Archived News for Engineering Professionals
The Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, Senator Kate Lundy, has announced the appointment of an independent expert committee to help Innovation Australia deliver the $1 billion Clean Technology Investment programs.
The seven-member committee will assess applications by businesses for funding under the two Clean Technology Investment programs.
The new committee will be chaired by Ms Fiona Pak-Poy and includes Dr Michele Allan, Mr Nixon Apple, Dr Bruce Godfrey, Dr Bruce Whan, Ms Sylvia Tulloch and Mr Bruce Grey.
Record capital investment in mining industry: BREE report
Committed investment to increase the capacity of Australia’s mining industry at the end of April 2012 was a record $260.8 billion, an increase of 12 per cent from October 2011 according to the Mining Industry Major Projects - April 2012, released by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).
Victoria announces planning reforms
The Victorian Government has announced it has chosen a preferred framework for development contribution plans.
New chair of engineering innovation appointed
Design researcher, practitioner and Australian Future Fellow, Professor Andy Dong has been appointed to the new Warren Chair in Engineering Innovation within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies at the University of Sydney.
Queensland green lights Cape York extension
The Queensland Coordinator-General has announced the approval of Rio Tinto’s planned $1.45 billion South of the Embley bauxite mining extension on Cape York. The project is expected to enxtend the life of the bauxite mining operations for another 40 years.
Report predicts turbulent years ahead for engineering sector
Australia’s consulting engineering, architecture and associated industries are set to experience a chaotic next three years with continual restructures required in order to remain globally competitive, according to Consult Australia’s 2012 Economic Forecast report.
The Report, written by former BHP Chief Economist, Geoffrey Bills is considered one of the industry’s most valuable economic predictors and is used by many of Australia’s largest firms, including Parsons Brinkerhoff, SMEC, Hyder, GHD and AECOM.
In the short-term, the Report forecasts a fairly rosy future for the industry.
The backlog of work in engineering construction is set to sustain high levels of activity until 2016 with firms operating in this space expected to experience 22 per cent growth over the next 12 months.
Consult Australia CEO, Megan Motto said this signifies a welcome commitment to infrastructure development in the short-term but warned it wasn’t all good news.
Boral CEO steps down
The Chief Executive of Boral, Mark Selway, has stepped down, effective immediately, after two years in the position. Ross Batstone, currently Division Managing Director Boral Building Products, has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer while a successor to Mr Selway is recruited.
Hydro blames carbon tax for impending smelter closure
Norsk Hydro has announced it is considering ceasing its operations at its Kurri Kurri aluminium plant following the curtailing of three pot lines in January this year, citing the effects of the Federal Government's carbon tax.
Qld moves to scrap Abbot Point MCF
The Queensland Government has announced it will move to scrap the proposed expansion of the Abbot Point multi-cargo facility (MCF) after it has become ‘abundantly apparent’ that industry does not support the move.
SA appoints SIEC Director
The South Australian Government has announced Peter Nolan as the newly appointed Director of the Sustainable Industries Education Centre (SIEC).
Yarwun declared significant
The Queensland Coordinator-General has declared the $2.2 billion coal terminal at Yarwun in the Port of Gladstone a ‘significant project’, meaning the project will now undergo an environmental assessment.
$195 million for Tasmanian road and rail network
The Tasmanian Government has announced $195 million in spending on the state’s road and rail network in 2012/13.
$3.9 billion for WA transport
The Western Australian Government has outlined a $3.9 billion spend on new and ongoing transport projects in the state’s 2012-13 Budget.
Construction starts on Ichthys
The Northern Territory Government has announced construction has started on the $34 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
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.