Roads & Infrastructure October 2023 by Prime Creative Media

OCTOBER 2023

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

INSIDE SAMI

The stories and journeys behind the people of SAMI Bitumen Technologies

SAVING LIVES

OCTOBER 2023

The important role that substance testing plays in making worksites safer

Asset Vision AutoPilot

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OCTOBER 2023 CONTENTS

COVER STORY

8 A step ahead New technology is changing the way industry is managing the quality and performance of road assets.

SAFETY

12 An essential service Substance testing has never been more important for maintaining workplace health and safety.

COMPANY PROFILE

TECHNOLOGY 23 Proactive risk management Understanding subsurface infrastructure has been a central focus on one of NZ’s largest infrastructure projects.

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 24 The perfect fit Cardinia Shire Council has placed its trust in Flocon Engineering for its road maintenance works.

16 Supporting their own Going behind the scenes with SAMI Bitumen Technologies.

27 Machine control key Technology has been a key solution to industry skills shortages. But why?

20 Backed by strong partnerships Rokon’s strong relationships with industry and clients is helping to forge a strong path ahead.

30 Changing the game How the Road Ant aggregate spreader is opening new doors for a local infrastructure provider.

33 Nothing middling Inside SANY’s latest offerings in its medium sized excavator range. 36 The Secmair difference An overview of Secmair Fayat’s constantly evolving machinery range. 39 Dynapac-king in project value How Dynapac machinery is leading the way in compaction equipment. 42 On site We hear first-hand accounts of FAE’s new flagship road planer range.

INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS

45 Beneath out feet Civilcast’s infrastructure elements are a highly underrated component for major infrastructure works. 48 All for one How Infrastructure Products Australia has gone from strength to strength.

EVENTS

51 The latest on offer An overview of the upcoming Major Projects Conference in the Northern Territory. 53 High-flyers Looking ahead to the 2024 Women in Industry Awards.

AFPA SECTION

57 AfPA’s 2023 Conference What you can expect from the highly anticipated return of AfPA’s International Flexible Pavements Conference.

NATIONAL PRECAST SECTION

59 Enhancing connectivity The works and achievements on the Great Northern Highway. Safety and developments in new technologies will be at the forefront in this edition of Roads & Infrastructure Magazine.

REGULARS

4 Editor’s letter 6 People on the move 15 Roads Review roadsonline.com.au

COO Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR Mike Wheeler mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST SAFETY HAS BEEN – and always will be – an essential pillar of the roads and civil construction industries. Increasing risk mitigation and fostering a supportive environment for mental health are among the many strategies that companies now consider a priority. Whether it be through changing risk-taking behaviour or embedding a safety culture, companies are doing their bit to ensure their workers can return home safely. Which is why we are aiming to highlight the progress being made in the September edition of Roads & Infrastructure Magazine. In this edition’s cover story, we speak with Asset Vision to learn more about the company’s latest development in asset management systems. Asset Vision’s AutoPilot technology is helping road agencies, state road authorities and local councils to quickly, accurately and easily identify potential road defects. Not only is this technology helping to reduce the chances of accidents and incidents, but it’s also helping to improve the quality of roads Australia wide. The technologies creators, as well as end users explain how AutoPilot is the next evolution in road inspections. Also in this edition, we hear from Civilcast on how specifications and regulations around product compliancy can help to ensure the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic around infrastructure products. Particularly when it comes to steel covers and grates, Civilcast touches on how and why compliancy is essential. Drug and alcohol testing has long been an essential component of many employee safety strategies. Integrity Sampling is one of the largest providers of substance testing equipment, policies and education in the Southern Hemisphere. The company’s General Manager, Brett Money, explains how companies can look to develop strategies and policies to maximise the productivity and safety of their workplaces. In this month’s Roads Review column, we hear from key decision makers from across the industry on how organisations can more greatly support employees when it comes to mental health. Happy reading! Tom O’Keane Roads & Infrastructure Magazine

Tom O’Keane tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALIST Chris Edwards chris.edwards@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey

DESIGN Bea Barthelson

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Brad Marshall brad.marshall@primecreative.com.au

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER Salma Kennedy salma.kennedy@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OFFICE

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

+61 3 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Roads & Infrastructure Australia is available by subscription from the publisher. The rights of refusal are reserved by the publisher.

ARTICLES All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

COPYRIGHT Roads & Infrastructure Australia is owned and published by Prime Creative Media. All material in Roads & Infrastructure Australia is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without the written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in Roads & Infrastructure Australia are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

ROADS OCTOBER 2023

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE HELPS YOU KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS.

ROADS AUSTRALIA WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS Roads Australia has announced Jim Betts, Kevin Devlin and Sally Stannard as new additions to the organisation’s board. The three appointed members replace Corey Hannett, Gillian Miles and Sergio Cinerari who are departing. Betts, currently Secretary at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, brings decades of public sector transport and infrastructure experience to RA, having led departments in Victoria and New South Wales in addition to time overseeing Infrastructure NSW as CEO. Devlin was appointed Director General of Major Transport Infrastructure Authority earlier this year after eight years as CEO of the innovative Level Crossing Removal Project. Devlin’s experience in the transport sector includes roles in both the public and private sector across two and a half decades. Stannard is the Acting Director General of Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). She has worked in senior leadership positions within TMR for more than a decade, alongside experience in education and healthcare in Director roles. FROM TOP: Jim Betts: Image Courtesy of the Federal Government. Kevin Devlin: Image Courtesy of LinkedIn. Sally Stannard: Image Courtesy of Queensland TMR.

DOWNER APPOINTS NEW NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Downer has announced the appointment of Sheridan Broadbent as Non-Executive Director, effective from 1 October 2023. Broadbent joins Downer as an Independent Director. Broadbent is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Senior Executive with experience in business strategy, technology, business development, and health and safety in the utilities and telecommunications sectors. Having worked in both Australia and New Zealand and being based in Auckland, Broadbent brings a deep understanding of the New Zealand market. Broadbent is currently a Non-Executive Director of Spark New Zealand, Manawa Energy and is the Deputy Chair of the Business Leaders’ Health & Safety Forum in New Zealand. Broadbent has previously served as the Chair of Kordia Group, a Non-Executive Director of Transpower, Kaingaroa Timberlands and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Authority, and as a member of the New Zealand Government’s Cyber Security Advisory Committee. Broadbent was formerly the Chief Executive of Counties Power and prior to that held several senior executive roles in the energy, telecommunications and engineering sectors, including with Downer in Australia and New Zealand from 2007 to 2011. Broadbent holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. Image Courtesy of Manawa Energy.

NTRO APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR RAIL The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) has appointed Natalie Loughborough as its new Executive Director, Rail. Loughborough has high level experience within the transport sector, both overseas and in Australia. She has worked for operators in the UK such as First Group, Serco and Abellio, in addition to local government bodies such as Transport for Greater Manchester. Loughborough also brings experience working on rail and metro projects in the Middle East. Loughborough was Managing Director with Transdev in Queensland, responsible for its bus and ferries businesses, and most recently has been General Manager at Metro Trains Melbourne. She held this role from 2019 before coming to the NTRO. She brings more than 15 years of board director level experience to the role, working across heavy rail, light rail, ferries and buses, with a commitment in all roles to designing an exceptional customer experience for end users within the transport space. Loughborough comes to NTRO with a wealth of experience across all areas of organisational development, production of standards and operations across transport, criminal justice and the education sector.

C k

Image Courtesy of the NTRO.

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DRIVING

INNOVATION ASSET VISION’S NEW AUTOPILOT TECHNOLOGY IS SET TO REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY ROADS ARE INSPECTED AND MAINTAINED. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE SPEAKS WITH AUTOPILOT’S CREATORS AND END-USERS TO LEARN MORE.

sset Vision has a history of developing and introducing new technologies to the sector, constantly evolving the industry standard for asset management and maintenance. This enthusiasm, CEO and CoFounder Damian Smith says, comes from the company’s culture of continual improvement, as well as the satisfaction of maintaining some of the country’s most critical assets. “We’ve always really enjoyed talking to clients to understand what their challenges are,” Smith says. “We will always keep pushing ourselves to solve their problems through our technology and continue to innovate. “There’s often many paths to take to solve a problem, and we’ll discuss and try different things to see what works and what doesn’t, until we discover the Asset Vision way of doing it, and always with a goal to benefit everyone.” The “Asset Vision way” has been a driving force in the company’s latest innovation, AutoPilot. Expanding on Asset Vision’s CoPilot product, AutoPilot allows users to easily capture a digital twin of the road corridor, simply by using a smartphone. As Smith explains, AutoPilot is a natural successor of the highly regarded CoPilot product. “The CoPilot product uses a smartphone along with a Bluetooth button on the steering wheel, which they can press as needed to take photos of the road network, along with speech to text commentary and location coordinates. AutoPilot was a natural extension to want to do more with what’s already there,” he says. “With inspectors already having their phones set up and pointed at the road, it 8

ROADS OCTOBER 2023

made sense for us to continuously capture photos as they’re driving.” AutoPilot automatically captures images of the oncoming road every 10 metres throughout the duration of a scheduled inspection, using the operator’s smart phone camera. Smith says this approach is far more practical and cost effective than recording “heavy” video footage, which often requires significant time and money to adequately store, transfer, catalogue and review. By replacing video content with lightweight photos, images taken from AutoPilot can be uploaded to the cloud as they are captured, and accessed remotely using Asset Vision’s web portal. Due to the images being taken every 10 metres, AutoPilot displays a sequential playback, while also providing accurate GPS mapping in real time. Users can see a replay of the drive tracking along in Google Maps, along with the photos to show the road conditions at that point in time. “With video, if you are even able to copy Users can easily play back a road inspection from the office or depot at a later date, giving visibility of road conditions to the entire team.

across the huge files, they will just sit in a folder, as it is nearly impossible to quickly find footage of a road at a particular time and place. Whereas with AutoPilot you can use our browser-based inspections module and easily find the inspection you want to review and play it back. This could be an inspection you did that day, yesterday or last year. Everything is instantly accessible,” Smith says. “For AutoPilot to be successful, we had to come up with something that worked

COVER STORY

AutoPilot uses the operator’s phone camera to take images of the road network.

offline, was easy to capture, easy to transfer and then easy to find and review.” EARLY IMPRESSIONS AutoPilot is currently undergoing several trials across Victoria. One organisation that has already had the platform for some time is the Moyne Shire, in Victoria’s south-west. Stephen Arundell, Infrastructure Surveillance Officer, says a key component for the platform’s success is its ease of use. “I joined the shire in 2018. Since that time the only program we’ve used is Asset Vision’s,” he says. “We work in a large shire area. It can take around two and a half hours to travel from one side to the next. It’s essential that we can have the opportunity to go back and check through our records for road defects. “That’s why we were interested in AutoPilot.” Arundell says public feedback on road defects can often be vague, a challenge for accurately and efficiently identifying potential risks. He says AutoPilot helps to take the guess work out of these exchanges, by providing a detailed record. “It might be a missing sign for example. We can go back and check what type of sign

“YEARS AGO, IF A ROAD WAS IN POOR CONDITION, IT COULD TAKE ME NEARLY TWO HOURS TO DO A ROAD, [WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY] IT MIGHT TAKE ME NO MORE THAN 45 MINUTES.” it was, potential causes and if it even was our sign simply by going back through the footage,” he says. “That can save our team having to do a two hour round trip just to go see. Having that ability to check remotely is great. Our engineering team has used it to check on the quality of line markings without having to drive out to the location.” Aided by the gift of hindsight, Arundell says Asset Vision’s technology is a far cry from the manual processes of years past. “Even five years ago these inspections were all done manually. You’d pull up to the side of the road, get your phone, choose a specification type, take the photo and then type a comment,” he says. “Years ago, if a road was in poor condition, it could take me nearly two hours to do a road, [with this technology] it might take me no more than 45 minutes.” He says greater automation is another highlight of the AutoPilot product. “I think the best part is the GPS tracking. In small townships you can just keep driving –

you don’t need to worry about stopping and starting the system,” he says. These features also help to increase the safety of everyday inspections. “By using Asset Vision in front of my computer, I can do a whole day’s worth of reassigning jobs, rather than sitting near the side of the road. You can get in the car and keep moving,” he says. “The automation also means that you don’t need to be taking your eyes off the road to spot defects.” Infrastructure provider Ventia has also had a chance to get its hands on AutoPilot. For Shaun Alborough, Manager, AutoPilot expands on the strengths of CoPilot. “AutoPilot and CoPilot are sort of built into the Asset Vision system. For us, the Asset Vision management software is the whole package. It’s got everything that we need,” he says. “[With AutoPilot] an inspector can just drive down the road, take the snapshots, load the data up into the system and create the order. As it’s just an iPhone mounted on the dashboard you also save a fair roadsonline.com.au

