Thiess-Directions Winter 2013

D ire c t i o n s
TUNNELLING TEAM DIGS DEEP FOR SUCCESS 12 TOTAL MINING SOLUTIONS IN ACTION AT MT OWEN 30 SERVICES MOVES INTO CSG-LNG SECTOR 38
Winter 2013
QCLNG targets
DEL I V ERIN G
The upgrade of the Goodna Sewage Treatment Plant in South East Queensland was completed on time and on budget late last year. Thiess undertook the complete turnkey design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover of the plant for client Queensland Urban Utilities as part of the Critical Portfolio Works Program.
In these challenging times, smarter engineering solutions and innovative work practices will drive greater productivities and reduce costs.
2 THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013
MDs
ME SSAGE
We are living in changing times.
At all levels of government, funding for critical infrastructure projects is scarce. In mining, the high Australian dollar and low commodity prices have seen projects mothballed, scaled back or shut down. The impact on our markets has been substantial. With 65 per cent of Australias export earnings coming from the resources and energy sectors, its vital that industry and government work together to ensure the right policies, frameworks and regulations are in place so that investment continues to flow and operations remain viable. Its not all doom and gloom theres good news on the horizon with government recognising that spending on infrastructure is vital. Both sides of politics have pledged billions of dollars to get the ball rolling on major road and rail projects. The outlook for the LNG and CSG industries remains strong with investment continuing across the country. The Wheatstone Project in Western Australia, Ichthys Project in the Northern Territory and various CSG projects in Queensland are creating jobs and opportunities for contractors and suppliers, locally and nationally. Thiess services business is also positioning to capitalise on this growth, as spending becomes focused on operations and maintenance activities. We are uniquely placed to leverage our whole-oflife capability and draw on the expertise of our services specialists. Additionally, were starting to see new opportunities emerge in the services sector as asset owners reassess their current contracts and begin to outsource their operations and maintenance to the private sector in an effort to improve costs and efficiencies. This trend is opening up markets that were previously not accessible to operators such as Thiess, particularly road maintenance work in New South Wales. In these challenging times, smarter engineering solutions and innovative work practices will drive greater productivities and reduce costs. There is no question that to be successful in todays world, collaboration, innovation and flexibility are central to delivering excellence for our clients and remaining best-in-class across our sectors. From our award-winning work on Royal North Shore Hospital to achieving new safety standards on the complex brownfield Regional Rail Link Project (Footscray to Deer Park), our teams are stepping up to deliver high quality outcomes that meet the needs of end-users today while enabling future growth tomorrow. Our values of trust, innovation, passion and excellence are the measure to which we hold ourselves accountable. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to set new industry benchmarks as we deliver on our vision of Creating a brighter future, together.
THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013
CO NT E NTS
08 39
10 16
CONSTRUCTION MINING SERVICES
Alumina refinery receives power boost
Leading edge technology is providing the Worsley Alumina Refinerys expanded facilities with the additional steam and electricity required to boost annual production
JV brings the BEST
Thiess has partnered with one of the worlds top five marine contractors, BESIX
Reconciliation Action Plan to help close the gap
Thiess has launched an ambitious agenda to boost Indigenous participation in the workforce and encourage Indigenous business ventures
Innovative partnership giving special needs kids a voice
26 34
Keys to production arrive at Lake Vermont

New plant will help double production from 4 to 8 million tonnes of product coal per year at Lake Vermont
A unique and innovative partnership between Thiess and the Mackay District Special School is yielding remarkable dividends
Remediation project remarkable

Thiess has completed one of the most technically-complex remediation projects ever undertaken in Australia
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Lotus Glen makes history

Queenslands Community Safety Minister has officially opened the Thiess-led redevelopment of the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre near Mareeba in the States far north
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Increasing value through optimal fleet performance
PPP investment takes on new focus
Thiess new EGM Construction, John Barraclough, brings a rare 360 perspective on infrastructure development in Australia
Complex rail project on track
The Regional Rail Link (RRL) project is setting new standards in a complicated brownfield rail environment
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Biogas powers community
Technological solutions enhance plant availability and reliability across all Thiess-owned plant
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Thiess in Indonesia and the Balikpapan Government is delivering sustainable outcomes for the Batakan community in East Balikpapan
Showcasing Mt Owen
Total mining solutions overcome complex challenges at Mt Owen
Services embraces diversity agenda
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Q&A: CSG Sector Expertise
A Diversity Council has been formed within Thiess services business to champion change and support workplace reform
Directions talks to Thiess Coal Seam Gas Services

Manager Mike Jericevich about the expertise the company brings to the sector
Lining up with the best
Throughout Directions you will find QR codes that offer access to videos and further information related to stories. Use a QR code reader app on your smart phone to access this rich content.
Recently-employed apprentice linesperson Tracey Anderson believes she has been given an opportunity of a lifetime
IN BRIEF ADVISORY BOARD appointed SOD turning ceremony at Liebherr SA

