15 minute read
News
During National Reconciliation Week, Infrastructure Australia released its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The document will serve as a public commitment to the national reconciliation movement and was developed in partnership with Reconciliation Australia. It outlines the organisation’s commitment, over the next year to learning as an organisation, exploring partnerships and enabling staff to take practical, actionable steps to contribute to reconciliation. Reflect RAP, is hoped to help Infrastructure Australia develop its knowledge base and strengthen its advice in areas that have an effect on quality of life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In its introduction to the plan, Infrastructure Australia says it will work to establish the organisation as a trusted partner of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “We look forward to establishing strong, mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners who can help us to innovate and deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” the organisation said. Infrastructure Australia acknowledged that in preparing for the future of infrastructure, The NSW Government has committed $3 billion to its Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund. New funding will be used for smaller, ready-to-go jobs across the state. It is hoped the fund will provide an extra 20 thousand jobs for the NSW workforce.
The State Government has also decided not to proceed with the refurbishment of Stadium Australia, which will allow them to redirect $800 million towards the fund. It said the Stadium Australia rebuild was a sensible project backed by the people in the 2019 election, but in the current health and economic climate
Infrastructure Australia says it will work to establish the organisation as a trusted partner of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
it recognised the importance of learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique history of land management and settlement, art, culture and society. In the plan Romilly Madew, CEO of Infrastructure Australia states, in her message of commitment, that across the country Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations it no longer made sense. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said infrastructure would provide a path to employment, and economic recovery, firing up the economy. “This guaranteed pipeline of $100 billion will be our best chance supporting the hundreds of thousands of people who have already lost their jobs in NSW,” Ms. Berejiklian said. As part of the fund the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum will still be delivered. This project is expected to create more than 1100 construction jobs in Western Sydney and 2400 indirect jobs. The government is also looking at more options to support the arts community are developing innovative solutions to improve local quality-of-life outcomes. “As an independent advisor, committed to the promotion of best practice, we look to these innovative solutions that deliver on community need,” she said. “We are grateful for the relationships we have grown in the development of this RAP and for those yet
NSW ADDS $3B COMMITMENT TO CREATE $100B INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS PIPELINE
to come.” at Ultimo. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the fast-tracking of projects would support jobs across the entire state and the government was in the process of identifying them. “The communities of NSW have been through an incredibly tough period with continued drought, horrific bushfires and now COVID-19 and the best path to recovery is creating jobs,” Mr. Barilaro said. “An unprecedented crisis calls for an unprecedented recovery and redirecting funding from Stadium Australia to job-creating infrastructure builds is the right thing to do for the people of NSW,” he said.
CONSTRUCTION TO START THIS YEAR ON WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT RAIL LINE
The Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport line includes six proposed metro stations.
The Federal and NSW Governments have committed a further $3.5 billion to the Western Sydney Airport rail line under a new agreement.
Construction is set to begin this year on the $11 billion project, which will service the greater Western Sydney region in time for the opening of Western Sydney International Airport in 2026.
The Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport line includes six proposed metro railway stations; • Two stations within the airport site, at the airport terminal and at the airport business park; • A station serving the commercial heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis; • A station at St Marys, interchanging with the existing suburban railway station and connecting customers with the rest of
Sydney’s rail system; • A station at Orchard Hills; and • A station at Luddenham to service a future education, innovation and commercial precinct.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment was a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to transform Western Sydney into an economic and jobs powerhouse. “It also demonstrates our partnership approach to creating jobs with the New South Wales Government. Working with state governments on bringing forward and investing even more in major infrastructure projects is central to our JobMaker plan to restore our economy,” Mr. Morrison said. “Construction is already well underway on the airport, and later this year works will start on this new Metro service which will link the suburbs of Western Sydney to the rest of Sydney.” The Prime Minister said getting work started on this and many other infrastructure projects across NSW and Australia, is critical to the federal government’s JobMaker program as the economy is rebuilt. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport was a key part of the state’s record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline. “Now more than ever we need projects that provide jobs to support families and this project is major economic stimulus right in the heart of western Sydney,” Ms. Berejiklian said. “The opportunities this mega project will provide are vital as our economy recovers from the financial impact of the COVID-19.”
Western Sydney Airport Chair Paul O’Sullivan said construction of the airport and its supporting road and rail projects was set to inject $20 billion worth of new infrastructure into the Western Sydney region. “Western Sydney International is a once-in-a-generation project that is already proving to be the catalyst for the transformation of Western Sydney,” Mr. O’Sullivan said. “Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport will not only ensure that the airport is connected to the city’s rail network, it will complement the airport’s ability to create economic growth and opportunities for the region, creating jobs for the people of Western Sydney and providing new ways for people to get around.” Mr. O’Sullivan said the new tollfree M12 motorway will help to ensure the airport is connected to Sydney’s motorway network and give passengers a choice for arrival at the airport. “For the first time in Sydney, Western Sydney International will provide airlines and passengers with a choice about which airport they want to use.”
