Post on 18-Apr-2018
West Gate FreeWay alliance honoured – paGe 8
MininG returns to the West – paGe 21
GearinG up to deliver nBn – paGe 24
Most notably, the National
Broadband Network (NBN)
will showcase our diversity.
The NBN is the most significant
infrastructure project in Australia
since the Snowy Mountains
Scheme and just as Thiess was at
the forefront then, we are excited
to be again at the forefront of
this nation building project.
In the bourgeoning LNG sector,
we are positioning ourselves for
growth in Queensland’s Surat
Basin in addition to our existing
major projects at Gorgon in
Western Australia and Curtis
Island near Gladstone. We are
well prepared to meet the needs
of this rapidly expanding industry
which is crucial to the country’s
economic prosperity.
With the outlook for resources
spending remaining strong,
we are continuing to see
investment in transport,
rail and port developments.
Demand for iron ore and coking
coal underpins our excellent
prospects in contract mining.
Thermal coal production is also
forecast to rise, boosted by
the completion of new mines,
d K saxelBy
ManaGinG director, thiess pty ltd
and strong increases in demand
from China and India, and other
parts of Asia.
The strong future of our great
company is no better expressed
than by the extraordinary
recognition we have received
for innovation and excellence.
Three very different though
equally remarkable Thiess
projects have received industry
accolades. The Ark in North
Sydney, the West Gate Freeway
Alliance in Melbourne and the
Hunter River Remediation Project
in Newcastle have all been
commended at the highest levels.
As each project brings its own
unique mix of challenges and
opportunities — our flexible and
collaborative approach allows
us to deliver smarter, safer,
faster outcomes for our clients.
This approach reinforces the
excellence that has been the
essence of our brand for
77 years and ensures we retain
our position as industry leaders.
We enter the neW Financial year With a nuMBer oF excitinG
prospects in the pipeline Which Will strenGthen our WorK in
hand For years to coMe.
directions | winter 20112
Directions is published by thiess
Pty Ltd. it is published with due
care and attention to accuracy.
if you do find information that
is inaccurate, incomplete or out
of date, please contact us.
contact
directions@thiess.com.au
Winter 2011
Copyright thiess Pty Ltd 2011.
All rights reserved.
head office
Level 5, 179 Grey Street
South Bank
Queensland 4101
t: +61 7 3002 9000
F: +61 7 3002 9689
design and production
Bigfish.tv
7 Mastering the high wire
12 Out-of-the-box
14 it’s official! women are better truck drivers
17 new technology helps salvage coal
28 world leading remediation project wraps up
30 Harvesting energy from waste
ConstruCtion
mining
serviCes
directions | winter 2011 3
WinnerProPerty CounCil of
AustrAliA innovAtion
And exCellenCe AwArds
— Best sustAinABle
develoPment —
new Buildings
WinnerProPerty CounCil
of AustrAliA nsw
develoPment of the
yeAr AwArd
WinnerAustrAliAn ProPerty
institute environmentAl
develoPment AwArd
WinnerurBAn tAskforCe
develoPment of
the yeAr AwArd
AWArded6 stAr green stAr
offiCe design And
As Built v2 rAting
directions | winter 2011 5
pluMBinG apprentices
FroM reMote indiGenous
coMMunities are GaininG
invaluaBle experience on
one oF australia’s BiGGest
construction projects.
the Victorian Desalination Project
(VDP) has thrown its support
behind a partnership between the
Plumbing trades employees Union
(PteU) and remote indigenous
communities in the northern
territory and western Australia,
which connects young people
with plumbing apprenticeships
around the country.
vdp BacKs
young indigenous ApprentiCes
for more informAtion And videos visit thiess.Com/ConstruCtion
By the time the project is completed,
up to 12 indigenous apprentices
will return home as fully qualified
plumbers, able to put their skills
and experience to work.
Simon Jewell from the PteU said
the program started five years ago
as a joint initiative of the union
and the Kimberley Aboriginal
Corporation, with the goal of
improving sanitation standards
within communities and increasing
the job and training prospects of
young indigenous men and women.
“the idea came about to have
locals complete plumbing
apprenticeships and then go
back to their communities with
practical skills and improved career
prospects,” Mr Jewell said.
Jeremiah Green, from the Looma
community in the Kimberley region
of western Australia, is currently
completing the third year of his
apprenticeship.
“i have really enjoyed being here
for the last 11 months. i am sharing a
house with two other blokes from the
job, there’s a great team on site and
we are learning lots,” Jeremiah said.
“i want to go back and help out in
my community — hopefully i can
encourage other young blokes
to get into a program like this.”
directions | winter 20116
It is the largest expansion and
redevelopment of an occupied
correctional centre in Australian
history and has set new benchmarks
for working in a high stakes
operational environment.
