Roads and Infrastructure December 2021 by Prime Creative Media

DECEMBER 2021

SUSTAINABLE ROAD REHABILITATION Pavement Recyclers promotes road reuse, rejuvenation

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK Experts comment on the trends to watch out for in 2022 WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT TAKES WING A look at the cutting-edge technologies shaping the airfield

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

DECEMBER 2021 CONTENTS

COVER STORY

15 Back to basics How Pavement Recyclers, a subsidiary division of Stabilised Pavements of Australia, is promoting material reuse and sustainability within the paving industry.

PROJECT REPORT

19 More than just connecting the dots Roads and Infrastructure looks at the challenges overcome on the ThornlieCockburn Link project in Western Australia.

ROADS REVIEW

22 We explore the trends within the roads and infrastructure industry which are expected to grow in 2022.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

24 The peak of a pandemic might not be the best time to consider adding an entirely new service division to your business. But that was exactly what Citywide did.

EMPLOYMENT

26 Looking for skills outside the borders Migration specialist Monica Gruszka says it’s never been more critical for companies to attract the right talent.

TECH AND EQUIPMENT

28 Cabling with confidence Madison Express recently won a contract to supply cables for Sydney’s Rozelle Interchange project. We talked to them about their new partnership with LEONI and more. 30 Simply advanced How NorthVic Asphalt’s operation was boosted by the introduction of a Caterpillar AP500 paver to its machinery fleet. 32 The combined power JCB Product Manager Glenn McLeod explains how JCB’s new Teleskid combines the features of multiple machinery to provide a one-stop solution.

Citywide has launched a new Energy and Utilities division. Read the story on Pg 24.

34 Drainage solutions for light rail ACO Polycrete’s Tramdrain is helping divert stormwater from light rail infrastructure.

SOFTWARE

36 Mastering the art of digital collaboration How the team at Arcadis is using Bluebeam to work collaboratively with stakeholders on mega infrastructure projects.

ASPHALT NEWS

38 Embracing the benefits of high float emulsions A look at SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ new SAMIfloat emulsion, and its applications for Australian pavements.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

41 Together towards tyre circularity Tyrecycle’s CEO Jim Fairweather talks about challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s tyre-derived product recycling.

INFRASTRUCTURE IN FOCUS

42 Western Sydney International Airport takes wing We talked to Western Sydney International Airport’s CEO about some of the technologies shaping the airfield.

AfPA

44 Assisting families impacted by workplace fatalities How the Fellows Foundation is helping families impacted by workplace fatalities.

47 AfPA member profile Fergus McColl from Interchem shares his company’s experience as a supplier of specialty chemicals.

INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL

48 Accelerating towards net zero The Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s 2021 Annual Impact Report paints a picture of where the sector is heading.

NATIONAL PRECAST

50 Getting creative with precast National Precast Concrete Association Australia introduces some of the latest initiatives from its members and partners.

ARRB

52 Bridges: The weakest link or the strength of the Australian economy? The Australian Road Research Board is working with the local government to assess bridges and support local development.

CONTRACTS AND TENDERS 54 An overview of the latest tenders and contracts from around Australia.

REGULARS 4 Editor’s note 6 Comments 8 News 12 People on the move

roadsonline.com.au

PUBLISHER Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au EDITOR Tara Hamid tara.hamid@primecreative.com.au

ENDING THE YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN. December is usually when we take stock of our industry, the achievements we’ve made over the past year, the challenges faced by the sector and the foreseeable silver linings. In December 2020, we asked the roads and infrastructure industry leaders what we could expect in 2021. A move towards more innovative and more sustainable infrastructure development was one unanimously agreed upon direction towards which the sector had to move to align itself with the broader movements towards net zero emissions. In October, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council published its 2021 Impact Report, which confirmed that those infrastructure projects with sustainability requirements embedded in their business cases have the potential to cut their emission levels considerably, sometimes by more than 50 per cent, through use of innovative material. This means that driving down emissions within the infrastructure sector – responsible for nearly 70 per cent of Australia’s emissions – is not only possible, but that it’s already gaining pace and momentum. As the economy slowly, but steadily, recovers from the impacts of two years with the pandemic, there are signs for optimism within the sector. Australia’s international borders are finally opening up to the rest of the world and the industry’s acute shortage of workforce will surely benefit from that. With more organisations paying attention to the broader impacts of their actions beyond the immediate effects, there are positive signs that we could be moving in the right direction. In this edition, we reflect on the works of some organisations that are taking steps towards those broader goals of sustainability, equality and social inclusion. We also introduce a newly established foundation that aims to provide a single point of contact to the families impacted by workplace fatalities. Finally, we again present the same question we asked industry leaders last year, to help us envision what 2022 will hold for the sector. Enjoy reading and wishing you all a very happy new year in advance!

JOURNALISTS Tom O’Keane tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey DESIGN Kerry Pert, Aisling McComiskey BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Brad Marshall brad.marshall@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au HEAD OFFICE Prime Creative Pty Ltd 11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 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.

Tara Hamid Editor, Roads & Infrastructure Magazine

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

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.

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comment BUILDING FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL

WEST AUSTRALIANS HON. RITA SAFFIOTI, WA MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND PORTS

he McGowan Government continues to deliver on our commitment to improve Western Australia’s transport infrastructure with 2021 seeing an unprecedented level of investment across the state. Our Building for Tomorrow program of works is making WA better connected than ever before, with new train stations and shared paths, safer roads and upgraded marine facilities all working together to improve connections for communities. Over 80 major projects are completed, under construction or in planning across metropolitan and regional areas, with more than 72 kilometres of new rail

“OVER 80 MAJOR PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED, UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN PLANNING ACROSS METROPOLITAN AND REGIONAL AREAS, WITH MORE THAN 72 KILOMETRES OF NEW RAIL LINE, 150 KILOMETRES OF NEW CYCLE PATHS, UPGRADES TO EIGHT MARINE FACILITIES, OVER $400 MILLION INVESTED IN THE CITY’S FREEWAYS AND AN EXTENSIVE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL ROADS ALL UNDERWAY.” line, 150 kilometres of new cycle paths, upgrades to eight marine facilities, over $400 million invested in the city’s freeways and an extensive safety improvement program for regional roads all underway. Together, these projects will transform our state’s transport network with an unprecedented investment in road, rail and cycling projects easing congestion and creating local jobs. The billions of dollars being invested will service WA’s 6

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

growing population into the future, providing strong transport connections for communities and enabling Western Australians to safely and easily travel throughout our state. During 2021, the METRONET program of works achieved significant milestones as we continue to work towards delivering this major transformation to Perth’s rail network – creating a well-connected city with more transport, housing and employment choices. The first of fifteen METRONET projects to be completed, the Bellevue Railcar Assembly Facility opened in June, returning rail car manufacturing to Western Australia after 27 years. The first of 246 new C-series railcars are due to roll off the assembly line in 2022, with more than 200 local workers employed at the facility. This project was one of several projects contributing to over $80 million worth of services awarded across the transport portfolio to Aboriginal businesses last financial year. The METRONET level crossing removal program will see up to nine crossings removed over the coming years, greatly improving safety, traffic flow and travel times for these communities. The first of these, in Perth’s southern suburb of Kelmscott, was closed in on 1 April. The new rail over road underpass, which involved lifting 850 metres of rail line, has been in use since mid-2021. Next year METRONET’s most significant milestone to date will be delivered, as we open the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link, delivering a new rail service to our eastern suburbs and providing a viable alternative to car travel for an expected 20,000 daily passengers while connecting Perth Airport to the CBD. Alongside the extensive METRONET works program are major upgrades to metropolitan and regional roads, further transforming travel in and around Western Australia.

The increasing number of visitors to WA’s popular south west will have noticed construction of the region’s biggest ever road infrastructure project, Bunbury Outer Ring Road, is now underway. Once complete, the 27 kilometre, four-lane, freeway standard road will give locals and tourists better access to the BunburyGeographe area and the wider south west region. This project will create thousands of jobs as well as provide opportunities for local businesses. In the well-known port city of Fremantle, the High Street Upgrade project is nearing completion and will improve safety, freight efficiency and traffic flow. It’s not only road traffic benefitting, walkers and bike riders are set to enjoy two new underpasses, enabling safer and better connected journeys. Over the coming years these projects, along with many more currently under construction or in planning, in both metropolitan and regional areas, will create a transport network providing West Australians more choice in how they travel and enable communities to thrive. Visit www.buildingfortomorrow.wa.gov.au to find out more.

BUILDING THE ROAD NETWORK THAT

OUR STATE DESERVES HON. BEN CARROLL, VICTORIAN MINISTER FOR ROADS AND ROAD SAFETY

ur road network plays a vital role in the life of every Victorian. Emerging from lockdown, it is more important than ever, whether people are reuniting with family and friends, heading back to work and school, or exploring every corner of our state. We also know roads and infrastructure are critical to the state’s present and future, which is why we’re providing ongoing investment and attention. Every year, we’re making thousands of kilometres of Victorian roads safer and more reliable during our annual road maintenance blitz. Since 2018, we have rebuilt and resurfaced more than 4,600 kilometres of roads state-wide.

“EVERY YEAR, WE’RE MAKING THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES OF VICTORIAN ROADS SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE DURING OUR ANNUAL ROAD MAINTENANCE BLITZ. SINCE 2018, WE HAVE REBUILT AND RESURFACED MORE THAN 4,600 KILOMETRES OF ROADS STATE-WIDE.” During the most recent blitz, we improved more than 2,430 kilometres of Victorian roads– surpassing pre-blitz estimates. We’re proud that our routine maintenance budget remains consistent year on year. In 2021, our maintenance blitz targeted some of Victoria’s most important roads – the Western Freeway, Old Dandenong Road, Frankston-Flinders Road and Mickleham Road in metropolitan Melbourne. In regional Victoria, works targeted essential connections including the Western, Northern, Hume and South Gippsland highways, Warrnambool-Caramut Road and McIvor-Redesdale Road. However, we know there’s more work to be done, and drivers can expect to see crews out in force over summer, repairing

David McTiernan, ARRB National Leader for Transport Safety.

and upgrading our network. In total, more than 1,300 individual road maintenance projects will be delivered between now and May 2022. It’s not just about taking care of our existing roads; it’s also about building the road network that our state deserves. Together with my colleague, the Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan, we’re busy delivering some of the most significant road upgrades Victoria has ever seen. This year, a tremendous amount of work is underway across the city’s freeway network. Collectively, crews have worked millions of hours across the M80, Monash and the new Mordialloc Freeway. These projects create the capacity needed to get drivers where they need to go safer and sooner. Melbourne’s west has already been transformed following the completion of the $1.8 billion-dollar Western Roads Upgrade, reducing travel times by around 20 per cent. And we’re not done yet, with a further 12 arterial roads to undergo major improvements across Melbourne’s northern and south-eastern suburbs. This record investment into the road

network will deliver huge improvements to capacity and boost safety. In regional Victoria, projects such as the Echuca-Moama bridge project will improve cross-border connections. At the same time, the $60.8 million Keeping Ballarat Moving project is overhauling some of the city’s most notorious traffic hotspots. Ensuring our regional cities are equipped to deal with their status as some of the fastest-growing areas anywhere in Australia is critical. Across the state, Victoria’s Big Build is giving a boost to our state’s economic recover – an incredible $80 billion investment and supporting more than 50,000 jobs. In 2022, we expect our roads will continue helping the economy rebound. For our regional towns, the road network will help facilitate the critical movement of hundreds of thousands of trucks, ferrying freight around the state – whether grain from the Wimmera, dairy from the southwest or produce from the Sunraysia. Together with our continued investments in maintaining and expanding our public transport network, we remain focused on improving transport across Victoria – giving locals, tourists, and freight operators safer and more reliable journeys. roadsonline.com.au

NEWS

WORK COMPLETES ON SUNSHINE COAST’S LARGEST EVER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT Work to improve safety and efficiency along the Bruce Highway on the Sunshine Coast, the region’s largest ever infrastructure project, is now complete. The $932 million project has seen the Bruce Highway upgraded to six lanes between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway including major upgrades to both interchanges and a new two-way service road for local traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive. Widening the lanes is set to improve the safety, capacity, traffic flow and road access

for the highway connection. The upgrade will also improve the efficiency of the network and bolster the flood immunity of the section. The project also includes the construction of a new free-flowing, grade-separated ramps replacing the existing intersection on the old Bruce Highway northbound exit ramp to the Sunshine Motorway near Wilson Road. This project is part of the 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns.

Work has completed on the Bruce Highway – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway.

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO INVEST $7.1B IN TRAIN MANUFACTURING The Queensland Government has announced a $7.1 billion investment to manufacture trains, set for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, in regional Queensland. Sixty-five new trains will be built at a purpose-built, publicly owned train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea, about 25 kilometres north-west of Maryborough. The investment will include new rail infrastructure in the south-east and ongoing maintenance of the newest fleet. Premier Palaszczuk said the historic investment would create 800 new full-time

jobs in the Wide Bay-Burnett region. “This is 800 jobs for this region — this is a significant announcement, 800 jobs, longterm secure jobs, setting rail manufacturing up here for the decades to come.” Ms Palaszczuk said it was the first “localprocurement” announcement for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Because these trains will be needed for the Olympics, for our Cross River Rail,” she said. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the rail plan would create jobs in Central Queensland to support Queensland’s

plan for economic recovery. “Labor’s plan is about locking in secure jobs and training opportunities for a generation of Queensland workers,” Mr Bailey said. “That includes in Central Queensland, where locals will benefit from a guaranteed pipeline of investment. “Queensland built trains. Made by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders.” Cross River Rail is on track for first services to begin operating in 2025, which is also when the first trains from Maryborough are deemed to hit tracks.

DESIGNS REVEALED FOR KEY SECTIONS OF SA’S TORRENS TO DARLINGTON PROJECT The South Australian Government has revealed detailed plans for the crucial northern entry and exit points of the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) southern tunnels, as well as a direct connection to Anzac Highway that will allow motorists to get from the southern suburbs towards the Adelaide CBD without stopping at traffic lights. An elevated ramp will take motorists from the south directly and non-stop from the T2D motorway to Anzac Highway on a new structure over the interchange at South 8

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

Road, making it easier, safer and quicker to travel to the city. The solution for this vital east/west traffic movement was identified following a rigorous planning and design process, and will be achieved without any property acquisitions on Anzac Highway. Early designs for the connection between the T2D motorway and Anzac Highway had further acquisition impacts, including local heritage-listed buildings. South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure

and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the project team would also work with key stakeholders, including the Returned and Services League and Department of Veterans’ Affairs, to ensure the elevated ramp structure and urban design of this location pays appropriate tribute to the ANZACs and all Australian servicemen and servicewomen. A Reference Design is expected to be released by the end of 2021. Major construction of the Southern Tunnels is expected to commence in late 2023.

