May 2009 News
Thursday 28th May 2009
Construction work falls in March quarter - May 27th
The value of construction work in progress has recorded its biggest fall in almost nine years, as building and engineering firms scaled back activity in response to the economic downturn. But economists suspect the decline in the first quarter of 2009 will be temporary, with a pick-up in residential building forecast late this year and into 2010. Click here for full story
Infrastructure upgrades sink to decade low - May 27th
Maintenance and upgrade work on infrastructure has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade, confounding hopes that public spending could help the construction sector ride out the recession. Click here for full story
RCR JV secures $150m BHP contract - May 26th
RCR Tomlinson Limited (RCR) said that, with its joint venture partner Laing O’Rourke, it had received a contract for the design and construction of primary and secondary crushing facilities for BHP Billiton Limited (BHP). The engineering company said the value of the contract was around $150 million. Click here for full story
It’s Tender Time Again - May 26th
The federal Government has announced that it will soon be calling for tenders for its $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots Initiative. This is part of the Government’s campaign to ensure there is more competition in the broadband sector, particularly in regional Australia. Click here for full story
Diploma Group in $200m Abu Dhabi deal - May 25th
Belmont-based property developer Diploma Group has entered a $200 million deal to construct the second stage of a multi-use development in Abu Dhabi. Click here for full story
Light rail extension could run within a year - May 25th
IN THE first sign that the Rees Government is looking for immediate solutions to inner Sydney's congestion crisis, the Transport Minister, David Campbell, today will take a proposal to extend the light rail line to a key cabinet committee. Click here for full story
Renewable energy's 26,000 new jobs - May 25th
RENEWABLE energy projects under construction or planned in response to the proposed emissions trading scheme will create 26,000 jobs, according to new research published as the federal Coalition seeks to defer the scheme on the basis that it could be a "jobs killer". Click here for full story
Green light close for Santos' $8 billion Qld LNG project - May 25th
SANTOS' environmental impact statement for its $8 billion liquefied natural gas project is expected to be given the green light by the Bligh Government as early as next week, putting it in pole position in Queensland's dash for gas. Click here for full story
From Roads to Rinks: Government Spending on Infrastructure in Canada, 1961 to 2005 - May 23rd
The overall growth of government-owned infrastructure has been very similar across most regions over the past 44 years. Click here for full story
State Government welcomes BHP Billiton moves on uranium front - May 22nd
Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today welcomed reports that BHP Billiton was moving to develop the $17billion Yeelirrie uranium deposit, 500km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Click here for full story
Uranium on the horizon - May 22nd
BHP Billiton has submitted documents outlining plans to develop Australia’s first new uranium mine in more than 20 years, a BHP spokesperson told MINING DAILY. Click here for full story
John Holland awarded $250 million Maitland to Whittingham Third Road Alliance project - May 22nd
John Holland, in an alliance with GHD and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), has been awarded the tender to construct the $250 million Maitland to Whittingham Third Road Alliance project. The project will involve the construction of a 42.8 km third track from Maitland to Whittingham. Click here for full story
Kwinana port granted planning approval - May 22nd
Planning approval has been granted for a private port in Kwinana backed by construction boss Len Buckeridge. The port was commissioned by the Liberal Government in 1997 amid the union backlash towards Prime Minister John Howard's industrial relations changes. Click here for full story
$4.3 billion Regional Rail Express to create jobs and help suburban and regional passengers - May 22nd
The Prime Minister and the Premier of Victoria today welcomed the announcement of funding for the new $4.3 billion Regional Rail Express - the biggest single investment in the metropolitan rail project since the city loop was built and the first major new rail line for metropolitan Melbourne in 80 years. Click here for full story
Thursday 21st May 2009
Watpac secures $50 million in tender wins - May 21st
Watpac’s civil infrastructure division has won almost $50 million worth of contracts, after securing a range of projects around Australia. Click here for full story
No rail link leaves new 'artsy' suburb isolated - May 20th
A lack of public transport is threatening the success of a cutting-edge residential development in Melbourne’s inner city, according to a former lord mayor. Click here for full story
John Holland awarded $250 million Maitland to Whittingham Third Road Alliance project - May 20th
John Holland, in an alliance with GHD and the Australian Rail Track Corporation, is pleased to announce it has been awarded the tender to construct the $250 million Maitland to Whittingham Third Road Alliance project. The project will involve the construction of a 42.8 kilometre third track from Maitland to Whittingham. Click here for full story
Bells Line Expressway won't be built: RTA - May 19th
