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- 23/09/2025
23/09/2025
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
🚨 Safety Updates
This year, a worker was shocked when overhanging roof guttering contacted an overhead powerline during use of an Elevating Work Platform. The incident caused injury and a property fire. Investigations are ongoing, and findings remain unconfirmed.
October marks the beginning of National Safe Work Month, and Lung Foundation Australia is continuing to promote the threat that silica dust poses to 600,000 Australian workers.
âś’ Headlines & Industry
A crane has collapsed at the North East Link construction site in Bulleen just before midday. The cause of the collapse and whether anyone was injured remains unclear. WorkSafe is investigating the incident.
The rapid rise in AI and cloud computing is driving a $400 billion global data centre boom by 2027. Constructing these hyperscale facilities demands fast, complex coordination across architecture, engineering, and construction, with a focus on security and compliance. Modular design and platforms like Revizto streamline delivery, enabling faster, safer builds.
Trade workforce shortages threaten Australia’s Housing Accord goal of 1.2 million homes by 2029. With a current shortfall of 83,300 skilled workers, the Housing Industry Association urges promoting trade careers, skilled migration, and attracting workers from other sectors to boost residential construction and meet housing demand efficiently.
Australia will invest $40 million to accelerate the rollout of kerbside and fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The federal funding aims to address gaps in public charging availability, particularly for households without off-street parking, while also easing the time and cost burdens of connecting chargers to the grid. The initiative forms part of the Albanese Government’s broader Net Zero Plan and its $500 million Driving the Nation Fund, which is supporting the nationwide build-out of EV charging corridors and networks.
Material prices across Australia continue to climb, even as global material markets soften under weaker demand.
🏗️ Projects
NSW
Developers report that hitting presale targets to secure financing has become a major obstacle to homebuilding. To address this, the government is stepping in to underwrite these projects. Construction on thousands of approved but unbuilt NSW homes could start within months, as the state’s $1 billion finance guarantee program opens for developer applications.
The $105 million Taronga Zoo cable car project, approved by NSW Planning, will feature six 36.5m pylons connecting Sydney Harbour to the zoo. Despite backlash over harbour views and local disruptions, construction aims to boost visitor numbers and support conservation efforts, with significant design changes to reduce environmental and visual impact.
The New South Wales Government has granted planning approval for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), marking a significant step forward in the state’s clean energy transition. It is expected to create around 900 construction jobs and up to 40 operational jobs, with a construction period estimated to take around 55 months.
Industry is being invited to tender for the $35 million Hillsborough Road upgrade – Stage One, to upgrade the 1.8 kilometre stretch of road, from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street, in New South Wales.
The Clarence Valley community is being invited to provide feedback on the design of the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment, following the release of a new fly-through animation. The NSW Government is investing $263.8 million in the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment.
APA Group’s Moomba to Sydney Ethane Pipeline conversion has gained NSW Government approval to transport natural gas. Repurposing the pipeline boosts east coast energy infrastructure, enhancing gas supply reliability for homes and industries. This sustainable upgrade strengthens connectivity between South Australia and NSW, supporting Australia’s evolving energy needs efficiently.
QLD
The State Government has pledged more than $48 million for major works at the Wivenhoe pumped hydro power station. The investment will ensure each of Wivenhoe’s 285MW turbines will be overhauled across the next two years to maintain the station’s reliability and efficiency, according to Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki.
TAS
The $1.5 billion North West Transmission Upgrades Project, including Palmerston to Hampshire, involves 238 km of transmission lines, substations, and ancillary facilities. Public feedback is open until 18 October 2025. Construction will strengthen Tasmania’s power network, supporting renewable energy and improving grid capacity and reliability.
VIC
Victoria’s largest renewable battery, the $1.3 billion Portland Energy Park, was fast-tracked for construction. This one-gigawatt facility, with four 250MW battery parks, will power 345,000 homes, create 300 construction jobs, and support cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy while upgrading local infrastructure and ensuring safety compliance.
🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
Australian engineers developed cardboard-confined rammed earth, a sustainable building material with one quarter of concrete’s carbon footprint. Made from cardboard, soil, and water, it reduces landfill waste and eliminates cement use. Strong enough for low-rise buildings, it lowers costs, transport needs, and supports eco-friendly, local construction in remote areas.
In the construction industry, only 12% of the workforce is under the age of 29, making the transfer of skills due to an aging workforce an urgent issue. The cloud-based tool provided by the company automatically recognizes materials by simply uploading construction drawings, significantly reducing the time required for quantity takeoff. With the funds raised, the company plans to hire across a wide range of positions, including CxO, engineers, and business development, while expanding the functionality of its drawing analysis AI and extending its application to other operations.
🌏 Around the World
Gatwick Airport’s privately funded, shovel-ready project involves shifting the emergency northern runway 12m for regular use, enabling simultaneous operations on both runways. Upgrades include terminal expansions, improved access roads, and environmental measures. Construction will peak with 3,200 workers on site, enhancing capacity and safety compliance.
The Dashixia Water Conservancy Project in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has officially begun storing water, signalling the completion of the world's tallest concrete-face rockfill dam. The dam is 247 meters high, roughly the height of an 80-story building. The project utilized digital twin, AI and blockchain technologies to enable intelligent, 3D-printing-like construction to overcome seismic and geological challenges.
đź“– Miscellaneous
The committee highlights that building a sustainable space industry will also strengthen Australia’s broader engineering and innovation capacity. Complex engineering capabilities developed for the space sector can drive new technologies, create jobs and boost economic growth across multiple industries.
The Federal Government’s 2035 emissions targets and Net Zero Roadmap emphasize urgent mode shift to public transport, walking, and cycling as essential for cutting transport emissions. The ARA and PTAANZ call for strong leadership, sustained investment, and national coordination to expand and improve public transit, making it central to Australia’s climate strategy.
In Singapore, the Business Times reported that the Australian government said it would invest $731 million in the development of a low-carbon fuels industry. The money to be released over 10 years and is intended to stimulate private investment in products like biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel, the government said.
👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource
Architect turned specifications specialist, Cindy Lee bridges the gap between design and delivery in her role at Stratco. Here she shares insights on the company’s evolution, the shifting challenges of practice, and how early collaboration with suppliers can help architects realise their vision.
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