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NEWS

DESIGN REVEALED FOR BRISBANE’S DUTTON PARK STATION REBUILD A new concept design has been revealed for the rebuild of Dutton Park Station in Brisbane’s south. The station will be completely rebuilt in order to improve the accessibility of the station ahead of the Cross River Rail project, which is planned to open in 2025. The rebuild will include new entry points, two raised platforms making it easier to board and disembark from trains, a pedestrian overpass which includes a lift to the platforms, shade canopies, drinking fountains and bike storage for Dutton Park Station. Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the Dutton Park station rebuild would be a major boost to the accessibility of the station for commuters. “Opened more than 130 years ago, Dutton

Park is one of seven stations that will be rebuilt on Brisbane’s southside in time for Cross River Rail’s opening in 2025,” he said. “This will not only benefit the local community but will mean access to the nearby Princess Alexandra Hospital will be more convenient for more people as well.” The new Dutton Park Station will form part of the Cross River Rail project’s southern portal, which will connect commuters with the new underground station at Boggo Road through twin tunnels. The Cross River Rail project will help to unlock the bottleneck of the current capacity of the rail network, with just one river crossing and four Brisbane stations in the CBD. The population of South East Queensland

is also expected to rise by 1.4 million people in 2036, which would place greater pressure on the network. Bailey said the Cross River Rail project was an important part of Queensland’s future, as the state’s population booms. “When trains start running through the twin tunnels in 2025, more than 7700 workers, including 450 trainees and apprentices can boast they had a hand in building the project – redefining how people travel across South East Queensland and into the inner city,” he said. Early works, including geotechnical investigations, surveys and environmental monitoring are ongoing, while major construction is expected to commence in early 2022.

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NEWS

DESIGNS REVEALED FOR TWO NEW PAKENHAM STATIONS IN MELBOURNE Designs have been unveiled for the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations in Melbourne’s east, which will be built as part of a fast-tracked project to remove level crossings in the area. McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham will see level crossings removed by 2023/24, which will create more open space for locals. Works to remove these three level crossings will begin later this year. The level crossings are among the total 22 crossings being removed on the Pakenham line as part of a $15 billion investment by Victorian Government to upgrade the Pakenham line, making the line boomgate free by 2025. The project is extending the metropolitan rail track by two kilometres and building a new East Pakenham Station in this growth

area of Melbourne. With four tracks – including dedicated bypass tracks – the new East Pakenham Station will remove a major bottleneck for the V/Line and Metro train network, reducing congestion and providing more efficient commutes for motorists. It will also create safer and more direct links between public transport and the town centre. Architecture firm Genton will develop the stations, with an emphasis to be placed on ensuring that the design of the station reflects the character of the suburb. Construction will also include a bus and two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones to offer safer access to the station. An additional 450 cap parking spaces will be built at Pakenham Station. Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said Pakenham and East

Pakenham were among the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria. “These are some of the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria. The new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham will ensure we have the right infrastructure in place at the right time to serve people in these booming communities,” the Minister said. “We’re removing 22 level dangerous and congested level crossings on the Pakenham line, with 10 already gone, seven underway and we’ve recently added another five, making the line level crossing free by 2025.” Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project aims to remove 85 level crossings by 2025. Together with the Metro Tunnel, bigger trains and next-generation highcapacity signalling, the upgrades will make room for 121,000 extra peak hour passengers each week.

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COVER STORY

BACK TO BASICS: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ROAD REHABILITATION Pavement Recyclers were subcontracted to undertake pavement rehabilitation as part of the Northbourne Avenue upgrades in Canberra.

PAVEMENT RECYCLERS, A SUBSIDIARY DIVISION OF STABILISED PAVEMENTS OF AUSTRALIA, IS CENTRED ON PROMOTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS OF REUSING AND REJUVENATING EXISTING PAVEMENT MATERIALS FOR ROAD REHABILITATION. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE REPORTS.

riven by a commitment to keep the Australian pavement recycling industry at the forefront of global innovation, one Australian company is setting examples by making the most of existing resources through a sustainable insitu road recycling process. Stabilised Pavements of Australia (SPA) is an Australian-owned company that has become a leading specialist stabilisation

contractor in Australasia. Commencing in Australia in 1984, the company has been providing road recycling services for local government and state road authorities, non-council and private customers and has expanded overseas to operate internationally. In early 2020, SPA launched a new subsidiary division called Pavement Recyclers to specifically focus on

delivering Paver Laid Insitu Recycling – a technique based on rehabilitating the existing road pavement materials onsite, using the Wirtgen 380 (W380) Cold Recycler from Germany. A first of its kind in Australia, Pavement Recyclers’ operations occur in just one pass of the forward moving train, including milling, recycling, material management and placement. Alongside many improved roadsonline.com.au

“WITH A SINGLE-PASS PROCESS THAT RECYCLES UP TO 100 PER CENT OF THE EXISTING PAVER MATERIAL, WITH A CLEAN PAVER FINISH, ASSET OWNERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY PAVEMENTS ARE REHABILITATED.”

features on current conventions, the single pass, paver laid aspect is a key difference compared to other recycling methods used in Australia. General Manager David Berg says by introducing the brand Pavement Recyclers, the company aimed to bring attention to the significance of this latest development in the road rehabilitation industry. “Stabilisation is used worldwide to improve the engineering characteristics of pavement material and is frequently selected by road asset managers because of the sustainability benefits that are often relied upon when pavements are in urgent need for rehabilitation. Pavement Recyclers’ new plant and process delivering recycled pavements is a game-changer as it improves the efficiency of the process. The new brand was a way for us to emphasise that recycling of pavements is what stabilisation is. A fundamental benefit of the process, essential for many of Australia’s rural roads where shoulder failures are prominent, is that the Wirtgen 380 Cold Recycler allows Pavement Recyclers to simultaneously widen the roads while rehabilitating them,” Berg says. “The recycler machine showcases a full working width of 3.8 metres. When paired with the paver screed capable of extending even further, this allows recycling to occur, depending on the project, in a single pass

across full lane widths, multiple lanes or with simultaneous shoulder widening. The machine also doubles up as the world’s largest profiler,” he adds. USING GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES For Pavements Engineer Davina Smith, rehabilitating existing road pavement materials is the ideal process to achieve sustainable pavement solutions, supported by basic and fundamental geotechnical engineering principles. “Why import new materials when you can recycle the road that’s already there?” says Smith. “So far, the most popular type of Paver Laid Insitu Recycling treatment used by Pavement Recyclers has been Foamed Asphalt, which uses foamed bitumen technology,” says Smith. “The reason we have been predominantly using Foamed Asphalt treatment is because the foamed bitumen technology, used to recycle existing pavement materials, is most comparable to deep lift asphalt pavements in terms of thickness and performance. Deep lift asphalt pavements are well known in the mainstream, but by providing a more sustainable alternative that is focused on working with the available pavement materials, we are hoping to assist road authorities meet their sustainability

Pavement recycling and widening at Bundeena Drive, Sutherland Shire Council.

BEFORE

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

AFTER

targets, encompassing cost savings and environmental benefits,” she adds. According to Smith, Pavement Recyclers can recycle a range of common pavement materials relevant to the Australian context, including granular materials such as gravels and sands, asphalt and even small portions of clay that make their way into the mix. “It is a matter of being able to understand and apply geotechnical engineering principles to determine the suitable mix designs (blend of binders) and provide adequate quality assurance to verify results in the field.” In the near future, Smith says Pavement Recyclers aims at introducing to Australia technology for 100 per cent asphalt pavement recycling, all done on site using the Paver Laid Insitu Recycling process. “This is already occurring overseas on major highways and freeways using the Wirtgen 380 Cold Recycler. Pavement Recyclers is undergoing the necessary research and development, and consultation with authorities to bring this exciting prospect to Australia,” she says. Moreover, Smith says Pavement Recyclers’ passion for environmentally friendly road recycling is supported through the cold recycling process, which eliminates the need for heating the road pavement mix, with obvious safety and environmental benefits. She says this is an advantage over conventional hot mix and warm mix asphalts. NORTHBOURNE AVENUE PAVEMENT REHABILITATION IN CANBERRA The full benefits of Pavement Recyclers’ unique paving technology were well demonstrated at a recently delivered project in Canberra, where Pavement Recyclers worked for head contractor Woden Contractors on rehabilitating two critical sections of Northbourne Avenue. The first phase of the project included rehabilitating a 1.3-kilometre section of the northbound carriageway between Macarthur Avenue and Mouat Street. The original project plan of using standard methods of pavement rehabilitation would have taken approximately 26 weeks to complete. However, by using the alternative Foamed Asphalt process, the project took just six weeks. An internal sustainability assessment concluded that approximately 6100 tonnes of existing pavement material – which would have otherwise been excavated

COVER STORY

Pavement Recyclers recently installed a Trimble Universal Total Station on its W380 Cold Recycler.

and discarded before replacing with deep lift asphalt – was instead treated with Foamed Asphalt and recycled on site. This consequently reduced the need for new imported materials to site by approx. 70 per cent. Along with a twenty-week reduction of the impact on traffic during construction, this resulted in up to 40 per cent cost savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (measured in Carbon Dioxide Equivalents) of approximately 61 per cent. The second phase of the project between Antill Street and Wakefield Avenue commenced in June 2021 and was completed the following month. Here, Pavement Recyclers worked for head contractor Woden Contractors again to rehabilitate another section of the northbound carriageway, spanning a length of approximately one kilometre across three lanes and a cycle lane. Similar to stage one, the structural layers of the pavement were simply the existing road materials that were recycled into an improved pavement. For stage two, approximately 4000 tonnes of existing pavement materials were treated with Foamed Asphalt recycled and renewed, rather than excavating and replacing with new asphalt. The project completion date was reached in only five weeks, ahead of the project

deadline. Notably the rehabilitation works on just under 9000 square metres of pavement took only four days to complete. This was achieved despite the cold and wet weather events during the construction period. AN OVERLOOKED RESOURCE With the undeniable benefits of insitu pavement recycling, Berg says Pavement Recyclers is proud of their ongoing contribution to sustainable pavement initiatives, based on advancement in plant and machinery, geotechnical engineering and project management expertise.” “Whilst there have been creative concepts to increase the use of recycled materials in roads, Pavement Recyclers is centred on maximising the recycling potential of the most obvious, yet often overlooked, resource – the existing road,” he says As one example of Pavement Recyclers’ continued advancements, a Trimble Universal Total Station (UTS) has now been installed on the W380 Cold Recycler, allowing millimetre precision in the operations. “The UTS technology is typically associated with graders, and it allows the machine to work automatically to design levels created from the survey. With the Trimble system up and running on the

W380 Cold Recycler, another string has been added to the bow. It is exciting to be able to show our clients another layer of sophistication to the already new innovative single pass, paver laid process,” Berg says. “Beyond direct road rehabilitation services, Pavement Recyclers is also committed to going the extra mile with helping clients achieve their sustainability outcomes, including sustainability reports compiled on projects that quantitatively measure metrics such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource utilisation.” For Berg and his team, being able to use their technology and their knowledge to assist asset owners recycle up to 100 per cent of their existing pavement material is very rewarding. “If introducing a process and machinery never-before-seen in the country wasn’t enough, the initiative has sparked a golden opportunity to take the company’s vision for recycling roads a step further,” he says. “With a single-pass process that recycles up to 100 per cent of the existing pavement material, with a clean, paverfinish, asset owners have the opportunity to revolutionise the way pavements are rehabilitated. Through this process, Pavement Recyclers can deliver pavements with structural integrity, environmental sustainability and economic savings.” roadsonline.com.au

THIS IS WHAT

OPERATOR FEEDBACK

CAT® COLD PLANERS. IMPROVED BY OPERATOR FEEDBACK. At Caterpillar, we’ve listened to the people who know Cold Planers best – the operators. As a result, we’ve made a range of major improvements. Our machines are now even more comfortable to operate, more serviceable and include more safety features. Highlights include improved LED lighting, new handrail design and more robust System K rotors. Enjoy hassle-free maintenance with a Cat® Customer Value Agreement.

LOOKS LIKE

NSW/ACT WesTrac 1300 881 064 QLD/NT Hastings Deering 131 228

VIC/TAS William Adams 1300 923 267 South Australia Cavpower 08 8343 1600

To explore the improvements, speak to your local Cat dealer or visit www.cat.com/profilers-au

Western Australia WesTrac 1300 881 064 NZ TERRA 0800 93 39 39

© 2021 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

PROJECT REPORT

MORE THAN JUST CONNECTING THE DOTS ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE LOOKS AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OVERCOME IN DELIVERING THE THORNLIE-COCKBURN LINK, PERTH’S FIRST EAST-WEST RAIL CONNECTION JOINING TWO EXISTING TRAIN LINES AND ADDING TWO NEW STATIONS FOR RESIDENTS IN SOUTH-EASTERN SUBURBS.

Artist’s impression of the future Ranford Road Station.

hen the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, the new passenger rail being delivered by METRONET between Thornlie and Cockburn stations in Perth, gets completed in 2024, it will be Perth’s first east-west rail connection that joins two existing train lines. But that’s not the only first the project will be delivering. The east-west rail connection linking the Mandurah Line with the Thornlie/Armadale lines will also, for the first time, allow residents in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs to catch the train to Optus Stadium, without needing to transfer through the Perth CBD. Since the award of contract to the

NEWest Alliance – consisting of CPB Contractors, the Downer Group and the Public Transport Authority – in December 2019, the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link has also reached a number of milestones, including installing the state’s largest pre-cast concrete tee-roff bridge beams for the new Ranford Road Bridge in May 2021. SCOPE OF PROJECT Looking at the Perth passenger rail network, it’s easy to see why an eastwest connection between the existing north-south train lines makes sense. The radial design of the current passenger rail network creates gaps for residents in the Canning Vale, Cannington Strategic

Metropolitan Centre, Burswood Peninsula and the eastern CBD. It also does not account for the expected growth in the region, where up to 102,860 people are expected to live by 2026, up from only about 72,000 in 2016. With affordable, urban-zoned land available, Perth’s south-eastern suburbs are expected to grow significantly. The area is also home to major industrial/ commercial areas and prominent sporting clubs, such as the Australian Baseball League’s Perth Heat club based at Baseball Park (officially known as Perth HarleyDavidson Ballpark) in Thornlie. The 17.5-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Link will duplicate three kilometres of track between Beckenham and Thornlie stations, roadsonline.com.au

Artist’s impression of the future Nicholson Road Station.

relocate 11 kilometres of freight rail, build 14.5 kilometres of new passenger rail between Thornlie and Cockburn stations, build new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, and upgrade existing stations at Thornlie, Cockburn Central and Perth Stadium. The two new stations will offer those who choose to live, work or play in the area more transport choice, which in 2031 will see an average weekday 2,350 boardings at Nicholson Road Station and 1,985 at Ranford Road Station. CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES Working in a brownfields environment always comes with challenges and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link is no exception. But the added complexity for this project comes from minimising disruption to the existing freight rail, which is being relocated to the northern part of the rail corridor to create enough space for the passenger rail to be built in the southern section. This freight line operates 24/7 and is an important contributor to Western Australia’s economy by connecting local businesses, communities and industries with eastern states and overseas markets. Through a highly coordinated construction schedule and collaborative arrangement between the state and freight rail operator, Arc Infrastructure, the rail freight will continue running safely and efficiently. Over the coming months, work will begin to relocate sections of BP’s Kewdale White Oil Line, which transports fuel from BP’s Kwinana import terminal to 20