The Sydney Metro, Western Sydney Airport is being funded equally by the Federal and New South Wales Governments under the Western Sydney City Deal.
The $5.3 billion Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is funded by the Federal Government.
INSTANT ASSET WRITE-OFF EXTENDED AHEAD OF JOBKEEPER REVIEW OUTCOMES
The Federal Government is continuing its support for small business by announcing the $150,000 instant asset write-off will be extended for another six months, to 31 December 2020. Australian businesses with annual turnover of less than $500 million will be able to take advantage of the support to invest in assets that will aid business as the economy reopens and COVID-19 restrictions are eased. The government expects these measures to aid over 3.5 million businesses. The instant asset write-off is designed to help businesses stick to planned investments and encourage fast tracking investment to support economic growth in the near term. The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so eligible businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets provided each cost less than $150,000. Assets can be new or second hand and could include a truck for a delivery business among many other things. Legislative changes will be made to give effect to this measure, which is estimated to have a cost to revenue of $300 million over the forward estimates period. In addition, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has confirmed the outcomes of Treasury’s wage subsidy review will be provided on 23 July 2020. Following the The Prime Minister announced, in a speech at the national press club, $1.5 billion in funding will be allocated to smaller priority projects. Funding will go to projects that are ready-to-go, with $500 million reserved specifically for road safety works. Scott Morrison said this is an important opportunity to make our roads safer right across the country, not just in rural and regional areas where it is critically important but also in other parts of the country. Specific projects to be funded will be announced soon. Mr. Morrison also addressed the Federal Government’s determination to speed up
The instant asset write-off is designed to help businesses stick to planned investments.
announcement of a transitional agreement for the childcare sector in regards to JobKeeper, in a doorstop interview at Meccania Engineering in NSW, Mr. Frydenberg would not confirm or deny if JobKeeper would be wound back for other sectors. He pointed out JobKeeper is legislated until September and highlighted the National Cabinet’s three stage process of easing restrictions which Treasury forecast to see 850,000 people back in and improve the approvals process for infrastructure projects. “One area in which the Commonwealth has a direct regulatory role for relevant projects is through approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. According to departmental estimates, delays associated with these approvals alone cost industry over $300 million just in 2019. That’s not good enough,” Mr. Morrison said. He said the Federal Government has already moved towards reducing approval times under the EPBC Act, with projects approvals now only taking 40 days compared with 90 at the end of 2019. It
work. When asked by a journalist whether some sectors have bounced back in demand earlier than expected he pointed to construction, mining and agriculture. “Well construction is one sector where we’re starting to see more activity. Mining has been working effectively through the crisis and again strong demand for our exports hast been reflected in commodity prices. We’ve also seen agriculture be
PM ANNOUNCES $1.5B FOR SMALL PROJECTS, FAST-TRACKS 15 MAJOR PROJECTS
another sector,” Mr. Frydenberg said. was then announced that a list of 15 major projects had been fast-tracked for approval under a bilateral model between the Federal Government, states and territories. “Joint assessment teams will work on accelerating these projects worth more than $72 billion in public and private investment. Projects that will support over 66,000 direct and indirect jobs,” Mr. Morrison said. He said jobs on these projects would be brought to market earlier by targeting a 50 per cent reduction in federal assessment and approval times for major projects. This would be from an average of 3.5 years to 21 months.
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND JOBS BOOSTED BY $1.4B ROAD BUILDING INVESTMENT
A $1.4 billion road building boom is being delivered by the Queensland Government to support more than 1500 jobs. The state government has committed $50 billion over four years as part of the Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan.
In a visit to Rockhampton, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the region would play a pivotal role in the state’s economic recovery. “Our focus now is on getting our economy back up and running and delivering critical infrastructure projects that support local jobs,” Ms. Palaszczuk said. The $50 billion commitment includes a pipeline of road upgrades in central Queensland, including the Rocky Ring Road which will be the largest road project in the region’s history. “It’s not just the construction sector but the businesses that support these projects, the whole supply chain, that play an essential role in leading that economic recovery,” she says. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Central Queensland was in line to benefit from a solid pipeline of major roads Tuggerah and Doyalson is the last section to be completed in a suite of upgrades to the M1 Pacific Motorway. Three lanes in the section were opened over the weekend to speeds of 110 kilometres per hour. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the completion of the upgrade would mean safer and more efficient journeys for thousands of motorists.
“We have crossed the finish line on the Australian and NSW Government’s $391.6 million M1 upgrade, which will help people reach their destinations sooner and safer on one of Australia’s busiest roads,” Mr. McCormack said. The Kariong to Somersby section of the motorway also recently opened to traffic, meaning cars can now investment. “The upgrades we’re delivering in Rockhampton today on the Bruce and Capricorn highways are already sustaining hundreds of jobs,” Mr. Bailey said. He said 70 per cent of the workforce on the Bruce Highway upgrade north is local, involving 16 local businesses.
