WEST GATE FREEWAY ALLIANCE HONOURED – PAGE … · Project Director Simon Hughes ... construction...

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

[email protected]

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


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.”


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.


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


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


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


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


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.


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.

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


WIN

NER EMMA HARDY


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.


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.


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.

ENTICE ON

CE DIESEL FITTER HANA

IS PROVING THAT WOMEN

AL OPPORTUNITIES IN

G INDUSTRY.

the Wilpinjong Coal

ew South Wales,

ury is the only female

prentice in a profession

d by males. Not deterred,

lling through her second

working to complete

nticeship faster than

ard four year period.

as a female in this

a lot easier than some

nk. I would advise more

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

A GROU

THIESS’

PRIME M

AT MOR

QUEENS

ADVANC

WOMEN

The Wo

Resourc

27 May

to talk w

and oth

Basin ab

challeng

Ms Gilla

to conti

for whic

known,

domina

PM EPION

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.

21 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


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


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.


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.


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.


IT’S ABOUT OPTIMISING THE LIFECYCLE OF THE ACTUAL FACILITIES WITH OUR TEAM IN POSITION FOR THE LONG HAUL


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


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


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

DIREECTIONS | 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


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


South Bank QLD 4101

Ph: +61 7 3121 8500

VICTORIA/SOUTH AUSTRALIA/TASMANIA/ NEW ZEALAND

Level 9, 417 St Kilda Road

Melbourne VIC 3004

Ph: +61 3 9864 8888

Level 2, 101 Flinders Street

Adelaide SA 5000

Ph: +61 8 8274 5200

WESTERN AUSTRALIA/ NORTHERN TERRITORY

Level 19, The Forrest Centre

221 St Georges Terrace

Perth WA 6000

Ph: +61 8 9214 4200

INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS

The Precinct 2

Level 1, 10 Browning Street

West End QLD 4101

Ph: +61 7 3169 8400

RAIL


South Bank QLD 4101

Ph: +61 7 3121 8500

TUNNELLING

Level 5, 26 College Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Ph: +61 2 9332 9444

MINING

AUSTRALIAN MINING


South Bank QLD 4101

Ph: +61 7 3121 8500

Cnr Farrelly’s Road

and Interlink Crt

Mackay QLD 4740

Ph: +61 7 4944 4500

INDONESIA

Ratu Prabu 2 Building

JL TB Simatupang Kav 1B

Jakarta 12560

Indonesia

Ph: +62 21 2754 9999

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

THIESS.COM.AUPublished by Thiess Pty Ltd ABN 87 010 221 486

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