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Liebherr-Australia Managing Director Greg Graham helped turn a sod on the Liebherr Crane Facility project in April. Thiess is building the facility, which includes a threestorey office building, servicing warehouse, workshops and a new national distribution centre. The facility at the Para Hills West site is expected to be completed by July next year.
Recent contract wins
$175M
SYDNEY WATER OPERATION AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
WESTERN POWER NETWORK UPGRADE AND MAINTENANCE
$125M
$212M
An Advisory Board has been established to provide strategic advice and guidance to Thiess. The Leighton Holdings Limited (LHL) Board appointed individuals with deep industry, commercial or business experience to the Thiess Advisory Board as part of Leightons role as a Strategic Management Company. The Boards responsibilities include providing advice to Managing Director Bruce Munro and the wider Executive Team on wide-ranging issues including strategy, operational matters and business improvement. Thiess Advisory Board members include: e xperienced non-executive board director for SunWater Ltd and previously Dart Energy and Queensland Rugby Union, Kirstin Ferguson (Chair) L HL Director, and Chief Executive Officer and Director of HOCHTIEF AG, Marcelino Fernndez Verdes f ormer Northern Territory Chief Minister and currently Chairman of Energex in Queensland, and board director of public and private companies in Australia and the UK, the Hon Shane Stone AC PGDK QC P rofessor of Innovation Management and Director of the Technology and Innovation Management Centre at the University of Queensland Business School, Professor Mark Dodgson F ormer Wallabies captain, Sports Australia Hall of Fame, International Rugby Board Hall of Fame and Australia Institute of Sport Best of the Best inductee, Australian Sports Medal award winner, Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and leading business figure John Eales.
CHEVRON GORGON PROJECT CIVIL WORKS
Thiess position as a market leader in water services has been reaffirmed with the award of a five-year Sydney Water operation and facilities maintenance services contract valued at $175 million. Our services business will work collaboratively with Australias largest water utility to provide mechanical and electrical services for water and wastewater treatment plants and networks, and facilities management services for more than 2,000 sites and buildings across the greater Sydney region. Western Power has awarded Thiess a contract to upgrade and maintain its electrical distribution network throughout metropolitan Perth and WAs south-west and mid north-west regions. The new performance-based contract has an estimated value of $125 million over a two-year term with options for further extensions. As a national leader in the Transmission and Distribution sector, Thiess services business has delivered HV electrical upgrades and construction projects for Western Powers overhead and underground south west interconnected network since 2005. Thiess has signed a new contract to deliver further civil works on the Chevron-operated Gorgon Project in Western Australia.
Thiess Project Manager Simon Ballard and LiebherrAustralia Managing Director Greg Graham at the sod turning ceremony
Work-in-hand figure as at February 28 2013.
$21.2
billion
Under the agreement, the company will deliver miscellaneous civil works up to the value of $212 million over the next two years. The miscellaneous works covered under the new contract may include earthworks, underground services, concrete works and temporary building works.
IN BRIEF Awards RECOGNISE E XCELLENCE
NE W APPOINTMENTS
Services
Melissa Kimlin has joined the services business Executive Team in the role of General Manager, People and Capability. Melissa has extensive experience in HR, IR and training for large organisations in the oil, gas and mining industries, and started her career as an industrial chemist before moving into HR management. Melissa is based in Brisbane. Meanwhile Nan-Maree Schoerie has been appointed General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services. Over the past five years, she has held executive level roles within several industry-related manufacturing and distribution companies. She also held executive and operational management roles within GE Water where she was responsible for the development, management and performance of O&M, FM and PPP contracts. Nan-Maree is based in Melbourne.
Photo: Brett Boardman Photography
Thiess has won the prestigious Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) Contractor Excellence Award for its redevelopment of Sydneys Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH). Delivered under a Public Private Partnership arrangement, the $1.1 billion project is the largest hospital redevelopment in the States history and consolidates more than 53 outdated buildings into an integrated, modern health campus. The innovative design includes a new eight-level Community Health Facility and nine-level Acute Services Building which was delivered on-budget and ahead of schedule last year. Thiess redevelopment of the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in Far North Queensland was also a finalist in the Contractor Excellence Award category. Airport Link, built by the Thiess John Holland Joint Venture has taken out the 2013 Ground Engineering Award for International Project of the Year. The $4.8 billion project has transformed Brisbanes road network. It included Australias largest jacked box operation, 25 bridges and 15 kilometres of concretelined tunnels. The award recognises projects that have delivered geotechnical innovation that stands out on the international stage for credentials in sustainability, health and safety and value engineering. And the Victorian Desalination Plant, built by the Thiess Degrmont Joint Venture took out the Global Water Award for Desalination Plant of the Year. Its the largest seawater reverse osmosis plant in operation globally and the water sectors largest build own transfer in the world today.
Mining
Charles Easton has been appointed General Manager Business Innovation and Excellence in the mining business. He has spent the past seven years with New Hope Coal as General Manager Business Improvement, where he led strategic process and production improvement. He has also been responsible for business improvement at BMA, and has held senior roles with Comalco and Hamersley Iron. Charles is based in Brisbane.
CONSTRUCTION
Gordon Ralph has joined Thiess as Executive General Manager Projects. Gordons career spans more than 41 years, the majority with the Leighton Group. He worked with Leighton Contractors for 20 years as New South Wales Civil Manager before being appointed National Infrastructure Manager. He was Project Director on the Leighton Contractors Eastern Distributor Project in Sydney. He was also Project Director on two Thiess John Holland Joint Ventures, EastLink in Melbourne and Airport Link in Brisbane.
Corporate
Patrick McGurk joins Thiess as the Group Manager HR bringing more than 33 years experience to the role. Patrick has worked extensively in Australia and overseas with companies including Adani Mining, Murphy Pipe and Civil, AngloGold Ashanti and Rio Tinto Alcan. Patrick was also the HR Manager for Thiess GVK Hancock Alpha Coal bid in 2012.
Indigenous Affairs Manager John Lochowiak addresses participants at the launch of the Thiess RAP
Celebrating the launch of the Thiess RAP (from left) HR Advisor Construction Becky Hounsell and Managing Director Bruce Munro
The RAP formally recognises our role and responsibility to do even more for Indigenous Australians and in so doing, deliver tangible benefits to Australian society as a whole.
Pre-Employment Program participants (from left) Emma Jenkins, Daniel Kabay and Damian Pryor with Premier Campbell Newman
Thelma Plum, singer-songwriter
Reconciliation Action Plan to help
the gap
Thiess has launched an ambitious agenda to boost Indigenous participation in the workforce and encourage Indigenous business ventures.
The Thiess Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commits the company to target definitive outcomes which include achieving 2.5 per cent Indigenous employment across the company by 2015. Queensland Premier Campbell Newman officially launched the RAP and stressed the importance his government places on increasing Indigenous opportunities and the vital role private enterprise has to play in Closing the Gap. We want a real economy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across this State where people can have real jobs and real opportunities for advancement and personal development, while being conscious of who they are and where theyve come from. Thats the secret of success, the Premier said. I meet so many young Aboriginal people who know who they are and where theyve come from and theyre exceedingly proud of their culture and their heritage, and that bodes very well for the future. Thiess Managing Director Bruce Munro said in todays society, the foundation of human dignity is having an opportunity to contribute and gain respect. Meaningful employment is central to achieving this and its critical to Closing the Gap, an objective to which Thiess is fully committed, he said. Providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with opportunities to gain employment, build life-long careers or do business with us are central to our vision for sustainable community development. The RAP formally recognises our role and responsibility to do even more for Indigenous Australians and in so doing, deliver tangible benefits to Australian society as a whole. Also addressing the launch was NRL legend and founder of the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy, David Liddiard and Aboriginal Elder and Thiess Manager of Indigenous Affairs, John Lochowiak. Thiess apprentice fitter Emma Jenkins gave a deeply personal perspective about her journey with the Thiess Indigenous Pre-Employment Training Program. Making the decision to leave school at the age of 16 was the hardest decision of my life, Emma explained. Being a troubled teenager, I didnt always believe I could do more in life, but when I got invited into the Thiess program, I couldnt believe I was given a chance to change my life. It gave me the chance to prove to those around me and to myself that I could do more. The opportunity I was given with Thiess has changed my life greatly.
CLose
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TUNNELLING ON TRACK TO MEET LNG TIMEFRAME TUNNELlers navigate underground web
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digging deep for success jv brings the best
THIESS RAMPING UP WORK ON WHEATSTONE PROJECT COMPLEX PROJECT MEETS QGC SCHEDULE LOTUS GLEN MAKES HISTORY
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ARTEFACTS REBURIED IN TRADITIONAL CEREMONY
PPP INVESTMENT TAKES ON NEW FOCUS
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RAIL PROJECT SETS NEW STANDARDS ENCORE PERFORMANCE GETS TRAINS BACK ON TRACK
Alumina refinery receives
POWER BOOST
A multi-fuel cogeneration plant incorporating leading edge technology has boosted annual production at the Worsley Alumina Refinery in Western Australia. The expansion provided the additional steam and electricity required to take annual production from 3.1 to 4.7 million tonnes.
Thiess, in alliance with CH2M Hill, joined the Worsley Multi-Fuel Cogeneration Project (MFCG) in 2010, following the completion of the civil work foundations. The scope included providing structural, mechanical and piping resources, and assume overall construction management responsibilities. Thiess Manager Power Mark Feebrey said the projects successful completion was testament to the teams ability to work collaboratively in an open book arrangement with the owner. We overcame the challenges associated with assuming responsibilities for the partially-completed project by developing and strengthening on-site relationships, Mark said. This collaborative working relationship was vital when working within the live operating environment and coordinating multiple and complex interfaces. In an Australian first, the team constructed and commissioned two AE&E dual fuel circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boilers capable of producing 550 tonnes of steam per hour, and associated coal and biomass feeding systems. Each boiler was coupled with a 57MW back pressure steam turbine and balance of plant. In another first for fuel-fired boiler plants used in industrial applications in this country, a re-heat steam cycle was installed to supply the main steam at 160 bar and 540C to the boiler and steam turbines, further boosting power generation efficiency. Thiess scope also included installing an air system that staged the release of oxygen into the combustion chamber to keep combustion temperature low and limit NOx emissions. The boilers were fitted with limestone injection systems to ensure low SOx emissions. During 2010/2011, the Worsley MFCG project was the largest power project under construction in Australia, with job numbers peaking at 940.
3.1
4.7
940
people employed at peak (largest power project in australia at the time)
THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013 11
boost to annual production (million tonnes of aluminA)
EXPERIENCED
Expertise and innovation across more than 50 of Australias largest tunnelling projects
building on 55 years
Tunnelling on track
INTEGRATED
Smart planning and integrated design delivering fit-for-purpose solutions
WHOLE-OF-LIFE
Expert construction through to operation and maintenance
to meet LNG timeframe

Thiess expertise developed on some of Australias most complex infrastructure projects is benefiting the LNG industry.
WORLD-CLASS
Proven relationships with leading international technology partners
EXPERTISE
Tunnelling leaders with more than 200 years of combined experience
UN D ERG R OUN D WEB

