18/03/2026

March 18, 2026

The Daily Dirt Aus

By G’day Construction………….…… 

THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES

🚨 Safety Updates

Building Commission NSW and SafeWork NSW will visit the Hunter Region over the next few days to blitz construction sites and engage with community, the construction industry, as well as local government as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening building standards across regional NSW.

Safe Work Australia’s WHS review consultation gathered widespread feedback showing strong support for national laws but concerns about inconsistencies. Unions seek stronger worker rights, businesses want simpler rules, and stakeholders highlighted emerging risks like AI and climate hazards. Findings will inform a final report to ministers in August 2026.

✒ Headlines & Industry

Allan told to ‘step up or step away’ over Big Build corruption Premier Jacinta Allan has conceded the government’s infrastructure tsar privately warned her about serious wrongdoing on Labor’s $100 billion Big Build, but said it was not found to be “systemic”. 

Construction has begun on Sydney’s 1.1-hectare Bank Street Park at Blackwattle Bay, the first open space in the Bays Precinct renewal. Led by BESIX Westpac with 50% female participation, the project includes playgrounds, cycleways, a kayak pontoon, and public amenities, and is set to open in 2027.

A 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games construction boom will strain Queensland, with shortages peaking at 35,000 workers by 2027–28. Driven by population growth and infrastructure demand, gaps risk delays and cost increases. Solutions include more apprentices, migration, and reducing red tape, though industry warns no quick fix exists.

🏗️ Projects

NSW

Woollahra Station Activation will deliver a new accessible station on Sydney’s T4 Eastern Suburbs Line, improving connectivity and reducing congestion. Planned for construction from 2027 to 2029, it supports up to 10,000 new homes, including affordable housing, while enhancing transport access and linking communities with the CBD and essential services.

Ellipse Property has launched Lily Lane at Carrington Place in Castle Hill, delivering 213 apartments across two towers near Hills Showground Metro Station. Featuring retail, premium amenities, and diverse layouts, construction starts 2026, with completion expected in 2029.

A $250 million mixed-use proposal at Gosford has entered exhibition, featuring two towers (36 and 42 storeys), 394 apartments, hotel, retail, and basement parking. The New South Wales project emphasises high-density construction, public domain works, and revised planning controls, with assessment now underway.

Sydney Water has launched its first laser-guided microtunnelling machine, “Lizzie,” for the Upper South Creek project in New South Wales. The machine will construct a 1.6km wastewater pipeline underground, improving infrastructure capacity to support Western Sydney’s rapid population growth and future development needs.

Stockland Development Pty Ltd has received approval to build a 76.4 MW data centre at 1–5 Khartoum Road, Macquarie Park, in New South Wales. The six-storey facility will feature 24 data halls, office space, backup generators, battery storage, and supporting infrastructure, with construction expected to generate 250 local jobs over 33 months.

QLD

A $35 million deal between the Queensland Government, Townsville City Council, and a developer will restore North Rail Yards. The project will remediate the site, preserve heritage buildings, and enable future housing, commercial development, and public spaces.

China solar giant Trina has shelved a big battery project in Queensland, just days after it was called in for reassessment by state planning minister Jarrod Bleijie.

TAS

The Tasmania Government has opened tenders for a $90 million Northern Mental Health Precinct at 52 Frankland Street, Launceston, opposite the Launceston General Hospital. Stage Two of the hospital masterplan, the project will include a 30-bed inpatient unit, a Recovery College, a Safe Haven, staff and visitor parking, and a pedestrian link to the hospital, with construction expected to start in late 2026.

Construction work is set to deliver at least three new synchronous condensers near Hazelwood in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. These large spinning machines require significant civil, mechanical, and electrical construction, supporting grid stability and integration of renewables. Projects will provide regional construction jobs and opportunities for local contractors, with formal tenders expected later in 2026.

VIC

VicGrid has launched an expression of interest for at least three new synchronous condensers near Hazelwood in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, aiming to strengthen grid stability and support renewable energy integration. The projects will create regional jobs and follow government social procurement policies, with formal tenders expected later in 2026.

WA

Construction of a new runway at Perth Airport is underway, led by the SkyWay Joint Venture between BMD Group and CPB Contractors. The project includes major airfield works, prioritises local jobs, and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Construction of the $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant in Western Australia has hit a milestone with the deployment of Australia’s largest jack-up barge, Beverley, to install marine intake and outfall infrastructure. The project, including tunnelling and pipelines, will supply 50 billion litres of drinking water annually and is expected online by mid-2028.