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

Perth Airport. This work involves more than 11 kilometres of horizontal direction drilling and about one kilometre of opencut trenching. The APA Group’s Parmelia Gas Pipeline has been relocated, as have various telecommunications, power, water and drainage assets. CONSTRUCTION NOVELTIES As part of the METRONET ThornlieCockburn Link, a new higher and longer traffic bridge is being built at Ranford Road (near the new train station), over the existing rail corridor to accommodate both the electric passenger trains and the freight rail. The bridge features the ten 50-metre tee-roff bridge beams, which are the largest ever built in Western Australia. These

Tee-roff bridge beams being installed for the Ranford Road Station.

impressive beams were manufactured by Perth company, the Georgiou Group, at its precast yard in Hazelmere. Seven of the 10 beams were installed over two days in May 2021, with the last three to be installed next year. Each beam consists of 14,000 kilograms of reinforced steel, 120 stressing tendons and 73 cubic metres of concrete; it weighs 197 tonnes and takes 10 workers and two concrete pump trucks three days to manufacture. Social and environmental considerations During construction, the ThornlieCockburn Link will support around 1,680 jobs. This includes giving a number of trainees an opportunity to gain experience on one of Perth’s major infrastructure projects. Some trainees joined the project through the State Government’s

PROJECT REPORT

“THE LINK WILL ADDRESS ROAD CONGESTION AND POSITIVELY INFLUENCE LAND DEVELOPMENT TO HELP DELIVER BETTER PLANNED AND MORE LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES IN PERTH. A LONG-PLANNED PROJECT, IT WILL ALSO SUPPORT MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL AND EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.” ‘Infrastructure Ready’ training program, which gives job seekers the opportunity to learn on-the-job on Western Australia’s major projects. Local suppliers are given plenty of opportunities to be part of this priority METRONET project, including Aboriginal businesses, with the project far exceeding the three per cent of contracts target. • To minimise the project’s footprint and reduce impacts to native vegetation and fauna, while some vegetation clearing was required, it has: • Created native vegetation retention zones within construction and laydown areas to protect established vegetation; • Collected native seeds before clearing started and provided to local government authorities to use in the area; • Donated cleared native vegetation to

various animal rescue organisations, including Cockburn’s Native ARC wildlife and rehabilitation centre and Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre; • Relocated fauna before clearing begun; • Established a program to inspect open trenches twice a day to remove any fauna that may enter the trench; and • Commenced research into the movement and critical habitat identification for black cockatoos. Recognising the local Noongar culture is an important part of METRONET project as part of METRONET’s Aboriginal Engagement Strategy (Gnarla Biddi) Strategy. Specifically, for the ThornlieCockburn Link, consultation through the METRONET Noongar Reference Group identified a preference to avoid impacts to the water hole at Nicholson Road Station.

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Consequently, the car park design was revised to retain, enhance and celebrate the water hole within the site. With some residents sharing a fence line with the rail corridor, and others not too far away, the project will build almost eight kilometres of noise walls along certain sections of the rail corridor to reduce noise impacts. Where walls are to be built on property boundaries, in many cases to replace existing fences, extensive community engagement continues with owners and residents to construct the walls with minimal impact. As a spokesperson from METRONET tells Roads & Infrastructure, the ThornlieCockburn Link is “all about making it easier for people living and working in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs by offering them more transport choices.” “The link will address road congestion and positively influence land development to help deliver better planned and more liveable communities in Perth. A longplanned project, it will also support medium to long-term residential and employment developments in the area.”

ROADS REVIEW

FOR OUR ROADS REVIEW COLUMN THIS MONTH, THE INDUSTRY LEADERS WERE ASKED: ‘WHAT ARE THE KEY TRENDS THE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY SHOULD ACCELERATE IN 2022?’

DAVID HALLETT, CEO, IPWEA VICTORIA The key trend we expect is an increased interest in more sustainable road construction. Most of the heavy lifting has been done by the supply-side recently, but the client-side is providing valuable support by initiating pilot projects to trial new products. Recycled rubber, glass, plastics and aggregate are all finding their way into our roads as materials previously considered to be waste products are now seen as a valuable resource. However, innovation isn’t without risk. The challenge for the risk-averse sector is to find ways to share responsibility for product performance, but the returns are significant...not least for our environment.

STEVE VERITY, PRINCIPAL ADVISER IN ASSET MANAGEMENT, IPWEA The COVID 19 pandemic has led to more people moving to regional areas of the country. Some regional communities are experiencing significant growth, placing greater demand on the road and other infrastructure networks. Often when people relocate to a regional area, they tend to bring higher service expectations. Government leaders will likely experience pressure from the community to improve the services they provide. With increasing demand comes competition for scarce resources. Governments should look to optimise expenditure and incorporate best practice asset management including genuine community engagement.

PETER KARTSIDIMAS, DIRECTOR – NETWORKS AND PLANNING, INFRASTRUCTURE VICTORIA We expect the shift to smarter, safer and more sophisticated road network management will gather pace next year. Victoria’s current road network operations technology is underperforming, outdated, and manually intensive to control and review. The Victorian Government’s $340 million Smarter Roads program will optimise traffic signal performance in parts of Melbourne. Expanding the program would improve traffic flow for all modes and potentially unlock extra clearways and dedicated lanes for public transport. Real-time detection of public transport and emergency vehicles would enable better coordination of traffic signals, identification of vulnerable users like pedestrians and cyclists, and incident detection to flexibly reroute traffic. You can read Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy on our website: infrastructurevictoria.com.au

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

ROADS REVIEW

MICHAEL CALTABIANO, CEO, AUSTRALIAN ROAD RESEARCH BOARD (ARRB) At ARRB, we believe there will be a true focus on more agnostic transport solutions for our rapidly changing community needs. As we emerge from the pandemic, the community will demand different solutions to their mobility needs and will simply not accept the norms of the past. After almost two years doing things very differently in terms of their daily trips, the community will be actively seeking smarter, more efficient and cost-effective solutions to their travel and mobility needs. This all means the infrastructure we build will have to change to be in line with community expectations. Our transport infrastructure will be required to actively support connected and autonomous vehicles. It will need to be built in a way that creates opportunities for vehicles with zero emission technology to safely utilise the network. We believe big changes are upon us and that is why we have built a new organisation with diverse skills including scientists, engineers, economists, lawyers and software specialists to solve tomorrow’s transport challenges today.

CHRIS MELHAM, CEO, CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION (CCF) The growth of collaborative contracting is a key trend the civil construction industry expects continuing, particularly in light of the Federal Government undertaking an inquiry into the procurement of federally funded infrastructure. Under collaborative contract arrangements, all parties share in the successes and failures of delivery. This setup does not create incentive for any participant to shift risk to another. Rather, it promotes effective risk identification and cooperative approaches to overcoming hurdles. CCF believes collaborative contracts must be genuinely considered when the circumstance warrants it. Simple approaches to this include early contractor involvement which engages contractors through the design and planning process to identify risks and advise on possible delivery methods.

TONY ALOISIO, DIRECTOR, ECOLOGIQ We expect a greater focus on embedding circular economy principles in design and in wholeof-life considerations for transport projects. More construction materials will be recycled, reused and repurposed than ever, bringing a true ‘cradle-to-cradle’ approach to infrastructure. In Victoria, that’s being driven by the state government’s Recycled First Policy, which requires contractors for the first time in Australian history to optimise their use of recycled and reused materials. We’re already seeing impressive results out of the first road projects procured under Recycled First, with thousands of tonnes of waste – including plastic, crumb rubber and glass – being transformed into vital road-building materials.

EMERITUS PROFESSOR ARUN KUMAR, RMIT UNIVERSITY MELBOURNE The road sector will continue to adopt innovative ways to value-capture in design, construction, and maintenance. Contracting will evolve to more of a partnership approach, as both owner and the contractor will work together, leading to efficiency and value for money focused outcomes. Impact of climate change on the road infrastructure such as frequency and intensity of rain, sudden changes in temperature will need focused attention on design and maintenance. Resilience and sustainability including carbon footprint will continue to be an important indicator in overall decision-making.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2021, please get in touch with Editor, Tara Hamid: tara.hamid@primecreative.com.au roadsonline.com.au

RESILIENCE IN THE TIME OF COVID AS BUSINESSES IN THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR SET THEMSELVES UP FOR POST LOCK-DOWN RECOVERY, WE SPEAK TO THE TEAM AT CITYWIDE ABOUT HOW THEY’VE NAVIGATED THE CHALLENGES AND COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE STRONGER.

he peak of a pandemic might not be the best time to consider adding an entirely new service division to a multi-disciplinary business. But, then again, it might just be the right one if you’ve already envisioned the growth trajectory and set yourself up strategically and operationally. That was exactly what Citywide, an integrated service solutions company active in the eastern seaboard, did. Late in October 2020, when most of the country was going through strict lockdowns, Citywide kickstarted its Energy and Utilities division by acquiring Victoria’s leading electrical services company, the Gordon McKay Group and its Tasmanian subsidiary, Frontline Electrical. This was followed by the acquisition of New South Wales-based utilities and infrastructure specialist service provider, Ultegra, in March this year, which further broadened Citywide’s existing presence in the NSW market. Together, the three strategic acquisitions helped to establish Citywide Utilities, which adds to the long list of service divisions within the Citywide Group, including Civil Services and Traffic Management, LGA Capital Works, Arboriculture and Trees, Commercial Waste, Horticulture and Open Space. Looking back at the decision, Andrew O’Neill, Citywide’s General Manager for Strategy and Growth, says the acquisitions were well aligned with Citywide’s Vision 2025 strategy for growth. “We have a clear vision of where we want to be as a company and setting ourselves up as a successful business in the energy and utilities sector has been part of 24

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

The new business acquisitions are aligned with Citywide’s Vision 2025 strategy for growth.

that vision,” he says. “All three acquisitions fit very well into that business model as these businesses have themselves been very successful in their respective regions and they bring a significant electrical engineering design and construction capabilities to the mix.” The integrations have so far proven to be very successful operationally, O’Neill says, with Citywide’s broader service portfolio complementing the new service offering. “When paired with our 25+ year heritage and experience in delivering civil works programs, it has enabled us to develop a compelling end-to-end utilities and energy service offering,” he says.

“Pole-to-Pit is a typical example: Citywide as an integrated services provider now provides a unique offering in the market with a truly end-to-end service by combining our newly acquired utilities and infrastructure capability with the experienced civil reinstatements capability, including permanent restorations, road works and traffic management offerings.” CITYWIDE’S CULTURE AND PEOPLE O’Neill, however, notes that a successful acquisition, as part of a sound growth strategy, is not just about acquiring a new brand entity: it is acquiring the vast experience and expertise of a team who are

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

already delivering such services. “From an operational perspective, having the right people and skillsets in place to successfully establish and expand our Utilities and Energy offerings has been a big contributing factor,” says O’Neill. “We’ve also been very conscious that as a new business comes on-board, we should not be eroding the existing relationships and accountabilities that these businesses have maintained with their clients over the years. So, the biggest thing for us has been to maintain that ownership of the service delivery through the business managers and then to integrate that cautiously with our own values as a business.” Looking more broadly, Simon Mossman, Citywide’s Manager, Group Corporate Communications, believes that a focus on ‘Culture and People’ as one of the company’s key strategic pillars has helped Citywide better weather the economic storms created by the pandemic. An example of this was demonstrated in the way the company approached the development of a COVID vaccination policy . Following the launch of its ‘Protect a Mate - Vaccinate’ campaign to encourage its 1,300-strong workforce to get vaccinated, Citywide then consulted with its staff in the process of developing a final vaccination policy. “Employee engagement is core to our culture and our shared values,” says Mossman. “Our people are our brand and our reputation is built on the good work they do every day for their communities. This level of engagement – maintaining genuine dialogue with our people and nurturing a caring, collaborative culture – is a hallmark of how we roll at Citywide.” Mossman says the approach has been very successful in ensuring maximum employee engagement. “The majority of our employees were quick to get behind this. As well as conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to help shape our draft policy, a staff survey showed strong endorsement for vaccination, with 80 per cent of staff surveyed already either fully or partially vaccinated,” he says. “Notably, our civil works team members in Victoria demonstrated a genuine willingness to get the jab, knowing what the state government’s mandate for the construction sector meant and recognising the benefits for them.”

“WE HAVE A CLEAR VISION OF WHERE WE WANT TO BE AS A COMPANY AND SETTING OURSELVES UP AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IN THE ENERGY AND UTILITIES SECTOR HAS BEEN PART OF THAT VISION. ALL THREE ACQUISITIONS FIT VERY WELL INTO THAT BUSINESS MODEL AS THESE BUSINESSES HAVE THEMSELVES BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGIONS AND THEY BRING A SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITIES TO THE MIX.” PASSING ON THE LESSONS Mindful that the COVID storm clouds have yet to clear and that the pandemic will influence the market for some time to come, Mossman says Citywide’s proactive crisis management has played a big part in maintaining stability and a strong people focus through the ongoing public health crisis. “Comprehensive crisis and issues management planning, even before the pandemic reached Australia, meant staff welfare and customer service continuity remained our priority. This in turn has helped us stay on track, to keep servicing our customers across the board, including through the lock-downs, while also continuing provision of employee assistance programs and other health and safety benefits to our staff in a timely manner,” he says. Now, amid optimism that the economy will start to gradually recover from the impacts of the pandemic and encouraging signs that the crippling lock-downs might be behind us, Citywide continues to position itself for further growth and transformation. Within the energy and utilities sector,

O’Neill says the team is already engaged on some major projects, leveraging the successful track record of both Citywide and its newly acquired businesses. The team is also looking for growth opportunities and potentially more acquisitions over the coming years. “There is certainly plenty of growth potential nationally in the civil infrastructure space, allied to the energy and utilities sector, which, through the Citywide Utilities division, we are well positioned to exploit,” says O’Neill. “For example, there is significant investment in the power transmission network with a lot of associated civil infrastructure works anticipated over the next decade and beyond. Having a clear, sound business growth strategy has underpinned our success this past year, laying the foundations for us to scale up new service offerings as a Principal and EPC contractor, especially in the utilities and energy sectors. With ‘Growth and Transformation’ as one of five key pillars of the Group’s Vision 2025 business strategy, it remains a big priority for us as we move into 2022.”

