16/10/25

October 16, 2025

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

 

The Minns Labor Government is further strengthening workplace safety with the launch of the new Silica Worker Register (SWR) to monitor and track the health of at-risk workers undertaking high-risk processing of crystalline silica substances (CSS).Under the new Work Health and Safety Amendment (Silica Worker Register) Regulation 2025, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) will be required to register all workers engaged in high-risk CSS processing as soon as reasonably practical and no more than 28 days from the date that the worker commences work.

 

Safety Mate strengthens its five-year partnership with the Black Dog Institute this Mental Health Awareness Month, embedding mental health support into PPE products. With nearly $2 million donated, fixed per-product contributions ensure transparency. Safety Mate continues to lead the industry by combining innovation, wellbeing, and purpose-driven workplace safety solutions.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Western Sydney faces a severe housing shortfall, with only 15,773 approvals and 5,369 homes under construction—far below the 25,636 needed annually. Despite strong population growth, infrastructure investment, and investor demand, bureaucratic delays and labour shortages stall progress. Experts warn this disconnect could derail the region’s economic and housing future.

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has released the 2025 Construction Market Sentiment Survey, revealing that collaboration is the single biggest lever to lift productivity in Australia’s construction industry. 

ACA Chief Executive Officer, Jon Davies, said that the message from industry is clear. 

“Almost nine in ten respondents said collaboration is the number one driver of productivity,” Davies said. 

The Australian government has approved the 141MW Forbes Solar Farm Project in New South Wales in just 19 days, marking one of the fastest environmental approvals on record in the country.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

Abergeldie has been engaged by Hunter Water to deliver vital upgrades to the Belmont Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) to improve air quality, enhance safety and to future-proof its odour control systems for the Lake Macquarie community.

Parramatta Light Rail – Stage 1 won the Australian Good Design Award Gold in the Built Environment category. Delivered by COX, CONTEXT, WSP, and Aurecon, the project redefines infrastructure by integrating green corridors, public spaces, and sustainable design. It sets a new benchmark for transport-led urban renewal in Western Sydney.

$200 million is being fast-tracked to deliver a pothole and road maintenance blitz across Sydney’s busiest corridors, following one of the city’s wettest winters on record.

QLD

Queensland’s state-owned transmission company Powerlink has kicked off the federal approvals process for for a new 500 MW, 2,000 MWh battery project proposal from AGL Energy, the country’s biggest coal generation company. If the battery project gets the eventual go-ahead, AGL expects construction to provide up to 200 jobs, as well as 6 full time operational jobs.

SA

Water infrastructure with 290,000-litre capacity was built at Iga Warta Homeland, South Australia, including new bores, tanks, and monitoring systems. Funded by federal and state governments, it replaces contaminated water sources and ensures safer, reliable supply. Traditional Owners guide groundwater research for long-term community water security and sustainability.

WA

An almost 5-hectare parcel of land south of Perth has been earmarked for more than 150 townhouses, which are estimated to cost $51 million to build.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has pledged to work with the state government to reduce approvals timeframes by 20 days, as the pair work on a new bilateral agreement.

🧰 Construction Au Other

SRG Global is acquiring Total AMS Pty Ltd (TAMS), a marine infrastructure services firm, for $85 million. The deal is expected to boost earnings by 25% in FY26. TAMS offers design, construction, and maintenance services with $200M revenue forecast. Funding combines cash, debt, and shares; completion by October 2025.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

A US company, InventWood, has launched "Superwood," a chemically treated and compressed wood that is up to 10 times stronger than steel yet six times lighter. Developed by scientist Liangbing Hu, Superwood offers improved durability, fire resistance, and insect protection. Initially for decking and cladding, it aims to compete with steel in construction, promising lighter, stronger, and more sustainable buildings.

With heating season approaching, building owners on both sides of the Atlantic face the same challenge: keeping occupants comfortable while controlling energy costs and meeting increasingly tough carbon regulations.

The construction industry continues to face many challenges, including recruitment gaps, sustainability concerns and the ongoing need to improve worker safety. Here, Dave Walsha, Director of Sales and Marketing at EMS, explains why adopting robotics could provide a resolution.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

The rail industry is vital for decarbonising Australia’s transport sector, currently the third-largest emitter and projected to be the highest by 2030. Rail contributes just 4% of emissions and offers sustainable transport options. Urgent action is needed to replace diesel rollingstock with low- and zero-emission technologies by 2050.

CCF Queensland urges practical environmental stewardship, opposing the false business-vs-environment narrative. PFAS contamination, a major issue, is often mismanaged by regulations that burden contractors without addressing sources. They advocate a risk-based, fair PFAS strategy focused on source control, clear reuse guidelines, government investment, and industry-government collaboration.

🌏 Around the World

The Council on Vertical Urbanism named the world’s best tall buildings for 2025, with Belgium’s ZIN in No(o)rod winning top honors. The awards celebrate sustainable, mixed-use vertical ecosystems in cities, promoting urban density that regenerates nature, reduces carbon, and enriches social life across global projects.

📖 Miscellaneous

Australia’s sluggish electric vehicle transition has begun to accelerate. In the first half of the year, more than 72,000 battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold. That’s about 12% of all new cars, up almost a quarter over the same period in 2024. Despite this momentum, progress is still too slow. EVs now dominate in countries such as Norway (98.3% of new cars), Nepal (76%) and China (51%). Australia is lagging.

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) supports rail construction across Australia and New Zealand, advocating for safe, efficient infrastructure. It promotes the Newcastle-Sydney high-speed rail project, highlighting modern, sustainable construction methods. The ARA emphasizes carbon-neutral building practices, local manufacturing opportunities, and long-term job creation, driving economic growth and a greener future.

Geothermal energy, tapping Earth’s heat, offers reliable, low-emission power 24/7, unlike solar or wind. Advances in technology and increased funding are boosting its potential, including using abandoned oil wells. The U.S. and global potential is huge, with geothermal expected to supply up to 15% of electricity by 2050. Despite challenges like drilling costs and minor emissions, geothermal’s consistency and scalability make it key to a low-carbon future.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

The 2024 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) by Jobs and Skills Australia identifies critical shortages in Australia's construction sector. Over 67% of occupations in the Technicians and Trades Workers group remain unfilled, with significant gaps in electricians, carpenters, and plumbers. This shortage hampers infrastructure development and economic growth.

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