Thiess work on the $154 million Transport for New South Wales Wynyard Walk project is set to deliver a critical pedestrian link in the heart of Sydney via a uniquely complex tunnel solution.
Tunnellers navigate
The project, which includes a pedestrian tunnel, entry building and bridge, will allow people to travel from the Wynyard transport hub in Sydneys CBD to the Barangaroo waterfront in approximately six minutes. While it involves tunnelling 2.5 metres under existing buildings, including a 21-storey tower, it will go even deeper, taking the project team back to the early 1800s as they navigate the footings of heritage buildings long buried underground. Tunnelling project manager Paul Anthony says the project combines several challenges rarely faced on one tunnelling project. For part of the project work, well replace 30 tonne excavators with paint brushes and trowels and a team of archaeologists wholl collect and document the artefacts we find, Paul said. Weve been able to pull together historical data to map potential outlines of those heritage footings so we know where we can and cant dig quickly.
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of tunnelling leadership
Tunnelling works for Saipem Australia, the principal contractor on the multi-billion-dollar Santos GLNG Gas Transmission Pipeline Project, commenced on schedule in Gladstone, Queensland. Thiess is constructing a 4.3 kilometre tunnel underneath the Narrows Crossing in Gladstone Harbour, providing a vital link in the 420 kilometre underground pipeline route transporting coal seam natural gas from the Surat Basin. The tunnels 3.4 metre internal concrete diameter will encase the transmission pipeline en route from the mainland to the Santos GLNG LNG facility on Curtis Island, where the gas will be converted into liquefied natural gas for export. Awarded the contract by Saipem Australia in September 2012, Thiess was able to mobilise quickly to get a high quality team and a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on site within a matter of weeks. With time being a critical factor, our strong relationship with Herrenknecht AG enabled us to deliver a TBM from Brisbane to Gladstone within a very short timeframe, Construction Manager Gavin Bradford said. Our specialist team of around 20 people worked for six weeks on site to assemble a 100 metre-long and 277-tonne TBM in readiness for tunnelling to start on time in April, he said. Recruiting and mobilising an appropriately-skilled workforce was made easy by transferring experienced resources from Airport Link directly onto the Santos GLNG project. The TBM is a precision tool which requires a highly skilled team to guide it with pin-point accuracy to its destination as it cuts and removes the soil and rock, then lines the tunnel with pre-cast concrete segments in a remarkably seamless operation. Our team is scheduled to complete construction of the tunnel by March 2014, Gavin said. Saipem Australia will then be charged with pulling the pipeline through. The Santos GLNG project is a joint venture between one of Australias leading gas producers and three of the worlds largest energy companies, PETRONAS, Total and KOGAS.
The team is also contending with a complex web of heritage and contemporary services. Its like threading through the eye of a needle. We have to drill and install canopy tubes to support the tunnel within 300 mm of 11kV high voltage cables, he said. Its not often a tunnelling project has to deliver to that precision. Measuring 110 metres, the tunnel is small compared to many, yet it is considered one of the most technically challenging and complicated tunnels being delivered in Australia today. Out of 110 metres, only 20 per cent is standard. For the other 80 per cent, everything is one off, Paul said. Its more like an underground construction job rather than a standard tunnelling job. Only that 20 per cent can be delivered off the same drawings. For the rest, well be working off unique
drawings metre by metre to ensure we get everything right. Set in one of Australias busiest precincts, the project team will be navigating a complex range of above ground stakeholders as well, including local businesses, residents and pedestrians. To manage the intricacies of such a high profile brownfield site, Wynyard Walk demonstrates the One Thiess advantage, drawing on the diverse capabilities of our building, tunnelling and civil teams. Its all about communications and planning and we have to do that as one, Paul said. Working in partnership with Transport for New South Wales, Barangaroo Delivery Authority, RailCorp and the local community, the team will deliver an iconic urban precinct that will benefit as many as 20,000 people each hour at its peak.
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TU NNELLI NG LEAD ERSHI P
DIG G I N G D E E P For su c ce s s
Building on a highly successful track record, Thiess tunnelling team continues to attract accolades for its excellent safety record and community performance on the $140 million City East Cable Tunnel (CECT).
The 132kV tunnel currently being built for Australias largest electricity distributor, Ausgrid, will link the existing City South Cable Tunnel and City West Cable Tunnel (CWCT) to complete the ring main for the Sydney CBD. Following the successful delivery of the CWCT in 2010, Ausgrids CBD Grid and Special Projects Project Director Con Hindi said Thiess performance had exceeded expectations. Fourteen months on, the CECT project is running to schedule with zero lost time injuries and Thiess continues to achieve all client performance benchmarks for safety, productivity and community. The excavation of such a technicallydemanding tunnel presents substantial risks, Con said. Thiess detailed planning prior to construction is once again minimising community impacts and delivering safety excellence, which is helping keep the project on schedule. Project Manager Christian DHondt attributes the teams outstanding safety record to innovations that are delivering a safer and more efficient working environment. Weve laid out the worksite in a way that maximises plant and people separation, Christian said. Overhead pedestrian bridges and elevated walkways allow the team to navigate between site amen-ities, offices and change rooms while remaining at all times above heavily trafficked ground areas. Our results reflect our unyielding commitment to a safety culture that is embedded through daily engagement with our workforce. The projects location in Sydneys CBD means navigation of the site also presents potential risks for city traffic and pedestrians. Again, Christian said plant and people separation within a well contained site was key to minimising community impact. Community satisfaction is critical to our productivity on site because it means we havent had to change, delay or suspend any works because of unplanned impacts, Christian said. Smart ideas, such as loading vehicles inside acoustic sheds to provide a physical barrier to minimise noise and dust are examples of how we are preventing issues before they arise. Every aspect is proceeding as planned, and our innovations are enabling us to deliver the project with as little impact on the community and our surrounding environment as possible.
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T U N N ELLIN G LEA D ER SHI P
diameter
4.05m
length
115m
BORE RATE per week
85m
Tunnel Boring Machine

Purpose-built to Thiess specifications to deliver increased productivity and safety, the final phase of the Tunnel Boring Machine launch is now complete and the team is achieving full production rates. The CECT project includes the construction of two concretelined connectors and a 150-metre extension to the City South Cable Tunnel (CSCT-E), as well as the installation and commissioning of all tunnel mechanical and electrical services. Waterproof lining of the CSCT-E is complete and arch pours have commenced, ensuring the team is on track to deliver the complex tunnelling project in 2015.
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JV B R ING S TH E B E ST
With world-class port facilities and a growing commodities export market, it is little wonder one of the worlds top five marine contractors, Brussels-based BESIX, has Australia set firmly in its sights.
BESIX has delivered projects around the globe for more than 90 years, so when it comes to leveraging opportunities in a foreign country it understands the need for a strong, like-minded partner. Following initial discussions with leading Australian contractors, Thiess was the standout choice to help BESIX navigate the challenges, complement its capability and help take a formidable new offer to the Australian market. The BEST Joint Venture (BESIX and Thiess) was formed in 2008 and five years on the two companies have signed an exclusive ongoing Memorandum of Understanding to partner on marine contracts throughout Australia.
Deputy General Manager, BESIX International, Carlo Schreurs said a trusted reputation, safety culture and accomplished history of success delivering civil engineering projects throughout Australia made Thiess the right fit for BESIX. Thiess and BESIX come together as two similar sized companies who are strongly aligned in values, vision and their commitment to delivering excellence for clients I have always seen us as two equal brothers, Carlo said. Thiess brings to the relationship proven local knowledge and a record of compliance with Australian standards and regulations, a thorough understanding of industrial relations and an outstanding record for health and safety.
We bring international marine expertise and specialist knowledge of the unique constraints on marine sector projects as well as our in-house design department and specialised marine equipment. Thiess Executive General Manager Construction Ric Buratto said the partnership builds on its extensive expertise in the LNG sector. Thiess local capabilities, paired with BESIXs international marine expertise, allow the joint venture to focus on Australias growing demand for firstclass port infrastructure, he said.
WHE ATSTONE PRO J ECT

The development and implementation of safety systems and an all-encompassing safety culture have been at the forefront as Thiess escalates work on its site preparation contract with Bechtel for the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project near Onslow in Western Australia.
With establishment works now complete, work on site is quickly ramping up. The project team was set to climb to around 450 by the end of May. The Wheatstone Site Preparation project involves the major earthworks for the project and includes preparation for three other contracts involving Thiess - the shore crossing microtunnel (Thiess), the breakwater and materials offloading facility (Thiess Besix - BEST JV) and the LNG storage and condensate tanks (Entrepose Vinci Thiess - EVT JV). Growing the Wheatstone Project Zero Accidents Plus safety culture has been a major aspect of the ramp up. Project Manager Richard Walford says his team is fully supportive of the focus. We have good traffic management practices in place and good safety systems, but having the right culture is critical, Richard explains. The safety messages arent just there in the background, we vocalise them every day to ensure everyone is engaged with the Thiess mantra of Everyone Safe Every Day. Central to the Wheatstone Project is the objective of bringing economic and employment benefits to the region.
Thiess Executive General Manager Construction, Ric Buratto
Thiess ramping up work on
Operations Manager Simon Welfare says Thiess and Bechtel are working with the local Thalanyji people to help them maximise the opportunities on offer. We already have a good relationship with the Thalanyji community after working closely with them during clearing operations and were looking forward to further developing that relationship with training and employment of their people, Simon said. The project has just passed an early milestone with the completion of a causeway to the projects first major source of fill material. This, along with the subsequent causeway to the larger second major fill source, will allow for the transfer of around 9 million cubic metres of fill required to complete the site preparation works. A large volume of quarry products is being produced at a local quarry under a supply arrangement between Thiess and local WA company, RJV which will employ a further 50 people. Recently the Site Preparation team handed over the first earthworks pads to Bechtel, who will then allow the Thiess microtunnel team and BEST JV to commence their works on the project. The Site Preparation Contract is due to be completed by late 2014.
Deputy General Manager, BESIX International, Carlo Schreurs
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complex project meets q gc schedu l e

