Plenty on the go in this week’s edition : A new bit of simulation kit by WEM Civil making waves for their plant training, some solid wins on big projects, fresh hiring news, and a look at what recent industry moves could mean for the months ahead. We’ve even thrown in a quick blog read for those keen on big-picture lessons from major builds.

⏳ This weeks edition takes 6 minutes to read.

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WEM Civil has unveiled a new CAT Plant Training Simulator, giving operators a safe, virtual space to build machine-handling skills. From dump trucks to dozers, the simulator is designed to improve safety, speed up onboarding, reduce downtime, and support structured development. The initiative is part of WEM’s push to train smarter and attract top-tier talent into the civil workforce. Check it out in action here.

After more than 40 years operating as Diona, the company has announced it will rebrand to SRG Global Utilities on August 18. The move aligns Diona’s legacy with the scale and capability of SRG Global, reinforcing its focus on essential infrastructure for water security and the energy transition. While the name changes, the team, values, and delivery promise remain the same. View story on LinkedIn

John Holland’s redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium has been named State Development of the Year at the 2025 Property Council of Australia Awards. The project was delivered in partnership with Infrastructure NSW and Venues NSW, and recognised for its innovation, execution, and long-term community impact. With the state award secured, the team now has its sights set on the National Awards this September. Check it out here.

Delaney Civil has completed a key milestone in the Thomas James Bridge Restoration Project, successfully installing all bridge planks in a single day. The team is now progressing with approach slab works, backfilling, and reinstating the original heritage stone wall. Once complete, traffic will shift from the bypass back onto the bridge. The restoration is being delivered for Hawkesbury City Council following flood damage. Watch the video of the installation here.

Thiess brought together its graduates and cadets from across Australia for the 2025 Graduate Development Days. Held at the Thiess Centre and Darra CRC, the event featured leadership workshops, site tours, and insights from senior leaders. Attendees came from a wide range of technical and corporate disciplines. Mining Engineer Cadet Jaspreet Kaushal shared how Thiess supported his journey from operator to engineer. The program, delivered with support from the Thiess Institute, aims to build long-term capability across the business. Check out the day here.

Menai Civil is on the lookout for an experienced Civil Estimator to join their team in Campbelltown, Sydney. The full-time role involves managing the complete tendering process from initial bid to handover on major projects including TfNSW works, subdivisions, and complex infrastructure. Candidates should have strong estimating experience and a background in first principles.

🔎 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eESBiJ4H

Eire Constructions is expanding and hiring Project Engineers in Sydney, Newcastle/Hunter, and the Central Coast. The team is looking for motivated professionals who align with their values of safety, execution, collaboration, and family culture.

Learn more here

📩 Apply by sending your CV to: [email protected]

The new $85 million Mandorah marine facilities project in the Northern Territory is officially open and they wrapped it up ahead of deadline. The floating pontoon, ferry terminal, carpark, bus area and breakwaters were built by SMC Marine with 90% local subbies.
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Why it matters:
Marine civils often rely on local supply chains. This project shows what hitting milestones and working with regional subs looks like and sets a playbook for similar coastal or remote work.

Boral has doubled its profit margins and lifted returns under new management. They're squeezing more out of existing assets, not through revenue, but smarter capital use and sharp operations. Their operating margin now sits at 13%.
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Why it matters:
Margins still under pressure. If Boral can turn the dial by better managing what they’ve got, so can savvy subcontractors. It’s not just about rates it’s how you run the job.

Australia is staring down a $140 billion productivity hole. Apprenticeship starts are down 30%, and overall productivity's dropped nearly 6% since 2022. The industry wants $4–5 billion in wage subsidies to shore it up.
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Why it matters:
Labour is your biggest cost and your biggest bottleneck. Dropping starts and poor productivity means more stretch on margins. If subsidy or training programs roll out, get your juniors in line early.

In a blog article from a couple of weeks ago, we explored two of Sydney’s most significant capital infrastructure projects of the 21st century and what subcontractors can learn from them.

Thanks for reading the first edition of The Civil Debrief. We’re just getting this rolling, so if you’ve got thoughts, feedback, or ideas hit reply, we’d love to hear them.

Also, if you’re working at a civil subcontractor and want to tighten up your delay claims, we’re opening up early access to DelaySolve for 3 companies.

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👉 Get Early Access : www.delaysolve.com

Talk soon,

The DelaySolve Team