Inside Construction

Queensland Rail has awarded DT Infrastructure (DTI) the design and construct contracts to deliver accessibility and station improvement works at Rockhampton and Bundaberg railway stations. The upgrades will improve accessibility, safety and the passenger experience at two key regional transport hubs. DT Infrastructure chief executive officer John Anderson said the contracts reinforce the company’s position in the Australian rail infrastructure sector.

Construction has started on Bradfield City’s Second Building as a $1 billion industrial estate receives planning approval in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. The purpose-designed, 7,000-square-metre Second Building will house Australia’s first commercial Semiconductor Advanced Packaging Facility. The facility will give local businesses access to semiconductor packaging, microelectronics and precision manufacturing capabilities to support the commercialisation of Australian-developed technology.

The Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed the Federal Government’s recent announcement on AI, particularly its focus on greater national coordination of data centre development. The institute’s national president, David Wagner, said data centres require strategic planning from the outset because of their effects on energy networks, water supplies and surrounding communities.

Atlassian Central has reached its full structural height of more than 180 metres in Sydney, with its project partners describing it as the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower. The 39-storey development uses a hybrid structural system combining mass timber, steel and concrete. According to the project team, the tower is about 100 metres taller than Milwaukee’s 25-storey Ascent building – the previous record holder.

Construction has begun on a 352-bed student accommodation development in Darwin’s CBD, supporting the continued expansion of Charles Darwin University (CDU). Campus Living Villages (CLV) is delivering the project in partnership with Darwin-based construction company DCOH, with completion expected in late 2028. Located at 56 Woods Street, behind CDU’s Danala campus, the development will include a mix of studio and six-bedroom apartments.

Bechtel has been appointed delivery partner for the development phase of the proposed Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail. The company will work with the High Speed Rail Authority as planning progresses for the project, which forms the first stage of a potential high-speed rail network connecting major cities along Australia’s east coast.

DYWIDAG Group has finalised its acquisition of Sydney-headquartered Interspan, including Slabtec, expanding its post-tensioning, concrete repair and structural strengthening operations. Interspan founders Don Fraser and James Laws will remain with the business and oversee its next phase of growth. The acquisition combines Interspan’s Australian workforce and project delivery capabilities with DYWIDAG’s international operations.

Rapid growth in AI infrastructure and data centre development is intensifying labour shortages across Australia and New Zealand’s construction sector, according to a new Turner & Townsend report. Now in its 17th year, Turner & Townsend’s Global Construction Market Intelligence report analyses the global construction industry using data gathered from 112 markets across 44 countries.

Octave Intelligence, an industrial software company, has launched a new initiative to equip students with practical skills for critical industries. The Octave NextGen Builders Program will prepare students to make decisions across the design, construction, operation and protection of assets, with Curtin University confirmed as the inaugural partner. Fabio Yada, vice president for Asia Pacific at Octave.

Composite slabs are an established construction method for suspended concrete slabs in commercial, industrial and multi-residential projects throughout Australia. Yet misconceptions persist about how composite action works, where it adds value and what needs to be considered to achieve optimal structural performance. By Harvey Arkcoll, national sales manager at FTI Group.