Infrastructure

Takeover target Asciano is hopeful Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure can still pull off its $8.9 billion bid, despite local logistics firm Qube moving to block the marriage.

The state government is at odds with the Commonwealth over plans to shelve the second stage of the $1.7 billion Perth Freight Link, with the federal minister for cities saying today the funding agreement was for both stages of the project, not just stage 1.

Perth-based data centre operator Red Cloud has announced plans to build a new $40 million ‘Tier 3’ facility in Hobart, using modular technology.

A joint venture between UGL and UK company Cape has won a contract to provide services to the Woodside Petroleum-operated Karratha gas plant for an undisclosed sum.

The ownership of railways and stevedoring operations across Australia has been thrown into further doubt after logistics group Qube Holdings revealed plans for a break-up of Asciano, after teaming up with two big international investors to acquire a 19.9 per cent stake in the takeover target.

WorleyParsons shareholders are seeking tens of millions of dollars from the engineering and construction giant, alleging they were misled over earnings forecasts.

Shipbuilder Austal has built on its relationship with the US Navy, winning a $US53.5 million ($A75.3m) contract to procure materials for a new vessel.

Engineering contractor Calibre Group has announced a radical restructuring that includes a partial buyout of minority shareholders, delisting from the ASX, and the purchase of Sydney-based company Diona for $45 million.

WorleyParsons shareholders targeted Perth-based director Erich Fraunschiel in a protest vote at today’s annual meeting, where the engineering giant disclosed it has cut a further 900 jobs over the past three months.

The state government has named a consortium led by Leighton Contractors as the preferred proponent for construction of the $500 million Roe 8 highway project, which is the first leg of the contentious Perth Freight Link.

BlueScope's Port Kembla steelworks may still be on borrowed time despite a three-year tax break from the NSW government that secures the immediate future of its 4,500 workers.

The state government has released plans to formalise a ‘protection area’ around the Western Trade Coast industrial area, pleasing existing industry but disappointing land developers.

Max Bergomi has left his executive position at engineering group Clough to take the helm as chief executive of Tempo Australia.

Brisbane-based Suncorp Bank is calling time on its sponsorship deal with Perth Arena, making it the first corporate partner to withdraw support since signing with the facility at its 2012 opening.

Crescent Capital Investments has sweetened its takeover offer for infrastructure services group Cardno, boosting the deal to $3.45 per share, one week after competitor Coffey announced a friendly takeover deal with global player Tetra Tech.

A new $32.1 million bus-only bridge will be built in the CBD to ease congestion and get buses out of the city faster, with construction set to begin early next year.

Conditions are ripe for the final piece of Bunbury’s harbour relocation.

SPECIAL REPORT: Economic diversity is just one of the region’s attractions.

The proponent of one of Perth’s three waste-to-energy plants is hopeful more local councils will commit to diverting waste from landfill towards the $400 million project, following a contractual agreement with a group of long-term supporters.

Local technology company DTI Group has won a $5.3 million contract to supply its video surveillance systems to the manufacturer building trains for Sydney’s Metro Northwest project.

A resident fearful of losing her home under the controversial $1.76 billion Perth Freight Link project has wept while making her submission to a senate inquiry.

Thirteen peak industry groups in Western Australia have backed the establishment of an infrastructure advisory group, in a move designed to give the business sector a unified voice and more weight in policy setting.

Business groups in WA are taking the lead on forming a peak infrastructure council after state government failure to support the concept.

Karratha has become the second regional centre in Western Australia after Onslow to complete a major airport upgrade this year, with Busselton and Port Hedland set to commence projects that will lift total spending to about $240 million.

Local manufacturer Civmec has announced plans to further diversify its services, with the formation of a new defence business unit and a $30 million spend to expand its Henderson facilities.

A joint venture between Civmec and Sedgman has won a $145 million engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract at BHP Billiton’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Under-pressure civil contractors have called on state and federal governments to take on further debt to finance more public infrastructure projects.

Former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wants to see closer agricultural ties between Australia and Indonesia.

Perth-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has been hired to finish off work at Yara International’s $US800 million Burrup ammonium nitrate project in the Pilbara, after Downer walked off the job last week.

Three waste-to-energy projects have received environmental approval, while the state government has increased landfill levies.

Diversified contractor Brierty has won an $8.5 million contract to reconstruct three sections of the Coalfields Highway in the Shire of Collie.