Beca is supporting the delivery of the Swanbank Steel Mill in Queensland, working alongside Future Forgeworks, UGL and CPB Contractors, to help bring a new chapter of Australian manufacturing to life.
The project will see the development of a low-emissions steel facility at Swanbank, Ipswich, with Beca leading engineering and design as part of the project’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partnership.
Once complete, the mill is expected to produce reinforcing steel used across Australia’s infrastructure sector, supporting construction demand while contributing to lower-carbon outcomes.
Strengthening local capability
The Swanbank Steel Mill represents an important investment in Queensland’s industrial future and a significant milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector. As the country’s first new steel mill in more than 30 years, it marks a step towards rebuilding local capability and reducing reliance on imported materials.
Located in Ipswich, the facility will transform locally sourced scrap steel — including end-of-life vehicles, demolition materials and household appliances — into new reinforcing steel products, supporting a more circular approach to materials production.
It comes at a time of growing demand for construction materials, including ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and reflects a broader shift towards strengthening domestic supply chains and building more resilient local industry.
Through its use of modern steelmaking technologies, the project also supports industry efforts to reduce emissions in one of the more challenging sectors to decarbonise.
Delivering through partnership
Beca has been working closely with project partners since early 2026 to support the development of engineering design and project delivery planning.
The partnership brings together experience across engineering, construction and operations, with a shared focus on safety, constructability and long-term performance.
Working in collaboration with Future Forgeworks, UGL, CPB Contractors and Aurecon (as Owner’s Engineer), the team is helping shape a project designed to deliver lasting value for Queensland and Australia.
Creating long-term value
Projects like the Swanbank Steel Mill play an important role in supporting the future of Australian manufacturing — helping to grow local capability, support critical infrastructure delivery, and enable more sustainable approaches to materials production.
“Future Forgeworks has selected UGL and CPB Contractors as our ECI partner, along with their design partner, Beca, as they are one of the most experienced Australian-based teams with current proven heavy industrial and steel construction experience. They also have a strong track record of delivering on time to the highest quality standards.”
Rohan Richardson,
CEO, Future Forgeworks.