Archived News for Engineering Professionals
The Victorian State Government has announced a $403 million package for Victorian rail infrastructure and train upgrades.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced the funding package will focus on providing additional trains, services, improved maintenance and upgrading level crossings.
Victorian Budget announces $601 million for state roads
The Victorian State Government has announced a $601 million road package in the State’s Budget aimed at delivering improved road works for outer-suburban and regional areas.
Manufacturing not a spent force: report
A new report by the Australian Business Foundation has concluded that the manufacturing sector is a vital part of the Australian economy and will continue to be an important generator of economic activity and jobs if it embraces innovation, invests in skills, and boosts collaboration.
Engineering company fails in fallout from Montara disaster
Northern Territory engineering company, Universal Engineering, has gone into voluntary liquidation as a result of financial exposure to the Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea nineteen months ago.
Funding boost for SADI program expected
The upcoming Federal Budget is likely to include a significant funding boost for the $14 million per annum Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program, according to a report in The Australian Financial Review.
Defence industry calls for better procurement systems
Australia’s defence supply industry is taking the opportunity of a Senate inquiry to call for improved Defence procurement systems to help sustain and grow the industry’s capabilities and innovation.
WorleyParsons wins $250 million port expansion contract with Fortescue Metals
WorleyParsons has been awarded an engineer, procure and construction management services contract for the expansion of Fortescue Metal Group’s Anderson Point port facilities in Port Hedland Western Australia.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore project to generate 550 jobs
The NRW Holdings Ltd/Eastern Guruma joint venture has been awarded the Rio Tinto Iron Ore contract for the Western Turner Brockman Project Earthworks and Primary Civil Works, worth around $160 million over 12 months.
Skills shortages in NSW hinder recovery
Skills shortages are continuing to have a significant impact on business performance in New South Wales, according to the recently released NSW Business Chamber - Commonwealth Bank Business Conditions Survey for the March 2011 quarter.
Carnegie Wave Energy activates first commercial-scale CETO unit
Carnegie Wave Energy is the first company in the southern hemisphere to generate electricity from the ocean's wave, after successfully activating its first commercial-scale CETO unit off Garden Island in Western Australia.
New software aids reliable power supply
Materials engineering specialists at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) have developed a new software program designed to help coal-fired power stations improve their efficiency and sustain a reliable output.
New facility for WA engineering and building precinct
A new $62 million training at Northbridge, Perth will become the centrepiece for one of Western Australia’s biggest State Training Providers.
Queensland LNG deal signed with Chinese petrochemicals giant
Australia Pacific LNG has signed a contract with Chinese petroleum and chemical company, Sinopec Corporation, for the supply of up to 4.3 million tonnes of LNG per annum for 20 years.
Federal Opposition looking to enhance role of Infrastructure Australia
In a recent speech, Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott expressed his support for Infrastructure Australia and said the Opposition would boost IA’s role and resources.
“The Coalition supports Infrastructure Australia (IA) and in government will strengthen its role, creating a more transparent, accountable and effective adviser on infrastructure projects,” Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott outlined a number of measures to boost IA’s capabilities and effectiveness:
- The Coalition will ensure that Infrastructure Australia has guaranteed ongoing funding. Funding for Infrastructure Australia expires at the end of this financial year. The Coalition’s commitment means that IA will be provided with the resources necessary for it to do its job properly.
- The Coalition will retain Sir Rod Eddington as the chairman of Infrastructure Australia.
- The Coalition will require that all Commonwealth-funded infrastructure projects worth more than $100 million have undergone a cost-benefit analysis by Infrastructure Australia.
- Infrastructure Australia will be required to publish justifications for its project recommendations, including the net present value of each recommended project.
- The Coalition will task Infrastructure Australia with developing a rolling 15-year infrastructure plan for Australia, with this plan being revised every five years. This will provide certainty for industry as to what infrastructure projects will be pursued by government and in what order. IA will be required to clearly specify infrastructure priorities at the national and state levels, based on a rigorous and transparent assessment of competing infrastructure projects proposed by the states.
Review raises submarine construction policy concerns
The Australian Strategy Policy Institute has released its review of Australia's submarine construction policy, finding that very little progress had been made since the publishing of the Defence White Paper in 2009, which outlined the construction of twelve new, non-nuclear long range submarines 'built to perform a range of demanding tasks'.
Renewable energy joint venture targets $6b projects
Renewable energy firm, CBD Energy has signed a joint venture agreement with two of China’s largest renewable energy companies with the aim of developing $6 billion of renewable energy projectsand a third of the Australian renewable energy market over the next eight years.
Traffic technology approved for road monitoring
A Queensland company, Excel Technology Group (ETG), has won approval for a new device which weighs and classifies moving vehicles as they drive along roads.
Advanced Instrumentation Technology Centre to be built at Mount Stromlo
The Federal Government has launched construction of the second phase of the Advanced Instrumentation Technology Centre (AITC) at Mount Stromlo. The Technology Centre will support Australia’s contribution to the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) which will be built in Chile.
Skills shortage growing in engineering and construction
Australia’s growing skills shortage is most pronounced in the Construction, Building and Engineering categories, across Professional, Associate Professional and Trades occupations, according to the latest analysis by the recruitment agency, Clarius Group.
Women in SET Summit generates new commitments
The Women in Science and Engineering Summit held this week in Parliament House Canberra has led to a number of commitments by research organizations and businesses to improving the retention rate for women in science and engineering.