Citywide encouraged its 1,300-strong workforce to get vaccinated by launching the ‘Protect a Mate - Vaccinate’ campaign.

roadsonline.com.au

LOOKING FOR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE BORDERS:

INSIGHTS FROM A MIGRATION EXPERT WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR GRIPPING FOR A SIGNIFICANT SKILLS SHORTAGE OVER THE NEXT DECADE, MIGRATION SPECIALIST MONICA GRUSZKA SAYS IT’S NEVER BEEN MORE CRITICAL FOR COMPANIES TO ATTRACT THE RIGHT TALENT.

ithin the realm of public infrastructure projects, it’s no longer a matter for debate that the industry is facing a looming shortage of skills to help deliver the multi-billion-dollar pipeline of shovel-ready projects in the next five to ten years. If there was any suspicion that the shortage might be short-lived and exaggerated, Infrastructure Australia’s Market Capacity report in October presented clear evidence that the sector will, at least for the short to medium term, be critically under-staffed. In its first analysis of Australia’s ability to deliver billions of dollars of transport, energy and other building projects like hospitals, the infrastructure agency found that demand for workers is expected to be some 48 per cent higher than supply over the next three years and that one-third of jobs advertised could remain unfilled. Of the 50 occupations involved in delivering infrastructure, 34 are potentially in shortage, with Australia’s state and national border closures during COVID-19 compounding the difficulty of moving people around, according to Infrastructure Australia’s 165-page report. What this means for private companies hoping to benefit from the Government’s infrastructure investment, as well for the construction companies looking to gain from the current housing boom, is that they would have to compete with recruiters within the public sector to win over exiting and migrated workforce. 26

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

To this end, migration expert Monica Gruszka has some suggestions for those companies that are looking for talent outside of their tried-and-tested pathways. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATHWAY As a Sydney-based Registered Migration Agent and having provided consultancy to multiple companies within the construction industry, Gruszka thinks companies that have already identified suitable talent outside the borders should not spare any time in kicking off the pre-qualification process. “With international borders opening up, it’s going to be a relief for the industry, and we are going to have a boom early next year,” she says. “So, if you have people that you have been looking for, you need to get ready for the sponsorship process. Sometimes just obtaining the eligibility approval can put you months ahead.” While some companies successfully identify unique skillsets outside the borders, Gruszka admits that it’s more likely for companies to find their next employee from migrants already living in Australia or those moving here on visas that are not specifically work-related. “The most common process we experience is that the person first comes to Australia on a student or working holiday visa and they work part-time with a local company. This in turn, gives companies a chance to trial the person and then decide whether they want to sponsor them and offer them a chance to gain legal working rights in

the long term,” she says. Here, the companies might have a number of options, she explains. “Depending on the level of experience and the types of skills the person has, they might qualify for a permanent skilled visa or a temporary skilled visa. Where both options are available, we present both to the company and it’s up to the employer to decide the pathway that aligns best with their requirements,” she says. SPEAKING TO THE EXPERTS Irrespective of the pathway selected, Gruszka asserts that consulting with a migration expert can bring multiple advantages. This is particularly important given the higher priority placed by the Federal Government to recruit locally available skills. “Irrespective of the applicant’s qualifications, what the assessing officers often consider is whether or not it is in Australia’s best interest to offer an employment opportunity to a visa applicant. This is where our job, as migration agents, is crucial in determining and proving, beyond any doubt, that the recruitment and visa sponsorship is justified,” she says. An example of this, she recalls, took place during the recent border restrictions when the Federal Government had restricted issue of skilled migration visas to a select list of critical skills. “Our client, an Australian company, had won a major government grant to conduct important research within a limited

EMPLOYMENT

Monica Gruszka, Principal Director, Gruszka & Associates.

timeframe. To achieve that, they required an experienced hydrogeologist, who lived in South Africa. Even though the person’s skillset matched their requirement, he still did not qualify under the government’s mandate. Working with this client, we were able to convince the authorities that this person’s skills was complementary to the research and that unless he was granted an

exemption, the Australian company would lose their grant,” she says. “As is sometimes the case, the assessing body cannot connect the dots where certain skills overlap and complement each other. It’s our job to build the case and make that connection,” she adds. Another reason she says it’s important to talk to an expert is to make sure all avenues for migration have been considered. “Many people don’t know that apart from the occupation priority list published by the Commonwealth Government, states and territories also have their own list of priorities. So, if your occupation is not on the federally issued skilled occupation list, you might still qualify for a regional- or statesponsored visa,” she explains. Since 2017, the visa options available to eligible skilled migrants have been subcategorised into two categories: the Shortterm Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). While applicants with occupations on the MLTSSL can qualify for a permanent residency visa, those with jobs on the STSOL can only qualify for four-year visas, with the option to extend it for another four years.

With the industry currently struggling to fill jobs that sit on the STSOL, Gruszka is hoping the government will re-consider this format. “This decision was taken on the assumption that skilled migration had a link to unemployment rate in Australia. But in the years since the policy has been introduced, initiatives to upskill the Australian workforce have failed to meet the immediate vacancies. On the other hand, by offering only temporary visa options to people with critical skills, we have disincentivised it for both the employer and the migrant,” she observes. In fact, the recommendation as recently put forward by the Parliament of Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration earlier this year that the Government should consolidate the MLTSSL and STSOL into one Skilled Occupation List (SOL). For Gruszka and her clients, that would be welcome news. “From conversations with my clients, I know how much the industry is struggling to fill jobs that do not necessarily require high levels of academic education. With borders opening up, we should cut the red tapes that prevent those people from getting here.”

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BUILT TO CONNECT

CABLING WITH

CONFIDENCE

MADISON EXPRESS, ONE OF THE LARGEST WHOLLY AUSTRALIAN OWNED DISTRIBUTOR OF NON-POWER CABLING PRODUCTS, HAS FURTHER EXPANDED ITS PORTFOLIO, SIGNING A PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH LEONI. NATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER ALEX PRICE EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS TO THE INDUSTRY.

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

Madison Express recently won a contract to supply cables for Sydney’s Rozelle Interchange project.

Image courtesy of CPB Contractors.

abling systems play a critical role in the design and operation of control, alarm, and communications systems in such diversified areas as building automation, transport systems and underground or tunnel infrastructures. To support these major projects, Madison Express has recently signed a distribution agreement with LEONI India, expanding on its already impressive armoury of fibre optic, structured cabling, industrial, security and transport cables. From a small wire factory in the Fanconia region of Bavaria, today the LEONI group of companies generates over €4 billion ($6.24 billion) in annual sales and employs nearly 100,000 staff. Madison Express has already seen the benefit of adding the LEONI product range to its portfolio, as Alex Price, National Program Manager at Madison Express explains. “The LEONI agreement creates a significant expansion in our range of cables. Our own Garland brand has been focused on standard local designs but as we receive more and more requests for cables to international standards, we decided to add the famous LEONI brand to our portfolio to offer these options,” Price says. Madison Express was recently awarded with the supply of optical fibre and communications cables for Sydney’s Rozelle Interchange Project – The new underground motorway interchange in Sydney’s Inner West that is the final stage of the WestConnex project. “This significant win includes over 100 kilometres of LEONI fire-rated instrumentation cables,” Price says.

A VERSATILE CABLE RANGE The LEONI ICON range supplied by Madison Express covers a wide range of cable designs that utilise various compounds and materials to repel adverse chemicals, offer flame retardancy and circuit integrity. The ICON Base instrumentation cables, for example, are suitable for all standard industrial applications, while the ICON Flex series comprise of flexible control cables for all kinds of control applications of machines and tools. The LEONI Power and Control cables are low-voltage cables suitable for electricity supply and control in public networks and industrial plants from 300 volts up to 0.6/1KV. For Madison Express, the breadth of LEONI’s spectrum of products is matched by the markets and segments they supply to, Price says. “Industries such as oil and gas require cables that can resist the impact of oil and chemical spills. The pharmaceutical

industry often requires cables with treated jackets that do not encourage bacterial growth. Within the infrastructure sector, circuit integrity, robustness, and an ability to resist continuous abrasion is critical. This is where the versatility of the ICON range allows us to offer them for various environments, be it harsh or standard environments,” Price says. CUSTOMISED DESIGNS But the distribution agreement between Madison Express and LEONI is not limited to LEONI’s existing ICON range, Price explains. “The beauty of our agreement with LEONI is that it allows us to order customised cable variants for our customers,” he says. “Most major infrastructure and transport projects have unique requirements and standard products don’t normally fit the bill. Our arrangement with LEONI allows us to custom design and build cables for these

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

“THE LEONI AGREEMENT CREATES A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION IN OUR RANGE OF CABLES. OUR OWN GARLAND BRAND HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON STANDARD LOCAL DESIGNS BUT AS WE RECEIVE MORE AND MORE REQUESTS FOR CABLES TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, WE DECIDED TO ADD THE FAMOUS LEONI BRAND TO OUR PORTFOLIO TO OFFER THESE OPTIONS.” installations using all the knowledge and expertise that over 100 years in the cable industry brings to the table.” Being located in the Asian region also gives Madison Express the benefit of a faster delivery timeframe on these custom cables when compared with European or North American manufactured products, Price adds. “The early successes we have had gives us a very positive feeling that the agreement between Madison and LEONI will increase our ability to service our customers and offer unique solutions to the local market. Our mission is to be front of mind when it comes to cabling for major projects within the region,” he says. With four major warehouses located around the country, Madison Express

is one of the largest wholly Australian owned distributor of non-power cabling products into the Australian market. Their product portfolio covers a wide range of cable including instrumentation cables for the industrial sector, optical fibre and structured cabling for the communications sector, RS-232 and twin core cables for the security sector, and custom designed cables for the transport sector. Brands currently on offer include their own Garland brand, R&M, MOXA and Harman. The inclusion of LEONI within this portfolio now gives Madison Express one of the most diversified product offerings within the cabling industry.

The LEONI ICON range supplied by Madison Express covers a wide range of cable designs.

Industry’s widest range of road trench drains Compliant, robust proven product solutions Roads provide the most challenging environments for drainage systems and only quality products are to be used in these applications. ACO trench drains are available as a one piece system or with removable grates to allow for the efficient removal of liquids from road surfaces. ACO. creating the future of drainage ACO Pty Ltd • Tel 1300 765 226 • www.acoinfrastructure.com.au/roads

SIMPLY ADVANCED:

CAT AP500 PAVER Victoria-based contractor NorthVic Asphalt recently added a Caterpillar AP500 paver to its machinery fleet.

FOR CONRAD FARRELL, MANAGER OF VICTORIAN COMPANY, NORTHVIC ASPHALT, THE CAT AP500 PAVER HAS SPELLED RELIABILITY, SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY. HE RECALLS WHY HE CHOSE THE PAVER IN THE FIRST PLACE AND HOW IT HAS BENEFITTED HIS TEAM.

arly in his career, Conrad Farrell received some advice from an old friend: “let the job take you where it takes you.” He took that advice to heart and the journey has since taken him through interesting twists and turns, from brick road paving to asphalt paving to owning a contracting business with 10 employees and projects all over the northern Victoria and southwest New South Wales. The story of how he turned from a brick paver to an asphalt paver is an interesting one. “I had a couple of clients in the Port of Echuca, where I had been engaged on some of the heritage-listed brick structures. One time, they wanted me to do an asphalt paving for a café sitting area. The contractor did not show up, so I ended up doing it 30

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myself. Things sort of started from there,” he reminisces. Today, his business, NorthVic Asphalt, handles projects from major contractors and local governments in the Echuca and surrounding regions, with projects that have grown in scope and complexity, particularly over the past five to six years. To keep up with the level of reliability required for these projects, NorthVic Asphalt recently added a Caterpillar AP500 paver to its machinery fleet. For Farrell, the decision was one that followed months of deliberation. “I was considering the upgrade to the Cat paver for about 12 months. Then, we had a breakdown with one of our machines and that’s when I decided we needed more reliability to get us through our major projects,” he says.

Working with their local William Adams Caterpillar dealership in Swan Hill, NorthVic Asphalt purchased the AP500 paver a couple of months ago. Operations have been going smoothly since, according to Farrell. “We have clocked over 100 hours of operation and we’ve already done our 50hour service through the Swan Hill branch. Their service has been exceptional and I’m very happy with how they’ve looked after us,” says Farrell. EXCEPTIONALLY QUIET Among its other features, Farrell and his team are particularly impressed with how quiet the paver operates. “The biggest thing our operators have noticed is the quietness of the machine. It’s exceptionally quiet and when we work with asphalt mixes that have too much fume,

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

the fume extractor on the machine works really well for us, making sure the workers standing next to the machine don’t breathe the fumes in.” As Chris Powell, Paving Products Industry Territory Manager for Caterpillar Australia explains, both the quietness and the efficient fume extraction are the result of a unique design methodology in the paver model. “This feature comes down to the unique design of the Caterpillar machine,” he tells Roads & Infrastructure. “The way AP500 and the entire series of Cat’s eight-foot and 10-foot pavers are designed, the ventilation system draws fumes and hot air from the sides and redirects them away from the operator by blowing them to the front of the machine. In most other machines, the hot air is directed from one side of the machine to the other side, so you always have a hot side and a cold side, or a noisy side and a quiet side. It’s not like that in the AP500.” Another reason for the quite operation, Powell explains, is the exclusive 70 kilowatt (kW) integrated generator incorporated in the design. “The integrated generator and the unique generator technology provide very high kilowatt power, which also ensures a quick start up when you need to heat up the screed. The screed heats up in as little as 15 minutes, compared to 40 minutes in some older models. It also provides a much quieter operation for the amount of power it generates.” OPERATIONAL SIMPLICITY Having worked with different pavers over the years, operational simplicity is something that Farrell and his team of operators appreciate. “Functions in the AP500 combine everything that other machines

“THE AP500’S DESIGN FOCUSSES GREATLY ON OPERATOR INTERFACE AND CONTROLS. CONTROLS ON BOTH THE SCREED AND THE TRACTOR ARE VERY INTUITIVE AND CAN PERFORM A RANGE OF COMPLEX OPERATIONS WITH A SINGLE TOUCH OF A BUTTON.”

have, but they are reasonably simple and effective,” says Farrell. According to Powell, several design aspects contribute to the simple and intuitive design. “The AP500’s design focuses greatly on operator interface and controls. The controls on both the screed and the tractor are very intuitive and can perform a range of complex operations with a single touch of a button,” he says. “For example, switching the automatic feeder sensors on can happen with a single button, rather than having to go around the machine and pressing four different buttons. Also, there’s an auto close option for the front hopper. Even when you want to clean out the machine at the end of the day, the press of a button will activate clean out mode which rotates the augers and conveyors at a slow speed to release any built-up material and allow operators to wash down the machine easily.” Moreover, an integrated Cat grade and slope system means both paver and screed operations can be controlled harmoniously from a single screen. “All Cat pavers can utilise a variety of grade control systems, but an integrated Cat grade and slope system eliminates any potential challenge compared to when you work with multiple manufacturers,” say Powell. Caterpillar’s pavers, including the AP500, AP600 and AP1000, are also equipped with the option for an adjustable front wheel assist or an all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive feature, Farrell says, has provided great

NorthVic Asphalt handles projects from major contractors and local governments in the Echuca and surrounding regions.

traction to the team when pushing the truck, in addition to better manoeuvrability. “The adjustable front wheel assist or allwheel drive provide much more torque to the front bogie wheels, which means a lot more power, better turning circle, and a lot more manoeuvrability,” Powell explains. LOCAL SUPPORT Farrell says a big factor for him in choosing the AP500 paver was also the knowledge that technical support would always be at hand. “The backup service we get from the Swan Hill branch and the fact that Caterpillar has dealership branches all over the country is a great advantage for us. Even though we are not that far outside of Melbourne, sometimes it can get difficult to have specialists look at the machine if local support is not available,” Farrell says. Having an extensive dealership network outside of the metropolitan areas is something that Powell says sets Caterpillar apart from its competitors. “While most other companies retain a single main branch in the city, at Caterpillar we have the advantage of having a wide dealership network. For example, in north Victoria, we have three branches in Swan Hill, Wodonga and Bendigo. So, a client like NorthVic Asphalt knows that if anything goes wrong, a fitter can reach them within half an hour to resolve the issue.” In addition, Powell says the Caterpillar telematic system, known as Product LinkTM, helps the branches keep an eye on maintenance. “This is a very handy tool that provides accurate information about the machine’s location, utilisation and condition. Using this, the machine owner, as well as the dealership, can easily plan and track maintenance, in addition to other benefits,” he explains. As for Farrell, he is still following his friend’s advice on going where the road takes him. “We started as a small company with only four to five crew members and from there, we have grown to where we are today. So, we’ll just let it tick away and see where we end up in the years to come,” he says. roadsonline.com.au

COMBINED POWER:

JCB’S TELESKID

THE NEW JCB TELESKID COMBINES THE CAPABILITIES OF A FORKLIFT, A TELESCOPIC HANDLER, A COMPACT LOADER AND A SKID STEER LOADER ALL IN ONE MACHINE. JCB PRODUCT MANAGER GLENN MCLEOD EXPLAINS. The Teleskid has a maximum lift capacity of 1676 kilograms with the boom retracted.