COVER STORY

Images taken through the Autopilot product are uploaded to Asset Vision’s web portal and can be accessed remotely.

bit of money compared to some other systems and we don’t need to worry about transferring images. For Ventia, saving time is equally important as financial savings. “With Asset Vision’s functionality, we can see where all of our vehicles are in real time as you can track where these devices are. It means our emergency response is much quicker because we can see who’s the nearest person to the incident,” Alborough says. “We don’t have to buy additional software for our vehicles – we can quickly dispatch a working crew in real time. All of that data just lives in one place which is really nice.” Alborough says AutoPilot presents a number of additional benefits, the first being an accessible “life story of footage” for the road network. “The problem with some other asset management systems is that they only provide a single snapshot of one particular problem,” he says. “It allows us to see deterioration over time,” he says. “Especially for an area like Toowoomba (Queensland), the roads present a variety of challenges. With this technology I can see cracking early and if it’s getting larger over time. It’s great from a quality-check perspective.” 10

ROADS OCTOBER 2023

Smith credits both the Moyne Shire and Ventia for participating in the AutoPilot trials, saying it shows that both organisations are “forward thinking” in their approach to maintaining the quality of Australia’s road network. THE FUTURE While being effective in identifying existing road asset defects, AutoPilot can also be used effectively as a precautionary tool. Former Victorian Minister for Roads

also play an essential role in maintaining the safety of road connections across both urban and regional roads. “I think it’ll be enormously important because it gives road agencies a lot of insight into what’s going on with their roads. It provides road agencies with the ability to provide a visual tool for contractors. It’s important that stakeholders can match what they’re seeing with what has been reported,” Donnellan says. “You can better prioritise road

“WITH ASSET VISION’S FUNCTIONALITY, WE CAN SEE WHERE ALL OF OUR VEHICLES ARE IN REAL TIME AS YOU CAN TRACK WHERE THESE DEVICES ARE. IT MEANS OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE IS MUCH QUICKER BECAUSE WE CAN SEE WHO’S THE NEAREST PERSON TO THE INCIDENT.” and Road Safety and Asset Vision NonExecutive Director, Luke Donnellan, says this technology presents a variety of benefits to state and local road agencies. “AutoPilot can provide you with an early warning that the road surface is wearing and cracking. It can give you some notice that you need to actually repair the section, or the problem will get larger,” he says. “It’s sophisticated, but extremely user friendly.” Donnellan adds that the technology can

maintenance, resurfacing works and more because you’ve got a full picture of the road network. I think it’ll help agencies enormously to save both time and money.” Donnellan says he’s “extremely excited” to see what the future has in store for the technology, which is expected to have a wider roll-out later this year. “It’s going to be very exciting to see it grow. I believe we’ve only hit five per cent of this product’s potential,” he says. “We’re only just getting started.”

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AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE

FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY INTEGRITY SAMPLING PROVIDES AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS. BRETT MONEY, GROUP GENERAL MANAGER, EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKSITE SUBSTANCE TESTING AND HOW IT’S HELPING TO SAVE LIVES.

ubstance testing on construction sites is a constantly evolving service. Developments in technology, regulations and best practice means on-site drug testing can often become over-complicated and confusing for employers. This confusion is the basis for Integrity Sampling’s foundation by making the process easy to understand. The company provides a variety of workplace drug and alcohol testing services, promoting a proactive health and safety philosophy. Integrity Sampling Group General Manager, Brett Money, says the company helps to take the guesswork out of drug and alcohol testing for infrastructure providers of all sizes. “There’s more changes happening in the industry, particularly with government infrastructure programs,” he says. “Whilst the Federal Government abolished mandatory drug testing in The Building Code, some State Governments have mandated that contractors working on government projects, must have a drug and alcohol policy – and at least – a drug 12

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Drug and alcohol testing forms a crucial part of workplace health and safety.

and alcohol testing regime.” Integrity Sampling has expanded its services across a range of industries, including construction, agriculture, aviation, transport, as well as solar and wind farms. “We’re probably now the largest substance testing company in the southern hemisphere in terms of testing regions, the number of tests and the variety of industries that we serve,” Money says. “A lot of these sectors contain high risk environments where the safety and awareness of workers are paramount. Whether it be forklift drivers, truck drivers, aviation pilots – anyone that’s either operating machinery, or works in close proximity to moving machinery is at risk.” Integrity Sampling’s services aim to increase the safety of these environments by ensuring that the awareness and capability of each worker

isn’t hindered by the use of alcohol or drugs. The company’s service effectively aims to eliminate these risks, helping to support the development of safe and productive workplaces. IMPORTANCE OF POLICY Education and policy development also form a key part of Integrity Sampling’s service. “Companies and industries often do themselves a disservice by having inadequate or non-existent policies. Everything that we do is based on the strength of the company’s policy,” Money says. The introduction of industrial manslaughter legislation has ignited a spark of change, effectively meaning that the liability for the safety and injuries in the workplace falls on the employer. Which is why, Money says, the development of adequate policy has

SAFETY

never been more important. “The pressure is on for these companies to have something in place. Integrity Sampling provides services in policy design and consultation,” he says. “We can either review and advise on an existing company policy, or we can provide a template that companies can use to establish a policy from the ground up. These also differ depending on the industry, but the goal is to develop a policy that is fit for purpose.” Integrated Sampling is constantly updating its services to ensure it can remain at the forefront of policy design. This includes the company’s current exploration of the energy and resources sector. Its policies have also become an essential component for businesses within the aged care and pharmaceutical industries, where employees have greater exposure to medications and pharmaceutical products. Integrity Sampling’s testing also provides no limitations, with the company offering a 24/7, 365 days a year call out service. “If there’s an incident in the middle of the night, companies are obligated to do a mandatory alcohol or drug test on site,” Money says. “Our normal response time is within one to two hours. For example, if there’s an accident involving a forklift driver in the middle of the night, they should be obligated under the company policy to complete a test. “For a transport company, it could be roadside testing and so forth.” TACKLING CURRENT ISSUES Integrity Sampling is currently working to advise companies on the topical use of medical marijuana. Money says current legislation and industry testing is leaving much to be desired, in what is a constantly evolving subject. “The government have been far too slow to react and by the time they start putting in legislation, the damage will already be done,” he says. “When compared to the United States, in some areas we’re ahead, but when it comes to medical marijuana testing, Australia is behind the eight-ball.” Money says the conversation around this topic is centred around the preferred testing methods.

Integrity Sampling can assist companies that are just beginning their journey towards establishing a drug and alcohol testing policy.

“In America, urine testing is predominantly used. Integrity Sampling is considered the industry expert for saliva testing. It’s about understanding the window of detection,” he says. “Saliva testing will screen for recent use, whereas urine testing will screen for use over time. For screening in the workplace, recent use is the consideration, because it determines whether or not someone has any level of drugs present above the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4760:2019 screening cut-off levels.” He says the biggest challenge will be the potential relaxation of personnel use.

company provides a suite of support and educational services. These services aim to increase the knowledge and confidence of both employees and employers to maintain a safe and productive workplace, using testing and early detection as preventative safety methods. “We can provide a range of referral and counselling programs that operate independently. Those are readily accessible for individuals, families or friends who may be concerned with someone’s use of drugs or alcohol,” Money says. “We want to create a responsible

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO CREATE AWARENESS AND MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE USE ON SITE.” “Doctors can now have a special license by the TGA to prescribe medical cannabis. The actual prescriber has no real way of determining the levels of THC (the major psychoactive component) in the drugs they’re prescribing, because you’re relying on the manufacturer to be specific on the THC levels to determine the dosage,” Money says. “We’re doing random workplace testing and people have been screened and returned a positive test, then they’re declaring they’ve got prescriptive cannabis. They should really be declaring that to their employer and in consultation with a medical practitioner.” Integrity Sampling understands that some employees may fear declarations around the use of substances, such as medical marijuana, which is why the

surveillance of the environment, which means we train people to be able to identify and look for certain characteristics of individuals to better tell if they may be under the influence of these substances.” Integrity Sampling’s work in this area has resulted in them acquiring contracts from both WA roads and VicRoads. Money says more companies are identifying the value in testing services across construction sites of all sizes. “It’s important to create awareness and make people aware of the potential dangers associated with substance use on site,” he says. “We emphasise the importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace to make sure that everyone can go home safe.” roadsonline.com.au

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ROADS REVIEW

THIS MONTH, WE ASKED THE INDUSTRY’S DECISION-MAKERS, ‘HOW CAN ORGANISATIONS GREATER SUPPORT EMPLOYEES WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH? EMMA STUART, GROUP HSSE MANAGER, VIVA ENERGY

It is critical to invest in helping leaders understand how to identify risk factors, have a conversation with their people and be supportive and responsive. Leaders need to have the right tools, the confidence and understanding to listen and provide support. They need learning and development experiences that are well-founded in relevant research. Creating an organisationally safe space for leaders to be vulnerable and share their own experiences can also help address some of the perceived stigma, which may be preventing employees from feeling comfortable enough to say that they aren’t okay.

MICHAEL CALTABIANO, CEO, NATIONAL TRANSPORT RESEARCH ORGANISATION

At the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) we have a positive outlook on employee wellbeing. This means that we are, from the CEO throughout the organisation, all focussed on “team”. The team that respects all members, the team that supports its members and the team that succeeds for all members. Our leadership throughout the business is delivering for all employees a true sense of family when it comes to delivering a great wellbeing environment. This sense of family has been an enduring trait for the life of the organisation and is fiercely protected. When it comes to the mental health outcomes for NTRO, the support structures through our people and the employee experience work together to provide the understanding needed to help everyone achieve their best. Our organisation could be regarded as unique but as CEO, I don’t believe that is the case. The way we go about delivering caring and compassionate outcomes for our people is different, but there is no “right” way. The characteristics of the NTRO way are genuine, demonstrated and meaningful commitment to great staff outcomes. Consistent guidance throughout the business when addressing employee wellbeing. Employees trust that they will be respected as individuals and supported on their journey. Every business will carve out their own way, but the common characteristics of successful wellbeing outcomes for staff will be the same.

JULIANA KATAR, PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER – CEA

By developing and supporting staff with programs and training that assist them to feel safe, supported and heard. At CEA we provide an employee assistance program that offers confidential counselling services, provide online training programs to assist employees manage stress and build resilience while also offering training to managers to help them recognise changes in behaviour and support their teams proactively. Culture forms a big part of creating a healthy and safe workplace, so we also conduct regular staff surveys to seek input and gauge how staff feel about the wider business, their team, and their role within CEA.

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ELISE MANNS, EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER, PEOPLE & SAFETY – COATES

Research shows that 190 Australians working in the construction sector commit suicide each year, and that construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than a work accident. We need to do more by proactively encouraging discussion and support around mental health so asking for help is easier: people who think they have strong social support have an approximately 40 per cent reduced risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Employee Assistance Programs and organisations like TIACS can help immensely on this front. But we all need to play our part in creating better working environments where addressing mental health is as important as physical health and safety.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2023, please get in touch with Editor, Tom O’Keane: tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au roadsonline.com.au

SUPPORTING

THEIR OWN

SAMI BITUMEN TECHNOLOGIES HAS EMERGED AS AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR MANY, THANKS IN PART TO ITS COMMITMENT OF UPSKILLING AND SUPPORTING ITS STAFF. SAMI’S EMPLOYEES SHARE THEIR OWN PERSONAL JOURNEYS.

AMI’s reputation as an innovator in the bitumen technology space is supported by its standing as a supporter of internal growth throughout its employees. This starts with a supportive and community-orientated culture. Despite being one of Australia’s largest bitumen technology developers and providers, SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ culture reflects that of a smaller business, with a heightened focus on the individual. With international, interstate and local opportunities, SAMI has provided a platform for its employees to challenge and develop themselves. All the while delivering the latest in bitumen supply and expertise for more than four decades.

SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ team after one of the company’s social events.

