Infrastructure firm RCR Tomlinson has won two construction contracts with a combined value of $108M in Australia.RCR has been awarded a $73M contract by MMG Limited (MMG) for the construction of a processing plant at MMG’s Dugald River project.Under the contact, RCR will be responsible for project management, fabrication and supply of various structural steel, mechanical and E&I components, and the construction and commissioning support for a zinc and lead concentrator and associated plant.Construction work on the project is set to commence immediately, subject to MMG finalising financing arrangements, and the plant is expected to be complete in October 2017. MMG is responsible for the plant design and the supply of the key processing equipment.Meanwhile, Rio Tinto awarded RCR a $35M contract for the construction and commissioning of Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert Power Station.The scope of work includes overall project management, construction and commissioning of an 80MWe open cycle power plant at Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert iron ore operation in Western Australia. Rio Tinto will be responsible for the design and procurement of major equipment items for the power station. Work will begin immediately and the power plant is set to be complete in October 2017.RCR’s managing director and CEO Paul Dalgleish said: “The project for MMG builds on our position as a leader in the construction of major minerals processing plants. We are looking forward to working together with MMG and the local community to successfully deliver these construction works.“The Cape Lambert project is the first win of an improving pipeline of opportunities that we are seeing in the power generation sector. We are currently preferred on a number of other large power projects including gas and solar power stations that are under negotiation. We are pleased to continue our valued relationship with Rio Tinto through this project.”
Downer NZ has been awarded an $86M network outcomes contract (NOC) by the NZ Transport Agency to manage the Coastal Otago State Highway network in New Zealand.The scope of the contract includes the regular maintenance and operation of the 773km highway network, as well as the signage and markings, resurfacing, pavement rehabilitation, winter maintenance and incident response.Ian Duncan, NZ Transport Agency’s southern business unit manager, said: “The new $86 million contract starts this winter, from 1 July, and is part of a national Transport Agency initiative to improve the efficiency of roading maintenance through the engagement of a single supplier for each highway network on a performance-based contract.“Contract tenure will be based upon Downer achieving a number of monthly and annual performance measures which evaluate the efficiency, responsiveness and quality of their work.”This new contract model is set to deliver better operational outcomes and more efficient road maintenance.
The state government of Queensland has announced the environmental approval for the AUD347M ($251.1M) Sunshine Coast Airport runway expansion in Australia.The expansion project will include a new 2,450m by 45m wide east-west runway, capable of servicing aircraft such as the Airbus A330, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777.It will also include proposed changes to airspace and flight paths, two end taxiway loops, navigational aids and expansion of the existing apron, an air traffic control tower and aircraft rescue and fire-fighting services station.Queensland minister for state development and natural resources and mines Anthony Lynham said: “This project opens up the region to more national and international destinations such as Singapore and Perth and has the potential to bring almost half a million more visitors a year to the coast by 2040.“Most importantly, this will generate 1,500 more ongoing jobs by 2040, more than 80 construction jobs and an estimated $140 million-plus boost to regional economic activity during construction.“That represents business opportunities for local construction, manufacturing and professional services companies in the region.”
A joint venture between Jacobs Engineering and Aurecon has secured a contract to carry out the engineering design of the AUD5bn ($3,6bn) WestConnex New M5 Project in Australia.The New M5 motorway, the largest section of the WestConnex project, will link to the upgraded King Georges Road Interchange on the existing M5 East Motorway at Beverly Hills and run via twin tunnels to St Peters.The project, which is being delivered by the CPB Contractors-Dragados-Samsung joint venture, is set to double the M5 East corridor’s capacity, improving travel times and reliability for the 100,000 motorists that use the route daily.Three-dimensional design and building information management (BIM) systems are being implemented to design and document elements of the project in order to assist with the coordination and integration of design with other parties.Jacobs’ senior vice president of buildings and infrastructure Patrick Hill said: “We are very proud to be contributing to such a globally significant project, one that is set to have a positive impact on Sydney’s road network for many years to come.”
