In Focus

March 2010 - In Focus articles from March 2010.
February 2010 - In Focus articles from February 2010.
January 2010 - In Focus articles from January 2010.
December 2009 - In Focus articles from December 2009.
November 2009 - In Focus articles from November 2009.
October 2009 - In Focus articles from October 2009.
September 2009 - In Focus articles from September 2009.
August 2009 - In Focus articles from August 2009.
July 2009 - In Focus articles from July 2009.
June 2009 - In Focus articles from June 2009.
May 2009 - In Focus articles from May 2009.

March 2010

WA school year begins on the right foot
Contractors in Western Australia have credited the Building the Education Revolution program with keeping business running smoothly during the past few months. (continues...)
New school hall opens in Barcaldine in Queensland
Major flooding and heavy rain in Barcaldine, Queensland may have been responsible for the cancellation of the official opening of the St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School new multipurpose hall, but it did not dampen the school’s spirit. (continues...)

Defence Housing Initiative gives new life to Tasmanian building industry
Innovative projects and additional support under the Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan (NB-ESP) has given a boost to Tasmania’s building industry. (continues...)
Improved social housing in the Northern Territory makes a difference to the everyday lives of Territorians
The Northern Territory has made significant improvements to the quality of its social housing under the Federal Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan Social Housing Initiative. (continues...)

February 2010

Heaslip road bridge opens in time for Truckweek

The opening of the Heaslip Road Bridge on the Northern Expressway (NEXY) in South Australia last week is a major milestone for both the $564 million project and the heavy vehicle industry. It’s also opened just in time for the trucking industry’s first national TruckWeek promotion. (continues...)

Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan delivers economic benefits in regional Australia
A major milestone has been reached in the development of a new multi-discipline and multi-use equestrian centre in Caboolture, Queensland, with the completion of Stage 1. (continues...)
The effects of the Nation Building plan flow through the construction industry
Tucked away in a quiet street, off the much busier Kissing Point Road in Dundas, Sydney builders from Academy Construction and Development are busy working on the second stage of Defence housing developments as part of the Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan (NB-ESP). (continues...)
BER funding 'absolutely fantastic' says Glass House Mountains
"It's one of the biggest things to happen at the school for a long time," said Linda Blom, describing Glass House Mountains State School’s new Building the Education Revolution (BER) funded facilities. (continues...)
Technology boost for students as part of National School Pride
Students at Halidon Primary School have enjoyed rejuvenated classrooms after the completion of their National School Pride (NSP) projects in July 2009. (continues...)
New facilities for Marshall Road State School, QLD
With their 50th anniversary coming up next year, Marshall Road State School has a lot to celebrate, including the completion of its new $1.7 million Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) performing arts centre, funded under the Building the Education Revolution (BER). (continues...)
$2.4million for 11 new affordable homes in Marysville area
Eleven new affordable homes with funding of $2.4 million from the Australian Government’s Nation Building Stimulus Plan will be built in Marysville and Kinglake to help communities recovering from last year’s devastating bushfires. (continues...)
Darwin Defence houses over a third complete
Darwin will gain amongst the largest number of homes of any location under the program. There are 185 houses being constructed as the area has such a strong Defence presence and a fairly tight housing market. (continues...)
Shoulder Sealing Safety Improvements along Main North Road in Northern Adelaide
Extensive shoulder sealing works on Main North Road – a major arterial road in northern Adelaide – are among the first of South Australia’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan Black Spot projects to be completed. (continues...)
A $200 million project on the Western Highway is getting significant support from the local community as a new community information centre opens in Bacchus Marsh.
Construction of the new alignment at Anthonys Cutting between Melton and Bacchus Marsh is set to commence early this year and will support local jobs through the Alliance, which consists of VicRoads, John Holland and AECOM. (continues...)
Whyalla foreshore project creates local jobs and improves quality of life
With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Whyalla in South Australia is a beautiful coastal town, boasting spectacular landscapes and scenic views along a vast coastline. Having long been considered a steel town, Whyalla needed to turn its focus to the shore. (continues...)
Modern World Class Facilities for Veterinary Science
The University of Queensland School Of Veterinary Science has produced over 3,000 graduates who contribute to the field of veterinary science through research, education and practice in 53 countries around the world. (continues...)
Outback Academy set to benefit rural and remote students and communities in South Australia
Announced on 5 November 2009 the “Outback Academy Trade Training Centre”, will provide much needed trade training opportunities for students located in the remote towns of Coober Pedy, Mintabie and Oodnadatta in South Australia. (continues...)
Construction provides boost to social housing stocks and local Port Lincoln company
Housing South Australia is building 29 new homes in Port Lincoln for people on low incomes under the Social Housing Initiative of the Government's Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
Level crossing upgrade complete in Tanunda, South Australia
The upgrade of this level crossing is part of the $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program, an Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan initiative. South Australia’s share is $13.6 million, which will result in the safety upgrade of 34 level crossings in total. (continues...)
On-site construction works underway at Truscott Street Public School, NSW
Truscott Street Public School, located in North Ryde, NSW is set to benefit from new facilities being provided under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element of the Government’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)