The scale and complexity of Thiess scope of work on the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) project continues to grow as QGC INCREASES activity in the Surat Basin region.
Thiess has been delivering vital upstream infrastructure for the project since January 2011, in line with QGCs schedule to supply first LNG cargoes from Curtis Island in 2014. Detailed planning, logistics management and flexible construction programs saw the successful completion of Thiess early works contract in 2012. This led to further packages being awarded to build field compression stations and central processing plants between the centres of Dalby and Chinchilla. Project Director Craig Morrison said the work was contributing to Thiess long-term future as a major contractor within the Australian oil and gas industry. We have seen some significant gains in productivity and program as we improve the sequencing of works for new compression facilities that come on line, he said.
As a testament to our commitment, we have secured civil works packages for an additional four field compression stations and one central processing plant, as well as being appointed QGCs electrical works partner of choice. Craig said the teams HSE safety culture framework has played an important part in achieving QGCs project targets. Our focus ensures the team does not compromise their personal accountability for safety and the quality of our works, he said. Our experience gained from early upstream works combined with the teams professional dedication, has enabled us to safely and consistently deliver projects in line with QGCs expectations, even in the most challenging of project environments.
Thiess current scope of work, valued at almost $1 billion, involves the construction of field compression stations and central processing plants at 12 sites. This includes works on a number of intermediate high pressure gas trunklines, electrical substations and delivering bulk earthworks for water storage ponds. To date we have handed over both the Argyle and Bellevue Field Compression Stations and trunklines which will help supply gas and generated electricity to the domestic market, Craig said. In addition to the compression facilities a number of water storage ponds have been completed at various sites. Over the coming months, the team will ramp up its activities, in line with the critical timing of QGCs schedule.
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CELL CAPACITY INCREASED
396
696
BEDS
EXPANSION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF AN OCCUPIED CORRECTIONAL CENTRE IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY
LARGEST
MA KES H ISTORY
Lotus Glen
DIGITAL MONITORING SECUrITY SYSTEM
INSTALLED new
MASTER CONTROL FUNCTIONS
RELOCATED
HIGH SECURITY CELL BLOCKS
3 X 100-BED
BUILT
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Queenslands Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey has officially opened the Thiess-led redevelopment of the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre near Mareeba in the States far north. As Managing Contractor for the $375 million project, which was completed on time and on budget in December 2012, Thiess was responsible for the largest expansion and redevelopment of an occupied correctional centre in Australian history.
KITCHEN, LAUNDRY, SPORTS HALL AND STAFF DINING AREAS
REDEVELOPED EXISTING FACILITIES
$178,500
INVESTED IN TRAINING, INCLUDING 46,000 INDIGENOUS TRAINING HOURS
200
WORKER ACCOMMODATION CAMP
PERSON
80% OF 1,000 JOBS

FILLED BY LOCALS
$200 million
INJECTED INTO the region
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A RTE FACTS R E BURI E D
in traditional ceremony
Aboriginal artefacts salvaged on the M80 Ring Road Upgrade in Victoria by Tulla Sydney Alliance (TSA) have been reburied at a traditional Wurundjeri smoking ceremony.
A smoking ceremony was held to comemmorate the reburial of the artefacts
The Alliance, a partnership between VicRoads, Thiess, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Hyder, recently completed the upgrade of a section of the M80 Ring Road between the Calder Freeway and Sydney Road. During the three and a half years of the project, TSA personnel worked closely with Wurundjeri, the traditional Aboriginal owners in the area, to understand the extent of existing heritage sites and develop and implement eight Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs). In some locations, new sites of significance were identified. As part of the process, about 300 artefacts that would have been impacted by construction were salvaged by a specialist heritage consultant and Wurundjeri Elders. They included flaked stone tools Wurundjeri ancestors used for everyday tasks such as shaping objects made of wood, bark and bone, spear-tips for hunting weapons and knives. They were also used to scrape and prepare animal skins for making cloaks, containers and decorative items. Through consultation with Wurundjeri and VicRoads as the landowner, three locations were selected for the reburial. Most of the artefacts had been salvaged
near creeks adjacent to the M80 Ring Road and the Elders requested they be placed as close as possible to where they were discovered. TSA team members, Wurundjeri Elders, archaeologists and VicRoads staff were present for the smoking ceremony. Cultural heritage places and objects are a significant part of the heritage of all Australians and a fundamental part of the Victorian Aboriginal communitys life and cultural identity, Bill Nicholson, a Wurundjeri Elder, who runs cultural awareness training for VicRoads, said. Native grasses and eucalyptus branches were placed over flames in the smoking ceremony, an ancient custom to ward off bad spirits. After the ceremony, artefacts were placed in a box in the ground for burial. The Wurundjeri people have worked on the M80 Ring Road Upgrade for more than four years, with Elders taking part in a number of cultural awareness training sessions for Alliance site crews and engineers, as well as community planting days.
A large piece of silcrete, the stone that was quarried along Steele Creek and made in to tools by the Wurundjeri people, constituted the majority of artefacts that were reburied.
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Photo: Brett Boardman Photography
Royal North Shore Hospital Redevelopment, Sydney
PPP INVE STME NT TAKES O N N E W FO C U S

While Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) have come under significant scrutiny in recent years, they will still form a significant part of state and federal government capital expenditure.
Thats the view of Thiess recently appointed Executive General Manager Construction John Barraclough, who brings a rare 360 perspective on infrastructure. John understands the issues currently facing governments, having worked for the NSW Government in various roles including Executive Director for the Olympic Coordination Authority, founding CEO of the former Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation and Project Director of the NSW Governments Infrastructure Unit. He has also held a number of senior industry roles in Abigroup and John Holland during his career which has spanned more than 40 years. The focus of governments in the future is likely to emphasise social infrastructure, such as hospitals and prisons, rather than traditional road projects, John said. Over the next decade, governments will also be looking at more brownfields projects, including exploring ways of outsourcing functions like road maintenance and incorporating the use of the PPP model. Governments need PPP-style arrangements as part of their funding mix. As a general statement the majority of governments would be looking for PPPs to provide between 15 and 25 per cent of their annual capital spend. We need closer and more meaningful conversations between industry and government in order to better align project delivery with the broader social and financial agenda of governments. Looking overseas, John says, offers valuable insights. State governments are actively engaging with European and UK governments to identify new models for delivering infrastructure in a complex financial global climate, he said. The most effective PPPs include a significant change to the way infrastructure is maintained and operated - not just a mechanism to provide an alternative funding source. International best-practice, combined with an industry commitment to looking at new solutions, will help drive new thinking, John said.
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N E W STA NDA R D S
The Regional Rail Link (RRL) project in Melbourne is setting new standards in safety, subcontractor relations and rail occupation management in a complicated brownfield rail environment.
The Footscray-Deer Park Alliance, of which Thiess is a member, is delivering an $835 million section of the RRL project in Melbournes inner west, involving a myriad of stakeholders with an interest in this landmark project, says Alliance Manager Steve Cornish. Establishing relationships and strong lines of communication with stakeholders is essential to the overall planning and subsequent success of the project. We work closely with rail operators, councils and community groups, as well as residents and businesses that are metres away from the works, scheduling construction to minimise the impact on the overall community, Steve said. The project has significant challenges including limited access to the rail corridor and the safety implications of working in a confined work environment for condensed periods of time with a large subcontractor workforce. By integrating subcontractors into our team weve been able to align our safety culture and systems with their workforce. We have instigated quarterly subcontractor safety forums and a monthly safety newsletter - an industry first which has stimulated discussion among our team and our subcontractors on safety matters, Steve said. This has minimised issues associated with adopting a large temporary transient workforce during peak occupation periods. Since December last year, the team has achieved a number of major milestones including successfully completing major occupations over the Christmas and New Year holiday period and the Easter long weekend. During these occupations more than 1,000 people worked in excess of 200,000 hours without a recordable incident in a constrained 7.5 kilometre rail corridor. Working around the clock, the project team undertook major rail corridor widening, piling, station and bridge construction, track installation and turnouts, overhead and signal work, demolition, conduit and pit installation and services relocation. Planning is the key to delivering occupations on program, along with the dedication and commitment of our team, Steve said. Our team spends months planning in the lead up to an occupation to ensure on time delivery, including planning every piece of plant on an hour by hour basis so that it doesnt inhibit other works progressing in a narrow corridor. The teams passion and its success over the challenging Christmas and Easter occupations were applauded by the client and the Minister. The project is near 40 per cent complete and is well on track to reach stretch program targets that have been set. On completion, RRL will remove major bottlenecks in Victorias rail network and provide passengers on regional lines with a more streamlined journey through the metropolitan system.
Rail project sets
RRL is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments with the Australian Government contributing $3.225 billion towards the project.
The Alliance is constructing 7.5km of track, 5.5 km of retaining wall, two grade separations, substantial service relations, improvements at four stations including a new station at West Footscray and new train control systems for the metropolitan lines.
The Footscray-Deer Park Alliance is a partnership between the Regional Rail Link Authority, Thiess, Balfour Beatty, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Sinclair Knight Merz, Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line
E N CO R E P E R FO R M A NC E gets trains back on track

