Construction & Civil: Working Smarter Through the Tight Market

Civil contractors are still flat out across regional NSW - roads, subdivisions, farm dams, utilities. But with skilled operators in short supply, everyone’s talking about how to get more done with the people they’ve got.

The Department of Employment notes “earth-moving plant operator” remains on the national shortage list. That’s pushed many crews to focus on machine efficiency - keeping idle time down, matching attachments properly, and sharing gear between teams.

Sustainability is also creeping in: councils now ask more questions about soil management and waste handling before signing off on jobs. Contractors are responding with improved site planning and cleaner practices, including less double-handling and increased recycling.

Many crews are also relying on light material buckets for the everyday clean-ups - shifting soil and debris quickly without swapping out machines. On mixed ag and civil jobs, the same gear often ends up moving grain or feed one week, and site spoil the next. That sort of crossover use is becoming the new normal in regional contracting.

If you’re running projects into 2026, the key will be adaptability. Jobs are more varied, margins are tighter, and the gear’s got to suit multiple tasks. A well-set-up loader can switch from clearing to loading to cleanup without skipping a beat - and that’s what keeps projects moving.