Bilfinger Berger to acquire Abigroup
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has said that the German parent of Baulderstone Hornibrook, Bilfinger Berger Australia, should be allowed to acquire Abigroup. (SMH 5/12/03). Following regulatory approval for the takeover, Vercot, Abigroup’s largest shareholder, indicated it would accept Bilfinger’s offer. (SMH 4/12/03).

Multiplex lists on ASX
On the first day of Multiplex listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, its stock closed at $3.12, a 1.3% premium on the issue price. (SMH 3/12/03).

Cadx to launch B2B building products trading exchange
Cadx, a Sydney company, will launch a business-to-business trading exchange next year. The e-marketplace will be aimed at subcontractors with construction industry network Bangitup managing the exchange’s “business to human to business” strategy. According to the Cadx director of sales and marketing, about 10,000 products are expected to be online by January, and users were expected to be able to use the site to do purchasing and competitive quoting from April.
(The Australian 2/12/03).

Free newsletter on infrastructure protection
Safeguarding Australia News is a free newsletter that has been launched to keep “Australian industry informed of the latest developments in critical infrastructure protection including blast, biological and cyber protection…The service covers: banking & finance; built environment; communications; energy; food supply; government services; health; icons; IT systems; transport; and utilities”. (Construction Forecasting Council News 16/10/03). More information >>

Design competition for Athens park
An international ideas competition for the design and urban development of the Hellenikon Park, an area of 530 hectares close to Athens, is being launched by the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment, Planning and Public Works. The programme makes provision for a park with cultural, leisure and sports facilities, as well as offices, housing and social services. (UIA 5/12/03). More information >>

US cancels steel tariffs
President Bush has cancelled tariffs on steel imports that were imposed in March 2002. The tariffs ranged up to 30%. (ENR 4/12/03). More information >>

Latest ABS Building Approvals
According to seasonally adjusted estimates in the October 2003 issue of Building Approvals, Australia by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, total dwelling units approved in the month increased by 1.6% and private sector houses approved were unchanged from the month before. (ABS 2/12/03). More information >>