Roads & Infrastructure November 2022 by Prime Creative Media

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA NOVEMBER 2022

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NOVEMBER 2022

A GREENER INDUSTRY

How the roads and infrastructure sectors are adopting new technology and best practice to minimise impacts on the environment

CIRCULARITY THROUGH COLLABORATION State Asphalts NSW is establishing meaningful partnerships as it looks to produce an alternative recycled material for road construction Official media partners of

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX Industry leaders on what more can be done to support sustainable project delivery and procurement

AUSTRALIA’S ONLY SPECIALIST ROAD MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL WORKS MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2022 CONTENTS

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT 46 In control Smith Plant Hire has grown its business around a fleet of reliable Komatsu machines, aided by the manufacturer’s next-level customer support.

ROAD SAFETY

16 Tackling road trauma The TAC Club Rewards Program is driving road safety awareness in Victoria through grassroots sporting club engagement.

ROADS REVIEW

18 Roads Review This month, we asked the industry decisionmakers, ‘How can the industry think outside the box on sustainability issues?’

SUSTAINABILITY

20 Beyond the bans A year has passed since Australia banned the export of whole-baled end-of-life tyres. Tyrecycle CEO Jim Fairweather explains what needs to come next. 23 Circularity through collaboration State Asphalts NSW, in partnership with Shoalhaven City Council, is developing an innovative solution for glass waste from its South Nowra asphalt plant. 26 A holistic approach Beca is creating and problem solving in the sustainability space, when it comes to project delivery. 28 Responsible renewables SAMI Bitumen Technologies is pushing the boundaries with sustainable asphalt production, as COLAS’ Trevor Distin tells Roads & Infrastructure.

31 Bitumen’s best friend How Sripath’s PGXpand modified polymer is supporting sustainable road construction. 34 Building a more sustainable future Viva Energy Australia and Shell Lubricant Solutions are helping businesses achieve operational excellence and reduce their environmental impact. 36 Towards a hydrogen revolution JCB’s Anthony Bamford explains how the company’s hydrogen technology is driving the construction and agriculture industries towards a zero-carbon future.

COMPANY PROFILE

39 A new era for a family legacy Matthews Brothers Engineering is ushering in a new era. Sally Rolfe, Sales and Operations, and newly appointed General Manager Richard Bailey explain.

49 Spreading safely and sustainably The Road Ant is providing a safe and robust option, as demand increases for forward moving aggregate spreaders for road construction across Victoria. 52 Upgrading confidence John Deere’s Matt Goedert talks to Roads & Infrastructure about the company’s flexible and adaptable motor grader automation technology. 54 The road to safety Offset compaction roller attachments ensure a safer jobsite, writes Lynn Marsh, Road Widener LLC President.

EVENTS

56 Australians ready to return CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE) are preparing to host exhibitors and attendees from right across the globe.

42 Making a splash NVC Precast is partnering with pool manufactures Plungie to release a range of quality precast pools.

57 The 2022 ISC Gala Awards The ISC has celebrated excellence in sustainability leadership and best practice across the Australia and New Zealand infrastructure sectors.

INDUSTRY FORECAST

NATIONAL PRECAST

44 Riding the rise DCWC’s Peter Gill describes how the roads and infrastructure sectors are faring amid escalating industry costs, how the impact on businesses can be reduced.

59 Inside the Merinda Park Station Roads & Infrastructure provides an insight into the Merinda Park Station project in Victoria.

AFPA SECTION

60 AfPA Member Profile Gary Georgiou, Georgiou Group CEO, shares some insights from his experience in the pavement industry.

CONTRACTS & TENDERS 62 A summary of the contracts awarded for major infrastructure projects across Australia and New Zealand. State Asphalts NSW incorporates recycled materials to produce high quality road construction materials.

REGULARS 5 Editor’s note 7 News 14 People on the Move roadsonline.com.au

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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 Tom O’Keane tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au JOURNALIST Leon Cranswick leon.cranswick@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 Glenn Delaney glenn.delaney@primecreative.com.au HEAD OFFICE Prime Creative Pty Ltd 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 Australia p: +61 3 9690 8766 f: +61 3 9682 0044 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.roadsonline.com.au 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.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THINK SUSTAINABLY? AS I DISCOVERED throughout this edition of Roads & Infrastructure magazine, sustainability is so much more than a buzzword for the construction and infrastructure sectors. Driven by the Federal Government’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, industry has been keen to play its role by incorporating environmentally friendly alternatives, such as low emission technology and recycled materials. As we learn in the November edition, companies employing sustainable techniques, material sourcing and manufacturing are benefitting from cheaper, efficient and socially responsible business practices. SAMI Bitumen Technologies, with COLAS Australia, is leading the charge for sustainable asphalt production. By utilising renewable sources, both companies are setting the standard for quality and sustainable production of road construction materials. COLAS Australia Technical and Marketing Manager, Trevor Distin, says the company has made a firm commitment to ensure future generations can benefit from sustainable procurement. State Asphalts NSW is also utilising recyclable and renewable materials, this time in the form of glass. Partnering with Shoalhaven City Council, State Asphalts NSW is assisting with the treatment of excess, problematic waste glass. State Asphalts NSW has further adapted its South Nowra asphalt production plant, enabling the facility to manufacture a recycled glass sand asphalt product. We also sit down with Quality Fabrication & Engineering (QF&E) to learn more about the Road Ant, one of Australia’s first forward moving dual aggregate spreaders. QF&E has introduced a host of updated features for the vehicle, including ‘smart spreading’, an automated system that aims to eliminate excess material spreading, therefore minimising waste on site. Skills and supply shortages also continue to affect the roads and infrastructure sectors, which is why DCWC (Donald Cant Watts Corke) is working hard to understand the global trend of ‘escalation’. As Peter Gill – Managing Director, Infrastructure at DCWC explains, escalation relates to the significant fluctuation in pricing for essential industry materials, such as fuel, bituminous products and steel. DCWC is partnering with construction industry financial forecasters Macromonitor to understand what can be done to minimise impacts for contractors, both large and small. Last but not least, we take another look at next year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG Expo, one of the largest construction trade shows on the planet. Happy reading!

Tom O’Keane Roads & Infrastructure Magazine roadsonline.com.au

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NEWS

WA’S $1.86 BILLION METRONET AIRPORT LINE NOW OPEN The $1.86 billion METRONET Airport Line in Western Australia is now officially open, with services now in operation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Mark McGowan and Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti rode the first train, which departed from the High Wycombe Station last month. The new Airport Line adds 8.5 kilometres to Perth’s rail network, and travels underneath the Swan River and Perth Airport, reaching around 27 metres below ground at its deepest point. It is the first new train line to be introduced into the network since the opening of the Mandurah Line in 2007. There’s expected to be about 20,000 daily trips along the new line in its first year, with trains stopping at all stations between High Wycombe and Claremont. Trains on the Airport Line will operate every 12 minutes in peak, every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. It’s the only train service in the country

The new Airport Line travels underneath the Swan River and Perth Airport. Image courtesy of METRONET.

that will transport commuters to and from the airport, at the regular passenger fare, which is capped at five dollars, as part of the State Government’s policy committed at the last election. The opening of the Airport Line has so far created 153 full-time equivalent jobs within Transperth train operations, including new

positions for 27 customer service staff, 65 transit officers and 48 railcar drivers. During construction, the project created 2000 jobs. The $1.86 billion project was jointly funded $490 million by the Federal Government and $1.37 billion by the State Government.

MELTON TO BE LEVEL CROSSING-FREE BY 2028 The Victorian Government will remove four more level crossings to reduce congestion and pave the way for more train services in Melbourne’s outer west. Works will start next year to remove level crossings at Coburns road, Exford Road, and Ferris Road in Melton, as well as Hopkins road in Truganina, with the projects set for completion by 2028. Ferris Road, Melton. Image courtesy of Victoria’s Big Build.

The removals will make Melton level crossing-free, and reduce congestion on roads for more than 73,000 vehicles per day. Boom gates at these locations are currently down for up to 28 minutes of the morning peak while 16 trains pass through. A new modern and accessible station planned for Melton will also pave the way for future improvements to the line and

increased train capacity along the rail corridor. The Coburns Road removal is expected to reduce travel times and improve traffic between Melton and the Western Freeway, while removing the Exford Road crossing is expected to ease congestion around the town’s main street. Ferris Road is a major arterial through the new suburb of Cobblebank – removing its level crossing will help commuters get to and from Cobblebank Station and the Western Freeway. Removing the level crossing at Hopkins Road, Truganina will ease congestion for the community and improve access for trucks travelling around the growing industrial centre. Early assessments indicate the level crossings at Exford Road and Coburns Road will be removed by a rail trench, while Hopkins Road and Ferris Roads will be removed by elevating the road over the train tracks. Final designs will be released after extensive consultation with the community and detailed site investigations. roadsonline.com.au

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NEWS

QLD ANNOUNCES WORLD’S BIGGEST PUMPED HYDRO SCHEME The Queensland Government has announced the world’s biggest pumped hydro scheme as part of its $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. The plan includes delivering a new dam and pumped hydro facility in the Pioneer Valley near Mackay by 2035 that would supply half of the state’s entire energy needs with renewable energy. A second pumped hydro facility at Borumba Dam is also set for delivery by 2030. Also included are two new renewable energy targets for Queensland: 70 per cent energy supply from renewables by 2023, and 80 per cent by 2035. Queensland’s publicly owned coalfired power stations will stop reliance on burning coal by 2035, and transition to clean energy hubs such as hydrogen power facilities. The plan also outlines the building of the new Queensland SuperGrid, connecting solar, wind, battery and

hydrogen generators across the state. This includes 11.5 gigawatts of rooftop solar, six gigawatts of embedded batteries, as well as Queensland’s first hydrogen-ready gas turbine. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the plan would set Queensland up for the next century by turbo-charging investment

in new minerals, batteries, and manufacturing, and providing cheaper, cleaner and secure energy. According to Deputy Premier Steven Miles, the two new pumped hydro facilities will be bigger than the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric scheme.

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan outlines designs for the new SuperGrid. Image courtesy of the Queensland Government.

BRISBANE RIVER UNDERGROUND TRACKS NOW IN PLACE FOR CRR The Gabba and Brisbane CBD are now connected by underground train tracks in both directions beneath the Brisbane River for the first time in history, following works on the Cross River Rail project. Cross River Rail is a new 10.2 kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, which includes 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD. In total, the project will deliver four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street, two upgraded stations at Dutton Park and Exhibition, six upgraded Stations from Salisbury to Fairfield on Brisbane’s Southside and the development of three new Gold Coast Stations.

Cross River Rail will feature 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and the CBD. Image courtesy of the Queensland Government.

The future Albert Street and Woolloongabba stations are now connected in both ways by more than three kilometres of train tracks. Crews laid about 385 tonnes of rail between the two future stations, setting about 9400 blocks in roughly 2800 cubic metres of concrete. All up, about 25

kilometres of rail will be installed in Cross River Rail’s tunnels. Works have started on the mechanical and electrical components in the completed section, while tracks were being laid throughout the rest of the tunnels, with works expected to continue throughout next year. roadsonline.com.au

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NEWS

NEW STATIONS FOR MELBOURNE’S WEST The Victorian Government will deliver two new train stations to Melbourne’s growing western suburbs, as well as upgrades for a third.

A more than $200 million package of works will include a brand-new station at Tarneit West, a full overhaul of the existing Albion station, and planning works for a

The proposed Albion flyover. Image courtesy of Victoria’s Big Build.

new Truganina Station. To be located on Davis Road, the new Tarneit West station will include a pedestrian crossing, a four-bay bus interchange and a parking lot for up to 400 commuters. In conjunction with the planning for the new Truganina station, it will help to better connect the growing area to the CBD. A rebuilt Albion Station will deliver modern and accessible facilities to a growing precinct. The rebuild will be delivered as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project, which will prepare the Sunbury Line for the extra trains that will run once the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025. The project will also include an 18-metrehigh elevated rail flyover to be built between Sunshine and the Albion rail junction. The new stations will build on the Victorian Government’s investment in transport upgrades in Melbourne’s west and northwest, with more than $27 billion in road and rail infrastructure through Victoria’s Big Build.

LARGEST CONCRETE POUR NOW COMPLETE ON THE WATERLOO STATION PROJECT The biggest concrete pour has taken place at the Waterloo Station project site, with the works forming part of the Sydney Metro project. Sydney Metro, together with signalling and infrastructure upgrades across the existing network, will increase the capacity of train services across Sydney from about 120 an hour today, to up to 200 services an hour beyond 2024. By 2030, Sydney will have a network of four metro lines, 46 stations and 113 kilometres of new metro rail. Works from Chatswood to Sydenham will deliver new stations at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street and Waterloo, along with new underground platforms at Central Station. Completing trackwork on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest lines brings customers closer to metro services running below Sydney Harbour and under the Sydney CBD for the first time. The new Waterloo Station will take pressure

Artist’s impression of the new Waterloo Station. Image courtesy of the New South Wales Government.

off Redfern and Green Square stations, and provide a new fast, safe and reliable metro rail link to key employment areas in the Sydney central business district, North Sydney and Barangaroo. A total of 2650 tonnes of concrete was poured over a 13-hour period to form the concrete slab at the Waterloo Station project site.

Packed with 200 tonnes of steel reinforcement, the concrete slab will help support the weight of a nine-storey building that will rise above the southern end of the future station. John Holland and Mirvac will begin construction on the over-station development next year. Passenger services are expected to start in 2024. roadsonline.com.au

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NEWS

NEW DESIGNS RELEASED FOR FRANKSTON LINE LEVEL CROSSINGS The removal of the two-level crossings in Melbourne’s south-east is a step close following the release of refined designs for a new elevated rail bridge in Parkdale, which will provide new open spaces and access to a new station. Two dangerous and congested level crossings will be removed at Warrigal Road, Mentone and Parkers Road, Parkdale. Each day 20,000 drivers pass through these crossings, with the boom gates down for more than a third of the morning peak on average. Removing this crossing will improve safety, reduce congestion, and allow more trains to run, more often.

Artist’s impression of the new Parkdale elevated rail bridge. Image courtesy of the Victorian Government.

