Australia's biggest construction company, CIMIC, accused of not paying foreign workers in the Middle East

Australia's biggest construction company, CIMIC, stands accused of not paying hundreds of millions of dollars to workers, subcontractors and banks in its Middle East operations in a scandal that has been described as a humanitarian disaster.

  • Hundreds of workers have been left stranded and unpaid after CIMIC announced the sale of its Middle East arm a year ago

  • The company, formerly known as Leighton Holdings, has had a scandal-prone history

  • Their major shareholder, ACS, has recently proposed a $1.5 billion takeover bid to take the ASX-listed company private

Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps Report Released

Infrastructure Australia partnered with 48 Regional Development Australia committees to conduct extensive consultation on community views. This was supported by engagement with key regional stakeholders, including businesses, peak bodies and industry groups, to help create a picture of each area’s diverse assets, incumbent growth industries and infrastructure requirements.

These region-specific analyses provide a lens to highlight and understand opportunities and prioritise investment. The Regional Strengths report also looks for commonalities to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing to enable proactive planning led by local communities.

“This is the first time a report of this magnitude has been conducted solely on Regional Australia that localises each area’s strengths and opportunities. It provides a foundation of data, knowledge and community perceptions to support future infrastructure planning, decision-making and network governance across the country," said our Chair, Col Murray.

Vice - Papua New Guinea

Vice

HBO series Vice sheds some light on the mining activity going on in Papua New Guinea in a format that is easy to understand. Why has Exxon Mobile and the likes not responded to accusations like this?

http://www.vice.com/read/papua-new-guinea-is-cursed

 

Preferred Contractor Announced for Cross River Rail

The Queensland Government has announced the preferred contractors for the $5.4 billion project which includes the Pulse Consortium for the tunnel project and the Unity Alliance for the Rail Integration Systems. Pulse is led by CIMIC and includes Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, UGL, BAM, Ghella and DIF. Unity brings together CPB Contractors, UGL, AECOM and Jacobs, and partners HASSELL, RCS Australia, Acmena, Martinus Rail and Wired Overhead Solutions.

The Cross River Rail Project will commence in 2019 and be constructed over 5 years generating approximately 1500 jobs during the project.

Good Luck to the team.

Adani A$16 billion Carmichael coal mine on hold

Global infrastructure player Adani Group has had their Federal approvals stopped by the Australian Federal Court in relation to two species which are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). The Ornamental Snake and the Yaka Skink are both listed as Vulnerable. Adani Environmental Management Plans should have specifically related to the protection of these two species including habitat protection. Small species such as these would be difficult to locate during the construction phase of the project. Optimal management would include pre-construction surveys and relocation of species found within the mine footprint. 

Well it's over to the Federal Environmental Minister...

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing

Toowoomba second range crossing has been won by Nexus Infrastructure. Including Plenary Group, Acciona, Ferrovial, Cintra, and Transfield Services. 

The Project is currently asking for local business and companies to register their interest.

For registration:

http://www.nexustsrc.com/#localindustryopportunities