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WORKING COLLABORATIVELY Jialin Chi, Operations Manager, has worked at the company for more than two years. He says the company’s rich history, as well as positive reviews from former employees, were both appealing factors for him wanting to work there. “I did a bit of research into the company. I saw that its parent company (Colas) had been around for 100 years,” he says. “Staff who worked at the company seemed to enjoy their time, with a lot of staff working with the company for a considerable amount of time.” He says one of the standout features has been the relationships he’s forged. “There’s some really good people that I deal with on a daily basis, and I’ve formed some good relationships with them,” he

says. “People have been very helpful when you approach them with any problems.” He says these relationships have been aided by SAMI’s internal programs, which aim to promote teamwork and relationship building across the company’s different departments. “Some of the team building activities have been a real highlight,” Chi says. “Some of the training courses I’ve been on have been really excellent. I’ve been sent to Budapest for a week which was great. “We also did a paintball session over in Sydney with the rest of the SAMI team, which was heaps of fun. Last year we also had a feedback session with other staff. Within the company itself, those opportunities for training, team building, and feedback have been invaluable.”

COMPANY PROFILE

SAMI Bitumen Technologies has a supportive working environment, encouraging employees to go above and beyond.

Despite only being at the company for two years, Chi has already made an impact, helping to guide change across SAMI’s internal processes and systems, while also supporting one of the company’s largest ventures. “In the last 12 months we opened the Kwinana manufacturing facility. [My team and I] worked on the builds and the design, all the way up to commissioning and operation,” he says. Despite some challenges, Chi says the experience was deeply rewarding, with opportunities to influence final outcomes on the project. As the Operations Manager, Chi and his team continue to work across the project, particularly on the manufacturing side. “With this plant, we can now produce products more efficiently. Some other companies can have a very set way of doing things; here things are a lot more dynamic. Sometimes you need to take people on a bit of a journey,” he says. INVESTMENT IN INNOVATION Kanjana Yindee, Laboratory and R&D Manager, has been working at the company for almost 10 years, a total of 29 years within the Colas Group. Previously working 15 years in research and quality control in Thailand, Yindee was granted the opportunity to travel to Brisbane, before moving to Sydney. She’s been working at SAMI ever since and says the company has provided a platform for her to grow in her current role. “The Colas Group has been very positive

Jialin Chi, Operations Manager SAMI Bitumen Technologies.

Kanjana Yindee, Laboratory and R&D Manager SAMI Bitumen Technologies.

to me. They encourage myself and my team to learn something new, to develop themselves and to prove themselves, even in difficult situations,” she says. “It’s a good environment because it’s a bit of give and take. I believe you can still have happiness in people working eight hours a day. Having strong bonds with your colleagues and peers plays a role in this. There’s usually something new that I have to learn about every day.” Yindee says she’s also been supported outside of the workplace to ensure that she could continue her studies. “I’m doing a PHD in Civil Engineering and they’ve been happy to help me. If

you can prove that you’re an asset for the company, SAMI is happy to support all of its employees,” she says. Yindee and her team’s work has helped to develop some of SAMI’s innovative products, such as SAMIBond, SAMIBioPrime and SAMIFloat. Yindee says each development has presented its own challenges and rewards. “I think happiness is the most important thing. The company has given me happiness, not because of the money. If I do my best job, everyone is happy,” she says. “I’m happy that my job is rewarding for a company with this reputation.” roadsonline.com.au

COMPANY PROFILE

Tiffany Pham, Bitumen Procurement Manager SAMI Bitumen Technologies.

Dr. Hamidreza Sahebzamani, Technical Services Manager SAMI Bitumen Technologies.

GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ support for its employees presents numerous opportunities for growth. That’s what initially attracted Tiffany Pham, Bitumen Procurement Manager to the role. Starting out as an Assistant Accountant, Pham has grabbed opportunity with both hands, while evolving her own skills along the way. “I’ve been with the company for 10 years, and in that time I’ve moved from being an Assistant Accountant, to a Financial Accountant, a Senior Accountant and now into the operations side of the business,” she says. “The company has given me a lot of opportunities to be able to step up – management wise – by encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges. For someone who started out in a junior role, I’ve learnt a lot.” Pham says that shifting departments has offered a new perspective on how the company contributes to a range of infrastructure projects. “When you move into operations you start to understand the dynamics behind the business and how one action can affect others. That’s been a real highlight for me,” she says. “I’d like to get to know the ins and outs of the business even more. I can help to improve the operations, while also improving myself.” Apart from providing ample

opportunities for elevation, Pham attributes SAMI’s success to its culture. “I feel like this is my second family,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons why I’ve been with the company for so long. All the staff here get along very well with each other. These relationships make you feel at home.” She says her colleagues have also made an impact on her outside of work. “I’m lucky to have a good manager

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“SAMI is like a family and treats its employees as valued members of that family. SAMI’s core values are centred around its people, with the highest priority being the safety and well-being of its workforce. Sahebzamani says his adaption to his new role and country was accelerated thanks to the company’s values. “For me, SAMI stands for Support, Ambition, Motivation, and Inclusion. Inclusion holds a pivotal role at SAMI. The company values diversity, and individuals from various nationalities, and genders are treated equally, with no distinctions,” he says. “Being a part of this company is special, and I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of it.” SAMI Bitumen Technologies also has a strong history of supporting its senior leadership. Cam Lutey, Supervisor says the company has supported his career over the last nine years. “SAMI has been terrific to work for over my nine years with them. Their trust, mentorship and opportunities have empowered me to embrace my supervisory role. I get full support from my management team and my crew. All of which creates job satisfaction and a great workplace environment,” Lutey says.

“INCLUSION HOLDS A PIVOTAL ROLE AT SAMI. THE COMPANY VALUES DIVERSITY, AND INDIVIDUALS FROM VARIOUS NATIONALITIES, AND GENDERS ARE TREATED EQUALLY, WITH NO DISTINCTIONS.” who – when I joined the company – saw this potential in me. Those opportunities have helped to mould me into the person that I am today,” she says. AN EQUILIBRIUM For Dr. Hamidreza Sahebzamani, Technical Services Manager, the company represents a family, where each individual is valued for his/her contributions. Sahebzamani joined the company in 2022, after a globe-trotting education. He made his way through Iran, France and ultimately to Australia. He says he wouldn’t be in his current role if it wasn’t for the support of SAMI. “SAMI demonstrated remarkable support by facilitating all the necessary arrangements for my relocation and immigration to Australia,” he says.

Mark Dinham, Operations and Maintenance Manager Queensland, says the company has given him direction, tools and resources that he needs to support his team. “SAMI has supported me immensely in the way of training, coaching and wellbeing. SAMI is a leader in diversity and inclusivity in our company culture, I’m proud to say that I work at SAMI Bitumen Technologies,” Dinham says. And for Hendre Smith, Operations Manager NSW, SAMI presents an ideal atmosphere for ambition. “It means having a positive work environment, sharing knowledge with skilled and supportive people, and that I can reach my goals in life,” Smith says. “I feel grateful and valued with having a good career within the company.”

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The range of equipment operated by Rokon supports high-quality partnerships.

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PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMPETITIVE WORLD OF CIVIL CONSTRUCTION, SUCCESS ISN’T JUST ABOUT HAVING TOP-NOTCH TECHNICAL SKILLS AND FANCY EQUIPMENT. IT’S ABOUT BUILDING TRUST AND STRONG PARTNERSHIPS.

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okon is a renowned civil works contractor. It is a prime example of how forging robust relationships with all stakeholders can propel projects to new heights. Its unwavering commitment to integrity has shaped its operations and enabled the company to deliver exceptional results time and time again. Meet Zoe Anderson, Rokon’s Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) Systems Manager, a professional with over two decades of experience in the HSEQ sector. Before joining Rokon, Anderson mainly worked in the mining industry. “I started working as an HSE Administrator for a coal mining company in Central Queensland,” says Anderson. “I enjoyed being on-site and getting covered in dirt. Since then, I’ve worked in the HSEQ sector for mining, transport, and civil construction.”

BUILDING TRUST Rokon believes that real success comes from working together collaboratively rather than just doing business. It prides itself on partnering with clients to transform visions into realities. By involving clients in decision-making, Rokon ensures they understand and care for each client’s unique needs and goals. “You need to trust in people to do their job to the best of their abilities,” says Anderson. “We need to trust our people to lead by example and to collaborate to solve problems that arise across sites.” This commitment to open communication, transparency, and mutual respect creates an environment of trust and integrity. This approach not only strengthens the bond between Rokon and its clients. It also fosters teamwork and accountability

COMPANY PROFILE

Staff like Zoe Anderson are at the core of Rokon.

throughout all project stages. The result is a strong partnership that thrives on shared success and a commitment to delivering great outcomes. EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS Integrity is a fundamental principle of Rokon’s operations, guiding everything they do. They follow high ethical standards and maintain strict quality control. Rokon is known for consistently exceeding clients’ expectations by making integrity a nonnegotiable principle. “Rokon sets high expectations to ensure that we deliver on our promises,” she says. “We celebrate all our achievements, no matter how big or small. This keeps our morale high, which keeps us striving to continually succeed.” However, Rokon’s commitment to integrity continues beyond technical aspects. It extends to its employees. Rokon creates a supportive and inclusive environment for its workforce, emphasising safety, diversity, and fair labour practices. This culture of integrity results in a motivated and skilled workforce, allowing Rokon to deliver projects with craftsmanship and attention to detail. “Having a motivated and talented team, thanks to our integrity-driven culture, helps Rokon to keep delivering projects in our partnerships,” Anderson says. “It’s proven mostly when we look at how long our partnerships last, as well as how successful we are in setting up new partnerships.”

suppliers, and all stakeholders to foster innovation and embrace sustainable practices. By actively seeking forwardthinking partners, Rokon stays up-to-date with technological advancements and industry best practices. “We are proud of our collaborations with recognised industry pioneers,” says Anderson. “We recently worked with a partner focusing on compliance, safety, and risk management to digitise our HSEQ management system. Rokon’s operations are now more effective and efficient as a result.” These partnerships enable Rokon to utilise cutting-edge construction techniques, innovative materials, and

sustainable solutions. By incorporating these advancements into their projects, Rokon not only delivers high-quality outcomes but also contributes to the overall progress of the civil construction industry. INTEGRITY ESSENTIAL Rokon’s unwavering commitment to building strong partnerships and conducting business with integrity has made it a preferred infrastructure provider in the industry. Through collaborative client relationships, adherence to ethical standards, and a firm commitment to innovation, Rokon consistently delivers results that meet or exceed expectations. “We don’t just build roads and development sites,” Anderson says. “Rokon has a safety culture based on integrity, trust, inclusiveness, and diversity. It helps us stay motivated and encourages safety to remain at the forefront of everyone’s minds.” As Rokon approaches its 25th year in operation, supported by its strong partnerships, the company remains dedicated to upholding its core values: safety first, commitment to delivery, unity, and always looking to the future. By harnessing the power of integrity, Rokon has shown that success in civil construction isn’t just about the structures but also about the relationships and unwavering integrity upon which they are built. For more information, visit: www.rokon. com.au

The staff at Rokon work closely with their clients to ensure projects are completed successfully.

DRIVING INNOVATION Strong partnerships don’t only involve clients. Rokon recognises the value of collaborating with industry experts, roadsonline.com.au

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TECHNOLOGY

A MODEL OF PROACTIVE SUBSURFACE RISK

MANAGEMENT A sketch of the RiverLink project in New Zealand.

ower Hutt is an urban centre of around 110,000 people, a short distance north of New Zealand’s capital city Wellington. The city has outgrown its roots as a manufacturing hub and commuter suburb for Wellington into a thriving business and residential centre and is defined by the winding river that flows down the Hutt Valley (Heretaunga). RiverLink is a partnership between Greater Wellington, Waka Kotahi, Hutt City Council and iwi Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira to deliver crucial flood protection and river restoration work, improvements to public transport, walking and cycling routes, local roads and the State Highway Two Melling Interchange, as well as urban revitalisation of the Lower Hutt city centre. Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi engaged Reveal in December 2022 to complete a comprehensive utility model that could be used to plan further investigations and inform partners on the status of the underground utilities within the planned project footprint. The work was completed in two

stages, with the first stage involving a comprehensive 2D desktop study. Reveal’s team compiled information from various sources, including road corridor managers and utility providers to ensure the data was up to date. This foundational model was built on accurate readily available information. Following the desktop study, Reveal performed a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. The GPR data was processed and used to update the model from 2D to 3D, providing an even more accurate and complete understanding of the subsurface infrastructure by adding crucial depth measurements to the model. Samantha Smith, Project Manager – Utilities for Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi says one of the standout features of Reveal’s model is its versatility. “The model can be exported in various formats, making it compatible with our design software. This compatibility enabled seamless integration of the

model into our planning and design processes, making it an invaluable tool. The visual presentation of the model is impressive, and the user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate,” Smith says. The Reveal team took only three months from project inception to delivery of a fully-fledged Unified Utility Model in Reveal’s web-based platform – Undermaps – for Riverlink’s designers and engineers to work with. “One of the most significant benefits of using the Reveal model is its potential to reduce the need for invasive investigations. By highlighting unknowns and higher-risk areas, the model allows for targeted investigations and utility relocations planning. This approach minimises disruptions and costs associated with more invasive methods,” Smith says. “Reveal has proven to be innovative and forward-thinking in their field. Their diligent and thorough approach, coupled with the creation of a visually appealing and user-friendly model, has enabled us to plan further investigations, and inform our relocations design with confidence.” roadsonline.com.au

Cardinia Shire Council’s multi-purpose unit.

