Industry News

Traffic and Highway Patrol Officers have had heavy transporters in their sights during Operation Austrans, the four week program aims to sweep all facets of heavy vehicle compliance.

The New South Wales Government has pledged to spend $43 million upgrading the Bells Line of Road.

Brisbane will have to wait for its scheduled Riverside Expressway maintenance, with work being postponed today.

Confirmation today on a fuel excise rise from the Federal Government. An increase of 2.5 per cent up to 26.14 cents per litre will come into effect on July 1.

The newly released NSW State Budget holds some dire news for workers in the judicial system, with word up to 100 jobs will be cut from the Attorney-General’s Department.

The federal government has gained the ability to veto coal-seam gas developments in cases where the environement is at threat.

A recent educational forum in Queensland has given valuable advice to business on minimising risk and preventing injuries at work.

An engineer has been awarded one of the country’s top honours on the Queen’s Birthday list.

Engineers Australia has announced a Professional Development Partnership program with a major industry provider. 

61 drilling projects across Western Australia will share in a $7.2 million boost from the State Government; the funding is set to support the on-going search for minerals and petroleum.

The funds have already been hailed as a boost to the state’s reputation amongst investors both locally and globally.

The subsidies are part of the State Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), which was established to support resources exploration.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said the projects would involve drilling for a wide spectrum of commodities throughout the next two years.

“The co-funded drilling program provides incentives to drill in underexplored areas to ensure the continued economic prosperity of the State’s resources industry, particularly in the current financial environment,” he said.

The program provides co-funding of up to 50 per cent of direct drilling costs. It has caps of $150,000 for a multi-hole project, $200,000 or $400,000 for a single deep hole (depending on the target commodity), and $30,000 for prospecting projects.

A full list of successful applicants and a map of project locations is available from http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/eisdrilling

The Federal Government has put up $210 million for essential infrastructure upgrades around the Cape York region of Far North Queensland.

Experts have suggested Australian General Practice accreditation may need to broaden its scope, to embrace business models of the future.

New stats show GP numbers in rural and remote Western Australia have risen for the first time since 2008, reports say its due to the increased fly-in fly-out medical positions.

WorkCover NSW and WorkSafe Victoria have begun a joint safety project. They’re working with local construction businesses to raise safety standards on either side of the border.

The Australian Government is continuing its efforts to amend legislation, banning the distribution and sale of synthetic drugs.

A recent report has revealed a poor standard of asbestos identification and removal practices in Victorian schools.

New funding has been announced that will see the continuation of valuable youth mental health services Australia-wide.

A new initiative by the Coalition for Community Energy is calling on the Federal Government to fund the establishment of renewable energy sources in communities around the country.

A draft plan by the City of Sydney has suggested the metropolis could be powered by entirely renewable sources.

Australian environmental groups are campaigning to end anti-wind farm rhetoric, saying it could damage the industry and our environmental future.