The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

_{THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES}

✒ Headlines & Industry

Olympics ‘money pot’ attracted Victorian underworld to Qld, inquiry suspects

A Queensland inquiry into the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union is investigating a Gold Coast business allegedly linked to underworld figure Mick Gatto. Lawyers say the company resembles structures used by Victoria’s M Group, previously accused of hiding Gatto’s involvement in construction contracts ahead of major projects like the 2032 Summer Olympics.

Dinawan solar farm included in 14 project, $34 billion endorsement

The proposed Dinawan Solar Farm is among 14 major energy projects worth $34 billion endorsed in the first round of the NSW Investment Delivery Authority EOI. While not yet approved, the projects—including solar, wind, hydro and battery systems—will receive coordinated government support to accelerate planning, construction and regional investment.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

Giant gas-fired power station planned for power-hungry AI data centre

Sydney-based Cloud Carrier plans a major AI data centre campus near Moss Vale, including three data centres and a 700MW gas-fired power station. The project highlights the massive energy demands of AI infrastructure, raising construction, planning and emissions concerns ahead of a New South Wales Parliament into data centre development.

Next stage of $36 million Snowy Mountains Highway safety upgrades underway

Safety upgrades are progressing on the Snowy Mountains Highway as part of a $36 million program delivered by the Australian Government and Government of New South Wales. Works include new safety barriers, widened centrelines and rumble strips along key sections to improve safety for freight, tourism and regional motorists.

$1.5 billion ‘city-within-a-city’ vision unveiled for Sydney’s inner west

Visions of a $1.5 billion mixed-use development in Five Dock, within Sydney’s inner west, have been released by One Global Capital, a locally based global property development and investment firm.

Next contracts announced for North West wastewater project

The North West Alliance, comprising John Holland, KBR, and Stantec, has been appointed to deliver the next phase of Sydney’s $2 billion North West wastewater upgrade at Riverstone. Works include a new liquid treatment stream, effluent pipeline, and NSW’s first wastewater carbonisation facility.

QLD

Bass Coast council awards tender for new $2.35m Kernot bridge

Bass Coast Shire Council in Victoria has awarded Timber Restoration Systems Pty Ltd the $2.35 million contract to rebuild the Stewart Road Bridge at Kernot. The project will replace the closed structure over the Bass River with a new 44-tonne load-rated bridge, improving safety, local access and emergency response for the community.

Boost for Townsville solar manufacturing plan

Plans to build a commercial‑scale silicon ingot and photovoltaic (PV) wafer manufacturing facility in Townsville have attracted Federal Government backing in the form of major project status. Stellar PV is investing more than $500 million in Project Clean Wafers, with the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct development expected to create more than 300 full‑time jobs when operational.

Balonne Shire road upgrade marks start of Country Roads Connect project

The Queensland Government is breaking ground on its first Country Roads Connect Project with sealing work commencing on the Jakelwar Goodooga Road North in the Balonne Shire, one of 22 roads roads to be upgraded across the state.

SA

Construction begins on $67 million retail centre in Seacliff

CIP Constructions has commenced building the $67 million Village retail centre in Seacliff, South Australia. The project, part of the $900 million Seacliff Village Estate, includes bulk earthworks, footings, precast panels, and structural steel. Anchored by Coles, the 8,400 m² centre will open in April 2027

VIC

Old Broadford bridge demolished as Inland Rail works ramp up

Progress on the Inland Rail project in Victoria surged over the weekend as a 40-hour shutdown of the Albury line enabled large-scale works, including the demolition of the old Short Street bridge at Broadford.

Four-storey strata warehouse planned for Melbourne’s south-east

Momentum Global Development & Construction will build KEYS101, a four-storey industrial warehouse in Moorabbin, Victoria. The 46,722 m² multi-level strata project offers 69–349 m² units for small businesses and investors. Designed to maximise land use, it introduces vertical industrial space, with Wilson Security managing 24-hour monitoring and operational services.

Victorian Liberals demand action against CFMEU ‘fixer’ Mick Gatto

Victorian Liberals are demanding action over alleged CFMEU links to underworld figure Mick Gatto, accusing the union of influencing major “Big Build” projects. Opposition leader Jess Wilson urged bans on criminal figures at government sites, while Premier Jacinta Allan said authorities were investigating.

Work starts on Melbourne airport rail link

Preliminary works on Melbourne’s $4.1 billion airport rail link have started with Sunshine station’s redevelopment. McConnell Dowell, Arup, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and Vida Rail will deliver enabling works, including 6 km of new track, two rail bridges, and realigned lines. The project includes new platforms and stations, completing by 2030.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Want to lift productivity in construction? Try digitalisation

Australia’s construction sector faces declining productivity due to heavy reliance on analogue processes, fragmented supply chains and limited digital adoption. Experts from Western Sydney University say technologies such as BIM, digital twins and AI could improve efficiency, collaboration and project outcomes, but stronger policy leadership, training and industry-wide digital standards are needed to accelerate transformation.

Can AI use alerts to proactively reschedule a project?

Researchers at the University of East London propose AI-enabled project management that links risk detection with scheduling. Their “risk-to-constraint translation engine” converts safety alerts, supply delays, or contractual issues into schedule adjustments in real time, using digital twins for review, enabling proactive responses without removing human oversight.

HDC Hyundai Development Company Enhances Construction with Drones and Digital Twins

HDC Hyundai Development Company has introduced drone and digital twin (a virtual replication of the physical world) technologies to precisely manage all construction processes from groundbreaking to completion.

🌏 Around the World

Ireland’s $27BN Mission to Save Dublin

Preliminary work on Dublin’s long-awaited MetroLink will finally proceed, connecting the city north-south and linking the airport via 16 stations over 19 km. With a €9.5 billion budget, tunnel-boring methods will minimise surface disruption. Construction is set for 2027, addressing decades of congestion and improving transport infrastructure in Ireland’s capital.

AtkinsRéalis and T&T join Heathrow expansion project 

AtkinsRéalis and Turner & Townsend have been appointed as PMO consultants for Heathrow’s £33bn expansion, including the third runway. The joint partnership will deliver programme and project management services, supporting infrastructure growth, enhanced connectivity, and up to 150 million passengers annually, reinforcing their long-term expertise with Heathrow projects.

Bill introduced to ensure UK geotechnical data is available to engineers to save billions

A Labour backbencher is pressing for a new law to make ground investigation data routinely available for planners and engineers, arguing the move could cut costs, speed projects and improve site safety.

📖 Miscellaneous

Can bridge sensors transform freight infrastructure planning?

Fulton Hogan, in partnership with Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning and CESTEL, trialled Bridge Weigh-In-Motion sensors on the Western Freeway. The system captures real-time axle loads and truck movements without traffic disruption, providing data to optimise freight infrastructure planning, assess bridge performance, and guide future investment in Victoria.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

Coalition not scrapping $10k tradie bonus scheme, despite it being ‘inflationary’ and not ‘the answer’

The Coalition is not committed to scrapping a scheme that gives apprentice tradies $2000 government bonuses every six months, despite the Shadow Minister for Skills calling it “inflationary”, “wrong” and not “the answer’”.

Austroads appoints new Chair

Jon Whelan has been appointed chair of the Austroads Board. Currently chief executive of the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Whelan brings four decades of transport and road infrastructure experience. Having joined the board in 2025, he is expected to guide Austroads’ work improving transport networks and outcomes for Australian communities.

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Alex

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