Construction PRO

Cobalt Blue and Japanese conglomerate Iwatani have signed a deal to develop Australia's first cobalt refinery to help meet a supply shortage of the critical mineral, used in lithium ion batteries, caused by the growing demand for electric cars.

Herberts Smith Freehills has bolstered its real estate group, snagging a Corrs Chambers Westgarth partner with expertise in complex real estate transactions.

A Stockland consortium has finalised contracts with the NSW government to lead a major redevelopment of social housing in the inner Sydney suburb of Waterloo.

The state of Victoria can't set aside a liquidator's disclaimer over hazardous waste in a property rented by collapsed marine safety flooring company Fordex, with a judge finding the landlord's rights over the property and waste were not terminated by the disclaimer.

Muffin Break franchisor Foodco has defeated a franchisee's challenge to a ruling that put it on the hook for money owed under a rental agreement after the lease for the store at the Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston was not renewed.

A survey of Property Council of Australia members has found optimism in the industry has improved, but concerns about housing supply remained a concern.

Mills Oakley has hired two new partners for its financial services and national property teams.

Granting an appeal by native title holders, the High Court has found that a ‘connection’ with relevant land need not be demonstrated by physical acts.

The High Court has shot down NSW Forestry’s challenge to a decision which found it can be sued by an environmental group for allegedly breaching environmental laws.

Lendlease has vowed to appeal its failed bid to enforce a $120 million purchase agreement for five plots of land in Campbelltown, saying it could face a $100 million write-off if unsuccessful.