January 2010

Government funded development has Eddison Park rolling into the 21st Century
Canberra has long been known as the “bush capital” of Australia thanks to an abundance of greenery and a multitude of outdoor areas in which to enjoy the best that nature has to offer. (continues...)

New jobs and new houses in Devonport, Tasmania
The coastal town of Devonport in Tasmania is witnessing a flurry of activity associated with the Social Housing Initiative, a key component of the Government’s Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
A million dollar hall with a million dollar view
Looking out from Withcott State School’s new multipurpose hall, you can’t help notice the view down the Lockyer Valley. It’s what school Principal, Dr Tom Otto refers to as ‘a million dollar’ view from a million dollar hall. (continues...)
New life for heritage listed infrastructure within Bella Vista Farm Park, NSW
Only 37 kilometres from the hustle and noise of Sydney is one of the most important relics of Australia’s colonial farming history. Home of the first Merino sheep in the country, the Bella Vista Farm Park lays claim to being one of the first farms to export oranges interstate and internationally. (continues...)
Murray Bridge South Primary School, SA celebrates new facility
Murray Bridge South Primary School’s new Covered Outdoor Learning Centre (COLA) couldn’t have come at a better time as South Australia sweltered in temperatures of more than 40 degrees. (continues...)
Economic Stimulus Plan fast tracks six-star energy efficient homes
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) has taken the initiative to build six-star energy efficient homes for Defence families with funding from the Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan (NB-ESP). (continues...)
Local WA business benefits from the Economic Stimulus Plan
The Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan has been a welcome boost for Geoff Howard and his business Country Leisure Centre in Perth, Western Australia. (continues...)

December 2009

Dream assembly hall now a reality at the Friends’ School, Hobart
Construction has begun on a long-awaited new assembly hall at the Friends’ School in North Hobart, Tasmania, much to the excitement of students and the wider school community. (continues...)
Social Housing Initiative provides a new home for a family in need
A middle aged mother with a medical condition and her carer son now have a place to call home, as a result of the Social Housing Initiative under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
Environmentally friendly bore water available to sporting oval in Mt Evelyn, Victoria
Sporting teams within the Mt Evelyn area in Victoria are pleased with the new bore water being used to irrigate the local sporting field at Mt Evelyn Recreation Reserve. (continues...)

Garden project bringing the community together in Chigwell, Hobart
The community of Chigwell in Hobart, Tasmania, has welcomed the establishment of a community garden, funded under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP). (continues...)

Young apprentices gain life skills through Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan
Three of Canberra’s newest apprentices have been given the opportunity for a bright future thanks to the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan and Defence Housing Australia’s (DHA) Apprenticeship Support Scheme. (continues...)
Environmental impact managed on Mandurah Entrance Road
The $155 million Mandurah Entrance Road is currently under construction to provide a 6.5 kilometre, four lane dual carriageway link from the new Kwinana Freeway extension to Mandurah – one of Western Australia’s fastest growing Local Government Areas. (continues...)

Improving efficiency on key route in Victoria
Travel times on a key Melbourne route will be significantly reduced through upgrades and capacity improvements undertaken as part of the Nation Building Program. (continues...)

November 2009

Mooloolaba State School – BER funding provides a new look
Mooloolaba State School is one of the Sunshine Coast’s oldest schools.
Last year the school celebrated its 75th anniversary, however this year the focus is clearly on the future. The school now has a new resource centre and multi-purpose hall with an adjoining science and technology centre, thanks to $3 million funding provided under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) program. (continues...)
Welcome upgrades at Isabella Plains Early Childhood School, ACT
Isabella Plains Early Childhood School is the first government school in Canberra to complete their Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) project under the Building the Education Revolution (BER). (continues...)
Improving Ipswich Motorway means improving job skills and future prospects for locals
Workers across a range of professions are benefiting from a focus on employment, training and development on the Dinmore to Goodna section of the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade project. (continues...)

