eiengineering’s analysis of the construction scenery in Australia reveals that both the private and public sectors have witnessed massive growth in this industry. There are currently several energy, transport and cultural projects underway that are aimed at improving vital services and achieving economic growth.
Following is a summary of the high priority construction and development projects underway in Australia, spearheaded by both the private and public sectors.
There are currently three large LNG schemes (Ichthys, Wheatstone, and Prelude) under construction to add to the seven existing projects. There is about $AUD80 billion budgeted for these projects, which are aimed at drawing gas fields off the northern coast of Western Australia.
Located in the heart of Karratha, the facility aims to have over forty hospital beds, an ambulatory care centre, a surgical centre and an emergency department. The $AUD207 million project is expected to support other health facilities.
This Perth project is worth $AUD100 million and involves the construction of a new station, platforms and rail track adjacent to the new Perth Stadium in Burswood, Perth. This project is due to finish in 2017.
New Museum (WA)
The museum will be built in Perth and will be an essential part of the cultural quarter in Western Australia. The project will involve the revitalization of heritage listed buildings with world class design buildings, an Energy Thermal Solution for Perth Cultural Center and redevelopment of external areas. It is due for completion in 2020.
The Greater Enfield Project (WA)
This project is located in Western Australia and consists of up to fourteen wells in total tied back to the Njugima-Yin FPSO. The project involves the addition of a Low Salinity Water Treatment Plant and Injection Pumps, Turbine Drivers, Corrosion Inhibitor Injection Facilities and Multiphase Pumps with variable speed drives and control system.
M1 Pacific Motorway (Gateway-Motorway merge Upgrade) (QLD)
This project is being carried out in Queensland, and it aims to solve the urban congestion problem. The project involves the addition of a southbound section of the motorway between 8 Mile Plains and Rochedale, construction of a 4-lane overpass on Underwood Road of the old bridge, and repositioning of the bus entry to the Pacific Motorway.
Queen’s Wharf (QLD)
This project aims to connect the Botanic Gardens, South Bank, Queen’s Street Mall and Brisbane River. The Queen’s Wharf will include five big hotels, a riverfront moonlight cinema, hostels, three residential towers and a new department store.
Bruce Highway Upgrade (QLD)
This project will involve the renovation and upgrade of the Bruce Highway to six lanes from Caloundra Road to the Sunshine Motorway. It will include upgrading both interchanges and the delivery of a 2-way service lane for local traffic on the western side of the highway between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Drive.
M4 Smart Motorway Upgrade (Parramatta to Lapstone) (NSW)
The NSW Government has committed $400 million to this upgrade project. The M4 Smart Motorway will introduce a smarter way of travelling the M4 by using real-time information, communication and traffic management tools to provide a safer and more reliable journey to motorists. Currently in the detailed design phase, it is being further refined in preparation for construction. Timing of construction has not yet been confirmed, but is expected to start this year and be completed within three years, subject to weather.
WestConnex (NSW)
WestConnex will provide 33 kilometres of motorway to link western and south-western Sydney with the city, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany precincts. When completed, it is expected WestConnex will reduce travel times between Parramatta and Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, create 10,000 jobs during construction, double capacity on the M5 East corridor, remove an estimated 4,000 trucks a day from Parramatta Road by putting them underground, and deliver more than $20 billion in economic benefits to NSW. The project started in 2015, and will be delivered in stages, with an expected completion date of 2023.
VicRoads are upgrading the M80 Ring Road from Princess Freeway, Laverton North to Greensborough Highway, Greensborough as part of a $2.25 billion project. This upgrade aims to ease congestion by providing more lanes in each direction, reduce travel times, improve traffic flow and improve safety with better road layout. Three sections of the upgrade have been completed and planning is underway for the remaining sections, with works set to start mid year.
This $10.9 billion project aims to cater for Melbourne’s growth by moving the busiest train lines through a new tunnel under the city, freeing up space in the City Loop to run more trains in and out of the city. The Metro Tunnel includes the development of five new underground stations (Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South, Domain). This is one of the largest public transport projects ever undertaken in Australia, and the first major investment in Melbourne’s CBD rail capacity since the City Loop 30 years ago. Currently in the planning and design phase, the construction phase is due to commence in 2018.
This has been a summary of some of the high priority infrastructure and construction projects currently underway in Australia. With short, medium and long-term projects underway, and new projects continuing to emerge, the construction industry continues to grow. For more information on other infrastructure and construction projects in Australia please visit the following sites:
