Archived News for Engineering Professionals
Proposed NSW legislation designed to ‘harmonize’ state and federal occupational health and safety law has passed the state’s parliament after the government compromised on a number of changes.
The NSW government, which hoped to give all employers immunity from prosecution by unions and the state Industrial Relations committee, caved to demands by the state Greens, unions and the Hunters and Fishers party to see partial right to prosecute over the most severe cases, such as workplace deaths, serious injury or illness.
The unions have the right to pursue litigation and prosecution that can result in jail sentences or fines up to $3 million.
Square Kilometre Array bid gets $10.8 million boost
The Western Australian Government has announced an investment of $10.8 million in new roads, power and optic fibre infrastructure in the State’s Mid-West in an attempt to bolster Australia and New Zealand’s bid for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope project.
Engineering and construction industry to grow by $82.5 billion next year
THE engineering and construction industry is set to grow to $82.5 billion next year -- double its size six years ago -- amid concerns of falling productivity in the industry.
NSW introduces Infrastructure NSW legislation
Legislation has been introduced to the NSW Parliament to establish Infrastructure NSW , a statutory agency that will deliver co-ordinate infrastructure planning across the whole of government.
Bio-derived jet fuel a possibility
A joint research report compiled by CSIRO and major aviation industry representatives shows that economically and environmentally beneficial aviation fuel is a viable proposition in the coming 20 years.
China's CACS Corporation wins Spinifex Ridge contract
Chinese engineering firm CACS Corporation has been awarded Moly Mines’ Spinifex Ridge engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.
$1.2 billion for WA's road, rail and bus networks
The Western Australian Government has announced a $1.2 billion injection for the state’s public transport infrastructure, bringing the planned funding in the area to almost $5 billion over the next four years.
$42 million for major road repairs in Queensland
$42 million in federal and state funding has been announced for major road repairs in North-Western Queensland as part of ‘Operation Queenslander’.
$40 million for Fursden Creek Bridge
The Queensland Government has announced a $40 million construction of the Fursden Creek Bridge in Mackay, North-East Queensland.
First funds for Inland Rail Link
The first $30 million of the $300 million promised for the Inland Rail Link by the government at the last Federal election has been allocated for expenditure in 2013-14.
Victorian rail upgrades to start by July
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder has announced that early stage works on the Regional Rail Link will begin by July 1.
Golder projects receive international recognition at GE Awards
Two Golder Associates projects, one of them in Australia, have been recognised at the international Ground Engineering (GE) Awards, receiving ‘Highly Commended’ (runner-up) and ‘Commended’ in the category of ‘International Project of the Year’ at the annual awards’ event held recently at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Late councils to lose infrastructure funding
The Federal Government has a threatened to ‘blackball’ councils that finish Commonwealth-funded infrastructure projects behind schedule or over budget.
Geothermal research centre launched in Queensland
The Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence (QGECE) has been officially opened at the University of Queensland, with funding of $15 million from the Queensland Government allocated in 2007.
Sustainable Population Strategy released
The Federal Government has released the nation's first ever dedicated sustainable population strategy.
International Energy Centre to open
The universities of Queensland, Newcastle, Monash and Western Australia have entered a joint venture, together with Xstrata Coal, to open an International Energy Centre (IEC) in Brisbane by 2012 that will offer a Masters of Energy Studies.
Port Bonython inches closer to fruition
The planned port facilities at South Australia’s Port Bonython are a step closer to realization after an agreement between the South Australian State Government and ports consortium Spencer Gulf Ports Links (SGPL) was struck.
Potential technical problems cancel Qantas strike
Qantas’ engineers have cancelled their planned industrial action, citing recent technical problems as a potential safety concern for the airline’s passengers.
EWLP buys up land for Iron Boomerang rail link
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.
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."