THE C PERFECT

FIT

CARDINIA SHIRE COUNCIL HAS PLACED ITS TRUST IN FLOCON ENGINEERING FOR ITS MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS. MACHINERY OPERATOR TIAKI HAMMOND EXPLAINS HOW THIS FAITH IS BEING REWARDED.

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ardinia Shire Council covers more than 30 communities, ranging from the Dandenong ranges, across to the shores of Western Port Bay in Victoria. The region is at the forefront of Victoria’s metropolitan boom, situated in Melbourne’s rapidly expanding south-east growth corridor. As such, road rehabilitation and maintenance form an integral part of the council’s services. Not only for local residents today, but also an expected residential boom in the coming years. To conduct its road maintenance works, Cardinia Shire Council employs the use of Flocon Engineering’s multipurpose vehicles for asphalt, rock and emulsion dispersal. These adaptable and customisable units now make up the bread and butter of Cardinia Shire Council’s machinery fleet. Operator Tiaki Hammond joined Cardinia Shire Council just over two years ago. In this time, Hammond says the Flocon unit he operates has become his daily workspace. “The unit is pretty much my office now,” he says. “It’s a nice space to be working in.”

BUILT TOUGH Cardinia Shire Council has two Flocon Engineering units across its fleet, both used on a daily basis for crucial road rehabilitation and maintenance works. Despite the varying requirements and scale of each individual job, Hammond says the units are well equipped to handle whatever’s thrown at them. “We mainly work with asphalt, but we work with rock as well. We can do as many as 30 individual jobs daily, but not every day is the same,” he says. Each Flocon unit – including Cardinia Shire Council’s – is developed in-house, with Flocon Engineering able to utilise its more than four decades worth of experience to ensure the quality and robustness of each machine. All components are also regularly checked to ensure that they can meet industry requirements and specifications. The result, Hammond says, is a highquality machine, able to safely and accurately lay asphalt consistently. Flocon’s road maintenance machinery can also support the use of hotmix, coldmix and premix asphalts and aggregates. Hammond adds that the machine is suited to Cardinia Shire Council’s needs, particularly when it comes to the use and

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

The Cardinia Shire Council now runs two Flocon Engineering units as part of its daily operations.

transportation of hotmix asphalt. “It’s a perfect machine for us. We don’t need a massive paver and we don’t need to take huge amounts of asphalt. [The Flocon unit] makes it easier for us to move up and down streets with traffic, which is perfect for what we do,” Hammond says. PEACE OF MIND When he joined Cardinia Shire Council two years ago, Hammond admits that the professional move was a big change up from his previous endeavours. However, he says the ease of operation and comfort of Flocon Engineering’s unit made his life much happier. “It only took a few weeks for me to learn everything from the ground up,” he says. “With the controls, it is a lot easier than some of the older trucks.” The internal systems that come with each unit allows the operator to efficiently control all operations from the cab. This streamlined design aims to move away from older switch systems to a more streamlined user face, including clear instructions and readings for each compatible component. This allows operators to quickly familiarise

Flocon Engineering’s units are flexible, catering for a variety of material types such as coldmix and hotmix asphalt.

themselves with the machine, in order to optimise its output sooner. Each unit can be configured to the individual needs of each customer. Hammond says Flocon Engineering’s transparent process allows operators and road authorities to have direct input into the optional extras and capabilities of each machine. “I’ve never been in a machine like this where there’s so much stuff packed into a single machine. When we were getting the unit done [Flocon Engineering] were actively asking us questions around what we wanted, how big we wanted to cut the side compartments and more,”

Hammond says. “Flocon is more than happy to answer any questions. They’re also more than happy to bring you in and show you what they’re doing. They’re very helpful in every way. “It’s really surprised me just how much gear they’ve been able to place on just a single machine.” Hammond expects that the two units will endure as a mainstay of the council’s machinery fleet, with even a possibility of Cardinia Shire Council acquiring additional units. “I’m sure these units will be with us for a very long time,” he says. roadsonline.com.au

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

MACHINE CONTROL

KEY TO ATTRACTING WORKERS TECHNOLOGY IS PROVING TO BE A KEY DRIVER FOR ATTRACTING EMPLOYEES TO ADDRESS INDUSTRY SKILLS SHORTAGES. REPRESENTATIVES FROM POSITION PARTNERS EXPLAIN WHY AND HOW.

Position Partners is helping operators keep up to date with the latest technologies and best practice.

achine control – the automation of heavy earthmoving equipment – is key to attracting workers and addressing the skills shortage in construction, according to decision makers surveyed in a report by Topcon Positioning Systems in Europe. Three-quarters (77 per cent) of those surveyed in the report – which polled 1000 decision makers in construction companies across Europe – agree that machine control is a top solution to attracting the best talent to the industry. With many experienced machinery operators approaching retirement, and

the construction sector failing to attract the next generation, there is a growing skills gap in the industry. Thirty per cent of respondents to the survey agree that skills shortages are one of the biggest challenges they face on earthworks projects alone. Topcon’s Luc Le Maire, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the positioning solutions business unit in EMEA, says the report set out to establish a greater understanding of the sectors progress. “With our new report, The Future of Machine Control, we set out to build a picture of machine control from the

point of view of those in the position to implement it,” he says. “We surveyed 1000 Managers, Directors and Business Owners from construction companies across Europe to find out how they’re currently using machine control, their understanding of the benefits, what they believe to be the barriers to adoption, and their predictions for its future.” As well as addressing the battle for talent, respondents in Topcon’s report believe machine control may be the answer to making the sector more sustainable – a pressure felt by 30 per cent of those surveyed. roadsonline.com.au

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

The report suggests that only universal change will have a meaningful impact on increasing the sustainability and productivity of construction machinery.

When asked which factors they thought would be most important in helping to meet sustainability targets, machine control was the most selected option, alongside improving supply chains. Sustainability was also chosen as one of the top three perceived benefits of machine control, together with improving accuracy and efficiency. Despite overwhelming agreement that automation is a significant tool for closing the skills gap and creating a greener future, its use on construction projects across Europe remains limited. According to the report, machine control is currently used on just a third (34 per cent) of construction projects, with most respondents (72 per cent) using the technology on less than half of their projects and just one per cent using it

“WHEN ASKED WHICH FACTORS THEY THOUGHT WOULD BE MOST IMPORTANT IN HELPING TO MEET SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS, MACHINE CONTROL WAS THE MOST SELECTED OPTION, ALONGSIDE IMPROVING SUPPLY CHAINS.”

without exception. Josh Allan, Civil Business Executive Manager for Topcon’s exclusive distributor Position Partners, says the report findings are indicative of Australia’s innovation and commitment to equipment development. “Australia has always been an early adopter of technology, with widespread adoption of machine control, particularly on major projects where it is a prerequisite for final trim work on almost every site,” Allan says. “That said, there is still a great reliance

The Future of Machine Control report paints an accurate picture for the sector’s progress towards accelerating sustainability.

on traditional methods using stringiness, grade checkers and tape measures on the majority of construction sites in this country that aren’t major infrastructure projects. “Contractors are feeling the strain of the skills shortage we are experiencing around the world. Technology can address this problem by attracting the best workers and making contractors more productive.” Le Maire adds that universal change is required in order to make an impact. “What the research has revealed is that the industry is waking up to the power of automation in driving the sector forward. What’s evident is that if we want to make positive change – attract the next generation of talent, meet net zero targets, be more profitable – we cannot do so in isolation,” he says. “If we’re to realise the full potential of machine control and do what’s right for the industry, a commitment is required across the board.” To read the full report, visit www.positionpartners.com.au/the-futureof-machine-control/ or contact Position Partners on 1300 867 266.

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14/9/23 11:43 am

Rich River Asphalt’s Road Ant unit in action.

CHANGING THE GAME SINCE ACQUIRING TWO ‘ROAD ANT’ FORWARD MOVING AGGREGATE SPREADERS, RICH RIVER ASPHALT HAS SEEN PREVIOUSLY CLOSED DOORS AND OPPORTUNITIES OPEN UP. RICH RIVER ASPHALT GENERAL MANAGER DARREN WILSON EXPLAINS HOW THE MACHINES HAVE REVOLUTIONISED THE COMPANY’S OFFERINGS.

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ike many other spray seal and asphalt manufacturers, Rich River Asphalt faced the challenge of acquiring forward moving spreader equipment in order to adhere to impending changes from VicRoads. These changes (concerning VicRoads Standard 408.11) also provided a new opportunity to distinguish Rich River Asphalt’s services from other providers, all of whom were faced with the same task. As Rich River Asphalt General Manager Darren Wilson recalls, after a thorough search, Quality Fabrication & Engineering’s offerings caught the company’s eye. “We did quite a bit of research on the different options that were available to us,” he says. “We needed a product that could meet all of our needs and requirements. The Road Ant was a relatively new design at the time, and we had no prior relationship with Quality Fabrication & Engineering. “They were fantastic throughout the

whole process.” Following initial discussions with Quality Fabrication & Engineering in January 2022, Rich River Asphalt acquired its first two Road Ant units in July and August 2022 respectively. Prior to receiving the forward moving aggregate spreader units, Rich River Asphalt had previously required a larger crew to complete jobs. The Road Ant(s) not only helped Rich River Asphalt to immediately save costs, but also de-risk its jobs sites. “When you have Cover Runners and pedestrians near a tipper there’s always a risk of that person being hurt, colliding with the truck for example. This obviously got to a stage where VicRoads said that enough was enough,” Wilson says. “Despite the initial investment required to buy the truck, you’re technically saving money straight away because you save using two crew members, there’s no need for them to run cover anymore. You save money in the long run and the impacts

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

on risk and safety outweigh the cost as well.” PUSHING PROJECT PRODUCTIVITY Formed in 2015, Rich River Asphalt specialises in asphalt production and supply, as well as spray sealing. This includes asphalt laying, with the Victorian based company placing an emphasis on supporting local contractors and suppliers. Wilson says both Road Ant units have allowed Rich River Asphalt to complete works in both rural and urban applications, aided by the units considerable manoeuvrability despite its size. Both machines are now used on a daily basis and are usually the first on-site. Thanks to the versatility of the Road Ant design, Rich River Asphalt is also able to use both machines year-round. Wilson explains. “We’re able to remove the spreader box on both machines and turn them into just asphalt trucks,” he says. “We were amongst the first to do that as well.” The Road Ant unit provides plenty of options to develop a machine that can meet the requirements of a variety of applications. On top of offering independent driving control from both ends of the machine, the Road Ant can be fitted to a variety of cab chassis, including Iveco, Isuzu, DAF, Volvo and Hino Trucks. Quality Fabrication and Engineering General Manager Glenn Hardiman says the business has been busy expanding the offerings of its Road Ant units. “We have just completed and delivered our first of four Road Ants fitted to Volvo Cab Chassis, the preferred truck of our customer Primal Surfacing/InRoads. A lot has been learnt in the build of these units, with the help of Charles BunkerSmith, Volvo Sales Manager, Derrimut - CMV Truck & Bus and his team of engineers,” he says. The Road Ant supports a variety of attachments, allowing it to be configured to best suit specific works such as road shoulders and the spreading of materials such as crushed rock and asphalting. Hardiman says more work is being done to increase the potential capacity for these materials in the Road Ant unit. “We have been able to control accelerator, transmission shift and other

The Road Ant can now spread material to a width of 3.4 metres.

