Difficulties implementing mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) are slowing housing projects, with a Home Builders Federation survey of 80 firms finding 84% still struggle with BNG and 80% reporting planning delays while local authorities review biodiversity assessments. Sixty per cent said BNG has deterred them from pursuing sites that would previously have been viable, citing policy uncertainty, inconsistent application of requirements and cumulative regulatory cost. Some capacity issues are easing, with reported shortages of in-house expertise down from 79% to 66% and adequate off-site biodiversity unit supply up from 31% to 47%.

Western Australia is moving to tighten transparency across its diesel and fuel supply chain to protect mine productivity, with new reporting obligations on wholesalers and critical infrastructure operators after recent shipping disruptions and refinery closures. The measures focus on real‑time visibility of stock levels, import routes and storage at key hubs such as Kwinana and Port Hedland, aiming to reduce unplanned shutdown risk for large open‑pit iron ore and gold operations that rely on continuous haul‑truck and power‑generation fuel. For mine planners and operators, the changes signal closer scrutiny of fuel contingency planning, on‑site storage capacity and contract diversification.

National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (Nista) CEO Becky Wood marks the body’s first year by stressing its role in setting long-term, cross-sector infrastructure priorities and giving earlier, clearer signals to project promoters. She points to Nista’s statutory remit to advise on nationally significant schemes and its work to align major rail, road and energy investments with a single pipeline. For consultants and contractors, this signals more emphasis on whole-life value, standardised business cases and earlier engagement on scheme scope and risk.