As Managing Contractor for the
$375 million project, which began
in August 2008, Thiess has been
responsible for leading the design
and construction of all works involved
in redeveloping the centre for
Queensland Corrective Services (QCS).
The task required the weekend
closure in March of Brisbane’s
busy Inner City Bypass and CLEM7,
allowing the team to complete
the work as quickly as possible
and ensuring minimal impacts
to the road network.
Bridge 104 is the highest of the
12 bridges being built for the
Airport Link projects at Bowen
Hills. Once complete, it will link
the Airport Link tunnel to the
Inner City Bypass city bound.
The beams sit 12.5 metres above
the Inner City Bypass ramps.
The activity was very complex and
required an enormous 600 tonne
crane to install the four massive
bridge beams, which ranged in
size from 35 to 53 metres.
When it opens in mid-2012, Airport
Link will be the first major motorway
connecting Brisbane city with the
airport and northern suburbs.
Bridge BeAms stArt to Complete link
MasterinG the hiGh Wire
Project Director Simon Hughes
said work included expanding
the perimeter fence, building new
prisoner facilities to nearly double
capacity, relocating master control
functions, installing a new digital
monitoring security system and
refurbishing existing amenities.
“Months of precision planning
and effective communication
with stakeholders paid off
and the cutover to the new
perimeter fence and migration
of master controls in late 2010
was seamless,” he said.
“This had never been done
before in a ‘live’ facility and we
needed to make sure that the
perimeter was secure at all stages.
Innovative thinking and meticulous
preparation made this possible.”
Thiess is currently working
‘inside the fence’, upgrading
existing buildings including
accommodation, kitchen, medical
and prisoner processing centres,
and administration, visitor and
laundry facilities.
the airport linK teaM recently coMpleted a 56 hour enGineerinG
Feat, installinG Four Massive steel BridGe BeaMs WeiGhinG up to
75-tonnes each, 25 Metres aBove the Ground.
the redevelopMent oF the lotus
Glen correctional centre
near MareeBa in Far north
Queensland is raisinG the
Bar For a nuMBer oF reasons.
DIRECTIONS | winter 2011 7
MelBourne’s West Gate FreeWay upGrade
has taKen out the prestiGious australian
construction achieveMent aWard at
a Gala Function held at the national
Gallery oF victoria.
The West Gate Freeway Alliance won against
stiff competition from six other finalists
including Brisbane’s new under-river CLEM7
Tunnel, Sydney’s Desalination Plant and the
ANZ Centre in Melbourne.
The $600 million upgrade was part of Victoria’s
largest ever state funded road project and the
product of an extraordinarily productive alliance
between Thiess, VicRoads, Baulderstone,
Hyder Consulting and Parsons Brinckerhoff.
The project was completed more than four
months ahead of schedule and involved the
construction of elevated viaducts, ramps and
a new intelligent freeway management system
amid the complex environment of the State’s
busiest road corridor.
Chair of the judging panel Dick Kell said the West
Gate Freeway Upgrade was the “outstanding
project among many other outstanding projects”.
“The judges were also impressed with the way
the alliance worked as a seamlessly integrated
team, including the client which was a proactive
partner,” he said.
Thiess’ Executive General Manager in Victoria
Gordon Taylor agreed saying the project
showcased the value of a truly collaborative effort.
“This is a remarkable piece of infrastructure
and the teamwork that achieved it would take
the flag in any competition,” Mr Taylor said.
VicRoads Project Director Andrew Williams
said from day one the alliance partners
came to the table as one team to achieve
a fantastic outcome.
Extensive changes to the design concept
improved travel times and delivered a 26 per
cent increase in traffic — despite which the
project was completed within budget.
Sustainable initiatives such as the reuse
of waste products from a nearby food
manufacturer and using low embodied energy
products have since been adopted as new
environmental specifications by VicRoads.
Thiess is also a member of the TrackStar
Alliance which was another finalist for the
Robina to Varsity Lakes Track Extension
in Queensland.
WinnerAustrAliAn
ConstruCtion
AChievement
AwArd
West Gate FreeWay alliance receives top
DIRECTIONS | winter 20118
part oF the larGest ever state Funded road project in victoria’s history
coMpleted Four Months ahead oF schedule
iMproved travel FloW durinG peaK tiMes
set neW BenchMarKs For sustainaBle initiatives
the AlliAnCe Worked As A seAmlessly integrAted teAm... it WAs A truly CollABorAtive effort
DIRECTIONS | winter 2011 9
tWo expert teaMs have coMpleted an
exercise in precision and collaBoration,
successFully connectinG the Marine
structures and underGround tunnels
on the World-class desiGned victorian
desalination project.
