The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

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🚨 Safety Updates

Fatal incident involving fall from tilt tray truck

A fatal April 2025 incident saw a worker thrown from a tilt tray truck after a vehicle tow point failed during winching. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, PCBUs must manage plant risks through safe systems, load-rated equipment, exclusion zones, inspections, training, and compliance with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Load Restraint Guide.

✒ Headlines & Industry

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xxCFMEU drops surveyor representation in Vic/Tas

The CFMEU Victoria/Tasmania branch has ceased representing surveyors, effective 6 February 2026, formally ending tensions that began in 2023 when surveyors were increasingly classified as construction workers. Surveyors Australia CEO Michelle Blicavs said the move strengthens professional recognition, highlighting certification reform, salary growth, updated ABS classifications, and a national Engineering Surveyors Committee.

As high-speed rail plans gather pace, Britain’s HS2 offers hard lessons

As Australia advances Sydney–Newcastle fast rail, Britain’s High Speed 2 warns of cost blowouts, scope cuts and political shifts. Originally linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, it was scaled back after overruns and delays. Experts urge firm bipartisan commitment, realistic budgets, staged delivery and resisting mid-project redesigns to protect long-term benefits.

Report shows housing and small business under pressure

The Housing Industry Association 2026 Small Business Conditions Report shows small builders under strain from rising insurance, compliance burdens and planning delays. Managing director Jocelyn Martin said 68% considered scaling back, 88% face approval delays beyond eight weeks, and workforce shortages persist—threatening housing supply without regulatory reform and targeted skills support.

🏗️ Projects

ACT

$13.7 million for Whitlam early learning centre announced; Productivity Commission confirms childcare sector woes

Construction is underway for the $13 million, 130-place Whitlam Early Childhood Education and Care centre in the ACT, co-located with Whitlam Primary School. Funded by the Commonwealth ($10 M) and ACT Government ($3.7 M + $4 M in-kind), it addresses rising demand for not-for-profit early learning, with completion expected in 2028.

NSW

Coffs Harbour Council wants $250 million carbon project

Coffs Harbour City Council has backed the Improved Native Forest Management method for the proposed Great Koala National Park, aiming to reinvest carbon credit revenue into fire management, restoration and tourism. The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee is assessing the method, with modelling suggesting $250 million and 370 local jobs.

Blue Mountains Mayor slams ‘deeply flawed’ state planning for Katoomba site

Blue Mountains City Council opposes the NSW Government’s State Significant Development declaration for 142–150 Narrow Neck Road, Katoomba. The 200+ apartment project threatens bushfire safety, local planning controls, and World Heritage landscape views, with Council citing inadequate community consultation and excessive building heights for the site.

QLD

Coronation Drive & Lang Parade, Auchenflower

The residential tower at 355 Coronation Drive & 6 Lang Parade, Auchenflower is in Queensland. The 23-storey Bloom tower proposes 90 apartments, rooftop recreation, landscaped public areas, and improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity near the Brisbane River.

Gold Coast 'can't stop growth' but needs 185,000 new homes

Gold Coast City Council plans for 1 million residents by 2046, requiring 185,000 new homes. Strategy focuses on medium- to high-density housing inland in Robina, Helensvale, and Coomera. Current construction approvals lag at ~4,000 dwellings (2024–25), highlighting need for faster residential development and supporting infrastructure.

Major works kick off on $5.75-billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail

Construction has started on the $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project, doubling tracks between Kuraby and Beenleigh, upgrading stations, removing level crossings, and modernising signalling. ActivUs Alliance (UGL, Acciona, CPB Contractors, SMEC, WSP) leads works to boost capacity, reliability, and accessibility ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

TAS

Aussie regulator nods to Marinus Link investment plan

Marinus Link Stage 1 approved by the Australian Energy Regulator at AUD 3.47 billion. The 345 km HVDC undersea cable will link North West Tasmania and Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, with on-land transmission upgrades in Tasmania costing AUD 921.3 million. Construction starts 2026, fully funded, two 750 MW phases planned.

VIC

Consultation Open For Wantirna South Instersection Upgrade

On 16 February 2026, the Albanese and Allan Governments opened consultation for the High Street Road and Mowbray Drive upgrade in Wantirna South under the $1.2 billion Suburban Road Blitz. Led by Big Build Victoria, feedback via Engage Victoria will inform design, modelling and investigations to improve safety and congestion.

Trunk Infrastructure Fund to support Victoria’s regional contractors

The Victorian Government has launched a $15 million Trunk Infrastructure Fund to boost regional civil works, offering $500,000–$2 million grants for water, power, sewer, roads and NBN enabling projects. Civil Contractors Federation Victoria welcomed the move, saying it will strengthen pipelines of work and investment across regional councils.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Australia’s’ mega construction projects blow out by $130 billion

A Deloitte Access Economics report shows 13 mega public projects have blown out by $130 billion. Major overruns include Inland Rail, CopperString 2032 and Cross River Rail, citing scope gaps, labour shortages and complexity—intensifying pressure on state budgets and reshaping Australia’s infrastructure pipeline.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

World-first underwater 3D concrete printing

Australian firm Luyten and the University of Wollongong have developed the world’s first underwater 3D concrete printing system using a single-mix formulation that removes chemical accelerators. The breakthrough enables stable, structurally sound subsea construction for ports, wharves and defence, advancing marine infrastructure and future extraterrestrial building applications.

It's official—3D printing reduces construction labor by up to 80% and speeds up projects around the world

3D printing is transforming construction: robotic systems can build houses in 24 hours, cutting labor by 60–80%, reducing material waste by up to 60%, and halving project timelines. Low-carbon or alternative materials also lower emissions, while workers adapt to robot-assisted roles in planning, maintenance, and software operation.

CENTEXS, GAMUDA collab to spur construction sector digital evolution

CENTEXS and Gamuda Technologies partner to advance Sarawak’s construction digitalisation, launching BIM, AI, and cloud training for local talent. The programmes aim to upskill workers for projects above RM10 million, supporting regulatory compliance, faster decision-making, and long-term sector innovation in Malaysia’s infrastructure industry.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

Boral pioneers low-carbon concrete using Australian calcined clay

Boral has pioneered low-carbon concrete using Australian calcined clay, achieving a national first. Tested at Maldon and in field trials including North East Link and University of Melbourne projects, the binary and triple-blend mixes match traditional performance, supporting sustainable infrastructure and industry decarbonisation goals.

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Alex

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