Archived News for Engineering Professionals - October, 2011
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.
The judging panel believes that David epitomises the role of professional engineer. He has proven a high standard of professional engineering performance against the judging criteria of: engineering competence and notable outcomes from engineering work, leadership, creativity and innovation, and service to the profession and to the community.
During his 30 year career David has led projects across a wide range of disciplines from indigenous community infrastructure in outback Australia to major urban transportation projects. Since moving into a senior leadership role in AECOM, David has stayed ‘hands-on’ technically and acts as a mentor to technical staff in the company.
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.
Leighton announces Hong Kong contract
Leighton Holdings has secured the final $1.2 billion MTR Corporation contract to construct the West Kowloon Terminus Station North, as part of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XLR).
$1.1 billion outlined for Queensland reconstruction
The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have announced over $1.1 billion in joint funding to assist in the Queensland reconstruction efforts.
Federal Government opens Illawarra job creation fund
The Federal Government has announced the Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund has opened, with funds being made available to local businesses.
IBM R&D lab launched to reduce impact of major disasters
The University of Melbourne has welcomed the new IBM Research and Development - Australia, which will help the community better prepare for and better cope with major natural disasters and lead to a more sustainable future.
Laing O'Rourke wins $65 million stabling project
Engineering firm Laing O’Rourke has been contracted by Sydney’s CityRail to construct the new $65 million Auburn Stabling Project.
Abigroup secures Rio Tinto framework agreement
Construction and engineering specialist Abirgoup has secured a framwork agreement with Rio Tinto over the rail formation work in the Pilbara region.
ARTC starts work on major coal rail upgrade
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has commenced work on a major rail upgrade between Singleton and Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley.