October 2009 News
Thursday 29th October 2009
Fate of Queensland’s $1.1 billion rail expansion secured - Oct 28th
The Queensland government has secured the future of the $1.1 billion Northern Missing Link project after reaching agreement with two coal companies, a move welcomed by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). Click here for full story
Victoria’s $3.2b rail link reaches milestone - Oct 27th
The Victorian government have signed a joint venture with Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) and Arup to complete the planning and geotechnical work for the state’s Regional Rail Link before construction begins in 2010. Click here for full story
Construction activity 'continues to climb' - Oct 26th
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says the latest building approval figures show the construction sector is recovering in the Cairns region in Queensland's far north. Click here for full story
Wheatstone LNG plant to cost $21bn - Oct 26th
CHEVRON'S planned Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia will cost more than $US20 billion ($21.5bn) to develop, according to figures put out by Apache, which ditched Woodside Petroleum last week in favour of a better deal with the US oil giant. Click here for full story
VDM Group to raise $35m - Oct 23rd
VDM Group has announced plans to raise $35 million as part of a strategy to reduce its debt levels and strengthen its financial position. Click here for full story
Qld govt secures $1.1b rail deal - Oct 23rd
The Queensland government says it has secured a $1.1 billion rail project after reaching an agreement with two coal companies. Click here for full story
Thursday 22nd October 2009
Sydney and the light rail solution: a closer look - Oct 21st
Public transport advocacy group, EcoTransit Sydney says that light rail has met with continued “resistance”, even though a number of studies clearly demonstrate its ability to help meet Sydney's transport needs. Click here for full story
Redbank Copper is finalising mineral processing project - Oct 19th
REDBANK Copper has announced it is finalising agreements for the design and construction of a Solvent Extraction Electro Winning plant with Queensland based management and engineering experts Calder Project Services. Click here for full story
Ravensthorpe receives $10m boost - Oct 19th
THE southeast town of Ravensthorpe, abandoned by BHP Billiton when it abruptly closed its nickel operations, has been given a $10m shot in the arm. Click here for full story
PPP the right model for Gold Coast Rapid Transit - Oct 16th
The delivery of the $1.7 billion Gold Coast Rapid Transit through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will ensure the project can deliver the right mix between the skills and resources of the public and private sectors – while delivering value for money and better services for Queensland taxpayers and commuters, says Infrastructure Partnerships Australia the nation’s peak infrastructure body. Click here for full story
BHP, Rio rethink iron ore deal - Oct 16th
PLANS by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto to create a jointly owned $US116 billion ($127 billion) iron ore colossus in Western Australia's Pilbara are being recast to deal with anti-trust concerns in Europe and fears in China that the combination will have too much pricing power. Click here for full story
Thursday 15th October 2009
Kentz Secures Two Gas Industry Engineering Contracts in Western Australia - Oct 15th
Kentz Corporation, the holding company of the Kentz engineering and construction group, through its Australian joint venture operating company Thiess Kentz, has been awarded two gas industry contracts with a combined value of around A$109 million in Western Australia. Click here for full story
Airport Link faces $35m 'adjustment' - Oct 13th
The builders of Brisbane's $4.8 billion Airport Link project will be forced to install double glazing and air conditioning in homes neighbouring the inner-north construction zone in a bid to placate local residents. Click here for full story
RTA refuses to reveal M4 papers - Oct 9th
The Roads and Traffic Authority has refused to release almost every document dealing with the planned extension of the controversial M4 East motorway despite a resolution of the NSW upper house ordering the production of all material. Click here for full story
Green light for coal rail project - Oct 9th
Premier Anna Bligh says Queensland's coordinator-general has given conditional approval to a coal rail project in the state's central region. Click here for full story
Thursday 8th October 2009
CityRail plan allows a north-west metro - Oct 8th
RESIDENTS of north-western Sydney could have an underground metro line from the CBD without the metro system taking up a critical heavy rail corridor beneath central Sydney, government documents show. Click here for full story
Dam opponents to appeal to Garrett - Oct 7th
A protracted campaign aimed at stopping the construction of a dam in southeast Queensland will target federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett from Wednesday. Click here for full story
WorleyParsons wins Flinders contract - Oct 6th
Engineering giant WorleyParsons Ltd has won a contract to manage a pre-feasibility study for Flinders Mines Ltd's Pilbara iron ore project in Western Australia. Click here for full story
Sydney Metro: PPP? - Oct 6th
The NSW Government may operate its Sydney Metro project as a public private partnership (PPP), with shortlisted bidders asked to propose options for private sector financing of the metro’s operations contract. Click here for full story
Santos Begins Gas Production From Oyong Phase-2 Project, Offshore Indonesia - Oct 6th
Australian oil and gas exploration and production company Santos has commenced gas production from the Oyong Phase-2 project, offshore Indonesia. Click here for full story
Private group seeks slice of $3b rail budget - Oct 6th
THE lobby group representing big transport and construction companies is pushing for a slice of the NSW rail budget, which is worth more than $3 billion. Click here for full story
EastLink duo stay on mediation road - Oct 6th
SPARRING infrastructure partners ConnectEast and Leighton Holdings have agreed to push ahead with mediation as part of a last-ditch effort to settle a high-stakes dispute over a bonus payment. Click here for full story
New Kurilpa Bridge a bargain at $63.3 million - Oct 5th
The Goodwill Bridge, opened in 2001, was originally estimated to cost $13 million but blew out to $33 million. Eight years later the cost of a bridge, albeit a tensegrity Bridge (the first of its kind on the planet we are told),. is now $63 million. Admittedly the superstructure is where the bulk of the cost would lie but it makes one wonder about a breakdown of the $63 million. Who got paid what for doing what? Click here for full story
Gindalbie project to start in December - Oct 5th
Gindalbie Metals Ltd says it is poised to commence construction of its $1.8 billion Karara iron ore project in Western Australia's midwest region before the end of the year. Click here for full story
Lincolne Scott re-brands as part of global shift - Oct 4th
In a move that underlines its growing global activities and alignment with the WSP group of companies, Australian green engineering group Lincolne Scott has re-branded as WSP Lincolne Scott. Click here for full story
Westmead. $99 million project approved - Oct 3rd
The Minister for Planning, Kristine Keneally, has approved the $99 million redevelopment at the Children’s Medial Research Institute (WSMRI), at Westmead. Click here for full story
Xstrata deadline on Anglo - Oct 3rd
XSTRATA, proposing a $45 billion takeover of mining company Anglo American, must make a bid or walk away for six months, Britain's Takeover Panel said. Click here for full story
Controversial Kimberley gas hub one step closer - Oct 3rd
The controversial liquefied natural gas development at James Price Point has overcome its first hurdle as the Government and resource company Woodside today signed an agreement to accelerate key studies and planning. Click here for full story
Global Construction to assist Woodside Pluto project - Oct 2nd
Global Construction Services Ltd will suppply scaffolding, plant hire and related services to the Woodside Petroleum Ltd's Pluto project, in an alliance with Giovenco Industrial Services Pty Ltd. Click here for full story
Light still on for CBD light rail - Oct 2nd
THE NSW Government has left open the possibility of light rail in the centre of Sydney, with the Premier, Nathan Rees, ''not ruling out'' plans for a tram line down George Street. Click here for full story
Public Works to review $1.5 billion in defence construction projects - Oct 2nd
Federal Parliament’s Public Works Committee is reviewing significant construction proposals by Defence across Australia worth nearly $1.5 billion and also an embassy refurbishment in Paris. Click here for full story