Toowoomba Range train services were reinstated in record time after Thiess rail specialists rallied to repair land slip damage caused by floodwaters in early February.
It was the second time Queensland Rail called on Thiess, together with Golder Associates, to provide rapid support for this vital freight connection. Queensland Rail Executive General Manager, Access and Business Strategy Tim Ripper said completing the task just 21 days after the event, and ahead of schedule, was testament to the teams ability to develop smart, workable solutions under pressure. The teams 2011 repairs performed impressively during the most recent flood event, Tim said. That gave us absolute confidence that Thiess would again mobilise the right people and plant to get the job done safely, and to the highest standard. They worked closely with our people to design a solution that would give us immediate results and future value working around the clock to support our rail network. Thiess engineering experts developed an innovative redesign of the rail alignment that reduced the volume of repair fill, widened an existing cutting to provide a fill source, and created a future opportunity to straighten the alignment. Thiess Engineering Manager Jeremy Kruger, who took the initial call, said it was a classic example of the skill and responsiveness needed to design in the field, with no survey references available other than the rail line itself. When youre dealing with a landslip, you have to stabilise the area while working out the most practical way to rebuild tracks around a lot of unknowns, Jeremy said. Thats where the Thiess advantage comes to the fore. Our engineers knew the areas constraints and worked with Queensland Rail to develop a constructible solution effectively there and then. We could draw on the 2011 teams knowledge and put together a specialist team from Queensland and interstate that was fully mobilised within the week. Thiess Project Manager Bruce Hateley said the work was delivered under budget despite the major logistics challenges associated with working in a narrow rail corridor on a cliff edge in an area with limited mobile reception. Getting heavy trucks to the site was a feat in itself so, after the repair work, we upgraded the access road to make it safer and easier to deploy larger equipment in the future, Bruce said. We were able to accelerate the program using innovative construction techniques like a culvert method that reduced a four-day task to 24 hours. Even in the short timeframe, we delivered the job quickly and safely, in a controlled manner, because thats our method of work. Queensland Rail, Thiess and Golder won an Engineering Excellence Award for the rapid repair to the Toowoomba Range Railway after the 2011 Queensland Floods.
They worked closely with our people to design a solution that would give us immediate results and future value working around the clock to support our rail network.
TIM RIPPER QUEENSLAND RAIL EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER, ACCESS AND BUSINESS STRATEGY
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28 29
INcreasing value through optimal fleet performance
blue hard hats bolster safety TRAINEE GUIDE DOG JOINS THIESS DRIVING FORMULA ONE EFFICIENCY
30 31 32 33
SOFTWARE OVERCOMES CRITICAL CHALLENGE REHABILITATION ENCOURAGES QUOLL RETURN MINING OPS ATTRACT MORE WOMEN BIOGAS POWERS COMMUNITY
COMMITTED FOR THE LONG HAUL
K E YS TO P R O DUCT I ON
BY Nadia Farha
Arrive at Lake Vermont
MINING
LIEBHERR T282 Ultra class
The move to double production at Jellinbah Groups Lake Vermont Coal Mine in Central Queensland has reached a symbolic milestone with an official ceremony to celebrate the expansion. Under the new contract, Thiess will double production from 4 to 8 million tonnes of product coal per year. Thiess Managing Director Bruce Munro and Jellinbah Chairman Stephen Lonie officiated at the ceremony by cutting the ribbon on one of Lake Vermonts 12 new Liebherr T282 Ultra Class haul trucks.
Lake Vermonts expansion includes an increase in the number of employees from 300 to around 550, a doubling of the coal handling and preparation plant capacity, and a new maintenance workshop, but the stars of the expansion are the new trucks and diggers. The 800 tonne Liebherr 9800 excavator and T282 haul trucks are the biggest of their type available and have dramatically improved efficiency in safely gaining access to the coal seam. Lake Vermont Project General Manager Colin Mulligan says the new equipment is a mark of Thiess
commitment to innovation and applying the best technology available. At Lake Vermont, were passionate about what we do and continual innovation is central to our culture. We now have some of the biggest mining equipment in the world, which puts us way out in front when it comes to technology, both in terms of efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And we are certainly getting some of the best performance globally out of this equipment, Colin said. Thiess will continue to undertake all mining operations at the mine through to 2018.
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I N throug c rea s ing val u e h optim al fl eet performance

Thiess is driving technological solutions to improve plant availability and reliability, delivering greater productivity and value for mining clients.
Group Plant Manager Mark Rough said Thiess is not satisfied with offering clients out of the box equipment. The size and scale of our operations provides a rich history of data and insights into what works and whats needed to improve and reach maximum performance on a machine, he said. We dont just manage and maintain our equipment effectively we take it one step further by addressing any application issues we identify on the job and rolling out the modification across our fleet to deliver value to our clients, beyond those of our competitors. Innovations to Thiess $2.7 billion fleet are generated through an in-house engineering capability focused on the continual uptime of critical plant. Thiess response to an industry-wide concern with electrical fires is one such innovation. In addition to Thiess Fire Protection Standards, the company developed the Isolation and Starter Protection Electrical Upgrade (ISPU), effectively a collection of modifications for large Liebherr excavators. The application of this system simplifies the isolation process, and assists in the prevention of electrical component damage as a result of improper machine operation by automatically isolating the starter circuits during operation and the entire machine after a period of inactivity. As a result, the ISPU reduces the potential for electrical faults, and improves operator safety and equipment protection. All large excavators in the Thiess fleet, from Liebherr 9250s to 9800s, are being fitted with the IPSU, which Liebherr supports and will specify similar isolation hardware for future excavator and shovel models. Mark said as a contractor, Thiess is always looking to do things differently. If youre not committed to improving then you will be left behind. Our team simply doesnt accept the status quo and is focused on keeping that competitive advantage over the longer term, he said. Many of the Caterpillar and Liebherr machines have concepts developed by Thiess engineers. When we implement modifications to either safeguard a machine or improve its performance, we move from being reactive or at best preventative to predictive mode where we maintain the asset based on a set of pre-determined conditions. Other examples include Thiess hydraulic cylinder and on-board live oil monitoring programs. Both aim to identify potential issues and help avoid long periods of downtime to ensure minimal impact on operations. Innovations such as these enable us to schedule proactive maintenance in a way that delivers greater, continuous uptime, Mark said.
INNOVATION
Main batteries automatically disconnected when the ignition is switched off for a set period. Machine is automatically shut down and isolated in the event a starter motor remains engaged after starting an engine. Both engines are prevented from starting simultaneously.
benefit
+R educes risk of electrical faults occurring while the machine is unmanned. + Reduces the risk of fire hazard + Helps prevent damage to related components. + Restricts the potential peak current draw on the main batteries + Extends electrical component life + Reduces the chance of catastrophic battery failure.
Starter motors cannot be engaged for longer than a set period of time without a sufficient rest period. Switched jump-start connection between the auxiliary and main battery bank.
+ Prevents over-work of main batteries and allows electrical components time to dissipate heat +P revents extended cranking of the starter motors leading to cable, device contacts and batteries burning out. +A uxiliary systems can be safely run off the main batteries without possibility of an engine being started with the auxiliary batteries connected + Prevents overload of main batteries if the auxiliary batteries have run flat.
Operators and maintenance personnel are provided feedback on the health of the starter circuits and ISPU system.
+ Operators can more effectively communicate issues to maintenance personnel + Helps maintenance personnel quickly identify, troubleshoot and rectify issues.
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Trainee
gu ide d o g
joins Thiess
The Thiess team at the Burton Coal Mine have treated Guide Dogs Queenslands pin-up promopooch Ivy to some VIP treatment to celebrate the teams decision to support this vital cause. Ivy wore Thiess personal protection equipment to check out some of the monster gear at Burton as a preview to a new sponsorship arrangement. Funding from the Thiess team at Burton will cover the care and training of a new puppy recruit, which they hope to give the appropriate name of Burton. An initial cheque for $3,000, plus a personal donation of $500 from Thiess Burton Project Director Tod Mathews, kicked off the Thiess contribution which is expected to easily exceed $30,000. Guide Dogs Queensland says it costs $30,000 to breed, train and place a guide dog to give the ultimate gift of independence, freedom and safety to someone who is vision impaired.
blue hard hats