The marine and tunnelling components of the
project have been carried out by two distinct
teams of construction specialists who achieved
completion months ahead of schedule.
The marine team worked from an offshore
jack-up barge, installing two intake and two
outlet structures on the seabed and drilling
20-metre vertical shafts to accommodate
glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) risers.
The risers connect to a 1.2km intake and
1.5km outlet tunnel deep underground,
the boring of which was completed by
Thiess’ tunnelling team. Tunnelling Project
Manager Glyn Edwards said to create a
connection the team had to break through
the side of the concrete tunnel, allowing
workers to tunnel across to the risers.
“A section of each tunnel is lined with a
reinforced steel ‘ribcage’, which maintains
the structural integrity of the tunnel for
the safety of our workers,” he said.
“A mini excavator and mini dump trucks are
then used to excavate a short adit tunnel
around 4.5 metres long to connect with
the riser. Finally, a GRP pipe is installed
and encased in concrete, forming the final
connection between the tunnel and the riser.
Ensuring accurate alignment between the
tunnels and risers demands precision work,
requiring an expert surveying team, and close
collaboration and data-sharing between the
tunnelling and marine teams.
“The marine team also encased the four
risers with bright red grout, providing visible
confirmation when we had successfully located
each of the four risers,” Mr Edwards said.
At the end of the
directions | winter 201110
douBlinG the capacity oF the hinze daM,
in Queensland’s Gold coast hinterland,
Was a coMplex enGineerinG challenGe
that called For an inGenious solution.
thiess’ preliminary work on the dam revealed
that increasing the capacity from 161,000ML to
310,000ML meant part of the existing dam wall
needed to be reinforced to ensure it was strong
enough to handle the extra water pressure.
Alliance Manager Peter Kinsella said the team
developed a solution to ensure the cut-off wall
— the largest in Australia — could be installed
before the new core extension was built.
“with our sub-alliance partner foundation
specialists, Bauer, we cut a trench 55 metres
deep into the core of the dam and right
abutment, down to the bedrock and sealed the
trench with plastic concrete,” Mr Kinsella said.
“it was the best engineering solution and had the
highest level of certainty to get the right result.”
He said the project’s delivery method —
an alliance between Gold Coast City Council
(later transferred to Seqwater), thiess, UrS
and Sinclair Knight Merz — was an excellent
model for the works.
“it had to be completed in a tight time-frame
and there were a number of uncertainties
because it was an upgrade job. the alliance
model worked well making sure everyone
was flexible in their thinking. Seqwater will
get a very good product,” he said.
the $395 million Hinze Dam Project began in
2006 and is due for completion in mid-2011.
Provides flood protection for »more than 3,000 homes in the
lower nerang river Catchment
309,700 million litre capacity »— equivalent of 123,800
Olympic-sized swimming pools
new visitor and information »centre for the more than
300,000 visitors each year
150 car parks around the »main dam area and additional
parking at boat ramps
directions | winter 2011 11
An innovative solution has been
developed to complete the
$103 million northern section of
Tasmania’s Brighton Bypass, while
also protecting a 40,000-year-old
Indigenous cultural heritage site.
Thiess and local joint venture
partner VEC Civil will deploy
a technique known as a “span
launch” to project a 166 metre
bridge across the Jordan River
Levee without any disturbance
to the site.
BuildinG BridGes to protect heritaGe site
The bridge, which will be the longest
single launched span bridge in
Tasmania, will rise eight metres
above the culturally sensitive area.
The technique has never been carried
out on this scale before, with four
180 tonne steel trough girders to be
launched over a distance of 70 metres.
The result is a creative solution that
not only safeguards the levee but
provides the people of Brighton
and surrounding areas with a
valuable bypass.
the desiGn and
construction oF an
accoMModation caMp For
More than 4,000 WorKers
oFF Western australia’s
north-West coast Will set
neW BenchMarKs For tWo-
storey site accoMModation
in the country.
directions | winter 201112
solution had been developed to minimise
labour and shipping costs, creating
greater cost efficiencies for our client.
“This approach is also in keeping with
Gorgon’s design concept which flows
through to the LNG plant itself,” he said.
An example of the smart design approach
includes manufacturing bathroom pods that
can be inserted inside bedroom modules
for shipping and then pulled out on site.
the gorgon villAge Will BoAst the lArgest modulAr CAmp dining fACility in the southern hemisphere
Off-site water treatment plant »and an 18Mw power plant
Constructed to withstand local »weather conditions and act as
a safe haven during cyclones
other
feAtures
The raging torrents unleashed
on the historic range rail line were
sufficient to erase structures that
had stood the test of time for
nearly 150 years. The substantial
Kings Bridge was simply swept
away and at iconic Spring Bluff,
twisted track dangled precariously
25 metres above where the
embankment had been devoured.
