Archived News for Engineering Professionals - May, 2012
The Northern Territory Government has announced construction has started on the $34 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
Expected to create over 4,000 jobs, the project is the combined effort of Japanese company INPEX and French energy giant Total.
“The first contract awarded by JKC went to locally based companies Macmahon and John Holland - the $340 million site development civil works contract is the biggest contract awarded in the Territory’s history to date,” Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said.
WA outlines capital works program
The Western Australian Government has outlined a $26.4 billion capital works program to be rolled out over the next four years, with $7.6 billion expected to be spent in the 2012-13 year.
Resources sector continues to buoy construction
A report compiled by the Australian Industry Group (AI Group) shows that the resources sector remains the main driver of growth in the non-residential construction sector for 2012 and 2013.
Metronode wins NSW consolidation contract
Leighton subsidiary Metronode has been selected by the New South Wales Government to consolidate its 130 data centres. The company will be contracted to construct two new centres to consolidate the state’s public sector data hosting requirements.
National Infrastructure Construction Schedule launched
The Federal Government has launched the National Infrastructure Construction Schedule (NICS) which will provide details on every economic and social project valued at $50 million or more being planned or delivered by governments around the country—Federal, state and local.
St Hilliers Construction enters voluntary administration
St Hilliers Construction has announced it has entered voluntary administration after the company reported a number of problems associated with the construction of the $350 million expansion of the Ararat Prison in Victoria.
Abigroup wins Hunter water contract
Abigroup has won a $40 million contract by the Hunter Water Corporation to construct a new water recycling plant as part of the broader Hunter Treatment Alliance suite of works.
Regional Rail Link construction contract awarded
The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have announced a $570 million construction contract for the Regional Rail Link.
Engineers Australia calls for urgent action on unbalanced economy
Engineers Australia has called for urgent action to help counter the ‘unbalancing effect’ of the dramatic expansion of the resources sector within Western Australia.
Leighton wins LNG contracts
Leighton Contractors have won $800 million worth in gas and water contracts in rural and regional Queensland after winning a tender issued by Australia Pacific.
AI Group tracks construction slump
The Australian Industry Group (AI Group) has released its Australian Industry Group Performance of Construction Index, recording a slump in construction during April.
Wongai project open for public consultation
The Queensland Government has opened the plan for the proposed $500 million coking coal project in the Cape York Peninsula for public comment.
WA high school students to taste engineering
State high school students will learn engineering in Years 8-12 and be encouraged to consider engineering as a future career under a new teaching program being developed by The University of Western Australia and Governor Stirling Senior High School.
$29.8 million for new innovation centre
The Federal Government has announced $29.8 million in spending for the creation of a new Manufacturing Technology Innovation Centre.
Downer combines Australian and NZ infrastructure arms
Downer EDI Limited is combining its two infrastructure businesses, Downer Australia and Downer New Zealand, to form Downer Infrastructure.
Funding doubts over North West Rail Link
Doubts have been cast on the future of Sydney’s $8.5 billion, 23 km North West Rail Link by Infrastructure Australia.
Government pledges $3.5 billion for Pacific Highway work
The Federal Government has announced a $3.56 billion injection into the Nation Building Program, which, if matched by the NSW Government, could see the completion of the full duplication of the Pacific Highway by the end of 2016.
NSW Minerals Council awards for OHS Innovation
The NSW Minerals Council has announced its annual awards for innovation safety in the mining industry.
GHD and the Sernas Group merge
GHD, one of the world’s largest engineering and architectural consulting firms, has merged with the Sernas Group, a large water engineering firm based in Canada and the USA.
IP Australia launches online services
IP Australia has launched its online service, eServices, which provides a secure electronic business portal to register, login and conduct selected transactions.
In the first release of eServices customers can renew all IP rights and submit trade mark registrations electronically, and pay for them online using VISA or MasterCard. You can also access new features such as the option to save your requests, access your eServices transaction history and update your details.
The services and transactions within eServices have built-in checks and pre-populated fields to save time and help ensure the accuracy of the information.
Over the coming months IP Australia will be adding more transactions and services to the portal to make it a one-stop-shop to help in the management of IP assets.
Leighton wins Peak Downs Mine contract
Leighton Contractors has been awarded a three-year contract worth $604 million for the provision of mining services at the Peak Downs Mine in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.