bolster safety
Visit any Thiess-operated mine site today and you will likely see some of the team in blue hard hats.
Its a proactive step to reduce the risk of injury to apprentices, a group whose injury rate is overrepresented compared to the rest of the workforce across the sector. Launched this year, the blue hard hats make apprentices immediately identifiable and more visible, in contrast to the standard white-issue hard hats. It is part of a practical, team-led initiative designed to create safer workplaces. Apprentices in off-site workshops not requiring hard hats are now wearing yellow, rather than orange, high-vis shirts. Thiess Apprenticeship and Trainee Manager Stacey Frawley said the benefits to safety and supervision are already paying dividends. Weve invested in creating more opportunities for mature apprentices and were conscious they may be mistakenly identified as qualified tradespersons, Stacey said. Our Mt Owen site started using blue hard hats last year and our Plant & Asset Management Department took the initiative one step further by rolling it out to all mining sites. Its a practical way to ensure our apprentices are supervised correctly and given tasks that match their skills and experience. The initiative also applies to visiting apprentices from other sites, subcontractors or owners and has gained positive early feedback. Now, whether youre a team member or visitor, people can engage more readily with our apprentices. Thiess currently has 120 apprentices across its Australian mining operations, supported by the Apprentice Development Team, tasked with continually improving the Apprenticeship Program. Today, all of our new apprentices are issued with blue hard hats at their induction and we plan to create a white hard hat ceremony to celebrate the end of their apprenticeships, Stacey said.
TOP Apprentices such as (from left) Sam Beckingham, Kiamha Saunders and Dave Davies are immediately identified on site with their blue hard hats
Guide dog in training, Ivy, with Skye Diamant on-site at Burton Coal Mine
mt owen coal mine
TOTA L M I N I NG E XCEL L ENCE CRE ATES VALUE AT MT OWE N

Negotiating a highly complex mine context, our total mining services continue to create value through excellence, innovation and a willingness to challenge convention.
FORMULA ONE EFFICIENCY
Driving
The maintenance crew at the Mt Owen Mine may not be in Formula One racing, but their performance during routine fleet maintenance demonstrates similar efficiency, speed and teamwork.
A Formula One pit crews ability to work at lightning pace and in complete unison can be the critical factor in determining the winner. Its the perfect analogy for describing what happens when the mines fleet shuts down for rostered maintenance. Thiess Maintenance Superintendent Robert Munro said when a machine comes in for service everything needs to happen at once. Our job is to get the machine back in the pit as quickly as possible, he said. On a 600-tonne Liebherr 996 excavator for example, a team of six carry out defect checks and servicing simultaneously, with the objective of ensuring the machine is ready to go again at the end of the 11hour shift.
Working to a tight timeframe takes careful planning and the maintenance crews activities are carefully orchestrated to maximise efficiencies. Everything is calculated based on inspections undertaken prior to machine shutdown and all parts are pre-ordered and ready to go, Robert said. When its time to execute the plan, everyone understands the jobs they need to do, what order theyll do them in and how long theyve got to complete their tasks. Its an approach that sees the team continually push to deliver greater reliability and better utilisation of the fleet. The goal of a Formula One team is to always come first, Robert said. Our philosophy is the same we want to be the number one mining contractor and that requires full team participation.
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mt owen coal mine
C RITIC A L CHA LLENGE

Specialised Thiess mine planning software has provided a solution to the unique challenges of mining complex coal seams at Mt Owen.
Developed by Thiess mining engineers on site, the software, known as Dump Planner, enables the team to develop a mine plan that optimises plant hours and scheduling. Located 25 kilometres north-west of Singleton in the Hunter Valley, Thiess operates the Mt Owen Mine on behalf of client Xstrata. As Thiess largest coal mining operation in New South Wales, it currently produces 7.8 million tonnes run of mine coal per annum. Technical Services Manager Wayne Bartlett said mine planning is critical to Mt Owens performance. The deposit consists of multiple seams of coal dipping up to 45 degrees, with mined thicknesses between 0.4 and 11 metres, Wayne said. We mine to a depth of 270 metres below the surface similar to mining an ore body rather than a typical strip mine. Our challenge is to minimise truck hours and maintain mass balance on site that is to ensure there is enough available dump space for the amount of overburden produced. With conventional mine design software providing only part of the answer, Mt Owens mining engineers have overcome the challenge by creating their own mine planning program. Dump Planner enables engineers to run a range of scenarios to develop a mine plan that ensures mass balance is achieved, Wayne said. The program allows the engineer to select digger and truck combinations, taking into account the performance metrics of the different diggers and truck types at Mt Owen. By selecting dump locations, the software determines the dump volume available and uses simulated truck hauls to calculate the hours required to haul the overburden. This enables the engineer to assess the number of trucks and hours required, and flatten out the peaks and troughs. This knowledge enables the team to build the right dumps in the right order to suit the production schedule, and gives us the opportunity to improve the plan to reduce truck hours, Wayne said. Whereas once a mine plan may have taken the team weeks to produce, an engineer can now run these scenarios quickly over a matter of days, producing a forecast for several years in advance. This means we now have the ability to make changes, run new scenarios, and continually ensure we are improving our performance and reducing costs, he said. Without this ability, productivity and performance at the mine would suffer over time.
Software overcomes
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
encourages quoll return
A Thiess-funded, industry-first study tracking the movement of the Spotted Tail (Tiger) quoll is showing promising evidence that fauna can re-colonise rehabilitated mine sites.
Launched in 2012, the study is testing anecdotal evidence that the Tiger quoll is returning home to the 350-hectare rehabilitated area where mine activity has ceased. Senior Environmental Advisor at Mt Owen Mine Peter York said the research supports the implementation of best-practice rehabilitation. Successful rehabilitation is central to the legacy we leave to the community, Mr York said. Mt Owen has been at the fore-front of native forest rehabilitation since 1996, when we began trialling new techniques for recreating habitats on mine overburden dumps, he said. However, while industry success has traditionally been measured in terms of re-establishing flora, not a lot of research has been done on the ecology or behaviour of native fauna. Specific data from the study, which uses GPS tracking and monitoring to identify the location and nature of den sites and daytime resting sites, will inform future rehabilitation decisions at the mine. With a better understanding of the quolls movements in and around the rehabilitated area, Thiess can provide long-term-sustainable solutions such as artificial habitat structures and feeding sites that will continue to exist long after the mine has closed. Mr York said the success achieved at Mt Owen is providing stakeholders with a level of confidence that rehabilitation has taken place to a satisfactory level. It also exemplifies the innovative methods used by industry to ensure strong environmental outcomes following mining or construction activities. The research programs final findings will be presented at the NSW Minerals Council conference in September, with the hope the approach adopted at Mt Owen can contribute to the industrys conservation of native species across the country.
Ranging in size from 3576cm in length with its characteristic spotted tail being 3455cm long, the Tiger quolls are found in forest habitats where suitable den sites such as log hollows, rock crevices and tree hollows are present.
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attract more women

Despite economic pressures, Thiess mining business has remained committed to increasing the number of women in non-traditional roles. The business has experienced a significant increase in female participation rates across its operations in the past year. General Manager Mining Danny McCarthy said the cyclical nature of the resources sector often forced companies to review programs and initiatives in response to the drop in commodity prices and cost cutting measures. The results achieved across our operations reflect Thiess unwavering commitment to affirmative action programs such as the Women In Mining (WIM) Working Group, Leading My Career program and WIM Focus Groups, he said. Danny said the results reflect a commitment to diversity which is at the foundation of Thiess overall business strategy. We know we must constantly challenge and selfassess our business both the physical and cultural environments to identify and resolve concerns in order to successfully attract, support and promote women, he said. We have put in place very clear strategic goals and targets which are communicated across our operations so that our people understand what we are working towards. Initiatives such as the WIM Working Group are helping to switch on the internal spotlight so we can openly discuss the issues and opportunities affecting and influencing women in the mining workplace. Danny believes Thiess continued commitment and progress puts the mining business on track to exceed the Queensland Resource Councils 20 per cent participation target for women by 2020.
mining ops
Theres been an increase in the female participation rate across Thiess mine sites:
Project Burton Coal Mine Collinsville Coal Operations Curragh North Coal Project Lake Vermont Coal Mine Prominent Hill Mine Mt Owen Complex
2011 3% 3% 3% 2% 7% 4%
2012 11% 8% 10% 10% 14% 8%
BIOGAS
powers community
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Thiess in Indonesia and the Balikpapan Government is delivering sustainable outcomes for the Batakan community in East Balikpapan. As part of the Methane Piping Cooperation MOU, Thiess is installing piping to distribute biogas from a landfill site to around 40 homes in the community. Executive Manager Business Services Thiess Contractors Indonesia Ridwan Malawi said the biogas will reduce the communitys reliance on LPG and kerosene. The biogas power produced from landfill can be used in domestic cooking, Ridwan said. Currently only a few homes in the area have access to biogas. Its our hope other corporations operating in Balikpapan will contribute to the program and over time we can help install piping to reach everyone in the area.
Executive Manager Business Services Ridwan Malawi (second from left) and the Mayor of Balikpapan Rizal Effendi (third from left) celebrate the signing of the MOU with Batakan community members
Balikpapan is a hub city which supports the mining and oil and gas industries in Kalimantan, Borneo.
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COMMITTE D for the long h au l

