- Gooday Construction Newsletter
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- 13/10/2025
13/10/2025
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
šØ Safety Updates
BKH Contractors Group Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $150,000 in the District Court of NSW as a result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW. The proceedings arose from an incident on 7 June 2022, when a worker fell about five metres from a temporary platform in a lift shaft onto two colleagues below.
Mills & Watson Plumbing Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $225,000 in the District Court of NSW as a result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW. The proceedings arose from an incident on 9 June 2022, when a worker was seriously injured while clearing a trench on a residential building site.
ā Headlines & Industry
The Albanese government is under scrutiny after CFMEU boss Zach Smith, who sent a union organiser to meet underworld figure Mick Gatto, remains on a government construction forum. Smith apologised, but officials are reviewing his role. Separately, Deloitte faces backlash over a $440,000 AI-riddled report with fabricated citations.
Major projects associated with Australiaās energy transition and water security are set to drive the nationās civil construction market forward even as the boom in publicly funded transport work tapers off, a conference has heard.
Queensland, the Australian state that exports about one-eighth of the worldās coal, has said it plans to keep its power stations that burn the fossil fuel open for longer, threatening the nationās ambitious goal to more than double renewable generation by the end of the decade.
New Energy Opportunities, a clean energy conglomerate with stakes in fifteen technology and infrastructure companies, has hit the pavement for $30 million to finance the construction of two new data centres in Queensland and Tasmania.
New research from Engineers Australia shows that better harnessing Australiaās migrant engineering talent in 80,000 engineering roles in key sectors like manufacturing, renewables, construction and mining could lift GDP by $2.56 billion by 2030.
šļø Projects
ACT
Englobo Group is proposing a large mixed-use development in Gungahlin Town Centre featuring 350 apartments, a premium hotel, 10,000 sqm of office space, retail, dining, and a market hall. The project includes a three-level basement carpark with 1,050 spaces and EV charging. Designed for sustainability and connectivity, construction will create significant local jobs and support economic growth in the fast-growing precinct.
NSW
Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd has been awarded the design and construct contract to build the purpose-built depot which will feature both standard (75kW) and fast (150kW) plug-in chargers to suit operational requirements.
Tilt Renewables has secured a Capacity Investment Scheme agreement for Stage 1 of the Liverpool Range wind farm in NSW, unlocking 634 MW of renewable energy. Part of a 1.3 GW project, it will power 570,000 homes and cut 2.5 million tonnes of emissions annually, supporting Australiaās net zero goals.
The Bendemeer Renewable Energy Hub in NSW, led by Athena Energy, is in detailed planning for a 280 MW solar farm and 150 MW/300 MWh battery system. Construction starts in 2025, completing by 2026, with potential future development of a 58-turbine wind farm on site.
QLD
The Queensland government has officially passed a plan that will see hundreds of new homes built in these key inner-city Brisbane neighbourhoods. The Woolloongabba Priority Development Area (PDA) has been officially amended and implemented by the Queensland government, paving the way for an influx of new housing in Brisbaneās inner city.
Sunshine Coast Airport has appointed construction company McNab to deliver its highly anticipated Domestic Terminal Redevelopment Project, marking a major milestone in the airportās continuing expansion. Ganatra said the project will employ around 2,000 people, with 90 per cent of trades and subcontractors sourced locally.
DevCore Property Group has announced it will fast-track the development of 1,200 new homes in its $1.1 billion Coral Cove Ocean Estate in Queenslandās Wide Bay-Burnett region, on the back of its successful application for trunk infrastructure under the Queensland Governmentās Residential Activation fund.
The Gabba Entertainment Precinct, now under procurement, includes a 17,000-seat arena and mixed-use precinct across two sites in Woolloongabba. Delivered as a Public-Private Partnership, the project begins in 2027 and completes in 2031. While not required for the 2032 Games, it will anchor Brisbaneās long-term entertainment and housing development.
TAS
The Bell Bay Wind Farm in George Town, Tasmania, is a 224 MW wind project with a 100 MW/400 MWh battery, now in detailed planning. Backed by a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement, construction begins in 2027. The $950 million project by Equis aims for completion by 2029, enhancing Tasmaniaās renewable energy capacity.
VIC
Melbourneās North East Link Tunnel project has passed a major milestone, with TBMs Gillian and Zelda excavating nearly 60% of the twin tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen. Set to remove 15,000 trucks daily from local roads, the 6.5km tunnels will cut travel times by up to 35 minutes.
The Allan Labor Government is expanding its Small Sites Program, unlocking four new sites in Brighton, Camberwell, and Preston to build around 700 homes. With at least 10% affordable housing, the initiative aims to deliver up to 1,000 new homes statewide, close to transport, schools, and essential services.