CIMIC Group subsidiaries Pacific Partnerships and CPB Contractors have been awarded the Canberra light rail stage one project by the Australian Capital Territory Government. The group is part of the Canberra Metro Consortium responsible for the project, and the scope of the work comprises the sponsorship, design, construction, operations, maintenance and equity investment of the Canberra metro.Stage one of the development includes the design and construction of a 12km light rail route from Gungahlin to the city with 13 stops, a depot, and road, signalling and preparatory works. It also involves the on-going operation and maintenance of the light rail system. The project will generate profits to CIMIC of approximately $300M over the design and construction period and $300M over the 20-year concession.CPB Contractors managing director Román Garrido said: “Stage one of Capital Metro will provide the backbone of an accessible and user-friendly public transport system and a new industry for Canberra.“The key to this project’s sustainable and successful delivery is the planned participation of local business. Creating local jobs and enhancing workforce capabilities will benefit future light rail stages and other regional infrastructure projects.”Construction work is expected to be complete in late 2018 and the metro is slated to be operational in early 2019.Canberra Metro comprises the CIMIC Group’s Pacific Partnerships and CPB Contractors, John Holland, Mitsubishi Corporation, Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments, DB Engineering & Consulting, CAF and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Ltd (MUFG).
The state government of Victoria has approved a new master plan to transform the former Melbourne Convention Centre site on Spencer Street, Australia.Plans to transform the under-used site include a $200M three-tower development and feature three apartment buildings ranging from 27–34 levels, with 1,060 apartments, retail space, and spaces for 451 cars and 160 bicycles.While portions of the former Melbourne Convention Centre are being demolished to make way for the development, the 13-level Crown Plaza Hotel, which overlooks the Yarra River, will remain as it is.Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said: “This is a good development in a prime location near Southern Cross Station, trams and public space along the Yarra River which will provide more housing at the gateway between the CBD and Docklands.“This master plan shows how we can deliver more housing in under-used parts of the city while increasing the amount of parks and open space for the public.”
CIMIC Group’s construction company CPB Contractors has won a contract from GoldLinQ Pty Ltd to design and build the $200m Stage 2 of the Gold Coast light rail project in Australia.Under the contract, CPB Contractors will construct a 7.3km northern extension of the Gold Coast light rail from Gold Coast University Hospital to Helensvale, to connect Stage 1 with the main Brisbane to Gold Coast rail line.CIMIC Group’s executive chairman and CEO Marcelino Fernández Verdes said: “The Queensland government’s commitment to delivering state‐of‐the‐art public transport has provided us with the opportunity to design and construct this significant light rail infrastructure.“Our capability and major project experience in the rail sector provide the certainty of delivery that is necessary for the expansion of the transport network in one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.”CPB Contractors’ managing director Román Garrido said: “We continue to work with GoldLinQ to achieve innovative design and cost‐effective construction solutions for this project, to the benefit of the people of Queensland.“In addition, our team will engage with local workers and businesses to develop increased job and work opportunities as the project progresses.”Construction work on the project is set to start in April 2016 and will be complete in late 2017.
A joint venture between Italian infrastructure group Salini Impregilo and Australia's NRW Pty Ltd. has secured a contract worth AUD1.176bn ($898m) from the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia to design, build and maintain the Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth, Australia.The underground passenger rail line project will connect the eastern suburbs of the city with an existing suburban rail network as well as the airport. It will measure 8.5km in length, of which 8km will be underground.The JV will bore twin tunnels for the entire length of the line and build three stations. Parking spaces and new and expanded bus feeder services will also be built. The rail line will be tunnelled underground from a junction near Bayswater Station, under the Swan River and the airport.Western Australia’s premier Colin Barnett said: "This is a huge milestone on the path to delivering this project, which will change the face of Perth's eastern corridor and give people direct access to the airport by public transport."Early work worth AUD370m ($281m) comprising geotechnical work, contract management and land purchases is already underway. Work at the site is scheduled to begin shortly, and the line is expected to open in 2020.
The government of New Zealand is set to invest NZD278m ($193.7m) to upgrade the State Highway 2. The project will take place between Pokeno and the SH25 intersection and will include the widening of 32km of the original road into three lanes, with two of them reserved for traffic heading west towards Auckland.In addition to the extra lane, a new roundabout will be built and four interchanges separating state highway and local traffic will be constructed.It will also be future-proofed, allowing the road to become four lanes if required.Work is set to start on the design, consents and property purchase for a long-term overhaul of the road that will be carried out in five stages over several years.New Zealand transport minister Simon Bridges said: “These upgrades will help ease congestion and improve journey predictability, making a huge difference for the local community, the freight industry and for people travelling north after a weekend on the Coromandel.”Construction work is anticipated to start in 2017/18.
An alliance between Lendlease, CPB Contractors, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Aurecon and Metro Trains Melbourne has secured a contract for the $1.6bn Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project in Australia. The project will see the removal of nine dangerous level crossings, the construction of five new stations and the upgrade of signalling and power. It will also transform lengthy rail and rocks into new parks, paths and open space.Along with the 65 new high-capacity metro trains, the project will create space for 11,000 extra passengers to catch the train on Melbourne's busiest rail line.Victoria’s treasurer Tim Pallas said: "The project to eliminate these congested death traps is about to begin, and 2,000 jobs are about to be created."This project will deliver more room, on more trains to carry more people on Melbourne's busiest rail line. It's needed now, and we're not going to waste a day - we're going to get it done."
