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AAPA CONFIRMS ROADWORKS ARE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
AAPA CEO Carlos Rial said he is proud to see industry implementing best practice government advice.
The Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) has confirmed, through discussions with government bodies across the nation, that roads and associated roadworks are essential services. In a statement, AAPA CEO Carlos Rial highlighted that under many of the Essential Services Acts across the country it can be interpreted that roads and associated roadworks activities support the essential functions needed during emergent conditions. The statement reads that safe reliable road access protects the community against the interruption and dislocation of essential services, which is the purpose of many of these acts. Mr. Rial noted that roads are the nations arteries and provide an essential service to support the following; • The needed freight that supplies business and consumers in critical times. • The need for safe access for emergency services, remote and vulnerable communities as well as the mines, ports and farms that keep the economy functioning. • The need to keep people employed as roadworks provide a positive impact of additional employment for both skilled and semi-skilled workers in both regional and metropolitan areas. • The need for well-maintained roads to help protect the lives of those using them. To keep this essential service running, Mr. Rial noted it must be done in a safe manner and deliver the objectives of government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He said in the statement that he is proud to see the industry implementing best practice government advice through onsite directives that prevent the risk of transfering the virus.
A 12 kilometre section of the Pacific Highway between Tyndale and Maclean has opened, taking the project closer to completion. The new section of the four-lane divided highway takes the total of completed upgrades to more than 75 kilometers, as a result of the Pacific Highway upgrade project. NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the Pacific Highway duplication from Hexham to the Queensland border is the largest road infrastructure project in regional Australia. “We’re already seeing travel time reductions of around two hours, and fatal crashes on this stretch of highway have halved since the project started,” Mr. Toole said. “This is about keeping vital infrastructure work moving forward, infrastructure that keeps people employed and regional economies ticking and supports safer, faster journeys for freight operators at a time when it’s critical to keep essential goods flowing.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said vital infrastructure projects would go ahead despite the COVI D -19 pandemic because of their long-term value to regional communities. “We’re powering ahead with vital infrastructure projects like this because we understand just how important investments are to regional economies in this difficult time,” Mr. McCormack said. “Contractors will be complying with all relevant health advice to ensure their safety.” The duplication of the Pacific Highway from Woolgoolga to Ballina is expected to be complete at the end of this year.
ANOTHER SECTION OF PACIFIC HIGHWAY DUPLICATION COMPLETE
Some of these measures include maintaining a safe social distance, maintaining good hygiene and having action plans to prepare for the event of flu like symptoms presenting on site. “Our members do have contingency plans and business continuity plans with clear COVID-19 policies that are communicated to all staff and I commend them for this,” Mr. Rial said.
“COVID-19 is highly contagious, I am confident our industry will continue to implement best practice as defined by health authorities, to ensure our essential service can continue to be safely delivered for the community and also prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
FEEDING IN ALL SITUATIONS. The MT 3000-2 Offset is suitable for classic feeding, but can also feed mix to the side. This is because its conveyor can be pivoted to the left and right by 55°, enabling it to cover a vast range of applications, from “hot to hot” paving and hard-shoulder rehabilitation to backfilling trenches and filling the spaces between safety barriers. It can be cost-efficiently transported to the job site on a low-bed trailer. MT 3000-2 Offset – an uninterrupted, non-contacting supply of mix for more quality in road construction.
VIC PREMIER SAYS CONSTRUCTION WILL PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN COVID ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says construction — which continues under current stage three restrictions — will play a major role in the state’s economic recovery post COVID-19. “It’s probably too early to tell what the impacts of this coronavirus will be on a whole range of different projects: both government projects — level crossings, road and rail hospitals, schools — and also private sector projects,” Mr. Andrews told ABC political reporter Richard Willingham. “When we get to the other side of this, the biggest construction boom in our state’s history will need to be even bigger. We will need to do more to protect jobs, to create new jobs, and to make sure that we bounce back from this as strong as we possibly can.” According to Mr. Andrews, the state budget, which was due 5 May but has been postponed until later this year, will give the state government an opportunity to assess where the greatest needs are. “There will be a massive rebuilding project, a big project to stand with workers and their families to look after the most disadvantaged, to repair that damage as much as we can,” he said. ies in this difficult time,” he said.
Daniel Andrews says Victoria’s construction boom will be bigger than ever post-COVID-19.
