The project has been fast-forwarded following the award of federal funding, which will see both bypasses completed in 2011, six months ahead of schedule.Each Tuesday and Friday, CIN brings you the latest updates on major infrastructure projects – current and planned – across the nation. By tracking these updates, you can build your own database of substantial infrastructure projects about to commence or on the drawing boards.AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYRAILACT Light Rail (Proposed)Principal: TransportScope: 54.43km light rail system in Canberra providing for Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and Kingston routes to run in dedicated reserves on either the side of roadway or in median strip, includes bridges across Lake Burley Griffin, rail road crossing at Barry Drive, bridge across Macarthur Avenue, underpass beneath Gungahlin Drive, rail under road crossing for Northbourne AvenueStatus: Independent business case for light rail in Canberra commissioned by ACT government to support its application for Commonwealth funding through Infrastructure Australia released, April 2009; construction commencing 2011, completion four yearsPurpose: Decrease Canberra’s traffic congestion and commuting time, meet goals of economic development, sustainability and social inclusion; project requires limited land purchases given a high use of Crown land and vacant reservesContractors: NAValue: $2 billion(New project: ACT government release of independent business case, April 2009)NEW SOUTH WALESROADSHume Highway, Tarcutta Bypass (Proposed)Principal: Roads and Traffic AuthorityScope: Design and construct 7km dual-carriageway bypass to the west of town of TarcuttaStatus: Alliance team appointed April 2009, construction commencing later 2009, completion 2011, April 2009Purpose: Part of program to upgrade entire length of Hume Highway to four-lane divided carriageway by 2012 to improve safety and transport efficiencyContractors: Tarcutta Hume Alliance (RTA, Leighton Contractors, Maunsell Australia, SMEC Australia, Coffey Geotechnics)Value: NA(Update: Federal government announcement of funding under Nation Building Program and appointment of alliance team, April 2009)NEW SOUTH WALESROADSHume Highway, Woomargama Bypass (Proposed)Principal: Roads and Traffic AuthorityScope: Design and construct 9km bypass to the west of Woomargama villageStatus: Alliance team appointed April 2009, construction commencing later 2009, completion 2011Contractors: Abigroup and Sinclair Knight Mertz alliancePurpose: Part of program to upgrade entire length of Hume Highway to four-lane divided carriageway by 2012 to improve safety and transport efficiencyValue: NA (Update: Federal government announcement of funding under Nation Building Program and appointment of alliance team, April 2009)NEW SOUTH WALESROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITYAlstonville Bypass, Bruxner Highway (Current)Principal: Roads and Traffic AuthorityScope: Construction of 6.2km Bruxner Highway bypass at Alstonville and Wollongbar, bypass to commence at Sneaths Road, Wollongbar, and rejoin highway at Tropical Fruit Research Station at Perrys Hill, east of AlstonvilleStatus: Construction commenced April 2009, completion end 2010Purpose: Clear major bottleneck between Ballina and Lismore, quicker journey times for local and through-traffic, reduced through-traffic and congestion in Alstonville and WollongbarContractors: Professional Engineering Service (site-management services, $3 million); Reed Constructions Australia (construction, $43,814,399)Value: $90 million(Update: Federal government announcement of construction commencement, April 2009)NEW SOUTH WALESPORTSFourth Coal Terminal, Kooragang Island (Proposed)Principal: Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS)Scope: Construct 90Mtpa coal terminalStatus: All 14 Hunter Valley producers agree to landmark long-term coal export access plan; Newcastle Coal Infrastructure, PWCS and Newcastle Port Corporation signed agreement to implement plan for coal exports. Agreement contains a number of measures missing from original agreement, including triggers requiring terminals to build new capacity on demand, industry levy to help fund new terminal infrastructure where required, guaranteed access for new entrants and expanding producers, protection for small producers and proposal for fourth coal terminal, April 2009; project subject to ACCC approvalPurpose: Facilitate growth of Hunter Valley coal industryContractors: NAValue: NA (Update: Newcastle Port Corporation announcement of signing of agreement, April 2009)QUEENSLANDENERGYAsia Pacific LNG (APLNG), Gladstone (Proposed)Principal: APLNG (Origin Energy, ConocoPhillips)Scope: 3.5Mtpa increasing to 14-16Mtpa LNG four-train gas processing plant and associated facilities where gas will be cooled and liquefied for shipping overseas, gas transmission line to Queensland coastStatus: Project awarded “significant” status, allowing for terms of reference to be set for an environmental impact statement, April 2009; discussions continuing with parties regarding suitability of certain sites, Curtis Island, and alternative sites within Port of Gladstone under consideration, April 2009; production commencing 2014Purpose: Further develop APLNG’s CSG fields, export to international markets, supply to power stations, industry and for domestic heating and cooking, create 5000 jobs during construction and 1000 jobs during operation of projectContractors: NA (Origin responsible for development and management of CSG facilities and pipeline, ConocoPhillips responsible for construction and management of LNG plant)Value: $35 billion(New project: Origin announcement of award of “significant” project status, April 2009)QUEENSLANDBUILDINGLotus Green Correctional Centre, Atherton Tableland (Current)Principal: Corrective Services Queensland-Public Services (manager)Scope: Stage 1 includes construction of three new 100-bed cell blocks, new programs and medical buildings, four industry workshops, gatehouse, sports hall, visitor processing and staff amenities building, covered staff car parking and visitor car parking, 24-bed low security (farm) accommodation building, also includes redevelopment work to kitchen, staff dining, medical, visits, prisoner processing, bulk store, dog squad, staff training, industries and administration. Stage 2 to refurbish cell blocks B and C, sports hall, education and programs buildings, walkways and sports ovalStatus: Construction contract awarded April 2009, earthworks commenced January 2009, construction commenced March 2009; Stage 1 completion late 2011, Stage 2 completion late 2012Purpose: Expand and refurbish existing centre Contractors: Thiess (managing contractor, construction contractor)Value: $445 million(Update: Construction contract awarded to previously appointed managing contractor, Thiess, April 2009)SOUTH AUSTRALIABUILDINGGlenside Campus Redevelopment, Adelaide (Proposed)Principal: HealthScope: New 129-bed hospital including new purpose-built specialist services for mental health and drug and alcohol servicesStatus: Managing contractor for transition exercise to move services on campus so construction on new hospital and mental health facilities can begin, April 2009; project completion 2013-14Purpose: Part of state-wide reform of mental health systemContractors: ISIS (managing contractor for transition), Swanbury Penglase (lead architects), MAAP ArchitectsValue: $130 million(Update: State government announcement of managing contractor for transition services, April 2009)NORTHERN TERRITORYDEFENCERAAF Base, Darwin, Redevelopment Stage 2Principal: DefenceScope: Construct new fuel storage facility, FF7, to replace three older and smaller fuel farms, FF4, FF5 and FF6, and connect it via a ring main to FF3 and to each of the aircraft parking aprons in the eastern operational area of the baseStatus: Call for tender closes May 12Purpose: Fuel storage and reticulation component of the Redevelopment Stage 2 projectContractors: NAValue: $49.832 million (contractors’ activities, $18-20 million)(New project: Defence call for tender, April 2009)WESTERN AUSTRALIARESOURCESRapid Growth Project 5 Stage 5 (RGP5), Pilbara (Current)Principal: BHP Billiton Iron OreScope: Duplicate 220km existing railway line between Port Hedland and Shaw Siding on Mt Newman Line, includes construction of 1000 camp rooms with kitchens and recreational facilities, 1.2MMcm earthworks, construction of 10 new dual-track bridges and installation of 840km fibre optic cableStatus: Contract awarded April 2009, construction commencing April 2009, completion second half 2009Purpose: Increase facilities for Pilbara iron ore operationsContractors: Macmahon Holdings and subsidiary MVM Rail (50%), Leighton Contractors (50%) JVValue: $500 millionNew project: Macmahon announcement of contract award to joint venture, April 2009)