Locals welcome upgrades to Primrose Park Walking Track, Sydney
The popular Primrose Park walking track in Cammeray, Sydney, has been given a much-needed upgrade thanks to funding under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP). (continues...)
School construction provides ongoing work to builders across Victoria
Victorian company Contract Control has been awarded several projects under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the Building the Education Revolution (BER), and is seeing numbers of local and regional staff increase dramatically as school constructions move into full swing. (continues...)
Defence housing constructions power ahead in Victoria
Weeks of wet weather has done little to slow the progress of new Defence houses under construction in Victoria. In total, 62 properties are being built by Defence Housing Australia (DHA) as part of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)

October 2009

Wider community benefits from school funding
St Therese Catholic Primary School in Torquay, Victoria is celebrating the completion of the school’s upgrade as a result of $150,000 in National School Pride (NSP) funding, under the Building the Education Revolution (BER). (continues...)
Students to reap the benefits of new Science Centre
St Paul’s College was established in 1965 and is situated in the beautiful Macleay Valley in Kempsey, on the mid north coast of New South Wales. (continues...)
New shared pedestrian and bike path along the Pearl Bay foreshore, Sydney
Locals in Sydney’s North are looking forward to the completion of a new shared pedestrian and bike path along the Pearl Bay foreshore in Mosman, funded under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. (continues...)
Economic Stimulus Plan delivers enhanced medical services and community benefits in Warrnambool and South West Victoria
Tourists and residents in Warrnambool and South West Victoria are benefiting from funding provided under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan to enhance the Emergency Air Ambulance service. (continues...)
Environmental care a focus on new Ipswich Motorway, Queensland
Maintaining air quality, conserving water and protecting wildlife are just some of the environmental considerations that are high on the priority list for the Origin Alliance currently working on the new Ipswich Motorway in Queensland. (continues...)
Social Housing Initiative well underway in Hobart, Tasmania
The construction of over 20 new social housing units in the suburb of Moonah in Hobart is well underway, with tenants expected to move into a number of the units as early as next month. (continues...)
New classroom complete for Umbakumba School, Northern Territory
Located in one of Australia’s most remote areas, Umbakumba School in the Northern Territory is celebrating the completion of a new classroom, using funding of $850,000 under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the Building the Education Revolution (BER). (continues...)
Stimulus flow-on effects in Gippsland, Victoria
Construction firm Farnham Developments in Gippsland, Victoria, has been awarded a number of projects around its region under the Building the Education Revolution (BER) component of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, guaranteeing local contractors ongoing work for several months to come. (continues...)

September 2009

Visitors and locals enjoy Coastal Walk upgrades, Port Macquarie NSW
Visitors are delighted with the newly constructed access facilities at two of Port Macquarie’s most popular tourism features, the Tacking Point Lighthouse and the Coastal Walk. (continues...)
Planting the seeds of success on the Northern Expressway, South Australia
Landscaping around South Australia’s Northern Expressway (NEXY) is creating jobs and other opportunities for local businesses, while providing motorists with a more pleasant journey and improving longer term biodiversity in the local environment. (continues...)
New Digital Specialisation Science Centre for Marsden State High School, Queensland
Marsden State High School in Logan City, south of Brisbane, has been operating since 1987 and has a long and proud tradition of excellence in quality education. Since opening, the school has grown to over 1,500 students. (continues...)
Social Housing Initiative comes at the right time for local building company in regional Victoria
Lockwood Willows Homes in Moama, Victoria, is a local company with over 20 years experience in the industry. Under the Social Housing Initiative of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, Lockwood Willows is set to begin construction of two new units in Rochester. (continues...)
Dream career for Townsville apprentices
After months of searching, three Townsville apprentices are finally working in their dream career thanks to Defence Housing Australia (DHA) and the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
Works nearly complete at Grange Schools, South Australia
Grange Schools have almost completed their National School Pride program works under the Building the Education Revolution component of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
Indigenous building company benefits from the Economic Stimulus Plan
As a direct result of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, building company Aboriginal Connections Pty Ltd has secured local construction work under Stage One of the Social Housing Initiative. (continues...)

