Roads and Infrastructure May 2022

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT Introducing some of the latest in roads and infrastructure safety technology

MAY 2022

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MAY 2022

NATIONAL ROADS & TRAFFIC EXPO A look at the speakers and exhibitors at the road transport trade show

SMART ASSET MANAGEMENT How Ventia is using Asset Vision’s intelligent platform Official media partners of

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MAY 2022 CONTENTS

SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

35 AI changing the game for health and safety Blindsight, an artificial intelligence vision technology, is safeguarding health and safety in construction and other heavy industries.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

38 Setting a standard for health and safety ResourceCo is implementing strategies to minimise risks at each of its sites nationally.

Ingal Civil’s MashFlex system has been developed to satisfy new industry safety requirements. Read the story on Pg 29.

COVER STORY

16 Smart asset management with Asset Vision How Ventia is using Asset Vision’s intelligent platform to enhance the management of road assets for its Australian transport clients.

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

21 Delivering on safety Roads & Infrastructure speaks to Blackwoods about the latest in workplace safety equipment and more.

ROAD SAFETY

COMPANY PROFILE

41 Rokon: The building of a brand How Rokon has grown to become one of the largest civil contractors in Melbourne in just 23 years.

TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

44 Komatsu’s vision for smart construction How Komatsu’s Smart Construction solutions are addressing the civil construction industry’s pain points.

46 Intuitive machinery maintenance Hastings Deering’s HDAdvantage is helping customers analyse the performance and health of their Cat machinery.

25 Safety through innovation The 30-year journey of Saferoads and its development of road and traffic safety products.

48 Dual spreading control with Road Ant Quality Fabrication and Engineering has introduced a dual control forward moving aggregate spreader.

29 The evolution of safety systems A look at how the industry has adapted to the mandated MASH guidelines for compliance of permanent and temporary safety barriers.

50 Atlas Copco and sustainable lighting The new Atlas Copco H6+ light tower houses a unique body material, as well as an environmentally friendly design.

ROADS REVIEW

32 We asked the roads and infrastructure industry decision-makers, ‘How can the industry better support workers mentally?’

EMPLOYMENT

52 An innovative pilot for WA employers Western Australia’s new approach to civil construction training has opened the door to more funding for employers.

INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL

54 Portrait of a thriving nation A report developed by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council and Ubris analyses the relationship between thriving nations and world-class infrastructure.

AFPA

56 Harmonising a national approach to safety The Australian Flexible Pavement Association is consolidating a national approach to safety and risk reduction for the flexible pavement industry.

59 AfPA Member Profile Trent Greenshields, General Manager of Active Asphalt, shares some insights from his experience in the pavement industry.

EVENTS

60 Celebrating Women in Industry The Women in Industry Awards recognise and honour outstanding women in the industrial sector.

63 National Roads & Traffic Expo 2022 What to expect from the expo, due to be held on May 18-19 in Sydney.

CONTRACTS AND TENDERS 64 A summary of the contracts awarded for major infrastructure projects across the nation.

ARRB

66 NetRisk2 – the future of infrastructure risk assessment ARRB’s next-generation web-based road safety tool, NetRisk2, is a game-changer for road managers and asset owners..

REGULARS

4 Editor’s note 9 News 14 People on the move roadsonline.com.au

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PUBLISHER Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au MANAGING EDITOR Mike Wheeler mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

EVERY LIFE MATTERS WORKPLACE INJURIES AND FATALITIES are a sad part of the roads and civil construction industries. But advances in technology are helping change high-risk patterns and behaviours, as we find in this edition of Roads & Infrastructure magazine.

There are roughly 150 fatal accidents and 100,000 serious injuries in the Australian workplace each year. Heavy industries, including construction, logistics and warehousing, agriculture and forestry, manufacturing, and mining, disproportionality contribute to these statistics, with nearly 65 per cent of all fatalities [Safe Work Australia].

Blindsight is a pre-trained AI safety system for mobile plant and fixed infrastructure developed

by Laing O’Rourke spin-off company Presien and distributed by Position Partners. The technology helps stop accidents by alerting the operator and people around to high-risk scenarios, without requiring any special tags, markers, high-vis clothing, or movement. More importantly, by reporting near-misses and unsafe behaviours, it’s helping improve safety practices in construction sites.

Traffic safety is another concern for the industry. The number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads remains far too high, with 1,200 deaths and 44,000 serious injuries annually. This is estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $30 billion a year in road trauma, which covers expenses relating to healthcare, emergency services, forgone future tax revenue and income support for the people injured or killed.

