30/09/2025

September 30, 2025

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

✒ Headlines & Industry

Australia faces another water infrastructure boom amid growing demands from climate change, population growth, and new industries like AI and hydrogen. However, a shortage of dam engineering skills, ageing infrastructure, and rising construction costs threaten progress. A coordinated, long-term investment and workforce strategy is essential to avoid past boom-bust cycles.

Australia’s mining sector forecasts $129.5 billion in projects by 2030, driving strong construction demand. With 96 major developments planned, over 22,000 new jobs will be created—primarily in plant operations, trades, and engineering. Despite regional variations and policy risks, construction activity in mining remains a vital engine for national growth.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

The ACT Government is seeking public feedback on the $137.8 million Canberra Aquatic Centre planned for Commonwealth Park, near Commonwealth Avenue and the light rail. Consultation runs for seven weeks with surveys and pop-up stalls. Construction is expected to begin this parliamentary term after design and approvals are completed.

NSW

Planning for the future use of more than 500 blocks of flood buyback properties is underway thanks to a partnership between the NSW Government and Lismore City Council. Since devastating floods hit Lismore in 2022, the NSW Reconstruction Authority has voluntarily purchased properties at the highest risk of repeated flooding, protecting households and reducing long-term disaster risk.

The NSW Government has announced it will address community concerns about water security in Western NSW by reviewing the designs of fishways to ensure they have no impact on local weir heights. The $56.8 million Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin Project aims to improve native fish migration and boost river health, supporting a 70 GL reduction in water recovery targets in the Northern Basin under the Basin Plan.

A development application has been lodged for Six (6) Residential Buildings in a new Mixed-Use Precinct, located at 25 Donkin Street and 9 Buchanan Street, West End.

NT

The Northern Territory’s energy future has taken a major step forward with the official approval of the Sturt Plateau Pipeline – the first to carry gas directly from the Beetaloo Sub-basin. APA Group is building the Sturt Plateau Pipeline near Daly Waters, NT, to supply up to 40 terajoules of gas daily from mid-2026. The $2.25 million investment will create 150 construction jobs and support energy security for 40 years, enabling future Beetaloo Basin gas development and east coast supply.

Greater water security for Darwin as Manton Dam project progresses 26 September 2025 Significant progress has been made on the $189 million project to return the Northern Territory’s Manton Dam to service, delivering greater water security to the Darwin region.

QLD

The City of Moreton Bay has awarded a tender to the Comiskey Group to deliver a $180 million, 5-star hotel precinct – which they describe as a “mini-James Street” – 35 kilometres north of Brisbane in North Lakes. 

Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia has submitted plans for a 300MWh solar-plus-storage project in Queensland to Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

SA

The South Australian government will commit $2.5 million over five years to support the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON) in establishing a peak body to improve First Nations housing outcomes.

VIC

Joint funding from the Federal and State governments will aim to strengthen bridges across Victoria, boosting road network capacity and improving efficiency for freight operators and farmers.

Victoria’s new Water Security Plan aims to secure affordable, reliable water amid population growth and climate change. It includes efficiency improvements, recycled water, desalination expansion, and community consultation. A bipartisan taskforce will guide efforts, ensuring long-term supply security with projects planned well ahead to meet rising demand by 2027 and beyond.

WA

Neoen now has all approvals necessary to start building its 200 MW Narrogin wind project, with a potential battery, but it wasn't without opposition,

Western Australian government-owned utility Synergy has submitted plans to build a 2 GW hybrid renewable energy hub including up to 500 MW of solar and 500 MW of battery energy storage capacity alongside what would be the biggest wind farm in the state.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Elecosoft's new whitepaper, Model-Based Planning: The Future of Integrated Construction Delivery, promotes 4D model-based planning to boost UK construction productivity. It highlights automation, real-time visualisation, and Active 4D technology as key to improving accuracy, reducing delays, and enhancing collaboration—shifting construction planning from reactive to proactive, data-driven project management.

Introduction When a flood, burst pipe, or storm event hits a home or business, time becomes your enemy. You call in Water Damage Restoration Services to salvage what you can, stop further damage, and restore the property.

🌏 Around the World

$2,200,000,000 solar farm in California desert switched off after 'not serving its purpose' Experts believe at least 6,000 birds die each year after flying into the concentrated sunlight A $2 billion solar farm project to combat climate change.

A dramatic sinkhole swallowed part of a central Bangkok roadway on Sept. 24, forcing Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority to halt construction on the city’s $2.2-billion Purple Line metro extension and order emergency stabilization.

📖 Miscellaneous

A new study shows undersea fiber optic cables can detect earthquakes in real time, offering high-resolution data to improve tsunami warnings and early alerts. With most sensors on land, this technology fills major detection gaps. Scientists say more investment is needed to explore earthquake predictability and strengthen global monitoring systems.

The Minns Labor Government has announced a new partnership with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) aimed at addressing cartel behaviour, including bid rigging, in government contracts.

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