This is the 6th edition of The Civil Debrief, and the momentum across Australia’s infrastructure sector remains strong. From metro and rail upgrades to new energy and community projects, contractors are hitting milestones while industry leaders gain national recognition. We also spotlight fresh hiring opportunities and key headlines shaping the pipeline.

⏳ This week’s edition should take between 5 minutes 3 seconds and 5 minutes 48 seconds to read at an average pace.

Only got 30 seconds? Here’s the TLDR:

🦺 Zinfra named finalist at the 2025 National Safety Awards

🚂 Abergeldie progresses Southern Highlands rail upgrades

⚡ TOBCO completes hurdle installations on Project Energy Connect

🏗️ Kane Constructions breaks ground on Cobblebank Community Hub

🚆 John Holland hits milestones on Sydney Metro

👷‍♂️ Hiring: WEM Civil (multiple roles) and Convil Group (Graduate / Junior Civil Engineer, Sydney)

📰 Headlines: New Derwent River Bridge opens, Lithgow rail yard flagged for green reuse, Adelaide Market Square tower hits market

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Zinfra has been recognised as a finalist in the 2025 National Safety Awards of Excellence for its “Where’s Your Head At?” campaign. Inspired by the Basement Jaxx song, the initiative targeted key risks such as distraction, vehicle safety, hand injuries, and apprentice safety. Using visuals, music, and hands-on activities, the campaign reduced injuries and earned strong feedback from field teams. Zinfra credits the effort with driving meaningful safety improvements across its workforce.

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Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure is progressing works on the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities project for the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). At Werai, signalling cable installations are nearing completion with testing underway, while at Joppa, prebuilds for the 104 and 105 crossovers have been completed ahead of major commissioning. Once finished, the upgrades will allow freight trains up to 1,800m to overtake safely, improving reliability and efficiency across the network.

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TOBCO has completed all L2 hurdle installations on Project Energy Connect, with the site now ready for stringing. Crews delivered the work under tight deadlines, ensuring the client’s project schedule stayed on track. The milestone demonstrates TOBCO’s capability in supporting Australia’s expanding energy infrastructure through precise delivery in complex environments.

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Kane Constructions has commenced works on the six-level Cobblebank Community Services Hub in Melbourne. The facility will deliver mental health, disability, refugee, and family support services for the Melton community. Funded by $15 million from the Australian Government’s Thriving Suburbs Program and $4.6 million from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburb Fund, the hub aims to bring essential health and wellbeing services closer to home. Kane is working with Melton City Council, RP Infrastructure, and DesignInc Melbourne on the project.

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John Holland reports strong progress on Sydney Metro after twelve months of operation in the City section, run with Metro Trains Sydney, delivering nearly 67 million passenger trips with almost 100% on-time running. In joint venture with Laing O’Rourke, the team has reached two-thirds completion on the Southwest Metro Conversion and Station Works package. Works include track realignment, structural upgrades, platform strengthening, and restoration of heritage features. Key stats: 26 km of track grinding, 5,000 m of overhead wire, 6 km of cable baskets, and removal of 75 km of redundant cabling.

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WEM Civil is recruiting for Engineers, Site Supervisors, Project Surveyors, and Project Managers. Applications can be submitted directly through their careers portal.

🔗 Apply here

Council Group is recruiting a Graduate / Junior Civil Engineer in Sydney. The role involves supporting planning, coordination, and delivery of civil construction projects, with opportunities for mentorship and career progression. Candidates should be studying or recently graduated in Civil Engineering and based in NSW.

🔗 Apply here

🌉 Tasmania opens new Derwent River Bridge

The Bridgewater Bridge in Hobart, Tasmania is a 1.2 km concrete box girder structure carrying four lanes plus foot and cycle access. It replaces the aging 1946 truss lift bridge, provides over 16 m of marine clearance, and serves around 22,000 trips daily. The $786 million project was jointly funded by federal and state governments and delivered by McConnell Dowell.

Why it matters: This is a major connectivity upgrade for Tasmania. It improves traffic flow, safety, and reliability across a critical artery. The new bridge removes delays from the old lift bridge and supports future transport growth.

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🚉 Lithgow rail yard put forward as green infrastructure hub

New South Wales’ historic Lithgow locomotive workshop is a 11.6 ha underused rail yard now listed for sale for $35 million. Stakeholders and experts are proposing it be transformed into a rail innovation and low emission manufacturing centre, supporting electric vehicle retrofitting and regional rail capability. State and federal governments are considering acquisition.

Why it matters: Re-purposing this site aligns with national rail policy that favors local manufacturing. It could provide green jobs, reduce dependence on imported maintenance, and revitalise regional industry.

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🏢 Adelaide’s Market Square $200M office tower goes to market

A nine storey A grade office tower in Adelaide’s Market Square precinct is on the market. The $200 million project is part of a $400 million mixed use development. With 57% of 23,000 sqm pre leased to tenants including Thomson Geer and government departments, completion is expected by late 2026. CBRE is managing the sale.

Why it matters: This represents significant commercial infrastructure investment in Adelaide. It shows confidence in the city’s office market and supports precinct revitalisation with retail, hospitality, and green space integration.

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Thanks for reading this weeks edition of The Civil Debrief. We’re still 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 pilots to DelaySolve for 3 companies.

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The DelaySolve Team