communications via the Volvo system. We’ve also made modifications to the Trout River chip spreader, increasing its holding capacity and enabling us to comfortably spread to a width of 3.4 meters,” he says. This also includes upgrades to the machines internal systems. “Our custom hydraulic control system now has been updated to include tachometer and speedometer on the rear cabin screen, enabling the operator to easily regulate and maintain road speed,” Hardiman says. “The system has also been upgraded to automatically lubricate and record duration of cycle, greatly reducing conveyor chain maintenance and increasing chain life.” Quality Fabrication & Engineering can also assist with the installation of the initial setup of the machine, a service that Rich River Asphalt happily accepted. “The process with those guys was really seamless. Their backup service is

fantastic,” Wilson says. Rich River Asphalt has had great success with both units, using them on projects of all sizes for stakeholders such as VicRoads, BildGroup, RECivil and Coburns Earthmoving. “Since receiving both machines, we’ve used them on all our projects. We haven’t used the tippers since,” he says. “We’ve been using them on our smaller jobs, which we didn’t think was possible before our operators were trained and caught up to speed. It’s amazing what they can do now with these units.” Wilson says Rich River Asphalt has been able to better compete for larger contracts, many of which state the use of forward moving aggregate spreaders as a requirement. “It’s definitely helped us, while also increasing the quality of our jobs. The quality of our seals has increased while using these machines,” he says. “Investing in these machines is absolutely worth it in the long run.” roadsonline.com.au

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

NOTHING MIDDLING ABOUT THESE

EXCAVATORS

THERE IS NOTHING MIDDLE OF THE PACK WHEN IT COMES TO SANY’S MID-SIZED EXCAVATORS. GETTING THE RIGHT MACHINE FOR THE JOB IS VITAL, AND SANY UNDERSTANDS HOW TO HELP.

he machines in the middle of SANY’s fleet have proven popular due to their flexibility, diverse applications, and good value. Three machines, in particular, are ticking boxes for its customers and seeing an uplift in deliveries. The SY80U, SY135C and SY155U are all impressive machines in their own right. As Andy Hopcroft, General Manager Yello Equipment explains. “People and businesses are starting to see the value in these products. Particularly the availability, the lead times, the warranty and the price tags,” he says. “Companies are looking for a high yielding machine that can perform all day, every day. It’s all about that return on their investment. The SANY tag is ‘quality changes the world’. We live by that ethos as well.” THE SY80U Sitting within its compact hydraulic excavators, this machine would be a great addition to a contractor’s construction fleet. Launched in Australia in 2021, the SANY SY80U was a highly anticipated machine from the SANY fleet, due to its list of features and possible applications it was designed for. Since arriving on Australian shores, the SY80U has lived up to its reputation. It has quickly become a go-to machine for those looking for a reliable, robust machine. “It’s a really versatile machine even in those environments with limited space. It’s a little powerhouse, we’ve been really impressed with that little model,” he says. The SY80U is a suitable choice for road and line construction, work on bridges, redevelopment in urban housing construction and landscaping. The applications are endless due to its 9T limited swing, Yanmar T4F engine, load-sensing hydraulic system, reinforced boom, arm, swing platform and

SANY’s SY155U Crawler Excavator was developed using direct feedback from industry.

SANY’s SY80U Excavator is a compact option for tight applications.

roadsonline.com.au

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

SANY’s SY135C Excavator has a 15T coventional swing.

“RECENTLY WE’VE HAD A CUSTOMER WHO’S BEEN REALLY SURPRISED WITH THE PERFORMANCE, THE POWER AND THE PRICE TAG OF THESE UNITS. WHAT REALLY BLEW HIS SOCKS OFF WAS THE CLASS LEADING WARRANTY, A FIVE-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON OUR 10 KEY COMPONENTS. SO BASICALLY, ANYTHING THAT’S WORTH MONEY IS COVERED.” its undercarriage. Within the cabin of the SY80U, operators can benefit from a comfortable cockpit with heating and AC for all-day operation. It also has ergonomic seating, convenient gear changing on the blade lever and joysticks with two proportional control circuits that are also part of the standard equipment. THE SY135C SANY’s Medium Excavator range starts to introduce some of the bigger machines of the fleet. These units cater for efficiency, safety, and performance. The SY135C is SANY’s 15T excavator combining power and performance. Ideal for baulking out and delivering on large earthmoving requirements, the universal machine is well suited for digging, crushing, loading and backfilling. It can also be used in limited space, such as road and canal construction, inner city areas, horticulture, landscaping, and demolition work. Its power allows it to reach high 34

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excavating forces, which would otherwise only be possible with a bigger machine. Another benefit of the SY135C is its large operating radius. This can help to save time, since the machine needs to be moved far less often on the construction site. THE SY155U The SY155U is no stranger to the market, with extensive media coverage since its launch earlier in the year, due to the high demand and anticipation for this new model. This 16T machine was built using the feedback of experienced operators to ensure it delivers maximum comfort and efficiency. This machine is powered by a reliable and efficient Isuzu engine and is easy to transport. It can be street ready with a bolt-on rubber pad option and minimal tail swing. The SY155U delivers reliable, high-performance day in and day out. Hopcroft says customers can also receive extended support after acquiring these models.

“Recently we’ve had a customer who’s been really surprised with the performance, the power and the price tag of these units. What really blew his socks off was the class leading warranty, a five-year extended warranty on our 10 key components. So basically, anything that’s worth money is covered,” he says. “They’ve absolutely loved it. These machines have nailed the task at hand and that’s given them the confidence to start talking about growing his fleet [of SANY machinery].” With a range of attachments also available, the SY155U allows operators to reduce the time it takes to change work tools providing convenience and flexibility in the field. In addition to these three models, SANY has more than a dozen different machines of varying weight classes and applications available within its fleet. SANY also offers finance options, warranties, first-class customer service and an ongoing service and maintenance program. For more information, visit https: //www.sanyaustralia.com.au/

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THE SECMAIR

DIFFERENCE AN OVERVIEW OF SECMAIR FAYAT’S SERVICES, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED SUPPLIERS OF ROAD MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT.

ecmair is a European based supplier of road maintenance equipment, catering for its customers’ needs for more than 40 years. The company offers a wide variety of equipment, including spreaders, chip spreaders, synchronised sprayer spreaders, patchers, slurry sealers, cracksealer, storage and production. Secmair has been a part of the Fayat Group since 2008, with the company’s head office being based in Cossé le Vivien, a part of western France. It is here that 150 people work from the conceptual phase of each machine, right through to the final delivery. Secmair’s team supports customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their given project. Secmair has a significant presence internationally. In total, the company produced 300 units in 2022, with half of these machines being shipped worldwide. AN OCEANIC OVERLOOK According to David Redelsperger, Road Maintenance Equipment Area Sales Manager 36

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Oceania/Asia – Secmair Fayat, the company’s Chipsealer products are growing in demand across Australasia. “Secmair invented the Chipsealer, the most versatile machine on the market. It can apply the product forward, operating in three different configurations as a sprayer, spreader, or synchronising the two devices to become a combi-machine,” he says. “A single operator is required, all the system is computer-controlled, to guarantee an optimum binder/aggregate ratio, even if the truck speed or the working width are modified on fly.” Secmair’s history of providing solutions to infrastructure companies is vast, with customers including some of the largest infrastructure providers across the country. On top of providing machinery for Roadworx and Bitumill, the company delivered four new machines to Colas and Downer in 2023, with two additional units being ordered and set to be delivered in 2024. Redelsperger says the growth in demand and use can be sourced back to Secmair’s

focus on three key performance pillars. “We can attribute this to the main benefits of this technology in quality, safety, and ease to use,” he says. When it comes to the sprayers market, Secmair has recently provided solutions to two key clients for their infrastructure works. This includes the company’s Edensprayer. Uniquely situated on a four-axle truck with a 12,000-litre capacity, the machine is the first telescopic machine available on the market with a working width up to 6.2 metres, which allows ideal positioning of the spray bar whatever the type of jobsite. According to Redelsperger, the Edensprayer is also the only sprayer equipped with an independent warming oil system, heated by a separate burner. This feature helps to automate temperatures for the pump, filter, spray bar and more. Therefore helping to operator to avoid clogging issues. Its reworked design also makes it possible to spray crumb rubber (up to SR45), bitumen (C170) and modified emulsion. Similar to Secmair’s Chipsealer range, the Edensprayer is also computer-controlled, therefore providing the same benefits. MAKING WAVES Secmair has also had a meaningful presence in the tack coaters market for some time, where there is a growing demand for controlling spray rate as well as high quality machinery. In collaboration with Varley an engineering and manufacturing company based in Newcastle, Secmair Fayat has developed a new solution. “From our side we supplied five modules

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

One of Secmair Fayat’s most unique offerings is its Edensprayer, the first telescopic machine available on the market with a working width up to 6.2 metres.

Secmair Fayat is further establishing its stance in Australia’s road maintenance equipment sector.

including tank, binder circuit, computer and spray bars. Varley then oversaw engineering to ensure that the equipment was ready to work,” Redelsperger says. “This was a great success and now our customer COLAS Australia has five of them operating around the country.” In New Zealand, Secmair has also commissioned three ‘E-TANKs’ for Downer. The E-TANK is a storage tank integrated into a 40’ container, enabling binders (hot bitumen or emulsion bitumen) to be available and transported across Australia. “E-TANK is a game changer thanks to the timer integrated at the computer system. You can decide when the electrical heating system will be on or off. In this condition the tank, piping, filter and loading arm will be at the right temperature when the sprayer/ tanker has to be loaded,” Redelsperger says. WHAT IS NEXT? End of 2023 and 2024 is expected to be a key time for Secmair in Oceania, with the company eyeing further growth across the two countries. “To reach this target, we implement premium support,” says Francois Ribeira, Field Services Engineer – Secmair. Ribeira oversees commissioning, winter maintenance, and the company’s hot line, which customers are able to access for support around the clock. “The availability of spare parts is crucial. A stock has been set up in partnership with ROSMECH in Melbourne, spare parts are available throughout Australia/NZ within 24 hours,” Ribeira says. “For the long-term vision, we know that

Each of Secmair Fayat’s products is backed by years of development and innovation.

lead time will be the key, we have started to think about machine on stock available in Australia.” Included as part of its future strategy, Secmair is also placing a greater emphasis on the development and distribution of electric products. “Helping to reduce CO2 emissions is more important than ever,” says Ribeira. “We’ve already presented ‘The Box’, the first fully electric sprayer at BAUMA in September 2022, which is also available for customers to purchase now.” Secmair will also be undergoing a period of change for its representation across the Oceanic region.

From November 2023, Thibaut Deniau will take over Redelsperger as the new Area Sales Manager in Oceania. Redelsperger will move back to France following his five-year tenure, with plans to take on a new role within Secmair in the near future. To ensure a seamless transition period, both Deniau and Redelsperger are currently engaging customers to inform them of the impending changes. Redelsperger will end shortly after Secmair’s attendance and booth at the highly anticipated AFPA (Australia Flexible Pavement Association) exhibition in Brisbane on 30-31 October and 1 November. roadsonline.com.au

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

DYNAPAC-KING IN PROJECT VALUE

The Dynapac pad foot rollers are ideal for preparing sites.

WHEN IT COMES TO COMPACTING SOIL, DYNAPAC PROVIDES SOME OF THE BEST MACHINERY ON THE MARKET TODAY. WE SPOKE TO TRACC CIVIL IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA TO SEE HOW DYNAPAC SUPPORTS THEIR BUSINESS.

racc Civil is a civil engineering construction company. It completes all projects in-house through its different divisions of road construction, bulk earthworks, wall construction, and in-grounds divisions. The medium-sized contractor prides itself on retaining its ‘family feel’. Frank Janssen has been working for Tracc Civil for over ten years. He’s been in civil engineering since he was a child. “My father was a Project Manager for Malavoca, and I joined him from a young age,” says Janssen. “Most of the staff at Malavoca eventually ended up at Tracc Civil, and I’ve been part of the company ever since.” Tracc Civil uses its organisational and management capacity to complete the contracts it undertakes following the requirements of its clients. Its established systems provide value

for money with respect to risk management, project control and quality assurance. This is reflected in how Tracc Civil deals with its customers. “We like the projects where we can negotiate with clients for long-term work,” he says. “We want to work with the clients and the engineers. Many of our projects are for construction only, but we like discussing savings in design strategies. It builds on our expertise around long-term strategies. As a company, we do not just focus on the three-month project but would rather develop a five-year project.” Tracc Civil has developed an excellent reputation as a specialist civil works contractor. It needs the right equipment in the right place to achieve its project goals. This is where Dynapac comes into play.

