Archived News for Engineering Professionals - May, 2011
East West Line Parks has begun land procurement following announcement of plans to build the ‘Iron Boomerang’ rail line between Queensland coal mines and Western Australian iron ore mines.
The ambitious project will see over 3,000 kilometers of rail line laid between Port Headland in WA and Abbot Point in Queensland.
The line will also link Australia's export iron ore, coking/thermal coal mines, coal seam methane gas in Queensland and natural gas in Western Australia
Call for national approach to flood mapping
Mark Babister of the National Committee on Water Engineering (part of Engineers Australia), has called for a national approach to flood mapping in the wake of the enormous damage to property caused by this years floods across three Australian states.
Funding for urban development planning welcomed
Federal budget funding of $160 million for projects that support sustainable urban development has been welcomed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) as “the first step on what is a long journey towards the integrated strategy necessary to enable our buildings, cities and communities to adapt to climate change."
$25.3 million for infrastructure vehicle reform
The Federal Government has allocated $25.3 million in funding from the nation’s Budget to reform regulations regarding maritime safety, rail safety and heavy vehicles.
Major Infrastructure Australia reform
Major reform has been slated for the Federal Government’s infrastructure statutory advisory body, Infrastructure Australia (IA), after an additional $36 million injection was announced in the Federal Budget.
$1 billion for Pacific Highway upgrade
The Federal Government has announced a $1 billion upgrade to New South Wales’ Pacific Highway in the nation’s Budget.
$3.4 billion for rail programs
The Federal Government has announced a $3.4 billion injection for the country’s rail system.
Federal Government announces $61 million for 'smart roads'
The Federal Government has announced a $61.4 million injection for state governments to fund smart road infrastructure, cut commute times and reduce greenhouse emissions.
Tax incentives for major infrastructure projects
The Federal Government is aiming to encourage more investment in infrastructure by sweetening the ability of investors to claim greater tax deductibility in potentially high-risk major infrastructure projects.
The revised tax treatment will allow for losses in projects to be passed along to new investors by liberalising of the tax rules relating to business continuity and same business tests.
DIT releases road safety draft
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport has requested input from heads of transport and road agencies around the country for after publishing the first draft strategy of its new National Road Safety Strategy for 2011-2010.
Abbot Point Coal Terminal lease money direct to disaster relief
The Queensland State Government has announced the finalisation of the 99 year lease of the X50 Abbot Point Coal Terminal to Mundra Port Pty Ltd at a price of $1.829 billion after the Federal Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board approved the deal.
$256 million for ACT transport infrastructure
The ACT Government has announced a $256 million injection for transport infrastructure in the Territory’s 2011-12 Budget with an aim to deliver ‘major upgrades to transport infrastructure across Canberra’.
$21.5 million for Victorian aviation and manufacturing
The Victorian Government has announced a $21.5 million injection for regional Victorian manufacturing and aviation industry in the State’s 2011-12 Budget.
Victorian Budget spends on rail transport
The Victorian State Government has announced a $403 million package for Victorian rail infrastructure and train upgrades.
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.