A new station will be built at Parkdale as part of the level crossing removal. When the new station opens, passengers will benefit from accessible station facilities – featuring stairs and lifts to station platforms, a new office for Protective Services Officers, more lighting at night and better CCTV. Community feedback shaped the latest designs, which feature new open spaces,

walking and cycling paths, and recreation areas including a basketball half court, open-air gym, and nature-based play areas. The Victorian Government is removing 20 dangerous level crossings and building 13 new stations as part of upgrades on the Frankston Line. Major construction will begin next year, with the level crossing on track to be removed in 2025.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE HELPS YOU KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR. MCCONNELL DOWELL APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR Infrastructure construction company McConnell Dowell has appointed Hee Wee Tan to the position of Managing Director South East Asia. Tan’s experience in infrastructure and construction spans the public and private sectors in both operations and pre-contracts roles. He has held senior leadership roles at John Holland Group, Gammon Construction Ltd, and SoilBuild Construction Group, as well as establishing his own professional consultancy business. Tan completed his tertiary education in Melbourne and spent the early stages of his career as a Research Fellow for the Victorian Department of Transport. He holds post-graduate qualifications from the Imperial College in London, is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, and has been an active member of the Singaporean branch in his current role as Deputy President. Image courtesy of McConnell Dowell

ROADS AUSTRALIA PRESIDENT TO STEP DOWN Roads Australia (RA) President Michael Bushby has advised the board that he will not seek a further term in his role, ending his three year long tenure. Bushby took on the role in late 2019, overseeing the organisation’s adaption throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure Bushby also contributed to the growth of RA’s Fellowship and Emerging Leaders programs, an evolution of RA’s policy engagement, elevating RA’s profile through key publications and activities and a greater focus on delivering events programs. Bushby said RA is now well-placed to lead the industry as it continues to evolve. Bushby added that further reflections will be made at RA’s upcoming annual general meeting on 25 November, as well the upcoming 2022 RA Annual Report. Image courtesy of Roads Australia

NEW APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED FOR ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA Suzanne Burow FIEAust CPEng NER has been appointed as the new Engineers Australia representative and Deputy Chair of the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (BPEQ). Burow is a civil engineer with experience as a water resources practitioner in various sectors across the industry. She has also been a volunteer with Engineers Australia and an advocate for the profession for more than 20 years. Burow joined BPEQ in 2019 as the elected representative. Stacey Rawlings, Engineers Australia General Manager for QLD recognised Evelyn Storey for the six years she served as the previous Engineers Australia representative on the board. Burow said she enjoyed opportunities to contribute to engineering, a reason she had been an active member of Engineers Australia. Other Engineers Australia members included in the announcement are Dr Emma Eriksson FIEAust CPEng NER who is one of the new appointees (elected RPEQ representative), Dr Maureen Hassall FIEAust CPEng who has been re-appointed as academic representative, and Chris Edwards CompIEAust who has been re-appointed community representative. They will join Burow, as well as Chair Andrew Seccombe, and board members Loren Hickey and Suzy Cairney. Image courtesy of The Board of Professional Engineers Queensland

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

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TACKLING

ROAD TRAUMA

THE TAC CLUB REWARDS PROGRAM IS DRIVING ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS IN VICTORIA THROUGH GRASSROOTS SPORTING CLUB ENGAGEMENT.

Players, coaches, and the community donned blue arm bands during July’s TAC Road Safety Round.

s of 6 October, 195 Victorians have lost their lives to road trauma in 2022 – 15 per cent up on the 2021 year-to-date figure, and well above the five-year average of 175. Digging deeper into this data reveals that 108 of those have been in regional areas – a 35 per cent increase from last year. Also of concern is the increase in young lives lost, with the 18-25 age group jumping from 26 this time last year to 35. It’s figures such as these that make initiatives such as the TAC Club Rewards Program – now in its third year – all the more important. COMMUNITY IMPACT The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has been a major partner to AFL Victoria for more than 30 years, making it one of the longest-running relationships in Australian sport. Leveraging this partnership to engage football and netball clubs at a grassroots level is one way the TAC is bolstering 16

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

road trauma and safety awareness throughout communities across the state. “The influence Victorian sporting clubs have within their communities is far reaching, and the impact they can have in promoting road safety is invaluable – especially when it comes to their younger players and members,” says Ben Carroll, Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Hoping to build on this community influence, The TAC Club Rewards Program rewards AFL Victoria-affiliated clubs that demonstrate their commitment to stamping out road trauma through player, member, and community education. This year, 151 Victorian football and netball clubs were recognised for their efforts throughout the 2022 season, sharing in a funding pool of more than half a million dollars. Successful clubs will put this funding towards new equipment and uniforms, facility upgrades, as well as education

programs for mental health and road safety. “The commitment shown by Victorian football and netball clubs to promote road safety will have a lasting impact on the community, and could be the reason their players and members get home safe at the end of the day,” Minister Carroll says. Some of these clubs’ initiatives have included nominating road safety ambassadors within clubs, promoting road safety messaging through local and social media channels, TAC-themed grass signage on local grounds, and running road safety awareness nights. For TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield, it’s important to see key road safety messages continue to be embedded into the community through grassroots participation. “We are proud of the long-standing partnership between the TAC and AFL Victoria, through which we have been able to reach hundreds of thousands of Victorians through their local

ROAD SAFETY

The 2022 TAC Club Rewards program launch in Shepparton.

communities,” she says. “The most pleasing element of the partnership is seeing so many Victorian football and netball clubs prioritising road safety, and we hope to see this level of commitment continue to grow in coming years.” SOMETHING BLUE Participating clubs were encouraged to demonstrate their support for the cause across the year, but this messaging was further amplified during July’s TAC Road Safety Round. Hundreds of players, coaches, and

The TAC has partnered with AFL Victoria for more than 30 years.

“THE MOST PLEASING ELEMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP IS SEEING SO MANY VICTORIAN FOOTBALL AND NETBALL CLUBS PRIORITISING ROAD SAFETY, AND WE HOPE TO SEE THIS LEVEL OF COMMITMENT CONTINUE TO GROW IN COMING YEARS.” supporters from across the state donned blue armbands to “band together” and present a unified commitment to road safety, as well as to honour those who have lost their lives on Victorian roads. The armbands feature a QR code linking to an online hub which presents the stories of ambassadors from across the state, and their experiences with road trauma. During this round, the wider community was also invited to add their own stories to the conversation by posting on social media along with the ‘#tacbandtogether’ hash tag. FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION The end game for campaigns such as these is a culture of road safety where death or serious injury are no longer regarded as inevitable. Building knowledge and awareness to encourage young Victorians to make better decisions is critical, but it doesn’t stop there.

According to the TAC, drug driving now exceeds drink driving as a major cause of deaths on Victorian roads. This has necessitated an increase in the number of roadside drug tests each year – something the Victorian Government continues to invest in. Other priority investments include protective road infrastructure such as road-edge barriers, lane departure audible warning systems, and red-light cameras at intersections; as well as encouraging technological innovation such as vehicle automation and intelligent transport systems to warn road users about imminent dangers from roadworks or slippery road surfaces. These investments, along with education initiatives such as the TAC Club Rewards Program, form part of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which outlines a vision of halving deaths from road trauma by 2023, and eliminating them entirely by 2050. roadsonline.com.au

ROADS REVIEW

THIS MONTH, WE ASKED THE INDUSTRY DECISION-MAKERS, ‘HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX ON SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES?’ NATIONAL PRECAST CEO SARAH BACHMANN As the concrete industry is making ground with solutions to lower its environmental footprint, everything from selfhealing concrete to use of waste in concrete mixes are gaining momentum. It’s now time for designers to consider the whole of life benefits from precast structures with their high thermal mass (and ability to minimise heating and cooling costs in buildings), durability, long life, minimal maintenance, termite, fire and flood resistance. It’s time for both designers and builders to wholeheartedly embrace offsite construction methods for the quality, safety, economic, speed of construction and minimal waste benefits they deliver.

DIRECTOR, JACQUELINE BALSTON & ASSOCIATES, DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY, IPWEA AUSTRALASIA DR. JACQUELINE BALSTON Since 1850, humans have emitted 2.4 trillion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, causing millennial scale changes to the climate and oceans. Action to cut emissions towards zero is now critical and urgent. Emissions relevant to roads come from concrete, steel and transport - so the expansion of road systems and use by fossil fuel vehicles cannot continue. Knowing that widening roads causes “induced demand” and makes traffic congestion worse further strengthens the argument. Instead, let’s use existing roads and freeways as mixed transport corridors with light rail, bus ways, bicycle paths and extensive park and ride areas for electric cars.

ARRB CEO MICHAEL CALTABIANO It’s time! Industry has the skills and capability to deliver real and sustainable change to the way in which our next generation infrastructure is designed, built, maintained and rehabilitated. The “new thinking” required to make this happen is to think “partnership”. Governments across Australia are ready to engage with industry when industry can present NTRO (National Transport Research Organisation) Certified products and processes that make a step change on the journey to sustainability. At ARRB, the home of the NTRO, we have the capability and skills to deliver this certification for industry to get new and innovative products to market and deliver the partnership pathway with government.

ECOLOGIQ DIRECTOR TONY ALOISIO We need to rethink the terminology we use as a starting point to influence a shift in mindset. The challenge is for the industry to view used materials as a valuable resource and an opportunity rather than waste. Our progression to infinitely reusing and repurposing materials exemplifies the circular economy and will help guarantee future resources long-term. If we can better extract the value of reused materials, we can reduce our reliance on natural resources and the unsustainable creation of waste. We can achieve incredible sustainability and circular economy outcomes by incorporating reused materials into new construction and maintenance programs.

COATES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MANAGER ROBYN SIMPSON Coates is an infrastructure project partner helping customers achieve innovative and more sustainable outcomes by participating in the circular economy. Maximising product utilisation to reduce wastage and negative impacts, while saving resources through repair, reuse and recyclability. Our equipment hire and solutions model is built on the circular economy concept. Leveraging equipment and solutions that reduce emissions, improve efficiencies and consider ‘embodied carbon’. Our Coates Greener Choices range can help customers achieve reduction targets. Partnering for positive change with shared values. Coates sustainability journey contributes to a sustainable economy that keeps products and materials in use, designs out waste and pollution, and helps regenerate the natural environment - ensuring Coates and our customers achieve their sustainability goals.

MCCONNELL DOWELL SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER REBECCA HENDY Sustainability is more than environmental management and the responsibility lies with more than just the sustainability specialist. With this in mind, engaging with the wider team by communicating the value of the sustainability, particularly social benefits, can help create personal connections and increase desire for adopting change across the business. Creating a safe space to consider environmental and social impacts as part of every decision, for today and the next generation, at work and at home; and making this easy for people by sharing examples and allowing collaboration and fostering a values based culture committed to continual improvement.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2022, please get in touch with Editor, Tom O’Keane: tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au 18

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

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BEYOND THE BANS A YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE AUSTRALIA BANNED THE EXPORT OF WHOLE-BALED END-OF-LIFE TYRES. TYRECYCLE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JIM FAIRWEATHER EXPLAINS WHAT NEEDS TO COME NEXT.

s 2021 came to a close, the death knell sounded for the export of numerous waste streams from Australian shores. Among the casualties of last December’s COAG (Council of Australian Governments) waste bans was the export of whole-baled end-of-life tyres. This meant companies such as Tyrecycle could focus its attention and resources on increasing its local recycling capacity and helping strengthen the domestic market for tyre-derived products such as tyre-derived fuel (TDF) and crumb rubber. For Tyrecycle Chief Executive Officer Jim Fairweather, the COAG bans were a crucial step in the right direction, but there are many more steps still to take. “The bans were important, it’s crucial to get that out at the start,” he says. “To ensure companies are appropriately capitalised, and able to generate returns that will encourage investment in infrastructure, then we must have a level playing field. “And we were playing on an inequitable one. We had companies like ours doing the right thing, then we had rogue companies operating on a completely different cost structure.” Fairweather says this meant investment into common capacity and capability within Australia was being undermined,

slowing the uptake of crumb rubber use in road construction. “So, a year on, it was good that the Federal Government acted quickly, and it was good that it supported its legislation with funding to make sure that we were improving domestic recycling outcomes in Australia,” Fairweather says. Despite this, he foresees some teething problems for the industry. Federal Government grants will likely encourage some players to pivot from comparatively simple baling operations to the much more involved and complex process of producing crumb rubber. Fairweather says one danger of less experienced companies in this space is the risk of them introducing lower quality products into the market. “For asphalt companies that are just starting to dabble with crumb rubber, they might have a bad experience with a contaminated product that could turn them off the process altogether,” he says. A CALL FOR ENFORCEMENT Teething pains aside, there is still cause for concern at the root of the problem. “One element that’s holding us back is that there are still rogue actors operating outside Fairweather says specifications must be developed for passenger tyre-derived crumb rubber.

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

Jim Fairweather, Chief Executive Officer, Tyrecycle.

of the new legal boundaries,” Fairweather says. “They’re still baling tyres, they’re still sending them overseas, they’re just sending them under different export codes.” According to Fairweather, given Tyrecycle’s market share, by now the company should have seen a volume increase of around 20 per cent since the export bans were introduced. “We really haven’t seen any volume increase at all,” he says. “So, the question must be asked – where has that volume gone? Tyrecycle processes the highest volume of tyres per year in Australia – so if we haven’t seen any volume increase from the bans, then something’s not right. “The bans were a great idea, but now we really need to enforce them. That means state governments cracking down on stockpiling, and the Federal Government taking action at a customs level.” Fairweather says this is critical to ensuring the necessary growth in the domestic market and the processing capacity to support it. “Tyrecycle is in the midst of our biggest ever capital expansion program, with the view to cater for the volume we’d been expecting from these bans, and to make sure we can process it for use domestically in roads,” he says. “If that gets undermined and we can’t make money doing it, we’d have no choice but to turn those parts of our plants off. By Fairweather’s estimates, the cost to process tyres into crumb rubber is roughly 10 times the cost to bale them. “If baling remains as an option, regardless

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

According to Fairweather, rogue actors continue to undermine legitimate tyre recycling operations such as Tyrecycle’s.

of the difference in return at the other end, it just drags the whole cost model of the industry down to a smaller base,” he says. GETTING SPECIFIC Traditionally, crumb rubber for use in asphalt has been derived predominantly from truck tyres, largely due to the additional challenges posed by passenger car and off-the-road (OTR) tyres. OTR tyres – such as those used in mining – are much larger, requiring specialty equipment to process, and passenger car tyres present issues due to their synthetic rubber and nylon components. The Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) and transport agency collective Austroads have been working to explore the sourcing of crumb-rubber from these nontruck tyres, and Fairweather says this will be key to unlocking the potential of the recycled tyre market. “Most of the current specifications are only for crumb rubber derived from truck tyres,” Fairweather says. “And there’s only so many truck tyres in Australia. If we want to take the crumb rubber market from 45,000 tonnes to 200,000 tonnes, we’re going to have to put specifications in place that allow us to look beyond truck tyres.” Tyrecycle is set to open Australia’s first purpose-built plant for the processing of OTR tyres in the near future, unlocking a crucial crumb rubber stream in the process. “We’re in the final stages of signing off

on some land in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, and we’ve already ordered the plant,” Fairweather says. “This will ultimately enable us to take a three-tonne tyre and turn it into 0.7-millimetre grains of rubber crumb.” PROCURING DEMAND Of course, solving feedstock issues won’t mean much if the market for tyre-derived products isn’t growing – a challenge Fairweather says anybody in the recycled materials game will sympathise with.

any funding for the private sector and link it to green outcomes. If that happens, then we’ve got it won. It would change the whole dynamic of it.” THE WAY FORWARD Of these many obstacles still standing between Australia and the full potential of recycled tyres – particularly crumb rubber – Fairweather is confident they can be overcome quickly. “Overall, the market is in good shape

