http://www.constructioncontractor.com.auSample blank web siteen-auHITTING stores March 2010, is the first ever streetwear inspired range from iconic Aussie workwear brand, Hard Yakka. This no fuss clothing range has been engineered to take the everyday tradie from day to night.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Launching-Urban-by-Hard-Yakka/512350.aspxThu, 25 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMTA NEW WorkSafe handbook, Using Earthmoving Equipment Near Overhead Electrical Assets, is available online. The handbook provides simplified guidance, for employers and operators of earthmoving equipment, based on existing WorkSafe No Go Zone publications.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Using-earthmoving-equipment-near-overhead-power-lines/512346.aspxThu, 25 Feb 2010 04:00:00 GMTCONSTRUCTION work done rose in the December quarter, boosted by government stimulus spending which is mitigating the effects of the credit crunch and economic downturn on the industry, according to Master Builders Australia.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Government-building-programs-supporting-construction-industry/512101.aspxWed, 24 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTTHE worlds largest wheel loader manufacturer, LiuGong Machinery will arrive at the worlds largest equipment trade show with its largest collection of wheel loaders shown in Europe to date. At the April 2010 bauma in Munich, China based LiuGong will showcase its 842III wheel loader model among others.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/LiuGong-wheel-loaders-showcased-at-bauma/511872.aspxTue, 23 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTTHE Ai Group believes the NSW State Government had made a commitment to proceed with the Sydney Metro. The risk of a client not proceeding with a project once it is in the market is not a risk that companies could or should have to price into a contract proposal.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Metro-reimbursement-should-be-100-per-cent-of-costs-incurred-says-Ai-Group/511860.aspxTue, 23 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMTKONECRANES new WA South West branch has won its first Alcoa Pinjarra contractor group safety award in the first year of the branch being established near the alumina refinery, located 90 km south of Perth.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Konecranes-branch-earns-its-first-safety-award/511858.aspxTue, 23 Feb 2010 04:00:00 GMTSYDNEY Town Hall will be reopened to the public after a $40 million essential services, internal safety and fire services upgrade concluding stage one of a five-year rescue plan to protect the 19th century building for future generations.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Sydney-s-Town-Hall-to-reopen-after-extensive-safety-works/511795.aspxMon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMTGleason Cranes are introducing GGRs AirLIFT series of mini crawler cranes into the local market. These compressed, air powered cranes are specifically designed for use in zones that contain hazardous and explosive atmospheres which therefore prohibit the use of petrol or gas engines.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Mini-Crawlers-for-hazardous-environments/511684.aspxMon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTKell & Rigby CEO James Kell talks to Construction Contractor about the company his great grandfather co-founded a hundred years ago.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Kell-Rigby-notches-up-a-century/511054.aspxMon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTWE should do whatever we can to lessen emissions. Just do not send us broke in the pursuit of some science which may not be entirely right.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Copenhagen-Did-it-change-the-world/511056.aspxFri, 19 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTHAULOTTE recently started offering its customers finance solutions in a tailored package. The company has also introduced a two year warranty as standard across the range. A new range of products will hit Australia this year including the much anticipated Multi job MJX.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Haulotte-raises-platform-for-the-industry/511486.aspxThu, 18 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTFOREMEN have been putting an iPhone application through its paces as a way to manage administration on site rather than in the office. All Over Geo, developers of Foremans Mate, say the application was born out of a need to get building site supervisors back out on site and being hands on, rather than chained to their desk with paperwork.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/iPhone-construction-app-hits-the-nail-on-the-head/511366.aspxThu, 18 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTCONSTRUCTION company Abigroup has joined forces with depression awareness organisation beyondblue to raise awareness of depression in the construction industry. Information on depression in the workplace and promotional material on available services will be circulated throughout the construction industry.