Archived News for Industry Professionals
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has threatened to close down the Queensland coal industry by a work ban on mines if the State Government adopts a proposal by the Queensland Resources Council to remove from union safety inspectors the right to close mines on safety grounds.
The Resources Council has proposed in a submission to the government that CFMEU safety inspectors should apply to the Department’s mine inspector, who would then be responsible for any decision to close a mine.
In a statement, the Queensland Resources Council said “a fair outcome would be for anyone with a concern about safety at a mine site to immediately contact the independent Mines Inspectorate, which could then make an objective determination”.
CSIRO denounces APPEA claims about groundwater impacts of coal seam gas mining
The debate about the impact of coal seam mining on groundwater has been fuelled by claims made in a television commercial produced by Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) and aired on Sunday 2 September that ‘CSIRO [and government studies] have shown that groundwater is safe with coal seam gas’.
Funding for WA mining exploration announced
A new round of grants to boost Western Australia’s mining exploration investment has been announced by WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore during the opening of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ (AMEC) Convention 2012.
New national office to oversee asbestos management
A new organisation with a central coordinating role will pave the way for a national approach to asbestos awareness and management in Australia.
Newcrest team wins mine rescue competition
Newcrest Cadia Valley Mine Emergency Response Team has defeated eleven other teams from across the country to win the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition sponsored by Fire and Safety Australia.
Port of Melbourne design contracts awarded
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SA mineral exploration hits post GFC high
The South Australian Minister for Minerals Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis has released figures that show that spending on mineral exploration in South Australia hit a post-GFC high in 2011/12.
COAG Housing Supply and Affordability Reform report released
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has released the Housing Supply and Affordability Reform (HSAR) Report.
Housing construction sector remains in doldrums
Approvals for private sector housing continue their struggle to gain momentum as Building Approvals figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed only a marginal increase.
NSW electricity industry to take on 139 apprentices
The NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher has announced that 139 new apprentices will start training next year across the NSW electricity network.
The new recruits will start work with the State’s three electricity network business – Ausgrid, Endeavour and Essential Energy as apprentice line workers, cable jointers and substation technicians.
Mr Hartcher said the three network businesses were now recruiting for the new roles which included applications, exams, and interviews to help select the brightest bunch of new trainees.
“These new recruits will learn their trade as they work, ensuring they stay safe while maintaining a reliable and efficient electricity network for the people of NSW,” Mr Hartcher said. “They will become the next generation of frontline workers, learning from some of the best and most experienced power workers in the country.
“More than half of these new apprentices will be based in regional and rural NSW, helping to support local communities and local economies.”
The apprentice class of 2013 will learn their trade in both the classroom and on the job training throughout NSW.
Mr Hartcher said that the three electricity networks expected to employ a total of 1,200 graduating apprentices over the next four years.
Oil and gas training and research the focus of CDU agreement
Charles Darwin University has signed a memorandum of understanding with Incospec and Associates Australia that will further its capacity for education, research and on-the-job training related to the needs of the oil and gas industry.
Perth gets Australia's first electric car recharge network
Perth has gained Australia's first electric car recharge network with 23 new fast-charge stations installed across the metro area in a project led by researchers from The University of Western Australia.
Interim report on Queensland TAFE
The Queensland Government’s Skills and Training Taskforce has handed its interim report to the Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek.
Queensland takes axe to Natural Resources and Mines
The Queensland Government’s overhaul of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will see the loss of 413 positions and around 360 retrenchments.
Report on energy potential in the NT
A new report by Geoscience Australia and the Northern Territory Geological Survey has identified potential uranium and geothermal energy-related resources in the southern part of the Northern Territory.
AiGroup funded to provide apprenticeship mentoring program
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) is to lead a $3.1 million support and mentoring project which aims to advise apprentices on their career choice and improve completion rates for apprentices in the manufacturing industry.
Australian shipping emissions identified
Ship engine exhaust emissions make up more than a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions generated in the Australian region according to a recently-published study by CSIRO and the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Nitrogen oxide is a non-greenhouse gas, unlike similarly named nitrous oxide.
Hunt on for NSW Trains CEOs
The NSW Government is looking to appoint Chief Executive Officers for its new agencies, NSW Trains and Sydney Trains.
Local construction industry leaders meet to discuss key issues
The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) will bring together local construction industry leaders at briefings around Australia during October to outline the key issues affecting building and construction businesses, and present the forecasts for business over the next decade.
Discussion at the ACIF Briefings will be seeded with the latest release of the ACIF Forecasts, the industry’s rolling ten year forecasts of demand across residential and non-residential building plus engineering construction. This half-yearly update of the construction industry forecasts will be presented in a new and interactive format – concise, punchy and focussed on the main drivers of change ahead of a dynamic expert panel discussion on the key issues, plus addressing questions from the floor.
NRL signs up to apprenticeship mentoring
Eleven experienced mentors will be employed by the National Rugby League (NRL) to help support Australian Apprentices complete their training in key trades, thanks to a grant of more than $2 million from the Federal Government.