Archived News for Engineering Professionals
Major reform has been slated for the Federal Government’s infrastructure statutory advisory body, Infrastructure Australia (IA), after an additional $36 million injection was announced in the Federal Budget.
A new Statement of Expectations will be issued to clarify IA’s role with an aim to achieve greater levels of transparency in the organisation.
A National Infrastructure Construction Schedule will be established to provide information on major infrastructure construction across all levels of government and help build the national pipeline.
$1 billion for Pacific Highway upgrade
The Federal Government has announced a $1 billion upgrade to New South Wales’ Pacific Highway in the nation’s Budget.
$3.4 billion for rail programs
The Federal Government has announced a $3.4 billion injection for the country’s rail system.
Federal Government announces $61 million for 'smart roads'
The Federal Government has announced a $61.4 million injection for state governments to fund smart road infrastructure, cut commute times and reduce greenhouse emissions.
Tax incentives for major infrastructure projects
The Federal Government is aiming to encourage more investment in infrastructure by sweetening the ability of investors to claim greater tax deductibility in potentially high-risk major infrastructure projects.
The revised tax treatment will allow for losses in projects to be passed along to new investors by liberalising of the tax rules relating to business continuity and same business tests.
DIT releases road safety draft
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport has requested input from heads of transport and road agencies around the country for after publishing the first draft strategy of its new National Road Safety Strategy for 2011-2010.
Abbot Point Coal Terminal lease money direct to disaster relief
The Queensland State Government has announced the finalisation of the 99 year lease of the X50 Abbot Point Coal Terminal to Mundra Port Pty Ltd at a price of $1.829 billion after the Federal Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board approved the deal.
$256 million for ACT transport infrastructure
The ACT Government has announced a $256 million injection for transport infrastructure in the Territory’s 2011-12 Budget with an aim to deliver ‘major upgrades to transport infrastructure across Canberra’.
$21.5 million for Victorian aviation and manufacturing
The Victorian Government has announced a $21.5 million injection for regional Victorian manufacturing and aviation industry in the State’s 2011-12 Budget.
Victorian Budget spends on rail transport
The Victorian State Government has announced a $403 million package for Victorian rail infrastructure and train upgrades.
Victorian Budget announces $601 million for state roads
The Victorian State Government has announced a $601 million road package in the State’s Budget aimed at delivering improved road works for outer-suburban and regional areas.
Manufacturing not a spent force: report
A new report by the Australian Business Foundation has concluded that the manufacturing sector is a vital part of the Australian economy and will continue to be an important generator of economic activity and jobs if it embraces innovation, invests in skills, and boosts collaboration.
Engineering company fails in fallout from Montara disaster
Northern Territory engineering company, Universal Engineering, has gone into voluntary liquidation as a result of financial exposure to the Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea nineteen months ago.
Funding boost for SADI program expected
The upcoming Federal Budget is likely to include a significant funding boost for the $14 million per annum Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program, according to a report in The Australian Financial Review.
Defence industry calls for better procurement systems
Australia’s defence supply industry is taking the opportunity of a Senate inquiry to call for improved Defence procurement systems to help sustain and grow the industry’s capabilities and innovation.
WorleyParsons wins $250 million port expansion contract with Fortescue Metals
WorleyParsons has been awarded an engineer, procure and construction management services contract for the expansion of Fortescue Metal Group’s Anderson Point port facilities in Port Hedland Western Australia.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore project to generate 550 jobs
The NRW Holdings Ltd/Eastern Guruma joint venture has been awarded the Rio Tinto Iron Ore contract for the Western Turner Brockman Project Earthworks and Primary Civil Works, worth around $160 million over 12 months.
Skills shortages in NSW hinder recovery
Skills shortages are continuing to have a significant impact on business performance in New South Wales, according to the recently released NSW Business Chamber - Commonwealth Bank Business Conditions Survey for the March 2011 quarter.
Carnegie Wave Energy activates first commercial-scale CETO unit
Carnegie Wave Energy is the first company in the southern hemisphere to generate electricity from the ocean's wave, after successfully activating its first commercial-scale CETO unit off Garden Island in Western Australia.
New software aids reliable power supply
Materials engineering specialists at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) have developed a new software program designed to help coal-fired power stations improve their efficiency and sustain a reliable output.