# Australia daily digest — 3 Nov 2026

The Reserve Bank of Australia led the day, with its Monetary Policy Board raising the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.85 per cent in a majority decision. In New South Wales, construction began on the $180 million Heathcote Road upgrade and the first Western Harbour Tunnel boring machine neared its halfway mark. Queensland marked the topping out of the Ipswich Hospital expansion, which will add 200 beds.

Source-local date: Tuesday 3 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney). 4 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/au/2026-11-03/

## Releases

### [Major Milestone for Heathcote Road Upgrade: Construction begins on $180 million project](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02590-major-milestone-for-heathcote-road-upgrade-construction-begins-on-180-03112026.html)

Issued by: Ryan Park, Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast; Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Roads · Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/major-milestone-for-heathcote-road-upgrade-construction-begins-on-180-million-project

Construction has begun on the NSW Government's $180 million Heathcote Road upgrade in southern Sydney, used by more than 28,000 motorists each day. The project adds 900 metres of westbound overtaking lane between the Woronora River bridge and New Illawarra Road, creating a continuous 2.5-kilometre overtaking section. Fauna fencing and thermal drone surveys will protect koalas and other wildlife, and construction is expected to take around two years.

### [Full steam ahead on Western Harbour Tunnel as boring machines near halfway mark](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02589-full-steam-ahead-on-western-harbour-tunnel-as-boring-machines-near-03112026.html)

Issued by: Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Roads · Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/full-steam-ahead-on-western-harbour-tunnel-as-boring-machines-near-halfway-mark

The first of two tunnel boring machines on Sydney's Western Harbour Tunnel is set to reach the halfway point of its journey from Birchgrove to Waverton, while excavation of two underground chambers at Waverton is complete. The chambers, up to 23 metres high and 35 metres wide, will receive the machines after they finish the final 1.5-kilometre stretch beneath the harbour. The tunnel remains on track to open to traffic in 2028.

### [Ipswich Hospital expansion progresses under Hospital Rescue Plan](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02588-ipswich-hospital-expansion-progresses-under-hospital-rescue-plan-03112026.html)

Issued by: Tim Nicholls, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services · Original source: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/106339

The Ipswich Hospital expansion in Queensland has been topped out, marking completion of the main building structure and the halfway point of construction. The project will deliver 200 additional beds, an expanded emergency department, six new operating theatres, cardiac catheterisation labs and a multi-level carpark, with completion expected in early 2028. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the project was on track after a review found earlier delays and a $215 million cost blowout.

### [Statement by the Monetary Policy Board: Monetary Policy Decision](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02586-statement-by-the-monetary-policy-board-monetary-policy-decision-03112026.html)

Issued by: Reserve Bank of Australia · Original source: https://www.rba.gov.au/media-releases/2026/mr-26-30.html

The Reserve Bank of Australia's Monetary Policy Board raised the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.85 per cent. The Board said inflation remains elevated and broadly based, with higher fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict and tighter capacity pressures, and inflation is now expected to stay above 3 per cent for the coming year. The decision was by majority, with six members voting to raise and three to hold at 4.60 per cent.

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