07/01/2026

January 07, 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

Construction on Melbourne’s North East Link tunnels has been halted after a 12-metre-wide sinkhole opened at Heidelberg’s AJ Burkitt Reserve, with tunnel boring machines identified as a contributing factor. A major investigation is underway, while remediation planning begins and local sporting facilities remain closed during safety and ground-stability assessments.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

The National Capital Authority proposes rezoning land around Hume Place roundabout, Canberra, for residential and commercial development. Plans allow buildings up to 15 storeys, completing Griffin’s original circle design. The precinct will support higher density, improved public access, and urban renewal, aligning with ACT housing targets and gateway development objectives.

NSW

A 75-hectare flood-free site in Goonellabah is launching as a major master-planned development set to shape a “New Lismore”. Rezoned for residential, commercial and industrial uses, the multi-precinct project promises flood-resilient housing, services, employment opportunities and long-term growth for Northern NSW.

QLD

Expressions of interest for Brisbane’s proposed 17,000-seat Gabba indoor arena close next week, with private developers targeted to deliver the project. The state confirmed Victoria Park’s new Olympic stadium will rely on existing rail, with a new station unlikely, as planning continues for Brisbane’s 2032 Games venues.

VIC

Victoria’s Allan Labor Government has approved the 600MW Kentbruck Green Power Hub in south-west Victoria following the EES process. Featuring up to 105 turbines, the wind farm will generate renewable energy for around 380,000 homes, create 350 construction jobs, support local industry and include enhanced environmental protections.

WA

Pilot Energy has signed a binding agreement with SN Energy Australia to deliver a hybrid solar and battery energy storage facility near Three Springs in Western Australia, including a 50-megawatt data centre. The project covers land acquisition, grid connection works, development approvals and staged construction, supporting Pilot’s transition into large-scale renewable infrastructure delivery.

Monadelphous has secured a $175 million construction contract with BHP at Finucane Island, Western Australia. The project covers major civil, structural, mechanical, piping, and electrical works during a planned shutdown. This builds on past Car Dumper projects, reinforcing Monadelphous’ expertise in large-scale resource infrastructure and engineering construction.

The state's land agency has published details of a 30-storey social housing development in Northbridge, as part of the $5.2 billion Perth City Link.

WA's Water Corporation has pushed back a final decision on the location of a desalination plant for the state's Lower Great Southern. Two sites near Albany are being considered after the state government scrapped plans for a plant in King George Sound. The Water Corporation says a site will be chosen in the first quarter of the year. 

🧰 Construction Au Other

Non-compliance in reinforced masonry commonly stems from unsupported horizontal reinforcement, insufficient grout cover, and lateral misalignment—each breaching AS3700-2018 requirements. BlockAid Rebar Positioners address all three by supporting steel above webs, ensuring correct cover, and locking reinforcement within tolerance, reducing risk, rework, and costly compliance failures.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Construction robotics delivers value when work is predictable, repetitive, and standardized. Applications like waste sorting, material handling, quality inspection, and on-site fabrication reduce labor variability, improve safety, and cut costs. Integrated with BIM and data systems, robots complement human workers, enabling safer, more efficient, and digitally connected construction processes.

By 2026, AI, robotics, drones, 3D printing, digital twins, and sustainable materials are set to boost construction productivity by 50%, addressing labor shortages, improving safety, and reducing environmental impact. Modular, prefab, and IoT-enabled sites optimize efficiency, while tech integration transforms planning, execution, and long-term building management.

H2Corporation raised funds in a Pre-Series A extension led by NEA to expand its AI Estimation platform for construction. Its AISekisan Platform streamlines estimation and order management at scale. The capital will boost U.S. operations, R&D, AI model development, product features, and global Go-To-Market efforts amid rapid 500% growth.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

UTS architecture researcher Kumar Biswajit Debnath explores mycelium as a sustainable construction material in Australia. Grown from agricultural waste, mycelium forms lightweight, fire-resistant, biodegradable blocks, offering a low-energy alternative to plastics and foams. Early applications include acoustic panels, packaging, and temporary structures, hinting at a future of grown, not manufactured, building components.

Climate change is driving extreme heat in Australia, challenging building design. Construction is turning to smart materials like phase change panels and reflective coatings, embedded in roofs and walls, to regulate indoor temperatures, reduce reliance on air conditioning, and cut energy use—creating heat-resilient homes capable of adapting to increasingly frequent heatwaves.

Western Australia has launched $9 million in Clean Energy Future Fund grants to support innovative projects that decarbonise the economy. Individual grants of $100,000–$4 million will back clean energy technologies, including electrification, long-duration storage, and renewable supply, prioritising community benefits, First Nations engagement, green exports, and local manufacturing.

🌏 Around the World

China will invest $42 billion in transport, energy, and water infrastructure under its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). Projects include a new Guangzhou airport, Zhanjiang–Haikou cross-sea ferry, reservoirs in Yunnan and Liaoning, hydropower in Sichuan, and Zhejiang’s ultra-high-voltage grid, supporting national development and resource management.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is driving a construction revolution, shifting from traditional blueprints to AI-powered digital twins. These real-time, data-driven models enable smarter design, construction, and operations across megaprojects like NEOM, The Red Sea, and Qiddiya, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and lifecycle management while supporting over $1.3 trillion in planned infrastructure investment.

Vietnam plans to begin construction this year on its 1,541 km North-South high-speed railway connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The $5.54 billion project involves land clearance, utility relocation, and investor frameworks, with Vinspeed partnering with Siemens to supply Velaro Novo trains and advanced rail systems for an international-standard line.

📖 Miscellaneous

Tenders for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, large state infrastructure builds and defence projects are among federal and state procurements at high risk for cartel and collusion activity that will be closely scrutinised by the competition watchdog.

Geoff Russell examines powering large AI data centres with renewable energy in Australia. Modelling shows a 1 GW centre would need 5 GW of solar/wind, 11,000 ha land, and massive batteries, costing $16–22 billion. Nuclear alternatives are cheaper, more efficient, and stable, highlighting challenges of relying solely on intermittent renewables.

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Alex

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