Civil Infrastructure
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 …
Fini, Goh Submit Skyscraper Plans at Elizabeth Quay
March 23, 2021
Perth property doyen Adrian Fini and Malaysian Victor Goh have lodged plans for a 54-storey mixed-use tower to add to Perth’s skyline as part of the Elizabeth Quay redevelopment. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority approved CA and Associates’ $85-million bid for the 4486sq m parcel of land in 2017. The consortium have now lodged plans to develop Lot 4 at Elizabeth Quay. The proposed development is expected to have a strong architectural identity and provide a sophisticated corporate and community environment, which will provide a valuable contribution to the amenity of the Elizabeth Quay precinct and the Perth skyline. Plans for …
Joint media statement – Contract awarded for road gateway in Perth’s Eastern Suburbs
February 4, 2021
The Greater Connect consortium comprising Laing O’Rourke, AECOM, and Arcadis has been awarded the contract to deliver the Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges project. The project is expected to bust congestion and improve safety for traffic across the Hazelmere and Forrestfield industrial and freight distribution centres. The Morrison Government is allocating $247.25 million funding from its $110 billion, ten year infrastructure pipeline. Hon Rita Saffioti MLA, said procurement for the upgrades had been streamlined to boost the State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and would support up to 2,700 jobs. This would also help provide critical new connections for …
Joint media statement – Biggest ever South-West road project now underway, unlocking thousands of local jobs
February 1, 2021
Work on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road has kicked off today, which is expected to provide thousands of local jobs and economic benefits for the Greater Bunbury region. The South West Gateway Alliance, comprising Acciona, NRW Contracting, MACA Civil, AECOM and Aurecon, together with Main Roads, will build the 27-kilometre, four-lane, high-standard road from Forrest Highway near Australind to the Bussell Highway, south of Bunbury. According to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, upon completion the project would improve freight capacity, efficiency and productivity across the region. The project which has gone through planning for several years, recognizes the significance of …
Joint media statement – METRONET steaming ahead with three projects moving to shortlist phase
January 25, 2021
2021 looks set to be another big year of progress for METRONET, with three projects now moving into the major construction procurement shortlist phase. This includes the main construction contract for the Byford rail extension, the removal of three level crossings through Victoria Park and the construction of a new Midland Station. Premier Mark McGowan, said METRONET was creating local jobs and helping the Western Australian economy through COVID-19. With the nine Metronet projects in construction and another three major construction contracts to be awarded later in the year, there will be more opportunities for local jobs and businesses to …
