Quick fire – industry news briefs

Diesel fuel security in Queensland has been boosted with the commissioning of the 110ML Lytton fuel terminal at Port of Brisbane. The $60 million IOR project was expedited with the support of a $15 million loan from the State Government’s Building Acceleration Fund. A key component of the upgrades was the construction of two new tanks with a combined capacity of 60ML and the repurposing of an existing 50ML tank, to increase diesel fuel storage in Brisbane by 110 million litres. The project also saw the installation of a new underground pipeline, expansion of the FIB2 wharf - including installation of two new marine loading arms - at Fisherman Island, a new fast loading gantry with 18 loading arms, as well as improvements to all electrical services and supporting infrastructure onsite. BHP is calling on the High Court to overturn a ruling on public holiday rostering that has implications across industry sectors. The Full Court of the Federal Court in March ruled that its Operations Services arm had acted in breach of the Fair Work Act by requiring rather than asking employees at Daunia to work on December 25 and 26 2019. “BHP filed a special leave application with the High Court in April, which the registry has accepted,” a company spokesman said. Mining and Energy Union general president Tony Maher (pictured right) said that if BHP was granted leave to appeal, the union would be defending the decision in the High Court. “The decision by the Full Court of the Federal Court that employers can request but not require employees to work on public holidays was an important win," he said. “It has already led to changes in the way public holidays are rostered and paid in the mining industry and led to a $430 million underpayment by BHP being identified. “We believe the Full Court determined the issue in a way that meets legal requirements under the National Employment Standards and community expectations about the significant role of public holidays in family and community life." Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has engaged Golding Contractors and Georgiou Group via collaborative contracts to assist in the delivery of the 2022 Flood Recovery Program. “As part of the agreement with our delivery partners, they will be prioritising the support of local businesses and suppliers and creating local job opportunities for sub-contractors to support our regional economy," TRC Infrastructure Committee Chair Carol Taylor said. "We encourage local businesses to make the most of these opportunities.” The full scope of works will be delivered jointly by council’s internal construction and maintenance teams and the two selected contractors with funding provided through the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The Federal Government has put back a decision on environmental approvals for the Chalumbin wind farm, about 15km south-west of Ravenshoe. The proposed Ark Energy development has been the subject of protests based on concerns including the impact on a range of threatened species. The relevant period in which the minister must make a decision whether or not to approve the controlled action is extended by 50 business days from July 20 to September 28 and follows an initial 40-day extension back in April. The current layout consists of 86 wind turbines and the project is less than half of its original size.

Quick fire – industry news briefs

Industry Queensland

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