PACKING IN DYNAPAC PRODUCTS Dynapac CEA distributes asphalt rollers, soil rollers, static rollers, light compaction, compact pavers, city pavers and large pavers. It supplies a diverse range of equipment to many industries, including construction, agriculture, government, and civil works. “We got the first of our Dynapac products about three or four years ago,” says Janssen. “The COVID pandemic forced us to look beyond our traditional suppliers. Dynapac came up with the right products at the right time and the right price. That certainly helped us enormously, and we have never looked back.” He believes the rollers and plate compactors Tracc Civil purchased from Dynapac have been fantastic. It’s led to a long-term purchase arrangement. “We really like the plate compactors,” roadsonline.com.au

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

of our projects,” he says. “We get two every three months, and we can look after each of them while keeping as many working on project sites as possible.” The larger model is the DRP70D. With a higher weight and more power, Tracc Civil uses their DRP70D differently. “The DRP70D is great for larger areas,” Janssen says. “We use this for backfilling behind big retaining walls. We also use them in projects where we need to cover a larger area quicker. For those bigger projects, the 70D fills the gap just how we want it.” ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING Dynapac also offers vibratory soil compactors. Tracc Civil owns a CA2500PD and two CA3500PDs. They are both medium-heavy vibratory soil compactors designed for long working days in demanding applications. All types of base courses and reinforcement courses can be compacted to considerable depth. “Across the industry, they are also known as pad foot rollers,” Janssen says. “These are highly economical machines as well. Most pad foot rollers get beaten up pretty quickly just because of the

The reversible compactors from Dynapac have been a huge success for Tracc Civil.

Frank Janssen has been at Tracc Civil for over ten years.

Janssen says. “We’ve done a deal that sees us buy two DRP45DX reversible plate compactors every three months. It keeps them replenished, and we can maintain them with ease. No other supplier had stock, and certainly not at the right price point. Dynapac has kept its prices steady, and that has helped us.” 40

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“WE USE THEM FOR OUR SERVICE TRENCHING AND BACKFILLING RETAINING WALLS. WE HAVE 18 OF THESE MACHINES, AND THEY’RE FRESH. THEIR CONSISTENCY MAKES THEM HIGHLY ECONOMICAL.” REVERSIBLE COMPACTORS The Dynapac DRP45DX reversible plate compactor weighs 460 kilograms and delivers 60 kilonewtons of impact force. This reversible plate compactor has a maximum working speed of 28 metres per minute. “It’s just a consistent machine,” says Janssen. “We use them for our service trenching and backfilling retaining walls. We have 18 of these machines, and they’re fresh. Their consistency makes them highly economical.” With an adjustable lever and steering height, Dynapac reversible plates are ideal for simple and precise handling. Extreme conditions are easily dealt with thanks to their rugged design and all-around hard shell. The operating hour meter makes this machine operator friendly. “These have become the workhorses

environment they are working in. We wanted something robust and found that in the Dynapac range.” One of the challenges Janssen has found is working in the clay-like soils in the Darling Scarp. This is an area that runs from Armadale, southeast of Perth, to Muchea, a small town north-northeast of Perth. It significantly differs from the mostly sandy soil throughout the greater Perth metropolitan area. But this doesn’t phase the team at Tracc Civil. “There’s a lot of clay projects that we work on,” he says. “However, the pad foot rollers help us complete these projects. It also works the other way when we are dealing with sites that feature a lot more rock than usual for Perth. “Both models of the Dynapac pad foot rollers are fantastic for what we do.”

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

ON SITE WITH THE

FAE RPL/SSL/DT 100 FAE HAS INTRODUCED ITS NEW FLAGSHIP ROAD PLANER, IDEAL FOR SKID STEERS AND BUILT FOR UP TO 135 HORSEPOWER. FAE EXPLAINS MORE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD MANUFACTURERS FROM THIS RANGE OF PRODUCTS.

t’s been several months since FAE entered the market for road planers. Its 60-135 horsepower skid steers with four models with fixed-tooth and disc rotors are ideal for shredding asphalt and concrete to a maximum depth of 50 centimetres. That is how the RPL/ SSL for 60-135 horsepower skid steers, the RPM/SSL for 75-135 horsepower skid steers, and the RWM/SSL, a disc road planer for 75135 horsepower skid steers, came to be. Now, a new family of dual-transmission products is coming out to complete the line. These machines are perfect for anyone working in road maintenance and clearing. FAE is introducing the RPL/SSL/DT for 90-135 horsepower skid steers, capable of working from zero to 14 centimetres deep with a minimum operating width of 100 centimetres. The new RPL/SSL/DT uses cold planing technology, just like the other products in this FAE line. The road’s surface is scraped and cut by the impact of special teeth attached to the rotor and with a layout that FAE specifically designed to improve performance and reduce vibration. The RPL/SSL can be used for road preparation for resurfacing roads before applying a new layer of asphalt or concrete, while also simplifying excavation operations. The hydraulic drive system also ensures operational precision by enabling the operator to work right against a wall on the right or left side of the machine. It also features practical depth and cutting indicators.

KEY TECHNICAL FEATURES Federico Gruppioni, Product Manager at FAE, says the RPL/SSL/DT features state-of-theart technology that guarantees excellent operating quality for the operator and considerable comfort while on the job. “The cutting and depth indicators are great for maintaining precise control. The tilt provides excellent results even on uneven surfaces. It is also available with hydraulic 42

The new range of road planers for skid steers is easy to connect to existing products, ensuring a simple ‘plug-and-play’ operational model.

control that can be regulated using the skid steer’s joystick and self-levelling skids with independent hydraulic position control. The hydraulic drive system also makes it possible to work right up against walls on either side for precise work in all conditions,” he says. Gruppioni says that from a mechanical standpoint, the dual transmission guarantees optimal power supply and distribution across the entire width of the rotor. The standard hydraulic and electrical equipment makes it ideal for “plug & play” pairing with FAE’s skid steers. “Let’s not forget about the teeth specifically designed for asphalt and concrete road surfaces,” says Gruppioni. “I think it’s important to highlight other features like the water system that cools the rotor and keeps the dust down and the performance indicators that are highly visible to the operator”. The new 100 and 125 centimetre heads are available now, with the 150 centimetre model coming soon. FIELD TESTING The new RPL/SSL/DT was field tested during

a series of tests recently in Tuscany (Italy) with Tarabori, an FAE dealer. FAE service technicians paired the machine with a Bobcat skid steer and took it to two different locations. After connecting the machine to the skid steer, the technicians tested the pair on asphalt. The machines then completed strips of terrain at different depths for a few dozen meters, testing the effectiveness of the equipment down to 14 centimetres deep. The FAE technicians also milled asphalt around a manhole cover to test the precision of the work on uneven surfaces and small obstacles. The crew could do an accurate job with the hydraulically adjustable skids. “The client was happy, especially with the fluidity of the machine,” says Gruppioni. “Thanks to the dual transmission, the RPL/SSL/ DT works very fast, is stable, and vibrates very little. The machine’s fluidity and ease of use seem to be significant features of this model. “For example, the visibility from the cab and the double hitch makes it possible to work roadsides on the left or right. The ability to easily connect the RPL/SSL/DT to different types of skid steer is also a plus. Once attached to the skid steer, thanks to the ‘plug and play’ style connection, it’s super easy to control.” IN AUSTRALIA FAE exhibited its range of new road planers with a skid steer at the inaugural Inside Construction Expo 2023. Managing Director of FAE Australia Pacific Alberto Rosso says the conference was a great success. “We had a lot of interest from new and existing clients in the road industry,” he says. “There is enormous potential for the new RPL/SSL/DT range of products across Australia. We look forward to working with everyone to get the maximum benefit from these products and other products from our ranges.”

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Roads &

DON’T RISK NON-COMPLIANT DUCTILE AND STEEL COVERS AND GRATES You could risk potential liability claims in the event of an accident or failure.

Ensure the ductile iron and steel covers & grates you purchase are compliant with AS3996-2019. Request proof of compliance from a reputable and authorised authority. Civilcast ductile iron, steel covers and grate range is Global-Mark Certified compliant for your peace of mind.

Be Compliance Sure. Be Civilcast Sure.

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Roads and Infrastructure October 2023 Issue.indd 1

8/09/2023 11:21:50 AM

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INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS

Civilcast’s range of products satisfy Australian Standard regulations with the company also achieving Global-Mark Certification for its range of ductile iron and steel grate and cover products.

ONWARDS

AND UPWARDS

CIVILCAST HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE PAST HALF DECADE, WITH EXCITING PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS COMING ON THE HORIZON. MEETING AND EVEN EXCEEDING PRODUCT COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THIS GROWTH, AS BRIAN LEE, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER EXPLAINS.

ounded in 2010 by John McQuaid, a prominent figure in the civil construction industry, Civilcast grew steadily over a number of years. The company’s period of strong growth was exasperated in 2018, when private shareholders with extensive experience in manufacturing and supplying building products to the construction industry, acquired the company. This signalled a period of rapid growth, with the company significantly growing its employee base, while also expanding its range of products and services. Brian Lee, Product Development Manager says that despite the company’s expansion, it retained its family feel, as well as its commitment to customer service. “We pride ourselves on our service excellence. We offer a broad range of products, coupled

with fast lead times. “We’re able to provide exceptional service partly because we’ve got our own fleet of delivery vehicles, and we’ve also got a dedicated logistics department that’s always in touch with job sites to coordinate deliveries ensuring customers get their products quickly and efficiently,” Lee says. Civilcast is also highly flexible when it comes to meeting the requirements of clients. “We’re very flexible as we don’t just provide a standard range of products, we also offer custom product options for complex projects,” Lee says. “We can provide the whole package because we’re the manufacturer and importer of both steel and precast products. Other companies out there might focus on only imported products. We provide the complete package at

a competitive rate with excellent service, and timely delivery.” Using the experience of its staff, as well as its shareholders, Civilcast has been able to weather the storm of industry impacts, such as supply chain issues caused by the COVID pandemic. “We saw the challenges coming and we increased our inventory holdings. We like to get on the front foot through those sorts of challenges. That helped us to maintain our relationships with our customers and strengthen our standing as a market leader in the marketplace,” Lee says. This experience also fuels Civilcast’s constant product improvement, with Lee himself overseeing a number of brand-new developments for the company. “We now have a footprint across all eastern states, so there’s that on-going need to roadsonline.com.au

INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS

An example of a noncompliant grate.

Brian Lee, Product Development Manager, Civilcast.

develop new products in line with state specific requirements which will underpin our future growth. We’re also working on a number of major infrastructure projects such as the Western Sydney Airport, the Snowy 2.0 project and the M12 Motorway,” he says. This experience has also enabled the company to stay ahead when it comes to required regulations and compliance. ESTEEMED QUALITY Lee says that when the private shareholders took over Civilcast, product compliance was an area that he says lacked effective enforcement and implementation. He adds that this has improved drastically and compliance and certification is now an essential requirement for products being utilised in infrastructure development. “Soon after the acquisition we undertook independent testing of our products. We were extremely confident in the compliance of our 46

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products, but it’s important to have thirdparty testing and validation of compliance for grates and covers,” Lee says. Like all other companies across the sector, Civilcast has had to weather the storm of constantly evolving guidelines and compliance requirements for infrastructure products. Lee says that while this experience is not unique to just Civilcast, the way in which the company views and addresses compliance is distinctive. “Compliance is essential for the design to start with,” he says. “The design of underground infrastructure is particularly important. It’s important to be able to provide a product that is compliant and can be verified as compliant that satisfies this requirements,, while also delivering quality products that adhere to Australian Standards. “This is essential for maintaining the longevity of Australia’s overall drainage network.” Lee says satisfying requirements for

stormwater components and grates is also essential to increase the safety of essential infrastructure. “There’s a lot of products out there that aren’t compliant. These can not only be detrimental to the success of a project but can also impede on the safety of a work site,” Lee says. Compliance helps to also crucially maintain the safety of the wider public. These include standards around drainage systems such as capacity, slip resistance and the ability for grates to sufficiently support loads caused by pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Using its more than 150 years in combined industry experience, as well as knowledge gathered from catering for the needs of more than 5000 projects, Civilcast has emerged as one of the industry’s leading voices on compliance. Each of the company’s products adhere to the national standards for steel and grate covers (AS3996-2019), ensuring that its products can leave a positive legacy on infrastructure projects nationwide. The culmination of this commitment to compliance has been the company achieving Global-Mark Certification, confirming the company’s compliance for products supplied to the industry. “That was a huge milestone for us. We’re the first provider or importer of ductile iron and steel grates and covers to achieve it,” Lee says. “The certification is important particularly for tier one contractors and some of the larger infrastructure projects. When they see that certification and the ISO 9001 accreditation it gives them a deep-seated confidence in your product.” Lee believes Civilcast’s focus on compliance and quality will hold the company in great stead as it eyes even further expansion and improvement.

