This Month
The robot farm that allows producers to ‘play god’
Stacked Farm’s vertical farming initiative has won the Financial Review Sustainability Leaders agriculture and environment category, as well as being the overall winner for innovation.
Melbourne Airport shops junior debt to fund capex
The notes are structured with a 30-year maturity, with a call date between five and seven years to induce the credit ratings agencies to assign equity credit.
May
Rate moves ahead? | Forrest’s China warning | Melbourne airport melee
This week, the chooks look at Andrew Forrest’s iron ore warning, the path for interest rates, and a battle over one of the country’s busiest airports.
Dexus seeks injunction against warring co-investors at Melbourne Airport
The ASX-listed property group is seeking an injunction against an attempt from its fellow shareholders to trigger a forced sale of its stake in two airports.
Rest Super a potential loser in Dexus’ Melbourne Airport stoush
Retail workers holding pensions with Rest Super stand to lose their exposure to the key infrastructure asset if Dexus is forced to sell its holding.
Dexus’ Melbourne Airport fund investors call in lawyers for battle
Lawyers have been called in to fight what could be a long court battle on behalf of wealthy investors who bought into a special fund holding Melbourne Airport.
Melbourne Airport stoush overshadows Dexus’ big IPO plans
The listing comes as the company prepares to answer some challenging questions around its valuation of the airport.
ASX hits 3-month high; Airport shareholders revolt; AI starts to work
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
March
Inside the rollercoaster week in Victorian politics
Crime, the CFMEU, cost blowout fears on the Suburban Rail Loop and a new stoush with the top cop. These stories show why Premier Jacinta Allan may think a week is a long time in Victorian politics.
Cost, time warning after PM vows Melbourne Airport rail a ‘done deal’
A three-way feud delaying Melbourne’s airport rail has been put to bed after the airport, state and federal governments signed a memorandum of understanding.
January
Airport spending doubles to $30 billion. The catch? Higher fares
The Productivity Commission says light touch regulation saves consumers’ hip pockets. But airlines worry that they, and passengers, will foot an epic bill.
January
Melbourne Airport flags $4.5b investment in international terminal
The airport’s capital expenditure program is set to ramp up, sparking tensions with big airlines over passenger charges.
Australia’s next robot farm wants to grow your burger garnish
Investors have lost billions on vertical farming start-ups, but a Gold Coast business says it has a model that stacks up, luring investment from Tribeca and Tayside.
December 2024
Surging international flights leave airports bullish for year ahead
A return of American and Chinese carriers has pushed overseas routes to their highest levels since the pandemic. It may not mean dramatically cheaper fares.
Want to fly international business class every month? Try this job
Christina Werkstetter is Sydney Airport’s secret weapon when it comes to getting new airlines to fly into Australia. The perks aren’t half bad either.
Strap in for a bumpy summer as old planes and surging demand collide
The high number of flight delays and cancellations were meant to have been smoothed out by now. But a crunch in the number of planes is dragging it out.
November 2024
Qantas claims network advantage will outgun bulked up Qatar
Qantas international boss Cam Wallace says the wet leasing arrangement that facilitates the partnership between Virgin and Qatar cannot be indefinite.
Sydney Airport grass fire follows suspected Qantas engine failure
Flights out of Sydney Airport were in chaos on Friday after engine failure on a Qantas flight forced an emergency landing and appeared to spark a grass fire.
Airports say don’t cut Singapore Airlines out of Virgin-Qatar tie-up
The Australian Airports Association has warned the ACCC that passengers will lose a crucial route to Europe if the Qatar-Virgin tie-up is approved in the proposed format.
October 2024
Sale docs out for Dexus’ stake in Melbourne, Launceston airports
Melbourne airport revenue grew 17 per cent to $1.2 billion in the 2024 financial year, while EBITDA rose 21 per cent to $82.1 million, according to the teaser.