Archived News for Engineering Professionals
Downer EDI Limited (Downer) has announced underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $292.2 million for the year ended 30 June 2011, 8.1% lower than the previous year. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was 15.7% lower at $166.4 million.
Total revenue was $7.0 billion, up 15.2%, with revenue growth driven by the Mining, Rail and Engineering businesses.
Mining and domestic construction gap widens
Building and engineering rates recorded a steady rise in the June quarter but results suggest a widening gap between building and mining-related construction and engineering work throughout the country.
Downer-Clough Awarded ECI Contract for CSBP NAAN3 Project
Downer EDI Limited has announced that the 50:50 Downer Clough joint venture (DCJV) has been awarded an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract by CSBP Limited for its Ammonium Nitrate/Nitric Acid Plant Number 3 (NAAN3).
Government announces steel support advance
The Federal Government has announced it will introduce a new advance facility into its Steel Transformation Plan (STP) in an attempt to counter the recent troubles in the steel production sector.
Monadelphous secures contracts worth $350 million
Western Australian-based engineering group, Monadelphous Group Limited has announced maintenance and construction contracts with a combined value of around $350 million. The contracts are with customers in the Queensland coal industry and the western Australian oil and gas and alumina industries.
The new work secured in Queensland comprises:
- A three-year contract, valued at around $100 million, with BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for dragline and shovel shutdown work across its Bowen Basin coal operations;
- Two contracts, totalling approximately $100 million, for civil, structural, mechanical and electrical work to supply and install an overland conveyor and a drift conveyor as part of the extension project at the Rio Tinto Coal Australia-managed Kestrel Mine near emerald; and
- Two contracts with BMA’s Project Delivery Group for ongoing construction work on various sites in the northern region of the Bowen Basin over two years.
New work in Western Australia includes:
- A new contract with Woodside to provide mechanical commissioning support for its Pluto LNG Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. The contract is expected to be completed in the first half of 2012 and follows an initial major structural, mechanical and piping contract for the Pluto LNG Project which commenced in 2009 and is in the final stages of completion; and
- A three-year contract to provide minor capital project services for BHP Billiton Worsely Alumina’s Refinery Project at Collie. The contract formally extends a continuous services relationship with Worsely Alumina which commenced in 2004.
Macmahon wins Cobar underground engineering contract
Contract mining and construction company, Macmahon Limited, has won a two-year $110 million underground engineering construction contract at the CSA Mine in central western NSW for Cobar Management Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of AG Glencor International.
Under the contract, Macmahon will undertake design, fabrication, procurement, construction and management of the extension and upgrade of the CSA No 1 Shaft. Around 70 people will be employed on-site.
On completion, the new underground materials handling and shaft hoisting system will have a capacity of 1.6 million tonnes per annum from a depth of 1500 metres.
Abigroup secures Defence contract
Construction firm Abigroup has secured a national Defence contract to retrofit RAAF airbases around Australia to accommodate the next generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Skills shortage concerns small business
A report published by Telstra has shown that the shortage of skilled labour tops the concerns of small and medium businesses.
Public Defence Capability Plan released online
The 2011 Public Defence Capability Plan (the DCP) has been released, providing information for the defence industry on Defence’s planned capital equipment acquisitions.
Arrow awards LNG plant design contract to offshore consortium
Arrow Energy’s plan to construct a multi-billion dollar LNG plant on Curtis Island off Gladstone in Central Queensland has taken a major step forward with the awarding of the front-end engineering design (FEED) contract.
More international engineering students needed: Bligh
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has identified engineering as one of the most urgently needed areas of skill required to meet the state's growth needs, and has called for increased Commonwealth assistance to support Australia's international education sector.
Austal wins $350 million contract for border patrol boats
A West Australian ship builder, Austal, has been awarded the $350 million contract to construct and support the next generation of Customs and Border Protection patrol boats.
UGL reports strong result, but cautious on outlook
Infrastructure services company, UGL Ltd, has reported a strong result, with ten per cent growth in profit after tax to $158.5 million on operating revenues of $4,583.6 million. It is the tenth consecutive year of profit growth for the company, although at the lower end of the company’s guidance projections.
Renewable energy storage researcher awarded Laureate Fellowship
Professor Maria Forsyth, Chair in Electromaterials and Corrosion Sciences at Deakin University and Associate Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science has been awarded a 2011 Australian Laureate Fellowship.
Australia leads international water pipe research project
Australia is leading a $16 million international research project into why and when buried water pipes burst.
ANU breakthrough sends light around a corner
ANU scientists have successfully bent light beams around an object on a two dimensional metal surface, opening the door to faster and cheaper computer chips working with light.
Applications open for Emerging Renewables program
The Australian Government has called for applications for its $126 million Emerging Renewables program established to support promising renewable energy technology projects such as geothermal, solar and ocean.
Merger consolidates SKM's South American position
Global project management specialist Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has continued to build its South American presence after merging with Chilean water engineering consultancy firm IRH.
Hays launches major projects job website
International recruitment specialist Hays has launched its major project jobs website where jobseekers can view positions in major oil, gas, resources and mining and energy and construction projects in Western Australia.
Funding for SA defence industries training announced
Funding of $4.5 million has been awarded to the Defence Teaming Centre to create 2,300 new training places to boost skills and qualifications for South Australia's defence industries.
$558 million to address skills shortages
The Federal Government has launched the $558 million National Workforce Development Fund to address the emerging skills shortage that will provide 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.