Archived News for Engineering Professionals
The Federal Government has announced a new $249 million Industrial Transformation Research program and cadetship package.
The package, to be administered by the Australian Research Council, includes:
- More than 1,000 engineering cadetships over the next four years so students can get the work experience they need to kick-start their careers in manufacturing and other Australian industries.
- New research training centres that will provide quality industrial doctoral and postdoctoral training for up to 600 PhD students each year.
- New research hubs bringing researchers and industry representatives together to design and engineer commercially and technically viable solutions to some of our most pressing industrial problems.
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs will bring managers, researchers and industry workers together to solve major problems facing industry. Up to 20 research hubs will be established nationwide with initial funding for up to four years. The Government will invest up to $1 million per year in each hub with this investment being matched by industry partners.
Swinburne launches Advanced Technologies Centre
Swinburne University of Technology has launched its $140 million advanced manufacturing teaching and research facility in Melbourne.
Consult Australia Awards for Excellence announced
Consult Australia has held its annual Awards for Excellence to recognise exceptional consulting projects delivered by Consult Australia member firms.
$1 billion NSW rail corridor confirmed
The Federal and NSW governments have co-signed an intergovernmental agreement that will see the construction of a $1.1 billion freight corridor, aimed at removing 200,000 trucks a year from the state’s roads.
WA conditionally approves Aquilla's Pilbara project
The Western Australian Government has followed the Federal Government in granting conditional approval for Aquilla's iron ore project in the West Pilbara, in which the company holds a 50 per cent interest in a joint venture with American Metals and coal International.
Major upgrade for Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport has detailed a major upgrade to its existing facilities that will see the airport transformed into two airline alliance-based precincts integrating international, domestic and regional services under the same roof.
Consult Australia report calls for city planning reform
Consult Australia has launched its latest report, Tomorrow’s Cities Today, calling for ambitious governance reform to position city planning as a national priority.
NZ Engineering Excellence Awards winners announced
The winners of the 2011 New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards have been announced at the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards dinner along with changes to the 2012 Awards.
Government publishes 'how-to' guide for public space design
The Federal Government has published the country’s first urban design protocol. Aimed at improving the design of public spaces and city buildings, the plain-English protocol provides a checklist for decision makers and professionals involved in the area of public space design.
Senate establishes skill shortage inquiry
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a Senate inquiry into the growing demand for infrastructure delivery and shortage of appropriate engineering and trade related skills in the country.
Sham contracting inquiry publishes report
The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner’s (ABCC) Sham Contracting Inquiry has published a major report into the state of affairs in the construction industry.
Engineering works at Scrivener Dam starts
The National Capital Authority (NCA) has announced that major engineering works at the Scrivener Dam will commence in the new year.
VDM wins $30 million in BHP projects
Mining giant BHP Billiton has awarded $30.2 million in major contracts to VDM Group.
BHP Billiton awards Norfolk $82 million contract
BHP Billiton has awarded Norfolk Group its $82 million contract for rail signaling systems at the mining giant’s Port Hedland project.
Theiss wins major contracts in SEQ rail project
Theiss has been announced as the main contractor to the $475 million TrackStar Alliance Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor Stage 2 Richlands to Springfield Project.
Middlemount spur opens to first train
The Middlemount Rail Spur, which directly links the Middlemount Coal Project to the Goonyella rail network, has officially commenced operations allowing exports through Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT).
Nine new petroleum offshore permits awarded
The Federal Government has awarded nine new offshore permits in the second round of the 2010 Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release to enable petroleum exploration investment worth $380 million in waters off Western Australia.
Melbourne University advances building sustainability
A team led by Dr Tuan Ngo from Melbourne University’s School of Engineering, is conducting research into improving energy efficiency of Multi-Skin Façade (MSF) with an aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to achieve better wind, fire, blast and impact resistance.
WA appoints MRA board
The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of the inaugural board of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA), the new body which will be responsible for major redevelopments within the Perth metropolitan area, including the Perth City Link, Perth Waterfront, Riverside and the revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre
Bioprinter awarded Engineering Innovation Award
Start-up company Organovo and Melbourne based Invetech have been jointly awarded the Engineering Innovation Award for the development of the world’s first commercial 3D bioprinter.
Watpac grows record portfolio
Construction, civil and mining contracting specialist Watpac has announced a record $2.3 billion portfolio as the company moves to expand further its mining services and construction projects around the country.