TRAFFIC TEST UNDERWAY FOR CRUMB RUBBER ASPHALT MIXES
Four different crumb rubber asphalt mixes have been laid for a trial on a 1.4 kilometre stretch of road in Melbourne’s south east. The project, funded by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) and the Victorian Department of Transport (DoT), will see the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) conduct a two year trial of the asphalt to monitor the performance of the mixes on high traffic roads. TSA CEO Lina Goodman said Australia generates the equivalent of 56 million used car tyres yearly, and around 30 per cent of those end up in landfill or are stockpiled. “Finding innovative and sustainable ways of using old tyres is vital, and crumb rubber asphalt roads are the perfect solution to a waste problem,” she said. While spray seals incorporating crumb rubber are well used on country roads in Victoria and overseas, the aim of this project is to increase the opportunity for crumb rubber asphalt to be used on high traffic roads. ARRB CEO Michael Caltabiano said tyre crumb, when added to an asphalt mix, not only assists with the reuse of a waste stream but can actually add value to the road structure. “ARRB’s applied research findings show that a crumb rubber asphalt lasts longer, performs better and delivers a better economic outcome for the community,” Mr. Caltabiano said. The asphalt has been laid throughout March on a 1.4 kilometre section of East Boundary Rd in Bentleigh East, in Melbourne’s southeast. It is on the southbound carriageway between Centre Road and South Road. The trial features four different crumb rubber asphalt mixes and two asphalt control sections. Around 1600 car tyres will be used in the trial. Lab and field testing will be conducted at regular intervals, with a final report due by mid 2022.
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ROAD MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN SEALING CRACKS AND FIXING ROADS ACROSS AUSTRALIA FOR OVER 40 YEARS. ITS FOCUS ON RESEARCHING AND PERFECTING WAYS TO KEEP CRACKS FROM LEADING TO TOTAL FAILED AREAS HAS HELPED SAVE COUNCILS AND ROAD OWNERS THOUSANDS. THE COMPANY IS ALSO SET ON FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR WASTE TYRES TO KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL.
ROAD MAINTENANCE HAVE DEVELOPED AND NOW USE A CRACK SEALING PRODUCT WHICH CONTAINS WASTE PLASTICS AND TYRE CRUMB.
Western Australia has passed new laws to protect subcontractors and small businesses in the wake of growing payment disputes in the construction sector.
Under the new laws, the Small Business Commissioner has greater powers to investigate improper behaviour such as price gouging and late or non-payments of insurance claims or denial of claims. According to Small Business Minister Paul Papalia, the laws were put in place to respond to a growing number of insolvencies and payment disputes in the construction industry.
“At a time when small businesses confront incredible challenges, the likes of which have never been seen in modern times, it’s more important than ever that we provide greater powers for an authority that supports the little guy,” he said.
“They will also provide an extra layer of protection for small businesses as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.” In addition to the Small Business Development Corporation’s (SBDC) current dispute resolution service, the commissioner will now have the authority to compel government entities, companies and businesses to provide documents during the course of investigations.
“In the past, there were many highly publicised cases of insolvencies and disputes over payments owed to small businesses, especially in relation to government projects,” Mr. Papalia said. “Behind those headlines were the stories of real people with cautionary tales of mismanagement, deceit, intimidation and grief.”
Mr. Papalia said the Small Business Commissioner can now conduct inquiries based on industry and inter-agency intelligence and complaints from small businesses.
“A specialised investigations and inquiry unit within the SBDC is now up and running, and is aimed at improving corporate and government processes and identifying unfair practices,” he said.
“These new powers come after years of advocacy by both myself and the Small Business Commissioner, and strengthen the role of the SBDC in maintaining good business relationships throughout WA.” Small Business Commissioner David Eaton said the reforms will support the existing role of the SBDC, which has been operating for over 35 years.
“The SBDC is independent and impartial, so the legislative changes will not alter its service culture, nor will it compromise the voluntary nature of its highly successful dispute resolution service,” he said.
“In the current environment, businesses large and small need to work together to secure cash flow and employment. However, if that does not occur, then these new tools allow my team to investigate poor behaviour and bring it to the attention of the most appropriate body.” Once a complaint is lodged, Mr. Eaton said the SBDC will seek to validate it through robust investigations before pursuing or rejecting a claim.
“My objective is to establish facts and not target any particular company or industry,” he added.
“Ultimately my goal is a fair operating environment for all businesses across Western Australia.”
The reforms come into effect immediately.