The Hexham Wind Farm, a 686 MW project in Victoria by Wind Prospect, is in detailed planning. It includes grid connection, cabling, and a battery storage facility. Recently backed by a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement, the project is on the Federal Renewable Energy Priority List and advancing through environmental approvals.
WA
More than half a billion dollars over budget, the long-awaited Byford rail extension in Perth's south-east is opening to commuters.
CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said: āWeāre pleased to be working in partnership with the West Australian government to support delivery of this vital piece of community infrastructure, supporting their commitment to deliver the best education facilities for the growing population in central Perth.
The Western Australia (WA) Government has issued an invitation to industry stakeholders for submissions of expressions of interest (EOI) for the A$700m ($460m) enhancement of the Kwinana Freeway.
š§° Construction Au Other
The Australian construction equipment market was estimated at $1.9 billion in 2024 and has the potential to grow to $2.4 billion by 2033. Obtaining the right equipment for your construction business is crucial for improving productivity and completing projects on time. However, the debate around whether to rent or purchase equipment tends to divide businesses since your choice can influence how you manage your finances and schedules.
š Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a crucial role in designing buildings resilient to both climate extremes and infectious disease threats, according to new research involving Charles Darwin University (CDU).
There are many benefits to expanding prefabricated and modular construction in Australia, particularly for onsite conditions and schedules and to remedy the acute housing shortage. However, the sector needs rapid scale-up as it still accounts for less than 5 per cent of all buildings.
Researchers have developed low-cost smart pallets with IoT altimeters to track materials across multiple floors on construction sites. Using barometric sensors and LoRaWAN communication, the system enables real-time location data, improves logistics, and reduces delays. Tested successfully, the pallets cost ~ā¬50 and run 113 days per battery, boosting efficiency.
In 2025, AI will transform construction through enhanced safety monitoring, project progress tracking, and financial optimization. It will automate tedious tasks, improve design and coordination, enable predictive risk management, and streamline workflows. Adoption hinges on integrating data systems, boosting efficiency, sustainability, and fostering smarter, safer job sites industry-wide.
š± Sustainability ā& Environment
Intelligent elevators and escalators are increasingly being used to enhance building performance, with demand being driven by regulations, environmental consciousness, and cost-saving initiatives.
Amazon has completed a mass timber warehouse in Indiana, USA, which the company says will be used as a testbed for "over 40 sustainability strategies" to implement in existing and future buildings.
Innovative self-healing concrete with Bacillus subtilis offers a sustainable solution to cracking, enhancing durability and reducing maintenance costs.
š Around the World
Afcons Infrastructure last week received and started assembling parts of their first tunnel boring machine (TBM) in Navi Mumbai for the 508.17 km Mumbai ā Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR Bullet Train) project.
Ćrsted plans to shrink company after Trump administration causes share price to plunge to all-time low. One of the worldās biggest windfarm developers will cut its workforce by a quarter in the next two years after a series of setbacks for the industry. The Danish wind giant Ćrsted plans to remove about 2,000 positions from its 8,000-strong workforce by the end of 2027 through a combination of redundancies, natural attrition and selling off parts of its business.
Chinaās first dual-tower solar thermal power plant has been constructed in the Gobi Desert by China Three Gorges Corporation. The project features 27,000 mirrors focusing sunlight onto two 200-meter towers spaced 1,000 meters apartāan innovative design improving efficiency by 25%. The construction required advanced engineering to support high-temperature operations (570Ā°C) and optimize mirror alignment. This large-scale renewable infrastructure highlights Chinaās growing expertise in complex solar thermal projects and commitment to expanding clean energy capacity in challenging environments.
š Miscellaneous
Strict planning rules and soaring refit costs are deterring landlords and developers, amid calls for government intervention to alleviate housing crunch. Two years ago, state and local governments pushed to fast-track conversions of near-empty offices into much-needed apartments to alleviate a housing crunch. The promised panacea never eventuated.
Victoriaās Melbourne Metro Tunnel, opening ahead of schedule in December 2025, showcases cutting-edge tech like Alstomās High-Capacity Signalling and locally built trains. Featuring unique station art and safety innovations, the project has driven strong local industry participation, achieving over 88% local content and boosting Victorian manufacturing.
Pumped hydro storage (PHS) is a leading, scalable energy storage solution crucial for industrial sustainability and grid reliability. It stores excess energy by pumping water uphill, releasing it to generate power when needed. With growing renewable integration, government support, and innovations, PHS offers industries cost savings, stability, and emissions reductions.
š·āāļø Tradies and Resource
Last Wednesday (1 October), the ATO released its latest small business focus areas, outlining common issues catching its attention and particular industries mired by ārecurring issuesā with respect to their tax compliance. It identified the construction industry and the professional, scientific and technical services sector, which includes a wide range of professions from engineers to accountants, as key focus areas.
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