“That guarantees income for local earthmoving and crane hire businesses, for traffic managers and landscapers, for local quarries and fencing companies.” Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said jointly-funded projects like the $14.5 million Bajool-Port Alma Road upgrade and the $19 million investment in new overtaking lanes on the Capricorn Highway from Rockhampton to Emerald were also underway. “These two important road upgrade projects alone are supporting almost 120 local jobs for Central Queensland,” Mr. O’Rourke said. “Last month, the Queensland Government also pledged $35 million to duplicate Lawrie Street and fix the bottleneck there, so that’s another project we’ll see coming online in the future.”
The three NSW M1 projects had at least 70 per cent local employment. travel along all three lanes through these sections. NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the M1 Productivity Package had created about 2700 jobs in its delivery and was part of the NSW Government’s record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline. “The M1 upgrades have delivered on average nearly 400 direct Central Queensland road and transport projects underway are: • Rockhampton Northern Access
Upgrade $157 million – 425 jobs • Capricorn Highway-Rockhampton to
Gracemere Duplication $75 million – 187 jobs • Road train access to Rockhampton abattoirs: Rockhampton-Emu Park Road $20 million • Bajool-Port Alma Road upgrade 14.5 million – 59 jobs • Capricorn Highway overtaking lanes $19 million – 60 jobs
Projects in planning include: • Rockhampton Ring Road $1 billion – almost 800 jobs • Bruce Highway – Rockhampton
Intersections Upgrade $4.95 million planning project • Lawrie Street upgrade $35 million – 56 jobs • Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road upgrade
CONTRACTORS COMPLETE $392M M1 PACIFIC MOTORWAY UPGRADES
$80 million staged upgrades and indirect jobs every year since it started. About 75 per cent of the jobs on the upgrade between Tuggerah and Doyalson have gone to locals from the Central Coast and Hunter areas, which shows just how serious we are about investment in regional NSW,” Mr. Toole said.
Construction on the Tuggerah to Doyalson section was completed by CBP Contractors, from August 2017 through to June 2020. Fulton Hogan completed the works from Kariong to Somersby, between April 2018 and May 2020. Finally, Georgiou Group completed the Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive intersection at Beresfield with construction between April 2018 and March 2019.
All of these projects had at least 70 per cent local employment.
PLANT-MIXED FOAM BITUMEN (PMFB)
We are pioneering the use of plant-mixed foam bitumen to be manufactured in quantities that provide flexibility and cost effectiveness that meet the varying requirements of Clients whilst losing nothing in quality or purpose. Hiway Stabilizers Australia (HSA) produces PMFB to all Australian Standards and specifications.
Essentially we set up our operation in a quarry (client specified or otherwise) and prepare the product as per specifications. HSA has pioneered the use of PMFB in a stockpile that can be utilised for a period up to 28 days or longer. The plant mix process provides the required high level of control around foam bitumen materials manufacture and the final product is then either stockpiled at the quarry for collection or delivered to a single, or multiple, sites, which offers a better value proposition for Clients that require varying tonnages throughout the month.
The outcome is a cost-effective solution for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of new or existing pavements. Plant-mixed foam bitumen stabilised base provides a structurally sound pavement that has proven to be resilient particularly in areas of regular flooding and inundation.
In recent years plant-mixed foamed bitumen has been successfully used for both new construction with new quarry materials and for rehabilitation projects using existing pavement materials which are sometimes blended with new materials. Hiway Stabilizers have substantial experience with an in-house pavement design capability, who will work with you to optimise the pavement layers and approach to suit your budget and pavement performance requirements.
PLANT-MIXED FOAM BITUMEN PROCESS
The materials to be bound are loaded continuously into the manufacturing plant at a rate to meet the production volumes. Attached to the plant are storage for bitumen and the secondary stabilisation agent. These are metered by the plant controls into the pugmill mixing chamber at the rate required to meet the mix design parameters. The manufactured material is conveyed directly into trucks for transport to site where they are placed either by paving machine or by grader and then compacted using conventional asphalt compaction equipment. Alternatively, the manufactured material may be stockpiled for later use.
APPLICATIONS
• New pavement construction • Rehabilitation of existing pavements • Production of maintenance patching materials • Stockpiling application, for extended working times.
BENEFITS
• More cost effective than full depth asphalt • Similar strength to asphalt • Resilient pavement less prone to flood impacts • Longer working time relative to comparable products • Strong, durable and flexible pavement layer
Paul Rhoden
GM NORTHERN REGION
M +61 455 677 665 T +61 755 412 074 E paulr@hiways.com.au Mark Large
GM WESTERN REGION
M +61 477 990 500 T +61 8 9258 4488 E markl@hiways.com.au Mark Filsell
GM SOUTHERN REGION
M +61 428 803 001 T +61 3 9730 2020 E mark.f@hiways.com.au
