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NewsAurecon to help Future Forgeworks build Queensland’s first low-emission steel mill

9 July 2026 | 2 min

Asia Pacific engineering consultancy Aurecon has been appointed by advanced steel manufacturer Future Forgeworks as owner’s engineer for the Swanbank Steel Mill project that will bring low-emissions steel to Queensland.

Located in Ipswich, the Swanbank Steel Mill will convert end-of-life consumer goods like vehicles and washing machines into low-emissions steel that can be used for homes and Olympic-scale infrastructure.

Pat Burke, Chief Operating Officer, Future Forgeworks and Michael Argent, Managing Director, Resources - Australia, Aurecon during the contract signing for Aurecon’s appointment as owner’s engineer for the Swanbank Steel Mill project.

Aurecon will support the project’s engineering, procurement and construction team across engineering, construction management, project management office and operational readiness. Aurecon will also manage grid connection, utilities and procurement activities, providing central governance and interface management to accelerate the timeline to production.

This appointment builds on Aurecon and Future Forgeworks’ successful partnership from 2024 to 2025, when Aurecon delivered early engineering, technical assessments and development approvals for the project.

Aurecon's Michael Argent, Managing Director, Resources, said that Aurecon will bring the same level of technical expertise, domain experience, and reliability to ensure timely and efficient project delivery.

“We are pleased to continue our support of Future Forgeworks as they edge closer to bringing low-emissions steelmaking to life in Queensland. Our commitment remains the same, bringing our integrated engineering expertise to help our client ensure the project is delivered with the highest quality, supports its goal for first steel production by 2028, and makes a lasting difference for the communities it will serve.”

Pat Burke, Chief Operating Officer, Future Forgeworks added that Aurecon will strengthen the delivery capability behind the project and ensure the steel mill’s operational efficiency for many years.

“Aurecon’s integrated engineering approach will help us significantly de-risk the project, support on-time and on-budget delivery, and ensure its operational readiness and efficiency, putting us in the best position to deliver Australia’s first greenfield steel mill in more than 30 years.”

The project is expected to contribute AUD 100 million to the South-East Queensland economy during construction and create more than 400 construction jobs, 200 permanent on-site manufacturing roles, and over 500 jobs across the supply chain.

Once completed, Future Forgeworks said the Swanbank Steel Mill will produce 350,000 tonnes of Australian-standard reinforcing bar (rebar) each year and meet at least 90% of Queensland’s rebar demand. This will play an important role in construction activities for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games by producing cost-competitive rebar that can replace steel imports estimated at around AUD 2 billion – enough to build 72 Olympic-sized stadiums or 315,000 houses.

Additionally, the state’s steel mill emission will be reduced by over 70% by reducing the internal and interstate transport and importation of scrap metal and rebar. The mill is expected to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.