In total, 260 sites needed some
form of repair.
Thiess Project Manager David
Ide described what confronted
his team. “It was hard to fathom,
firstly how it had occurred and
secondly how we were going
to get in and rectify it. It really
was pretty devastating to see
the impact,” he said.
Conscious of the economic
importance of the line, the Thiess
team had to do everything in its
power to expedite the replacement
of structures and embankment
so Queensland Rail could re-lay
the track. Work began on Australia
Flood daMaGed line reBuilt
the lonG road to recovery FroM the Queensland Flood
disaster has delivered Many exaMples oF outstandinG
teaMWorK, But FeW are Better than the partnership BetWeen
thiess and Queensland rail in reBuildinG the devastated
tooWooMBa ranGe section oF the Western rail line.
Day and the well oiled machine
of Thiess and Queensland Rail
had the range section open for
business on 28 March, more than
a month ahead of schedule.
“We went through the entire job
without a safety incident which
reinforces the type of contractor
that we are,” Mr Ide said.
BeFore aFter
The Thiess, Decmil and Kentz (TDK)
Joint Venture has developed innovative
modularisation solutions in response
to the challenge of constructing the
camp on one of the country’s most
remote sites. The Barrow Island camp
will house thousands of workers
on Chevron’s $43 billion Gorgon
Natural Gas Project, Australia’s largest
infrastructure project. Project Director
Brian Pulham said a modularisation
Environmental considerations are
also an important part of the project
with Barrow Island a Class A nature
reserve and the standards required
to protect this environment in
terms of quarantine and logistics
at an unprecedented level. When
completed, the accommodation
village will include swimming pools,
gymnasiums, golf driving ranges,
an outdoor cinema and jogging paths.
DIRECTIONS | winter 2011 13
mining
it’s oFFicial!
Women Are Better truCk driversan innovative thiess proMotion at
Queensland’s MacKay shoW has lent
WeiGht to the arGuMent that WoMen MaKe
the Better duMp trucK operators in the
MininG industry.
the thiess top Operator Challenge encouraged
current dump truck operators in the Bowen
Basin to test their skills in the Cat simulator.
About 100 took the challenge over the three
days of the show and tackled a simulated tough
haul circuit through rain, other extremes and
even an engine fire.
the results were unequivocal with emma Hardy
from Goonyella riverside Coal Mine emerging as
the safest, most efficient and highly skilled haul
truck operator. the result went down to the wire
with emma one of the last to take the challenge.
“i am pretty pleased i had a go. i enjoy what
i do but didn’t think i would win. the guys at
work may give me a bit of a hard time over it
but the family is pretty impressed that i won
a trip to the Gold Coast,” emma said.
the female dominance continued with Jade
wilson from Hail Creek and Sharon Vella
from South walker Creek taking second
and third and each winning Apple iPads.
thiess’ northern region executive
Manager of Mining, Danny McCarthy said
the promotion was about recognising the
region’s leading operators and promoting
their skills.
“it was a great way for the Bowen Basin’s
best to showcase their talent to the wider
community as well as their families and
friends,” he said.
for more informAtion And videos visit thiess.Com/mining
directions | winter 201114
WilpinjonG
ContrACt extended
thiess has Been aWarded a $222 Million
contract extension to continue MininG
operations at the WilpinjonG coal Mine
in neW south Wales.
The agreement with mine owner Peabody
Energy Australia (Wilpinjong Coal Pty Ltd)
extends the current contract by 15 months
until 31 March, 2013.
Wilpinjong Coal Mine is located 45km north-
east of Mudgee and produces a high quality
thermal coal for domestic and export markets.
The mine’s principal domestic market is a long
term contract with Macquarie Generation.
Thiess Mining Chief Executive Bruce Munro
said he looked forward to meeting Peabody
Energy’s requirement for even greater coal
production in 2012 as the next phase of the
coal handling preparation plant expansion
is brought on line.
Continuous improvement in the site’s safety
performance is also a key priority for Thiess
and Peabody.
“On a number of occasions during the
current term the site has achieved more
than 100 days recordable injury free while
delivering the required production outputs,”
Mr Munro said.
DIRECTIONS | winter 201116
When record january rainFall literally
caused the earth to Move at taronG
enerGy’s Meandu Mine in south east
Queensland, there seeMed little hope oF
extractinG thousands oF tonnes oF hiGh
Quality coal rendered unrecoveraBle.
the coal was perilously close to an impending
wall collapse. A sandstone high wall more
than 40 metres tall had failed and with severe
cracking, there was no telling when the rest
may give way.
neW technoloGy helps salvaGe coal
endanGered coral reeF in indonesia’s
BaliKpapan reGion has a neW lease on
liFe — underWater liFe — thanKs to a
thiess indonesia teaM-led initiative.