In our Cover Story, read about how intelligent asset management technology developed by Australian company Asset Vision is helping companies such as Ventia inspect roads and other infrastructure assets from the safety of a vehicle, thus eliminating the need for inspectors to stop on the road shoulder.

The latest in traffic safety and barrier technology from Saferoads and Ingal Civil, as well as safety workwear and personal protective equipment from Blackwoods also appear in this edition. We also speak to companies such as Rokon and ResourceCo to hear about their safety best-practices.

In line with the National Roads & Traffic Expo 2022 in May, we also look at the latest construction technology being introduced at the expo. Komatsu is gradually rolling out its Smart Construction suite of technologies, aiming to help contractors and machine operators analyse data throughout each phase of a project.

Finally, Mark Piorkowski, Australian Flexible Pavement Association’s Executive Director for Queensland and Northern Territory, shares insights from the association’s approach to safety and risk reduction for the flexible paving industry.

EDITOR Tara Hamid tara.hamid@primecreative.com.au JOURNALIST 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

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

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CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

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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.

COPYRIGHT

Tara Hamid Editor, Roads & Infrastructure Magazine

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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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NEWS

SEQ CITY DEAL TO DELIVER $1.8 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE Details of the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal have finally been agreed upon between the Federal and the Queensland Governments and the Council of Mayors SEQ making a joint commitment to deliver infrastructure that will transform the region.

The commitment will fund a suite of 31 projects across the South East Queensland region. It encompasses 11 local governments represented by the Council of Mayors, populated by 3.8 million people and which collectively boast a GDP of $170 billion.

The SEQ City Deal will be funded through $667.77 million from the Commonwealth, $618.78 million from the Queensland Government and $501.62 million from the Council of Mayors SEQ, representing the region’s council, plus $75 million from industry.

Signed on March 21, the SEQ City Deal is more than just a financial commitment.

It’s a statement of intent around priorities in the region over the next few decades.

It strongly focuses on transport, jobs and liveability and also underpins the Federal Government’s financial commitment to the Olympic Games 2032.

Importantly, the deal doesn’t just favour

The commitment will fund a suite of 31 projects across the South East Queensland region.

the big cities, with outlying centres such as Caboolture, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba included.

In the SEQ City Deal there is $500,000 dedicated to a regional waste management strategy and $105 million for resource recovery infrastructure.

Within Brisbane, the biggest beneficiary will be Brisbane City Council’s Woolloongabba Metro station, which will link with Cross River Rail and be a vital connection during the Olympics, with $450 million allocated to the project. The nearby Gabba stadium has been proposed as

Brisbane’s main Olympic stadium.

The SEQ Liveability Fund is another key beneficiary, with $285 million earmarked for the Fund to deliver projects of social and economic priority for the councils.

Other key projects under the deal include $150 million for the SEQ Innovation Economy Fund to support capital projects that promote and grow the region’s innovation economy and $70 million for digital connectivity projects to support place-based telecommunications infrastructure and improved digital connectivity.

SHORTLISTED COMPANIES TO TENDER FOR M1 EXTENSION The Federal Government has announced a shortlist of companies invited to tender for construction of the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace in New South Wales’ Hunter Region.

The project aims to improve the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway, benefitting nearly 50,000 motorists who travel the route every day.

The M1 Pacific Motorway Extension project is being built under two collaborative design and construction contracts.

For the southern, 10-kilometre Black Hill to Tomago section, CPB Contractors, Acciona Infrastructure Australia, and the John Holland/ Gamuda (Australia) Branch Joint Venture have been selected to take part in the tender process.

For the northern, five-kilometre Heatherbrae Bypass section, Seymour Whyte Constructions and BMD Constructions have been selected to take part in the tender process.

Both contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of 2022.

Registrations of Interest are also being called from pre-qualified contractors to widen Hexham Straight as part of M1 extension. Transport for NSW will deliver the project through an alliance contract.

Transport for NSW will develop a shortlist of tenderers through the Registrations of Interest, and work with these parties to consider proposals by industry.

Successful contractors are expected to be announced later this year.

The 15-kilometre M1 Pacific Motorway Extension includes a four-lane divided

motorway with two lanes in each direction and new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace.

It will improve the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway, enhancing safety and traffic flow for the 50,000 motorists who travel the route every day.

The Federal Government has committed $1.68 billion towards the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace and the Hexham Straight Widening, following the announcement of additional funding ($80 million) in January this year.

The New South Wales Government has committed the remaining $420 million to the $2.1 billion project.

The project is expected to support around 2700 jobs during construction. roadsonline.com.au

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NEWS

FEDERAL FUNDING LOCKED IN FOR URANNAH DAM The proposed 970-gigalitre dam could unlock 103-gigalitres of water.