CB’s innovation has led to the development of its new Teleskid, the only skid steer or compact tracked loader with a telescopic boom. JCB Product Manager Glenn McLeod says the machine combines the components from the company’s range of machines to create a truly unique product. “It is an amalgamation of a telehandler and a skid steer loader, so it offers the compact versatility of those vehicles along with the manoeuvrability of 32

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a skid steer loader,” he says. The Teleskid also has the added benefit of a telescopic boom, which grants the user a vertical reach of over four metres and a forward reach of more than 2.5 metres. This level of versatility is what McLeod says enables users to optimise their operations with just one machine. “Operators can reach out and grab trees and branches or dig below ground for up to 900 millimeters, which is an entirely unique aspect of this product,” he says.

“So, while being just as valuable to the conventional construction market, there are so many other applications the machine can be used for.” The lift capabilities of the Teleskid provide a range of benefits for users, McLeod says. Operators can easily load high sided truck bodies without needing a ramp. This also extends to loading over the top of structures, such as fencing. This is achieved through the Teleskid’s lift capacity of 1676 kilograms with the boom

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

“JCB’S TELESKID IS THE ONLY PRODUCT OF ITS KIND WHICH OFFERS THE OPERATOR ENTRY AND EXIT THROUGH A SIDE DOOR AS OPPOSED TO A CABIN UNIT WHICH HAS THE WINDSCREEN AS THE DOOR. HAVING THE WINDSCREEN AS THE DOOR CAN BECOME QUITE CUMBERSOME FOR ENTERING AND EXITING A MACHINE. BY HAVING THE SIDE ACCESS DOOR, IT ALLEVIATES, IF NOT ELIMINATING, RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY BY TRANSITING UNDER OR OVER THE LOADER FRAME.”

The Teleskid’s telescopic boom grants users a vertical reach of over four metres.

retracted – or 732 kilograms with the boom fully extended. It is also aided by the cabin design of the machine. Operators can enjoy 60 per cent better visibility than with twinarm machines. PIONEERING THE SIDE CABIN ACCESS Another unique feature of the JCB Teleskid is the introduction of the side door cabin access. McLeod explains that the side access offers a range of benefits compared to traditional entry. “JCB’s Teleskid is the only product of its kind which offers the operator entry and exit through a side door, as opposed to a cabin unit which has the windscreen as the door,” he says. “Having the windscreen as the door can become quite cumbersome for entering and exiting a machine. By having the side access door, it alleviates, if not eliminating, risk of serious injury by transiting under or over the loader frame.” The side door allows operators to enter and exit the machine without making

contact with any of the attachments or lifted materials, removing the risk of serious or fatal injury. Users can also exit the cabin and review the placement of a load, while the boom is raised to mid-height. McLeod says the enhanced visibility, along with larger cabin space, ensures that the operator is comfortable and aware of the machine’s surroundings. “Operators can have 270 degrees of unhindered vision, because the boom is single mounted, instead of being double mounted on both sides of the machine,” he says. “Additionally, our cabin is around 25 to 35 per cent larger than any comparable machines on the market.” This larger cabin space is complemented by ease of operation. The Teleskid features the same controls as JCB’s skid steer design. “JCB pioneered the twin joystick lever controls back in 1994,” McLeod says. “It is very easy to operate and easy to understand. The left joystick controls the movement of the machine, with the

The JCB Teleskid offers 270 degrees of unhindered vision.

right-hand joystick controlling the loader, bucket or whatever attachment that the operator is using.” Controls can also be adjusted through JCB’s ‘myChoice Control Operation Software’. Three settings allow operators to tailor the sensitivity of the joystick movements. The JCB Smoothride System also supports productivity. Enhanced breakout force lets operators do the work of larger machines in less time. Along with a standard two-speed transmission, the Teleskid cab achieves quicker travel and shorter cycle times. SEAMLESS TRANSITION JCB’s Teleskid has already proven to be effective in the United States, where it has received positive feedback, particularly from the landscaping sector. With the machine on its way to Australia, McLeod expects that it will be a seamless transition into the Australian market. “If you look at the way that the US market has embraced it, there is no reason why the Australian market wouldn’t embrace what it can do,” he says. The Teleskid is backed up by CEA’s support and maintenance network, which currently covers the majority of Australia. “CEA has branches in every capital city on the mainland, expect for Darwin. We also have a regional network of around 80 dealers, which have progressively grown over the last 15 years,” McLeod says. “With an established and extensive regional network, we also have a strong presence in rural Australia. With our metro and regional support centres, we have about 99 per cent of the country covered.” roadsonline.com.au

DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS FOR

LIGHT RAIL ACO HAS DEVELOPED ITS PURPOSE-BUILT TRAMDRAIN SYSTEM TO HELP DEAL WITH MANAGING EXCESS STORMWATER RUNOFF FROM LIGHT RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE. TOM O’KEANE REPORTS.

ACO’s TramDrain uses a linear drainage system to divert stormwater.

or the average pedestrian or commuter, excess rainfall runoff can present a range of nuisances. Modes of transport, routes to work and outdoor activities can all be affected by rain. This is also considered for light rail infrastructure, where the weather can have an immediate impact on services, as well as on commuter safety. As John Sordo, Head of Product Management at ACO explains, the ability 34

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to divert stormwater runoff is an essential aspect of light rail infrastructure. “There are various applications where the lack of water management can have severe consequences,” he says. “When it comes to roads, you have aquaplaning and potentially fatal accidents due to a lack of tyre traction. One of the hardest things to do is to manage water on flat and level surfaces, where there is nowhere to direct the runoff to. So you have to intercept the water and

take it under ground, and the best way of doing that is through a linear collection system,” Sordo says. ACO’s TramDrain product aims to satisfy this requirement. By using a linear drainage system, the TramDrain is specifically developed to suit grooved rail and track slabs for light rail. As a mode of transport which is becoming increasingly popular, light rail provides a service which can be more time and energy

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

“AS AN AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURER, WE CAN USE OVERSEAS TECHNOLOGIES AND ADAPT THESE PRODUCTS TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTABILITY OBJECTIVES OF A PROJECT.”

efficient when compared to traditional railways and buses. ACO Brand Manager – Civil Construction Products, Darren Chan says that ACO has adapted and modified proven overseas solutions from ACO’s sister companies to be suitable for Australian applications. “This product is popular in Europe, where ACO is very well established and light rail is a common mode of transport. There are a few TramDrain designs currently being used throughout Europe in places such as the UK and France,” Chan says. “France utilises a wider TramDrain system compared to the UK, which is due to its higher volume of rainfall. We have adopted the French design and their technologies for the Australian market.” The TramDrain system features a rubber chute, which connects the linear trench drain to the tram rail. The rubber material enables stray currents from the rail to be isolated from metallic drainage elements such as grates and bolts, while also draining the tracks. The chute is designed to remove the collected water from the groove in the track rail. Holes are drilled into the track rails so the water can pass through the chutes into the polymer concrete channel, installed below the surface. For a continuous line of uninterrupted drainage, pipe connectors on the system enable the runoff to be transferred under the rail horizontally to another channel section across the track and into the underlying stormwater pipe network. Sordo says the systems offer a range of flexibilities in design, allowing them to be altered to fit the specifications of a given light rail track system. “So, you have a product that not only solves a problem, but it is also adaptable to different methodologies of construction. TramDrain also satisfies the requirements of AS 3996 Access Covers and Grates. “While the primary application of TramDrain is to facilitate drainage for tracks, it can also be urbanised to satisfy the requirements of streetscapes where pedestrian and bicycle also share the space,” according to Sordo. According to Sordo, ACO is in a unique

position as an Australian manufacturer with global experience when it comes to designing surface water drainage systems. “As an Australian manufacturer, we can use overseas technologies and adapt these products to satisfy the requirements for the constructability objectives of a project. We understand these requirements, which is important, because track designers are not going to readily adapt their construction

ensure road users’ safety. “Light rail is usually used in high pedestrian volume areas, so it’s key to get rid of water so that there is no standing water for people to slip on or for vehicles to aquaplane,” he says. “In this case, we used the Heelsafe® AntiSlip grate, which is both heel friendly and slip resistant to ensure maximum safety for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchairs. These grates are load rated to the AS 3996 Class D requirement, which means they can accommodate commercial vehicle traffic. This was an important requirement of the Sydney Light Rail project,” Chan adds. Apart from the TramDrain 200A, ACO offers the TramDrain 175A and the TramDrain 200B systems, each offering slightly different

TramDrain 200B is a high capacity drainage system with 200-millimetre clear opening width.

methods around a product. The product needs to be adaptable to the project. SYDNEY SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL TramDrain drainage systems can be adapted to meet light rail specifications in different Australian states, as well as to fit the needs of specific projects. One such project was the Sydney South East Light Rail project, where designers were tasked with managing the surface water runoff. With the rail cutting through areas with heavy vehicle and foot traffic, the designers needed to consider the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and commercial vehicles. The 12-kilometre light rail network connects major precincts in central Sydney, such as the Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales and the Moore Park sporting and entertainment complex. As Chan explains, the TramDrain 200A system was selected for the project, along with a Heelsafe® AntiSlip grate, to help divert water flow and

dimensions and other customisable features. ACO also provides on-hand project support from its Sydney base technical department to assist with the implementation or alteration of its light rail drainage products. As Sordo notes, products such as the TramDrain are an important contribution to creating safe and reliable operations for public transport networks. “When designing drainage systems, our main objective is that the product should meet the project’s requirements, rather than just ticking a box and satisfying a general industry standard,” he says. “More and more cities are building light rails, as they want to facilitate the removal of cars from the CBD and the light rail system is an elegant and efficient alternative. However, if water isn’t managed properly, it could bring a halt to essential public transport.” To learn more, visit: www.acoinfrastructure.com.au/industrysolutions/light-rail roadsonline.com.au

MASTERING THE ART OF

DIGITAL COLLABORATION

More and more construction companies are embracing the benefits that a digital collaborative environment, like Bluebeam, offers for their teams.

BLUEBEAM IS HELPING STAKEHOLDERS WORK COLLABORATIVELY ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS GLOBALLY. PETER HARRIS, DIGITAL ENGINEERING LEAD FOR ARCADIS, SHARES HIS TEAM’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE SOFTWARE.

group of engineers bending over sheets of plot paper spread sporadically across the table and itching their heads (figuratively) as they work through design challenges is perhaps the most typical image that comes to mind when one imagines engineering consultants at work. But is the image still true? For the most part, the answer is no. If there was any consulting engineer who had resisted the shift from the horizontal table to the vertical screen, the pandemic and the inevitable physical distance it created 36

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between project stakeholders is bound to have changed that. After all, there’s not much point marking up changes on a sheet of paper if it cannot be physically passed on to the next person for reviewing. Even before the pandemic, companies like Arcadis, a leading design, engineering and consultancy solutions company with nearly 30,000 staff around the world, had long realised the importance of a digitally collaborative environment like Bluebeam, which allows them to review design documents and drawings in real-time. But as Peter Harris, Arcadis’ Digital Engineering

Lead for Mobility notes, the team began to appreciate this even more in the aftermath of COVID. As a consultant on major infrastructure projects globally and across Australia, including on roads, bridges, tunnels and railway projects, Harris says there could be up to a hundred people working on the same project document set at any given time and at different stages of the project’s progress. “Across our global team, we have been using Bluebeam for nearly five years, but since COVID struck last year, we have found even more uses for it and we’ve come to

SOFTWARE

“BLUEBEAM ALLOWS US TO USE WHAT WE CALL THE OLD-SCHOOL LIGHT TABLE APPROACH BY BRINGING DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT TOGETHER IN AN INTUITIVE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT. USING THE BLUEBEAM STUDIO SESSION, DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS CAN SEE DRAWING MARK-UPS IN REAL TIME, WHICH HAS PROVEN TO SAVE US TIME IN THE PROCESS.”

Peter Harris, Digital Engineering Lead for Mobility, Arcadis.

better appreciate what the tool offers,” he tells Roads & Infrastructure. The power of Bluebeam, according to Harris, lies in its ability to digitally pull everyone together into one cohesive conversation built around the design documents themselves. “Bluebeam allows us to use what we call the old-school light table approach by bringing different components of the project together in an intuitive digital environment. Using the Bluebeam Studio session, different stakeholders can see drawing mark-ups in real time, which has proven to save us time in the process,” he says. “Where Bluebeam’s features become even more useful is when we are engaging with external parties such as on joint venture projects. Using functions like Bluebeam Tool Chest allows us to standardise and customise our mark-up list, so that when a new person joins the conversation, they can easily get onboard with our review processes,” he adds. SOME USEFUL FEATURES Since last year, Harris says more and more of Arcadis’ team members have embraced the useful features that Bluebeam offers. These include, apart from the Studio session and the Tool Chest functionality, the ability to easily create interactive PDFs and to track and navigate the mark-ups. “One of the unsung heroes of the Bluebeam software is its ability for track and trace changes with a mark-up list. We are leveraging this function heavily and it has replaced our traditional mark-up approach, allowing better traceability,” says Harris. “Also, using the hyperlink function means we can create an interactive PDF where people can click on the hyperlinks and bounce up and down hundreds of pages

of document with ease. Using this, we can also create a dashboard, similar to a contents page for our documents, where each section is easily accessible with a single click,” he adds. An additional feature that the Arcadis team has used is embedding 3D content for complex reinforcement design, Harris says. “We did this when designing a station cavern. We first modelled it in Bentley ProStructure and then created a 3D PDF using Bluebeam Revu. The team used this for internal review for reinforcement fitment to identify missing reinforcement. This is very difficult to visualise in 2D drawing outputs.” More recently, Bluebeam has created a local Studio server in Australia, which as Harris observes, not only addresses and satisfies government data requirements, but has also increased the speed of Studio sessions. “The combination of newer versions of Bluebeam Revu (Arcadis uses the 2020 version) and the local Studio server has increased the PDF rendering speed. Also, for us, it ticks more boxes from a data sovereignty point of view as we work on government-funded projects,” says Harris. Better integration with external document management and data management software is another added feature where Harris observes improvements since he has been using Bluebeam. “One thing we are currently pushing hard is for our users to be able to measure and quantify project data at different stages of the project. Being able to link Bluebeam to external data sources such as ProjectWise and Share Point allows contractors to view information about certain sections of their projects a lot more easily.” LOCAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT So how has Arcadis convinced all its team members, some less digitally savvy than others, to shift away from the traditional red pen and paper to a digital collaborative environment? The process has been gradual, Harris says, and supported by a strong technical backing from Bluebeam’s team in Australia. “Bluebeam’s approach to how they

support companies is different to a lot of other vendors,” says Harris. “The fact that there are local Bluebeam subject matter experts available to provide us with project assistance makes a huge difference.” This year alone, the local Bluebeam technical support team has conducted 12 short training sessions specifically for the Arcadis staff. Harris says over 200 team members have actively partaken in each of the 30-minute sessions. “The fact that we had minimal drop in the participation rates shows the value of these training courses. These are all very busy people, so they must be seeing real value in attending the virtual classes.” Arcadis has also independently assessed the growth within the team by conducting a survey, Harris says.“At the beginning of the year, we conducted a survey to help us gauge how the team was performing. There were many people who didn’t know how to use certain functionalities in Bluebeam Revu. We recently repeated the survey after only nine training sessions and already we could see that the repeated training was working, with the staff gaining more confidence on the tools.” More importantly, through the support they have received from Bluebeam locally, Harris says Arcadis will now have 200 of its staff trained internally, who can in turn support their peers. “In this way, we can create a real community-based learning environment. The idea is to just repeat the learnings and to keep reaping the benefits of the digital space.” With the size and value of infrastructure projects increasing year after year, Arcadis is placing itself as a key player in the mobility sector. As such, Harris says improving project efficiencies is a major goal for the company. “By driving higher efficiencies in our processes, we are looking to really leverage our global scale and our expertise and to pass that on to our clients. With the shortage of resources that the world is currently facing, we think a focus on more efficiency just makes common sense.” For more information or to contact the team at Bluebeam, visit: www.bluebeam.com.au roadsonline.com.au

EMBRACING THE BENEFITS OF

HIGH FLOAT EMULSIONS

SAMI BITUMEN TECHNOLOGIES HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED SAMIFLOAT, A CATIONIC HIGH-FLOAT THIXOTROPIC SPRAYED SEALING EMULSION. SAMI’S NATIONAL R&D AND INTRO LABORATORY MANAGER KANJANA YINDEE TALKS ABOUT THE PRODUCT’S BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR AUSTRALIAN PAVEMENTS.

