Spate of major projects lifts confidence

Building work started on 23 major construction projects in New Zealand last month and another 25 big contracts are in the pipeline.

Auckland-headquartered consultant Pacifecon, with 21 researchers tracking building jobs worth $5 million-plus, said it was heartened by the large amount of construction activity.

"This is generating a sense of optimism," Pacifecon said of the 25 projects announced last month.

Of the big building contracts where site work has just started, many are in the upper North Island.

WORK STARTED LAST MONTH
* Auckland City Council's period contract for roading renewal and maintenance in eastern area ($33 million), southern area ($31 million), Waiheke and Rakino islands ($14 million), contracts awarded to Downer EDI Works. The $7 million contract for Great Barrier Island went to Fulton Hogan.
* Fonterra Co-operative Group's cool store in Hamilton ($50 million), builder undisclosed.
* Auckland City's period contract for street lighting ($14 million) awarded to Transfield Services (NZ).
* NZ Transport Agency's State Highway One improvements stage 1 at Warkworth ($5 million-plus) awarded to HEB Construction.
* Owens-Illinois Inc's manufacturing plant in Penrose ($80 million), project manager United Group (NZ).
* Manukau City Council's sports fields upgrade in Papatoetoe ($12 million) awarded to Dempsey & Wood Civil Contractor.
* Auckland International Airport's expansion of arrivals processing facilities ($180 million over three years) awarded to Fletcher Construction.
* Rotorua District Council's period contract for state highway maintenance ($11 million) awarded to Downer EDI Works.
* Rodney Surgical Centre's two operating theatres in Warkworth ($6 million) won by Comprey Construction.

ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH
* Pacifecon listed the upper North Island projects announced last month as:
* Auckland Zoo's elephant housing facilities ($11 million).
* Transpower NZ's 220kV double-current transmission system from Wairakei to Whakamaru (over $25 million).
* Conversion of mixed-use buildings into hotel and office/retail in Auckland CBD (no estimate).
* Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi's educational institute in Whakatane (no estimate).
* Sacramento Apartments: Recladding of the 153-unit buildings in Botany Downs (no estimate).
* Foodstuffs (Auckland) supermarket upgrade in Rotorua ($13 million).
* New marine events centre on Halsey Street wharf extension, Auckland ($27 million).
* Innovation Waikato's piazza and retail complex in Ruakara, Hamilton (no estimate).
* New Zealand Home Bonds' conference centre in Cambridge ($10 million).
* Gulf Corporation's Hobbs Point residential block (stage 2) Gulf Harbour at Whangaparaoa, 24 single dwellings and market square (no estimate).
* The Celestion Hotel in Emily Place, Auckland Central (no estimate).

WORK ABANDONED
Pacifecon also listed a large number of public works jobs which it said had been abandoned in this year's first quarter. These included:
* North Shore City Council's road widening at Takapuna ($9 million).
* Waitakere City Council's parking building in Henderson ($20 million).
* Manukau City Council's culinary theme park ($100 million).
* Auckland City Council's CBD streetscaping ($7 million).
* Capital & Coast District Health Board's mental health unit at Kenepuru Hospital in Porirua ($10 million).
* Palmerston North City Council's joint venture recreational lake at Aokautere ($6 million).
* Port Westland's rail link to the wharf at Greymouth Industrial Park ($10 million).