August 2009

Community room shows visitors Northern Expressway is ‘more than just a road’
A community room established at the site of South Australia’s new Northern Expressway (NEXY) is ensuring the project continues to deliver benefits to the community during construction. (continues...)
Historic transformation underway at Lilydale District School, Tasmania
Lilydale District School is set to undergo its largest transformation since opening its doors in 1871. (continues...)
Defence housing construction secures jobs for young apprentices
Life is now a little easier for two first-year apprentices in Brisbane. For the next four years, their apprenticeships will be secured by Defence Housing Australia’s (DHA) Apprenticeship Support Scheme. (continues...)
Restoration of historic town icon in Northampton, Western Australia, boosts local economy
A historic town icon has been returned to its former glory thanks to the Australian Government’s Community Infrastructure Program, under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
Major road project supports a small business
The way to the heart is through the stomach, as the saying goes, and two innovative women are winning plenty of hearts after seizing an unexpected business opportunity with South Australia’s new Northern Expressway (NEXY) project. (continues...)
Building the Education Revolution creating and maintaining jobs
Brookfield Multiplex has joined forces with The Salvation Army Employment Plus (TSAEP) to help job seekers find work on the refurbishment projects, new libraries and multipurpose halls springing up across school communities as part of the Building the Education Revolution (BER). (continues...)
New Construction in South Australia boosts local building industry
Seven new social housing units are being constructed in Smithfield Plains, South Australia as part of the Social Housing Initiative under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)

July 2009

Work commences on the 1000th home to be built under the Social Housing Initiative
Construction has begun on the 1000th home to be built as part of the Social Housing Initiative under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
Nation Building feeds Queensland’s construction industry
Just six months ago the future of construction in South-East Queensland looked uncertain, but today Prospero Homes is thriving. (continues...)
Nurturing high achievements with new Science Centre
Launceston Christian School is a fast-growing K-12 school community. Situated in the picturesque Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania, the school strives to focus on each student's physical, emotional, intellectual, social, aesthetic, and spiritual growth within the classroom and beyond. (continues...)
Northern Expressway showcases hi-tech, eco-friendly and efficient asphalt production
South Australia's Northern Expressway (NEXY) continues to set a benchmark for road construction in Australia, with project contractor Fulton Hogan recently installing a state-of-the-art portable asphalt plant to supply 450,000 tonnes of asphalt for the 23 kilometre section of road. (continues...)
Community infrastructure funding delivers economic and community benefits in Glenorchy, Tasmania
Tasmania’s Wellington Mountain Bike Park is now firmly established as one of Australia’s leading mountain bike facilities. (continues...)
ACT school and community set to benefit from $3 million funding investment
Kaleen Primary School in Canberra is abuzz with activity after the announcement of Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) funding under the Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)

June 2009

Construction project ready to commence at Fulham North Primary School, Adelaide
Fulham North Primary School in Adelaide was one of 1,499 schools to receive a share of $2.8 billion in funding under Round One of Primary Schools for the 21st Century, a key element of the Building the Education Revolution (BER). (continues...)
Apprentices benefit from Defence Housing Australia’s Apprenticeship Support Scheme
A new Defence Housing Australia (DHA) scheme will subsidise 20 new apprenticeship places across Australia. (continues...)
Boost to local economy in Renmark, South Australia with the construction of new grandstand complex
The community of Renmark in South Australia’s Riverland region has a new grandstand and change rooms complex as a result of the Australian Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
New playground and community area in the Shire of Quairading, Western Australia
Children in Western Australia’s Shire of Quairading have a safe new playground as a result of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)
New sporting facilities deliver benefits to the community of Picola, Victoria
The community of Picola in northern Victoria is benefiting from the Australian Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, with the completion of much needed community facility upgrades. (continues...)
Boost to employment in the Town of Kwinana, Western Australia
The Recquatic Centre in Kwinana, Western Australia, is feeling the positive flow-on effects of the Australian Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)

May 2009

Fencing Program in Queensland helps young people get a head start
Eight young men and women in Queensland’s Gold Coast have received valuable training and hands-on work experience under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, and a program partnership with BoysTown. (continues...)
Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan boosts employment in regional Australia
The Rocla factory in Grafton is feeling the positive flow-on effects of the Australian Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan. (continues...)