Archived News for Engineering Professionals
The Australian Institute of Management (AIM) has found that Western Australia’s booming commodity sector and the spate of natural disasters across the Eastern seaboard have resulted in unprecedented skilled labour shortages.
The AIM has published its 2011 National Salary Survey, finding that skills shortages is placing pressures on wages, causing an increase beyond inflation levels in response to labour market demands.
The main finding of the survey was that labour demand is beginning to outstrip local labour supply and that companies are considering offshore recruitment to solve the issue.
WA announces development assessment panels
The Western Australian State Government has announced the appointment of 27 specialists to staff 15 development assessment panels across the state.
New South Wales to audit council infrastructure
The New South Wales State Government has pledged to conduct a two-year review to assess the state’s infrastructure repair needs.
CSIRO exploration technology wins national award
A team of CSIRO Future Manufacturing Flagship scientists has won a major mining industry award for the invention of the highly sensitive magnetic field sensor which sits at the operational heart of the mineral exploration tool, LANDTEM™.
Mixed report on engineering sector
Hays has published its annual report into salary and industry results, finding that the recovery of the engineering sector is uneven, with some areas struggling to fight their way out of the Global Financial Crisis-induced slowdown.
Climate change risks to coastal buildings and infrastructure report released
More than $226 billion in commercial, industrial, road and rail, and residential assets are potentially exposed to inundation and erosion hazards at a sea level rise of 1.1 metres, according to a supplementary report released by the Federal Government.
Auditor slams Frankston bypass
Victorian Auditor-General, Des Pearson, has published a scathing review of the planned $2 billion Peninsula Link and Western Ring Road upgrades, questioning whether sufficient demand exists for their construction.
UOW researchers launch book on rail design
A new book by researchers at the University of Wollongong Geotechnics and Railway Engineering Research Centre is predicted to become a critical resource for Australia’s future heavy-haul railway engineering industry.
Brierty executes $185 million contract with Karara Mining
Brierty (ASX: BYL) has executed a four year $185 million contract with Karara Mining for the hematite mining and associated services at the Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.
Karara Mining is a joint venture between Gindalbie Metals (ASX: GBG) and Chinese steel producer AnSteel. Brierty is no longer in a trading halt on the release of today's announcement.
In February, Brierty had been named preferred contractor on Karara, and with contract terms now settled, the company has commenced delivery of mining services including drill and blast; load and haul; crushing and screening; road haulage and train loading.
Brierty is benefitting from an ongoing mining boom in Western Australia where infrastructure and land development investment has increased, particularly with Chinese interests in iron ore.
Peter McBain, chief executive officer of Brierty, said “the contract is a cornerstone mining project and provides Brierty with the ability to leverage additional opportunities from the development of the burgeoning Midwest region of Western Australia.”
Karara selected Brierty as contractor based on the strength of its team, service capability and professional approach.
The project hosts a JORC Reserve of 977.5 million tonnes at 36.5% iron with an estimated concentrate of 1.027 billion tonnes at 68.6% iron.
The Karara Project produces eight million tonnes per annum of high grade magnetite concentrate and has a 60 – year mine life.
The joint venture also produces four million tonnes per annum of iron pellets at a new plant in China.
The project holds the capacity to expand production to more than 30 million tonnes per annum for more than 30 years.
The company expects Direct Shipping Ore hematite deposits at the project to produce an initial level of two million tonnes per annum in 2012.
Veripos opens in Australian market
UK-based Veripos, a navigation and positioning company, is due to open its first Australian office in Perth to provide sales and service to Australian and New Zealand customers.
NSW rail link questioned
The Federal Government has not undertaken a study to assess the business viability, or received any submission from the NSW state government in support of the planned $2.1 billion Parramatta-to-Epping rail link, according to an article published by The Australian. The project is the subject of an intergovernmental agreement that would see work begin on the rail link this year.
NSW OH&S laws tweaked
Proposed NSW legislation designed to ‘harmonize’ state and federal occupational health and safety law has passed the state’s parliament after the government compromised on a number of changes.
Square Kilometre Array bid gets $10.8 million boost
The Western Australian Government has announced an investment of $10.8 million in new roads, power and optic fibre infrastructure in the State’s Mid-West in an attempt to bolster Australia and New Zealand’s bid for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope project.
Engineering and construction industry to grow by $82.5 billion next year
THE engineering and construction industry is set to grow to $82.5 billion next year -- double its size six years ago -- amid concerns of falling productivity in the industry.
NSW introduces Infrastructure NSW legislation
Legislation has been introduced to the NSW Parliament to establish Infrastructure NSW , a statutory agency that will deliver co-ordinate infrastructure planning across the whole of government.
Bio-derived jet fuel a possibility
A joint research report compiled by CSIRO and major aviation industry representatives shows that economically and environmentally beneficial aviation fuel is a viable proposition in the coming 20 years.
China's CACS Corporation wins Spinifex Ridge contract
Chinese engineering firm CACS Corporation has been awarded Moly Mines’ Spinifex Ridge engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.
$1.2 billion for WA's road, rail and bus networks
The Western Australian Government has announced a $1.2 billion injection for the state’s public transport infrastructure, bringing the planned funding in the area to almost $5 billion over the next four years.
$42 million for major road repairs in Queensland
$42 million in federal and state funding has been announced for major road repairs in North-Western Queensland as part of ‘Operation Queenslander’.
$40 million for Fursden Creek Bridge
The Queensland Government has announced a $40 million construction of the Fursden Creek Bridge in Mackay, North-East Queensland.
First funds for Inland Rail Link
The first $30 million of the $300 million promised for the Inland Rail Link by the government at the last Federal election has been allocated for expenditure in 2013-14.