“IN AUSTRALIA, THE VOLUME OF CRUMB RUBBER THAT ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ALONE COULD ABSORB FAR OUTWEIGHS ANY OTHER USE WE COULD FIND FOR A TYRE-DERIVED PRODUCT.” “In Australia, the volume of crumb rubber that road infrastructure alone could absorb far outweighs any other use we could find for a tyre-derived product,” he says. “And the literature out there on its benefits is extensive: reduced cracking and rutting, improved UV resistance, better braking distances, quieter roads – the list goes on. “So, for companies to refuse to use it – for whatever reason – that’s really frustrating.” One big roadblock Fairweather sees in this area is the intimidating size and complexity of procurement policies. “They’re so intricate – and I get that there are reasons for that,” he says. “I think the best and most simple way to overcome this is for government to take

right now,” he says. “I think one big benefit coming from the export bans is that it’s boosted interest. People’s awareness levels, their consciousness of the issues – that’s all been triggered and made more prevalent by these bans. “The Federal Government has also shown us that we can act quickly on this. For the industry to say they don’t want to rush to change how they’re doing things, or they just need to do more testing – I can’t subscribe to that theory anymore. “Something COVID-19 has shown us is that when we really have to do something, we just get it done. And we need to be using more crumb rubber in asphalt – it’s as simple as that.” roadsonline.com.au

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

CIRCULARITY

THROUGH COLLABORATION STATE ASPHALTS NSW, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHOALHAVEN CITY COUNCIL, IS DEVELOPING AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR GLASS WASTE FROM ITS SOUTH NOWRA ASPHALT PLANT.

ccording to the Waste Account and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia generates about 76 million tonnes of waste annually, with about 27 per cent going to landfill. With sustainability a growing aspect of project delivery, many organisations across the infrastructure and construction sectors aspire to minimise their impact on the environment. As such, the use of recycled materials continues to grow across the industry. Australian households alone create more than 12 million tonnes of waste each year, providing opportunities to transform kerbside waste into viable alternatives to conventional materials, such as those sourced from quarries. For some time, State Asphalts NSW has maintained a foothold in developing sustainable materials for use in asphalt production. As an asphalt-based product manufacturer, the Kypreos Group subsidiary has promoted the use of recycled materials such as plastics and tyres within its products. James Ng, State Asphalts NSW Project Manager, says the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability has helped to pave the way for emerging markets. “We’ve been trying to build technology and markets for material destined for landfill for some time now,” Ng says. “This sustainability focus closely aligns with the National waste strategy.” Using its 45 years’ experience in the industry, State Asphalts NSW has supplied asphalt-based products for some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the Sydney Airport, Great Western Highway and the M1 Highway. The company prides itself on being at the forefront of sustainable material use and inclusion, which is why in early 2020,

State Asphalts NSW incorporates recycled materials to produce high-quality road construction materials.

“COUNCIL SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON REJECTED GLASS WASTE, WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEMATIC WASTE STREAM FOR YEARS.” the company answered Shoalhaven City Council’s call for help. THE BEGINNING OF A FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP Shoalhaven, on the South Coast of New South Wales, has long been a tourist destination. According to Peter Windley, Co-ordinator Waste Operations at Shoalhaven City Council, the town’s population grows from 100,000 to about 400,000 people in the summer. As a result, Shoalhaven City Council has developed a network of waste treatment operations to cater for the seasonal influx. The Council owns and runs 10

recycling waste facilities, accepting more than 130,000 tonnes of Construction & Demolition waste (C&D), as well as Commercial & Industrial waste (C&I). Despite the Council’s rigorous waste treatment network, waste glass has remained an issue. “Council saw an opportunity to focus on rejected glass waste, which has been a problematic waste stream for years,” Windley says. “So, in January 2020 we commenced the design and construction of a glass processing plant at our recycling and waste facility in West Nowra.” State Asphalts NSW had already begun developing asphalt mix designs using roadsonline.com.au

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

State Asphalts NSW’s South Nowra site has a maximum production rate of 120 tonnes per hour.

“IT REALLY IS A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP. BOTH US AND COUNCIL ARE IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN. THEY’RE CONSTANTLY PUTTING WORLDCLASS TECHNOLOGY INTO THEIR MATERIAL RECYCLING FACILITY.”

Maintenance Manager, Nick Apergis, explaining to Engineering Cadet, Lina Hamdard, how the pneumatically actuated discharge door works for the recycled additive line.

recycled glass sand. In 2021, with support from Council, State Asphalts NSW was awarded a grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority Civil Construction Market Program for its South Nowra asphalt project. The project set out to further adapt State Asphalts NSW’s existing South Nowra facility to use glass sand asphalt products. The South Nowra site houses a fixed asphalt batch plant, with a maximum production rate of 120 tonnes per hour, with a storage capacity of 100 tonnes for hot mix asphalt and 100 tonnes for binder storage. 24

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The plant also incorporates up to 50 per cent Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP). State Asphalts NSW was one of the first to be contacted by Shoalhaven City Council when it was searching for local contractors and producers to provide feedback for its recycled crushed glass product. “We spoke to State Asphalts NSW during the implementation stage,” Windley says. “They jumped on board quickly. It’s refreshing to find like-minded people who are also committed to finding solutions for waste products.” State Asphalts NSW and Shoalhaven City Council worked together to design a suitable asphalt mix, which could incorporate the recycled crushed glass, as a suitable alternative to conventional asphalt mixing. John Kypreos, State Asphalts NSW Director, says the company and Shoalhaven City Council continue to work together to develop new asphalt products, incorporating their recycled glass sand. “There was a large stockpile of glass down at Shoalhaven that the council had inherited,” Kypreos says. “It really is a long-term partnership. Both us and Council are in it for the long run. They’re constantly putting world-class technology into their Material Recycling Facility.” Thanks to Shoalhaven City Council, State

Asphalts NSW now has a high quality source of recycled crushed glass sand. “It’s been really wonderful to partner with them,” Kypreos says. “When the Council invests, we can also invest to further expand these solutions. You can’t build a product without having a secure supply chain in place.” Production is now in full swing with State Asphalts NSW including the recycled crushed glass in wearing and lower course asphalt mixes. Kypreos adds that initial trials and high market demand for the sustainable mixes has been “extremely pleasing”. “We’re constantly looking to update and adapt the process to ensure we’re using as much glass as we can from the Council,” he says. “We’re currently producing considerable volumes and supplying major contractors throughout the region.” James Ng says the prospect of working with Shoalhaven City Council in the future is “very exciting”. “As we move forward, we’ll be developing more products and working in conjunction with the Council to produce alternative construction materials that satisfy state and nationwide sustainable infrastructure targets,” Ng says.

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Beca will reduce its total carbon emissions by 32 per cent by 2030.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CIRCULAR DESIGN AND

PROJECT DELIVERY INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTANTS BECA RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INTEGRATED APPROACH WHERE WHOLE OF LIFE CONSIDERATIONS, MATERIALS CHOICE AND SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ITS PROJECT LEGACY. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SITS DOWN WITH BUSINESS DIRECTOR FOR ADVISORY, LEO HAMMETT, TO LEARN HOW SUSTAINABILITY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY THINKING CAN TRANSFORM OUR APPROACH TO INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT MORE SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES.

lobally, infrastructure is responsible for 79 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, as well as 88 per cent of related adaption costs (Infrastructure for climate action report). As such, companies across the roads and infrastructure sectors have made commitments to develop operational changes to their planning, delivery and management to lessen their environmental impact. This commitment has already been reflected in Beca’s pledge to reduce its total company-wide carbon emissions by 32 per cent, by 2030. Now more than ever, the company is committed to partnering with its clients and people to light the way for a more sustainable future. Beca Business Director for Advisory in Queensland, Leo Hammett, is overseeing the life cycle of client projects from inception through to delivery. He says

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Beca takes a proactive approach in supporting sustainable urban growth and climate adaptation. “I think what differentiates us is that we bring our values of care, partnership, tenacity and enjoyment to every project. It’s not what we do. It’s how we do it,” Hammett says. “It’s not a matter of us sitting passively and waiting for other people to innovate and bring us the ideas. Our obligation to our clients and the industries in which we participate, is to bring our own innovation”. Whether it be sustainable design and construction, environmental management, or social impact assessments, Beca’s services in the sustainability space are comprehensive, and in Hammett’s words, can be tailored to bespoke project needs. SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE One project that presented unique

challenges was the recent flood recovery in Queensland. During the 2022 eastern Australian floods, more than 500,000 people were affected, equating to an estimated social Beca is assisting with the development of sustainable infrastructure in flood affected areas in Queensland.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

cost of $4.5 billion, according to an independent Deloitte Report. Hammett is assisting with the flood recovery effort, helping to ensure that infrastructure, once rebuilt, can satisfy a sustainability and flood resilience criterion. “We’re working with local governments in the post flood response on how we can assist them to make the reconstruction effort a lot more sustainable, flood resilient, and compliant to the requirements under the Queensland Reconstruction Authority,” he says. “Local governments were very responsive to the flood circumstance that presented during the February floods, including the mitigation of disruption to local communities. We want to play our part and deliver meaningful solutions and support the community to make infrastructure more sustainable, including their road infrastructure and other assets such as precincts, parks, gardens, and other activated spaces and places of interest for the community.” He says that after the immediate response and clean-up, the priority quickly transitions to delivering sustainable infrastructure that will benefit the community for generations to come. He adds that in a post flood environment, the primary effort is not only to re-activate valued community assets and spaces but to underwrite sustainability through resilience. Resilient planning, resilient design and resilient materials’ usage.

Beca’s FranklyAI tool is helping to boost community participation in infrastructure planning and decision making.

As part of Beca’s commitment to sustainability in infrastructure, it is presently collaborating with Boral in design innovation. This includes the measurement and optimisation of decarbonised concrete products, without compromise to durability and cost elements. Hammett says it is critical to consider circular economy thinking during procurement and subsequent project stages. Prioritising local suppliers and supporting the use of low carbon and recycled products forms part of Beca’s project delivery, which focuses on achieving a net-zero outcome for clients. “It’s our job to support our clients through the journey of realising the community’s sustainability potential and other benefits that can be achieved,” he says. ON THE HORIZON Hammett says more work can be done to support what he calls “a more holistic approach” “Sustainability goes way beyond compliance to a mandated carbon emissions measure and includes the right commercial frameworks, treatments of risk, access to capital, ownership, insurance and more. These aspects are critical to a successful project outcome where sustainability is the benchmark,” Hammett says. Another key part of sustainability is community participation at the earliest consultative opportunity. To support community participation, the company is developing an Artificial Intelligence

(AI) powered conversational chatbot, called FranklyAI. “It provides an opportunity for a greater level of participation and understanding, as well as an everincreasing level of inclusiveness,” he says. Beca is assisting with sustainable consultation nationwide, as the company continues its mission to contribute to a low carbon future for the infrastructure sector. Hammett believes sustainability is playing a key role in the development of major infrastructure projects in Brisbane, as the city ramps up its preparation for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He says the Games have a chance to be a “game changer” for the infrastructure and roads sector and to set a blueprint for the future. “Australia has an opportunity with the Olympics to bring it all together in a very comprehensive and holistic way, to support a carbon positive Olympic and Paralympic Games and nature positive outcomes through a circular approach to design, build and implementation.” Hammett sees the preparation for the Games as symbolic of how the industry and our broader society are leaving a genuine and positive legacy for future generations. “The lead up to 2032 is a crucial time in history, when organisations will be measured against their 2030 sustainability goals. At Beca we don’t have all the answers, but we aim to work in collaboration and partnership with clients and partners to help create the future we all hope to see,” he says. roadsonline.com.au

SAMI Bitumen Technologies is advocating for sustainable asphalt production.

RESPONSIBLE

RENEWABLES

SAMI BITUMEN TECHNOLOGIES IS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABLE ASPHALT PRODUCTION, AS COLAS AUSTRALIA TECHNICAL AND MARKETING MANAGER TREVOR DISTIN TELLS ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE.

COLAS Australia Technical and Marketing Manager Trevor Distin.

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s an essential material for road construction, asphalt has been widely used across Australia for decades. Conventionally manufactured from non-renewable materials, the production and transport of asphalt have long been significant contributors of carbon emissions. With society pushing for a zero-carbon future, many asphalt producers across the roads and infrastructure sectors now are asking, ‘how can I be more sustainable?’. As COLAS Australia Technical and Marketing Manager Trevor Distin explains,

SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ experience in developing innovative road surfacing products is leading to “ground-breaking” developments in asphalt production. “Asphalt is one of the most popular materials used across Australia’s urban environments, which is why sustainable asphalt production has become a focus area for SAMI,” Distin says. “The development of sustainable asphalt production has been driven by society’s overarching desire to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.” SAMI Bitumen Technologies are the

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

only company who import bitumen and manufacture hard bitumen, polymer modified binders and emulsions binders in Australia. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ approach to developing sustainable asphalt is centred on tackling demand for non-renewable materials, reducing energy to heat aggregates and improving the durability of asphalt. Significant energy is required to heat the binder and dry aggregates during asphalt production. This process, and the transportation of materials, all contribute to the creation of a lasting carbon footprint. SAMI helps producers lower the temperatures for mixing asphalt by supplying binders which have been modified with special warm mix additives. These additives allow the binder to coat the heated aggregates and enable the asphalt to be paved at lower temperatures. Bitumen, which makes up about five per cent of asphalt’s mass, contributes the largest single component of the carbon footprint. As such, SAMI Bitumen Technologies looked to source renewable materials which could perform as well, if not better, than conventionally sourced materials. “SAMI looked to replace part of the imported binder and polymers required for asphalt production with rubber sourced from end-of-life tyres,” Distin says. “Not only does this remove the end-of-life tyres from landfill but can also extend the serviceable life of the asphalt itself. If you look at the composition of a tyre, you’ve got the natural and synthetic polymers, but you’ve got what’s called carbon black. Carbon black is an antioxidant, meaning we’re able to get a longer life out of the asphalt. “This way we can actually reduce the demand for further materials in the future.” Polymers within these recycled tyres can also be activated to modify the base bitumen, reducing Australia’s reliance on importing polymers from Asia and Europe. These polymers are used to improve the rut resistance and flexibility of asphalt. In total, the COLAS group in Australia used the equivalent of 1.16 million end-of-life tyres in 2021 to modify bitumen for use in asphalt and spray seals. Distin says the process has proven to be effective, with similar developments

SAMI Bitumen Technologies, with COLAS Australia, is incorporating renewable and recycled material as part of asphalt production.

“WE ALWAYS BACK UP ALL OUR DEVELOPMENT WORK WITH PERFORMANCE TESTING, SO WE CAN DEMONSTRATE THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO THE INDUSTRY.” now underway with the use of other repurposed waste materials like recycled crushed glass and inclusion of steel slag for asphalt mixes. SAMI also manufacture a special hard grade bitumen which is required to produce high modulus asphalt called EME2. The use of EME2 allows the asphalt thickness of heavy-duty pavements to be reduced by up to 25 per cent. “Resources are becoming increasingly finite for future generations, the way that we’re tracking, there’s isn’t going to be enough high quality natural aggregates left to build roads. SAMI is contributing towards the preservation of good quality material for future generations,” he says. “That’s our company commitment.” REUSING THE OLD Another strategy proven to be effective is the reuse of old asphalt, in the form of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). By using RAP, asphalt manufactures can replace the need for new bitumen and aggregates to achieve further carbon savings.