D X

espite xx their many environmental and safety Xxx benefits, bitumen emulsions have traditionally not been the preferred method of sprayed sealing for Australian contractors, with hot modified binders currently dominating the field. But SAMI Bitumen Technology’s National R&D and Laboratory Manager Kanjana Yindee believes that could be changing soon. One of the reasons bitumen emulsions have not achieved a significant penetration rate in Australia so far, she observes, is due to lack of confidence among contractors that they can provide the performance requirements. “Unlike other countries, limited amount of emulsion has historically been used in sprayed seals in Australia. As the local industry migrates towards using more emulsion binders, the manufacturers should aim to provide high performing, user-friendly products, and we will need to retrain the crews in the construction practices to deliver high performing sprayed seals. Details such as whether we need to precoat the aggregates or whether we can just wash

them with water are some of the issues to be addressed,” says Yindee. “Using emulsion for sprayed sealing is more environmentally-friendly than using hot unmodified or hot polymer modified binders. The latter options require using a high percentage of cutters, sometimes up to six per cent or more, which is associated with emission of volatile fumes. So, using emulsion fits very well with the industry’s overall direction towards more sustainable sealing,” she adds. To address these and other challenges associated with using conventional emulsions for sprayed sealing, the team at SAMI Bitumen Technologies have come up with an innovative product: a cationic high float rapid-setting emulsion modified with latex, known as SAMIfloat. What makes the high float SAMIfloat binder different, Yindee explains, is its gellike structure of the binder, which offers better aggregate adhesion and prevents emulsion run-off, or bleeding. “Unlike conventional sprayed seal emulsions, after the water evaporates,

SAMIfloat leaves more than just the sprayed seal binder behind,” she says. “The gel structure allows a thicker binder coating on the aggregate particles. This thicker film prevents aggregate stripping and is more resistant to oxidation from exposure to the atmosphere.” The result, Yindee explains, is more durable, better-performing sprayed seals. “The SAMIfloat residue is resistant to flow at high road surface temperatures allowing for a softer bitumen to be used that will resist bleeding at high temperatures. The softer binder also does not become as brittle at low temperatures and resists stone loss. The thixotropic gel structure doesn’t flow at pavement surface temperatures, that’s why they tend to bleed less than other unmodified emulsions or cutbacks,” she says. SAMIFLOAT AND GRADED SEALS The concept of developing a cationic high float emulsion product, Yindee says, initially emerged when Trevor Distin, Colas Australia’s Technical and Marketing Manager, contacted Yindee looking for a cutback-free

The SAMIfloat emulsion is ideal for sprayed sealing applications, as it resists bleeding at high temperatures.

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TECHNOLOGY & ASPHALT NEWS EQUIPMENT

“QUOTE”

binder to use for constructing graded seals. “Normally, sprayed sealing applications in Australia use single-graded aggregate, but Trevor had this idea to use a high float emulsion for graded seals to help him minimise the use of cutters. We knew this was done elsewhere in the world, but we also knew that our formulation had to be unique to Australia. While most countries use anionic high float emulsions, products used in Australia have always been cationic, so it was not practical to introduce an anionic emulsion here,” explains Yindee. Working with her colleagues and counterparts across the global Colas Group, Yindee developed the cationic formulation, which has proven to offer the same benefits and properties as the anionic formula. While Colas Australia is now planning to evaluate the performance of SAMI’s high float emulsion on one of their projects in New South Wales, Distin says he is very optimistic about the potential benefits. “Graded seals require the binder to be sprayed at an application rate above 1.8 litres per square metre. The problem with standard sprayed sealing emulsions is that they have a tendency to run off the road when spraying them at these higher application rates. By using higher viscosity emulsions like SAMIfloat, higher net binder application rates can be sprayed especially in areas with steeper gradients without the risk of run off,” explains Distin. “The use of high float emulsions will eliminate the need to spray hot bitumen cutback with kerosene to construct graded seals. This will reduce the amount of heating required to transport, store and spray the binder. High float emulsions are handled at much lower temperatures, so it reduces the risk of a person being burnt from the binder during handling and/or from an explosion,” he adds.

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Being part of the larger Colas family, SAMI Bitumen Technologies has also had access to shared knowledge and expertise across the Colas family when developing its latest innovation. One expert whose technical input has helped SAMI’s team during the development of SAMIfloat is Tony Kucharek, Technical Director of Canada’s McAsphalt – another subsidiary of the Colas Group. Kucharek says unlike in Australia, in Canada and in major parts of northern United States, sprayed sealing – or chip sealing as it’s called there – is predominantly done using emulsions. “In Canada, there is no hot applied sprayed sealing. The concept of loading hot bitumen into a distributor and spraying it on the road is very foreign here,” he says. “This, to a great extent, is due to strict limitations around generation of VOCs, which also limits cutback usage for precoating chips.” Drawing on the similarities between Canadian and Australian roads, Kucharek says SAMI’s high float emulsion binder could very well be a game-changer for the way roads in Australia will be sprayed sealed in the future. “There’s similarity between Australia and Canada in that we both have large countries with areas that are sparsely populated. So, we must cover a lot of roads, majority of which are remotely located. They are not in areas where aggregate resources or paving materials are readily available. Emulsion-based graded seals, or sprayed seals, have proven to be very good solution for remote areas and areas with low traffic loading. For that matter, I don’t see any reason why SAMI’s solution wouldn’t work well

The test showing flow properties of SAMIfloat highfloat emulsion at ambient temperature (left) and after four days (right) sitting in the same conditions.

for Australia,” he says. Kucharek says across the global Colas Group, there have already been many successful examples of uptake for high float emulsions. In one recent project in the French Guyana region, the local road authorities successfully trialled high float emulsions for sprayed sealing for the first time. “The project was a collaboration between Colas Canada, Colas France and Colas Guyana. The road was put down a year ago and there are indications that the local road authority would want to do more such projects,” he says. So, when should Australia expect to have increased its adoption of high float emulsion binders and moved away from hot mix binders? “The proof is always in the pudding,” says Kucharek. “SAMI has developed something that’s very new for Australia. What they are doing is very innovative. Once people see more projects that have used the technique, the contractors will start wanting to trial it too.” That day might not be far away. Colas Australia has already planned to construct a trial section on an existing project alongside hot cutback binder to evaluate the performance of the high float emulsion graded seal under the same traffic and environmental conditions in Northern New South Wales. Distin and Yindee are confident the trial will confirm what they have already seen in laboratory test results. “The goal for SAMI is to help reduce use of hot cutback binders in sprayed sealing and to contribute to more sustainable, more durable roads in Australia. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of Colas’ trial with the industry in the coming months,” Yindee concludes. roadsonline.com.au

8-11 March 2022 International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney

Building sustainable futures

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ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

TOGETHER TOWARDS

TYRE CIRCULARITY AS AUSTRALIA’S LEADING TYRE RECYCLER, TYRECYCLE HAS BEEN PURSUING DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR QUALITY TYRE-DERIVED PRODUCTS AHEAD OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COAG TYRE WASTE BAN. CEO JIM FAIRWEATHER REFLECTS ON THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING AUSTRALIA.

he pursuit of new domestic and international markets for quality tyre-derived products is a core focus of Australia’s leading tyre recycler Tyrecycle, ahead of the December 2021 introduction of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG’s) tyre waste ban. Jim Fairweather, CEO of ResourceCo’s tyre recycling company Tyrecycle, reflects on just how critical it is that Australia commits resources to developing a strong domestic market, while continuing to strengthen and grow the international market. “We have to work together to drive sustainable solutions to the generation of waste tyres in Australia, especially as the estimated 60 thousand tonnes of previously whole-baled and exported tyres come online,” Fairweather says. “We have collected 3.9 million tyres in the last three months alone – that will increase substantially post December and we need to continue to work with governments, retailers and consumers to drive sustainable end solutions.” The role of consumers cannot be overlooked, as Fairweather explains. “We need consumers to be asking their retailers what happens to their used tyres; we need to support retailers in educating consumers on the real costs of recycling, while at the same time promoting and supporting the development of viable and sustainable markets for end-of-life tyres,” he observes. “We know consumers will shift their purchasing decisions based on intrinsic values and that environmental sustainability is one of those, but that needs to be supported all the way up the chain.” Tyrecycle is currently undertaking the largest infrastructure investment program in the 30-year history of the company as it gears up to deal with the increase in end-of-

Tyrecycle has eight processing plants across Australia.

life tyres being processed here in Australia. “To meet demand, we have had a new tyre recycling plant come online in Sydney, while a second new plant is scheduled for Western Australia within the next year, and we are further bolstering our operations in South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland,” Fairweather says. “We’re investing over $50 million in new plants and machinery to deliver strong environmental and economic outcomes with surety of service and chain of custody exceeding industry standards.” Tyrecycle’s eight processing plants across Australia produce crumbed rubber for use in tile adhesive playing fields and road surfaces, as well as tyre-derived-fuel (TDF), which is used as an alternative to fossil fuels such as gas, coal, or oil in industrial applications such as cement kilns. “We’re creating high quality recycled products, but in unison with that, we need to see a real commitment to bold procurement targets for repurposed materials, across

all levels of government,” Fairweather says. “For example, there’s huge opportunity to increase the use of recycled rubber content in roads and to develop appropriate national standards that support that. Trials have already demonstrated improved grip and braking distances, reduced noise levels and reduced whole-of-life costs. We also see significant upside in developing the domestic market for use of TDF, by encouraging partnerships with industrial companies who share our goals for greener supply chains.” As well as growing domestic markets, Tyrecycle continues to invest resources in the development of new international markets, and it recently entered a new trial for supply of TDF to Thailand as a significant growth opportunity. “Expanding partnerships, both locally and globally, will be key to supporting competitiveness and scale. We’ll only achieve the goal of circularity if all stakeholders accept there is responsibility at every level.” roadsonline.com.au

WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

TAKES WING AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF EARTHMOVING, THE WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S RUNWAY CONSTRUCTION WILL KICK OFF NEXT YEAR. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SPEAKS TO THE AIRPORT’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SIMON HICKEY ABOUT SOME OF THE CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL SHAPE THE AIRFIELD.

hen it opens in 2026, the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will be showcasing an airfield designed around maximising passenger safety and operational efficiency. The technologies embedded in the airfield’s design will ensure reduced taxi times for the planes, which will be key to the airport’s seamless operation. While initially handling around 10 million domestic and international passengers a year, the airport is forecast to be accommodating up to 82 million passengers annually by 2060 following the addition of a second runway. In

comparison, Sydney’s existing international airport, the Kingsford Smith Airport, handled 44.4 million passengers in 2018. The runway for the Western Sydney International Airport will be designed to handle the full range of commercial aircraft, including the new generation of ultra-long-haul airliners like the A3501000 and Boeing 777X. It will be the only airport in Sydney equipped with a modern CAT III-B instrument landing system, meaning it will continue operating safely in foggy conditions that currently shut down Sydney’s skies. But before that first flight takes off from the airport, construction would have gone

through a number of phases and ticked more milestones. A major milestone for the project came earlier this year in September, when the contract to design and construct the airport’s airfield was awarded to the CPB Contractors and ACCIONA joint venture. The contract includes building the airport’s 3.7-kilometre runway and rapid exit taxiways, as well as construction of more than 40 kilometres of airfield roads, facilities and services. It also includes more than 90 kilometres of power and fibre optic cabling to electrify the airport. Western Sydney Airport CEO Simon Hickey says the contract award followed a

The construction of the Western Sydney Airport terminal will begin later this year, with runway construction commencing in 2022.

