In November, AJ Lucas paid Smart's voluntary administrators $3.7 million for the junior telco infrastructure firm and despite attempts to revitalise the business, it decided to discontinue Smart's activities.

AJ Lucas claimed it was misled during last year's takeover of Smart and was considering legal proceedings.

Last month, AJ Lucas along with French outfit Spie Capag, was awarded the contract to build the 680km Victoria to South Australia SEAGas gas pipeline.

Design work has already commenced with construction likely to begin in October with commissioning scheduled for either the third or fourth quarter next year.