Distin says the performance of recycled and repurposed products in asphalt is backed by SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ thorough asphalt performance testing, which ensures that the service life of the asphalt is not compromised. “We always back up all our development work with performance testing, so we can demonstrate the best of our ability to the industry,” he says. For quite some time asphalt has also been used as a ‘surface’ for pavements. Repairs and maintenance for these surfaces typically consist of removing the surfacing layer. This older asphalt surface can be reused to produce a new wearing surface, therefore contributing to the emerging circular economy. Distin believes one of the biggest challenges to reaching widespread use of zero carbon asphalt is the mindset of the industry. But he believes change is just around the corner. “We’re obviously not going to go from 100 to zero overnight, it’s going to be a long journey,” he says. “Asphalt hasn’t changed much in 100 years but our industry has really matured. “I believe the industry is ready for transformation and that’s really exciting.” roadsonline.com.au

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ustainability has long been a staple of Sripath’s products. Since 2006, the bitumen additive manufacturer and designer has developed solutions for legacy issues which have plagued the bitumen and asphalt industries. In 2013, Sripath® commenced development of a new bitumen-friendly polymer, designed to improve the rutting resistance and increase the durability of roadways across the globe. This paved the way for the creation of PGXpand®. As Sripath President Krishna Srinivasan tells Roads & Infrastructure magazine, the first challenge when developing PGXpand was designing the additive at a molecular level. “PMBs based on traditional polymers require high energy processing equipment and higher temperatures to get them blended into the bitumen. They can often

be difficult to compact and lay down”, he says. “We wanted to create a product that could deliver roadways with outstanding rutting resistance, fatigue properties, high temperature performance, as well as durability, while also being easy to process and use. That’s really the genesis behind PGXpand.” NOT YOUR AVERAGE ADDITIVE Sripath’s PGXpand has been uniquely engineered to boost the hightemperature performance of bitumen, while not affecting the lowertemperature properties. Contractors in the bitumen industry can incorporate this binder-friendly product into the bitumen, using low shear mixers, lower mixing temperatures (at 150 °C), and shorter mixing times. PGXpand is also highly dosage efficient,

and helps reduce greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, thanks to shorter mixing times, lower mixing energy, and lower paving temperatures. Sripath Asia-Pac General Manager Ravi Rajagopalan says PGXpand can be used for a variety of applications, including, PMB (polymer modified bitumen) hot mixes, hybrid PMB mixes, high stiffness asphalt mixes, hot spray seal works and routine road repair and maintenance applications. “That’s where we set ourselves apart, with an additive that is bitumen friendly. It essentially dissolves easily into the bitumen and imparts exceptional properties to PMB hot mixes, therefore giving the contractor a better product,” he says. PGXpand targets and improves essential aspects of bitumen performance, such as the true high grade, softening point and penetration. All of which has been proven roadsonline.com.au

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

PGXpand improving rutting resistance for a major highway in India.

A polymer modified bitumen and PGXpand mix being paved on a roadway.

hot spray seal applications,” says Dr. Filippo Giustozzi, Associate Professor, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). “This PMB can be sprayed at lower temperatures, is easier to manufacture, and shows better adhesion to aggregates.” Steve Halligan, Director of Road Surfacing Solutions adds that the addition of two per cent PGXpand to a C600 binder, improved the resilient modulus of an AC20 dense graded mix from around 4970 MPa to 5840 MPa, as tested by RMIT University. “PGXpand has this unique ability to improve the stiffness of an asphalt mix, allow for the reduction of the thickness of a paved layer, and provide an opportunity for significant cost savings,” he says. Srinivasan adds that the performance of the product is outstanding when compared to conventional products in the market. “Especially when it comes to the dosage efficiency, which really translates to a cost advantage for the contractor,” Srinivasan says. A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION Rajagopalan says PGXpand caters to the bitumen industry’s growing demand for sustainable alternatives, as Australia moves to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. “Currently in Australia there’s a big emphasis on reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. Because of the lower energy requirements for using PGXpand and its compatibility with crumb rubber and other polymers in bitumen, it’s gaining traction

through the performance of the product, which has serviced roadways globally since 2015. As with the majority of Sripath’s catalogue of additives, PGXpand is backed by the company’s international expertise and testing. Rajagopalan says customer trials have shown that PGXpand can reduce the viscosity of bitumen by five to fifteen per cent. “What really helps us is our experience in Asia. The temperature range in the subcontinent, which can be more than 40 degrees Celsius in summer, along with really heavy traffic loads, closely aligns with Australian conditions,” Rajagopalan says. “In Australia we’ve discovered some unique practices that aren’t used in other parts of the world. One example is hot spray and seal applications, where PGXpand, when incorporated along with 32

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“PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY HAVE COMMENTED ON THE EASE IN WHICH THEY’RE ABLE TO INCORPORATE PGXPAND INTO THEIR OWN PLANTS, AS WELL AS THE VISCOSITY AND PAVEMENT COMPACTION BENEFITS.” crumb rubber, has shown some striking advantages in terms of reducing viscosity, making the hybrid PMB easier to spray, improving adhesion to the aggregate, and delivering outstanding performance, while reducing cost.” RMIT University independently evaluated and vetted PGXpand and PMB hybrid mixes using local Australian aggregates, binders and additives and tested performance against national specifications. “When compared to a control PMB made with 15 per cent crumb-rubber, a hybrid PMB containing 10per cent crumb-rubber and one per cent PGXpand has superior properties, which are more suitable for

from an environmental aspect,” he says. Industry feedback on the performance of PGXpand has been supportive. Additional trials of the additive are set to start in the coming months. As Deepak Madan, Sripath Chief Marketing and Business Developer Officer, explains. “People in the industry have commented on the ease in which they’re able to incorporate PGXpand into their own plants, as well as the viscosity and pavement compaction benefits,” Madan says. “On several fronts, it holds up really well. Which is why we’re excited about the prospects for PGXpand going forward.”

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or many businesses, embedding sustainable practices is critical in ensuring the long-term success of their operations, as Australia moves towards a greener global economy. Reducing CO2 emissions is top of the business agenda across many industries including construction, as tighter regulations and consumer demand mean a shift towards a low-carbon economy. But the pressure to maximise output and increase productivity at the same time creates operational challenges. The COVID-19 Pandemic has further increased these pressures, and construction companies have found it difficult to keep up with demand due to dwindling workforces. And the demand is clearly rising, with the industry predicted to expand by 35 per cent over the next decade (Independent

Shell Lubricants provide a range of carbon neutral premium lubricants. 34

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Commodity Intelligence Services, 2020). As Troy Chapman, Vice President – Global Marketing B2B and OEM Lubricants, Shell Lubricant Solutions explains. “Minimising the environmental impact of the industry is not a new concern, but recent years have seen an increased focus and the acceleration of action. Around the world and across industries, companies are setting ambitious targets to decarbonise their operations,” Chapman says (per Shell Carbon Neutral White Paper V8, 2022). “This presents businesses with the challenge of finding practical solutions to help protect the environment while also meeting the ever-present demand for higher productivity, complying with rapidly changing legislation and strengthening their license to operate. All while optimising their total cost of ownership.” Like most industries, the construction industry faces a delicate balancing act: how to meet demand and drive profitability while improving its environmental impact and reducing carbon emissions. Shell Lubricants is aiming to help businesses to use more sustainable practices that serve to avoid or reduce emissions and can provide opportunities for CO2 offsets. Practices such as improving equipment performance and energy efficiency, investing in carbonoffsetting programs and offering a range of carbon-neutral premium lubricants from 2021, such as the Shell Naturelle range. Construction operations are also increasingly in remote and diverse locations. As such, Chapman says it’s vital to develop innovative solutions that ensure businesses can flourish while preserving these sensitive environments. Shell Lubricant Solutions offers a range of readily biodegradable lubricants that help businesses to grow safely and sustainably. Shell Naturelle S2 Hydraulic Fluid is a biodegradable hydraulic fluid for advanced performance in environmentally sensitive areas. Using an Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant like

Shell Naturelle, provides an effective way for companies operating near environmentally sensitive areas to manage their impact on ecosystems, by protecting soil with low ecotoxicity lubricants. New regulations and industry practices are also encouraging businesses to manage their waste in a more efficient way. Shell Lubricant products are designed to extend equipment life to reduce waste and to encourage the recycling of used parts. The plastic pails used for the Shell Naturelle range currently include 25 per cent post-consumer recycled resin, and these solutions comply with the latest 2020 EU Ecolabel requirements and help reduce plastic waste to landfill. “Increasingly, there is a realisation among companies that making a tangible difference means looking at not only their own operations but also their whole supply chain. Customers are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions that contribute to a company’s broader sustainability targets,” Chapman says. He adds that as the industry progresses towards a more circular economy, businesses are finding ways to reuse, recycle or repurpose products. He also believes Working with a partner with the right expertise enables businesses to increase both profitability and sustainability. Shell Lubricants and Viva Energy Australia work with business partners to reach their sustainability goals by educating maintenance managers on the performance benefits of regenerated oils with base oils, and reviewing the use of sustainably sourced raw materials such as refined base oils and bioderived materials. They also provide peace of mind, as products meet regulatory requirements. For more information speak to Viva Energy’s Technical Help Desk (Shell Lubricant Specialists) on 1300 134 205 or get in touch via email at technicalhelpdesk@ vivaenergy.com.au.

Delivering integrated solutions

Donald Cant Watts Corke is one of Australia’s leading providers of independent end-to-end project services. Providing a wide range of end-to-end project services for over 50 years, we have proven our expertise and reliability in helping ensure the successful delivery of infrastructure projects throughout Australia. Through a holistic approach, we provide you valuable advice and assurance with our quantity surveying, project management, advisory, and engineering services, tailored to ensure your project reaches its full potential. Our in-depth understanding of the infrastructure sector enables us to develop the right solutions that address the complex needs of your project. We are committed to Delivering outstanding results for Australia's future.

www.dcwc.com.au ADELAIDE BRISBANE CANBERRA DARWIN MELBOURNE NEWCASTLE PERTH SYDNEY TOWNSVILLE

TOWARDS A

HYDROGEN REVOLUTION JCB CHAIRMAN ANTHONY BAMFORD DISCUSSES THE COMPANY’S HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS DRIVING THE CONSTRUCTION AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRIES TOWARDS A ZERO-CARBON FUTURE.

CB Chairman Anthony Bamford is under no illusion as to his company’s responsibility in the face of the climate crisis facing the planet. “You only have to turn on the news or read a newspaper to know that the threat of climate change is an increasingly real and pressing issue,” Bamford says. “With targets in place worldwide to be net zero by 2050, the onus is on all of us to reduce our carbon emissions. “As the Chairman of one of the world’s largest construction equipment manufacturers, I feel this keenly.” JCB is a major manufacturer of diesel engines, and is currently producing 400 per day for both JCB agricultural and construction machinery, as well as for other leading manufacturers. However, Bamford says net zero targets make it clear that the industry needs to be exploring alternative means of powering its machines. This is why, in July 2020, a team of JCB engineers set to work designing an engine for a digger that runs entirely on hydrogen. By December that year, the first working prototype was being tested. “While other manufacturers’ previous attempts to produce hydrogen engines have been unsuccessful – as they simply tried to convert petrol engines – the team at JCB has managed to develop a high-performance, purpose-engineered zero-CO2 hydrogen fuel motor, which just emits steam from the tailpipe,” Bamford says. WHY HYDROGEN? While JCB continues to power ahead with its 100 per cent electric E-TECH range, Bamford says alternative solutions are also required. “We are investing in hydrogen as we don’t see electric being the all-round solution,” he says. “For construction and agricultural 36

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford.

“THIS COMMITMENT REINFORCES MY CONVICTION THAT HYDROGEN POWER WILL BE A KEY PART OF THE SOLUTION TO RESPOND THE ONGOING THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THAT JCB CAN BE FIRMLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE HYDROGEN REVOLUTION.” industries, batteries are not always a viable option. In order to power heavy machinery, the batteries would need to be enormous and would therefore prove heavy and expensive, both to manufacture and to run.” Bamford also foresees issues when it comes to recharging, particularly for machines operating far away from existing infrastructure, such as farmland, in quarries, or large remote construction sites – situations very common to Australia. “And, of course, it would be impractical and unsafe to run electricity cables across the fields or the building site to charge the machines,” Bamford says. “In addition, for an engineer who is used to petrol or diesel motors, to re-train on

electric models means dispensing with much of what they know and effectively starting from scratch. The logistical problems would be colossal, especially in the developing world.” Hydrogen engines address a number of these problems, as they work on the internal combustion principle – similar to diesel or petrol engines. Additionally, according to Bamford, the cost is roughly the same as traditional engines running on fossil fuels. Most importantly, these hydrogen engines do not emit any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, making them entirely carbon neutral. “For green hydrogen production, we

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

JCB’s hydrogen-powered Loadall telescopic handler.

can even utilise surplus renewable energy generated by solar or wind power which is currently going unused,” Bamford says. WHAT’S NEXT? Now that hydrogen technology is available, Bamford says the next step is to encourage governments and authorities around the world to get on board. “While the benefits of hydrogen power are hopefully clear for everyone to see, it’s still a relatively new technology,” he says. “So, it is crucial that we start to take the lead in getting the message out there.” In support of this message, JCB has already revealed a prototype hydrogen powered backhoe loader, as well as a

Loadall telescopic handler. These machines were on show at last October’s COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland, to a reaction Bamford describes as “overwhelmingly positive”. Among those impressed was then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said at the time: “Great British manufacturers like JCB are developing innovative solutions to slash greenhouse emissions and advance the UK’s green industrial revolution. “It was fantastic to see JCB’s superefficient hydrogen engines, which could overhaul UK manufacturing, help us to rapidly reach our climate targets and ramp up the UK’s hydrogen economy.” It is Bamford’s hope that hydrogen power

will start to be seen as a genuinely viable alternative to electric or battery-powered machinery within the construction sector. “JCB is investing £100 million in this project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines,” he says. “A team of 100 engineers is already working on the exciting development with the recruitment of up to 50 more engineers now under way as we target the end of 2022 for the first machines to be made available to customers. “This commitment reinforces my conviction that hydrogen power will be a key part of the solution as we respond to the ongoing threat of climate change. JCB can be firmly at the forefront of this hydrogen revolution.” roadsonline.com.au

Asphalt Products for Sustainable Infrastructure

TOTAL CAPABILITY IN INFRASTRUCTURE

kypreosgroup.com.au To speak with a project specialist please contact us on the details below. P: (02) 9607 1988 | E: frontdesk@kypreos.com.au | 90 Jedda Road, Prestons NSW 2170 P.O. Box 598, Hoxton Park NSW 2171

COMPANY PROFILE

ure Matthews Brothers Engineering has serviced the road construction and maintenance equipment needs of the industry for more than 100 years.

Matthews Br others Engine ering’s Fink Street Te am.