The New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has admitted it has no plans to build the Bells Line Expressway. The RTA released its transport vision for the Central West at the NSW Local Roads Congress yesterday. Click here for full story
Defence PPP 'brings little benefit' - May 19th
The National Audit Office has found only a marginal cost benefit by having the private sector build the Defence Force's Joint Operation Headquarters in rural New South Wales. Click here for full story
New Light Rail announced for Gold Coast - May 19th
THE Federal 2009-10 Budget includes $8.6b funding for road and rail infrastructure upgrades in Queensland. The new 13km Gold Coast Light Rail from Griffith University to Broadbeach is expected to support up to 2,500 jobs. Click here for full story
Monadelphous wins major minerals processing industry contracts - May 18th
MONADELPHOUS has announced that it has secured contracts with a combined value of $100m with major customers BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. The majority of the contracts are in central Queensland. Click here for full story
Stakeholders close to tunnel commitment: ARTC - May 18th
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is close to getting a commitment from mining companies and other stakeholders to jointly fund the $1 billion Murrundi rail tunnel. Click here for full story
Australian construction downturn to drag on in 2010 - May 18th
ENGINEERING and commercial construction is expected to experience a period of marked slowdown in 2009 followed by a decline in 2010. Click here for full story
Thiess John Holland Wins 2009 Australian Construction Achievement Award - May 18th
Thiess John Holland has won the coveted 2009 Australian Construction Achievement Award for the delivery of the EastLink project in Melbourne. Click here for full story
Sydney Budget snub: IA tight-lipped on submission quality - May 17th
The chairman of Infrastructure Australia (IA) has refused to be drawn about the quality of submissions presented by New South Wales for consideration by the Federal Government for last week's Budget. Sydney was effectively ignored by the Rudd Government in its choice of major infrastructure projects for investment. Click here for full story
Rudd plans 'world's largest' solar project - May 17th
The Federal Government says it wants to create the largest solar energy project in the world. It says the project will be as close as possible to the existing energy grid. Click here for full story
Santos' green plan for CSG project - May 16th
SANTOS will develop one of Australia's largest forestry plantations to deal with the 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools a day of water that will leak from its coal seam gas fields in Queensland, as the company ramps up its $8 billion liquefied natural gas project. Click here for full story
Downer dumps junta-linked Burma airport plan - May 16th
INFRASTRUCTURE and engineering group Downer EDI has abandoned plans to design a Burmese airport for a company with close links to the police state's oppressive military junta. Click here for full story
SGA selected as preferred proponent to construct Mandurah Entrance Road - May 15th
Southern Gateway Alliance, comprising Leighton Contractors, WA Limestone and GHD has been selected by Main Roads as the preferred proponent to build the new Mandurah Entrance Road. Click here for full story
Tamar Valley Power Station – construction on track - May 15th
Premier David Bartlett today inspected progress at the Tamar Valley Power Station. Last August the Government stepped in to purchase the partially built power station from Babcock and Brown Power, when difficult credit market conditions meant the power station was in danger of never being completed. The construction phase represents around 340 jobs, with 26 permanent positions created on completion. Click here for full story
Preliminary works underway on Beenleigh Connection Road - May 15th
PRELIMINARY works are underway on a $6.3m bridge construction project on Beenleigh Connection Road (Boundary Street) in Beenleigh. Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says the Beenleigh Connection Road is an important project on a busy road in the Beenleigh area. The projects has 49 direct and indirect jobs. Click here for full story
New concrete bridge boosts safety over Oaky Creek near Texas - May 15th
Construction of a new concrete bridge over Oaky Creek will begin this month to improve road safety in the Texas region, Queensland. Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says Oaky Creek Bridge is one of more than 100 timber bridges to be replaced across the state in the next five years, as part of the Bligh Government's $350m Regional Bridge and Renewal Program. Click here for full story
Designer named for National Library gallery - May 15th
Cunningham Martyn Design (CMD) has been awarded the tender to design the National Library of Australia’s new Treasures Gallery and Exhibition Gallery, scheduled to open late next year.Click here for full story
Thursday 14th May 2009
Rail funds mark a priority shift - May 14th
The feds first foray into funding urban transport systems, long starved of investments by state governments, is a watershed. Public transport capacity just hasn't kept up with rapidly rising demand in recent years. Click here for full story
Goolwa Wastewater Treatment Plant opened after eight years of work - May 14th
AFTER eight years of construction, the $2.8m Goolwa Wastewater Treatment Plant was officially opened by the Alexandria Council and South Australian state politicians on 12 May 2009. Click here for full story
Hilton hotel project saved - May 14th
Construction has resumed at the $700 million Hilton Hotel development site at Surfers Paradise after Brookfield Multiplex stepped in to save the project. Click here for full story