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Infrastructure Products Australia consists of AusPits, Cubis Systems, TRI Underground Australia.

ALL FOR ONE

INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA HAS EXPANDED ITS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, NOW COMPRISING A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES CATERING FOR MAJOR AND MINOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE TALKS TO SOME OF THE BUSINESS HEADS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ENTERPRISE.

hrough the acquisition of three key brandlines – Aus Pits, Cubis Systems and TRI Underground – Infrastructure Products Australia has expanded its range and capacity to cater for construction and infrastructure projects of all sizes. Cubis Systems is a prime example of the strengths and benefits of external acquisitions. With a growing portfolio, the company provides products and services across rail, roads, telecoms, water, defence, ports, stormwater and more. Trevor Schaefer, National Projects Manager – Cubis Systems says the company’s multidisciplinary approach ensures that customers can have a ‘one-stop-shop’ for their infrastructure needs. “We work closely with the design team to 48

ROADS OCTOBER 2023

find a solution-based result,” Schaefer says. “At Infrastructure Products Australia we’re able to collaborate with other parts of the business to deliver a desirable project outcome. “A good example is the Gold Coast Light Rail project in Queensland. I’m working with the engineers that are installing the underground combined service routes to run the electric cabling and signalling. At the same time my colleagues are working with the same company to supply all of the stormwater products.” Infrastructure Products Australia’s network now exceeds eight manufacturing sites with two storage facilities nationally, in part thanks to the constant expansion of the business. “It’s provided new site locations to where we may have had a gap in our offering, we’re now picking up more market share by adding new

products to our existing range,” Schaefer says. ENGINEERED QUALITY AusPits is just one of the several companies that forms part of Infrastructure Products Australia. Grant Montgomery, Business Development Manager – Aus Pits says the company specialises in custom precast concrete solutions for the construction industry. He adds that Infrastructure Products Australia’s unique approach to client and project outcomes sets the organisation apart from the rest, especially when it comes to the value that it sees in partnerships and solutions. “Our National Projects team expertly manage the project from PO to delivery. For the subcontractor this means that we’re supporting them all the way through until

INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS

completion,” he says. These project teams are capable of running multiple projects at any given time. Montgomery says once a project engineer and project coordinator has been allocated, the Infrastructure Products Australia team hits the ground running. “Project engineers and civil contractors can have a single point of contact, to arrange manufacturing, delivery and compliance that’s required behind the scenes based on the client’s project drawings,” he says. The National Projects team is only the beginning of Infrastructure Products Australia’s service offering across Australia. Infrastructure Products Australia can provide expertise and planning for heavy lifts, even for oversized pits that require 30 tonne cranes, support vehicles and more to transport large pits to their final destination. Infrastructure Products Australia also has in-house engineers who are developing new products and innovating to improve safety, quality, efficiencies and product longevity. This month Infrastructure Products Australia are set to release Pit-to-Pipe Connector – an innovation designed and engineered in-house. Pit-to-Pipe will completely change the way industry connects pipes to pits, making it safer, more efficient, and more sustainable by reducing the amount of concrete used and making the connection between pipe and pit consistent. Montgomery says the industry should keep its eye out for this new release. He adds that the team is constantly working to push the envelope. He adds that it’s exciting to see the growth of Infrastructure Products Australia and expects the company to go from strength to strength. “I’m proud of the way that Infrastructure Products Australia has grown. We still have that family feel, especially with our relationships with both industry and clients,” Montgomery says. “Some of those relationships go back 20 to 30 years.” BROADENING FOCUS Infrastructure Products Australia is proud of its recent acquisition of TRI Underground Australia, a company dedicated to the production and design of custom underground components. Dane Edwards, National Sales Manager – TRI Underground Australia says that while the company shares similar services with other Infrastructure Products Australia subsidiaries, the company shines in its development of

Infrastructure Products Australia value partnerships and their ability to provide custom pit solutions.

products for specific regions and applications, such as Queensland. “TRI has been in operation for 20 years and we primarily do PVC conduits, bends and fittings for the electrical and civil market,” he says. “We also do cable joining pipe covers, as well as precast elements. “There’s a lot of synergies between our product offerings and the other IPA businesses as well.” Edwards says TRI’s business was built on a foundation of strong customer service. “[Infrastructure Products Australia] is a heavy customer focus business and our entire business model revolves around that,” Edwards says. “We’ve achieved a reputation of going above and beyond to turn things around to meet the clients’ deadlines. We also have a lot of stock, more than some of our competitors. “We sometimes have road authorities who need 20 custom products, that have been specifically designed just for one application. We’re always happy to take on that challenge.” Another example is TRI’s recent works on in Brisbane, developing a product to protect traffic signal cabinets, the functional computer responsible for coordinating traffic lights. The company is also working to develop new flood mitigation products, as well as security upgrades to stem cable thefts. Throughout his six and a half years at the company, Edwards says a standout has been the expansion of TRI’s products nationally, in particular throughout Queensland. “We’ve maintained important contracts with the Queensland TMR, as well as PVC and concrete supply agreements with Queensland

Infrastructure Products Australia provides a suite of solutions for infrastructure projects..

Energy. There’s been some big developments on the product development side,” he says. “There’s currently a big focus on New South Wales at the moment and we’re looking to grow on that into Victoria. We’ll also be looking to leverage the synergies with the other IPA brands to continue that growth.” Kevin Savory, Infrastructure Products Australia Managing Director says the team is incredibly proud of the product and service offering they’re able to bring to market. “Although you don’t see the end product, we are a huge part of future-proofing stormwater, communication and electrical infrastructure across Australia for generations to come,” he says. “We’ll continue to grow partnerships and innovate to make our mark in Australia.” roadsonline.com.au

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EVENTS

The conference will highlight emerging opportunities from across the sector.

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AN OVERVIEW OF THE UPCOMING MAJOR PROJECTS CONFERENCE IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

ne of the largest infrastructure and construction events held in the Northern Territory returns to Darwin in November. Now in its twelfth year, the 2023 Northern Territory Major Projects Conference will focus on building the Territory’s future and will be opened by the Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Education and Territory Development, the Hon Eva Lawler MLA. The two-day event will see Construction Managers, Project Directors, Consultants and Investors come together to hear first-hand insights about projects in the pipeline across the NT and to discuss key industry topics. The NT Government is investing in the Territory’s future through infrastructure, tourism and growing the economy. Against this backdrop, the conference will focus on the Territory Government’s record $4.07 billion capital works program. This includes the significant investment in transport infrastructure, to support tourism and improve access to remote and regional communities. Featured presentations at the conference include the Darwin Ship Lift being delivered by the Northern Territory Government to establish Darwin as a thriving maritime

The Northern Territory Major Projects Conference will be held on November 1 – 2, at the Darwin Convention Centre.

services industry hub, capitalising on the Northern Territory’s strategic position in the Asia Pacific region and enabling the significant future marine industry park development. The conference program will also feature Sun Cable’s flagship development project, the Australia-Asia PowerLink project. This project is expected to create thousands of operational and construction jobs, stimulating opportunities for local businesses and suppliers. The Land Development Corporation will also present at the conference providing an overview of its projects.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, along with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics will also speak at the event. Other presentations include the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program and the New Territory Infrastructure Loans Program, while a panel will discuss infrastructure priorities for the State. Hosted by Expotrade Australia, the 12th Annual Northern Territory Major Projects Conference takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November at the Darwin Convention Centre. roadsonline.com.au

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EVENTS

2023

HIGH-FLYERS AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING 2023 EVENT, THE WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS FOR 2024 WILL RETURN TO SYDNEY. Giselle Philipps took out the Women of the Year honour at the 2023 Women in Industry Awards.

ilian Bland was the first woman in the world to design, build and fly an aircraft. In the decades since, women have spread their wings and chartered new courses, taking on jobs that were once traditionally male dominated. The Women in Industry Awards have always sought to recognise and celebrate women driving change and breaking down barriers. The 2023 awards soared to new heights with a record 160 nominations across 10 categories and a gala dinner that sold out for the first time in its history. The 2024 event, to be held in Sydney in June, is set to propel the awards further with an opportunity to acknowledge trail blazers across industries including

waste management, mining, transport, manufacturing, bulk handling, construction and engineering and logistics. Fulton Hogan, proud sponsor of the Women of the Year award for a second year, is one of four sponsors to sign up for the 2024 awards. Other sponsors for 2024 include Atlas Copco – Rising Star of the Year; SEW-EURO DRIVE – Excellence in Engineering; and Paccar – Excellence in Manufacturing. Graeme Johnson, Fulton Hogan Chief Executive Officer, says the sponsorship demonstrates Fulton Hogan’s commitment to supporting and driving change within predominantly male industries and doing what it can to make heavy industry

more attractive and accessible for women to join and stay. “Fulton Hogan recognises that diversity is not only essential for us to change, adapt and grow, but it also good for business and results in happier workplaces with a better culture leading to better retention of our people,” Johnson says. PACCAR has a long history of supporting women in all areas of its global businesses and recognises programs such as the Women in Industry Awards help promote women more broadly than its own company and industry. Michael Long, Director Sales and Marketing, PACCAR Australia, says being part of the awards helps the company roadsonline.com.au

EVENTS

The 2024 Women in Industry Awards will be held in Sydney on Thursday, 20 June.

further its goal of celebrating and championing inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Fiona Halliday, Atlas Copco HR Business Partner, says the awards are an opportunity to recognise the contribution of women in industry and their examples for the next generation. “Atlas Copco sponsors the awards to show our commitment to females in nontraditional industries and how we can find a better way towards equal representation,” Halliday says. “We love taking our team to the celebration and showing them the example that is set by all of these amazing women.” It’s a sentiment shared by SEW-Eurodrive and its Senior HR Business Partner Laura Arias. “Knowing how vital gender diversity is in our manufacturing industry drives us to work together to recognise women and support them in fulfilling their goals,” says Arias. “Once again, we have the pleasure of sponsoring the Women in Industry in 2024.” With the launch of the 2024 event, award nominations are officially open. Giselle Phillips from Fredon Queensland was thrilled to have won both the Woman of the Year (sponsored by Fulton Hogan) and the Safety Advocacy Award (sponsored by Komatsu) in 202-3. The latter seeks to recognise an individual working actively to 54

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“KNOWING HOW VITAL GENDER DIVERSITY IS IN OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY DRIVES US TO WORK TOGETHER TO RECOGNISE WOMEN AND SUPPORT THEM IN FULFILLING THEIR GOALS.” improve safety for their industry. “This acknowledges the dedication and passion I’ve put into my work as a safety professional,” Phillips says. “In my role at Fredon, I have taken almost every woman on their journey. I’ve advocated for them. I have put them up for submissions. I’ve interviewed them. I have listened to them, and we are all in the same boat. We are not in competition with each other. We need to advocate and help each other get where we need to be.” BHP’s Ashara Moore, who won the Excellence in Mining award at the 2023 awards, says the recognition is both humbling and a time of celebration. In the second year of a PhD studying sustainable tailings management, Moore says winning the award despite only having five years in the industry is a chance to reflect on her journey to date, both professionally and personally. “It’s a celebration of myself as a continually developing individual, and of the teams, mentors and family that have helped shape me into the woman I am today,” Moore says. “This award is also a tangible reminder that

recognition comes with the responsibility to continue to persevere, grow and see things through. “There are so many things I want to do within this industry – completing my PhD and acting as a conduit between researchers and industry is just one of these many things. The award reminds me that while I am on the right track, and I should celebrate achievements and successes, I am by no means anywhere near the finish line.” Categories in the 2024 awards include Rising Star of the Year, Business Development Success of the Year, Industry Advocacy Award, Mentor of the Year, Safety Advocacy Award, Excellence in Manufacturing, Excellence in Transport, Excellence in Engineering, Excellence in Mining, Excellence in Construction and Woman of the Year. The 2024 Women in Industry Awards will be held in Sydney on Thursday, 20 June. Nominations and sponsorship opportunities are now open. If your business wants to nominate a leader in their field or sponsor the Women in Industry Awards 2024 (or even both), visit: www.womeninindustry.com.au

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megatrans.com.au Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre MEGATRANS is Australia’s largest integrated conference and exhibition dedicated to the logistics industry. MEGATRANS will showcase the latest in artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, automated racking, telematics and route optimisation, warehouse automation, intelligent fleet systems, blockchain, Internet ofThings, big data and advanced analytics.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

19th AfPA International Flexible Pavements Conference

Safely Paving the way to Carbon Zero 30th Oct - 31 Oct -1st Nov 2023 | BCEC Brisbane QLD

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Program Overview

AFPA’S 2023 CONFERENCE THE AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION’S INTERNATIONAL FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS CONFERENCE RETURNS IN 2023. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE OUTLINES WHAT ATTENDEES CAN EXPECT FROM THE EVENT.

he Australian Flexible Pavement Association’s 2023 International Flexible Pavements Conference marks the 19th rendition of the event, providing industry with a centralised source of information around current challenges and opportunities. This year the conference’s main theme is centred around ‘Safely Paving the way to Carbon Zero’. The development of technology and best practice processes continues to accelerate the industry’s push towards sustainability, with the conference set to showcase these offerings. This theme is about the ongoing effort to closing the loop of the circular economy by encouraging innovation and removing potential barriers. This follows the success of AfPA’s Industry Technical Panel Events, highlighting the use of technologies such as EME2 that are helping to make an impact. The 2023 conference will also highlight nine key themes, with sessions focusing on safer roads and safer people, resilient roads, governance and sustainability, as well as diversity and inclusion. This will also include discussions and presentations centred on innovative solutions, pavement performance, construction practices, pavement preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation, and future roads. The Plant and Equipment Exhibition and the information-packed technical program of the conference is expected to attract representatives from state road agencies, local government, road building and construction academic institutions from across the world. The event will also host industry speakers, representatives and exhibitors, meaning there’s something for everyone.

