The project will deliver a vital transport link to Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula, and will provide 4000 direct jobs, significantly boosting the economy.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 board.NEW SOUTH WALESRAILSydney CBD Metro (Proposed)Principal: Sydney MetroScope: Underground 7km rail line from Rozelle through Pyrmont and on to Central via Barangaroo-Wynyard, Martin Place and Town Hall SquareStatus: The scale and complexity of the CBD Metro project has necessitated a structured approach to tendering. The three stages are: registration, expressions of interest and invitation to tender. Registrations of interest for design and construction of permanent route infrastructure, including tunnels and linings, drainage, cross passages, excavation for stations and passenger entrances and temporary works required to enable construction, close on April 17. Expressions of interest stage will closely follow the registration stage. Contract for design and construction of permanent route infrastructure to be awarded mid-2010. Sydney Metro will soon begin a separate registration process for an integrated metro operations contract, the second major package of works for the CBD MetroPurpose: Provide an integrated transport network that will work well into the future, meet the needs of growing workforce and maintain the status of Sydney as a global cityContractors: NAValue: $4.8 billion(Update: State government announcement of registrations of interest, March 2009)NEW SOUTH WALESBUILDINGAustralian Institute of Police Management, North Head (Proposed)Principal: PlanningScope: Redevelop southern portion of site to provide new facilities and buildings not exceeding two storeys in height, includes new accommodation with total of 54 beds, new library extension, administrative building, new toilet and facilities building, integrated stormwater and drainage, demolition of existing buildings, retention and refurbishment of heritage-listed buildings and all heritage cottages onsite, retention of existing alignment of Jetty Road and Quarantine Station Road, reconfiguration of car parking, landscapingStatus: Approval of redevelopment March 2009Purpose: Deliver improved modern facilities for Australian Federal Police and benefit all Australian police forces; development located away from protected local population of fairy penguins and long-nosed bandicootsContractors: NAValue: $21 million(New project: State government announcement of project approval, March 2009)QUEENSLANDENERGYGladstone LNG Project (Proposed)Principal: Santos (60%), Petronas (40%)Scope: 450km gas pipeline from Bowen and Surat basin coal seam methane fields to Gladstone, initial 3.5Mtpa LNG, ultimate capacity 10Mtpa, LNG liquefaction plant on Curtis Island, Gladstone Status: Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted on March 30, 2009; final investment decision first half 2010; first exports scheduled 2014Purpose: Develop Santos coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas strategyContractors: Bechtel (FEED downstream components)Value: $7.7 billion(Update: Santos announcement of submission of EIS, March 2009)QUEENSLANDRAILRobina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension (Current)Scope: 4.1km extension of the Gold Coast rail, includes station at Varsity Lakes with 300 commuter car parks, new road network providing access to Varsity Lakes station, new road-over-rail bridge linking Pacific Motorway at Exit 85 roundabout and Scottsdale DriveStatus: Tracklaying commenced March 2009, completion early 2010; main project construction commenced 2007Purpose: First step in progressive extension of Gold Coast line to Gold Coast Airport, to help meet the coast’s future transport needs – one of the largest rail infrastructure investment projects currently underway in QueenslandContractors: TrackStar AllianceValue: $324.4 million(Update: State government announcement of project status, March 2009)QUEENSLANDBUILDINGBiscuit Production Line, Virginia (Proposed)Principal: Arnott’s (Campbell Soup Company)Scope: State-of-the-art biscuit production lineStatus: Project announcement March 2009, completion mid-2010Purpose: Increase Virginia bakery’s capacity by 10,000tpa, create 25-30 new employment roles in first year of operation, increasing to a possible 50-60 over next couple of yearsContractors: NAValue: $37 million(New project: State government announcement of project, March 2009)SOUTH AUSTRALIAROADSBoom Gates for Rail Crossings Program (Proposed)Principal: Road SafetyScope: Install flashing lights, boom gates and other protection control mechanisms at 34 high-risk crossings around state, includes: 25 locations with stop signs or give way signs to be upgraded to active protection, five are on arterial roads (including Stuart Highway) and 29 are on council roads, three are in the Adelaide metropolitan area and 31 are in regional South Australia, 20 sites will have flashing lights installed, five sites will have flashing lights