Minimal funds to fix Sydney congestion - May 13th
AUSTRALIA'S largest and most congested city has missed out on billions of dollars in funding for improved rail services after Sydney's long-term transport plan was shelved and the sector turned upside down. Click here for full story
Lend Lease lands $3b Ekka grounds revamp - May 13th
Lend Lease has been named as the preferred developer for the $3 billion overhaul of Brisbane's RNA showgrounds, home of the annual Ekka. Click here for full story
Research centre construction due soon - May 13th
South Australia's Health Minister, John Hill, says a planned Health and Medical Research Institute next to the proposed new Royal Adelaide Hospital will provide more room for scientists. Click here for full story
Pilbara receives 100km pipeline - May 12th
An underground pipeline will be used to transport iron ore more than 100km across WA’s north-west after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the project a green light. Click here for full story
Budget infrastructure scheme to create 40,000 new jobs - May 12th
THE federal Government has unveiled the biggest investment in infrastructure since the end of World War 11, committing $22 billion to build key road, rail, broadband and port projects. Click here for full story
Infrastructure Australia priority projects - May 12th
Click here for full list
South Australia to benefit from Nation Building Budget - May 12th
In this Budget the Rudd Labor Government is investing almost $380 million in South Australia's road and rail infrastructure - an investment that will support local jobs and local businesses during the current global recession. Click here for full story
Economic Stimulus package: Key Rail projects get underway - May 12th
Work on laying 658,000 new concrete sleepers along two critical sections of the interstate freight rail network has started with funding provided under the Rudd Labor Government's Economic Stimulus Package. Click here for full story
Macmahon wins $120m in new water supply contracts - May 11th
Contractor Macmahon says it has been awarded three major east coast contracts valued at $120 million to improve water supplies across Queensland and New South Wales. Click here for full story
$5m for Tamworth Indoor Sports Centre - May 11th
The construction of the Tamworth Indoor Sports Centre has been given a major boost with a $5 million grant from the Federal Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese. Click here for full story
A1 Minerals awards plant refurbishment contract - May 11th
A1 Minerals has awarded a $1.7 million contract for the refurbishment, construction and commissioning of its BrightStar Gold Treatment Plant near Laverton to CPC Engineering. Click here for full story
Fears grow for future of rail expansion - May 10th
The government's railway budget is threatening to unravel amid crisis talks over franchises and the revelation that First Great Western can walk away from a 10-year deal without footing the entire £1.1bn bill. Click here for full story
Opposition slams delay in starting infrastructure projects - May 9th
The Federal Opposition says the Government has wasted time and jobs delaying the start of infrastructure projects around the country which are expected to be announced in Tuesday's Budget. There has been speculation the Government will spend $25 billion in road and rail projects. Click here for full story
Inland rail still a very viable proposition - May 9th
The result of the latest study into the proposed Inland Rail between Melbourne and Brisbane are encouraging, said the Federal Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Transport Minister, Warren Truss. Click here for full story
PM's $25bn infrastructure fast track to recovery - May 9th
TUESDAY'S federal budget will invest more than $25 billion in key road, rail and port projects, including a heavy rail freight corridor linking Melbourne and Brisbane, aimed at hauling the nation out of recession. Click here for full story
Wyralong dam construction begins - May 9th
Work has begun on Queensland's first new dam in two decades. The construction will create 420 jobs. Click here for full story
Veolia Water snares Sydney recycled water contract - May 8th
The NSW Government has granted approval to a new player in Sydney’s recycled water market that will attract $100 million of private sector investment and create 64 construction jobs while saving billions of litres of water each year. Click here for full story
Crucial rail upgrade is on the right track - May 8th
NO NEW infrastructure projects have been included in the Federal Government’s $26.4 billion nation building package for the New England region. However, funding for the previously announced Ardglen Tunnel rail upgrades has been confirmed, according to information supplied by Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese’s office. Click here for full story
Clough and partners agree on target outturn cost for Toowoomba Pipeline - May 8th
CLOUGH and its alliance partners Diversified Construction and Maunsell AECOM have agreed with client LinkWater Projects on a target outturn cost to deliver the $187m Toowoomba Pipeline Project. Click here for full story
Critical roadwork on southbound lane of highway near Caboolture - May 8th
CONSTRUCTION work will be carried out on Captain Whish bridge in the southbound lane of the Bruce Highway as part of the $183m federally funded upgrade of the highway between Uhlmann Road and Caboolture. Click here for full story
ACT leads the way on stormwater capture - May 8th
The Australian and ACT Governments are investing more than $17 million in the Canberra Integrated Urban Waterways program, which will establish the ACT as a leader in innovative projects to reduce the use of drinking water for irrigation. Click here for full story
