Australia Report
Australia Report 2006
Banking on infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure is all the vogue now, in no small part due to the success of Macquarie Bank and its satellite funds. Australian commercial banks are also jumping on the bandwagon, but managing those inherent conflicts within its core business of debt provision will be very tricky.
New path to MIG
Macquarie Infrastructure Group, Macquarie Bank's flagship satellite fund, has announced a restructuring plan that will include a A$500m on-market share buy-back; paying three years of base fees in scrip; selling 50% of its assets to an unlisted Macquarie-managed vehicle called Macquarie Infrastructure Partners II; and a freeze on new acquisitions for 12 months. By Sharon Klyne.
MEIF fund stays private
Macquarie has been buying up assets across Europe and revolutionising the infrastructure sector, but can it keep it up in the face of ever more competition, asks Barry Marshall.
No worries – AUSTRALIA!
First, let's get the obvious question out of the way. Yes, Sydney's a hardship posting. Here you see me, Martin Locke and Mario D'Elia conferring over the finer points of a bond deal at the eponymous Bondi beach. By Tony Poulter, outgoing Sydney-based head global head of Project Finance at PwC.
Getting globally wasted
Waste-to-resources company Global Renewables hopes to position itself as a global leader in the waste management technologies market with its patented mechanical biological treatment (MBT) technology. Cliff Lawrenson, chief executive officer of parent company GDR Ltd tells Project Finance International why he is passionate about the company's future. By Sharon Klyne.
Plenary energised for America
A strategy that was a decade in the making is now helping Plenary Group to get its first deals done in Australia and make a big push for North America. Plenary Group has brought some well-known names on board and is heading for the capital markets in a partnership with Deutsche Bank. By Alison Healey.
Aussies are out to conquer
Australian players continue to pursue opportunities beyond the country's borders and nearby Asia is providing attractive options. Minerva Lau reports.
Brisbane Bypass - Case study
In May 2006, the Brisbane City Council awarded the RiverCity Motorway consortium a 45 year concession for the Brisbane North South Bypass Tunnel (NSBT). By Shane Logan, director, project finance, National Australia Bank.