A NEW ERA FOR A

FAMILY LEGACY

MATTHEWS BROTHERS ENGINEERING IS USHERING IN A NEW ERA, WITH SEVERAL NEW APPOINTMENTS ACROSS ITS MANAGEMENT TEAM. SALLY ROLFE, SALES AND OPERATIONS, AND NEWLY APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER RICHARD BAILEY EXPLAIN.

s a proudly Australian owned and run business, Matthews Brothers Engineering (MBE) is certainly not shy of evolution. Founded in 1921 by Vic and Roy Matthews, MBE has built its reputation from the ground up to become a trusted manufacturer of customisable road construction and maintenance equipment. The organisation has also gone through generations of change. Roy Matthews’ sons Noel and Ray took over the business years after its formation. Following the passing of Noel in 2018 and Ray in 2020, the business was handed to Paul Matthews, who became Managing Director in 2019. Under the watchful eye of the next generation of Matthews, newly appointed General Manager Richard Bailey says the company is now on the dawn of a new era.

“When Noel and Ray passed away, Paul stepped up to become the Managing Director and my role really began to support Paul in his new position. Soon after Sally [Rolfe, Sales and Operations] also joined the team,” he says. “When Paul took the reins, Sally and I were there to assist with the day-to-day operations of MBE. As the business has evolved, Paul’s confidence and trust in the management team has grown, such that he has entrusted us with leading the company into the future, allowing him to step back from the day-today and refocus on the aspects he enjoys. “Paul is still very much the face of the business. His technical knowledge is nearly famous, and he’s known as the oracle of MBE.” As General Manager, Bailey now oversees the technical production and design of MBE’s bespoke machinery options, with Rolfe’s

expertise firmly on the sales and client relations side of the business. BENEFITS FOR BUSINESS One of the greatest benefits from MBE’s managerial shuffle is the increased efficiency across the entire business. Bailey says the new structure will streamline services for customers. “With any small business, you’re always going to have people wearing multiple hats but we want to provide our customers with clear points of contact for the various services they require, whether that be sales, design or technical support,” he says. Changes have also been made to MBE’s wider team, with the addition of two new engineers, as well as a new production manager. As Rolfe explains, having a diverse roadsonline.com.au

COMPANY PROFILE

Matthews Brothers Engineering’s bespoke Sprayer and Dog Trailer offering.

“WE’VE IMPLEMENTED AND ARE ALREADY USING TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS 3D MODELLING SOFTWARE AND STRESS ANALYSIS. WE’RE ARMED TO THE TEETH TO DELIVER EXACTLY WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE LOOKING FOR.” workforce will hold the company in great stead as it enters its centenary year of operation. “The advantage of us coming into the businesses with experience external to MBE is the is fresh perspective we are able to bring to aspects such as customer relationships and our internal systems,” she says. “We’re investing in resources and skills across the entire business. Not only is this going to make MBE more efficient and proactive, but our customers can remain confident in what our business can deliver.” This investment is already on display, with MBE advancing plans to increase the capability of its production line. The company has installed two new tank rotators, allowing simultaneous production of large bitumen tanks. Bailey says the goal is to reduce lead times for customers. “We’ve implemented and are already using technology such as 3D modelling software and stress analysis. We’re armed to the teeth to deliver exactly what customers are looking for,” he says. A FAMILY VISION The core structure and catalogue of MBE will remain intact despite the managerial changes, with the company prioritising the 40

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customer’s experience. As Rolfe explains, MBE will still have the same feel. She says both her and Bailey are understudies of Paul Matthews, and as such, are highly invested in maintaining the quality of the MBE brand. “Although a Matthews may not answer the phone, customers can rest assured that they’ll still receive the renowned MBE service and quality product at the end of the day,” she says. “Our company still embodies the Matthews brothers’ culture, which includes a commitment to quality. We’re all invested

and we’re all aiming to make MBE products the best in the marketplace.” Bailey adds that MBE was founded by family, for family – a culture which lives on today. “Paul’s dedication to delivering quality is very much still throughout the business. That’s a big reason why we are in these positions, because he knows that we share his values from the family business point of view,” he says. “Being a family business means it’s important to look at how we treat each other. We’re not a big corporate constantly trying to get one-up on each other. We’re a team, we’re a family, and we want to work together to deliver products which excel. “This ethos extends to the way in which we treat our customers.” Matthews Brothers Engineering has recently upgraded its rotator, increasing the efficiency and speed of its production line.

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MAKING A SPLASH

NVC PRECAST IS DIVERSIFYING ITS CREATIVE PORTFOLIO BY PARTNERING WITH PLUNGIE TO ADD A TWIST ON THE CONVENTIONAL SWIMMING POOL.

ith expertise in precast, piling and construction, NVC Precast is constantly looking to expand its capabilities from its base in Kilmore, Victoria. This is why the company’s interest was piqued when Plungie, an Australian manufacturer of precast concrete swimming pools expressed its interest to establish manufacturing in Victoria. As a Brisbane-based company, Plungie develops a variety of pre-cast swimming pools, which are available in four designs. NVC Precast Quality Engineer Manoj Piylla says that since the first meeting between the companies back in January 2021, the partnership has grown by leaps and bounds. “Plungie started producing pools in Brisbane and grew rapidly,” he says. “We have extensive experience in precast manufacturing and application, so we can provide a platform for them to grow right across Australia.” Both parties were interested in developing a long-term partnership, a staple of NVC Precast, which prides itself on the strength of its established relationships with contractors and customers alike. As Plungie COO Brendan Hawes explains, 42

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the formation of a partnership with NVC Precast has improved the dynamics of product delivery interstate. “When our discussions commenced, we found that there was a natural synergy hitting both these aspects, so a natural relationship formed over several meetings. NVC Precast was responsive and keen to explore the opportunity,” he says. “We didn’t take this opportunity to an open tender process. Plungie has been built on the framework of partnerships and entrepreneurial spirit. The logistic environments in Australia in terms of freight were becoming challenging, and the natural destination for Plungie’s expansion was Victoria. “It’s critical with freight costs that Plungie offer an Australia-wide solution to our market. NVC’s location provides us with a gateway and solid base to our Southern states.” Due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, production on the first pool didn’t begin until February 2022, with the first product also acting as meaningful training for the NVC Precast team. Discussions between NVC Precast and Plungie paved the way for the first ‘mud map’

layout, which detailed the ins and outs of the precast pours. NVC Precast was able to utilise its experience for the pouring and casting required for the basic pool construction, while Plungie provided additional training on the final finishing required, such as the application of multiple coatings, as well as the installation of the spa connections and light fittings. As part of the partnership, the ‘Max’, ‘Original’ and ‘Studio’ Plungie pool models will be manufactured in qualitycontrolled facilities. Hawes says demand for a cost-effective solution for pool construction is increasing globally. “As residential lot sizes get smaller, the need for an efficient pre-cast solution with fast lead times becomes even more important,” Hawes says. “The NVC partnership has definitely provided us with a model and framework to grow Plungie, not just here in Australia and also globally.” STEP BY STEP Production on the first two pools did

COMPANY PROFILE

NVC Precast was able to use its expertise in precast to support Plungie’s product development.

Plungie and NVC Precast have partnered to produce high-quality precast pool for the Australian market.

present its challenges for both NVC Precast and Plungie. NVC Precast’s team also had to become accustomed to the manoeuvring of the pool during production. The production process also requires specifically designed equipment to finish the pools, all of which were new to the NVC precast operation. Despite these challenges, both NVC Precast and Plungie worked to ensure the technical requirements were satisfied following the NVC Precast began production on the first pools in February 2022.

construction of both products. This process included an audit by NVC Precast’s engineers to assess the technical data, concrete mix and technical drawings during production. For Piylla, the partnership has presented a unique opportunity for him and his team to increase their own knowledge and capabilities, which he says can now be applied to NVC Precast’s day-to-day operations. “Previously as an engineer my focus has been on the structural and stress factors of concrete for projects such as bridges, and how a structure can withstand a certain load. Now my focus has shifted more towards the finishing, with new aspects such as colouring

and plumbing,” he says. “NVC is always looking to take on new precast-related projects and we’re open to facing these challenges.” Hawes says the learnings from the first two pool constructions will be instrumental to the future success of the partnership. “We are continuously working with NVC to identify areas for improvement. Plungie is a growing manufacturer, but we were novices in precast compared to NVC’s experience We value the expertise of NVC’s history and experience, as well as their ability to adapt designs, and suggest improvements to our processes. We’ve learnt a lot from each other,” he says.

“AS RESIDENTIAL LOT SIZES GET SMALLER, THE NEED FOR A PRE-CAST QUICK AND EFFICIENT SOLUTION BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.” TAKING A PLUNGE Piylla says the future is bright for NVC and Plungie, who are hoping to make a splash in Australia’s conventional pool industry “Right now, we’re moving towards setting up an operation that could cater for an expected influx of orders. I believe NVC is capable of producing 100 pools a month,” he says. Hawes agrees, saying Plungie is excited to continue the partnership well into the future. “This is just beginning. The potential longterm partnership is very exciting, and our growth means we have to do more, do better, innovate and partner to grow our businesses together,” he says. “We both want this to be a long and profitable endeavour.” For more information on NVC Precast visit their website; www.nvcprecast.com.au roadsonline.com.au

RIDING THE RISE

PETER GILL – MANAGING DIRECTOR, INFRASTRUCTURE, DONALD CANT WATTS CORKE, DESCRIBES HOW THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS ARE FARING IN THE MIDST OF ESCALATING INDUSTRY COSTS, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE IMPACTS ON BUSINESS.

he roads and infrastructure sectors, like many across Australia, have endured unprecedented global events, drastically affecting international markets and supplies. Significant skills and supply shortages and rising inflation are all contributing to what can now be called the ‘acceleration phase’ in the escalation cycle. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global markets are experiencing unexpected price hikes. Peter Gill – Managing Director, Infrastructure, Donald Cant Watts Corke (DCWC), says unique commodity sources, many of which are essential for the roads and infrastructure sectors, are now under pressure. “The demand on infrastructure at both Federal and State Government levels in Australia is huge. This supply and demand which is being placed on commodities such as steel, bitumen, copper and labour poses challenges for the roads and infrastructure sectors,” he says. Because of the work of Macromonitor, an economic forecaster and research service for the construction industry, DCWC is measuring and analysing project-specific escalation. Through its ‘Annual Change in Construction Costs for September ’21 and March ‘22’ report, Macromonitor discovered that construction costs for roads and bridges rose from about six per cent to 7.5 per cent. DCWC aims to build on this macro data to provide escalation consultation to specific industries. Commodities such as mild steel, labour and fuel can now be analysed in respect to specific project types. This service is not limited to larger organisations, with contractors also able to benefit. THE SEVEN SIGNS As part of its analysis, DCWC has recently measured the performance, or ‘indices’ of 12 commodities relative to the water sector (Yarra Valley Water). 44

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

Using data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), DCWC has calculated the percentage change in escalation on an annual basis. Gill says this data has allowed DCWC to identify seven key phases that occur throughout the cycle of escalation while capturing macro data for SA Water. “We started tracking the ABS indices for various commodities which are relevant to the water industry. These industry indices were tracked over a 24-year period, between 1998 and March this year. We started seeing a pattern of behaviour in escalation based on those indices,” he says. The seven escalation phases consist of calm, trigger, agitation, acceleration, peak, deacceleration and recovery. Gill says the mining sector boom is a good Donald Cant Watts Corke is enhancing the work of Macromonitor to further understand the effects of escalation on project-specific commodities throughout the construction sector.

Peter Gill – Managing Director, Infrastructure, Donald Cant Watts Corke.

INDUSTRY FORECAST

The roads and infrastructure sectors are still feeling the economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

example of all seven phases in action. “If you go back to 2003, there was a huge trigger faced in Australia where the resources sector invested approximately $284 billion in expansion (trigger). This expansion was so big that it added about five per cent to Australia’s GDP. Commodity prices increased dramatically. “Based on the success of the economy,

states started spending money on major infrastructure (agitation), which spread across New South Wales, then Victoria and Queensland. And then, of course, things started to [accelerate] in the infrastructure sector, mainly in roads and rail, putting a demand on resources once again. “Those prices [peaked] around 2007, the Global Financial Crisis hit in September 2008, and then prices began to deaccelerate. Economists started predicting a slowdown in Australia’s economy around 2014-15, which happened. And so, we were just coming out of the recovery phase.” Without a period of ‘calm’, the market suddenly suffered escalation, a domino effect first caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gill says DCWC anticipates that a similar escalation cycle, to that of the mining boom, has already commenced and will continue for the next two to three years. “We will see a decline, potentially in mid 2024, so we’ll get back to normal levels. Typically, over a 10-year period in Australia, you have escalation of about three per cent per annum. So, there’s an expectation that the

“WE WANT TO HELP CONTRACTORS GET MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION, NOT JUST AT A MACROECONOMIC LEVEL. IT’S IMPORTANT TO REPRESENT THE COMMODITIES THAT THEY USE DAY ON DAY.”

market will come back to that 2.5-3 per cent level,” he says. THE HERE AND NOW With the ‘calm’ phase potentially years away, DCWC is opening its arms to assist contractors in the day-to-day journey through escalation. Gill says the current challenges facing the roads and infrastructure sectors skills and supply shortages in particular – will persist. As such, he says a helping hand can be very effective. “We want to help contractors get more accurate information, not just at a macroeconomic level. It’s important to represent the commodities that they use day on day,” he says. “Some companies have been waiting three years for industry specific information in this form.” Gill says the first step in remaining an effective business during escalation is communication. “Some of our clients work closely with their customers, which helps to reduce the chances of long lead times for project delivery, therefore moderating the impacts. It’s all about working with the company owners,” he says. DCWC is working with the rail industry to produce an initial escalation report, which will then be reviewed every three months to assess commodity changes. The company plans on working with the roads industry soon after. roadsonline.com.au

CONTROL

SMITH PLANT HIRE HAS GROWN ITS BUSINESS AROUND A FLEET OF RELIABLE KOMATSU MACHINES, AIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER’S NEXT-LEVEL CUSTOMER SUPPORT.

Smith Plant Hire’s GD655-7 on a job in Charlton, Queensland, building a hard stand for Hillmans Transport.

rad Smith isn’t shy about his enthusiasm for Komatsu machinery. While he’s not one to simply pick a favourite manufacturer and follow them like a football team, Smith and his family business have often found themselves coming back to Komatsu. Smith’s father started Smith Plant Hire in Toowoomba, Queensland in 2005, with Smith himself coming on board a few years after that. The business has since established itself in the area, taking on a range of local earthmoving contracts across civil infrastructure and road maintenance. Smith says he suggested looking into Komatsu as an option for a new dozer, during his early days at the business in 2008. “My old man wasn’t really interested at first,” Smith laughs. “But he agreed to give it a go. We reached out to Pat Munro, our 46

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local Komatsu rep, and then next minute we were down in Brisbane having a drive of one of their D61 dozers.” Smith Plant Hire put its money down and hasn’t looked back since. Pat Munro is now Komatsu Australia’s National Business Manager for Construction Dozers & Special Applications – but he’s still the one picking up the phone when the Smiths need something. Smith says this positive ongoing relationship is a big part of what keeps bringing Smith Plant Hire back to Komatsu. “They’ve really stuck by us over the years, and they always go that extra mile,” he says. “Plus, it’s good to know I can always talk to the same one or two people directly whenever we need to get something sorted.” That original D61 dozer is still in operation

at Smith Plant Hire, and has since been joined by a range of other Komatsu products, including two more dozers (a D155 and a D31), three scrapers, a 24-tonne excavator, and a five-tonne excavator. Late last year, Smith Plant Hire took delivery of a new GD655-7 Motor Grader. “We did price a couple of other machines out of interest, but we made the decision pretty quickly to go with Komatsu again,” Smith says. “We’ve got that established relationship, and we knew they’d look after us.” Over the past year, Smith says he’s been getting a lot of questions about the GD655‑7 grader, how it runs, how it feels to operate – and he’s always willing to give it his seal of approval. “You’ll talk to some people who stick to their one brand and criticise everything

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

else, but I don’t think anything out there can be 100 per cent perfect for everyone,” Smith says. “I’m not a big fan of joystick controls, for example. Whereas the fingertip control setup on this Komatsu grader is just brilliant for me and how I work.”

