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.”
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.
CPB Contractors, the construction company of CIMIC Group, has won a highway contract from Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads.
A joint venture (JV) of Salini Impregilo and NRW has been chosen as the preferred respondent to design, build and maintain the $2bn Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth, Australia.
Ground has been broken on the NZD700m ($464.5m) New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Greater Western Sydney Giants (Giants), an Australian rules football team, have unveiled plans for an A$800m ($569m) project to upgrade Manuka Oval and the surrounding area in Canberra, Australia.
Australian construction firm Watpac has secured a contract to build the $325m Mary Lane, a residential, hotel and dining precinct in the Brisbane CBD, Australia.