An exciting collaboration between Thiess’
Balikpapan Support Facility (BSF) Community
Development team, the Balikpapan
Government and local fishermen, is making
waves through a practical rehabilitation
program aimed at addressing years of
reef degradation. The grassroots campaign
empowers local fishermen to play a key role
teaM prevents coral GrieF
Call it good planning or good luck, thiess’
Project Geologist nathan Ferdinands had
just three months earlier trialled new ground
monitoring radar at the mine.
the technology was the work of Brisbane
company GroundProbe a commercialised
spin-off from expertise developed at the
University of Queensland.
“it’s literally brand new technology and we’d
trialled a prototype machine. it was fresh in
the memory that this new equipment was
available,” Mr Ferdinands said.
the prospect of salvaging about $1.3 million
in lost coal was ample motivation to invest
just 1 per cent of that amount to hire
GroundProbe’s work Area Monitor (wAM).
During trials, the wAM had proved so
sensitive it could detect shrinkage in clay
as the wall dried out in the morning sun.
Once the wAM established the wall was
stable within safe limits, recovery of the
coal could begin. Machinery operators were
equipped with vibrating pagers linked to
the wAM to alert them to any danger.
there was no further wall failure and the
coal was successfully extracted. thiess
and GroundProbe had proudly set a new
benchmark for safe, innovative mining.
in solving the challenge of declining catches and
draws on successes from a similar project in Bali.
In March, local fishermen together with the
BSF team placed nine reef balls and four
transplantation tables in the sea near the
BSF office.
The concrete structures, considered the most
successful artificial reef units in the world, mimic
a natural reef and encourage habitat growth and
coral rehabilitation. Additional structures will be
added early next year with the area now officially
declared a reef restoration zone.
directions | winter 2011 17
apprentice on
the fAst-trACk to suCCeedapprentice diesel Fitter hana
neWBury is provinG that WoMen
have eQual opportunities in
the MininG industry.
Based at the Wilpinjong Coal
Mine in New South Wales,
Ms Newbury is the only female
Thiess apprentice in a profession
dominated by males. Not deterred,
she’s excelling through her second
year and working to complete
her apprenticeship faster than
the standard four year period.
“Working as a female in this
industry is a lot easier than some
people think. I would advise more
women to apply,” she said.
Ms Newbury’s interest in heavy
machinery started at an early age,
growing up on a farm and tinkering
with paddock bashers and tractors.
“As an apprentice we get to look at
all aspects of the job. Our supervisor
always looks out for ways to further
our learning,” she said.
As part of her apprenticeship,
Ms Newbury attends college three
times a year in two week blocks as
well as completing on the job training.
18 DIRECTIONS | winter 2011
a Group oF 17 WoMen FroM
thiess’ MininG teaM joined
priMe Minister julia Gillard
at MoranBah in central
Queensland to discuss
advancinG the role oF
WoMen in the industry.
The Women in Mining and
Resources Queensland event on
27 May gave our team the chance
to talk with the Prime Minister
and other women in the Bowen
Basin about the opportunities and
challenges of working in the sector.
Ms Gillard encouraged the women
to continue the pioneering spirit
for which Australian women were
known, particularly in male-
dominated industries.
iF selF-esteeM Was a MinaBle
coMModity participants
in thiess’ aWard WinninG
indiGenous WoMen in hard hats
recruitMent proGraM Would
Be deliverinG it in duMp trucKs.
A year ago, Madonna McLean was
offered a place in the program to
train for a heavy vehicle licence and
almost instantly changed her life.
“I was so excited. I was struggling
at the time and really needed a
good job,” she said.
For most recruits there was no
hesitation, until they faced the
object of their training the first time.
“It was raining and they put us in
the trucks and we slid all over the
place, it was the best thing because
all our fears were conquered,”
Ms McLean said.
Now there’s a sense of not only
achievement, but setting new
industry standards.
proGraM a drivinG Force For selF-esteeM
pM encouraGes pioneerinG spirit
19DIRECTIONS | winter 2011
numerous projects and businesses
in Thiess before moving to Beijing
as General Manager for China and
Mongolia with Leighton Asia.
While on the surface, some may
view Thiess Services and Thiess
Australian Mining as poles apart,
Michael sees the people and client
focus of Services as one of several
synergies with his new role.
“In all of our roles, clearly
understanding your clients’
businesses and needs is critical
to providing them the value
offering and innovation they
need to continue to thrive in
today’s business environment.
The importance of people and
safety also translates across
all of Thiess,” he said.
history Was Made at the
tad’s corner alpha coal Mine
on sunday 26 june With the
transport oF the First BucKet
oF exportaBle coal.