Ash Dunne from Smith Plant Hire trimming house pads on a project in Kleinton, Queensland.

FINGERTIP PRECISION According to Komatsu, the GD655-7’s fingertip controls can deliver an up to 93 per cent reduction in operator hand and wrist movement compared to the company’s previous models. “Komatsu’s approach is fingertip movement over wrist movement,” Pat Munro says. “It’s designed to take the strain off your wrists, by putting all the operation of the equipment into your fingers, which gives you super-fine control.” It’s a control scheme that clicked with Smith straight away. “I’m certainly not biased against other types of gear,” he says, “but I find the twisting movements necessary to operate joysticks are just not good on my wrists.” Given how involved motor grader operation can be, operators often need to juggle multiple functions at once. Smith says all these motions can really take their toll over the course of a long day in the cab. “With a joystick machine, you might be turning the machine and articulating the blade at the same time, you might also be adjusting the height of the blade or tilting your wheels too, all while you’re trimming at the same time,” he says. “For me, it’s just not a good way to operate. “On the other hand, the Komatsu’s fingertip controls – along with the steering pad on the left – just make the grader so nice to operate.” TALKING THE TORQUE The Komatsu GD655-7 features a dualmode transmission, offering both direct-drive transmission and a lock-up torque converter with automatic antistall technology. “You can be operating in direct drive with the inching pedal, but then with a flick of a switch it becomes almost like driving an automatic car, you can just forget about the inching pedal,” Munro says. This mode also allows the operator to bring the grader to a complete stop without stalling the machine, which can be useful when working around obstacles. “Being able to adjust the torque converter

The GD655-7’s fingertip controls reduce operator hand and wrist movement.

is brilliant,” Smith says. “Especially when you’re trimming the side curb. You’re not having to ride the clutch or the brake – it just lets you creep along beautifully.” “The cab is just great to sit in as well – nice and quiet, and with all the creature comforts you need. The vision you get out of it is incredible, and the rear-view monitor coming standard is great too – you don’t realise how much you need it until you hop back into an old machine that doesn’t have it.” Munro says another feature many wouldn’t expect to come standard on the GD655-7 is the inclusion of Blade Lift Accumulators.

“They’ll absorb some of the pressure if you’re grinding along and the blade hits a rock – it allows the blade to jump over it rather than break something,” he says. “It’s to help protect the machine against a damaged blade or bent rams.” But among all these features, what really sold Smith Plant Hire on the Komatsu GD655-7 was the inclusion of a Tier 4 engine as standard. “When the whole world is trying to go green, you need to know that in four or five years that you’ll be able to get that machine onto a government or council site without worrying about emissions,” Smith says. “So that made it a no-brainer for us.” roadsonline.com.au

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SPREADING SAFELY AND

SUSTAINABLY

QUALITY FABRICATION AND ENGINEERING’S ROAD ANT IS PROVIDING INDUSTRY WITH A SAFE AND ROBUST OPTION, AS DEMAND INCREASES FOR FORWARD MOVING AGGREGATE SPREADERS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION ACROSS VICTORIA.

Three of Quality Fabrication and Engineering’s Road Ants on site in regional Victoria.

he road construction and maintenance industry has undergone significant change since the Victorian Government’s mandate in July 2022 which required all vehicles that discharge aggregates to become forward moving, Businesses received a five-year notice from the Victorian Government in 2017 (VicRoads Standard 408 clause 408.11) to design, approve and implement a forward aggregate spreading machine. Now four months on from the 1 July mandate, Quality Fabrication and Engineering’s Road Ant is still making noise across the industry. As Quality Fabrication and Engineering General Manager Glenn Hardiman tells Roads & Infrastructure, the uniquely designed dual control aggregate spreader aims to reduce risks for operators and nearby spray seal ground crews. “As we started development on the Road Ant, we knew that safety was a concern throughout the industry. That’s one of the main reasons the mandate was introduced in

the first place,” Hardiman says. “In the past there may have been a focus on operating as simply as possible to optimise profits. But this attitude led to several near misses and unfortunately some injuries to workers. “If we can prevent just one accident, then I believe we’ve achieved a lot.” The Road Ant can be operated from both the rear and front ends of the machine, removing the need for reversing on site when spreading. Hardiman says that the Road Ant was built from the ground up to address the safety concerns of those within the industry. “Our concept focused on ensuring that the operator could fully, and safely have control of the vehicle from either end, while maintaining correct weight distributions to both steer and drive axles. “David Taylor, our Design Engineer was pivotal ensuring that our design and practical trials would confirm the front axle group had enough weight at all times, so operators can safely steer and stop the unit while not

overloading the rear axles. This can often cause damage to the freshly spread surface. Visibility was another concern that was directly addressed in the Road Ant’s design. “Having a dual control forward moving spreader, with this kind of discharge ability, greatly removes the need for ground spotters,” Hardiman says. “The operator has clear view of work site at all times.” The Road Ant also features an automated emergency braking (AEB) system. When reversing, if a person or object is detected within a work area limit set by the operator, the system will automatically apply the brakes. To match its efforts in design and engineering of the Road Ant, Quality Fabrication and Engineering patented the innovations internationally, through PCT/ AU2020/050636. “Our team really pushed the engineering boundaries to achieve such a flexible and robust machine, especially in regards to our machines ability to be successfully adapted roadsonline.com.au

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Primal’s first Road Ant on site with VSA Roads’ OB-Vario.

Simon McKinnon (left) Workshop Manager - Primal Surfacing with Glenn Hardiman (right) General Manager Quality Fabrication & Engineering.

to a variety of cab chassis,” Hardiman says, “We believe that the Road Ant addresses the long term needs of the Australian spray seal industry.” A HOST OF NEW FEATURES Quality Fabrication and Engineering is always looking to develop the Road Ant, particularly when it comes to increasing the sustainability and technological offerings of the forward moving spreader. “We’ve installed a new hydraulic system which greatly reduces the load on the vehicle’s engine, so the machine isn’t working as hard as it would with previous systems. Therefore, it creates less emissions. It’s also smoother to operate because of the reduced engine load,” Hardiman says. A new control panel, fitted alongside a ‘smart spreading’ feature have also been introduced with newer iterations of the Road Ant model. “The new control system is very userfriendly, allowing operators to control the speed of the vehicle virtually, therefore reducing the chances of “over spreading” or spreading more stone than necessary. “The smart spreading feature automatically monitors the rate of material discharge, relevant to road speed. If the need to sweep off excess stone is reduced, this drastically reduces waste.” VSA’S VIEW VSA Roads, one of Victoria’s leading spray sealing, asphalt and quarrying companies, recently added two Road Ant models to its existing machinery fleet.

Operating since 2009, VSA Roads has surfaced more than 2300 kilometres of pavement annually. “Our operation is very extensive,” says Justin Bartlett, VSA Roads Managing Director. “We needed a vehicle that would allow our operators to have a direct line of sight towards the front of the machine, instead of relying on mirrors and cameras. Operator visibility was one of the biggest reasons why we went with the Road Ant.” Bartlett says VSA Roads has found the Road Ant to be the vehicle of choice for difficult working environments, including compact applications. A testament to the Road Ant’s agility, despite its throughput and size. “We’ve found that the Road Ant really comes into its own in the most challenging applications where we need to seal pavements. It’s very effective on shoulder widening, through intersections and through areas where there’s variability in the width of the working area,” he says. “For us, it’s a significant point of difference as we’re able to achieve considerable productivity improvements.” Bartlett says he’s been impressed with Quality Fabrication and Engineering’s service and anticipates that the professional relationship between the two companies will only get stronger. “You can tell how passionate they are about their products. If there’s an opportunity for improvement, those guys are already thinking about how to make this system better,” he says. “They genuinely believe in the Road Ant. For me, that’s what really stands out.”

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

CECA

“OUR INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS EVOLVING, AND CONEXPO-CON/AGG KEEPS US AHEAD WITH EQUIPMENT THAT MAKES OUR JOB EASIER, FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT.” — AMERICAN PAVEMENT SPECIALISTS, DANBURY, CT

TAKING CONSTRUCTION

TO THE NEXT LEVEL. MARCH 14-18 / 2023 / LAS VEGAS / NEVADA

250,000 sqm of Exhibits 130,000 Attendees 1,800 Exhibitors 150 Education Sessions

CECA-2023-PRNT-APS-A4+5mm_Bleed-V2.indd 1

6/23/22 5:21 AM

UPGRADING

CONFIDENCE

JOHN DEERE’S MATT GOEDERT TALKS TO ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE ABOUT THE COMPANY’S FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE MOTOR GRADER AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY.

nyone who has sat through an announcement for the latest cuttingedge smartphone, computer, or car has surely felt that sting of envy as their own months-old purchase suddenly transforms into a technological relic. With the scale of investment necessary for brand-new construction machinery, having to deal with this every time a new feature was introduced would push anyone’s pain threshold. Luckily, the engineers and designers at John Deere know that’s a pain that contractors can do without. “If you want the latest and greatest smart features in your car, you’ll often have to go and buy a new vehicle,” says John Deere’s Matt Goedert from the company’s Dubuque Works facility in Iowa. “That’s not the case with John Deere motor graders. We want to give customers the 52

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choice to upgrade their existing machine with the same technology they’d find on a new one.” Goedert says a big part of his role as Solutions Marketing Manager for Motor Graders and Dozers is supporting the launch of new products and features across John Deere’s roadbuilding line. “I work to make sure that feedback from customers is incorporated into our products, and that the messaging for new product updates is clear,” he says. “It’s important that customers and dealers all know exactly what the updates are, and how they can benefit.” With the speed at which technology is pushing the boundaries of what construction machinery can do, Goedert says this communication is more important than ever. “Back in 2019 we released SmartGrade, which was the industry’s first fully integrated

3D mastless machine control system,” he says. “That’s the point when we developed our upgrade strategy for our technology as well, which was made possible by our encoded cylinder sensors. These are really the foundation to all our automation.” These cylinder sensors are standard not only on SmartGrade motor graders, but any GradePro (GP) machine, including those with electro-hydraulic (EH) controls. Goedert says this built-in foundation of technology means better futureproofing. “If customers want to upgrade to SmartGrade or a different technology in the future, that foundation is already there – it just provides that additional flexibility.” AN EVOLVING SUITE Goedert says the most popular automation upgrade option is the Automation Suite,

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Matt Goedert, Solutions Marketing Manager for Motor Graders and Dozers, John Deere.

The Automation Suite comes standard on SmartGrade graders.

which consist of Auto-Articulation, Blade Flip, Auto-Pass, as well as Machine Presets. This suite comes standard on SmartGrade machines. Auto-Articulation combines front steering and rear articulation to a single control on the joystick, while Blade Flip automatically rotates the blade to a predetermined angle. Auto-Pass – one of John Deere’s newest automation features – helps to streamline operator input at the start and end of grading passes. “One of the features we’re getting a lot of positive feedback on from our dealers and customers is Auto-Shift PLUS,” Goedert says. “It allows operators to control the machine with just the throttle and the brake, rather than having to use the clutch. “It’s really handy for fine grading. If an operator is grading around a string line or an intake for a box valve, they can slow the machine down to a stop without having to constantly move their other foot and ride the clutch.” These automation upgrades can be ordered as a complete package, or customers can pick and choose which features they need. Goedert says it’s all about empowering owners and operators to set the machine up the way they like it. “We tell people that customers build these machines,” he says. “For years, we’ve been

bringing customers into our factory, letting them operate our machines – even prototype machines – to make sure that we’re hitting the mark when we go to production. It’s something we pride ourselves on. “With software, it’s even easier. If we have a customer that likes a feature, we can push them a software update, and let them try it out. We don’t have to go out and visit the machine. This also helps us to refine these features as we go.” STREAMLINING SKILLS About ten years ago, Goedert began hearing from John Deere customers in the US that finding expert operators for their equipment was becoming increasingly difficult. Fast-forward to 2022, and now businesses are struggling to find labour altogether – an experience likely familiar to many businesses in Australia. “That’s where our automation technology

really comes into its own,” Goedert says. “It’s not replacing skilled operators, but it allows less experienced operators to become faster and more efficient more quickly. They don’t have to operate the machine for three or four months to get proficient.” Goedert says getting behind the controls of a motor grader for the first time can be quite an intimidating experience, especially for a new operator. “You can tell when you watch someone who hasn’t operated a grader before,” he says. “Usually, it takes them a while to get used to executing multiple functions at a time. “If you picture an operator turning around at the end of a grading pass, there’s a lot of functions that go into that. They need to lift the cylinders on each side of the blade, rotate the blade to keep moving their windrow in the same direction, they’re steering the front tyres, and they’re articulating the machine for a tighter turn.” With the Automation Suite, many of these operations are combined into a single button press. “Blade-Flip, for example – you can mirror the position of the blade with a double-tap of a button,” Goedert says. “Then you can combine that with Auto-Articulation and Auto-Pass, and the operator really just has to steer the machine. “It’s not just for inexperienced operators either. These features reduce the number of repetitive movements over the course of the day, which means less fatigue. For experienced operators, it frees up their mind to focus on the more important things.” To see what automation upgrades are available for John Deere motor graders, contact a John Deere dealer.

