- Gooday Construction Newsletter
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- 12/09/2025
12/09/2025
🏗 🚧 🌏 🛠🚀 🦺 ♻ 🤖 🧱 🏛 🧰
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
🚨 Safety Updates
The construction industry’s strong mateship can be a powerful support against mental health challenges. Dr Simon Tyler highlights that breaking stigma and encouraging open conversations helps men seek help earlier. By recognising signs, listening without judgement, and connecting workers to support services, workplaces can foster resilience and wellbeing.
This Safe Work Month 2025, let’s shape the way forward. Together we can strengthen safety culture, embrace innovation, and build healthier, safer workplaces. From forums to SafeTea events, get involved, share ideas, and take action—because every worker deserves to go home safe, every day. #SWM2025
âś’ Headlines & Industry
Rail is driving Victoria’s economy, jobs, and sustainability. Worth $6.8 billion and supporting over 30,000 jobs, Victoria leads Australia in rail construction and operates the world’s largest tram network. Major projects like the Metro Tunnel, Suburban Rail Loop, and Melbourne Airport Rail will boost connectivity, housing, freight, and long-term growth.
Downer EDI secured a $3 billion contract to deliver base services and infrastructure across NSW, ACT, and Queensland for the Australian Department of Defence. The deal highlights Downer’s 80-year partnership with Defence, reinforcing its role in designing, building, and sustaining critical infrastructure while supporting agile and capable defence operations.
🏗️ Projects
ACT
William Hovell Drive should be four lanes all the way by the end of 2028. Works to finally turn William Hovell Drive into a complete dual carriageway are expected to start in November after the awarding of the construction tender to Canberra Contractors. The long-awaited $107.25 million project – jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments – is now expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
NSW
A rezoning proposal is now on exhibition to transform 200 hectares of BlueScope’s Port Kembla site into a next-generation industry hub. Touted as the world’s largest industrial land transformation, the project could create up to 30,000 jobs, attract advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries, and underpin Illawarra’s long-term economic growth.
QLD
The Queensland government has abandoned a plan for light rail along the southern Gold Coast.Acting Mayor Mark Hammel says the government has "no intention" of delivering a full public transport corridor.
Urban Utilities has awarded three contracts under a new partnership-style model for the planning and delivery of its multi-billion-dollar capital investment program over the next decade. Following a highly competitive process, an Integrated Services Provider contract has been awarded to WSP and Aurecon under a joint venture, while two Delivery Group contracts have been awarded to Downer and Stantec, and Fulton Hogan with a joint venture between SMEC and Mott MacDonald.
Australia Post is investing in a multimillion-dollar construction project on the Sunshine Coast, developing a state-of-the-art Parcel Facility set to open in late 2026. The build will include advanced automation systems, large parcel sorters, and modern safety features, supporting up to 21,000 parcels per day while creating local construction and long-term operational opportunities.
A search has launched today for the selection of “visionary architects” to design the new Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre, which together form the heart of the Queensland government’s $7.1 billion plan for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
SA
Safe and clean drinking water is flowing to SA Water customers in the South Australian outback town of Marree for the first time following the construction of a new desalination plant.
TAS
Work has officially begun on the $130 million redevelopment of UTAS Stadium in Launceston, jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments. Delivered by Fairbrother, the project will create local jobs and transform the venue with modern stands, accessibility upgrades, and new facilities ahead of Tasmania’s AFL debut in 2028.
VIC
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding $12.3 million toward an electric truck charging hub in Melbourne. The funding will go to Mondo Power (Mondo) to develop, construct and operate an electric truck charging hub in Melbourne’s west to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility for fleets to electrify their operations.
WA
The state's largest data centre will be built in Maddington, after a development assessment panel today approved the $415 million project, subject to several conditions.
A major milestone in construction has arrived. This time from Western Australia. Contec Australia has completed the nation's first multi-story 3D concrete printed home. Located in Tapping near Perth, the two-story residence was finished in just five months. Most impressive? The structural walls were 3D printed in only 18 hours of active printing time.
🧰 Construction Au Other
The competition watchdog has cleared BGC Australia’s sale of its cementitious division, with the business carved up between Cement Australia and Adbri.
🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
Drone technology is transforming Australia’s energy future, and Enerven is at the forefront. As Australia’s energy infrastructure evolves, innovation is playing an increasingly vital role in the design, construction and maintenance of critical assets. Drone technology is transforming Australia’s energy future
Global infrastructure company AECOM has opened an Underground Infrastructure AI Innovation Centre in Singapore. This strategic investment, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), underscores AECOM’s commitment to advance Singapore’s vision for smarter, more sustainable urban development by optimizing underground space.
Research shows that adding nano-inclusions to cement enhances its strength and conductivity, paving the way for innovative, energy-efficient building materials.
Construction faces thin margins, workforce shortages, and high stress, but AI offers a way to work smarter and safer. By automating administrative tasks, tracking project data, and monitoring on-site safety, AI reduces bottlenecks and fatigue risks. Success requires cultural change, collaboration, and training to ensure technology complements—not replaces—people.
Contributed by Paul Harty, Director of Sky Scan Surveys When a disaster happens or a large construction project finishes, clearing the site can be a big logistical challenge.
🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment
Incorporating 2.5 % scrap aluminum engine residue in foamed concrete significantly boosts compressive strength and thermal properties, promoting sustainability.
A University of Portsmouth study found that adding plant fibres to raw earth mortar can boost compressed earth blocks’ strength by 12% and flexural performance by 20%. Using 0.25% jute fibres reduces cracking, shrinkage, and reliance on cement, creating a more sustainable, low-cost building material suitable for environmentally friendly construction worldwide.
🌏 Around the World
Can this US startup complete the world's first nuclear fusion plant?
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the organization representing cost consultants in the construction sector, has published the first global professional standard for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surveying practice as it aims to guide the profession through the rapid evolution of AI technologies.
đź“– Miscellaneous
Australia’s energy transition is accelerating as demand rises and coal retires. To succeed, communities hosting renewable projects must share the benefits. Offering locals cheaper power can build trust, cut opposition, and boost resilience. Done well, renewables deliver cleaner, fairer, and more reliable energy for households and businesses nationwide.
Melbourne Water explained that winter 2025 has been very dry, and this has contributed to its the driest January–June streamflows on record, with catchment rainfall down 11.2 per cent on the 30-year (1995–2024) average and streamflow around half of 2024’s levels. While this has taken storage volumes to their lowest levels for the end of winter since 2020, the Victorian Desalination Plant has risen to the challenge, delivering more than 16GL since 1 July 2025 to keep Melbourne’s water storages topped up.
Torrens Connect, a consortium of Torrens Transit, John Holland and UGL Rail, has run the network since 2020 under an eight-year contract. However, South Australia’s Labor Party has delivered an election campaign pledge to bring rail operations back under government control by 2025.
The state government says it is calling on “the most experienced transport operators from around the world” to bid for the new contract. The winning bidder will be responsible for operating and maintaining the commuter network, providing more than 2000 daily services across more than 1000km of track. The network also has seven train maintenance depots and more than 220 stations. MTM employs nearly 7000 people.
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