Archived News for Engineering Professionals
Three major construction contracts worth more than $1.6 billion have been awarded for the Regional Rail Link project, Australia’s larges public transport infrastructure project.
The successful bidders are:
- Thiess, Balfour Beatty, Parsons Brinckerhoff and SKM, the consortium tasked with laying 7.5 kilometres of new track between Footscray and Deer Park as well as building a new station at West Footscray and upgrading the existing stations at Footscray, Sunshine and Tottenham. Work is expected to start in early 2012.
- Baulderstone/ Leighton Joint Venture which will lay 25 kilometres of new track between Deer Park and West Werribee as well as build new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit. Work is expected to start in mid-2012.
- UGL and Manidis Roberts, the consortium which from mid-2012 will install the fibre optics network that will support the train control systems, the signals along the corridor and provide information to the passengers waiting at the new and upgraded stations.
The Regional Rail Link project is being built with funding from both the federal and Victorian governments, with the former contributing $3.2 billion. It is expected to be completed in early 2016,
WA settles on Perth Arena contractual claims
The Western Australian Government has reached agreement with BGC Construction on settlement of major contractual claims related to the design of the Perth Arena.
WA Government widens its options on Oakajee Port and Rail project
The Western Australian Government will continue to work with the Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR) partners, despite the exclusive arrangement expiring on December 31, 2011.
Work starts on CS Energy's Kogan Creek solar project
Work has commenced at CS Energy’s $104.7 million Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project with Queensland firm FK Gardner and Sons Group (FKG) selected as the civil contractor for the project.
Victorian manufacturing strategy targets innovation
The Victorian Government has released a new manufacturing strategy which includes a number of initiatives to stimulate research and innovation in the manufacturing sector.
ACT opens Transitway tender
The ACT Government has called for qualified construction companies to tender for stage one of the Belconnen to City Transitway Project.
Hyssil releases new range
Construction product designer Hyssil has launched a new range of lightweight geopolymer building products.
Government opens Steel Transformation Plan funding
The Federal Government has announced the opening of the $164 million in competitiveness assistance advances under the Australian Government's Steel Transformation Plan (STP).
Chevron supports gas process engineering chair at UWA
Energy company Chevron has invested more than $5.7 million to establish an endowment to support a Professorial Chair in Gas Process Engineering in perpetuity at The University of Western Australia.
$249 million Industrial Transformation Research Program announced
The Federal Government has announced a new $249 million Industrial Transformation Research program and cadetship package.
Swinburne launches Advanced Technologies Centre
Swinburne University of Technology has launched its $140 million advanced manufacturing teaching and research facility in Melbourne.
Consult Australia Awards for Excellence announced
Consult Australia has held its annual Awards for Excellence to recognise exceptional consulting projects delivered by Consult Australia member firms.
$1 billion NSW rail corridor confirmed
The Federal and NSW governments have co-signed an intergovernmental agreement that will see the construction of a $1.1 billion freight corridor, aimed at removing 200,000 trucks a year from the state’s roads.
WA conditionally approves Aquilla's Pilbara project
The Western Australian Government has followed the Federal Government in granting conditional approval for Aquilla's iron ore project in the West Pilbara, in which the company holds a 50 per cent interest in a joint venture with American Metals and coal International.
Major upgrade for Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport has detailed a major upgrade to its existing facilities that will see the airport transformed into two airline alliance-based precincts integrating international, domestic and regional services under the same roof.
Consult Australia report calls for city planning reform
Consult Australia has launched its latest report, Tomorrow’s Cities Today, calling for ambitious governance reform to position city planning as a national priority.
NZ Engineering Excellence Awards winners announced
The winners of the 2011 New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards have been announced at the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards dinner along with changes to the 2012 Awards.
Government publishes 'how-to' guide for public space design
The Federal Government has published the country’s first urban design protocol. Aimed at improving the design of public spaces and city buildings, the plain-English protocol provides a checklist for decision makers and professionals involved in the area of public space design.
Senate establishes skill shortage inquiry
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a Senate inquiry into the growing demand for infrastructure delivery and shortage of appropriate engineering and trade related skills in the country.
Sham contracting inquiry publishes report
The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner’s (ABCC) Sham Contracting Inquiry has published a major report into the state of affairs in the construction industry.
Engineering works at Scrivener Dam starts
The National Capital Authority (NCA) has announced that major engineering works at the Scrivener Dam will commence in the new year.