06/12/2026

January 06, 2026

The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

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In 2026, a revised AS3700 is due for release and is proposed to require the use of reinforcement positioners in reinforced masonry construction to accurately locate and restrain horizontal and vertical reinforcement during construction. BlockAid Rebar Positioners ensure compliance with both the current AS3700:2018 and the future AS3700:2026. Proven as a Deemed to Satisfy Solution under NCC 2022, BlockAid Reinforcement Positioners are the only proven device that accurately secures both horizontal and vertical reinforcement. This eliminates tying, delivers up to 20% labour savings, and improves construction quality. BlockAid also reduces risk and provides clear, verifiable compliance for engineers, certifiers, councils, contractors, developers, and owners.

Architects, engineers, councils, builders, and developers should specify BlockAid to streamline installation, prepare for new AS3700 requirements, remove non-compliant practices, and ensure reinforcement is placed correctly every time. A typical specification for BlockAid Rebar Positioners is available to download here.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Principal architects Cox, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei have been appointed to design Brisbane’s new 63,000-seat Olympic stadium at Victoria Park. Backed by Arup and SBP, the team will deliver an embedded, climate-responsive venue under the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program, hosting ceremonies, athletics and long-term legacy sporting uses.

Australia approved 54 new renewable energy projects in 2025, adding nearly 7GW of new generation capacity and expanding national transmission and storage pipelines. The surge is driving major civil, electrical and balance-of-plant construction packages across wind, solar, battery and grid-connection projects nationwide, strengthening contractor workloads and long-term infrastructure pipelines.

The first concept designs for Brisbane’s new 63,000-seat Victoria Park stadium have been unveiled by COX, Hassell, and Azusa Sekkei. Set to replace the Gabba post-2032 Olympics, it will host the Brisbane Lions, cricket, and concerts. Construction begins early next year, aiming to boost Queensland’s sporting and entertainment capacity.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

Australia’s EnergyConnect project reached a milestone with the final of 1,508 steel towers erected along the 700 km NSW stretch, completing line stringing. Linking NSW, Victoria, and South Australia, the 900 km transmission line will add 800 MW capacity, support 2.5 GW of renewables, and advance Australia’s clean energy transition by 2026.

Octopus Australia has appointed GHD to manage construction of the Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery near Bungendore, NSW. The project, co-located with sheep grazing, will deliver 300 MW solar and a 243 MW/486 MWh battery, powering 120,000 homes. GHD will provide full-time site supervision, project management, cost control, and grid-connection support.

Lendlease, Mirvac, and Coombes Property Group have been appointed to deliver Sydney’s Hunter Street Metro West precinct, including the station and two over-station commercial towers. Construction begins late 2026, with towers featuring office, retail, and hospitality spaces, integrated pedestrian links, and sustainable design, supporting Sydney Metro West’s 2032 opening.

Laing O’Rourke, as part of Gamuda-led MetroVista, will deliver Sydney Metro West Stations Package West, including five new underground stations at Westmead, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, and The Bays. As Managing Contractor for Five Dock Station, Laing O’Rourke applies advanced construction methods, targeting a 2032 Metro West opening.

Four major Sydney Metro West contracts have been awarded, advancing construction across tunnels, stations, and precincts. John Holland delivers 60 km of track and Clyde stabling, Gamuda builds five underground stations, Metro Trains West operates trains, and Lendlease, Mirvac, and Coombes develop Hunter Street Station with over-station commercial towers, targeting 2032 opening.

QLD

Designs have been unveiled for Brisbane’s 63,000-seat 2032 Olympic stadium at Victoria Park. The preferred concept minimises earthworks to 60,000 cubic metres, using strategic cut-and-fill to retain parkland. The open, climate-responsive design will anchor a broader precinct masterplan.

