Government plans a “once‑in‑a‑generation” overhaul of England’s water sector, proposing a new regulator with an in‑house chief engineer to tighten technical scrutiny of ageing treatment works, trunk mains and sewer networks. The reforms aim for earlier intervention on failing assets, with stronger powers to act before service reservoirs, pumping stations or CSO outfalls reach critical condition. Measures will target reduced pollution incidents and lower household bills, signalling tougher performance requirements for leakage control, storm overflow management and long‑term asset resilience.

Regulatory uncertainty around approvals and land access is emerging as a major bottleneck for Australia’s critical minerals sector, prompting the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) to urge the Federal Government to streamline overlapping state–federal processes. ADIA is pushing for clearer, faster pathways for exploration drilling permits, native title and environmental approvals to support projects targeting lithium, rare earths and other battery metals. For geotechnical and drilling contractors, the message is that mobilisation schedules, rig utilisation and investment in new equipment will hinge increasingly on predictable regulatory timeframes rather than purely geological risk.

The Canadian Infrastructure Bank is shifting its C$18 billion mandate towards critical minerals, starting with a C$55 million bridge loan and a potential C$500 million follow-on facility for Torngat Metals’ C$2 billion Strange Lake rare earths project in remote Nunavik, Quebec. The bank plans to co-invest in transport and power infrastructure and may use contracts for difference and offtake-backed structures to de-risk revenue for feasibility-stage projects across Canada’s 34 listed critical minerals. Memoranda of understanding in Manitoba, British Columbia’s Golden Triangle and Saguenay target integrated road, rail, port and industrial hub planning with Indigenous and provincial partners.