Since the 1940s, Thiess has played a vital role in Australias mining industry. With our experience in mine ownership, development, engineering and operations, Thiess has a thorough understanding of the current challenges facing mine owners, and is working to deliver cost effective and customised solutions for existing and new clients.
BY Michael Wright, Executive General Manager Mining
Today, more than ever, we are experiencing firsthand the impacts of our volatile market. An inflated Australian dollar, a high cost base, onerous industrial relations and tax regimes, unseasonable wet weather and low productivity, are significantly affecting Australias competitiveness on a world stage. And as a result, we are seeing mine developments put on hold, operations scaled back and marginal mines shutdown. We see many mine owners deciding once again to operate their own mines in a bid to improve their competitiveness and returns, as they weigh up the risk and reward of insourcing versus outsourcing. Both are relevant in their own right, influenced by the capacity and skills of the client, the nature of the mine, the market cycle and the broader industrial landscape. It is abundantly clear that Australias mining industry needs to reset and re-establish itself as a global leader in mining excellence. No longer can we afford to rest on our laurels accepting past success as an indicator of future performance. Its time for both government and industry to make investment more attractive and industry more competitive. And as a service provider to the mining industry, Thiess again must challenge industry norms, looking
at ways to deliver a world class service, providing differentiation to our clients, in productivities and efficiencies, and the value that we offer.
In an outsourced model, clients have greater certainty of costs and outcomes, with many of the labour, productivity and operational risks being held by the contracting partner. This clearly frees up the mine owners team to focus on resource and mine development, and trading the commodities.
At Thiess, our value is added through scalable and flexible mining solutions, and tailoring commercial models to meet individual client needs. From mine planning, to operations and maintenance, we bring extensive experience, skills and expertise, delivering high performance even in the most complex geological mines. Most importantly, we are taking innovation to another level. Our technical engineering team, a centre of excellence in its own right, is bringing industry leading technology and best practice to the forefront. Additionally, we are leveraging our operational experience and collaborating with OEMs to enhance plant performance, boosting productivity and safety.
From large ultra-class fleet to dozer push operations, mine planning and mine rehabilitation to maintenance and asset management solutions, Thiess expertise has resulted in the creation of substantial value for our clients. Were here for the long haul and even during these uncertain times, we remain committed to working in partnership with mine owners to optimise their operations and achieve mutual success. Looking forward, the outlook for Australias resources remains strong. The Australian Governments Resources & Energy Economics 2013 Report forecasts that resource export earnings is expected to reach a record $225 billion in 2018. Asias growing urbanisation and energy demand, together with Australias coal, iron ore and minerals reserves, makes us an ideal place for investment. With a commitment to improving efficiencies and productivities, and our investment in technology, innovation and people, Thiess remains positioned to provide great value and certainty to clients.
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remar k able
Thiess has completed one of the most technically-complex remediation projects ever undertaken in Australia.
Remediation project
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SERVICES EMBRACES DIVERSITY AGENDA LINING UP WITH THE BEST Services business extends expertise to CSG-LNG sector
38
The Orica Botany Car Park Waste Encapsulation The processing of CPWE soils through the DTD plant (CPWE) Project in Sydney drew on the world- was particularly challenging with the team negotiating with the Environment Protection leading expertise of the Environmental and Authority to progress a robust commissioning and Engineering Services team. permitting process which was completed in April Over two-and-a-half-years, the team processed last year. 93,000 tonnes of contaminated soils and waste, all of which was recovered from a purpose built The project drew praise from Orica Project Manager 13,000m2 excavation soil building, using directly- Peter ODea who said the team was extremely heated thermal desorption (DTD) technology. resourceful and flexible in dealing with unexpected issues. Team General Manager Doug Moss said continual underpinning of a structure of that size, while Their positive approach and rapid deployment of practical solutions were highly valued and critical to excavating beneath it, had not been previously successful project delivery, he said. attempted on this scale in Australia. It was a remarkable achievement by Project Manager Joshua Van Der Heiden and his team, Doug said. A unique health and hygiene monitoring process was also developed to manage exposures to particular contaminants of concern which had never before been dealt with anywhere in the world. Thiess liaised with leading industrial hygiene specialists and WorkCover NSW to ensure that international best practices were in place to ensure worker safety. The project was environmentally significant and important from a community perspective taking place within the Botany Industrial Park close to workshops, office buildings, a sporting field and housing. With stringent monitoring processes in place, Thiess demonstrated to the local community and to other stakeholders that a complex remediation project could be successfully delivered in a suburban environment. The previously contaminated land is now fit for commercial development.
SERVICES
Treatment Milestone Reached

With the completion of the Orica CPWE project, Thiess has now passed the 500,000 tonne milestone for thermal desorption projects a world class achievement by any measure. Project Tonnes
(thermally treated waste)
Halifax Street, SA
9,000
Pennys Bay, Hong Kong 85,000 Highett Gasworks, Vic Seven Hills, Sydney Allied Feeds, Rhodes Homebush Bay Lednez, Rhodes Orica CPWE, Botany 68,000 540 185,000 12,000 70,000 93,000
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embrac e s diver s i t y agenda

Determined to leverage the value that comes from a diverse workforce, a Diversity Council formed within Thiess services business will champion change and support workplace reform.
Created in August 2012, the Council comprises nine volunteers from each area of the business. One of the Councils aspirational goals is to have 30 per cent female representation in the workforce by 2015. Executive General Manager Services Richard Kelleway concedes the target is ambitious but necessary to reinforce the importance of the diversity agenda. We need critical mass to bring about change, and Im determined to promote affirmative action and break down barriers preventing us from meeting our diversity objectives, Richard said. Two women have recently been appointed to general manager roles in the business which means there are now three women sitting on services ninemember leadership team. Its not just about gender diversity high performing teams are typically made up of a diverse group of people who share the necessary skills, but dont necessarily look or act the same, Richard said. I believe we can create real competitive advantage by recognising, valuing and leveraging the unique styles, perspectives and abilities that come from having a diverse workforce. Richard said the Council had set in motion a number of initiatives to help advance the diversity agenda. Our new General Manager, People and Capability, Melissa Kimlin is reviewing our recruitment processes, preparing to implement a leadership capability framework and reviewing our exit interview processes so we can better understand why people leave the business, Richard said. Other early successes include the water business units appointment of its first female civil trainee worker. In another first, the Queensland energy business hired its first female linesperson. The company is also working closely with recruitment agencies specialising in placing people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Services
Lining up with the best

Recently-employed apprentice linesperson Tracey Anderson (pictured) believes she has been given an opportunity of a lifetime. After applying for more than 45 apprenticeships, she joined the Thiess group and was offered a trade assistant role in services energy division. An apprenticeship followed soon after. The divisions Operations Manager Brent Brown said while Tracey showed great promise as a trade assistant, she was still required to compete for her position, which included an interview and medical and fitness assessments. Tracey displayed a real passion and tenacity to succeed, but she had to prove she was capable of doing the work, Brent said. She passed with flying colours and the enthusiasm she displayed in her interview is clearly evident in the field. Brent believes Traceys enthusiasm and approach to her work will bring a different perspective and therefore value to site work. There will be instances where Tracey will need to find a different way to complete some tasks because of her physical stature, but that presents us with enormous opportunity to continually improve our processes, he said. Having Traceys perspective on how we go about our business is moving us away from thats the way weve always done it to how can we do this safer, smarter and more efficiently. Her appointment has been well received by services management team through to the field crews and trainers, who all recognise her passion and effort to be the best that she can be.
LEFT The services business first female water industry worker, Steff Gall, in action
Q&A
ex tends expertis e to CSG-LNG s ector

