28/01/2026

January 28, 2026

The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

New Incolink figures show a sharp rise in tradies seeking mental health support over the December–January shutdown. Calls to its counselling line rose 68% in December year-on-year, with demand continuing into January, highlighting heightened suicide risk during the holiday period and growing uptake of support services.

Safe Work Australia has published a new model Code of Practice for Elevating Work Platforms, providing practical guidance on managing health and safety risks. It outlines common hazards, control measures, and inspection, maintenance and safe-use requirements, replacing two previous EWP guidance documents.

On  construction sites, hydration is a balancing act. Dehydration from too little water is well known, but overhydration can also be dangerous, diluting sodium levels and increasing heat stress risks. Workers should manage hydration with electrolytes and awareness, not water alone.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Australia’s construction industry is under severe strain, with record builder insolvencies and rising mental health concerns. Thousands of firms have collapsed as government housing targets intensify pressure. Industry leaders report tradies facing burnout, depression and distress, warning insolvencies may worsen without better support, realistic timelines and workforce retention measures.

The NSW Government’s Sydney to Central West Corridors White Paper sets the groundwork for future construction across the Blue Mountains and Central West, outlining targeted road and rail upgrades, safety works and resilience improvements. It establishes a pipeline to support business cases and coordinate delivery of transport infrastructure projects.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

The $700 million Singleton Bypass is nearing completion, with major bridge, earthworks and pavement construction well advanced. Six bridges, including a 1.6km floodplain structure, are almost finished, roadworks underway, and services, interchanges and landscaping progressing, ahead of the bypass opening to traffic in late 2026.

NT

Yeperenye Shopping Centre owners plan a $27 million redevelopment in Alice Springs, adding a new supermarket, rooftop family restaurant, serviced offices, and a four-level car park. Over 40 stores will remain. Woolworths, a 40-year tenant, will relocate in 2028 as redevelopment finishes next year, with expanded parking and click-and-collect facilities.

QLD

A 181-hectare Elimbah site in Moreton Bay has sold for $318.5m to HB Land, unlocking a major construction pipeline. The approved master-planned project includes up to 1400 homes, early-stage residential works, significant civil infrastructure, and industrial and business precincts, supporting sustained construction activity, employment and regional growth.

Pacific Partnerships’ Hopeland project is advancing toward construction, with public exhibition underway under EPBC assessment. The 250 MW solar farm and 350 MWh battery have secured planning approvals and CIS support, with construction targeted for mid‑2026, creating about 300 jobs and preparing for grid connection in Queensland’s Western Downs.

South West Queensland will see construction-led flood resilience works funded with $15.47 million from Federal and State governments, including design and early works for a new Thargomindah levee, replacement of six concrete floodways in Quilpie Shire, and ongoing levee construction in Winton to strengthen regional flood protection.

SA

Melbourne-based architecture firm Fieldwork has designed a mass-timber concept for a forthcoming $80 million, 10-storey apartment building in Bowden, on the north-western edge of Adelaide city, newly unveiled by Renewal SA.

VIC

Major construction has begun on the Watson Street Interchange Upgrade in Wallan, transforming the site into a full diamond interchange with new freeway ramps. Jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments, the project will improve safety, reduce congestion, maintain traffic flow during works and support Wallan’s growth.

WA

The Australian government has announced feasibility licences for three proposed offshore wind projects in the Bunbury offshore renewable energy zone in Western Australia.

WestStar Industrial subsidiary SIMPEC has secured a $20 million construction contract to deliver SMPE&I works for a new filtration plant at Glencore’s McArthur River Mine. The project includes plant installation and infrastructure modifications, starts immediately, and runs through to late 2026, strengthening SIMPEC’s presence in Australia’s resources construction sector.

🧰 Construction Au Other

A feud has erupted between builders and building product manufacturers over proposals to impose penalties of between 20 and 54 percent on imported Chinese products which are alleged to have been unfairly dumped onto the Australian market.

Victorian architects have raised alarm over plans to transfer the Architects Registration Board of Victoria to the Business Licensing Authority, warning it could abolish independent regulation, weaken professional standards and undermine public protection. Critics say the self‑funded ARBV safeguards design quality, safety and accountability, and its loss may erode confidence in the built environment.

From a construction perspective, data‑centre projects face growing execution risks from global supply chain constraints affecting equipment, power systems and cooling infrastructure. Developers are increasingly structuring contracts with alternative sourcing, clear delay remedies and price‑adjustment clauses to protect build programs, manage cost escalation and maintain certainty for lenders, contractors and commissioning schedules.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

3D Lift Vision is the first virtual crane simulator built from real lift plans, allowing operators to train, assess risk and demonstrate lifts in immersive virtual jobsites. Developed by A1A Software, it supports crane training, planning and industry engagement, helping educate operators, students and tradespeople through realistic, portable simulation technology.

LeanCon, an AI‑driven construction startup founded by former SOM engineer Ziv Levi, has raised $6 million to accelerate deployment of its automated pre‑construction platform. The technology cuts months of planning into minutes, helping contractors rapidly scope, price and schedule projects, improve bid success, and reduce construction risk and timelines.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Rapid growth in Texas’ data centre sector could significantly strain water supplies by 2030, with a new HARC white paper estimating annual water use could rise from 25 billion gallons today to between 29 and 161 billion gallons. The report warns water planning lags behind energy planning amid accelerating digital infrastructure growth.

Bamboo is emerging as a credible low‑carbon construction material, with a new structural engineering manual supporting its use as an alternative to steel and concrete. Fast‑growing, carbon‑fixing and mechanically strong, bamboo offers engineers a sustainable option for structural and architectural applications, supporting net‑zero goals without compromising durability or performance.

🌏 Around the World

India’s Chenab Bridge, built high in the Himalayas, is the world’s highest rail bridge and one of its most remote construction feats. Crews overcame extreme weather, earthquakes, high winds and limited access using purpose-built roads, cable cranes and an arch design to assemble nearly 30,000 tonnes of steel, delivering a vital all‑weather rail link to Kashmir.

📖 Miscellaneous

Police refusal to help serve a summons on former chief commissioner Shane Patton has delayed a CFMEU threats case. Defence lawyers say Victoria Police is “stonewalling” attempts to call Patton as a witness. The contested hearing was vacated, with the matter adjourned to April.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

Australia’s construction workers face strong opportunities in 2026, with steady hiring and persistent skill shortages across engineering, construction management and trades. Major pipelines in data centres, energy, defence and infrastructure are driving demand nationwide, despite employment levels remaining broadly stable, creating favourable conditions for experienced workers and new entrants alike.

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Alex

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