New major infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked as part of the South Australian Government’s $1 billion economic stimulus package to support local jobs and businesses. The state government has announced over $120 million in new infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked. This includes $52 million for targeted regional road network repair, $35 million to rehabilitate and resurface the South Eastern Freeway and $15 million for Heysen Tunnel refits and safety upgrades. A further $12 million will be brought forward for a higher capacity North-South Freight Route by-passing Adelaide, with $6 million fast-tracked to seal Adventurer Way and Innamincka Airport Road. According to Premier Steven Marshall, the state government has a strong plan to protect South Australians from the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “By fast tracking infrastructure projects, providing tax relief for households and businesses and delivering business and community support funding, we are aiming to keep as many hard-working South Australians in a job as possible,” he said. Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said tenders had already been released for the $15 million Heysen Tunnel refit and $6 million Adventure Way and Innamincka Airport Road sealing. “We are trying to get these projects out the door as quickly as possible to support more South Australian jobs and businesses as we deal with the impacts of the coronavirus,” he said. “These projects will help fix hundreds of kilometres of roads and highways, improve road safety and help save lives on our country roads.”
SA FAST TRACKS $120M IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
The laws were put in place to respond to a growing number of payment disputes in the construction sector.
CONTRACTORS BEGIN MAJOR CONSTRUCTION AT THREE MELBOURNE LEVEL CROSSINGS
The new Mentone Station will open when trains resume on the Frankston line in mid-July.
Works are underway to remove three level crossings and build two new stations in Cheltenham and Mentone in south-east Melbourne. A one week closure began on 20 March as major construction ramped up. Cheltenham and Mentone stations are now closed until the new stations are opened in mid-2020. The Lendlease, Acciona Coleman Rail, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne alliance were awarded the construction contracts for Cheltenham and Mentone stations. The alliance were also awarded the level crossing removals in early 2019. During the shutdown, crews will continue with piling, service relocation and other vital works in preparation for the twomonth shut later this year. This major construction period will begin on 24 May and run for eight weeks, during which time the rail trenches will be dug out and new stations will be built. Works will go ahead with protocols in place to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, providing job security for workers on these major projects and ensure progress continues to deliver a better train network in Victoria. Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said, “we’re continuing work on these projects despite the COVID-19 outbreak – providing certainty to local workers and making progress on delivering a better train network for Victorians.” There will also be increased cleaning across the public transport network as part of the fight against COVID-19, including rail replacement busses.
The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) is committed to supporting the Victorian Government’s push to boost the amount of recycled materials used in major construction projects. Recycled First, a new initiative from the Victorian Government, will prioritise recycled and reused materials that meet existing standards for road and rail projects – with recycled aggregates, glass, plastic, timber, steel, ballast, crushed concrete, crushed brick, crumb rubber, reclaimed asphalt pavement and organics taking precedence over virgin materials. According to an ARRB statement, the organisation has significant involvement in research and trials of recycled and alternative materials in road construction.
“Changes to tender processes mean projects such as the $16 billion North East Link in Melbourne may include roads made of partly discarded rubber,” the statement reads.
ARRB DETAILS SUPPORT FOR VICTORIA’S RECYCLED FIRST PROGRAM
ARRB is involved in a number of recycled content infrastructure trials, including trialling the use of crushed glass in asphalt.
The new Mentone Station will open when trains resume on the Frankston line in mid-July, and Cheltenham Station will follow in August.
“ARRB’s state-of-the-art research labs in Port Melbourne offer world-class testing facilities for the use and specifications for recycled and alternative road construction materials.”
Examples of ARRB’s work in the recycled materials space include a trial of recycled crushed glass asphalt on local roads with Brimbank City Council in Melbourne’s west. “ARRB is also involved in an important new trial – alongside Tyre Stewardship Australia and Victoria’s Department of Transport – involving using crumb rubber on East Boundary Road at Bentleigh East,” the statement reads.
According to Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan, the state’s Recycled First program brings a uniform approach to the existing ‘ad hoc’ use of recycled products on major transport infrastructure projects.
“We’re paving a greener future for Victoria’s infrastructure, turning waste into vital materials for our huge transport agenda and getting rubbish out of landfills,” Ms Allan said.
“Recycled First will boost the demand for reused materials right across our construction sector – driving innovation in sustainable materials and changing the way we think about waste products.”
Recycled First is overseen by the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, and will include strict quality standards.
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