The event’s exhibitors include some of the sector’s largest service providers, such as Viva Energy, Puma Bitumen, Fulton Hogan, Caterpillar, Astec, Secmair Fayat, Sripath and Wirtgen just to name a few. The conference’s opening day will see Bernard Salt – Managing Director of The Demographics Group and esteemed author – address attendees. Salt is a weekly columnist in The Australian and is set to focus on the past, the present and the future. AfPA has announced Brett Connellan as the Opening Function keynote speaker, with Mary Coustas to MC the AfPA 2023 International Conference and National Industry Awards dinner. Connellan will detail his inspirational story, following the surfer’s experience of being attacked by a great white shark. Coustas is a well-known writer and performer, known best for her role as Effie in the TV Sitcom

Acropolis Now. Ian Roberts has also been announced as the Diversity and Inclusion keynote speaker. A former rugby league, NSW State or Origin and Kangaroos player, Roberts was the second high-profile sportsman in a professional team game to come out while playing, and the first in Australia. Key members of the Australian Flexible Pavement Association will also be in attendance, such as CEO Carlos Rial, Executive Director Technology and Leadership Anna D’Angelo and Executive Director Knowledge and Partnerships Tanja Conners. The 19th International Flexible Pavements Conference 2023 will be held in Brisbane from 30 October to 1 November 2023 at the Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre. For more information on the conference, make sure to visit: www.afpa.asn.au

“THE 2023 CONFERENCE WILL ALSO HIGHLIGHT NINE KEY THEMES, WITH SESSIONS FOCUSING ON SAFER ROADS AND SAFER PEOPLE, RESILIENT ROADS, GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY, AS WELL AS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.”

The Australian Flexible Pavement Association’s 2023 International Flexible Pavements Conference will highlight the sector’s progress when it comes to sustainability.

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The Women in Industry Awards recognise outstanding women leaders from across Australia’s industrials sector.

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ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY ON THE GREAT NORTHERN

indoon is a small town located in Western Australia, about 84 kilometres north-east of Perth. It is situated in the fertile and resourcerich Chittering Valley, and is known for its close-knit community, natural beauty, and historical significance. Connecting this resource-rich region to the state’s capital, is the Great Northern Highway. It serves as a vital transportation artery, playing a crucial role in moving goods, people and services; all of which are essential for regional connectivity and economic growth. As a measure to improve freight productivity and safety, a new 64-kilometre link is being constructed to bypass Bindoon. The $275 million project is being jointly funded by the Federal ($220 million) and Western Australian governments ($55 million). The project showcases a commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and prioritises Aboriginal engagement. Construction of the new Bypass includes new bridge and causeway structures that traverse the Brockman River and its tributaries (including Udumung Brook) and Lennard Brook. Key requirements for their construction were to minimise impacts to existing water flow paths and regimes and to maintain the water quality of the waterways and wetlands that lie within or adjacent to the development envelope. CULVERT CAUSEWAYS TO MINIMISE FLOODING Using a series of precast concrete box culverts, causeway structures were designed to span minor watercourse crossings and wetlands, with an intent of maintaining water flows and ensuring that flooding is minimised. According to National Precast CEO Sarah Bachmann, highly durable and long-lasting precast box culverts offered an ideal solution. The culvert causeways would be integral to ensuring proper water drainage while maintaining the integrity and

Works on the Bindoon Bypass in Western Australia.

PROJECT: Bindoon Bypass, SLK 103.8-110.2, Great Northern Highway LOCATION: WA MASTER PRECASTER: MJB Industries Pty Ltd CLIENT: Main Roads Western Australia HEAD CONTRACTOR: Garli Pty Ltd 64 KILOMETRE BYPASS TO IMPROVE FREIGHT EFFICIENCY The construction of the Bindoon Bypass will increase freight productivity and efficiency, enabling triple road trains (53.5 metres trucks) to travel the entire length of the Great Northern corridor. Shorter travel times - through higher speeds - will result in cost savings by reducing the number of daily freight trips, while at the same time reducing the number of heavy vehicles that pass through the Bindoon Town Centre. The new Bypass consists of: • 62 kilometres of new highway west of Bindoon, connecting Chittering Roadhouse and New Norcia Bypass; • Two kilometres of improvements to the existing Great Northern Highway near Seven Mile Hill and connecting to the New Norcia Bypass; • Connection to Brand Highway; • Connections to the local road network through a mix of grade-separated and at-grade intersections; • Overtaking lanes every 5-10 kilometres; and • Four new rest stops for light vehicles and road trains.

roadsonline.com.au

Precast concrete elements are forming a central component of the Bindoon Bypass Project.

functionality of the road. This is particularly important in a region like Western Australia, where variable weather conditions – including heavy rainfall and occasional flooding – can impact the stability of the road and compromise the safety of travellers. Understanding the benefits of highly durable reinforced precast concrete, head contractor Garli Pty Ltd engaged National Precast Master Precaster MJB Industries to supply the Main Roads designed box and pipe culverts for the project. 240 no. 2100 wide x 1800 high box culverts were manufactured and supplied for the causeways, as well as 102 no. 1800 millimetre diameter pipes, for an installation configuration measuring 41 metre in length and six pipes wide. SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS Sustainability is at the forefront of any modern-day infrastructure development, and the Bindoon North project is no exception. As well as incorporating innovative stormwater management systems to protect local waterways and preserve the natural ecosystem, the project’s environmental practices include engaging 60

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offsite manufacturing benefits, using recycled materials and implementing erosion control measures. Measures are in place to protect and preserve significant environmental features, such as flora, fauna, and sensitive habitats. Additionally, the project adheres to strict environmental regulations, ensuring that noise and dust levels are kept to a minimum during construction. By

the final outcome aligns with the aspirations of the community. A major focus of the project has been Aboriginal engagement, with, to date, over 53 percent Aboriginal employment. With Aboriginal owned and operated business Garli completing the work so far together with LendLease, more than 90 percent of expenditure has been made by Aboriginal businesses.

“THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BINDOON BYPASS EXEMPLIFIES A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY AND ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY, WHILE FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.” prioritising environmental considerations, the project aims to strike a balance between development and ecological sustainability. Successful infrastructure projects also prioritise community engagement and consultation. Throughout the construction of the Bypass, stakeholders, including local residents, businesses, and indigenous communities, have been consulted to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed. This collaborative approach is fostering transparency, building trust, and ensuring that

The construction of the Bindoon Bypass exemplifies a commitment to improving safety and efficiency and enhancing connectivity, while fostering economic growth, environmental sensitivity and community engagement. As Western Australia continues to grow, initiatives like the Bypass contribute to a robust and efficient transportation network that supports economic prosperity while respecting the environment and benefiting the local community for many years to come.

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CONTRACTS & TENDERS

CONTRACTS IN BRIEF ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE CONTRACTS AND TENDERS RECENTLY AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR. VICTORIA Major contract awarded for SRL tunnelling The Victorian Government has announced the preferred bidder of the first major tunnelling contract for works on the Suburban Rail Loop East. Suburban Connect, a consortium including CPB Contractors, Ghella and Acciona Construction has been awarded the contract for works on a 16-kilometre section of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. SRL East will create up to 8000 direct jobs and deliver six new underground stations between Cheltenham and Box Hill – slashing travel times and congestion and connecting people to key employment, health and education destinations in Melbourne’s east and south east. Ten TBMs will be launched in 2026 and will be used to dig a total of 26 kilometres worth of tunnels, launching from Monash, Burwood and Heatherton, with a second contract to be awarded next year for the tunnelling between Glen Waverley and Box Hill. Early construction of SRL East is now underway in Box Hill, Burwood and Heatherton, with works starting soon in Monash and returning to Glen Waverley and Clayton later this year. A second contract will be awarded next year for the tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill. Contractors shortlisted for final Inland Rail works The Inland Rail has shortlisted construction companies for works on the final eight Inland Rail projects in Victoria. CPB Contractors, John Holland and McConnell Dowell have been shortlisted and will now develop their final design and construct tender submissions for the Inland Rail, Beveridge to Albury section for Tranche Two works at Benalla, Euroa, Broadford, Wandong, Seymour, and Tallarook. Connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Inland Rail is Australia’s largest

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freight rail infrastructure project and will aim to better connect businesses, manufacturers, and producers to national and global markets, and create new opportunities for Australian industries and regional communities. In Victoria, work will be undertaken at 12 sites to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely and ensure everyday products can be delivered faster and more reliably. The preferred contractor will be announced in mid-2024, with Tranche Two construction starting from 2025.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA UGL awarded more than $600M worth of contracts UGL has been awarded over $600 million worth of lithium and energy contracts for works in Western Australia. As part of these works, UGL will oversee the provision of construction services at a lithium hydroxide plant near Bunbury, Western Australia for Albemarle, which will generate revenue for UGL of over $300 million. This forms part of Albemarle’s plan to expand, by constructing two additional processing trains at its Kemerton plant, to increase production to up to 100,000 metric tonnes per annum of lithium hydroxide, supporting the manufacturing of an estimated 2.4 million electric vehicles annually. Four other contracts, valued at $300 million, include a variety of services for different project stakeholders. This includes the provision of electrical, instrumentation, mechanical and access services for aluminium producer Alcoa’s bauxite and alumina WA operations. The next contract will consist of the provision of brownfields implementation services for an energy provider through a joint venture contract which includes planning and execution of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, access, insulation, coatings and fire protection. UGL will also be responsible for front-

line and campaign maintenance, brownfield execution scopes and turnaround events at energy company Chevron Australiaoperated facilities. The fourth contract will include asset preservation services at an energy provider’s facilities, through IAS Group – UGL’s wholly owned specialist provider of asset life extension and critical repair solutions in the resources, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

QUEENSLAND Joint venture awarded $280M Rockhampton Ring Road package A joint-venture comprising BMD Constructions and Bielby has been awarded the Rockhampton Ring Road project which includes $280 million worth of upgrades. The BMD Bielby Joint Venture (BBJV) has been engaged to deliver the northern package, which includes constructing the ring road section between the Bruce Highway (Yaamba Road) and Monier Road embankment, and works on McLaughlin Street, Monier Road access and the Bruce Highway/Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road intersection. The $280 million package of upgrades across location-based packages in the north and south of the project footprint. The project will improve connectivity to priority facilities, services and precincts in Rockhampton by increasing the number of access points to the city. The existing Bruce Highway through Rockhampton is one of the remaining pinch points between Brisbane and Cairns, with 19 sets of traffic signals to navigate. Traffic volumes on the Bruce Highway in Central Queensland range from 2600 vehicles per day in rural sections to 35,000 vehicles per day in urban centres. An average of 2640 heavy vehicles travel through Rockhampton daily. Construction of the Rockhampton Ring Road is on track to start in late 2023.

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