and boom gates installed, seven sites will be upgraded to boom gates and two will be fitted with active advance warning lightsStatus: Federal government funding allocated to upgrade high-risk level crossings, March 2009, completion 2 yearsContractors: NAValue: $13.6 million(New project: State government announcement of funding, March 2009)TASMANIAWATER/WASTEWATERMidlands Water Scheme (Proposed)Principal: Department of Primary Industries and WaterScope: Pipeline to deliver irrigation water from Arthurs Lake and South Esk River to farmland as far south as Oatlands and Mount SeymourStatus: Design and development approval received March 2009, project subject to Tasmanian planning approvals, federal government due diligence, farm water uptake from farming communities, submission of approved farm plans and environmental approvals, March 2009Purpose: Provide secure supply of irrigation water to Midlands region, support expansion of agriculture and facilitate relief during periods of droughtValue: $78 million(Update: State government announcement of approval, March 2009)SOUTH AUSTRALIAENERGYHallett 4 Wind Farm, North Brown HillPrincipal: AGLScope: 132MW consisting of 63 x 2MW S88 V3 turbinesStatus: Turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contract awarded March 2009Purpose: Development of new renewable energy capacity required to meet Australia’s needs under the federal government’s expanded Renewable Energy TargetContractors: SuzlonValue: $341 million(New project: AGL announcement of award of contract, March 2009)VICTORIAROADSPeninsula Link (Proposed)Principal: RoadsScope: 25km four-lane freeway connecting the EastLink-Frankston Freeway interchange at Carrum Downs with the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Mt Martha, includes cycling and walking track along freewayStatus: Expressions of interest close May 5, 2009; main contractor to commence by end 2009, project completion early 2013; project to be delivered under Availability Public Private Partnership to ensure the road remains toll free while utilising the benefits of private-sector involvement. Under this model, the government is to make periodic payments to a private company based on key performance indicators – the model is not based on traffic usage but instead seeks the greatest road performance with the best value for money; environmental effects statement (EES) statutory exhibition closed December 19, 2008; outcomes of EES anticipated mid-2009Purpose: Previously called Frankston Bypass, Peninsula Link to provide continuous freeway condition connection from CBD to Rosebud with safety, amenity and economic benefits; once completed Peninsula Link will slash travel times between Carrum Downs and Mount Martha to 17 minutes, an improvement of up to 40 minutesContractors: NAValue: $750 million(Update: State government announcement of call for expressions of interest, March 2009)WESTERN AUSTRALIAENERGYLNG Precinct, Kimberley (Proposed)Principal: State DevelopmentScope: Liquefied natural gas processing precinctStatus: State government announced that it will not be considering Quandong Point as a potential site for LNG precinct and confirms James Price Point, 60km north of Broome, as the preferred location; negotiations with traditional owners, proponents and federal and state governments continuing, broad agreement reached but some outstanding issues to be resolved – once finalised, broad agreements to be presented to traditional owners on April 15, 2009, to seek their endorsementPurpose: Potential site for future LNG processing precinct Contractors: NAValue: NA(Update: State government announcement of project status, April 2009)WESTERN AUSTRALIARESOURCESSino Iron Ore Project, Cape Preston (Current)Principal: Citic PacificScope: Magnetite mine, production facilities, gas-fired power station, desalination plant, 25km conveyor to port facilities, accommodation villagesStatus: Extension of Stage 1 contract to install an additional 700-person camp awarded March 2009, Stage 1 camp construction completion April 2009, Stage 2 camp construction completion July 2009; engineering contract awarded September 2008Purpose: Produce 27.6Mtpa pellets and concentrateContractors: MCC Mining (engineering, procurement, construction), GRD (engineering), Wylie & Skene (camp construction)Value: $5.2 billion(Update: VDM Group announcement of subsidiary Wylie & Skene contract extension by MCC, March 2009)WESTERN AUSTRALIADEFENCEBindoon Training Range Access Control Facility (Proposed)Principal: DefenceScope: Office, living and storage facilities, vehicle parking, refuelling and washdown facilities, potable water, associated engineering services and landscaping of new facilities, demolition of defunct facilitiesStatus: Call for tender closed April 29, project timeframe 34 weeksPurpose: Construct new facilities to enable range staff better control over access and egressContractors: NAValue: $2.7 million (contractors’ work: $1.5-2 million)(New project: Defence call for tender, March 2009)
