Archived News for Engineering Professionals
Technology developed in Australia will be used to cut emissions of a 25 year-old building by an estimated 80 per cent, following a $5 million energy efficiency upgrade.
The Australian superannuation fund Local Government Super (LGS) used the Australian Government’s Green Building Fund to support the retrofit of 76 Berry Street North Sydney.
“This is a great example of how the greenhouse gas performance of older buildings can be turned around by using innovative technologies,” Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said today after the official launch of the building project.
New fabrication research facility launches
The ACT node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), which will assist researchers and industry in developing and prototyping new materials, has been officially opened.
BHP Billiton moves ahead with Cavel Ridge project
BHP Billiton has announced it will continue with the planned construction of the Cavel Ridge mine project and expansion of Peak Downs in the northern Bowen Basin.
Round Two of Regional Development Australia Fund opens
The Federal Government has announced the opening of the $200 million Round Two of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
UNSW to deliver satellite engineering masters degree
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) will deliver a new, two-year masters degrees in satellite systems engineering at the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research.
Construction industry decline begins to slow
The Australian Industry Group (AI)’s Australian Performance of Construction Index shows that a slowdown in the decline of construction rates. The seasonally adjusted index lifted 4.7 points to 34.7 while remaining well below the 50 point level separating expansion from contraction.
New technology makes storing radioactive waste safer
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers have developed new technology capable of removing radioactive material from contaminated water and aiding clean-up efforts following nuclear disasters.
Queensland Engineer of the Year announced
Dr David Finch has been selected as Queensland’s 2011 Professional Engineer of the Year by Engineers Australia. David is Director of Technology and Risk for the Australia and New Zealand operations of AECOM. He heads both the Office of Risk Management and the Innovation and Technology Council for the ANZ region, overseeing innovation, technical capability, and project delivery for a team of 4,500 people.
Mining giants call for skilled professionals to go west
Woodside Petroleum boss Peter Coleman and Hancock Prospecting chair Gina Rinehart have called for a sizeable portion of Australia's skilled workforce to go west and join the booming energy and resources sector.
$6.6 billion Kevin's Corner project EIS released
The Queensland Government has released the environmental impact statement for the $6.6 billion Kevin's Corner coal mine project for public comment.
Resources investment boom to continue
Investment in major resources and mining projects has continued to show exponential growth, according to a report by Deloitte.
Coffey Environments appoints Mark Croudace as Group Executive
Coffey International Limited has announced that it has appointed Mr Mark Croudace as Group Executive of Coffey Environments effective 7th November this year. Mr Croudace is currently Coffey’s Group Executive Business Development.
Federal Government eases infrastructure taxes
The Federal Government has announced it will remove tax disincentives in a bid to encourage more private investment in infrastructure projects.
Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, released a discussion paper on the 2011/12 budget initiative.
The new rules for tax losses that are attributable to designated infrastructure projects will:
- Uplift the value of carry forward tax losses by the 10 year Government bond rate
- Exempt the tax losses from the continuity of ownership test and the same business test.
The discussion paper can be found here
Closing date for submissions is Friday, 9 December.
Record mining investment to drive engineering demand
A new report released by industry research specialist BIS Shrapnel has found that Australia’s mining sector is likely to continue to boom over the next five years.
Clough wins $100 million contract extension
Engineering and construction firm Clough Limited has been awarded a two-year contract extension by CononcoPhillips to provide operations and maintenance services to the Bayu-Undan facilities in the Timor Sea.
Australian Engineering Excellence Award finalists announced
The finalists for this year's Australian Engineering Excellence Awards have been announced, recognising the accomplishments of some of the finest engineering companies and individuals in the world.
Resources sector to lead engineering boom
Resource-related construction demand is tipped to significantly boost the engineering and commercial construction sectors over the next two years, according to findings published by the Australian Industry Group.
SA releases Renewable Energy Plan
The South Australian Government has released the Renewable Energy Plan for South Australia, providing an agenda for future growth of the state’s renewable energy sector.
NSW industry taskforce expands
The New South Wales Government has appointed two new Industry Taskforces to develop action plans for the state’s manufacturing and professional services sectors.
Swinburne launches Port and Harbour Engineering qualification
Swinburne University of Technology has formed Australia’s first formal qualification in Port and Harbour Engineering, after announcing the Graduate Certificate in Engineering (Port and Harbour).
WA Government approves Oakajeee railway corridor
The Western Australian Government has approved a 570 kilometre railway corridor that will connect the state’s Mid-West iron ore projects to the proposed deepwater port at Oakajee.