Archived News for Engineering Professionals
Leighton Holdings has issued its second profit loss warning in six months as the company struggles to stem the losses incurred from its troubled Victorian desalination plant and Brisbane airport tunnel.
The company announced it expects the desalination plant to cost a further $106 million, while the airport tunnel link is expected to cost a further $148 million.
Leighton Holdings’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hamish Tyrwhitt, said that he was deeply disappointed with the results which represent a significant deterioration in performance since the December 2011 Quarterly Reviews.
COAG savages cities
The Reform Council of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has savaged the planning of the country’s capital cities, publishing a review that urges governments to do better in planning future land use, infrastructure assets and economies of the country’s major cities.
Government to open doors to US workers
The Federal Government has announced it will allow skilled workers from the United States, such as electricians, plumbers and other trades, to get their licence to work in Australia on arrival.
Parker Hannifin to base in Wodonga
US-headquarted engineering supplier Park Hannifin has announced it will consolidate its Australia-New Zealand hose and fitting manufacturing operations in Wodonga.
Dow and UQ to establish Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation
The Dow Chemical Company and The University of Queensland have unveiled a strategic partnership that will establish the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation.
Funded through a Dow contribution worth $10 million over the next six years, the newl Centre will pursue a program of research and collaboration aimed at harnessing solutions to the sustainability challenges of the 21st Century.
“This is a lighthouse initiative - hot-housing innovation at the urban energy, water and carbon nexus, which will attract international attention to the issues of sustainability and position Dow and UQ as leaders, achievers and contributors to society,” Dow Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Liveris said.
Government passes ABCC bill
The Federal Government has passed legislation that will abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) through the Senate.
SA releases manufacturing discussion paper
The South Australian Government has released a discussion paper aimed at ‘ensuring not only the survival but the expansion of South Australian manufacturing.’
Consult Australia calls for government reform to ease engineering shortage
Consult Australia has recommended that Governments undergo significant reform in their procurement processes, to ease the burden of the engineering skills shortage on the private sector.
Engineers Australia calls for national engineers registration scheme
Engineers Australia has proposed that a nationally consistent scheme of engineering registration be part of the COAG ‘seamless economy’ reforms.
Gender diversity within engineering workforce report released
Consult Australia has released results of a benchmarking study into gender diversity within the engineering workforce, marking a first step by industry towards overcoming the issue.
Quickstep wins Lockheed contract
Bankstown advanced manufacturer Quickstep has won a contract valued between $75 million and $100 million to make carbon fibre wing flaps for C130J Hercules military transport aircraft.
Leighton wins Rio Tinto contracts
Leighton Contractors has signed five-year Framework Agreements with mining giant Rio Tinto for the delivery of a stream of earthworks projects and a stream of structural, mechanical, piping (SMP) projects as part of Rio Tinto’s 353 million tonnes per annum expansion program in the Pilbara.
Altona Internodal Enhancement project completed
Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian State Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder have welcomed the completion of the $40 million Altona Intermodal Enhancement project, hailing the initative as an important step towards growing the rail freight sector.
WA gives the nod for $400 million Pilbara project
The Western Australian Government has given final approval for a rail and power supply project in the Pilbara estimated to be worth more than $400 million, and which is expected to generate 600 jobs in the region.
Downer EDI wins BHP contract
Infrastructure giant Downer EDI has announced it has been awarded a rolling stock contract to supply Downer Electro-Motive Diesel services to BHP Billiton’s Iron Ore operations in the Pilbara for the next five years.
Government to streamline building contracts
The Federal Government is aiming to streamline the tender process for Government funded building works after releasing the Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry paper.
Global consortium targets water splitting process
University of Wollongong scientists are behind the establishment of a global consortium which is using sunlight to convert water into important chemical fuels such as hydrogen gas.
Naval Ship Management Australia wins tend for Anzac Class Frigates contract
Naval Ship Management Australia has been chosen by the Australian Government as preferred tenderer for a five-year, $300 million maintenance and repair contract for the Anzac Class Frigates.
AGIC launches infrastructure sustainability rating
The Australian Green Infrastructure Council has launched the nation’s first national scheme for rating infrastructure sustainability. The rating system has been developed co-operatively with many of the AGIC’s membership organisations.
Former Leighton boss to chair Engineering Sydney
The former chief executive officer of Leighton Holdings Limited, David Stewart, has accepted the role of chair of Engineering Sydney, the University of Sydney's industry-aligned body that collaborates and develops partnerships with business leaders and organisations.
David Stewart a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Engineering, both from the University of Sydney, is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mr Stewart said he believes education, innovation and research are keys to the future success of Australian engineering.
"There are many benefits of an educational partnership for industry, through access to top-quality graduates, academic expertise and world leading research. A partnership is a great way to enhance recruitment, training and research endeavours.
"Educational institutions are at the forefront of research and development. Industry should work in collaboration with institutions to progress innovation in a cost-effective and timely manner.
"The creation of the University's two new project management degrees is a great example. Developed in close consultation with industry, these degrees now provide a solution for the growing skills gap in the project management space."
Energy in Australia 2012 report released
The Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) has released its latest report, Energy in Australia 2012, providing a detailed overview of energy in Australia, including resources, production, consumption, trade and prices.