Construction PRO

An activist group which unsuccessfully challenged the government’s approval of a wind farm in North Queensland because of its effects on rare birds has lost its bid to dodge costs on public interest grounds, with a judge saying both sides sought to advance the public interest.

In a first, the federal government has filed proceedings against a foreign investor and its former associate for alleged non-compliance with orders to divest their interests in rare minerals miner Northern Minerals.

Companies in Sanjeev Gupta's steel empire, including the collapsed owner of Whyalla Steelworks, has been hit with action for allegedly failing to lodge annual reports with ASIC.

Brookfield Asset Management has agreed to sell retirement home operator Aveo for $3.85 billion in what's been touted as the largest-ever direct real estate transactions in Australia. 

ASX-listed Investment manager Regal Partners has acquired 50 per cent of real estate investment platform Ark Capital Partners, as well as a five-star luxury hotel in Adelaide for $75 million. 

Builder Richard Crookes has won a contract to rebuild the historic Powerhouse Museum, with two museum buildings found to have unsafe steel structures that will need to be replaced.

Allens has represented a renewable energy joint venture between infrastructure investor Igneo Infrastructure Partners and developer CleanPeak Energy in securing financing.

Fawkner Property Group has acquired a shopping centre in Far North Queensland for $34 million, its third recent shopping centre purchase in the region.

The administrators of Roberts Co have recommended that creditors accept a deal from founder Andrew Roberts that would see a cash contribution of $17.4 million to release Roberts and others from any claims.

A defunct sand importer has told a court that it was "strung along" by the Port of Authority of NSW over an agreement to build a multi-user facility in Glebe Island, alleging the government-owned corporation is liable for $300 million in damages for unconscionable conduct.