Blade-Flip mirrors the position of the blade with the double-tap of a button.

roadsonline.com.au

THE ROAD TO SAFETY STARTS

WITH STABILITY OFFSET COMPACTION ROLLER ATTACHMENTS ENSURE A SAFER JOBSITE, WRITES LYNN MARSH, ROAD WIDENER LLC PRESIDENT.

afety is the highest priority on any construction jobsite, but not every equipment solution aids in attaining that safety goal. According to a Safe Work Australia report, 36 deaths were reported on Australian sites in 2020, and more than 15,567 ‘serious claims’ were reported in 2019-20. As alarming as those numbers are, the true picture could have been worse. Statistics only encompass reported cases. Many jobsite accidents and near misses – with potentially dire consequences – are never reported. When it comes to improving safety on roads, Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 outlines key priorities for action to achieve targets of a minimum 50 The host machine can drive safely on flat ground while the attachment arm extends to the edge of sloping road shoulders or ditches.

per cent reduction in annual fatalities, and 30 per cent reduction in serious injuries by 2030. Additionally, Australian governments have committed to Vision Zero – a target of eliminating all road-related deaths and serious injuries by 2050. Vision Zero is supported by the Safe System approach, which involves all parts of the road transport system working together – extending to those who contribute to the building and maintenance of roads. For road contractors, this means committing to safety across all aspects of all projects – including the exploration of technological innovations to minimise risk. Compaction equipment is a prime example of a potentially problematic design, especially on uneven or sidesloped surfaces. It is not uncommon for road construction crews to witness a silent rollover, watching their crew member jump to safety when the equipment they are operating unexpectedly gives way while compacting a steep slope. Many ride-on compaction rollers often succumb to rollover accidents due to their rigid design

and high centre of gravity. Certain manufacturers are taking steps to eliminate this common jobsite incident by pairing attachments with equipment they already own. Featuring an offset arm, crews can safely and effectively compact material from flat ground using the compaction attachment.

THE SAFETY IS IN THE DESIGN These attachments feature a drum on a remote-controlled offset arm that can be attached to almost any grader, compact track loader, wheel loader or skid steer. By employing an attachment, the host machine provides a separate source of power for the compaction drum and, thanks to the offset arm, enhances stability and safety for the operator. With its offset position, the drum can pivot up to 30 degrees and reach 76 centimetres below the mounting point. The host machine can drive safely on flat ground while the attachment arm extends to the furthest, steepest edge of sloping road shoulders and ditches. This allows the roller to compact slopes at angles that would flip a traditional compaction machine. Further, shifting the drum to an offset arm attachment doesn’t just drastically improve safety, it also unlocks a host of other benefits. VERSATILITY IN A COMPACT PACKAGE Although safety is the top priority on any jobsite, the efficiency and quality are also critical. Compaction roller attachments can increase the efficiency and versatility of a contractor’s existing fleet by allowing them to work on a variety of road construction and utility repair projects using equipment they are already familiar with. The attachments effectively compact a range of materials, from gravel, stone, and topsoil to hot asphalt. With the high infrastructure demand and scarce, inexperienced workforce, the ease of use of equipment is key to a project’s overall efficiency. Some offset compaction attachments incorporate remote controls,

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

combining safety with an intuitive operation that allows the operator to adjust height, angle, extension, and compaction from the host machine’s cab. While a compaction roller attachment may not achieve density as quickly as a ride-on roller on a flat roadway, it excels in a sloping ditch or trench which places an operator in a hazardous position. Because of the rigid design of traditional compaction rollers, and the stability issues working on a slope, operators tend to drive at a slower speed, resulting in a slower compaction rate. Efficiency is not only seen through the work on the job but also by reduced transportation challenges. The compact design of compaction attachments allows it to fit on any common trailer along with the host machine — and other core attachments — and be towed by a standard pickup truck. Additionally, compaction roller attachments can offer contractors the ability to expand their application capabilities by incorporating an adaptable system into their business model. Compaction roller attachments can be purchased in a variety of interchangeable drum widths, providing heightened adaptability. To get the same benefit with traditional compaction machines, contractors would have to purchase multiple self-propelled units, all with engines and transmissions requiring

Offset compaction roller attachments can be paired with almost any grader, compact track loader, wheel loader or skid steer.

rollers. The study examined the density of gravel compaction on a road shoulder to determine which method of compaction would yield the most consistent results in terms of gravel density, ensuring a longer wear life of the road shoulder. In the past, contractors involved in the study primarily used self-propelled rollers in static mode to prevent the risk of rollovers or sliding into ditches. To prove the effectiveness of the study, the self-propelled rollers were utilised in both static and vibratory modes to accurately compare with the offset compaction roller

“THE HOST MACHINE CAN DRIVE SAFELY ON FLAT GROUND WHILE THE ATTACHMENT ARM EXTENDS TO THE FURTHEST, STEEPEST EDGE OF SLOPING ROAD SHOULDERS AND DITCHES.” continuous maintenance. This flexibility opens up more opportunities for contractors, allowing them to meet a range of job specifications without the hassle of maintaining, hauling and storing several pieces of equipment. A FEDERAL STAMP OF APPROVAL The safety and productivity benefits of compaction roller attachments are powerful, and the data that demonstrates the impact they bring to the industry speaks volumes. A recent federal study in the United States measured the effectiveness of offset compaction roller attachments connected to a wheeled skid steer versus the traditional steel drum and rubber-tired

attachment, which was only capable of operating with vibration. For this compaction testing, the material was placed two ways for each roller, first being approximately 120 millimetres higher than the existing pavement prior to compaction, and second, the material was placed flush with the existing pavement. The study showed that the offset compaction roller attachment had almost equal compaction when tested against the two other rollers that were between eight and 22 times heavier. Additionally, the variance of the offset compaction roller attachment was the least out of the three. In summary, the offset compaction roller provided a more consistent density of compacted gravel and added flexibility with

its offset arm, eliminating the risk of injury and rollovers. Additionally, the compaction attachment improved efficiency by allowing the operator to remotely control the position of the roller from the host machine, enabling coverage over the entire shoulder, compared to ride-on methods that require straddling the shoulder or not allowing for full compaction coverage. MINIMAL MAINTENANCE When it comes to maintenance, traditional ride-on compaction rollers have several grease fittings that need to be maintained and frequently cleaned to avoid debris build-up. However, compaction roller attachments require almost no maintenance. Without the need for an engine, powertrain, or any associated parts of its own to operate, advanced offset compaction rollers require 90 per cent less maintenance than ride-on machines. MOVING TO SAFETY In a world where so many elements are outside of our control — the supply chain, the price of fuel, inflationary costs, and more — it is more critical than ever that contractors control risk and costs wherever they can. And their equipment is a great place to start. By carefully evaluating equipment selection and choosing options that maximise the capabilities of their current fleet, contractors will see an increase in the efficiency and profitability of their business while providing unparalleled safety for their crew. roadsonline.com.au

EVENTS

AUSTRALIANS READY TO RETURN TO CONEXPOCON/AGG, IFPE CONEXPO-CON/ AGG AND THE INTERNATIONAL FLUID POWER EXPOSITION (IFPE) ARE PREPARING TO HOST EXHIBITORS AND ATTENDEES FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE GLOBE.

ttendees and exhibitors from Australia are getting ready to make their way to CONEXPOCON/AGG and the International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE) next March, after government and corporate travel restrictions have either been reduced or eliminated since the 2020 show. Australians already make up the secondlargest international group at the show behind only Canadians. CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff says international interest is growing for the 2023 show. “We’re really encouraged by what we’re seeing so far, with people across the globe registering for CONEXPO-CON/ AGG and IFPE. With the world getting closer to normal, we’re seeing high levels of global enthusiasm for the show.” With North America having one of the largest construction industries in the world, exhibitors know CONEXPO-CON/ AGG and IFPE are where their market is, and attendees know a greater number of exhibitors are bringing more, better technology to show than anywhere else. Ray Weatherbee of Milan, Italybased measurement and survey specialist Stonex, says the event would provide significant exposure for industry products. “CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the most 56

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visible expo in North America for our geospatial technology to be showcased. We’re inviting our worldwide dealer network to attend,” Weatherbee says. “I would recommend exhibiting at CONEXPO-CON/AGG to any manufacturer to display at any capacity. This is the Ferrari/Lamborghini/Bugatti of shows that you need to attend and display at.” “The international audience for IFPE is significant,” says John Rozum, show director for IFPE. “These are the

Philippines at the International Lounge was a good ‘image building’ exercise for the country,” says Patrick Tan of Global-Link MP Events International, based just outside of Manila. “There were plenty of inquiries thereafter specially on the presentation of the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap that will be implemented over the next thirty years.” CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE are also bringing back the International Trade Center (ITC) to the 2023 show, to help exhibitors and attendees

“I WOULD RECOMMEND EXHIBITING AT CONEXPO-CON/AGG TO ANY MANUFACTURER TO DISPLAY AT ANY CAPACITY. THIS IS THE FERRARI/LAMBORGHINI/BUGATTI OF SHOWS THAT YOU NEED TO ATTEND AND DISPLAY AT.” Engineers, the Product Planners, the Executives from OEMs all over the world. The fluid power and motion control technology on display at IFPE is what makes the construction equipment you see at CONEXPOCON/AGG work, and that doesn’t change regardless of where the product is made.” Registration for the show opened in early August and the largest groups of international registrations are coming in from Canada, Australia, the UK, Mexico, and New Zealand. “In 2020, being able to present business opportunities about the

connect across oceans and languages. Matt McCormick, Director of International Sales at Minnesotabased Cimline, says the return of the ITC will increase the accessibility of the event. “The ITC is a really useful resource for international salespeople like me,” he says. “Having an area with translators on call in a quiet environment where we can offer an overseas visitor hospitality is valuable. I also find the input and presentations from the staff at the ITC to be useful.” Register now at conexpoconagg.com or ifpe.com.

Infrastructure Sustainability Council

THE 2022 INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL

GALA AWARDS

THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL HAS CELEBRATED EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AND BEST PRACTICE ACROSS THE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS.

he Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) has announced the winners of the 2022 Gala Awards. This year’s awards honoured excellence in sustainability across environmental, social, governance, and economic quadruple bottom line outcomes, and outstanding contributions to market transformation at organisational, systemic and societal levels. AWARDS WRAP-UP Award: Sustainability Leadership – Excellence in Governance Recipient: John Holland & Laing O’Rourke Joint Venture Project: Sydenham Metro Upgrade Right from the initial planning stages of the Sydenham Metro Upgrade, the project was underpinned by a comprehensive and robust sustainability strategy. This was a deliberate and carefully considered part of John Holland and Laing O’Rourke’s joint venture master plan to mitigate risk and provide a full-bodied governance structure that was present and pragmatic at all levels of the project. In total, the project achieved savings of over 15,420 tonnes of aggregates, over 1140 tonnes of asphalt, over 4480 metres cubed of poured concrete and over 784 tonnes of steel reinforcement. The project also achieved a significant reduction in waste, compared to previous projects. Award: Sustainability Leadership – Excellence in Economic Recipient: Acciona Samsung Bouygues Joint Venture Project: M4-M5 Link Tunnels After extensive research and development with the supply chain that took more than

a year, the Acciona Samsung Bouygues Joint Venture developed a world first shotcrete application process for the lining of the M4-M5 Link Tunnels in Sydney. This process included creating an innovative shotcrete design mix as well as improving techniques to apply shotcrete to the tunnel walls in order to reduce rebounding. The legacy of the high-performance shotcrete used for the lining of the M4-M5 Link Tunnels is a design mix that has allowed the M4-M5 Link Tunnels project to reduce the thickness of the lining of the tunnels by 15 per cent. It is expected that this design mix will be business as usual for future road tunnel projects that require shotcrete for tunnel linings. Award: Sustainability Leadership – Excellence in Social Recipient: McConnell Dowell Project: The Echuca-Moama Bridge Project Stage Three During Stage 3 of the $323.7m Echuca-Moama Bridge Project, Major Road Projects Victoria and its construction partner, McConnell Dowell, teamed up with local disability support service provider Vivid. This partnership gave 23 young adults, living with disability, an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and inclusive workplace. They were tasked with cleaning and maintenance roles at the project site offices in both Victoria and New South Wales. Due to the increased income generated by the Project’s procurement contract to fill cleaning and maintenance roles, Vivid has been able to upgrade areas of its business that do not attract direct funding. This has improved its ability to support the employment pathways of local people living with a disability.

Award: Sustainability Leadership – Excellence in Environmental Recipient: John Holland & Laing O’Rourke Joint Venture Project: Sydenham Metro Upgrade During the Sydenham Metro Upgrade, the joint venture team of John Holland and Laing O’Rourke closely collaborated with stakeholders on a sustainability-centred design approach. The value of this approach was demonstrated when design adjustments were made that led to excellent environmental, societal and economic outcomes. The most powerful legacy of the project was the recognition of the necessity and value of thought leadership from those within the construction and engineering space. Designing with sustainability as the core focus empowers experienced minds in the industry to challenge the status quo. Without input from the project team, and without the vital analyses of flow rates, ground conditions, and drainage models, the original design would have been accepted and all opportunity for economic, material, societal and environmental savings would have been lost. Award: Industry Impact – Private Sector, Large Recipient: Acciona As a sustainable solutions business, Acciona recognises that the impact of climate change is endangering every facet of the natural and physical world. Acciona asserts that changing course in order to realise a sustainable, liveable future for all requires an immediate, ambitious and concerted effort, and Acciona’s Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) 2025 is its contribution to that effort. Acciona is contributing positively to the climate emergency and a sustainable future for all through its approach to decarbonisation. Its roadsonline.com.au

Infrastructure Sustainability Council

approach, driven by the SMP2025, is inspiring other companies to follow its lead. Award: Industry Impact – Private Sector, Small Recipient: Earth Friendly Concrete Pty Ltd – Wagners Through its ultra-low carbon technology, Wagners has developed and branded Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC). This enables concrete producers to eliminate cement from concrete, reducing the carbon footprint in the built environment. EFC is the lowest embodied carbon concrete available on the market, and is now being used on a range of infrastructure projects. When used at scale, it makes a significant dent in man-made carbon emissions. Award: Industry Impact – Public Sector Recipient: Main Roads Western Australia Main Roads Western Australia has made a strong contribution to circular economy industry impact by delivering infrastructure projects that are promoting social and organisational change at a strategic level. Main Roads Western Australia is committed to contributing to the circular economy in WA, including doubling the broader ongoing use of Roads to Reuse Crushed Recycled Concrete to beyond 200,000 tonnes, and continuing to drive the use of locally produced crumb rubber.

