Archived News for Engineering Professionals - January, 2012
The Western Australian Government has announced its formal support of the expansion of Esperance Port, with State Transport Minister Troy Buswell announcing plans to increase capacity by up to 20 million tonnes per annum in a staged plan.
Mr Buswell said the government would embark on a market sounding exercise to identify priate sector interest in expanding the port’s iron ore export capacity. Mr Buswell also announced that discussions with the private sector over their willingness to invest are expected to start early this year.
The Minister said the decision to expand capacity from 11 mtpa to about 20 mtpa in the first instance at Esperance Port instead of Kwinana was influenced by a recently completed study into the Yilgarn province’s burgeoning iron ore industry and the fact that $120 million was being spent to upgrade the port’s road and rail access.
Applications open for Moreton Bay bridge contracts
The Federal and Queensland governments have announced that tenders are open for construction companies to apply for two of the three road bridges associated with the $1.15 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link project.
AIGroup reports on business investment in new technologies
A report released by the Australian Industry Group, Business Investment in New Technologies, has recommended tax breaks and better collaboration between publicly funded research organisations and business to improve public sector take-up of new technologies.
SA signs up to support aerospace components industry
The South Australian Government has signed an agreement to provide assistance to BAE Systems Australia and Rosebank Engineering to establish two new aerospace component facilities at Edinburgh Parks.
Victoria announces $100 million for regional infrastructure
The Victorian Government has announced regional and rural councils will share in over $100 million for vital infrastructure in the first allocation round of the Local Government Infrastructure Program (LGIP).
Townsville Futures Plan supports rail upgrade
The Queensland Government has released the findings of a preliminary viability study into the proposed Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC) project, which found that the proposed $300 million upgrade will be profitable and deliver extensive benefits for the state’s north west.
$103 million upgrade for Ford
The Federal and Victorian governments have announced $103 million in co-funding to boost the fuel efficiency and emissions performance of the Ford Falcon and Ford Territory models being manufactured in Australia.
Resources drive construction sector
A December surge in resource-related engineering projects has helped stem the rate of decline in the nation's construction sector, according to figures released by the Australian Industry Group (AI Group).
$186 million for SCG upgrade
The Federal and New South Wales governments have announced a jointly funded upgrade for the Sydney Cricket Ground following the completion of its 100th test match.
John Holland wins Wheatstone contracts
John Holland, a fully owned subsidiary of Leighton Holdings, has secured a $240 million contract with Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd on the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project near Onslow on Western Australia’s Pilbara coast.
Victoria appoints Executive Director for major projects office
The Victorian Government has announced Tim Bamford as Executive Director of Major Projects Victoria (MPV), tasking him with overseeing the state's more complex and important construction projects.
Clough Downer JV wins CSBP contract
A 50:50 joint venture between Clough and engineering and infrastructure management services group, Downer EDI Limited has been awarded an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract by CSBP Limited for the Nitric Acid Plant and Ammonium Nitrate Plant Number 3 (NAAN3).
The award of the contract, which is valued at more than $200 million, follows the completion of the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase of the project.
The EPC scope involves project management, engineering, procurement, prefabrication, construction and pre-commissioning for the NAAN3 plant, located on Western Australia’s Kwinana strip. Engineering work will commence immediately, with the project management and construction team expected to mobilise to site in early 2012.
Current project timelines indicate that the expansion will be completed in the first half of 2014. At peak, the project will employ a workforce of 210 people.
The NAAN3 project will be undertaken on the existing CSBP site in Kwinana, and will significantly enhance the ammonium nitrate production capability of the facility, and the ability of CSBP to service the growing resource industry demand for ammonium nitrate in Western Australia.
Victorian Regional Rail Link contracts awarded
Three major construction contracts worth more than $1.6 billion have been awarded for the Regional Rail Link project, Australia’s larges public transport infrastructure project.