The University of Canberra has signed a $1.7bn agreement with CIC Australia for the development of up to 3,300 new residences in Belconnen, Australia.The new residences will be a mix of units and townhouses, which will be constructed over a 15-20 year period.University of Canberra vice-chancellor professor Stephen Parker said: "It is great to see another stage of our 'Educated Life' vision coming to fruition."Our vision foresees that by 2030 our campus will be a leading example of how a modern world-class university transformed its physical surroundings to create an integrated learning community where scholars, students and the public intermingle."This residential development, which is part of the university's Campus Community precinct, will see a mix of students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the general public living in a modern, progressive, sustainable, edgy community."
The state government of Victoria, Australia has allocated $1.46bn in 2016 state budget towards the completion of the Western Distributor project.With no funding from the Commonwealth Government, Victoria will undertake the $5.5bn project on its own.The project will provide a second river crossing connecting the West Gate Freeway with Citylink, cut travel times, reduce congestion and improve the living conditions in Geelong and Melbourne's West.The expected reduction in congestion in Melbourne's West will help lower the cost of doing business and enable workers to access job locations easily. It is anticipated that about 5,600 jobs will be created during the project's construction phase.Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews decision to set aside $1.46bn over four years to complete the project has been welcomed by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for whom the progression of the project is a priority.
Australia-based construction firm Watpac has signed a $264m contract with Country Garden Australia to build the Ryde Garden residential project in North Ryde, Sydney.The company has been working with the China-based developer to formalise the contract after its appointment as preferred contractor in October 2015.The project will include 830 residential units with basement parking for 730 cars, 2,100 sq m of public park, roof top gardens and a communal pool, 1,100 sq m of commercial space including retail space, gymnasium and a child care centre. The main component of construction work will start in the coming weeks, with completion anticipated at the end of 2018. The project is aiming to achieve a 4-Star Green Star Design rating.Watpac managing director Martin Monro said: “Watpac is extremely pleased to be working with Country Garden Australia and acclaimed architects Bates Smart to deliver the Ryde Garden residential development at North Ryde in Sydney.“Comprising three towers of 13, 23 and 27-storeys, Ryde Garden will provide expansive open spaces including a public park set close to the North Ryde Station, offering a landscaped retreat for both residents and the local community.”
Brookfield Multiplex, an Australia-based contracting and development company, has signed an AUD1bn ($756m) construction contract with Chinese property developer Dalian Wanda and its partner Ridong Group to build a Jewel hotel and apartment complex on Australia’s Gold Coast.The three-tower construction project will house more than 500 residential apartments, basement parking, a 169-room five-star hotel and high-end retail and dining precincts.The Jewel project is slated to be opened in early 2019.During construction phase, the Jewel complex is set to create more than 2,700 jobs and another 500 post-construction jobs for ongoing operations and maintenance.Queensland Acting Premier Jackie Trad said: “Once opened in early 2019, the Jewel will be Australia’s largest hotel and residential complex, and such a significant investment from China’s private sector shows the value the international market places on this booming tourism hub right here in Queensland.
CPB Contractors has been appointed as the preferred contractor to design and build the second stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail project in Queensland, Australia.Estimated to cost $420m, the project will involve a 7.3km extension that will connect the existing light rail system at Gold Coast University Hospital station to heavy rail at the Helensvale station.Majority ($270m) of the funding for the project will be provided by the Queensland Government, with $95m to be provided by the Australian government and $55m from the City of Gold Coast Council. Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said: “The Palaszczuk Government is satisfied CPB Contractors is experienced, well-qualified and has the expertise to manage the design and construction of the second stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail system and deliver it in time for the 2018 Games.“Now we’ve announced the preferred contractors, early works on the light rail extension will able to start next month.“Once it is built, Stage Two will have the potential to carry 3,000 passengers per hour which will be critical to support the transport plan for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”
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Construction has started on the five-star Park Hyatt hotel at Auckland's waterfront in New Zealand.
New South Wales (NSW) minister for transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance has announced plans for a new rail nerve centre at Green Square, Sydney.
Global Switch, the owner and operator of large scale cloud and carrier neutral data centre space in Europe and Asia-Pacific, has started construction on the last two stages of its $300m Sydney East data centre project in Australia.
The Canberra Metro consortium has been selected to deliver the first stage of the Capital Metro light rail project in Australia.