The re-election of the South Australian Labor Government has cleared the political path for long-delayed mining reforms, with industry leaders pressing for streamlined approvals under the Mining Act and faster processing of Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) submissions. Key priorities include reducing multi-year lead times for greenfield copper and critical minerals projects in regions such as the Gawler Craton and Coober Pedy, and improving coordination between state planning, native title negotiations and environmental regulation. For geotechnical and mine planners, any statutory time limits or clearer PEPR requirements could materially change front-end study schedules and risk allocation in feasibility work.

Mandatory sharing of ground investigation data under the proposed Geotechnical Data Sharing Bill is “critical” to cutting project cost and risk, AtkinsRéalis geotechnical engineer and Engineering Geology chair Dr Jacqueline Skipper told NCE. Skipper argues that making borehole logs, in situ test results and laboratory data publicly accessible would reduce duplicated site investigations, improve desk studies and help identify legacy hazards earlier in design. For contractors and consultants, she says the Bill could materially change tender pricing, contingency allowances and early-stage geotechnical risk allocation.

The Federation of Master Builders is urging the UK government to introduce mandatory licensing for all building trades as part of reforms to create a Single Construction Regulator, arguing current “halfway house” measures leave “vast gaps of no regulation”. Chief executive Brian Berry says responsible SMEs are being undercut by rogue traders operating with little oversight, causing serious financial and emotional harm to homeowners. The FMB wants the new regulator’s scope expanded to administer a state‑controlled licensing scheme that sets a clear competence baseline and strengthens enforcement.