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April 28, 2011

Wood Group wraps up PSN merger

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — tom @ 1:40 am

UK services giant Wood Group has completed its merger with Aberdeen-based Production Services Network (PSN) to create brownfield services provider Wood Group PSN.

The newly formed company will have a workforce of 23,000 personnel operating in 35 countries and is expected to generate revenues of about $3 billion per year.

The company will be based in Aberdeen but be split into three operating regions – UK, Americas and International – with a senior manager in each region responsible for safety, financial performance and growth.

“Wood Group PSN will have a larger footprint, deeper resources and capabilities and, by selecting best practices, be able to deliver additional value to customers,” Wood Group chief executive Allister Langlands said.

“The combined business will be better positioned to help tackle key industry issues, including operational assurance, competency, reliability and asset integrity.”

Wood Group originally launched the takeover bid for PSN in December last year in a $955 million cash deal.

Former PSN chief executive Bob Keiller has been appointed head of Wood Group PSN and as an executive board director of Wood Group.

http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article253298.ece

Port Waratah expansion approved

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — tom @ 1:38 am

Port Waratah Coal Services have approved the final stage of expansion for its Kooragang coal terminal.

The $227.4 million project, dubbed ‘project 145’, is scheduled for completion by December next year and is expected to bring the company’s capacity to 145 million tonnes annually, according to The Newcastle Herald.

Set to begin next month, the project includes the construction of a fourth rail dump station, track infrastructure, upgrades to the buck-wheel reclaimers and ship-loading amenities.

This expansion will boost capacity to 133 million tonnes by the end of this year.

This new fourth loader, dubbed T4, could potentially add more than 100 million tonnes to the port’s total capacity .

According to The Herald, the application for this project has been caught in the newly elected New South Wales Government plan to scrap Part 3A of the planning laws.

A spokeswoman for Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said the government was developing “transitional provisions” for dealing with projects submitted under Part 3A before the election.

Mining and resources projects typically come under Part 3A of the planning laws, which allowed the Planning Minister to classify projects as significant sites.

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/port-waratah-expansion-approved

April 20, 2011

$50m Municipal Buildings Project, Dandenong

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — tom @ 12:17 am
Over the last few years, Council has been considering its future service needs and requirements in relation to a number of key community assets including:

  • The two city offices
  • The two Libraries
  • The Springvale City Hall

The main drivers for the review are:

  • Council is still operating out of two administration centres 16 years after amalgamation, with all the inherent inefficiencies and additional costs associated with maintaining two offices
  • The Libraries 2015 Strategy, which demonstrates a clear need to expand and upgrade the community’s library facilities

The project is split geographically between Central Dandenong and Central Springvale.
Central Dandenong

This part of the project is being planned in conjunction with the State Government funded Dandenong Revitalisation project. Council is partnering VicUrban in this major initiative aimed at rejuvenating the city centre and creating a fresh new future for central Dandenong.

Council has already committed resources to two important catalyst projects for the revitalisation project:

  • The redevelopment of the Dandenong Town Hall into the Drum Theatre
  • The redevelopment of the Dandenong Market

Redevelopment of the Council Administrative Offices and Library provides the opportunity of a third project, and the possibility of attracting a level of Government funding that would otherwise not be available.

The Urban Master Plan for Central Dandenong launched by Premier Brumby in 2007 included the creation of a city heart or civic space in the city centre and Council has confirmed its preferred location for a new civic centre and library in this location. The site is located diagonally opposite the Drum Theatre on Lonsdale Street (in the new City Walk precinct). The business case for the project is currently being refined prior to a final decision being made by Council.
Recent Council decisions

In 2010 a thorough review of the preferred site was undertaken, with a Visioning Workshop for the public square and Municipal Buildings. This led to a new concept design for the development, updated construction costings and a detailed Business Case being developed for Council’s consideration.

The Business Case was presented to Council at its meeting on 13 September 2010 and the following resolution was adopted.

Council considers and endorses the Preliminary Business Case for the Dandenong RCD Civic Precinct Project, confirm that Option 3B on site C1 is the preferred option and endorse the Mayor and chief Executive Officer meeting with relevant Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Advisors and Government officials to seek funding support for appropriate elements of the project

Option 3B consists of a new Library, Administration Office and Public Square on the south-west corner of Lonsdale and Walker streets.

Current progress report

A Dandenong Municipal Building Project Control Group has been convened consisting of five Councillors and five Senior Officers to oversee progress on the project. Meeting of this Group are chaired by the Chief Executive Officer and meetings are held two monthly as a minimum.

Information on the Dandenong Building project will continue to be updated as progress on the Council recommendations above occurs.
Central Springvale

Council has considered a range of proposals for upgrading or renewing the Springvale Library and City Hall facilities since the project began in 2006. The Public consultation process carried out in late 2006 is still guiding Council decision making on redevelopment of the Springvale Civic Site.

View outcomes report on the public consultation “A shared vision for Springvale”
Current progress report

A Springvale Strategic Civic Centre Planning Group has been convened consisting of six Councillors and four Senior Officers to oversee progress on the project. Meetings of this Group are chaired by the Director of Engineering Services and meetings are held two monthly as a minimum.

The key aspects of this project currently being considered by the Planning Group are:

  • The preparations for the environmental clean up of the old View Road Depot prior to possible sale or redevelopment
  • A review of the current Master Plan for the redevelopment of the Springvale Civic Site taking into account the outcomes of the public consultation

Information on the Springvale Civic Planning project will continue to be updated as progress occurs.