• Looking for Staff Banner

September 25, 2011

St Kilda Triangle Proposal Back on Agenda

Filed under: Victorian Projects 2011 — Tags: , , — tom @ 10:43 pm

A LEANER, greener proposal to redevelop the 1.5-hectare St Kilda Triangle site should be unveiled by next year – allowing construction to start soon after.

The City of Port Phillip, which includes many new councilors elected on the back of protesting a controversial 2007 proposal – has started a community consultation program designed to create a new vision for the blue ribbon asset, next door to the Palais Theatre, opposite St Kilda Beach.

Its recently released Toward a Shared Vision document summarises feedback from a public ideas forum held about the redevelopment in June. Amongst the 40 attendees were architects, planners, council staff and members of the Acland and Fitzroy street traders’ associations.

Unchain St Kilda – the community group that failed to stop the 2007 proposal dubbed by critics as Chadstone Shopping Centre by the Sea was also represented at the forum.

Various new ideas discussed for the site include sinking car parking underground, creating a new public square and re-engineering Jacka Boulevard, which was described as “a physical barrier for everyone”. The poor connection between The Esplanade and foreshore was also discussed.

Building new entertainment structures or a new arts-based community were also brainstormed, as was a “heritage-themed” option that would aim to retain the Palais as the dominant building in the area.

Council said engaging the theatre with the Triangle site is a priority. In late 2010 the state government announced a $2.5 million restoration of the Palais. Council also said climate change impacts would be factored highly in any design outcomes for the site bound by Jacka Boulevard, The Esplanade and Cavell Avenue.

The St Kilda Triangle redevelopment was one of Melbourne’s highest profile disputes eventually costing many councilors their former seats, amongst them Janet Cribbes, a former Mayor, and Dick Gross, who was president of the Municipal Association of Victoria.

A consortium led by Sydney-based Citta Property Group was awarded the tender to build a mixed use commercial village in mid-2007, but various factors surrounding the economic downturn meant construction didn’t start before the next council elections.

Incoming councilors scuttled the project in December 2009 paying $5 million compensation to Citta which reportedly invested $12 million on its scheme.

An Ombudsman report regarding the contentious 2007 approval, released in June 2010 found the former council kept poor record, and did not identify conflicts of interests. The report questioned whether the former council had the expertise to manage the tender process.

September 15, 2011

Melbourne Wins Big at Master Builders Awards

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — tom @ 4:49 am

AAMI Park Melbourne

Melbourne has yet again proven its industry excellence at the 2011 Master Builders Excellence in Construction Awards. While many of the night’s big winners were obvious favourites, lesser known projects stole the show, proving that the city’s industry only has further to grow.

The awards are judged by a range of top industry associates including members from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Engineers Australia and the Master Builders Association. The judging is varied and project winners are awarded in different categories according to their strongest features.

Not surprisingly, the overall winners were Grocon for their AAMI Park development scoring the top Master Builder of the Year award. The highly acclaimed 30,000 seat sporting stadium was designed by Cox Architecture and completed in 2010. While the project is host to a barrage of design and construction intricacies, it is the lightweight bio-frame roof that separates it from traditional stadiums worldwide.

Another big winner included McCorkell Constructions who took home the title of Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings $10 million to $12.5 million for their work on the State Library of Victoria’s ’Wheeler Centre’ development, designed by peckvonhartel and architects Ancher/Mortlock/Wooley the development was officially opened in 2010. The southern wing of the city library was completely redeveloped into the Wheeler Centre as part of Melbourne’s “City of Literature” initiative, the construction team using great skill and expertise in order to blend the addition with the original historical building.

Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication at Monash University Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication Lab

Tertiary and research institutions were a common theme as winners on the night included: the Melbourne Brain Centre and the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication at Monash University Science Research Park Clayton, both constructed by Cockram Construction Limited; the Monash School of Rural Health by Joss Constructions; and the Swinburne University ATC Hawthorn, constructed by Kane Constructions, all taking home the top wins in their respective categories.

The latter project by Kane Constructions took home the prize for Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings $30 million to $80 million, with their $75 million research and learning centre development. In association with H20 Architects and Waterman AHW Consultants, the construction team were able a complete the world class facility that boasts state of the art interiors and an iconic white circular patterned façade. Due to this striking design the project and construction team were also the proud winners of the Australian Institute of Architecture’s award for Public Architecture.

Additional winners included Upgrade Commercial Interiors for the Myer Melbourne Redevelopment, FDC Construction & Fitout for their OPSM Eye Hub fitout and of course Grocon’s carbon-neutral Pixel building, which unsurprisingly took home the award for Best Sustainable Energy Project.

