Construction

A judge has approved a bid by the plaintiffs in a class action over the compulsory acquisition of land for Sydney’s $16 billion WestConnex to discontinue the case, after a breakdown in their relationship with the funder. 

Three construction specialists have departed Norton Rose Fulbright for Hicksons, saying the firm's size provided better value and flexibility for clients. 

A judge has stayed Built's case against the state of NSW over a school project, finding a $500,000 litigation threshold in the state's standard construction contract applied to each dispute referred to an expert.

A Western Australian tribunal has refused to grant developer Satterley Property Group approval for a 1,000-lot town development in Perth’s Darling Ranges, finding that the site presented bushfire risks that could not be mitigated by planning modifications. 

Short-term financing for embattled developer Bathla Group has been exhausted and discussions with lenders have collapsed, leaving administrators no recourse but to progress a sale of the company's assets.

Former infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan was warned about the alleged involvement of criminals on Big Build work sites, a royal commission into the state's construction sector has heard.

Two witnesses in a trial over $19.5 million in funds allegedly misappropriated in a land development joint venture will be cross-examined again after a judge recused himself from the trial after eight hearing days. 

Property developer Villawood has asked a judge to allow it to share documents from a fraud case against its former director with the Australian Federal Police, over alleged actions the judge called “deeply troubling”. 

A company incorporated to manage a development in regional Victoria has lost its bid to withdraw admissions in a case by property developer Villawood alleging a former director engaged in a fraudulent scheme to divert management fees.

New rules announced by the Victorian Labor government will require data centre developers to generate their own renewable energy supply, invest in local jobs and stay out of residential areas.