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

INFRASTRUCTURE IN FOCUS – AIRPORT

“THE EFFICIENT AIRFIELD DESIGN, ENABLED BY THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, WILL REDUCE TAXI TIMES, PREVENTING DELAYS ON THE TARMAC THAT CAN BE FRUSTRATING FOR PASSENGERS AND COSTLY FOR AIRLINES. OUR AIRFIELD DESIGN MEANS WE’LL SAFELY GET PLANES IN THE AIR OR TO THE GATES FASTER.” Simon Hickey, CEO, Western Sydney Airport.

competitive procurement process. “The contract was awarded following a competitive procurement process, including an open registration of interest, to find the best solution and ensure we maximised value for Australian taxpayers,” he tells Roads & Infrastructure. “The efficient airfield design, enabled by the latest technology, will reduce taxi times, preventing delays on the tarmac that can be frustrating for passengers and costly for airlines. Our airfield design means we’ll safely get planes in the air or to the gates faster,” he adds. CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES TO DATE Preparing the airfield in the lead up to runway construction has not been an easy task. Spread across nearly 1800 hectares of undulating terrain, construction for the project has involved massive earthmoving challenges, according to Mr Hickey. “Work to build Western Sydney International Airport commenced in 2018, kicking off one of the biggest earthmoving challenges in Australian history with around 26 million cubic metres of earth to be moved,” he says. “We needed to flatten what was a very hilly site – the difference between the highest and lowest points is equivalent to a 12-storey building. So, we’ve definitely had our work cut out for us in what is a significant engineering feat.” The early earthworks and major earthworks packages for the project were earlier awarded to the CPB Contractors and Lendlease Engineering joint venture. With the Lendlease Engineering business subsequently acquired by ACCIONA, the latest runway construction contract marks the third project awarded to the joint venture. “We’ve had hundreds of workers and machines on site undertaking this mammoth challenge – the scrapers, excavators, dump trucks and dozers on this site are some of the biggest in the world, the kind you expect to see on mega

mining projects,” says Mr Hickey. With more than 19 million cubic metres of earth moved to date, the site is getting ready for construction of the terminal to begin later this year, with construction of the runway due to commence in 2022. “Major construction procurement is almost complete, with the contract to design and construct the airport’s landside civil and building works set to be awarded in the coming months,” says Mr Hickey. SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS According to Mr Hickey, focus on sustainability has been key to the design of Western Sydney International Airport. “Sustainable design, energy efficiency and circular economy principles are key considerations as we build Western Sydney International,” he says. The airfield will be utilising recycled and reused content where appropriate, including recycled road base, recycled asphalt product and recycled glass as well as reduced carbon materials in concrete. “Millions of tonnes of crushed sandstone from tunnelling projects across Sydney, such as WestConnex and Sydney Metro, will be reused as a high-strength foundation to support the construction of the runway, taxiways and roads,” Mr Hickey says. “Another way we’re incorporating sustainable solutions into the airport’s airfield is by using LED lights for our aeronautical ground lighting. This ensures significant energy savings across the airfield and a significantly longer design life, meaning less frequent replacement required.” Moreover, the Western Sydney International Airport will use a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, meaning these energy efficient LED lights can be individually controlled, permitting safe wayfinding on the airfield, as Mr Hickey explains. “Overall, the package of work is required to achieve an Infrastructure Sustainability ‘Excellent’ rating, which includes reducing carbon emissions and waste,” he says. “We’ve also considered

how emerging technologies will be enabled in future, such as electric and hybrid electric aircraft.” The design of the airport’s airfield will also drive sustainability outcomes by reducing fuel burn and associated costs by slashing taxi and holding times for aircraft. “Sustainability considerations are front and centre as we build Western Sydney International Airport’s terminal, with an efficiently designed façade, air conditioning and lighting systems to provide superior energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions,” Mr Hickey says. “Sustainable options will be considered while ensuring the technical requirements of the infrastructure are being met and will be subject to rigorous performance testing prior to use.” The first phase of earthworks completed in 2020 has already received an Infrastructure Sustainability ‘Excellent’ rating. Major earthworks and terminal construction projects are also required to achieve an Infrastructure Sustainability ‘Excellent’ rating. KEEPING AN EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT With a 117-hectare Environmental Conservation Zone located within the airport site along Badgerys Creek, Mr Hickey says protecting features of high environmental value are of utmost importance. “The airport can only be as successful as the region it serves, so we’re also playing our part in the sustainability of Western Sydney,” he says. The Western Sydney Airport also has employment targets for local and diverse workers. “Our community partnerships support employment and education programs across Western Sydney and contribute to rehabilitating natural ecosystems in the area,” Mr Hickey says. “There are strong rules around the sustainability standards we must meet as we build Western Sydney International, but we are looking for opportunities to go further in ensuring the airport represents a commitment to future generations.” roadsonline.com.au

THE FELLOWS FOUNDATION:

ASSISTING FAMILIES IMPACTED BY WORKPLACE FATALITIES Partnership with the Fellows Foundation is complementary to AfPA’s goal of increasing safety within the roads construction industry.

EACH YEAR, AROUND 200 AUSTRALIAN LIVES ARE LOST THROUGH A TRAUMATIC DEATH IN THE WORKPLACE, LEAVING FAMILIES SEVERELY IMPACTED. AFPA IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE WORKS OF THE FELLOWS FOUNDATION, WHICH AIMS TO SUPPORT THESE FAMILIES WHOLE-HEARTEDLY.

orkplace fatalities affect hundreds of families each year. Around 200 Australians are killed at work and another 2000 die from occupational diseases year on year. Transport and construction industries, unfortunately, are among industries 44

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

represented more in these numbers. The two sectors ranked first and third respectively in worker fatality rates in 2020, according to Safe Work Australia. These incidents often have significant and prolonged economic, social and psychological impacts on families. For

every worker killed on the job, there will typically be between 12 to 20 immediate family members and close friends and colleagues who will be affected. Children and young family members, in particular, can suffer long-term trauma as they lose a significant loved one, mentor

“OUR GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO HIRE OUR FIRST DEDICATED CONTACT OFFICERS AND HAVE THEM EXCEPTIONALLY TRAINED TO OFFER COUNSELLING ON VARIOUS DISCIPLINES. WITH MORE MONETARY BACKING, WE CAN ALSO SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH IMMEDIATE EXPENSES, SUCH AS WITH FUNERAL COSTS, AS WELL AS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR THE CHILDREN TO HELP THEM STAY ON THE SAME EDUCATION TRAJECTORY THAT THEY WERE ON.” and major income provider. Moreover, families frequently feel isolated and ‘out of the loop’ in terms of institutional responses to workplace death. Without a single point of contact to assist them navigate the fallout, family members and close friends are left vulnerable, traumatised and confused as they continually retell and relive their story and therefore their grief. For David Fellows, founder and chairman of the Fellows Foundation, the issue is one that’s very close to his heart. Nearly four years ago, David’s friend Ken Altoft was on traffic control duty on the Bruce highway near Sunshine Coast when he was fatally hit by a car around midnight. Over the past four years, David has seen, and experienced, firsthand the impact Ken’s death has had on his family and loved ones. THE FELLOWS FOUNDATION IS BORN Having worked in occupational health and safety for over 30 years, Ken says he saw a need for a single source of contact that could provide timely, unbiased and agnostic support to those families impacted by a traumatic workplace death. This was how the Fellows Foundation was born. “Helping the bereaved partners and friends is quite a difficult and clinical process. The families often need support to help them find good advice, be it financial counselling, legal counselling, mental counselling, or even mentoring programs for children,” he says. “The Fellows Foundation, through its Workplace Legacy Program, will offer dedicated contact officers to families and those impacted by a traumatic death in the workplace. These contact officers will serve as a single point of contact for each case, providing clear and concise unbiased information along with introductions to vetted and approved service providers to assist impacted persons with the often complex and dehumanised processes

following a workplace death.” Having also experienced the loss of his own father at a young age, David says he knows the important role that a caring mentor can play for the grieving family. “My father died on the line of duty when I was only one and a half years old. Because he was an ex-serviceman, the Legacy stepped in, and their help was invaluable to my mother and me. There was a chap who used to come once a month and visit me. He was the one who bought me my first football. We’d go fishing together or we would just go for a walk or kick the footy. But it gave me that male mentoring in my life. He had a huge impact on my formative years,” says David. But while many of the service sectors such as fire brigades, police and the army, have their own Legacy programs in place, it is generally missing from other industries. “Because workplace deaths are so scattered across different industries, not many organisations have a Legacy system in place to support families in the aftermath of a worker death. But unfortunately, the death of an employee is something that many employers will be faced with and when it happens, it’s important to know whom to contact,” says David. “Apart from permanent and contract workers across all industries, our services will also include volunteers, like firefighting volunteers or search and rescue volunteers who lose their lives on the line of duty,” he adds. SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT Established in 2018, the Fellows Foundation is still in its pilot phase, but David is hoping that with support from corporate partners and sponsors, the foundation will be able to step up its support for families. So far, the Fellows Foundation has been supported by its first foundational partner, the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA), as well as people who

have offered their services voluntarily. But to offer more specialised services and direct financial support to families, David says more supporters are needed. “In this initial phase, we are quite open to different levels of relationship. We hope that the industries that are severely affected by these traumatic deaths will be able to support us. We are currently engaging with corporates interested in supporting The Workplace Legacy Program. There are opportunities for basic sponsorship through to naming rights. “Our goal is to be able to hire our first dedicated contact officers and have them exceptionally trained to offer counselling on various disciplines. With more monetary backing, we can also support families with immediate expenses, such as with funeral costs, as well as offering scholarship programs for the children to help them stay on the same education trajectory that they were on. Various studies have shown that children of parents who don’t go to university very rarely end up going to university, so there are real ripple effects on families if children miss on university education.” Carlos Rial, Chief Executive Officer of AfPA, says partnership with the Fellows Foundation is complementary to AfPA’s greater goal of increasing safety within the roads construction industry. “At AfPA, our goal, first and foremost, is to minimise risk of fatality and injuries during roadworks. We do this through support for proactive measures such as separaton of road works from live traffic and offering best-practice training to our members and the rest of the industry. But, in the rare occasion that a catastrophic incident occurs, it’s very important that the right support mechanism is in place for the families,” he says. “What the Fellows Foundation is doing is quite unique, and it is something that we would encourage other associations, particularly in the infrastructure industry, to jump on board and support. Our frontline workers are on project sites every day, delivering assets that are extremely valuable to the country. It’s only fair that we offer their families the best support that we can during their hardship.” For more information about the Fellows Foundation, visit: www.thefellowsfoundation.org.au, or contact David Fellows on 0418 163 121. roadsonline.com.au

AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

AfPA is pleased to announce its partnership with the Fellows Foundation

AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

The Fellows Foundation has been established to provide a dedicated Single Point of Contact and support to assist those impacted by a traumatic workplace death. Families and loved ones are also real victims of a workplace traumatic death and are in desperate need of reliable, timely unbiased and agnostic support without prejudice and/or conflict of interest, perceived or real.

https://thefellowsfoundation.org.au/

AfPA

MEMBER PROFILE

FERGUS MCCOLL FROM INTERCHEM SHARES HIS COMPANY’S EXPERIENCE AS A SUPPLIER OF SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AND HOW BEING AN AFPA MEMBER HAS HELPED THEM GROW. 1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU/YOUR COMPANY BEEN AN AFPA MEMBER AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME ONE? Interchem joined AfPA in 2016. We were relatively new to the road construction market and we felt it was a good chance to support the industry, to network and to see where we could add value. 2. HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER IN THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? While I have been involved in the construction industry for over 25 years, my involvement in road construction is more recent. As a specialty chemical supplier and manufacturer, we make and source a number of specialty materials used in the industry. In 2014, we began Australian production of specialty chemicals for use in foamed bitumen pavement construction. 3. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? I have a business development role as part our Interchem Solutions team. We provide specialty chemicals, products and services to various industries, from the automotive industry, to construction, agriculture and even the Defence. I am charged with finding opportunities that are of value to new and existing customers. 4. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE? The flexibility we have as part of a relatively small company. I enjoy being able to work on problems or constraints that our customers have and finding solutions. I would encourage industry members to find challenges for us to work on together! 5. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY? Our most significant achievement in the industry was when we identified and solved

a problem which existed in the foamed bitumen pavement stabilisation area. We were working with a customer to solve a safety concern related to the handling of foaming additives. We were able to develop the first “non-dangerous” foaming additive with improved properties compared to the incumbent materials. This development, known as INTERFOAM, assisted one of our customers to win an Industry Safety Award. In my opinion, the material and service we offer is now an industry benchmark. 6. WHAT IS A RECENT CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW ARE YOU/THE COMPANY PREPARED FOR THAT? An increased focus on the health and safety of workers in the industry is a significant and positive change. We are constantly looking for ways Interchem can assist through the development and supply of safer or easier to use specialty materials. 7. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? I think the most interesting challenge in Australia is the unique balance we have with geographical size and population. We have a population of under 26 million, (and under 15 million taxpayers), yet our country is the close to the size of US or Europe. While much of our land is almost uninhabitable, we still have a huge requirement for infrastructure and a tiny tax base to fund it. We need to find ways to construct roads in a cost-effective way and make them as durable as possible. 8. HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF AFPA BENEFITTED YOU IN THE INDUSTRY? One of the benefits of our AfPA membership is improving our networking and industry awareness. Once things normalise, we look

Fergus McColl, Business Development Manager, Interchem.

forward to participating in AfPA conferences and exhibitions and having more conversations with industry stakeholders. The more conversations we have, the better we can uncover the needs of the industry. We do our best work when someone says, ‘I wish we could do this’ or ‘have you heard about that?’ I do not believe this is unique to me, or to Interchem. These face-to-face encounters are good for everyone. 9. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? To continue to broaden our capabilities and portfolio in the industry. We expect to do this in areas where there is a need for improved outcomes, including environmental, safety, efficiency and sustainability. In the short term, we will focus on building sales and capabilities in the bitumen adhesion promoter area. The chemicals currently used are effective, but very hazardous to workers and the environment. We would like to work with the industry to improve the environmental, health and safety characteristics of these materials. An aspirational goal is to push into future sustainable technologies that transform the industry in areas of recycling, renewable energy and/or carbon capture. roadsonline.com.au

Infrastructure Sustainability Council

INFRASTRUCTUREACCELERATES

TOWARDS NET ZERO PROJECTS CERTIFIED BY THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ISC) LAST FINANCIAL YEAR CUT ENERGY-RELATED EMISSIONS BY 43 PER CENT AND MATERIALSRELATED EMISSIONS BY 55 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO ISC’S 2021 IMPACT REPORT.

he Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s 2021 Annual Impact Report, released on October 21, confirms the sector has “crossed the chasm’’ towards net zero emissions and a future with more sustainable, resilient, inclusive infrastructure, says Chief Executive Officer, Ainsley Simpson. “We have proven that embedding sustainability requirements in business cases, procurement and contracts we can halve our emissions – an extraordinary achievement given infrastructure has been considered one of the ‘hard to transition’ sectors of the economy. With a sustainable infrastructurerecovery, net zero emissions are well within our grasp,” Ms Simpson says. Around 70 per cent of Australia’s emissions are enabled by infrastructure, according to Reshaping Infrastructure, a paper published by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, ClimateWorks Australia and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council in 2020. Over the last four years, the 34 As Built projects certified by the IS Rating Scheme, have avoided 26.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by meeting best practice benchmarks for sustainable infrastructure design, construction and asset management. “This is roughly equivalent to the 26 million

tonnes of emissions eliminated across Australia’s entire economy in 2020.” The Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Scheme is a robust reporting standard that assures sustainability outcomes against credible benchmarks. The emissions, water, waste and energy reduction potential of each infrastructure project is determined against business-as-usual practice as part of the rating process. All outcomes are mapped to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2021 Impacts Report confirmed impressive social, cultural, environmental and social outcomes from infrastructure projects. Certified projects diverted 95 per cent of waste from landfill, while water used in construction and operation of IS-rated projects was roughly half that of the base case. The list of certified projects on the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s books include the $1.2 billion CBD and South East Light Rail project in New South Wales, which replaced 33 per cent of its emissions-intensive Portland cement with supplementary cementing materials like fly ash to reduce its environmental impact. Another project, part of Victoria’s Big Build, $1.4 billion Level Crossing Removal Program, diverted 100 per cent

ISC’s 2021 Impacts Report confirms the infrastructure sector can achieve net zero emissions.