The Federal Government has locked in $483 million to build the Urannah dam and hydro-electric scheme in the Broken River Valley in Central Queensland.

The announcement comes more than four decades after Urannah dam, 80 kilometres north-west of Mackay, was identified as a potential water source that would provide water security for agriculture, industry and mines in the region.

The proposed 970-gigalitre dam and approximately 200-kilometre pipeline network could unlock 103-gigalitres of water, enabling local producers to develop up to 20,000 hectares of irrigated agriculture.

The water distribution network includes in-stream distribution in the Bowen and Broken Rivers to the Bowen River Weir, a new 66-kilometre pipeline north to

the Peter Faust dam, a new 17-kilometre pipeline south east to the Eungella Dam and a 150 km pipeline south to Moranbah.

The project could create up to 1200 jobs during construction and support 650 ongoing positions.

The Queensland Government had supported the project, but is yet to commit any funding, while the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has not been assessed by the state government yet.

The Queensland state government has previously made an application for funding on behalf of the Bowen River Utilities in June 2021. A bilateral agreement signed between the Queensland and Federal Governments in February this year enabled the Bowen River Utilities to progress its business case and other early investigations into the project.

The business case is underway and is expected to be completed later this year.

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EASTERN STATES COLLABORATE FOR LANDMARK HYDROGEN REFUELLING NETWORK Australia’s first renewable hydrogen refuelling network will be built along the nation’s busiest freight route, thanks to tri-state collaboration between Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland governments.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the states have agreed to collaborate on the development of the east coast hydrogen refuelling network that includes the nation’s most critical roads and highways.

The Victorian and NSW Governments are investing $10 million each in grant funding to co-deliver the Hume Hydrogen Highway (HHH) program, which will support the development of hydrogen refuelling stations along the Hume highway – including at least four stations in Victoria. The $20 million funding will also provide grants for approximately 25 hydrogen-powered long-haul heavy freight vehicles to adopt zero-emission technology, such as fuel cells.

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The Victorian, NSW and Queensland Governments will collaborate on the development of the renewable hydrogen highway by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.

The MOU follows an announcement of a renewable hydrogen plant being developed in Queensland’s Western Downs. The demonstration plant and refuelling facility has received a $28.9 million investment from the Queensland Government and will have capacity to produce 50,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen each year when operational in 2023.

Transport is one of Australia’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon footprint.

Renewable hydrogen shows strong potential to be cost competitive with diesel – which currently powers most of Australia’s freight industry.

Further details about the initiative will be provided in the coming months.

Applications are expected to open around mid-2022.

Transport is one of Australia’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

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NEWS

CONSORTIUM AWARDED $5B INLAND RAIL CONTRACT

The Inland Rail project is Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has appointed Regionerate Rail – a consortium comprising Plenary Group, Clough, GS Engineering and Construction, Webuild and Service Stream – as preferred bidder for the development of the Gowrie to Kagaru section of Inland Rail.

The contract is worth more than $5 billion for the design and construct elements.

The section between Gowrie and Kagaru will be approximately 128 kilometres of new and upgraded rail track through the

most geographically challenging section of the 1700-kilometre rail line between Brisbane in Queensland and Melbourne in Victoria. It will include a 6.2-kilometre tunnel through the Great Dividing Range, the largest diameter freight tunnel in the southern hemisphere.

Being delivered as a public-private partnership (PPP), the contract will also include a 25-year maintenance phase after the completion of the section between Gowrie to Kagaru.

The Inland Rial project is Australia’s

largest freight rail infrastructure project and will consist of over 1,700 kilometres of rail connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

The Rail Corridor Program will deliver works with an estimated value of more than $300 million, providing work for an estimated 600 people who will lay 1.7 million tonnes of ballast and 80,000 tonnes of steel rail, and install nearly 950,000 Australian made concrete sleepers.

ECHUCA-MOAMA BRIDGE PROJECT OPENS TO TRAFFIC The new Echuca-Moama Bridge Project has opened to traffic, creating a second Murray River crossing between Victoria and New South Wales after 140 years.

The existing Murray River iron bridge was completed in December 1878 and was the first to span the Murray River. A rail bridge was later constructed over the river in 1989.

The new bridge project links the Murray Valley Highway and Warren Street at Echuca, Victoria with the Cobb Highway at Perricoota Road in Moama, New South Wales. Apart from creating a safer passage for traffic, it also provides a separate 4.9-kilometre bridge for pedestrian and cyclists.

