March 3, 2026
Welcome to the March edition of Projects & Construction Monthly.
This edition addresses:
- Recent Construction News;
- Building Regulation Renovation Tranche 3 Delivered;
- LPC Lawyers’ recently published article ‘Knowing Your Time Bars – Contractual Notice Requirements’; and
- Opportunities to join the LPC Lawyers’ team.
Recent Construction News
Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project
Design and construction have commenced on the $5.75 billion Loagan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project.
The ActivUs Alliance was awarded the contract in 2025. The alliance partners comprise of CPB Contractors, UGL, Acciona, SMEC and WSP, which are working alongside the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail.
The project will increase the capacity and frequency of services between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, in preparation for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and to support projected population growth across Queensland.
Depot at the Port of Mackay
Construction has begun on a new 1.3-hectare container depot at the Port of Mackay.
The project is being delivered by North Queensland Bulk Ports and will enable regular containerised imports and exports to operate directly through Mackay for the first time.
Construction is due to finish by the end of the year.
Bowen State Boat Harbour
Planning has commenced on a master plan for Bowen State Boat Harbour in the Northern Whitsunday region.
The Queensland Government has appointed engineering and advisory firm Arup to develop the master plan.
The master plan will include a strategic framework to guide future infrastructure investment, support economic growth and improve harbor operations.
Consultations with the community will begin later in 2026 and the feedback will be used to help shape the final master plan.
Building Regulation Renovation Tranche 3 Delivered
Tranche 3 of the Building Regulation Renovation (Building Reg Reno) was rolled out on 1 February 2026. This tranche includes changes that modernise how the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) communicates with its licensees and a simpler way to report safety incidents on worksites.
Background
The Queensland Government announced the launch of the Building Reg Reno on 10 February 2025. The initiative was designed to streamline the building process in Queensland, boost productivity and safeguard investment. The Building Reg Reno is being delivered progressively in tranches. Tranches 1 and 2 were rolled out in March 2025.
The changes for Tranche 3 are summarised below. The amendments apply to all QBCC licensees and future licensees. They are contained in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025.
Email is now the QBCC’s preferred way of issuing notices and important correspondence. Licensees have a requirement to keep the QBCC updated with changes to their email address, within 14 days of making a change. A penalty of up to 10 penalty units may apply for failing to comply.
Nonetheless, the QBCC will continue to use other communications as necessary and will work with licensees to support the changes.
Safety Reporting
Licensees only need to report safety incidents to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). They will no longer be required to report to QBCC and WHSQ separately.
The penalty for failing to report serious incidents to WHSQ has increased from 80 to 100 penalty units.
Application Process
Tranche 3 also brings streamlined license application processes. The following updates have been applied to the licensing application forms:
- Forms can be submitted via email;
- Digital signatures are accepted;
- The ID and photo requirements are simpler; and
- Credit card fields have been removed, and new secure payment methods have been introduced.
Tranche 4
The Queensland Government is currently considering further proposed legislative changes under Tranche 4.
LPC Lawyers’ recently published article ‘Knowing Your Time Bars – Contractual Notice Requirements’
LPC Lawyers’ newest article explores time bars. In essence, time bars function as a contractual mechanism to require a party (typically the contractor or downstream party) to raise claims or issue notices within a specific timeframe.
The article gives an overview of what time bars are, reasons why they should be included in a contract and their enforceability. The article wraps up with a practical example of the operation of time bars. The risk of failing to comply with time bars is illustrated through the recent arbitration between the CPB Dragados Samsung Joint Venture and Heyday.
Read the full article here.
LPC Lawyers’ Continued Expansion
LPC Lawyers is looking to hire with opportunities for growth in our expanding practice.
Litigation Lawyers (1-3 years PAE)
Working closely with an ex-top tier partner, this role is ideal for a candidate who is highly motivated and has experience in drafting correspondence, simple pleadings, briefs for Counsel, and some client advisory work.
For more information about our current opportunities visit our website here or to apply, please email your resume and cover letter to Jenna at Jenna@lpclawyers.com.