The 2011 Master Builders Excellence in Construction Awards has set a benchmark that can only offer to promote positive growth and excellence on an industry level. Next year’s competing projects will have to reach an incredibly high standard in order to wow the judges of this year’s competition.

August 31, 2011

Welcome to Chris Smith

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — tom @ 3:53 am

Aptus Personnel would like to welcome Chris Smith to our Professional Construction group working across the Eastern States of Australia. Chris comes to us with many years business acumen both as an employee and a business leader. Chris will no doubt be a main contributor to our business as he shows a genuine interest in working closely with key stakeholders in our industry.

At Aptus Chris will focus on professional recruitment within built environment and land development working with Developers, Project Management Consultancies, Building Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, etc.

We wish Chris all the best in this next chapter of his career and we encourage anyone to speak with Chris to discuss how he can assist. Feel free to call Chris on +61 451 990 792 or email Chris on chris@aptuspersonnel.com.au

July 11, 2011

Carbon Tax: Expert sees increased opportunities for companies in energy efficiency management

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — tom @ 7:20 am

Putting aside the politics of how best to design Australia’s strategy for transitioning to a greener economy, the Government’s Climate Change Plan finally gives businesses some clarity over the imperatives to invest in technology to reduce CO2 emissions.

For most organisations this means that they will need to invest in systems to monitor operational processes and to analyse and report on their energy consumption, the energy efficiency of production facilities and offices and their overall CO2 emission outcomes.

The case for such systems has been understood in a theoretical sense for decades, largely from an environmental and social responsibility perspective but practical imperatives to act have been lacking.

One positive effect of the Climate Change Plan will be to stimulate action, which will lead to spending on software and services associated with understanding and acting on carbon consumption and emission data.

We expect that the Plan, assuming it proceeds to legislation, will lead to increased opportunities for companies that specialise in the software and systems needed to manage energy use efficiently and to report on compliance under the new carbon pricing arrangements.

The Government’s Plan is quite complicated, however, due to the need to appease so many different interest groups. While the broad principles are clear, the devil will lie in the detail of the pricing mechanisms and the assistance and transitional arrangements.

While not technically a tax regime, the setup definitely has the feel of the complexity of tax policy, and this will be reflected in the amount of effort and cost that organisations and their advisers will need to expend trying to grapple with understanding the implications of the scheme and setting up processes and systems.

A number of new government agencies will be created, including a Climate Change Authority and an Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which will require also some investment in new processes and systems.

Some have commented that the IT industry, as a significant consumer of electricity, should have been specifically considered for assistance and transitional arrangements.

The speed of technology obsolescence in the IT industry is such, however, that large IT providers have strong commercial incentives anyway to invest in the latest technology, which is also the most energy efficient.

The Climate Change Plan may create additional incentives for economies of scale and M&A activity to consolidate facilities towards the highest standards of energy efficiency.

[Steve Hodgkinson is Research Director, Ovum.]

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.

March 15, 2011

CONGRATULATIONS TO APTUS PERSONNEL

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — tom @ 2:21 am

WHAT A GAME…….

The DCE Challengers really gave Aptus Personnel a run for their money in the Grand Final match. With scores 1 all at quarter time and 3 all at half time, the first half was a gripping display!

The game was goal for goal for most of the part, with penalty shots almost every quarter, fast break goals, goals that just snuck over the line and a headder that was taken from a full court throw!

At half-time with scores even, after Andrew (Aptus Team Captain) spent most of the game pacing up and down the sidelines (nursing a broken ankle), was pleased to hear that a couple of players from DCE had to finish up early, leaving DCE Challengers with no substitutes in such a fast paced game!

Just into the third quarter, Theo (DCE Director) pulled a hammy and had to retire to the goals with no substitutes, unleashing Long onto the court. Even with the fancy footwork produced by DCE, they couldn’t quite match Aptus in last half. Third quarter score was 5-4 to Aptus, finishing on 8-4 to Aptus.

Well done to both teams. A very exciting game to watch and play in I’m sure! Congratulations to Aptus Personnel.

GRAND FINAL RESULT

COURT 6: Aptus Personnel def DCE Challengers 8-4

A big thank you to all teams involved in the tournament. The tournament as a whole ran very smoothly and I appreciate the sportsmanship displayed by all teams involved. I hope you enjoyed yourselves and look forward to having you involved again next year!

WHAT A GAME…….

