Australia’s tsunami system performs well

Last night’s tsunami warning for south-eastern Australia, may have come to nothing, but it did demonstrate the worth of the monitoring system, says one expert.

The warning was announced soon after an earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, occurred off the south coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Chief Meteorologist Dr Chris Ryan, of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre, says the epicentre was located in the closest earthquake source zone to Australia, a region known as the Puysegur seduction zone.

He says, despite being close to Australia, the region is far enough away that a tsunami would take more two hours to reach the coast.

Ryan says the tsunami that followed only warranted a ‘marine threat’ warning with waves rising 30 centimetres at Port Kembla, near Wollongong and no significant damage has been reported.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Seismologist David Jepsen, of Geoscience Australia, says it took two hours for waves from New Zealand to get to Tasmania.

He says the Puysegur seduction zone is a region where Australia’s tectonic plate pushes underneath the Pacific plate.

Although the Australian tsunami warning system is one of the best in the world, the system is still pretty new.

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Australia work visa holders get wage increase

Effective from 1 July, people moving to Australia on a temporary skilled work visa will be entitled to a higher minimum salary.     

The minimum salary that must be paid by Australian employers taking on foreign workers holding a temporary skilled work visa (457 Subclass visa) has increased by 4.1 per cent. The increase brings the minimum salary in line with the rise average wages since the previous wages review of August last year. The 457 Subclass visa entitles Australia immigration workers for a period of between three months and four years.

In addition to the changes in minimum salaries, the English language ability standards for trades people moving to Australian were also adjusted on 1 July. Previously, trades people were required to demonstrate a ‘vocational’ level of English. Under the new regulations, they must be able to demonstrate a ‘competent’ level of English. This brings the trades, such as carpentry, bricklaying and cookery to the same level in terms of English requirements as the other occupations listed as ‘in demand’ by the Australian immigration authorities.

The Skilled Occupations List includes all the occupations that are suffering skills shortages in Australia. Trades included in this list include a wide variety of professions e.g. fitters, hairdressers, cabinetmakers, landscape gardeners, electricians and locksmiths.

Source  :  www.globalvisas.com

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Senior Infrastructure Estimator Opportunities Australia-wide

Location: Australia     
Salary:
Company: Valuable Resources Ltd
Sector: Traffic and Transport
Job role: Estimator
Job type: Permanent
Date posted: 18/06/2009 18:50  

• High profile national infrastructure group
• Attractive Salary Package $$$ with relocation support

‘Reach beyond your Estimations….Go Global!’

Our client is one of Australia’s leading infrastructure engineering groups, involved in delivering key projects across Australia as well as overseas.They operate in civil, marine, rail, pipelines and mining infrastructure and have a reputation which is second to none.

Opportunities exist for intermediate to senior estimators to join their highly professional team in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.

These appointments will suit an experienced engineering professional with proven experience in estimating and cost planning of civil construction.

We are interested in talking to enthusiastic Estimators seeking to relocate to Australia & who can demonstrate the following:

• Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline
• Solid estimating experience in the construction or building industry with sound costing analytical skills
• Experience in any of the following sectors:Civil, Marine, Rail, Pipelines & Mining Infrastructure
• Proficient in planning, organising and working to time lines
• Strong communication skills and capable of enthusiastically engaging others.

An attractive salary is on offer with assistance in relocating to Australia.

If you are relocating to Australia now or the near future and wish to discuss these opportunities further please call Ben Dodd in our UK office on +44 (0) 7976 221 381.

Alternatively send your CV outlining your skills and experience to date to apply@valuableresources.co.uk.

Take your skills to the world, Go Global at www.valuableresources.co.uk  All applications will be treated in confidence.

Reference: CareerStructure/CS12009BD

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