Newport - Project Completion
September 2026
A Decade of Delivery: Shadforth Completes Newport
After more than a decade on site, Shadforth has reached a major milestone at Newport, completing the final piece of infrastructure across one of our longest-running civil construction projects.
Since commencing works in November 2015, Shadforth has helped transform 144 hectares into the Newport community, delivering all 68 stages and more than a quarter of a billion dollars in civil infrastructure supporting over 2,000 homes.
Now, with Peninsula Park completed and handed over to City of Moreton Bay, the final piece of infrastructure has been delivered, bringing more than 10 years of construction at Newport to a close.
Building Newport from the Ground Up
The scale of Newport has made it a significant project in Shadforth’s history.
At the heart of the community is a 22-hectare communal lake containing approximately two million cubic metres of water and connecting to Moreton Bay through a lock and weir system.
Across the development, Shadforth moved approximately 3.95 million cubic metres of material, including 1.95 million cubic metres excavated to create the lake. The team also constructed approximately 3.3 kilometres of revetment wall and relocated more than 1.06 million cubic metres of preload across the project.
At peak construction, up to 210 people and 105 machines were working across Newport at any one time, requiring careful coordination, communication and planning across a constantly evolving project footprint.
Adapting to Deliver
Over more than a decade, the needs of the development continued to evolve. Working closely with Stockland and project stakeholders, our team regularly restructured and re-sequenced works to accelerate the program, provide earlier access and respond to changing priorities.
One of the most significant examples was the delivery of the lake. Originally planned to be opened in a single release, Shadforth developed and implemented a bund system that enabled sections of the waterfront to be delivered earlier. The eventual removal of the bund wall and opening of the completed lake brought together years of planning and construction and marked an important milestone for the wider development.
Managing a Complex Environment
With Newport positioned alongside Moreton Bay, Jabiru Canal and internationally significant Ramsar wetlands, environmental management has been central to project delivery.
The team successfully worked through challenging ground conditions, including acid sulfate soils and significant layers of marine mud, adapting construction methodologies while maintaining environmental requirements.
Water management was equally important. Across a large and continually changing construction footprint, the team managed dewatering, earthworks and existing canal areas while delivering the lake and surrounding infrastructure.
The completed lake incorporates two lake mixers, a salinity rising main and multiple gross pollutant traps to support circulation and water quality.
Innovation Across a Decade
Newport has also provided an opportunity to trial, develop and implement new technologies, products and construction methods as the civil construction industry has evolved.
Across the project, this included recycled asphalt and other recycled materials, solar technology, biodiesels, telemetry, digital overlays, evolving GPS technology and data collection and tracking systems.
Drones became an important communication and technical tool, progressing well beyond capturing aerial imagery. They were used for activities including haul road fly-throughs, helping the team review layouts and visibility to support safer and more efficient site operations.
Safety at Scale
With hundreds of people and pieces of equipment operating across the development at peak periods, maintaining clear separation of work areas and strong communication was critical.
Shadforth is proud of the safety culture and performance achieved across the life of the project.
In 2018, the Newport team received Stockland’s national Sights on Safety Award, recognising the project's innovative safety practices and the team's commitment to embracing a strong safety culture and communication.
Finding Solutions to Complex Challenges
A project spanning more than 10 years inevitably brings its share of challenges. Newport experienced cyclones, flooding, extreme rainfall and severe storms throughout construction, including the significant 2022 flood events. The team continually adapted work areas, managed water and re-sequenced activities to maintain progress while protecting the site and surrounding community.
The installation of the lake mixers presented another unique construction challenge. To install a mixer within the existing lake without impacting the completed revetment wall, the team used a tunnel borer to establish a pathway beneath the wall. Divers and electricians then worked from a barge to retrieve and connect the equipment before the dive team positioned the mixer on the lake floor.
It was a great example of multiple specialised crews working together to develop a practical solution to an unusual challenge.
More Than a Project
While Newport's physical legacy can be seen across the community today, its impact on our people is just as significant.
Multiple Graduate Engineers began their careers on the project and have since progressed into senior positions within Shadforth. People who arrived at Newport as university students and young Engineers are now helping mentor the next generation coming through our business.
Over more than a decade, countless Shadforth team members have contributed to Newport, building careers, friendships and knowledge alongside the community itself.
The project has also received industry recognition. In early 2024, Stockland's Newport community was announced as the winner of the Masterplanned Communities category and a Finalist for Project of the Year at the 2023 UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence.
After 68 stages, 144 hectares, more than 2,000 homes and over a decade of construction, the completion of Peninsula Park marks the end of an incredible chapter for Shadforth.
We are proud to have worked alongside Stockland and the many people, subcontractors, suppliers and stakeholders who have contributed to Newport over the years.
For everyone at Shadforth who has played a part, Newport will remain much more than a completed project. It is a legacy of what can be achieved through long-term collaboration, innovation, adaptability and the strength of a Winning Team.