The DCE Challengers really gave Aptus Personnel a run for their money in the Grand Final match. With scores 1 all at quarter time and 3 all at half time, the first half was a gripping display!

The game was goal for goal for most of the part, with penalty shots almost every quarter, fast break goals, goals that just snuck over the line and a headder that was taken from a full court throw!

At half-time with scores even, after Andrew (Aptus Team Captain) spent most of the game pacing up and down the sidelines, was pleased to hear that a couple of players from DCE had to finish up early, leaving DCE Challengers with no substitutes in such a fast paced game!

Just into the third quarter, Theo (DCE Director) pulled a hammy and had to retire to the goals with no substitutes, unleashing Long onto the court. Even with the fancy footwork produced by DCE, they couldn’t quite match Aptus in last half. Third quarter score was 5-4 to Aptus, finishing on 8-4 to Aptus.

Well done to both teams. A very exciting game to watch and play in I’m sure! Congratulations to Aptus Personnel.

GRAND FINAL RESULT

COURT 6: Aptus Personnel def DCE Challengers 8-4

March 2, 2011

Aptus win again to progress to Grand Final

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — tom @ 1:29 am

Round 5 proved to be an exciting round with two deciding matches taking place! Aptus Personnel and FG United met for the first time to play off for the Grand Final spot. After 3 years of participating in the tournament FG United remained undefeated….. until now! Aptus Personnel took home the win 5-1. A very close game with only one goal scored in the whole second half!

In pool no. 2 both DCE Challengers and Simpson Construction were on equal points, however DCE ahead in points difference. With the forfeit of UW Solutions, Simpson Construction were given an automatic win. Therefore the DCE Challengers had to win to make it through to the grand final match on points difference. It was a close game against Millar & Merrigan, however DCE took home the win 9-5.

The remaining game was between Burnsham United and the Dalton Wanderers. Both teams started off neck and neck. Burnsham United ran away with the game in the second quarter scoring 4 to Dalton’s 0. From then on the game remained even, however Dalton Wanderers just couldn’t make up the difference lost in the second quarter. Burnsham United took home the win 8-4.

ROUND FIVE RESULTS

COURT 3: Aptus Personnel def FG United 5-1

COURT 4: Burnsham United def Dalton Wanderers 8-4

COURT 5: DCE Challengers def Millar & Merrigan 9-5

COURT 6: Simpson Construction Intra-match N/A

BYE: Cardno Galacticos

FORFEIT: UW Socceroos

LADDER – As @ Rd 5

PLACE

TEAM

WIN

LOSS

DRAW

TOTAL

POINTS

DIFF

Pool 1

1

Aptus Personnel

4

0

0

12

52

2

FG United

3

1

0

9

40

3

Cardno Galacticos

2

2

0

6

5

4

Burnsham United

1

3

0

3

-35

5

Dalton Wanderers

0

4

0

0

-62

Pool 2

1

DCE Challengers

4

1

0

12

10

2

Simpson Construction

4

1

0

12

1

3

Millar & Merrigan

1

4

0

3

-4

4

UW Socceroos

1

4

0

3

-17

Well done to those teams who took home a win in the fifth round of the tournament!

We have DCE Challengers and Aptus Personnel in the Grand Final next week. Congratulations!

Round 5 proved to be an exciting round with two deciding matches taking place! Aptus Personnel and FG United met for the first time to play off for the Grand Final spot. After 3 years of participating in the tournament FG United remained undefeated….. until now! Aptus Personnel took home the win 5-1. A very close game with only one goal scored in the whole second half!

In pool no. 2 both DCE Challengers and Simpson Construction were on equal points, however DCE ahead in points difference. With the forfeit of UW Solutions, Simpson Construction were given an automatic win. Therefore the DCE Challengers had to win to make it through to the grand final match on points difference. It was a close game against Millar & Merrigan, however DCE took home the win 9-5.

The remaining game was between Burnsham United and the Dalton Wanderers. Both teams started off neck and neck. Burnsham United ran away with the game in the second quarter scoring 4 to Dalton’s 0. From then on the game remained even, however Dalton Wanderers just couldn’t make up the difference lost in the second quarter. Burnsham United took home the win 8-4.

February 23, 2011

SKM appointed to deliver Cape Lambert expansion

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — tom @ 5:12 am

Leading projects firm, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), has been appointed as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management contractor for the expansion of Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert port facility, in the Pilbara, Western Australia. The delivery of a new greenfields iron ore port facility, Cape Lambert Port B, located alongside the existing Cape Lambert port, will provide an initial shipping capacity of 53 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), with the design of the port allowing a future additional shipping capacity of 50 Mtpa.

