Civil Infrastructure
Western Australia to have the nation’s longest electric highway by 2024
August 18, 2021
The longest electric highway in the country will be developed in Western Australia, with 45 spots to make up the electric vehicle fast charging network. This will include up to 90 fast charging stations and back-up charges in locations stretching as far north as Kununurra, south to Esperance and east to Kalgoorlie, which an average distance of 160km between charging stations. According to the WA government, most electric cars run for at least 400km, and is expected to improve further in the next couple of years. Charging station locations were chosen to encourage tourists to spend time in regional towns. …
Optus Stadium viewing platform: ‘Ring Pull’ to add serious wow factor
August 5, 2021
The 42m-high viewing platform that resembles a giant beer can ring pull is expected to open on the roof of the Optus Stadium before the scheduled 2022 AFL season. The announcement of the $7 million all-abilities attraction already has some wags giving Perth’s world-class stadium the nickname of the “tinnie”. The platform, which is located on the western side of the stadium, will project about 5m beyond the edge of the rood and give tour groups uninterrupted city-wide views. Safety harness is required for all the guests while on the roof above the field of play, however, they are allowed …
Track laying complete on METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link
July 27, 2021
The last piece of track has been laid on the METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link, a major milestone towards completion of the project, which is funded jointly by the State and Federal governments. More than 27,000 sleepers and 2,400 tonnes of Australian-made steel were used to install more than 16 kilometres of track from Bayswater Junction to High Wycombe Station. Installation of the overhead conductor rail (OCR) and overhead line equipment (OLE) is also ongoing. This will carry the 25 kilovolts needed to power the trains. The installation of OCR infrastructure is underway within the two tunnels, and all surface OLE structures are …
Statement – Construction underway to fix one of WA’s most dangerous intersections
June 11, 2021
Leach Welshpool Alliance, comprised of Georgiou Group Pty Ltd, BG&E Pty Ltd and Golder Associates Pty Ltd has started work on improving the safety and bust congestion of Perth’s most dangerous intersections – he Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange. The project will deliver a new grade-separated intersection with Leach Highway bridging over Welshpool Road; an at grade roundabout at the intersection of Leach Highway and Welshpool Road; and an upgrade of the Leach Highway Bridge over rail south of the interchange. The design of the interchange will improve traffic flow and is expected to reduce peak travel times, while …
Major Road and Rail projects to face skills shortage – Roads Australia/Australian Railway Association
June 3, 2021
In a joint submission to the Federal Parliament’s inquiry into skilled migration in March 2021, Roads Australia (RA) and the Australian Railway Association (ASA) has sent a request to include specialist skills critical to the delivery of major road and rail construction projects in the Priority Skilled Occupations List. According to RA and ASA, these sectors will be impacted by the lack of access to skilled overseas workers and will impede the delivery of major transport infrastructure projects. Road Australia CEO, Michael Kilgariff emphasized that governments rely on the delivery of transport infrastructure projects to stimulate post-Covid economic activity. He …
WA’s $1.3B pipeline of infrastructure projects
May 7, 2021
Western Australia has been allocated a budget of $1.3 billion for major infrastructure projects. Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that investments into infrastructure projects would make WA roads safer, improve public transport and reduce travel times while creating more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs across WA. Some of the main projects funded include: $347.5 million for METRONET: Hamilton Street-Wharf Street Grade Separations and Elevation of Associated Stations, including Queens Park Station and Cannington Station and an enhanced METRONET Byford Rail Extension project, with new grade separated rail crossing at Armadale Road and an elevated station at Armadale; $200 million …
$215M Mitchell Freeway extension underway in WA
April 28, 2021
The $215 million Mitchell Freeway extension is underway with investigative works, geotechnical investigations and surveying being conducted. The project is expected to extend the Mitchell Freeway 5.6 kilometers north from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road and will have two lanes running in each direction. This aims to reduce congestion and improve connectivity in Perth’s north-west corridor. The project is also aiming to see a cycle network and Principal Shared Path built on the western side of the freeway. The Mitchell Extension Joint Venture (MEJV), on behalf of Main Roads, has been appointed to design and construct the extension project with …
Construction Tradies and Professionals in Massive Demand
April 14, 2021
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has published the Job Vacancy data which shows higher vacancy levels for many trades than they were before the COVID outbreak. Vacancy levels for electricians, have risen for eight consecutive months and now stands at 1, 958-the highest level on record since October 2019. The vacancies for plumbers are also at their highest levels since June 2018 whilst demand for painting trade workers stand at three-year highs. Vacancies for architects, construction manager and various engineering roles are almost back to pre-COVID levels. Although current levels of construction employment are below those seen during …
Australia is Set for a Tsunami of Road and Rail Projects
April 6, 2021
BIS Oxford Economics latest forecasts shows that the expected overall dollar value for construction work done on civil and engineering projects will surge from $88.7 billion in 2019/20 to almost $120 billion by 2022/23. The rebound is said to be driven by unprecedented levels of spending on road and rail infrastructure. The BIS expects activity on transport infrastructure to increase from $30.7 billion in 2019/20 to reach a peak of almost $50 billion by 2022/23. BIS Oxford Economics Principal Economist Nicholas Fearnley stated that the boom in transport construction which is expected to take place over coming years will differ …
Perth Build-to-Rent Tower Gets Nod
March 31, 2021
Sentinel Real Estate has secured approval for its third project in Perth. The project, to be built on the corner West Coast Highway and Manning Street will comprise 175 apartments in a mix of sizes atop a three-storey mixed mixed-use podium. The 21-storey build-to-rent project will be developed and leased by Sentinel and will feature four commercial tenancies, 230 bike parking bays, 215 car parking spaces and end of trip facilities for commercial tenants. The first stage of the three-stage development, known as Element 27, has been in operation and tenanted since early 2019. The second stage is under construction …