Hundreds of millions are being invested in major Surfers Paradise upgrades ahead of 2026. Works include a new 6,000-capacity live music hall at the transit centre and $100 million in Cavill Mall and Orchid Avenue upgrades, delivering pedestrian-focused streetscapes, traffic trials and Olympic-linked precinct improvements.

Construction has been completed on the $88.2 million Mount Morgan Water Supply Pipeline in Central Queensland by Fulton Hogan, with commissioning now underway. The 28-kilometre potable water network includes pump stations, reservoirs and storage facilities, delivering permanent, climate-resilient water infrastructure and ending long-term emergency water supply reliance for Mount Morgan.

A development application has been lodged for three residential towers at 281–297 Montague Road, West End, QLD, designed by Rothelowman. The mixed-use project will deliver 403 apartments, retail, landscaped public spaces, and a new pedestrian laneway, ‘Davies Lane,’ across 10,628 m², with tower heights ranging from 16 to 19 storeys.

WA

Civmec has secured over A$400 million in new contracts, including a major BHP Port Debottlenecking Project 2 award at Nelson Point, Port Hedland. The work covers concrete, earthworks, and a 700-tonne steel fabrication package, strengthening Civmec’s FY26–27 pipeline and reinforcing its position in large-scale mining infrastructure projects.

🧰 Construction Au Other

The Queensland Government has replaced AS2124-1992 and AS4300-1995 templates with three new NCW4-based contracts: Construct Only, Design & Construct, and Modular. These modernised contracts retain familiar risk concepts but include amended terms, updated administration processes, and government policy requirements, requiring members to review and manage risk carefully.

BlockAid Rebar Positioners improve masonry block wall construction by ensuring accurate reinforcement placement, AS3700 compliance, correct grout cover, and reliable core filling. They simplify inspection, remove the need for pre-tying and steel fixers, speed up construction, reduce materials, and protect insurability—delivering compliant, efficient, and durable masonry built right first time.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

South East Water’s Aerial Fugitive Emissions Mapping project uses drones to measure methane and nitrous oxide across the Mt Martha Water Recycling Plant. Funded $34,000 via the 2025 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge, it provides site-wide, accurate emissions data, identifies hotspots, validates sensors, and supports Victoria’s wastewater sector in achieving net-zero targets.

Research suggests Australia’s timber certification schemes may not adequately protect forests. While certification bodies defend their auditing processes as thorough, a new study calls for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the nation’s ethical timber standards to ensure environmental protection and sustainable forest management.

🌏 Around the World

The Morlais tidal energy project off Anglesey, Wales, is set to generate 240 MW for 180,000 homes, marking a major marine infrastructure achievement. Construction includes underwater turbines, subsea cabling, and a shore-based substation, supporting grid integration, local supply chains, and phased installation while ensuring environmental protection and advancing the UK’s tidal energy sector.

📖 Miscellaneous

The Federal Court has fined the CFMEU and four current and former officials $171,500 for unlawful conduct on Melbourne construction sites. Breaches of the Fair Work Act included unauthorised site interference, refusing to leave work zones, stopping machinery, and improper access to company systems.

Australia has sufficient biomass to support a large-scale low-carbon fuels and renewable gas industry, the first National Feedstock Roundtable revealed. Coordinated supply chains, national feedstock mapping, and long-term policy are needed to unlock a $10 billion industry, create 26,000 jobs, and advance renewable gas and low-carbon liquid fuel deployment.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

More than 10,000 Victorian apprentices qualified in 2025, strengthening the construction workforce across key trades including carpentry, electrical and plumbing. Since 2019, 50,000 trade papers have been issued across 214 qualifications, supporting housing delivery, major projects and infrastructure growth under a $459 million vocational education investment.

Ramboll Group CEO Jens-Peter Saul is set to leave after 14 years leading the global engineering and consultancy firm. Under his tenure, Ramboll doubled in size to 18,000 employees, expanded internationally, and strengthened its sustainability and architecture expertise. Saul will remain until a successor is appointed.

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