Thiess has developed the test pit
for Hancock Coal’s mine which
will be one of the largest coal
mines in Australia when developed.
The test pit was developed to
produce the first bulk coal sample
to send internationally for testing
and to secure sale contracts.
Thiess commenced clearing and
mine establishment works at the
remote site in late 2010 and faced
the challenge of one of the wettest
summers on record.
Thiess Project Manager Ron Secis
said, “Despite the challenges,
the positives of working a small
site of 60 people meant the team
could really pull together and
make things happen.”
neW eGM For MininG in australia
historic
first CoAl
Michael WriGht has coMMenced
in his neW role as executive
General ManaGer (eGM) oF
thiess’ australian MininG.
For the past two and a half years,
Michael has been leading Thiess
Services, our $1 billion multi-
disciplined business through
substantial growth. Whilst conscious
that the journey is not complete for
Thiess Services, with many exciting
opportunities in the pipeline, Michael
is relishing the transition to Thiess’
Australian Mining business.
A civil engineer, with a diverse
range of experiences, Michael
worked with Caterpillar, Shell,
Transfield and others, prior to
joining Thiess in 1998. He ran
“I’m looking forward to working
closely with Chief Executive Bruce
Munro as we return to Western
Australia to expand our horizons
in iron ore. Thiess has a long and
distinguished association with
mining and I’m proud to be
part of its future.”
20 directions | winter 2011
thiess is celeBratinG its
return to MininG operations
in Western australia’s pilBara
aFter WinninG a contract With
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG).
The contract is for Phase One
of FMG’s Solomon Iron Ore Mine
and includes pit pioneering works
and mine establishment works.
Thiess Mining Chief Executive
Bruce Munro said the contract win
is highly significant on two fronts.
“This is the rebirth of Thiess’
mining operations in the west
and the beginning of much bigger
things in our relationship with
FMG,” Mr Munro said.
The Solomon Mine is part of FMG’s
major expansion in the Pilbara. The
company’s Three Hub Strategy will
see the development of three major
iron ore mines in close proximity
to centralised infrastructure.
Thiess’ ability to quickly mobilise
highly skilled people and appropriate
equipment was central to the
company’s successful bid for
the 18 month contract.
Phase One is a precursor to the main
works contract at Solomon which
will involve a much larger fleet of
equipment and extend over a period
of five to 10 years. The Solomon
Mine is expected to start producing
iron ore in early 2012.
21DIRECTIONS | winter 2011
people flexibility. the online learning
opportunities are also delivering
business-focused solutions, reducing
the off-the-job time to up-skill, and
the cost of moving learners and
assessors to various locations.
this initiative follows another
training arrangement with
Central tAFe in wA, which has
been created recognising prior
learning (rPL) opportunities that
previously were unavailable.
“the local tAFe had scope to
deliver qualifications within the
water industry training Package
but not the capacity to deliver
or assess it,” thiess Services
Manager training and Development
Darrell Cox said.
“Swan water had the capacity,
so under an arrangement our
assessors were able to recognise
the prior learning of staff through
the levels up to Cert iii.”
partnerships tap into
WAter trAining solutionsthiess services is taKinG the
lead, FosterinG opportunities
For neW partnerships in
Western australia’s traininG
landscape.
water Corporation and thiess
Services are currently partners
in Swan water Services which
operates and maintains Perth’s
north metropolitan water,
sewerage and drainage network.
the success of this partnership
is evident in the recent graduation
of Swan water’s toby Brokken and
James Howell, who completed their
nationally-accredited Certificate iii
in water Operations.
they are the first to finish the new
course which was delivered by
the thiess Services’ People and
Development team in partnership
with wide Bay tAFe Qld. the
program recognises and builds
on existing skills and experience,
and is offered online to give
for more informAtion And videos visit thiess.Com/serviCes
directions | winter 201122
environmentAl Best prACtiCe progrAm
virgin Blue Business AwArd
united nAtions AssoCiAtion of AustrAliA world
environment dAy AwArds 2011
thiess Services and BHP Billiton have received
prestigious environmental recognition for the
remediation of the Hunter river in newcastle.
thiess Services is principal contractor for BHP
Billiton’s $600 million Hunter river remediation
Project (HrrP) which is the largest remediation
project undertaken in Australia.
“BHP Billiton’s commitment to the
environment and the expertise of thiess
Services have combined in partnership to
produce one of the best examples of river
remediation undertaken anywhere in the
world,” former thiess Services’ executive
General Manager Michael wright said.
the remediation project has involved global
expertise and leading practice to remove and
treat river sediment contaminated by the former
steelworks activities. the project has already
been widely acknowledged within industry
and by regulators as setting a new benchmark.