🧰 Construction Au Other

Suncoast Asphalt has officially rebranded as Alex Fraser, aligning its Narangba operations with the parent company’s national identity. The move strengthens Queensland market presence and emphasizes sustainable, low‑carbon construction solutions. Staff, services, and customer relations remain unchanged, ensuring operational consistency while reinforcing Alex Fraser’s nationwide brand and expertise.

🚀 Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology

Zero RFI raised $13.8M to launch an AI-driven construction platform and roll-up strategy, acquiring Brookwood Group, BuildingWorks, and KP Reddy Co. The company aims to modernize $10T in global construction projects by reducing inefficiencies, applying AI across design, execution, and closeout, and achieving “zero Requests for Information” in projects.

Colorado-based contracting giant Hensel Phelps says it will deploy artificial intelligence-powered progress-tracking across more than 200 active projects to reduce jobsite time spent managing information.

🌱 Sustainability ​& Environment

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released a Nature Positive Roadmap guiding future building and construction projects to protect, restore, and regenerate nature. It sets clear targets for developers to reduce environmental impact, increase circularity, and use lower-impact materials. The roadmap provides practical guidance for planning, design, and construction, with milestones in 2028, 2030, 2035, and long-term goals to 2050, aligning industry practices with global biodiversity standards.

A University of Miami team won the Climate Correction Conference’s top prize for developing an algae-based concrete additive. By converting Florida algae into biochar, they can mix higher amounts into concrete and explore carbon-curing techniques, potentially reducing cement’s massive carbon footprint. The $25,000 award supports refining production and consistency.

A recent review highlights mining waste—including tailings, bauxite residue, slags, and waste rock—as promising sustainable construction materials. These by-products can replace natural aggregates in concrete, asphalt, and structural layers, reducing carbon emissions and costs. Challenges include chemical hazards, variability, and regulatory hurdles, but adoption could transform waste into circular, low-carbon infrastructure resources.

🌏 Around the World

U.S. construction job openings slowed in January 2026, with 231,000 positions available, down 14,000 from December. Despite hiring 349,000 workers, the industry remains cautious amid economic uncertainties. Layoffs and quits stayed low, signaling contractors are retaining crews while planning future workforce expansion as commercial and institutional activity moderates.

📖 Miscellaneous

The world’s worst mega-leaks of the potent greenhouse gas methane in 2025 have been revealed by an analysis of satellite data. The super-polluting plumes from oil and gas facilities have a colossal heating impact on the climate but often result from poor maintenance and can be simple to fix.

SA Water reports that Adelaide reached its highest summer water consumption in over 20 years, with 58.2 billion litres supplied this season. Despite this, reservoirs are at 50% capacity, up from 39% last year, ensuring secure supply amid growing demand driven by heatwaves and population growth.

In Hong Kong, bamboo scaffolding remains central to construction and cultural festivals. Skilled artisans like Kenny Lee and Daisy Pak preserve a 1,000-year-old craft, despite government moves toward metal for safety. Bamboo offers flexibility and affordability, while temporary theatres and art projects continue to showcase its cultural and construction significance.

👷‍♀️ Tradies and Resource

Tradie working on Gold Coast light rail claims $500k salary Video of a tradie saying he works on the Gold Coast’s light rail and earns $500,000 a year, which is more than the Queensland Premier, has caused a stir online.

Engineers Australia has welcomed the Strategic Examination of Research and Development Report, highlighting the need for stronger investment, collaboration, and a national engineering workforce plan. The report stresses boosting engineering graduates and innovation capacity to improve productivity, commercialisation, and global competitiveness while preventing talent loss overseas.

Andrew Giles launched the Male Allies Challenge to support women in construction careers. Led by National Association of Women in Construction, the program trains men to foster inclusive workplaces. It aims to address low female participation and improve retention, progression, and industry culture nationwide.

Thanks for reading,

If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!

Alex

We monitor Australian construction 24/7—analysing thousands of articles from over 600 sources—to deliver the latest industry news straight to you.

⏳ Stay up to date in minutes

Read the most important construction related news stories of the day – Industry headlines, safety alerts, technology and innovations.

🏗 Get latest project updates

Get the latest project updates near you, contract awards, and global trends.

❌ No Noise news

Get the latest news in a simple format, with NO marketing emails, EVER.

 🧠 Get ahead

Stay a head with the latest information that will improve your knowledge, performance and increase your opportunities.

💰 Love Gooday Construction? Tell your friends! We’re growing and the more we grow the more quality news we can get to you!

Want to advertise in Gooday Construction? 📰

If your company is interested in reaching an audience of Construction professionals and decision makers, you may want to advertise with us. Please reply to this email.