Transfield founder dies

The founding chairman of Australian construction company Transfield Holdings, Franco Belgiorno-Nettis, 91, has died after an accident in Italy.

An engineer, born in Italy in 1915, he served with the Italian Army during World War II before moving to Australia in the early 50s. He set up Transfield Holdings in 1956, which went on to become the largest engineering and construction company in the Southern Hemisphere. The company is responsible for projects such as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

An art enthusiast, Belgiorno-Nettis is also credited with founding the Biennale of Sydney in 1973.