Approximately 800,000 cubic metres of
contaminated sediment, enough to fill more
than 300 Olympic size swimming pools,
has been permanently removed from the
river system. the process has produced no
adverse effects on river health as determined
by 200,000 environmental measurements
recorded during works.
thiess services and Bhp Billiton
Win mAJor environment AWArd
directions | winter 2011 23
national BroadBand netWorK
silcar, a joint venture
coMpany 50 per cent
oWned By thiess services,
is MoBilisinG to BeGin its part
in rollinG out the national
BroadBand netWorK (nBn)
aFter reachinG a landMarK
aGreeMent With nBn co.
directions | winter 201124
the deal with Silcar, to roll out the
optic fibre portion of the network,
is worth $380 million over the next
two years with an option for a
further two years at an additional
value of $740 million.
thiess Services will partner with
Silcar to deploy fibre to selected
regions of Queensland, new South
wales and the ACt, representing
almost 40 per cent of national
construction activity planned
during the next two years.
the nBn is the single largest
telecommunications project
in Australia for more than a
generation and the agreement
will place Silcar and thiess Services
at the forefront of the industry.
thiess Managing Director David
Saxelby said this project was
another great testament of the
quality and expertise that resides
in Silcar and thiess Services.
Silcar Chairman and former
thiess Services executive
General Manager Michael wright
said thiess Services and Silcar had
worked hard with nBn Co to gain
a greater understanding of the
project, and ensure that Silcar’s
offering would achieve outstanding
results for all parties.
“the agreement reached with
nBn represents a great outcome
for Silcar and for nBn, with the
appropriate party taking the risks
within its control. All stakeholders
will benefit from this deal, with
the Australian communities
ultimately benefiting from the
national availability of high speed
broadband,” Mr wright said.
Silcar and thiess Services are
currently mobilising in nSw
and Queensland, with designs
under way and construction
to start in november, ahead of
full deployment by mid 2012.
directions | winter 2011 25
Early involvement has delivered
greater efficiency and safety
as well as daily operation and
maintenance benefits.
Thiess Services Hard FM Manager
Jason Booker says the approach
pushed the boundaries of
whole-of-life building projects.
“The concept of the ‘holistic
solution’ should not end when
the builder hands over the keys;
it’s about optimising the lifecycle
of the actual facilities with our
team in position for the long haul,”
Mr Booker said.
The strategy of involving the
facility management team from
day one enabled the layout of
plant rooms and access ways, and
features such as backup equipment
storage, to be designed with a
clear view to maintainability.
“Something as critical and complex
as the renal dialysis plant and
equipment is an example of highly
specialised infrastructure that must
be available at all times, requiring
a team able to deliver that level
of certainty,” he said.
“Another example is rapid access to
air-handling units. Our involvement
in the design stage means a more
reliable air-conditioning system for
an active health facility.
“The integration of our team from
the outset has also given us a
strong understanding of the unique
requirements of an advanced
healthcare environment.
“This is not just maintaining plant
and equipment... we are part of a
health solution for the community.”
Now five RNSH buildings are
under Thiess Services’ around-
the-clock management, with the
team preparing for the new Acute
Services Building, set to come
online in 2012.
integrAted ApproACh reAps Benefits At rnsh
taKinG an inteGrated approach
to the desiGn and construction
oF the neW royal north shore
hospital (rnsh) coMMunity
health BuildinG in sydney is
startinG to pay oFF.
Thiess Services has taken
over facility management
responsibilities for the building,
which was completed by Thiess’
construction arm in February.
Showcasing industry-leading
health infrastructure solutions,
Thiess Services was involved
from the design stage through
to construction and handover
of the project.
DIRECTIONS | winter 201126
it’s ABout optimising the lifeCyCle of the ACtuAl fACilities With our teAm in position for the long hAul
DIRECTIONS | winter 2011 27
one oF the World’s Most
contaMinated areas is noW
saFe aFter thiess services
coMpleted six years oF
Ground BreaKinG reMediation
WorK on three related neW
south Wales projects.
The former Union Carbide and
Allied Feeds sites at Rhodes in
Sydney and adjoining parts of
Homebush Bay have been cleaned
up for residential, commercial
and recreational use and a
major river and harbour pollution
source has been removed from
the environment.
Thiess Services’ General Manager
for Remediation Doug Moss said
the remediation was designed to
protect people who live, work or
undertake recreational activities
in the area, while at the same
time reducing risks to fish and
other bay organisms. The toxic
contaminants were a legacy of
Union Carbide’s operations for
nearly half a century.
“In carrying out the remediation,
contaminated soil and sediment
was excavated from the land
and dredged from the bay,
classified to determine how much
contamination was present, and
the most contaminated materials
with high levels of dioxin and
other chemicals were thermally
treated,” he said.
