October

Australian first: Hi-Vis lightweight welding jacket now available

In an Australian first, welders will now be more easily seen and better protected, by a high visibility welding jacket marketed by BOC.

Councils struggling to even know about ageing bridges

MOTORISTS in regional New South Wales will need to get used to bridges that are closed or have reduced weight limits.

From the CCF National Policy Director: Same, same but different

Well as the president says in his article, we appear finally to be at the end of the most unpredictable and unusual time in Federal political life. I have to be cautious here as due to the vagaries of publishing deadlines, I have to hope that the new government keeps in one piece when this article reaches your in-trays and post boxes via the October edition.

Last new lane of Melbourne’s M1 opens

Major works on CityLink and the Monash Freeway, as part of the Victorian Government’s $1.39bn M1 Upgrade project, were officially complete on October 3.

Leighton, Baulderstone MDs retire

It is official: after 23 years at the helm, Wal King will step down from Leighton Holdings at the end of the year.

From the CCF CEO: More than 100 projects worth more than $6bn entered for Earth Awards

October is always a busy month for the Civil Contractors Federation. This year it marks both the National Conference in Canberra (October 20-24) and the culmination of the 2010 CCF Earth Awards.

Hydraulic breaker safety manual updated

The US Association of Equipment Manufacturers has updated its safety manual for carrier-mounted hydraulic breakers or hammers.

From the CCF President: New government creates new challenges

Some people read novels to while away the hours and to entertain themselves. For the 17 day negotiation period following the federal election, I found it much more entertaining, if not very enlightening, to read the daily newspapers.

New study says way forward for high-speed rail ‘starts now'

The case for a high-speed network across Australia’s east coast has grown stronger, with the government supporting a land mark study that calls for action to be taken immediately to preserve a corridor to ensure the network remains an economically viable option for the future.

SA, Queensland compliance monitoring leaders

THE federal government’s Building the Education Revolution is an ongoing $16.2bn enhancement program primarily for primary and public schools.

Seabed resting place for two driven-into-the-ground TBMs

Last month we reported on Wonthaggi Maggie and Rocking Ruby, two 500t and 4,8m diameter tunnel boring machines (TBMs), excavating 1.5 and 1.2km long sea water inlet and saline water outlet tunnels for Victoria’s desalination plant.

Sydney Aiport east/west runway extension wins Engineering Excellence Award

A $100m runway safety project at Sydney Airport won the Infrastructure Projects award at the Engineering Excellence Awards in Sydney in mid September.

Tasmanian innovation paves way for skills shortage solution

A Tasmanian-developed training initiative, will give enterprise more control in filling skills gaps, says SkillsDMC.

Tenth high-speed rail study announced

A federally funded study into the viability of high-speed rail between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will be the 10th of its kind. HSR is defined as a train capable of travelling at 250km/h (and faster) on a dedicated line.

What the model Work Health and Safety Act means for employers

Large shifts under the new national model Work Health and Safety Act demand immediate action from employers, prominent OH&S lawyer Michael Tooma will tell Sydney’s The Safety Conference in late October.

Huet Report: Which band? – broadband that is....

It all depends on who you listen to – Julia or Tony. Or in my case some mob who spent several calls telling me I now had broadband out in the bush where I live. More of that later.

September a good month for women in construction

Efforts to encourage more women into construction and engineering took a big step forward in September when 26 year old engineer Jillian Kilby won the 2010 Young Engineer of the Year in the Sydney Division of the Engineering Excellence Awards.

Wyaralong is the last of the big dams 

FEDERAL Agriculture Minister Tony Burke was asked on the ABC’s Landline program in March if he knew when the last dam was built in Australia.

Victoria to build first new racecourse in more than 30 years

Turf, synthetic and sand tracks will be part of a $688m green field racecourse to be established at Tynong, 70km south east of Melbourne.

Thinking outside the square drives bridge upgrade

The West Gate Freeway Upgrade project has delivered a modern 4km stretch of raised flyovers and twisting on and off ramps to a critical stretch of arterial road adjacent to central Melbourne.

Stopple saved water, slashed main tie in time

One of the largest urban growth areas in Australia is Armstrong Creek on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula. With 2500ha of developable land, it's poised to become home to up to 65,000 people, putting yet more pressure on the infrastructure on this area made so desirable by the SeaChange TV program.

Sand moving helped a beach too sandy keep passing boats afloat

Sitting on beautiful Georges Bay on Tasmania's east coast, the popular resort and fishing port of St Helens – one of the state's coastal gems – is home to a fleet of around 30 commercial fishing boats and 11 commercial charter boats, and is also used by larger recreational boats for game fishing offshore.

ECI helped overcome road making challenges in the Kimberley

In the August issue we looked in part one at how early contractor involvement (ECI) eased the construction task on a 23km section of Western Australia’s Great Northern Highway between Halls Creek and Kunnunurra.

Colour signs enhance safety on Melbourne’s M80

High visibility, full colour variable message signs, have boosted safety during work on the M80 Ring Road Upgrade in Victori

First Cat articulated truck power train rebuild completed in France

French company ECT (Enviro – Conseil – Travaux) recently opted to take advantage of the Caterpillar Certified Power Train (CPT) rebuild service, for two of its Cat 740 Ejector articulated trucks.

Hazell Bros takes delivery of its 100th Komatsu

On Thursday February 18, 2010 Robert and Geoffrey Hazell visited the Komatsu Australia Fairfield site in Sydney, for the official handover of Hazell Bros’ 100th Komatsu machine, a WA500-6 wheel loader.