November 3, 2025
Welcome to the November edition of Projects & Construction Monthly.
This edition addresses:
- Recent Construction News;
- Legislation Updates;
- LPC Lawyers’ recently completed article ‘Mitigating Your Loss: What it Means and Why It Matters’; and
- Opportunities to join the LPC Lawyers’ team.
Recent Construction News
Critical Safety Upgrades Commence on Warrego Highway
The Queensland Government has commenced work on priority safety upgrades for a 60-kilometre stretch of the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Dalby. This project, delivered under the Targeted Road Safety Program, is a critical step towards a safer and more efficient key national freight corridor. The safety improvements include road widening, flattening road edges, installing new signage and line marking. Detailed design was completed in September 2025, with construction expected to begin in late 2025/early 2026 and continue into 2026.
North Coast Rail Line Receives Multi-Million-Dollar Maintenance Makeover
Queensland Rail has delivered significant infrastructure works along its North Coast rail line, the approximately 1,435-kilometre long corridor linking Brisbane and Cairns. The strategic maintenance closure saw 25 teams mobilised across 18 work sites between St Lawrence and Cairns to deliver crucial upgrades, including major works on track, rail bridges, and level crossings. The scope of renewal included replacing 1,740 sleepers between Townsville and Cairns, undertaking necessary timber bridge repairs, and completing the renewal of 3.5 kilometres of track located north of Cardwell. This substantial investment is designed to secure the reliability and longevity of this essential artery for both passenger and freight services across Far North, North, and Central Queensland.
Pimpama Station Opens on Gold Coast Line
The Pimpama station, a significant new addition to the South East Queensland rail network, began operating on Monday, October 20, 2025. This opening marks the first new station on the network in nearly ten years.
The modern facility on the Gold Coast line is fully accessible and designed for ease of use. Key features include:
- 380 car parks;
- a pedestrian overpass; and
- lifts providing access to and from each platform.
Pimpama Station is part of a package of three new stations, including new station to open in Hope Island and Merrimac.
New Milestone in Brisbane Domestic Terminal Transformation
Brisbane Airport’s $5 billion Future BNE transformation achieved a critical operational milestone with the launch of the new northern security screening point on October 28, 2025. This facility features five security lanes equipped with Rapiscan CT (Computed Tomography) screening technology, a significant upgrade that allows Qantas passengers to keep personal electronics and aerosols inside their carry-on luggage, resulting in a quicker, more secure screening process.
Simultaneously, construction is advancing on a new, central screening area located on a four tennis court-sized mezzanine level in the Domestic Terminal, which will feature ten new lanes for other travellers and is expected to open just prior to the busy Christmas travel period.
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025 Signals Major Contractual Shift
The Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025 signals a strategic pivot for infrastructure delivery, securing a substantial pipeline of works for the construction sector. The government’s new fiscal strategy focuses on leveraging private capital over state funding by establishing the QIC Investor Gateway and the $400 million Energy Investment Fund. This mechanism is designed to guarantee the flow of investment into new gas generation, battery storage, and critical transmission projects. Consequently, industry players must prioritise adapting to the required new funding arrangements and contractual risk transfer to secure these new mandates.
Legislation changes
Streamlining Work Health and Safety Notifications
The Queensland Government has enacted changes concerning the disclosure of information between the WHS Regulator and specific industry representatives, including Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and WHS Entry Permit Holders. Specifically, the government has repealed previously passed legislative amendments that were due to commence in March 2026 regarding information-sharing procedures for these parties. The stated purpose of this legislative action is to simplify regulatory functions and further align Queensland’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) framework with the national model laws.
LPC Lawyers’ recently completed article ‘Mitigating Your Loss: What it Means and Why It Matters’
LPC Lawyers’ newest article provides a crucial examination of the duty to mitigate, the core common law principle which can impact the extent of damages recoverable in a construction dispute.
The duty to mitigate your loss requires that an injured party take reasonable steps to minimise their losses following a breach. Critically, if you fail to act prudently, a court may reduce the final damages award, regardless of who caused the initial damage. The article details the practical application of the reasonableness standard, clarifies why the costs incurred in taking necessary mitigation steps are recoverable, and explains the distinction between the common law standard and higher obligations imposed under the contract. Understanding these legal thresholds is vital to ensure protection in a project and to maximise potential recovery.
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.