“The excavated and dredged
materials were then reinstated
on land according to the residual
contamination profile and the
relevant land use, ensuring the
land was made safe.”
Executive Director of Built
Environment for NSW Maritime
Neil Mudge said the remediation
had been a remarkable long
term project initiated by the
Government and executed by
Thiess Services with consistent
professional integrity.
“The resulting land area, now
being made suitable for residential
use, represents a considerable
technical achievement that
benefits Sydney as a whole,
making available living space
right at the geographic centre
of the city,” he said.
“This achievement has only
been possible through the
cooperative efforts of a number
of government agencies together
with private sector financiers and
the special skills brought to the
project by Thiess Services.”
16 hectares
lAnd suitABle for development
DIRECTIONS | winter 201128
these proJeCts Were Considered By internAtionAl remediAtion industry experts to Be some of the World’s most diffiCult
272,000 tonnes
soil thermAlly treAted
over 1KM
neW seAWAll And foreshore Built
directions | winter 2011 29
projects for a single landfill in
Australia, working with partners
LMS, renewable energy experts,
and CS Energy.
Through this ReOrganic program
they are harvesting enough
methane gas to power 3,440
houses each year, representing
greenhouse gas reduction of
133,280 tonnes CO2e annually.
For General Manager Waste
Management Peter King and his
team the focus is on problem
solving and delivering the highest
standards of service.
“Capturing gas from landfills once
they are complete is fairly common
but together with our partners we
are capturing this resource from day
one of operations,” Mr King said.
“That means more energy sooner
and it makes a real contribution
to providing more sustainable
solutions for our communities.
“We are also involved in a research
and development project exploring
techniques for making certain
types of waste degrade faster
to save space and produce
reusable materials like compost.
“These are highly safe techniques
that will support space creation.
It’s no secret that over the coming
decades, landfill space will become
more scarce and we have our best
minds working with industry to
start exploring alternatives today.”
The facility recently celebrated its
15th anniversary and is testament
to Thiess Services’ rewarding
and beneficial long-term working
relationship with the Brisbane
and Ipswich City Councils.
harvestinG
energy from WAstethe teaM at sWanBanK
reneWaBle enerGy and
treatMent Facility in south
east Queensland is not WastinG
a sinGle opportunity to Gain
value FroM its advanced
landFill operations.
Team members are leading the
way in developing innovative
resource recovery solutions as
well as backing research into
alternative waste treatment
technologies.
Swanbank features one of the
largest waste-to-green-energy
DIRECTIONS | winter 201130
for more informAtion And videos visit our neW WeBsite
construction MininG services
A reAl ContriBution to providing more sustAinABle solutions for our Communities
» »
corporate oFFice
Level 5, 179 Grey Street
South Bank QLD 4101
Ph: +61 7 3002 9000
construction
neW south Wales/australian capital territory
Level 5, 26 College Street
Sydney nSw 2000
Ph: +61 2 9332 9444
Queensland
Level 7, 189 Grey Street
South Bank QLD 4101
Ph: +61 7 3121 8500
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Level 9, 417 St Kilda road
Melbourne ViC 3004
Ph: +61 3 9864 8888
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Western australia/ northern territory
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Perth wA 6000
Ph: +61 8 9214 4200
industrial projects
the Precinct 2
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rail
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South Bank QLD 4101
Ph: +61 7 3121 8500
tunnellinG
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Sydney nSw 2000
Ph: +61 2 9332 9444
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australian MininG
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Ph: +61 7 3121 8500
Cnr Farrelly’s road
and interlink Crt
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Jakarta 12560
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web: www.thiess.co.id
india
5B, rDB Boulevard
Block eP & GP
Sector-V, Salt Lake
Kolkata – 700 091
west Bengal, india
Ph: +91 33 4010 5300
web: www.thiess.in
services
thiess services
the Precinct 2
Level 1, 10 Browning Street
west end QLD 4101
Ph: +61 7 3169 8300
Queensland
69 Grindle road
rocklea QLD 4106
Ph: +61 7 3715 1500
neW south Wales
Level 3, 88 Phillip Street
Parramatta nSw 2150
Ph: +61 2 8892 5900
victoria
Level 4, 15-17 Park Street
South Melbourne ViC 3205
Ph: +61 3 9684 3333
Western australia
4 Aitken way
Kewdale wA 6105
Ph: +61 8 9441 3000
neW zealand
9 Alfred Street
Onehunga, new Zealand
Ph: +64 9 622 2787
23 O’rorke road
Penrose, new Zealand
Ph: +64 9 525 7000
thiess services Middle east
Office 206
Al Zarooni building Barsha 1
Sheikh Zayed road
Dubai, UAe
Ph: +971 04 323 3261
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