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Abigroup-teams-up-with-beyondblue-to-tackle-depression/511379.aspxWed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTBobcat Australia has released the E60 excavator, part of the new M Series line of loaders and excavators. It features a new design that increases operator comfort and machine durability while decreasing the frequency needed for some preventive maintenance tasks.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Bobcat-E60-excavator-incorporates-productivity-enhancements/511374.aspxWed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTTHE Australian Constructors Association has called for the reimbursement of tender costs in the event that the Sydney Metro project is cancelled, deferred or its scope changed significantly. Recent statements by the NSW Premier gave rise to serious concerns that the project may be terminated or significantly transformed.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Contractors-call-for-compensation-for-Sydney-Metro-tender-costs/511380.aspxWed, 17 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMTBUILDING permit activity in Victoria reached new heights in 2009, with a record 105,568 permits valued at $21.4 billion. The results are six per cent and three per cent higher than 2008’s record $20.2 billion for 102,618 building permits.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Building-permit-activity-in-Victoria-reaches-new-heights/511477.aspxWed, 17 Feb 2010 01:00:00 GMTTADANO has established a wholly-owned sales and service company in Brisbane to market and support its products in Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Oceania.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Tadano-enters-Australian-market-on-its-own/511355.aspxTue, 16 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMTCONSTRUCTION work on the Mardi-Mangrove Link Project will begin with establishment of a site office in Yarramalong Road in February 2010 and work at the Wyong River pump station the following month. After extensive planning, investigations, environmental assessments, designs, statutory approvals and community liaison work over the past two years, the physical construction of this project is now imminent.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Mardi-Mangrove-Link-construction-to-start-this-month/511319.aspxTue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTCompleting the Cat D Series Track Loader lineup is the new 973D, featuring load sensing hydraulics, joystick steering, new operators station and 10 per cent more power than its 973C predecessor. The new loader carries on the 973Cs all purpose performer reputation and retains much of its design.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Cat-973D-completes-D-Series-track-loader-line-up/511303.aspxMon, 15 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMTORLACO will present its camera monitor solutions for off road vehicles, cranes and forklift trucks at bauma 2010. The company will be showing the Spectrum scanner, a radar system, the CPH and FMC cameras and the pan and tilt zoom camera.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Orlaco-develops-camera-and-monitor-solutions-for-cranes/511298.aspxMon, 15 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTINNOVATIVE formwork supplied by Peri Australia is playing an important role in the development of the $12 billion Woodside Pluto LNG project on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha in WA.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Formwork-can-be-jumped-to-next-level/511049.aspxMon, 15 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTAUSCO Modular, has delivered a multimillion dollar expansion to Bemax Resources mineral sands projects at Pooncarie, NSW. Ausco built an expansion of the existing Ginkgo camp, complete with dining, office, gymnasium and laundry facilities to facilitate Bemax Snapper Mine, 10 km from Ginkgo.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Multi-million-dollar-building-expansion-at-NSW-mineral-sands-project/511309.aspxMon, 15 Feb 2010 04:00:00 GMTTHE Fiori ML700 compact microloader is powered by a Kubota D902 three cylinder water cooled diesel engine providing 18.5 kW of power. Added safety protection is provided by a standard ROPS TOPS foldable canopy.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Fiori-offers-articulated-micro-loader/511047.aspxFri, 12 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTTHE owner of a Broome resort has been fined $60,000 over an incident in 2006 that left an employee permanently disabled. Soon after the Squirrel motor was restarted, the EWP began to shudder, became unstable and toppled over. An inspection concluded that at the time of the incident the EWP could not be used safely because of its poor condition.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Faulty-EWP-leads-to-permanent-injury/511094.aspxThu, 11 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMTA HIGH performance modular crane system designed to maximise safety while minimising energy consumption and downtime is being introduced to Australia and New Zealand by Konecranes. The Smarton crane system is designed for optimum flexibility and reliability in challenging and changing environments.