S8JUN1~ 96
FOR PRESS: * 410
k/ BRAR,
AUSTRAIANPJ CONSULTANTS WIN U. N. CONTRACT
( Statement by Mr. J. McEwen-, Acting Prime Minister and Minister
for Trade and Industry)
An Australian firm had been awarded a large United Nations contract
to act as consultants during preparation of a 5A4.6 million
master-plan for intensive urban and industrial development of
Singapore, Mr. J. McEwen, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for
Trade and Industry, announced today.
The firm, Crooks, Michell, Peacock and Stewart of Chatswood, N. S. W.,
was believed to be the first Australian group to win a contract
of this magnitude and of this type.
Mr. McEwen said the contract, awarded in the face of strong overseas
competition, particularly from Euarope and North America, highlighted
the standing of Australian professional consultants. It underlined
the significance of the Government sponsored Mission which
recently surveyed prospects for Australian professional consultants
in South East Asia and the Middle East.
The number of Australian firms registered for consultancy work
with the United Nations and the World Bank had increased rapidly
over the last two years and numbered 32 at present. It was
hoped confidently that more contracts for work in South East
Asia would be won by Australian consultants.
Mr. MoEwen said the work associated with the first contract
would complement Australia's continuing drive to become one of
the major suppliers of goods and services to South East Asia.
Crooks, Michell, Peacock and Stewart would collect and analyse
data relevant to all aspects of planning, develep Singapore's
planning departments and train personnel to take over comprehensive
city planning and conduct extensive surveys. Such surveys would
;. over community environments, activities, goals, values and
economic -problems. Traffic and transport studies to enable
-2-
effective future development would also be undertaken.
The firm would be associated in its work by up to four
universities, " The University of New South Wales would provide a
traffic consultant, Professor R. Blunden, also research
facilities at the N. S. W. Institute of Traffic and
Highway Research.
The University of Sydney would provide two consultants
and an urban geographer from its Department of Town
and Country Planning.
" Macquarie and Queensland Universities would provide
assistance where required.
Mr. McEwen said most overseas consultants received active support
from their Governments in efforts to participate in such
projects and the Department of Trade and Industry was prepared
also to assist firms interested in such export activity.
Canberra, A. C. T.
May, 1967 39/ 67T