Stimulus Plan supports construction jobs in WA - May 8th
The Australian and Western Australian Governments today announced that construction is underway on the repairs and maintenance component of the Rudd Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan for an extra 20,000 social houses. Click here for full story
Thursday 7th May 2009
Barwon Heads bridge works to begin this month - May 7th
Works on the Brumby Government’s $40 million Barwon Heads Bridge reconstruction will start this month following the appointment of McConnell Dowell Construction to the project, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced today.Mr Pallas said the construction would be good news for the local economy with the more than 30 full-time staff to be employed during the life of the project. Click here for full story
VDM wins $15m Queensland contract - May 7th
VDM Group, through its Queensland subsidiary Bellero Construction, has secured a $15.3 million construction contract for stage nine of the Torbay Retirement Villages project. Click here for full story
ARTC puts 3.6 billion price tag on inland railway - May 7th
The Australian Rail Track Corporation has released the results of the first stage of the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail Alignment Study. Click here for full story
Judge kicks goal for shareholders' Wembley class action - May 7th
BROOKFIELD Multiplex's bid to derail a $220 million Wembley Stadium shareholder class action has failed, with a Federal Court ruling against it in Melbourne yesterday. Click here for full story
Green light for $74.6 million Dingley Arterial link - May 6th
The new Dingley Arterial road link will improve traffic flows in the outer south-eastern suburbs thanks to a $74.6 million investment in the Brumby Government’s 2009 State Budget. Click here for full story
St Hilliers Contracted Appointed to Build Kyko Group's $150 Million Mon Komo Project, Queensland - May 6th
St Hilliers Contracting has been appointed to construct one of southeast Queensland's $150 million mixed-use Mon Komo project, on the Redcliffe Peninsula. In a statement, the company said it was "appointed by developer Kyko Group, whose Mon Komo project will provide approximately 700 jobs on-site with further employment created through contractors and consultants, and significantly contributing to the area’s local economy. Click here for full story
Alstom sees boost for rail engineering - May 5th
Alstom, the manufacturer of France's 320 kilometre-an-hour TGVs, expects the rail sector to benefit as governments from the United States to China invest in high-speed railways as part of economic stimulus plans. Click here for full story
Environmental Group to upgrade Sydney Water sewage plant - May 5th
SYDNEY Water has awarded Environmental Group a contract to upgrade its Richmond sewage treatment facility. Click here for full story
Drill and blast contract win for Oz’s biggest magnetite development - May 4th
THE NRW Holdings and VDM Group joint venture has been awarded a $240m contract for bulk earthworks at CITIC Pacific’s Sino iron project at Cape Preston in the Pilbara, Western Australia. Click here for full story
Fulton Hogan expands into Australia - May 4th
After paving highways across New Zealand, one of the South Island's largest and most successful companies is expanding into Australia. Fulton Hogan is in the process of buying 50 per cent of Pioneer Road Services, which has an annual revenue of A$US450 million. Click here for full story
Job ads fall 50%, worse figures are still to come - May 4th
THERE are half as many job advertisements now than there were a year ago, according to the Olivier Job Index, which shows transport being the hardest hit and expectations that the worst is yet to come as the sector braces for swine flu. Among the other poorly performing sectors, engineering dropped 14.06 per cent in April because of the decline in mineral exports, human resources fell 13.86 per cent, and advertising and media were down 12.44 per cent. Click here for full story
To cut coal reliance, better step on the gas - May 4th
Australia's gas industry deserves better government support, to play a bigger role in power generation. IF CARBON capture and storage seems dubious, gas-fired power stations can deliver 80 per cent of the emissions reductions it promises — now. Click here for full story
Region's primary schools get cashed up with $25m - May 4th
FOURTEEN North-West and West Coast primary schools will share in more than $25 million in Federal Government funding. New multipurpose halls and refurbished learning areas were high on the wish lists for schools receiving funding under round one of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) grants. Click here for full story
Egypt invites WorleyParsons as Bechtel talks stall - May 3rd
Egypt will invite Australia's WorleyParsons to negotiate terms for a nuclear power plant consultancy after talks with tender-winner Bechtel Power Corp stalled, state news agency MENA said on Sunday. Click here for full story
All systems go in plan to dig world's biggest hole - May 2nd
BHP BILLITON's proposed $20 billion-plus expansion of the Olympic Dam copper/uranium/gold mine in South Australia's outback has inched closer with the publication of a 4600-page environmental impact statement. Click here for full story
Vic govt to create more than 5,000 jobs - May 2nd
The Victorian government is fast tracking six projects worth $1.4 billion, to create more than 5,000 jobs. And local council concerns have been pushed aside, with the state government taking control of the planning process. Click here for full story