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News Plans to build two of the largest towers in the Sydney CBD have been given the go-ahead. The City of Sydney has approved plans for its $3.5 billion Castlereagh Place project. Set upon a 5,000 square meter site that was acquired by joint venture partners Billbergia Group and Metrics Credit Partners in 2024, the development aims to transform an underutilised city block into a landmark mixed-use destination.

Cargo planes have begun to try out Australia’s first new international airport in 50 years. As Sydney’s second international airport prepares to open to cargo traffic later this month, the first freighter has touched down at the Western Sydney International Airport Cargo Precinct. This was the first of a series of trial flights which are being undertaken in preparation for the airport’s opening to cargo traffic on July 26.

Australia needs a permanent solution in relation to the fire safety testing of building products and systems following the announcement of a six-month extension to the lifespan of a major fire testing facility in Sydney. According to media reports, the CSIRO has indicated that it will extend its lease on its North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory by six months. As a result, the planned closure of the facility has now reportedly been pushed back from December this year to June next year.

Building commenced on fewer homes throughout Australia in the March quarter following a spike in housing starts over the last three months of 2025, new data shows.But the trend for nation’s home building market remains broadly positive. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the March quarter edition of its Building Activity report.

The Questions Architects Should Be Asking Few issues carry greater reputational risk for the construction industry today than sustainability claims that cannot withstand scrutiny. From discussions with industry colleagues, observations on construction sites, and growing dialogue with ESG managers across the built environment, it is becoming increasingly clear that many sustainability claims attached to building products are difficult to verify once projects move from specification to procurement.

Australia’s construction industry is raising the alarm about the planned closure of a major testing laboratory in Sydney, warning that its loss would halve the nation’s fire testing capability for building products and have serious implications for building quality and safety, innovation, project development and new housing delivery. (image: CSIRO) In May, the CSIRO said that it would close its North Ryde Fire Technology Laboraatory in December.

It’s not every day that you see a piece of draft legislation that is not the product of government. However, that is what the International Building Quality Centre (IBQC) has done with the release of a Model Building Act (the Act) for an international audience. This is not symbolism. Rather, it is a practical tool. It can be used by either: jurisdictions that do not have a history of building control (often in emerging economies) and who wish to develop an effective building regulation framework.

Ground has broken on South Australia’s biggest infrastructure project. Tunnelling has commenced on the $15.4 billion River Torrens to Darlington Project. Set to open in 2031, the project will deliver the final section of the 78km North-South Corridor project. Once complete, motorists will be able to travel non-stop, traffic light free on the motorway from Gawler in Adelaide’s northern suburbs to Old Noarlunga.

News Confidence in Victoria’s property industry has fallen to near record lows, a new survey shows. And industry participants are damming in their assessment of the state government just months out from October’s election. The Property Council of Australia and construction management software provider Procore have released the June quarter edition of their Procore/Property Council Property Industry Sentiment Survey.

News A pioneering cultural centre for First Nations’ Australians in Queensland has been given the inaugural visionary award as the best biophilic projects in Australia and New Zealand have been unveiled. (image source: Cox Architecture) And an architectural-designed family home that was immersed in nature along with an inventive residential renovation have also been recognis3ed. Living Future Oceania has unveiled the winners of its 2026 Living Future Oceana Biophilic Design Awards.