SPECIAL FOCUS
CORDELL
CONSTRUCTION MONTHLY PIPELINE - AUSTRALIA The number of new projects which have been announced but not yet commenced was down 33% month-on-month, with 1,216 new projects added to the pipeline in December. The estimated total value of those projects was $8.8 billion. At a national level, the number of new projects recorded over the 12 months to December fell by around 5% when compared to the previous 12 month period.
NEW SOUTH WALES French/Japanese architect Moreau Kusunoki along with Genton have been selected as the successful competition winner for the design of the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta. The team beat five other shortlisted contenders. The design consists of a structural steel lattice exoskeleton which will allow the public to see glimpses of the exhibitions and the collection from outside, with structural timber to the top of the building. The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has granted approval for the $188 million, 125MW Maryvale Solar Farm to be developed by Photon Energy and Canadian Solar. In the Armidale area, the Joint Regional Planning panel has approved Infinergy Pacific’s 29.9MW Stringybark Solar Farm. Byron Shire Council is conducting a feasibility study for a 4.95MW solar 16
ANCR SPECIAL FOCUS
farm next to the Resource and Recovery Centre in Dingo Lane, Myocum. The solar farm would reduce the council’s carbon emissions and offset power usage to help achieve the council’s goal of net zero emissions by 2025 and 100% renewable energy by 2027. Blacktown City Council has invited public consultation for the preliminary business case for the $27 million Western Sydney Animal Rehoming Centre in Glendenning, which will replace the current 40 year old facility in Blacktown. The new centre will be able to house 135 dogs and 230 cats pending their adoption. Walker Group will join foundation partners Western Sydney University, South West Sydney Local Health District, the Ingham Institute and the University of New South Wales to develop the $50 million Macarthur Medical Research Centre, a worldclass medical research facility in Campbelltown.
The NSW Government has announced that the Affinity consortium, comprising Frasers Property and Hume Community Housing, has been awarded the contract to develop the Telopea Estate. The project will deliver about 4,400 new homes, including a target of 1,000 affordable and social housing properties. Development applications for the first stage of redevelopment will be lodged within 6-12 months. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Construction has started on Stage 1 of the Monaro Highway upgrade. Dale & Hitchcock Civil Engineering & Landscaping is undertaking the works which are expected to be completed ahead of the 2020 ski season, weather permitting. The entire project, which is worth $200 million and includes widening works an targeted safety upgrades along the Monaro Highway corridor, is jointly funded by the Federal and ACT Governments and has been fast tracked following the Federal AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION REVIEW
