April 10, 2026
Welcome to the April edition of Projects & Construction Monthly.
This edition addresses:
- Recent Construction News;
- Changes to QBCC Guidelines (Direction to Rectify);
- LPC Lawyers’ recently completed article ‘When the Completion Date Isn’t Changing but the Programme is… Accelerate!’; and
- Opportunities to join the LPC Lawyers’ team.
Recent Construction News
Crowne Plaza Maroochydore
Late last year, the Sunshine Coast Council approved plans for Crowne Plaza Maroochydore, a $150 million luxury residential and hotel development overlooking the Maroochy River. The project is intended to help close the gap in quality hotel room supply as demand from tourism and travel continues to increase.
Construction is set to commence in April 2026 ahead of the planned opening in 2028. Once complete, the hotel will feature 180 guest rooms, a 600m2 ballroom, gym, pool and spa, as well as a number of food and beverage venues.
As Michael Maroun, director at Felix Capital said, “Crowne Plaza will provide much-needed leisure and business tourism accommodation as well as community entertainment facilities for the region when it opens in 2028”.
Gateway to Bruce Upgrade (G2BU)
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is progressing a staged program of upgrades to the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway across the north Brisbane and southern Moreton Bay region. These important infrastructure works are designed to meet increasing traffic volumes and improve safety along key transport routes.
Stage 1 of the project includes:
- Additional lanes on the Gateway Motorway;
- Improved connections to Bracken Ridge Road and Deagon Deviation;
- Upgrades to the Gateway Motorway curve at Bracken Ridge;
- Replacing the Wyampa Road overpass;
- Staged improvements to the Gateway Motorway, Bruce Highway and Gympie Arterial Road interchange;
- Shared active transport pathways; and
- Wildlife protection fencing and underpasses.
Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026, pending environmental approvals. For more information, see here.
Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project
Seqwater is undertaking works to Noosa’s Lake Macdonald (Six Mile Creek) Dam to reduce risks associated with extreme weather events, achieve regulatory compliance and ensure safe functioning. This will include the construction of a temporary upstream cofferdam and a new spillway, as well as the reconstruction of existing earth embankments.
Upgrades at the intersection of Elm Street and Lake Macdonald Drive are set to commence from 7 April 2026 and are estimated to take approximately 12 weeks (subject to weather conditions). Specifically, the upgrade will widen the intersection to ensure heavy vehicles can safely turn in and out of Lake Macdonald Drive. See here for further information.
Changes to QBCC Guidelines – Direction to Rectify
In light of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s (‘QBCC’) findings in October last year regarding the importance of clear, consistent accountability for defective work across the building and construction industry, the QBCC has refined how it applies its existing powers under the Direction to Rectify (‘DTR’) process.
The updated guidelines will include a more evidence-based approach, with responsibility for defective work determined and supported by evidence. This, however, does not mean that legislation has changed. It simply clarifies the existing DTR process, including the order in which DTRs will be considered and the evidence required to support fair and consistent decisions.
From 30 March 2026, all licensees must:
- Deliver work to a high standard;
- Keep evidence as they go (e.g., photos, notes and agreements); and
- Retain records that show scope and responsibility.
Principal contractors, in particular, must:
- Use regulated subcontract agreements with clear scope descriptions;
- Keep payment records and defect notifications;
- Notify subcontractors of alleged defects;
- Invite relevant licensees to QBCC inspections; and
- Engage early if issues arise.
Not complying with a DTR can result in consequences such as demerit points to a contractor’s license, prosecution in a tribunal or court, penalties, or disciplinary action. For more information, the QBCC has provided a number of newsletter content, social media posts and tiles on these changes. These are accessible here.
LPC Lawyers’ Recently Completed Article ‘When the Completion Date Isn’t Changing but the Programme is… Accelerate!’
While traditional contractual mechanisms such as extensions of time and liquidated damages provide a framework for dealing with delay, they are often insufficient in projects where the completion date is fixed (for example, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics). In those circumstances, the focus shifts from simply allocating delay risk to actively managing time, often through acceleration and commercial compromise. Read more 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.