Construction PRO

The government has tabled a suite of changes to the EPBC Act, including the introduction of a national environment protection agency with the power to make ‘stop work’ orders.

Engineering firm GHD Australia, which was recently joined to a class action over a bus crash in NSW’s Hunter Valley that killed 10 passengers, has said it may bring cross-claims against its fellow defendants. 

A judge has set aside a SOPA determination after finding a verbal conversation between a developer and a crane supplier did not constitute a construction contract.

HWL Ebsworth and former partner Dennis Bluth have been hit with a new lawsuit in the Victorian Supreme Court after allegedly providing negligent advice regarding a development in south-west Sydney.

A Heran Group unit has lost its challenge to orders that $4.8 million be paid to a Queensland builder from an escrow account held by HWL Ebsworth amid an appeal in its dispute over a $128 million contract for beachfront apartments. 

A judge has found there is a genuine dispute over an agreement for the recommissioning of Australian Pacific Coal's Dartbrook coal mine in the Hunter Valley and refused to toss a suit alleging its ex-CEO breached her duty by entering into the agreement. 

Office provider Servcorp may amend a lawsuit against former MLC Centre owner GPT alleging it failed to disclose plans for major redevelopment works on the Sydney CBD high-rise before they signed a lease in 2014.

The retail fund of real estate investor Charter Hall has put down $151 million for the purchase of four Bunnings Warehouse stores in Queensland and New South Wales.

Engineering company Monadelphous Group has entered an agreement to acquire Western Australia-based Kerman Contracting for $15 million.

A judge wants answers on why builder Geocon has filed a $4 million construction dispute over two Canberra developments in the Federal Court, where a separate fight with its joint venture partners is playing out.