The focus of the CSG-LNG sector will soon switch to the provision of services as infrastructure development starts to take shape. Directions talks to Thiess Coal Seam Gas Services Manager Mike Jericevich about the expertise the company brings to the sector.
Q. Why has the services business decided to enter the CSG-LNG sector? A. Our experience in operating and maintaining some of Australias largest water, electricity and gas distribution networks, and associated infrastructure, is ideally matched to the requirements of the sector. Thiess services business has historically been focused on providing integrated water, energy, environmental and infrastructure management services to government authorities, commercial and industrial clients. This rich legacy of providing industry-leading, whole-of-life solutions is why, today, we offer a unique mix of capabilities and core competences that are well-suited to the assets currently being built for CSG projects. Q. Why now? A. We already have an enviable track record in the construction of CSG and LNG assets throughout the country. This move into operations and maintenance (O&M) is the next logical step. As a rapidly developing sector, it also shows significant growth potential were going to see the multi-billion dollar investment in building infrastructure reduce as the focus shifts to operations. A robust O&M offer will be central to maximising value into the foreseeable future. Q. How will CSG and LNG clients benefit? A. Our whole-of-life approach integrates the clients operational needs and our O&M expertise into our design and construction offer. The end-to-end value that creates is unique in the market and, importantly, maximises long-term value by delivering quality assets geared for optimal O&M efficiencies. The sector also draws considerably on water and energy technology. Thiess has the full O&M capability for large water treatment plants, ultrafiltration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and brine concentration equipment as well as for the numerous pump stations required to treat CSG water and redistribute this treated water for beneficial use. Its the same with our energy sector skills where we are able to construct and maintain substations, switchyards, and underground and overhead transmission lines required to power CSG-related infrastructure and LNG plant equipment. Q. Are there other opportunities in the sector? A. Were Australias leading and longest-serving remediation specialist and our newly created Environmental and Engineering Services business unit connects clients with expert solutions to ensure their assets meet strict compliance and monitoring standards. We also offer comprehensive facilities and asset management services that are directly transferrable to the CSG-LNG sector. With cost reduction more vital than ever in a global, highly-competitive market, our relentless focus on innovation and efficiency delivers optimal solutions and affordable, best-inclass outcomes for our clients.
Services business
38
Innovative partnership giving special needs kids
A VOICE
Tobi-i is opening up a whole new world for students like Stephany at Mackay District Special School
As the resource-rich Bowen Basin continues to drive growth in the thriving Central Queensland city of Mackay, a unique and innovative partnership between Thiess and the Mackay District Special School is yielding remarkable dividends of its own.
In an Australian first, the school has introduced eyegaze technology and a device called Tobi-i which opens up a whole new world for profoundly challenged special-needs children. Purchased with funding from Thiess and its team at the Burton Coal Mine, Tobi-i allows children to effectively perform the mouse functions of a computer simply by using their eyes. The technology is extraordinary enough, but the innovative application to special education is producing spectacular quality-of-life dividends. Children once trapped in a world without clear means of communication are now able to express their will with clarity once thought impossible. School Principal Sheina Treuel believes its the biggest leap in the history of special education. Now our kids have an opportunity to make a choice in their environment. Its about quality of life, suddenly our kids have an opportunity to say what they want and what they dont want, and if they want people to back off. Ten-year-old Stephany Johns has been silenced and profoundly disabled by Rett Syndrome, but through the wonders of Tobi-i, she can now clearly express herself and make choices. Her father Jason cant believe what its done for her.
The system is brilliant, absolutely brilliant. One of the main things of independence is communication and to have that is just awesome. More awesome still is the way this new technology is changing what we know about the ability of special needs children to learn and develop. Assistant Principal Kathryn Ritchie says teachers are seeing amazing changes in their students. Weve learnt things that we never thought our students were capable of at all, its very exciting. Ms Treuel believes its ground breaking. We are only just scratching the surface of what we understand about what is going on cognitively for these children. I would love to be able to work with a university that could do some really deep research around just how important this technology is, she said. Thiess and the team at Burton Coal are enormously proud to be backing such a significant development. Thiess Operations Manager in Mackay Chris Bourke says he knew the Mackay District Special School was a great cause, but the outcome has far surpassed his expectations. It has been truly eye-opening for us all to realise whats been achieved.
39
D ire c t i o n s
Winter 2013
CONNECT WITH US
Australia
HEAD OFFICE
CORPORATE OFFICE Level 5, 179 Grey Street South Bank QLD 4101 Tel: +61 7 3002 9000
construction
New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory Level 5, 26 College Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: +61 2 9332 9444 Queensland Level 7, 189 Grey Street South Bank QLD 4101 Tel: +61 7 3121 8500 Victoria / South Australia / Tasmania / New Zealand Level 9, 417 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004 Tel: +61 3 9864 8888 Level 2, 101 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000 Tel: +61 8 8274 5200 Western Australia / Northern Territory Level 19, The Forrest Centre 221 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Tel: +61 8 9214 4200 Rail Level 7, 189 Grey Street South Bank QLD 4101 Tel: +61 7 3121 8500 Tunnelling Level 5, 26 College Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: +61 2 9332 9444 Industrial Projects The Precinct 2, Level 1 10 Browning Street West End QLD 4101 Tel: +61 7 3169 8400
mining
Mining head office Thiess Place Level 5, 143 Coronation Drive Milton QLD 4064 Tel: +61 7 3037 5000 Northern Region 2 Interlink Court Paget QLD 4740 Tel: +61 7 4944 4500 Southern Region 125 Racecourse Road Rutherford NSW 2320 Tel: +61 2 4931 4900 WESTERN Region 503 Abernethy Road Kewdale WA 6105 Tel: +61 8 9441 3000
services
Services Head Office The Precinct 2, Level 1 10 Browning Street West End QLD 4101 Tel: +61 7 3169 8300 Parramatta Level 3, 88 Phillip Street Parramatta NSW 2150 Tel: +61 2 8892 5900 South Melbourne Level 4, 15-17 Park Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Tel: +61 3 9684 3333 Sydney Level 5, 26 College Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: +61 2 9332 9444 Western Region 503 Abernethy Road Kewdale WA 6105 Tel: +61 8 9441 3000
NEW ZEALAND
Services New Zealand Pty Ltd 69B Portage Road, Otahuhu Auckland 1062 New Zealand Tel: +64 9 525 7000
INDIA
Thiess INDIA PVT LTD 5B RDB Boulevard Block EP & GP Sector V, Salt Lake Kolkata 700091 West Bengal India Tel: +91 33 4010 5300
INDONESIA
PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia Jakarta Head Office Ratu Prabu 2 Jl. TB. Simatupang Kav. 1B Jakarta 12560 Indonesia Tel: +62 21 2754 9999 Balikpapan Support Facility Jl. Mulawarman No. 1 Batakan Kecil, Manggar Balikpapan 76115 Indonesia Tel: +62 542 520 000
Directions is published by Thiess Pty Ltd. It is published with due care and attention to accuracy. If you do find information that is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, please contact us.
Head Office Level 5, 179 Grey Street South Bank Queensland 4101 T: +61 7 3002 9000 F: +61 7 3002 9689
Contact directions@thiess.com.au Copyright Thiess Pty Ltd 2013. All rights reserved.
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D ire c t i o n s

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

CONSTRUCTION MINING SERVICES

Alumina refinery receives power boost

JV brings the BEST

Reconciliation Action Plan to help close the gap

Innovative partnership giving special needs kids a voice

Keys to production arrive at Lake Vermont

Remediation project remarkable

Lotus Glen makes history

PPP investment takes on new focus

Complex rail project on track

Biogas powers community

Total mining solutions overcome complex challenges at Mt Owen

Services embraces diversity agenda

Q&A: CSG Sector Expertise

Directions talks to Thiess Coal Seam Gas Services

Lining up with the best

IN BRIEF ADVISORY BOARD appointed SOD turning ceremony at Liebherr SA

Recent contract wins

SYDNEY WATER OPERATION AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

WESTERN POWER NETWORK UPGRADE AND MAINTENANCE

CHEVRON GORGON PROJECT CIVIL WORKS

Work-in-hand figure as at February 28 2013.

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

IN BRIEF Awards RECOGNISE E XCELLENCE

Photo: Brett Boardman Photography

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

Thelma Plum, singer-songwriter

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

Reconciliation Action Plan to help

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

TUNNELLING ON TRACK TO MEET LNG TIMEFRAME TUNNELlers navigate underground web

digging deep for success jv brings the best

ARTEFACTS REBURIED IN TRADITIONAL CEREMONY

PPP INVESTMENT TAKES ON NEW FOCUS

Alumina refinery receives

boost to annual production (million tonnes of aluminA)

to meet LNG timeframe

UN D ERG R OUN D WEB

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

TU NNELLI NG LEAD ERSHI P

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

T U N N ELLIN G LEA D ER SHI P

BORE RATE per week

Tunnel Boring Machine

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

WHE ATSTONE PRO J ECT

Thiess ramping up work on

Deputy General Manager, BESIX International, Carlo Schreurs

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

complex project meets q gc schedu l e

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

CELL CAPACITY INCREASED

EXPANSION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF AN OCCUPIED CORRECTIONAL CENTRE IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

DIGITAL MONITORING SECUrITY SYSTEM

MASTER CONTROL FUNCTIONS

HIGH SECURITY CELL BLOCKS

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013

KITCHEN, LAUNDRY, SPORTS HALL AND STAFF DINING AREAS

REDEVELOPED EXISTING FACILITIES

80% OF 1,000 JOBS

THIESS DIRECTIONS WINTER 2013