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Ainsley Simpson.

of its construction waste – a massive 61,817 tonnes – from landfill. “Our message is clear. Government mandates of the IS Rating Scheme are working – we are driving down emissions at speed. Our challenge now is to remove the hand-brake with national policy that integrates sustainability into all stages of the project lifecycle for all asset classes,” Ms Simpson adds. “We have seen the commitment to sustainable infrastructure through policy, planning and procurement double in just one year, with 55 new IS registrations for around $19.3 billion worth of infrastructure investment. “Infrastructure has a huge contribution to make in the decade of decarbonisation. We have positive proof that a holistic and transparent approach to sustainability can drive emissions reduction, workforce capability and stimulate local and regional economies,” Ms Simpson concludes. To download the 2021 Impact Report, visit: www.iscouncil.org/2021-impact-report

7 APRIL 2022

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GETTING CREATIVE WITH PRECAST NATIONAL PRECAST CEO SARAH BACHMANN INTRODUCES SOME OF THE LATEST INITIATIVES FROM THE ASSOCIATION’S MEMBERS AND PARTNERS.

ational Precast’s newest Industry Partner Dulux Acratex has developed two new products which further enable the precast industry to deliver long term protection. According to National Precast CEO Sarah Bachmann, precast already offers long term sustainable solutions that boast durability, high quality and strength. As such, precast structures require virtually no ongoing maintenance and are flood, termite, vermin and fire safe. “One of the many sustainability benefits of precast concrete is that it can be manufactured off-site, in a factorycontrolled environment. Factories are much safer than construction sites for workers. Additionally, quality is higher, waste is recycled, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes are used. Waste materials can also be incorporated into the concrete mix designs,” she says. NEW SOLUTIONS FOR PRECAST COATINGS Ms Bachmann says the industry welcomes the new options from Dulux Acratex – one of which improves adhesion of coatings, and the other, a texture coating that has been specially designed with precast in mind. “Being manufactured in steel moulds, offsite, in a controlled factory environment, precast elements have a smooth, high quality finish – a finish that is generally much higher in quality than what can be achieved with site-poured, insitu concrete,” says Ms Bachmann. “That has prompted Dulux Acratex to fill a gap in the market by developing these new products.” The two new products are Acratex BondFree Concentrate and Acratex AcraTilt. Acratex BondFree Concentrate removes typical barrier-type form release agents. This ensures proper adhesion of all coatings, be they paints, stains or coatings that protect precast from graffiti or pollution. Acratex AcraTilt is a new texture coat product that offers a textured surface to

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

must remain clean and maintenance-free over their long life.”

Acratex AcraTilt offers a textured surface to precast elements.

precast elements. Given precast’s extremely smooth off-form (or off-mould) finish quality, AcraTilt has been developed for this smooth surface. It is a medium-build texture coating and promises outstanding results. The two new products add to an already impressive range of surface finishes in the precast space, according to Ms Bachmann. “Applied finishes can be achieved in the protected factory environment and can include etching to achieve an exposed aggregate finish, grit blasting for a sandstone style of finish, honing or polishing. Elements can also be painted and stained in the factory and touched up on site if needed, or integral colours using pigments can be incorporated into the concrete mix design,” Ms Bachmann says. Add to what’s on offer in the colour and texture space, an infinite array of shapes using custom moulds and patterns that can be created by form-liners, and precast’s design possibilities are endless. AIR PURIFYING COATINGS There are also new options on the market to protect and self-clean precast, while benefiting the environment. “One of our Supplier Members, Ecotone, has brought to market an impressive line-up of long-life penetrative colour stains for concrete and environmentally beneficial coatings that preserve and self-clean concrete surfaces while purifying the air,” Ms Bachmann says. “Both the stains and environmental coatings are being widely specified, particularly for civil projects which

WHEN BOOMGATES MEET PRECAST Innovation is what drives many of National Precast’s Master Precasters in the pursuit of more sustainable solutions. In Mick Walker’s case, that translates into an autonomous boomgate that uses precast as its base. Together with Luke Frenken of Frenken Group, the owner of the Perth-based Master Precaster Aus-Precast has integrated precast concrete with mechanical, electrical and solar capabilities to develop a boomgate with almost no site interface requirements. According to Ms Bachmann, the company has designed out traditional requirements that underpin a boomgate’s installation, using a precast concrete base as the foundation. Walker explains that his Solar Traffic Aus-Precast has developed a boomgate with almost no site interface requirements.

Operation – or STOp boomgate – eliminates any need for in-situ concrete. It also requires no underground power. As well as speeding installation time, on-site risk is reduced with much of the works completed in a factorycontrolled environment, with less labour needed on site. The boomgate sits on a stable precast base with cast-in fork tines offering positive retention while off-loading and placement occurs. Beam lengths can span between two to eight metres and the module is solar-powered. For more information, contact: info@nationalprecast.com.au

HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF SOME OF THE WORKS DELIVERED BY NATIONAL PRECAST’S MASTER PRECASTERS:

Project: Carmichael Rail Network Location: Gaililee Basin, QLD Master Precaster: Stresscrete Construction: Bravus Mining & Resources

Project: St Bedes Catholic College Location: Chisholm, NSW Master Precaster: Waeger Constructions Client: Richard Crookes Constructions

Project: Mitchell Freeway T-Roff Bridge Beams Location: Perth, WA Master Precaster: PERMAcast Client: Mains Roads Western Australia

Project: Bells Creek Arterial Road Contract Award Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD Master Precaster: The Reinforced Earth Company Australia Construction: Shadforths Civil Engineering Contractors

Project: Australian Maritime College Artificial Reefs Location: WA Master Precaster: Hudson Civil Products Construction: Subcon

Project: Water Corporation Bridges, Young Siding Road Location: Albany, WA Master Precaster: MJB Industries Construction: Fulton Hogan

Project: Geelong Geopolymer Bridges Location: Geelong, VIC Master Precaster: CivilMart Rocla Design: Austeng and Deakin University

Project: Westconnex Location: Sydney, NSW Master Precaster: Austral Precast

Project: Colour for Life Services Master Precaster: Ecotone

Project: Bushfire Safe Poles Master Precaster: CivilMart Rocla

To find a Master Precaster for your next project, visit: www.nationalprecast.com.au. roadsonline.com.au

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE HELPS YOU KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR. INFRASTRUCTURE WA APPOINTS NEW CHAIRPERSON The Governor of Western Australia has appointed Nicole Lockwood as the new Infrastructure WA (IWA) Board chairperson. The infrastructure body, which was a key election commitment of the McGowan Labor Government, provides an advisory and assistance role to the State Government on infrastructure related matters to drive Western Australia’s economy and create jobs. Ms Lockwood, who has served as deputy chairperson since IWA’s establishment in 2019, brings extensive experience in infrastructure planning and delivery through her previous board roles with Water Corporation, Horizon Power, Westport Taskforce and Infrastructure Australia. Ms Lockwood currently holds board roles with the Green Building Council of Australia, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health and chairs the Sienna Wood Joint Venture.

ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA CEO RETIRES Engineers Australia has announced that CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans AM will retire in April 2022. Dr Evans has led the organisation since 2019 and has achieved several milestones in this time. This includes successful advocacy for the compulsory registration of engineers, promoting women in STEM, and climate change initiatives – including a new flagship conference – Climate Smart Engineering, headlined by Nobel laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore. Dr Evans has over 35 years’ experience in various engineering roles, including CEO of Standards Australia, senior executive roles at Cochlear Ltd and GE Healthcare, as well as non-executive board experience in the construction, medical technology, and digital business sectors. She has been recognised nationally as one of the most influential engineers and recognised among the 100 Women of Influence.

COATES APPOINTS EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER – SOUTH BUSINESS UNIT Luke Sullivan joined Coates as Executive General Manager for the South Business Unit. He will head up Coates’ Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania’s operations. Luke has more than 20 years’ experience in senior executive roles, both in Australia and internationally. Prior to starting with Coates, Luke was the Executive General Manager, Services at UGL, where he led a national team of 5000 employees across 150 locations delivering operations and maintenance services in transport, power, oil and gas, mining and Defence. Before that, Luke held senior leadership roles in Asset Management with ExxonMobil and Orica, as well as serving as General Manager Operations, Resources and Industrials at Transfield Services, now Ventia. Luke brings to Coates a wealth of experience across many market sectors, as well as extensive leadership in operational management and strategic development.

MOOVEN APPOINTS NEW ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jack Joy has joined Mooven’s ANZ sales team as the company’s sixth Account Executive. Jack is Perth-based and will be expanding Mooven’s business into Western Australia, home of the road trip. Jack joins with several years of technical and software sales experience across a number of companies in the construction industry and past roles including Business Development Manager for BCI Australia and Sales Account Manager – Southern Region for SKIDATA Australasia. As someone who can’t stand traffic congestion around the multiple infrastructure projects in his neighbourhood, Jack is passionate about working with Mooven to help WA-based organisations solve their problems relating to traffic movement on both minor and major civil and road infrastructure projects.

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

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 INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR. NEW SOUTH WALES Shortlisted companies announced for $1.8B Coffs Harbour bypass Construction on the Coffs Harbour bypass, the biggest infrastructure project in Coffs Harbour’s history, is a step closer to commencing with the shortlist of companies invited to tender for construction announced. CPB Webuild Joint Venture, Acciona Seymour Whyte Joint Venture and Gamuda Ferrovial Joint Venture have been selected to take part in the tender process, which will be finalised by the end of the year with the successful contractor to be announced in mid-2022. The project includes upgrading around 14 kilometres of the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour, starting from south of Englands Road roundabout and finishing at the southern end of the Sapphire to Woolgoolga project. Once completed, the bypass will save motorists 11 minutes travel time, allowing them to bypass up to 12 sets of traffic lights. Three tunnels will be built for the bypass at Roberts Hill, Shephards Lane and Gatelys Road, delivering safer and quicker journeys for the thousands of locals, tourists and freight operators who use the route daily. The Federal Government has committed to fund 80 per cent of the $1.8 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass project, up to $1.46 billion. The New South Wales Government is funding the remainder of the project. The tendering phase will extend to March 2022, and the major contractor will be announced in mid 2022. VICTORIA North East Link’s $11.1B primary package contract awarded Preferred bidder Spark consortium has inked a $11.1 billion deal with the Victorian Government to build, operate and maintain the tunnels of Melbourne’s long-awaited North East Link over the next 25 years.

The consortium comprises of CIMIC Group companies Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors and Ventia, as well as WeBuild, GS Engineering and Construction, China Construction Oceania, Capella Capital, John Laing Investments and DIF. The $15.8 billion project, co-funded by the Victorian and Federal governments, is tipped to cut travel times between Melbourne’s north and south-east by more than half an hour and take 15,000 trucks off the road per day. The stretch of road will link Metropolitan Ring Road to the Eastern Freeway and include road upgrades, the creation of Melbourne’s first busway and 25 kilometres of upgraded walking and cycling paths. Construction will commence later this year and operations will run to 2053. The project will be completed by 2028. SOUTH AUSTRALIA Downer awarded major South Australian energy project contract Downer has been awarded a $200 million contract from AlectraNet to construct high-voltage transmission lines between New South Wales and South Australia, as part of the EnergyConnect project. The project will connect South Australia and New South Wales’ power grids and will involve the construction of a new 330 kilovolt above-ground transmission line between Robertstown in South Australia and Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. Downer’s contribution to the project will include the design, procurement and construction of a 330kV transmission line between Bundey Substation and the South Australian and New South Wales border, as well as a 275kV transmission line between Bundey Substation and the existing Robertstown Substation. Downer will commence major construction in 2022, with the transmission line set to be commissioned in 2023.

Contractors announced for Fisherman Bay infrastructure upgrades South Australian civil infrastructure firm Bardavcol will deliver infrastructure upgrades totalling more than $23 million in Fisherman Bay, in the Yorke Peninsula. This will include works on a wastewater collection system, road upgrades, a new stormwater system as well as coastal protection measures. The work represents more than $20 million in private investments, between the Fisherman’s Bay Management and the Barunga West Council. In addition to the infrastructure works, the Barunga West Council will lead a $3 million upgrade of the areas existing Community Wastewater Management System. The Community Wastewater Management System upgrade and associated works are due for a mid-2022 completion. WESTERN AUSTRALIA $29 million contract awarded at Port of Port Hedland Austral Construction has been awarded the $29 million contract for the design and construction of a revetment wall at Nelson Point Tug Haven and Port Hedland. The contract will help to protect the Tug Haven embankments from destructive cyclones and powerful storm surges, which will be designed to withstand a one in 500year weather event. The design, electrical services and fabrication will be subcontracted, with five per cent of the works to be awarded to Aboriginal-owned subcontractors. The revetment wall works will form part of the $51.2 million Nelson Point Tug Haven upgrade project, as well as the Western Australian Government’s $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan. Port operations will not be impacted, with works expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

roadsonline.com.au

SHAPING OUR TRANSPORT FUTURE

BRIDGES:

THE WEAKEST LINK OR THE STRENGTH OF THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY? AS PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE REGULATOR’S STRATEGIC LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSET ASSESSMENT PROJECT, THE AUSTRALIAN ROAD RESEARCH BOARD (ARRB) IS WORKING WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ASSESS BRIDGES AND SUPPORT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE ECONOMY. NIGEL POWERS, ARRB’S NATIONAL LEADER – ASSET PERFORMANCE WRITES.

he road network is critical for the Australian economy through the movement of freight and for quality of life. Bridges are a critical part of the Australian road network, but they are sometimes taken for granted. They connect people, businesses and communities – making it possible for us to safely and reliably cross rivers, creeks and other obstacles. Bridges have undergone significant change through history. They have been designed to varying standards, based on the best available knowledge, experience and technology available at the time. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, bridges were made from timber and masonry and designed to safely transport 15-tonne steam rollers. Throughout the 1900’s, the design loads increased as technology and materials improved with modern computing and analysis, enabling the use of materials like steel, concrete and more recently

ARRB has been undertaking bridge inspections and assessments of structures across Australia.

ROADS DECEMBER 2021

carbon fibre in bridges. At the same time, the mass of the freight being carried has increased with vehicles more than 80 tonnes now regularly using the road network. This creates a major challenge for road authorities, especially for local government, which has many bridges designed to much lesser loading still in service. The Australian Government and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) commenced the Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project (SLGAAP) in late 2019. As part of this, ARRB has been working with local governments to assist them with the inventory, assessment, and management of their bridge stock. Over the past year, ARRB has been undertaking level two and level three bridge inspections and Tier one, two and three assessments of structures across Australia. Line model analysis, 3D modelling and analysis, and strengthening assessment

Nigel Powers, ARRB’s National Leader – Asset Performance.

and recommendations has also been part of the scope. We’ve also been working closely with local governments to understand their bridge and culvert capacities, optimise heavy vehicle access and help manage risk due to heavy vehicle access. Whether you’re from a local government, a state or territory road authority or a private operator, ARRB has the capability and the expertise to help you with the inspection and assessment of your bridges, culverts and other road structures. To find out more about ARRB’s Asset Performance team, visit: www.arrb.com.au, or contact info@arrb.com.au.

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Roads and Infrastructure December 2021

Articles inside

Bridges: The weakest link or the strength of the Australian economy?

An overview of the latest tenders and contracts from around Australia.

Accelerating towards net zero

The combined power

Mastering the art of digital collaboration

Together towards tyre circularity

Drainage solutions for light rail

Assisting families impacted by workplace fatalities

Simply advanced

Western Sydney International Airport takes wing

Embracing the benefits of high float emulsions

Comments

The peak of a pandemic might not be the best time to consider adding an entirely new service division to your business. But that was exactly what Citywide did.

People on the move

More than just connecting the dots

Cabling with confidence

Back to basics

Looking for skills outside the borders

We explore the trends within the roads and infrastructure industry which are expected to grow in 2022.