As an ambassador to the organisation’s STEM+ program, he helped design and deliver a sustainability module. From the Laing O’Rourke Graduate Development Program, he created a dedicated rotation of young professionals into sustainability roles. And for the organisation’s leaders, he helped design, with Cambridge University, a key strategic leadership program around maximising innovation and value creation through sustainable solutions. Award: Sustainability Champion Recipient: Georgia Gosse Georgia Gosse is currently the Infrastructure Advisory Principal and Queensland Regional Service Group Leader with Aurecon. Before joining Aurecon in 2022, Gosse served as the sustainability manager for Australia’s national freight network, Inland Rail, for four years. Gosse drives positive change in the infrastructure industry by sharing her knowledge and inspiring more women to pursue careers and make their marks in the industry. She is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and events, where she advocates for sustainability within the infrastructure industry. She is an integral member of the Australasian Railway Association’s (ARA) Sustainability Committee and was closely involved in the development of the ARA’s sustainability strategy and the launch of their

“THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL’S IS RATING SCHEME (IS) IS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND’S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE RATING SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONAL PHASES OF INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS.” Award: Emerging Leader Recipient: Sam Donaldson Sam Donaldson has been motivated to make sustainability in construction a reality throughout his entire career. An important milestone for Donaldson was his appointment to his current position as Hub Sustainability Leader at Laing O’Rourke. He had a vital role in the development of their Global Sustainability Strategy – to ensure the unique factors associated with operating in Australia were considered and prioritised. This strategy has not only caused a cultural shift within the organisation, but also across the industry. 58

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first sustainability conference. She mentors emerging and aspiring sustainability leaders through her involvement in the ARA’s Women in Rail Mentoring Program, which aims to help women working in rail develop their leadership capabilities.. Award: Enduring Impact Recipient: Andrew Ackerman Andrew Ackerman, the Alliance General Manager of the South Eastern Program Alliance (SEPA), has long been a sustainability champion in the construction industry. Not only has Ackerman been leading the way in making construction and engineering

more sustainable from an emissions standpoint, but he is also a passionate believer in advancing the full spectrum of sustainability. THE IS AWARDS The Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s IS Rating Scheme (IS) is Australia and New Zealand’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating economic, social and environmental performance of infrastructure across the planning, design, construction and operational phases of infrastructure assets. Early adopters and sustainability pioneers of the IS Rating Scheme soar by anchoring in purpose and operationalising broader outcomes across assets, organisations and communities. The Infrastructure Sustainability Council has congratulated the following award winners for outstanding achievement in IS As Built, Design and Planning: Award: Outstanding Achievement - IS Planning Project: Bunbury Outer Ring Road Recipient: Main Roads Western Australia Award: Outstanding Achievement - IS Design (v2.0 and 2.1) Project: Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge Project Recipient: Main Roads Western Australia, Laing O’Rourke, BG&E Award: Outstanding Achievement - IS Design (v1.2) Project: LXRP SPA - Additional Works Package 2 (AWP2) Recipient: Level Crossing Removal Project, Southern Program Alliance (Acciona, Coleman Rail, Level Crossing Removal Project & Metro Trains Melbourne) Award: Outstanding Achievement - IS As Built (v1.2) Project: LXRP NWPA - Bell to Moreland Recipient: Level Crossing Removal Project, North Western Program Alliance (Level Crossing Removal Project, John Holland, KBR & Metro Trains Melbourne) Award: Outstanding Achievement - IS As Built (v2.0 and 2.1) Project: North-South Corridor - Regency Road to Pym St v2.0 Recipient: South Australia Department of Planning, Transport, and Infrastructure, Mott MacDonald, McConnell Dowell

PRECAST TRACKS MERINDA TO OPEN A YEAR AHEAD

OF PROGRAMME

EXTENSIVE USE OF PRECAST CONCRETE IN VICTORIA’S NEW MERINDA PARK STATION HAS ALLOWED THE NEW RAILWAY STATION IN MELBOURNE’S SOUTHEAST TO OPEN A YEAR AHEAD OF TIME.

he project is a part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade in the Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal project and was constructed by the SE Program Alliance. Along with eight kilometres of new, duplicated track between Dandenong and Cranbourne with an additional 50 train services running weekly on the Cranbourne Line since February this year, commuters are enjoying a sleek new station with a geometric aesthetic at Merinda Park. National Precast Master Precaster Hollow Core Concrete was awarded the contract to manufacture and install the precast elements for the project including walls, floors, beams, coping stones, lift pit boxes, and stairs. PRECAST’S FORM AND FUNCTION Construction of the station underpass required a great deal of planning and expediency to eliminate any unwanted delays to the public rail network. The Alliance’s objective was to complete the bridging component of the underpass over a three day, Friday to Sunday period, so that the Cranbourne line could reopen ready for commuters on the Monday morning. The only way this could be achieved was with precast deck slabs that are heavily reinforced and span across the underpass to take train traffic loads. In addition, construction of the underpass structure in precast was absolutely necessary to ensure that site access was not being cut off for weeks as a result of temporary works. Above ground, 80 ramp wall panels and 42 rail platform feature panels were supplied, all cast using an almond pigment in the concrete mix and featuring a horizontal bamboo pattern that was created using form liners in

PROJECT: Merinda Park Station Location: Merinda Park, Victoria BUILDER: South Eastern Program Alliance, Laing O’Rourke (Principle Contractor) CONSULTING ENGINEERS/ARCHITECTS: Jacobs MASTER PRECASTER: Hollow Core Concrete the precast moulds. An outstanding quality of finish was achieved and was enabled by the precaster’s controlled, sheltered factory environment with rigid formwork and extensive quality management procedures in place. MERGING OF GEOMETRY With ramp panels tapering in different directions and mitring seamlessly into adjacent elements at varying angles, a magnificent geometric effect has been created. Although merging the geometry of all of the elements was not an easy task, the most challenging and architecturally impressive part of the project, is the ‘Pyramid’. It’s a structure that comprises two main panels which were made up of 27 and 13 faces, making the panels complex to design and

manufacture during the project. To ensure a seamless process, the Alliance proposed that Hollow Core drive the complete design of the “Pyramid” using their expertise in 3D modelling and precast construction. Peter Healy, Hollow Core’s Managing Director, says the panels were probably the most complicated part of the project, but his company was up for the challenge. National Precast CEO Sarah Bachmann says the company’s capacity to seamlessly and elegantly close off and merge so many constraining elements is a testament to their design and precasting capabilities. The Alliance’s leadership and Hollow Core’s expertise have delivered an outstanding result that will benefit commuters for years to come. roadsonline.com.au

AfPA

MEMBER PROFILE

GARY GEORGIOU, GEORGIOU GROUP CEO, SHARES SOME INSIGHTS FROM HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE PAVEMENT INDUSTRY WITH ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE. HOW LONG HAVE YOU/YOUR COMPANY BEEN AN AFPA MEMBER AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME ONE? Georgiou became an AfPA member in 2021 and the decision was two-fold. Having really established ourselves within the New South Wales road market, we wanted to ensure we were members of a peak body representing the flexible pavement industry in Australia. Secondly, we felt a lot of alignment with AfPA’s vision to drive a national culture of continuous improvement, particularly in the areas of safety and diversity. HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER IN THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? Georgiou was established in 1977 in Western Australia and in 1994 acquired a roads business which saw the company take their traditional drainage and precast offering and expand into a new sector. In 1998 when now-Chairman John Georgiou took over as CEO, he combined the three businesses into what is today known as Georgiou Group. Over the past three decades, the company has really solidified their reputation in the roads industry, delivering some of the biggest infrastructure projects across Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? Georgiou is a national building and civil construction company, delivering a range of engineering services across Australia, both to private and public clients. Current projects include the $230 million Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 (Qld), $400 million Tonkin Gap Project and Associated Works (WA) and $500 million M12 Motorway West (NSW). WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY? There have been a lot of achievements in our 45 years as a business. When I look back 60

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

over the past five years, we’ve expanded into New South Wales and changed our Queensland business model with both regions holding strong work-in-hand and a full order book going into FY24. Additionally, we’ve made leaps and bounds when it comes to diversity, offering competitive paid parental leave, flexible work options and more recently introduced gender neutral toilets on projects. It’s about being more inclusive and diverse, not just as a company, but an industry.

Gary Georgiou, Georgiou Group CEO.

WHAT IS A RECENT CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW ARE YOU/YOUR COMPANY PREPARED FOR THAT? What we are seeing, and it’s something we are proud to be constantly improving, is the increased focus around diversity and inclusion. Within Georgiou, one of our values is to treat each other as family and in order to have a truly inclusive working environment we needed to review our flexible working arrangements, improve our paid parental leave offering and look at how we can change the way we do business to be more inclusive which we are starting to do through the introduction of gender-neutral toilets on construction sites, provision of sanitary products etc. We know that greater diversity and inclusion will heavily benefit our business and it’s great to see the industry really drive that change.

works across the transport, defence, mining, oil and gas, urban development, marine and water. In building construction, it includes health, education, age care, residential, industrial, non-process infrastructure and retail. Founded in 1977 and delivering projects across Australia, our business is built on the values of safety, profit, relationships, people and innovation.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? As more projects fall under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council criteria, it’ll be interesting to see how ESG, sustainability and innovation continue to shape modern project delivery. Georgiou is an Australian-owned contractor working across public and private infrastructure. In civil construction, Georgiou

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? For Georgiou, it’s about continuing to deliver complex infrastructure across the three states in which we operate, provide development and learning opportunities for our team and strengthen our position as a sustainable business. It’s not about being bigger and better for us, it’s about consistent quality delivery and working with the best people in the industry.

HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF AFPA BENEFITTED YOU IN THE INDUSTRY? The opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure the sustainability of the roads industry through continuous improvement.

AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Congratulations to the 2022 National Industry Awards Winners

Innovation Award

Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) Downer

Outstanding Project Outstanding Project 2022 Safety 2021 Safety Award >10M Award < 10M Initiative Award Initiative Award Norfolk Island Airport Resurfacing Project Boral

Albert Park Track Resurfacing Project Downer

Graduate / Cadet Award

Bitumen gas heating safety & compliance upgrade RPQ

Action Control System Action Auto Electrics

Flexible Pavement Field Worker Award

Mitch Mullen - COLAS & Teba Mazin - Downer

Kiara Woodhouse - COLAS & Gavin Woods - Fulton Hogan

Industry Leadership Award

Emerging Leader Award

Kanjana Yindee - SAMI & Cameron Nisbett - COLAS

Kiri Gibbins - Boral & QLD Dr Brody Clark - WSP

CONTRACTS & TENDERS

CONTRACTS IN BRIEF ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE CONTRACTS AND TENDERS RECENTLY AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS. VICTORIA:

Preferred consortium named for Melbourne Airport Rail works The Sunshine Systems Alliance has been selected by the Victorian Government as the preferred consortium to deliver a major works package for the Melbourne Airport Rail project. The selected consortium consists of CPB Contractors, John Holland Group, AECOM, Alstom, KBR, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and Rail Projects Victoria. The project will connect trains from Melbourne’s Airport to Victoria’s metropolitan and regional networks. Trains will run from Melbourne Airport through to Sunshine Station, then into the Metro Tunnel and the heart of the CBD, before continuing to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. The project will provide passengers with a 30-minute trip between the airport and Melbourne’s CBD. As part of the works, the consortium will deliver major improvements including major improvements including a new, accessible second pedestrian concourse and new forecourt area at Sunshine Station. Works will also include a new forecourt area and car park improvements at Albion Station, construction of an elevated flyover at Albion separating airport trains from metropolitan and regional services as well as relocation and implementation of rail systems, modifications to substations, and protection of existing utilities. The Sunshine Systems Alliance will also deliver corridor-wide rail system and signalling upgrades to allow High-Capacity Metro Trains to travel to the new Airport Station. The project is expected to be completed in 2029. The Australian and Victorian governments have committed $5 billion each to the project. Contracts awarded for level crossing removals in Melbourne’s south east Two level crossing removals on the Pakenham Line in Melbourne’s southeast are one step closer, with contracts awarded for projects at Webb Street, Narre Warren and Brunt Road, Beaconsfield. A $259 million contract has been awarded to an alliance comprising McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), in partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project. The alliance will deliver a new Narre Warren Station and an elevated rail bridge to

ROADS NOVEMBER 2022

replace the Webb Street level crossing by 2025. The new station will feature an airconditioned waiting room, secure bicycle parking, and an elevated structure spanning almost 1 kilometre, including rail bridges over Webb Street and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road. Major construction will begin later this year. A construction contract has also been awarded to remove another Pakenham Line level crossing at Brunt Road, Beaconsfield, with a new road bridge to improve traffic flow and increase safety. An alliance of Fulton Hogan Construction, MTM and the Level Crossing Removal Project will deliver the $66 million contract to remove the level crossing by 2025. The Brunt Road project has received extensive feedback from the local community, which will be reflected in the updated designs, due for release in early 2023. New shared use and pedestrian paths will connect to existing pedestrian links within the area, improving accessibility and connections to schools, shops and services on either side of the rail line. Early works will soon be underway and major construction will begin in 2023. The Victorian Government has fast-tracked the removal of 22 crossings on the Pakenham Line. There are nine more to go to make the line free of level crossings by 2025.

NEW SOUTH WALES:

Contract awarded for Great Western Highway upgrade works An early works contract has been awarded for the Little Hartley to Lithgow section of the Great Western Highway upgrade in New South Wales. The Katoomba to Lithgow duplication will provide major economic and safety benefits. It will improve the connection between Central West New South Wales and Sydney, reduce congestion, improve resilience and freight productivity, and provide a safer and more reliable journey for thousands of residents, commuters, tourists and freight operators. Ausconnex has been awarded the contract to carry out early works at Coxs River Road, which will include an upgrade of about 2.4 kilometres of existing highway at Little Hartley to create a four-lane divided carriageway. The new-look interchange at Coxs River Road, with a road bridge over the upgraded highway

will be the first phase of the west section of the upgrade and will aim to improve travel in and around the western base of the Blue Mountains. Works are expected to commence in early 2023.

NEW ZEALAND: Contract awarded for pipeline between Warkworth and Snells Beach McConnell Dowell has been awarded the next stage of Watercare’s North Eastern Sub-regional Wastewater Scheme, the Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline. The pipeline is the next stage of the scheme which includes the Snells Algies Outfall completed by McConnell Dowell in 2021, and the Warkworth Pump Station currently being constructed by the team. McConnell Dowell attributes its success in securing the contract to the Direct Pipe construction methodology proposed to minimise disruption. This methodology has been used previously on the Watercare’s Army Bay and Snells Algies Outfall Projects and the Westland Milk Products outfall project in Hokitika. Most of the transfer pipeline will be installed using the trenchless micro tunnelling technique Direct Pipe, along with a tunnel boring machine (TBM). This installation will be completed in three Direct Pipe drives. The new wastewater transfer pipeline comprises a dual rising main – approximately 1.4 kilometres long – from the Warkworth Pump Station to a new break chamber, and a single gravity sewer – approximately 3.6 kilometres long – connecting the chamber to the new Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. These wastewater infrastructure upgrades are expected to provide local communities with reliable, resilient wastewater services that meet the needs of Warkworth’s growing population well into the future. The improvements will also reduce overflows and discharges into the Mahurangi River.

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Small Asphalt Rollers Compact and Smart

DYNAPACS SIXTH GENERATION SMALL ASPHALT ROLLERS - READY TO ROLL Dynapac’s sixth generation CC1300VI and CC1400VI small asphalt rollers are designed and built to meet the construction industries ever evolving and tough conditions. The new design has resulted in a robust, comfortable and modern machine that still achieves the market leading compaction results that Dynapac is renowned for. The new generation has a unique cross mounted engine providing exceptional access to engine and hydraulic components. This new engine concept and the slideable operators seat combine to increase visibility to drum edges and the greater worksite. High vibration frequency, offsetability of the drum, high efficiency eccentrics and options such as edge press devices and chip spreaders all improve compaction efficiency and versatility.

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ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

RUBBER LIKE

NO OTHER

NOVEMBER 2022

SAMI’s Crumb Rubber Modified Binders (CRM) are anything but ordinary. For over 25 years we’ve been re-purposing end-of-life car and truck tyres in our CRM products. SAMI’s CRM Binder is a choice for the environment you can feel; thanks to improved skid resistance and rideability. It’s all part of our ongoing mission to create sustainable roads with superior moisture resistance, increased durability, and long-term performance. Because with more tyres in the road, we can all drive towards a greener future.

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