03/02/2026

February 03, 2026

The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

The NSW Resources Regulator has highlighted the need for strict speed control and situational awareness after a near‑miss between a dump truck and a grader at a surface coal mine. A truck skidded to a stop less than a metre from the grader. Operators must review TRG procedures and strengthen mobile‑plant controls.

Construction safety improved in 2025, with fatalities dropping to 167 from 188, but the AIHS warns the industry not to become complacent. Stronger leadership, better training and active Health and Safety Representatives are driving progress, yet high‑risk construction environments require continued focus to prevent serious incidents as project complexity grows.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Construction prices are rising as builders regain pricing power amid higher housing demand and labour shortages. ABS data shows building construction costs up 1.1% in the December quarter, driven by labour, capacity constraints and risk‑pricing. Material costs remain stable, but overall pressures are expected to intensify through 2026 and beyond.

There are concerns that progress on CopperString 2032 will be sacrificed to fund the Olympics. CopperString 2032 was meant to connect North-West Queensland communities and industry to the national electricity grid. Cost blowouts to almost $15 billion have forced the State Government to reassess the commitment to take the project to Hughenden.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

A proposed $81.4 million mixed‑use development at 72–88 Water Street, Strathfield South is on public exhibition. The eight‑storey project includes 132 apartments, a full‑line supermarket and rezoning to E1 Local Centre. The NSW Government is assessing the State Significant proposal, with community feedback invited before a final decision.

QLD

SMEC has secured a contract to deliver planning and detailed design for safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway between Maryborough and Gin Gin. The project includes centre line treatments, intersection upgrades, pavement strengthening and rest areas, building on SMEC’s strong Queensland portfolio, with work already underway, now progressing rapidly forward.

FDC Construction & Fitout has been appointed to deliver Bradfield City’s two‑hectare Central Park, featuring the Sky Ring, major play areas, the Gathering Green and extensive native planting. Designed by ASPECT Studios, the park will be a technology‑enabled, nature‑rich community hub, opening alongside Bradfield Metro Station in 2026.

Drilling has begun on the North Pine Dam Staged Strengthening project, installing 55 post‑tensioned anchors to enhance dam safety during extreme weather. The works add 75,000 tonnes of effective weight to the structure and support 50 onsite jobs, progressing a major future upgrade to secure South East Queensland’s water supply.

TAS

TasPorts has awarded a dredging contract for the Port of Devonport, with Dutch Dredging Australia to remove 470,000m³ of sediment over 14 weeks from March. The works maintain safe navigation under a new 10‑year sea‑dumping permit, supported by extensive environmental assessment and 24/7 water‑quality monitoring.

WA

Construction has begun on the $145 million Swan Active Ellenbrook community recreation centre, due to open in late 2027. The project includes pools, slides, fitness facilities and sustainable design features. Backed by federal, state and local funding, the centre will deliver major health, recreation and community benefits for the rapidly growing region.

Perth Airport is progressing its New Terminal and FIT‑r Airfield project, delivering a new domestic terminal, T1 expansion and major airfield upgrades. The main works package includes the terminal, contact and remote aprons, and supporting infrastructure. Procurement is underway, with registrations of interest opened in January 2025.

Construction on Albany’s new $60 million flyover begins this month, completing the final link of the Albany Ring Road. Highway Construction Pty Ltd will deliver the grade‑separated interchange, improving freight efficiency and safety by removing truck turning conflicts. Early works include major earthworks, with minimal disruption to traffic.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Wet-season rain can quickly disrupt earthmoving operations, reducing traction, limiting site access and increasing accident risk. Soft ground, poor visibility and machinery strain lead to higher damage, delays and costs. Proactive planning, route checks, maintenance readiness and suitable insurance help fleets manage downtime and reduce safety and commercial risks.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

New AI models that can enable the optimisation of concrete mixes through identifying alternative materials and by calculating optimal water and binder ratios are demonstrating their real-world applicability, with huge potential benefits for the efficiency and sustainability of construction.

The construction site monitoring systems market is surging, rising from $2.83 billion in 2026 to a projected $5.13 billion by 2030. Growth is driven by AI analytics, cloud platforms and drone‑based monitoring. Major players like Autodesk, Trimble and Procore are expanding solutions as demand for real‑time safety and productivity data increases globally.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Australian steelmakers are being undercut by cheaper imports of fabricated steel products, partly driven by European Union tariffs to reduce low-cost steel imports into Europe and protect its steel industry.

Researchers in Norway and Japan have developed botanical sand concrete, turning previously unusable desert sand into a viable building material by combining it with plant fibres and heat‑pressing. The sustainable alternative could reduce ecological damage from sand mining and support paving and infrastructure applications, pending further testing for durability in harsh climates.

🌏 Around the World

Auckland will see major 2026 openings, including the Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel, the long‑awaited City Rail Link, and the NZICC. Two new South Auckland rail stations, the first Te Whau pathway sections, and the Te Hā Noa Victoria Street linear park will also be completed, transforming city transport and public spaces.

The Golden Gate Bridge’s rapid 1930s construction succeeded because of an independent project district, engineer‑led management and incentives to stay on time and under budget. But decades later, that autonomy created accountability issues, rising costs and indefinite tolls—showing major infrastructure needs both flexible delivery and strong long‑term governance.

📖 Miscellaneous

One Million Trips Through The West Gate Tunne

More than one million vehicles have travelled through the West Gate Tunnel since its 14 December opening, improving travel across Melbourne’s west. Around 20% of trips are by trucks, easing congestion and removing heavy vehicles from local streets. The tunnel provides faster freight access to the Port of Melbourne and more reliable journeys citybound.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

Austroads’ latest capability analysis warns Australia and New Zealand’s roads sector faces an uneven skills outlook. While Australian road activity peaked in FY24 and is moderating, specialist gaps will still emerge due to project timing, labour mobility and competition from energy, utilities and rail. Shortfalls are projected in NZ, QLD, SA and the ACT.

BMD founder Mick Power has received an honorary doctorate from QUT, recognising his leadership and decades‑long contribution to Australia’s civil construction sector. Since founding BMD in 1979, he has grown it into the nation’s largest privately owned civil contractor, championing community partnerships, philanthropy, and values‑driven project delivery across Australia.

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Alex

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