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Smarton-lifts-safety-energy-efficiency-and-uptime/511095.aspxThu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTWHILE hand injuries continue to affect the welfare of construction workers and reduce productivity, Bovis Lend Lease has shown that a commitment to safety issues can achieve positive results. According to Peter Marix Evans, Bovis Lend Lease Australias Head of Environment Health and Safety, the companys single greatest priority is health and safety.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Program-reduces-hand-injuries/511050.aspxWed, 10 Feb 2010 15:44:00 GMTAround the world, various schemes are starting to be implemented as a result of government efforts to kick-start the economy. Work for contractors and orders for machines. As this demand grows it will have positive impacts into mining and quarrying as the demand for materials increases.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/A-new-decade-and-a-new-beginning/511046.aspxWed, 10 Feb 2010 15:34:00 GMTASTA Powerproject Enterprise, a project management software solution designed for large construction projects, has been chosen to underpin a major construction programme within the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution programme.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Hansen-Yuncken-deploys-project-management-software/511037.aspxWed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTTHE national construction industry expanded in January 2010 due to a boost in house building and improved conditions in the apartment, engineering and commercial building sectors, according to the latest seasonally adjusted Australian Industry Group Housing Industry Association Performance of Construction Index.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Australian-PCI-Construction-expands-as-demand-strengthens/510925.aspxTue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMTVOLVO Construction Equipment and VT LeeBoy have finalised a strategic alliance agreement for LeeBoy to supply certain pavers and road wideners to Volvo dealers under the Blaw Knox brand. LeeBoy will also take full responsibility for product support of these machines, including the existing field population.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Volvo-Construction-Equipment-expands-road-portfolio-offering/510922.aspxTue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTA NEW attachment for Manitowoc’s Model 16000 crawler crane boosts the crane’s capacity to place the latest generation of wind turbines. The Manitowoc 16000 wind attachment uses existing hardware in a new configuration and gives the crane significantly enhanced lift ability when working at short radii, as is generally required in wind turbine erection.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Manitowoc-16000-wind-attachment-boosts-capacity/510915.aspxTue, 09 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMTBORAL has been ranked as the 61st most sustainable company in the world in the 2010 Global 100 list, announced at the Davos World Economic Forum this January. Boral is one of just 11 materials companies and there are only nine Australian companies listed in the sixth annual global list. http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Boral-ranked-61st-most-sustainable-company/510899.aspxTue, 09 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMTCONSTRUCTION will restart on a new manufacturing complex near Moranbah in Queensland in May 2010. The project is expected to create creating 600 new jobs. Incitec Pivot had postponed construction of the ammonium nitrate manufacturing complex in February 2009 because of the Global Financial Crisis.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Queensland-gets-jobs-boost/510908.aspxTue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMTConstruction costs in Australia are set to accelerate markedly, with the declines in costs which followed the financial crisis now at an end, according to a new report from industry research company Macromonitor. The report notes that a rebound in cost growth is already apparent and forecasts a steady rise in the rate of cost inflation over the next three years.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Construction-cost-inflation-forecast-to-return-to-predownturn-rate/510642.aspxThu, 04 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMTCHINESE manufacturer of earthmoving equipment, Shandong Lingong Machinery Company has formally appointed CJD Equipment as the exclusive distributor for SDLG products in Australia and Papua New Guinea, effective March 2010.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/CJD-Equipment-is-exclusive-reseller-for-Chinese-manufacturer/510650.aspxThu, 04 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMTBORAL has announced plans to double the output of its Mackay masonry block plant in Queensland. The announcement comes as a result of the strong mining, housing and infrastructure activity forecast in the region.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Boral-to-boost-Queensland-masonry-block-plant-capacity/510457.aspxWed, 03 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMTSCHAFFER Loaders has launched the 2336 which is a compact articulated loader between its 50 hp and 27 hp models. The 2336 features a limited slip differential, wet pack brakes, two speeds and a 36 hp Kubota engine.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Schaffer-releases-2336-mini-loader/510398.aspxWed, 03 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMTAbigroup, as part of the Axiom Education Victoria consortium, has built five new schools across the greater metropolitan Melbourne area.