The project is part of Rio Tinto’s current investment in expanding its iron ore infrastructure in the Pilbara to increase annual capacity to 283 Mtpa during 2013. Rio Tinto plans to further boost capacity to 333 Mtpa, making this the largest mining project ever undertaken in Australia.

SKM’s General Manager, Mining and Metals, Santo Rizzuto, said that the sole appointment of SKM to deliver the Cape Lambert Port B project is an acknowledgment of the successful partnership SKM and Rio Tinto have enjoyed over the past 50 years in the Pilbara.

“By continually looking to create optimum value for our clients we are able to build on our long-term strategic relationships. This was demonstrated by the successful delivery of previous expansions at the Cape Lambert port facility and Dampier Port, both of which have been recognised by engineering awards,” Rizzuto said.

“Through key innovations, such as modularisation of the wharves and ore handling facilities, we delivered both projects ahead of time and under budget, with an outstanding safety record.”

The new Cape Lambert Port B development includes a tandem car dumper facility, a stockyard including two stackers and two bucket wheel reclaimers, a screenhouse and surge bin facility, a 1.4 kilometre long access jetty and a double sided iron ore wharf with two shipping berths and a shiploader. SKM will also be responsible for delivering power distribution, control systems and associated infrastructure, including buildings, fuel and water supplies, and an expansion to the Cape Lambert accommodation village. Site works for the early works of the port development have commenced whilst awaiting full government approval.

SKM has been providing engineering and project delivery services to Rio Tinto as part of their expansion projects in the Pilbara, through the provision of a diverse range of capabilities covering port, rail and mine infrastructure, environmental and water services, and power.

February 21, 2011

Aptus have another convincing win!!!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — tom @ 10:04 pm

Congratulations to those teams who took home a win in the third round of the tournament.

Good to see no thrashings by Aptus this week with a closer defeat over Cardno Galacticos. FG United defeated Burnsham United keeping them from scoring at all from 2nd – 4th quarters, and Simpson Construction & Millar & Merrigan did not reach the score board until the second half to finish a close match 2-3 to Simpson Construction. Some interesting matches, well done everyone!

UW Socceroos received 0 points (loss) and a -6 in the points difference which was the average for the round as a result of their forfeit. In place of their scheduled match DCE Challengers played a “friendly” practice match against the Dalton Wanderers!

Thank you for a great third round. For any further queries about the tournament throughout the competition please contact Tom Murphy on +61 450 009 906

ROUND THREE RESULTS

COURT 3: FG United def Burnsham United 17-2

COURT 4: Aptus Personnel def Cardno Galacticos 7-3

COURT 5: Simspson Construction def Millar & Merrigan 3-2

FORFEIT: UW Socceroos

LADDER – As @ Rd 3

PLACE

TEAM

WIN

LOSS

DRAW

TOTAL

POINTS

DIFF

Pool 1

1

Aptus Personnel

3

0

0

9

48

2

FG United

2

0

0

6

16

3

Cardno Galacticos

1

2

0

3

2

4

Dalton Wanderers

0

2

0

0

-30

5

Burnsham United

0

2

0

0

-36

Pool 2

1

DCE Challengers

3

0

0

9

7

2

Simpson Construction

2

1

0

6

0

3

UW Socceroos

1

2

0

3

-3

4

Millar & Merrigan

0

3

0

0

-10

Congratulations to those teams who took home a win in the third round of the tournament.

Good to see no thrashings by Aptus this week with a closer defeat over Cardno Galacticos. FG United defeated Burnsham United keeping them from scoring at all from 2nd – 4th quarters, and Simpson Construction & Millar & Merrigan did not reach the score board until the second half to finish a close match 2-3 to Simpson Construction. Some interesting matches, well done everyone!

UW Socceroos received 0 points (loss) and a -6 in the points difference which was the average for the round as a result of their forfeit. In place of their scheduled match DCE Challengers played a “friendly” practice match against the Dalton Wanderers!

Thank you for a great third round. For any further queries about the tournament throughout the competition please contact me on

February 18, 2011

BuildingSmart BIM Seminar Series

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — tom @ 3:26 am

Building Smart have an exciting new series of BIM seminars. This will be a great way to grow your knowledge of BIM, network with other BIM professionals and keep up to date with industry movements.

Please click on the link below and please comment on this blog if you have registered or have feed back on this seminar.

http://www.sustainablebuildingproducts.com.au/events/buildingsmart-bim-seminar-series?utm_source=20110216&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletters

Older Posts »