TEXT-Australia's Leighton says wins A$565 mln contracts

(Following is the text of a statement from Australian contractor Leighton Holdings Ltd (LEI.AX))

SYDNEY, April 30 - TDIC-Leighton has been awarded a series of new projects worth a total of US$435 million for the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the tourism asset development arm of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

The new contracts are the first of a series of major projects that TDIC is developing as part of its aim to turn Abu Dhabi into a world-class tourism destination.

Managing Director of Leighton International and the Al Habtoor Leighton Group, Mr David Savage, said the projects represent just the start of a long-term relationship between Leighton and TDIC.

"Our relationship with TDIC is one of Leighton's most significant partnerships, and will underwrite the company's business in Abu Dhabi for the foreseeable future," he said.

"TDIC is one of Abu Dhabi's largest, most respected developers," he said. "These projects are just the start of a long-term relationship, and we are delighted that it has selected us as its partner for its exciting development programme.

"We look forward to working with TDIC to develop Abu Dhabi into one of the world's leading tourist and cultural destinations."

Details of the new projects are as follows:

Saadiyat Construction Village

TDIC-Leighton is responsible for engineering, procurement and construction of a 20,000 man labour village on Saadiyat Island, complete with accommodation, kitchen, dining, recreation, mosque, shops, etc. The village will be produced in four clusters and there will be room for further expansion.

Abu Dhabi Golf Course Hotel

TDIC-Leighton is responsible for the construction of a 5-star 35,500 m2 hotel, including leisure facilities comprising, spa, pool, gymnasium and tennis academy. The site is located adjacent to the existing golf course facility at Abu Dhabi National Golf Course. In addition there will be residential accommodation provided around the existing golf course containing 66 villas, 32 townhouses and 144 apartments.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Resort

TDIC-Leighton is constructing the Eastern Mangrove Angsana Hotel and Resort, consisting of 223 bedrooms, 79 chandlery apartments, 91 marina apartments, and 51 luxury apartments.

Gary Player Golf Course

TDIC-Leighton will construct an eighteen hole championship golf course and nursery, including shaping, grassing, cart paths, irrigation, landscaping, toilets, refreshment kiosks, etc. An academy and maintenance building will be built in the next phase and a golf clubhouse in the phase thereafter.