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Consortium-builds-five-new-Melbourne-schools/510404.aspxWed, 03 Feb 2010 02:00:00 GMTJCB and Volvo Construction Equipment have entered into a framework agreement under which they will cooperate on the engineering and manufacturing of skid steer loader and compact tracked loader products for distribution under their respective brands and through their respective global dealer networks.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/JCB-and-Volvo-join-forces-for-skid-steer-and-loader-manufacturing/510394.aspxTue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTAUSTRALIA faces another round of skills shortages of qualified engineers and building professionals and tradespeople with the December 2009 quarter Clarius Skills Index revealing they are among the most difficult jobs to fill for employers.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Recovery-worsens-building-and-engineering-skills-shortages/510360.aspxTue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMTSUBAKETTE is a specialist underground services contractor. Its teams have to work quickly to ensure relocation of underground works causes minimum disruption to people and businesses.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Zero-swing-excavator-s-full-buckets-save-money/510340.aspxMon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMTTHE Australian construction and mining equipment market fell by 27 per cent in 2009, according to figures released by the Construction and Mining equipment Industry group and Datamotive Business Intelligence.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Sales-fall-27-per-cent-in-2009-improvement-in-2010/510332.aspxMon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMTTHE $1.2 billion Queensland Children's Hospital moved one step closer to reality with the appointment of Abigroup Contractors as the project's managing contractor. Abigroup will manage construction of the Queensland Children's Hospital, which will combine the Royal and Mater children's hospitals into one facility at South Brisbane in 2014.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Abigroup-appointed-managing-contractor-of-Queensland-Children-s-Hospital/510348.aspxMon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMTFATIGUE is the number one accident risk factor for construction workers and requires better recognition by occupational health and safety managers, research at the University of Sydney has found. This research is the first to identify fatigue as the leading risk factor in a construction environment.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Fatigue-is-major-accident-risk-factor-in-construction/510174.aspxFri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMTSPECIALIST engineering, construction and asset management contractor, Bilfinger Berger Services, has been awarded a 25-year operations and maintenance contract for the $759 million toll-free Peninsula Link project in Victoria.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Bilfinger-Berger-Services-secures-O-M-contract-for-Peninsula-Link/510073.aspxThu, 28 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMTIRONPLANET, an online marketplace for used construction and agricultural equipment, recorded gross equipment sales of $458 million, an increase of 34 per cent over 2008. Fourth-quarter gross equipment sales totalled $124 million, up 29 per cent over the same period last year.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/IronPlanet-reports-record-growth-in-2009/510050.aspxWed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMTMELBOURNE-head-quartered consulting engineering firm Meinhardt Australia has played a key role in ensuring that the $4 billion Dubai Pearl development achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold pre-certified status.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Meinhardt-Australia-Delivers-gold-for-Dubai-Pearl/509930.aspxTue, 26 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMTIN terms of exhibition space, bauma is the biggest trade fair in the world. And for the next event in April 2010, this international showcase for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment, is getting even bigger.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Record-exhibition-space-for-bauma-2010/509316.aspxMon, 25 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMTIN AN effort to minimise workplace injuries on construction sites, Pro-Visual Publishing is calling all WA construction workers to implement a Job Safety Analysis with their 2010 Construction Industry Guide to Site Safety.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/Job-Safety-Analysis-critical-to-workplace-hazard-reduction/509921.aspxMon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMTCONSTRUCTION equipment manufacturers in the US expect overall industry business to turn around slightly in 2010 following double-digit expected year-end 2009 declines in the minus 40 per cent range for the US and minus 30 per cent range for Canada and other worldwide sectors.http://www.constructioncontractor.com.au/Article/AEM-survey-reinforces-continued-US-industry-slump/509898.aspxMon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT