a major change.

SA

Major work is underway to build a host of tram overpasses in South Australia, which will remove three existing level crossings that are a significant cause of traffic delays. The $870 million project is being delivered by the Tram Grade Separations Projects Alliance, consisting of McConnell Dowell and CPB Contractors, designers Mott MacDonald, Arup and Aurecon, along with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Major works are ramping up on the construction of the Eyre Peninsula’s new desalination plant, with leading global construction company ACCIONA signed on as the project’s major construction partner. The project will construct a reverse osmosis desalination plant at Billy Lights Point, providing a climate-independent source of sustainable drinking water for the region’s 35,000 SA Water customers.

TAS

Marinus Link Stage 1 will proceed to construction, with work set to begin in 2026. Spanning 345km, the 1500MW HVDC project will connect Tasmania and Victoria, tripling current capacity. Jointly owned by federal and state governments, it’s expected to lower electricity prices and support Australia’s energy transition by 2030.

VIC

The Allan Labor Government is making it quicker and easier for Victorians to build a home on small lots of land – helping deliver more homes, faster, right across the state.

WA

The WA Government has approved plans to unlock over 8,000 hectares in East Wanneroo, enabling construction of 50,000 homes for 150,000 residents over 50 years. The development includes infrastructure, schools, parks, and transport. Stockland’s Grevillea estate will be the first project, with initial lot sales expected to begin in late 2025..

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

AI is revolutionizing construction, enhancing design, safety, scheduling, and sustainability. Adoption has surged, with 35% of firms using AI tools that cut costs, improve safety, and boost efficiency. From autonomous machinery to predictive analytics and generative design, AI is transforming workflows—shaping a smarter, safer, and more sustainable construction industry.

“A well-designed digital twin acts as both a performance monitor and a training tool for the next generation of engineers. Digital twin modelling is opening new possibilities for infrastructure design, management and maintenance, say UNSW experts.

Construction firms still relying on spreadsheets and PDFs risk becoming the bottleneck in meeting explosive AI-driven infrastructure demand, according to new industry research.

Quantity takeoff (QTO) has evolved from digitizing tablets to AI-driven tools, yet many firms still rely on outdated methods. Despite BIM's potential, inconsistent modeling and reliance on 2D PDFs persist. AI now automates QTO from PDFs, but true efficiency lies in structured BIM integration—if widely adopted and standardized.

AI is revolutionizing construction by improving planning, scheduling, and on-site concrete work. It enhances risk prediction, resource allocation, and real-time quality monitoring, helping contractors reduce costs, avoid delays, and boost productivity—empowering teams to adapt quickly and make smarter decisions on complex projects.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

A small-scale wind turbine has been developed in Adelaide in the hope of supplying energy direct to off-grid users, including farms, wineries and construction sites.

Integrating waste foundry sand with SCMs like metakaolin and silica fume significantly boosts concrete strength and durability while lowering production costs.

🌏 Around the World

Entura has now been appointed by ReNew to prepare the detailed project report for a 1500MW pumped storage hydro project in Odisha, one of the eastern states of India.

New skyscrapers are rising from the remains of the Chicago Spire.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the government's aim is to accelerate the pace of highway construction to 100 km a day from 38 km/day at present.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

As the Australian Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable nears, Engineers Australia has welcomed the launch of the final report on the Construction Industry Culture Standard, promising to lift the productivity of construction in Australia by addressing major cultural issues.

Master Builders Victoria (MBV) has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state’s TAFE network, which aims to address construction skills gaps and a shortage of qualified teachers to deliver training.

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