Archived News for Engineering Professionals - August, 2011
The Australian Government has called for applications for its $126 million Emerging Renewables program established to support promising renewable energy technology projects such as geothermal, solar and ocean.
The Emerging Renewables program aims to reduce the cost of new technologies, improve skills across the renewable energy industry and leverage finance from the private sector as well as state and territory governments.
Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson said the program had been designed following the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy’s (ACRE) extensive consultation with the renewable energy industry and financiers. He said the program allows a flexible approach to funding across the technology innovation chain, in line with stakeholder feedback to improve the sector’s competitiveness.
Merger consolidates SKM's South American position
Global project management specialist Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has continued to build its South American presence after merging with Chilean water engineering consultancy firm IRH.
Hays launches major projects job website
International recruitment specialist Hays has launched its major project jobs website where jobseekers can view positions in major oil, gas, resources and mining and energy and construction projects in Western Australia.
Funding for SA defence industries training announced
Funding of $4.5 million has been awarded to the Defence Teaming Centre to create 2,300 new training places to boost skills and qualifications for South Australia's defence industries.
$558 million to address skills shortages
The Federal Government has launched the $558 million National Workforce Development Fund to address the emerging skills shortage that will provide 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.
Wind tunnel launched at University of Adelaide
South Australia's first industrial-scale wind tunnel has been launched by the University of Adelaide.
Partners sought for new concept in city driving
Engineers at Deakin University are looking for research, manufacturing and funding partners to further develop a new car design that combines the best features of a car and a motorbike.
Work on Pacific Highway gets green light
The next phase of duplicating the Pacific Highway in New South Wales’s far-north will begin next year after the contract to work on the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale section was awarded to Baulderstone.
Geothermal projects fail to attract funding
Four geothermal companies have been forced to return Federal Government funding due to inability to attract matching private sector funds for the grants.
Clough sells marine construction division to SapuraCrest
Perth-based engineering and construction firm, Clough Limited, has finalized an agreement to sell its marine construction business to Malaysian company, SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad for A$127 million.
Worley Parsons ranked #1 amongst top international design firms
Worley Parsons has been ranked number one in the Top 200 International Design Firms list, published annually by Engineering News Record Magazine, a publication of McGraw Hill Construction.
Leighton wins logistics centre contract and upgrades performance outlook
Leighton Contractors has been awarded a $115 million contract by Sydney Ports Corporation to deliver the main construction phase of the Intermodal Logistics Centre (ILC) at Enfield in South-West Sydney.
Indian market ripe for Australian automotive industry
Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr has announced the forging of closer links between the Australian automotive industry and the Indian market.
New national guidelines for alliance contracting released
New national guidelines for alliance contracting have been released to reduce the cost of major projects by streamlining alliance processes across jurisdictions by up to 15 per cent.
Downer EDI considers divesting consultancy arms
Downer EDI Limited has announced it is conducting a review, including the possible divestment, of its general consultancy practices – CPG Asia, CPG Australia and CPG New Zealand – as part of an overhaul of the Downer Group portfolio.
The Chief Executive Officer of Downer, Grant Fenn, said that earlier this year Downer had consolidated its Australian Engineering, Works, Emerging Sectors and CPG Resources businesses (including QCC and Mineral Technologies) into one division, Downer Australia.
“The review of CPG Asia, CPG Australia and CPG New Zealand is part of our ongoing drive to focus and streamline the business,” Mr Fenn said.
“CPG Asia, CPG Australia and CPG New Zealand are valuable consultancies with expertise in a number of important sectors and geographies. We have been approached by parties interested in acquiring these businesses and, because these firms operate relatively independently of the other divisions, we have decided to consider the divestment option.”
Mr Fenn said this review did not include the resource-focused consultancy businesses, Snowden, QCC and Mineral Technologies.
GHD wins BHP Pilbara expansion contract
GHD has been contracted by BHP Billiton Iron Ore to provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for non-process infrastructure projects to support their US$7.4 billion capacity expansion in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
HISmelt technology goes offshore in deal between Rio Tinto and Jindal
Rio Tinto has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian steel producer Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) to use the HIsmelt technology in a fully integrated steel making facility.
WestNet and Karara sign access agreement
WestNet Rail and Karara Mining Limited (KML) have signed a long-term rail access agreement for the Karara Iron Ore Project.
Report on High Speed Rail network released
The Federal Government has released a report by a consortium led by AECOM into the implementation of a High Speed Rail network along Australia’s east coast.
AECOM-led consortium appointed to design North West Rail Link
A consortium led by AECOM Technology Corporation (NYSE: ACM), a global provider of professional technical and management support services for government and commercial clients around the world, has been awarded a contract by the New South Wales Government to plan and design Sydney’s North West Rail Link.
Dry winter forces expansion of WA desal plant
The Western Australian Government has announced that work will begin immediately to double the capacity of the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (SSDP) to provide 100 billion litres of drinking water a year.