The project consists of two river bridges, one over the Murray River and another over the Campaspe River in Echuca. The 12

ROADS MAY 2022

new Murray River crossing will be known as Dhungala Bridge and the new Campaspe River crossing will be called Yakoa Bridge – with Dhungala and Yakoa the respective names in Yorta Yorta language for the Murray and Campaspe rivers.

Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council and Cummeragunja Local Aboriginal Land Council collaborated to name the Dhungala Bridge with Yorta Yorta Nation endorsing the name for the new Campaspe River crossing.

It’s expected 10,000 vehicles will use the new river crossing every day, reducing traffic on the existing Murray River bridge by about 40 per cent – a reduction that will considerably ease peak hour congestion for people travelling

between Echuca and Moama.

Construction for the Echuca-Moama Bridge Project started in late 2017 with the Australian Government contributing $125.7 million, the Victorian Government $111 million and the New South Wales Government $87 million.

While Winslow Construction had completed the second stage of the project in November 2019. The major works package, including the construction of both bridges, was carried out by Major Road Projects Victoria and construction partner McConnell Dowell.

More than 400 direct jobs and up to 1100 indirect jobs were created during the project, with many local businesses and suppliers employed to provide ongoing services.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE HELPS YOU KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR. QUEENSLAND RAIL WELCOMES NEW CEO Queensland Rail’s former Chief Financial Officer Ms Kat Stapleton has been appointed as the transport organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect. The announcement follows the resignation of Queensland Rail’s former CEO Nick Easy in 2021. Making the announcement, Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the appointment marked an exciting new chapter for the 156-year-old organisation. “Kat is a highly experienced executive and has held senior positions with nbnCo and Bahrain Telecommunications before joining Queensland Rail as CFO in 2019,” Mr Bailey said.

AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT Australian Constructors Association has announced Mr Duncan Gibb, CEO Construction Australia – Fulton Hogan, as the new President of the board. Mr Gibb replaces Mr Cathal O’Rourke, who has served as President since November 2020. Mr Gibb said he was committed to improving the sustainability and productivity of the construction industry through government and industry collaboration. “I feel privileged to take on the role of President at a time when the construction industry is united in driving positive change. The association is taking major strides in progressing reform initiatives through government and industry partnerships,” he said.

NAWIC ANNOUNCES NEW NATIONAL CHAIR The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has announced a new National Chair of its board with the appointment of former Vice Chair, Christina Yiakkoupis. Ms Yiakkoupis has been a director on the board since July 2017 and Vice Chair since November 2020. Samantha Woodward, who currently sits on the NAWIC board, has been elected as Vice Chair. “I am looking forward to working with each and every NAWIC volunteer, supporter and member so that together we can BE LOUD and continue to help women be who they want to be in construction,” said Ms Yiakkoupis.

NEW MID WEST PORTS AUTHORITY CEO APPOINTED Damian Tully has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer for the Mid West Ports Authority (MWPA) in Western Australia. Mr Tully has been acting in the role for the past twelve months and has previously worked as the General Manager Operations and Logistics at MWPA. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the maritime industry and has executed operations both ashore and at sea.

GEORGIOU GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW CEO Georgiou Group has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. Gary Georgiou will commence as CEO of Georgiou Group from 1 July 2022, with current CEO Rob Monaci handing over the role and continuing as Director on the company’s board. Mr Georgiou has been Georgiou Group’s Executive General Manager – Eastern Region for the past seven years. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the construction industry both as a professional engineer and business leader. Joining Georgiou in 2015, he was responsible for growing Georgiou’s Queensland and New South Wales businesses. Prior to joining Georgiou, Mr Georgiou held senior roles at Seymour Whyte for more than 15 years – including as General Manager.

AURECON APPOINTS FORMER DELOITTE PARTNER AS PRINCIPAL International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has appointed former Deloitte Transformation and Operations partner and member of Queensland Energy and Resources leadership team Elizeu Boto as Principal to help lead its Sustaining Capital portfolio. Mr Boto has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy and resources industry with expertise in managing large complex transformations for asset intensive industries.

Mr Boto’s role at Aurecon will span multiple client and market portfolios across Australia, with a focus on co-creating and testing with client strategies to implement sustainable value into existing asset portfolios.

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VENTIA ENHANCES SMART ASSET MANAGEMENT WITH

ASSET VISION

HOW VENTIA IS USING ASSET VISION’S INTELLIGENT PLATFORM TO ENHANCE THE MANAGEMENT OF ROAD ASSETS FOR ITS AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT CLIENTS. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE REPORTS.

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s a provider of essential infrastructure services, Ventia’s Transport teams are often first on the ground during natural disasters helping to keep roads, tunnels and airports open and operating safely.

When recent floods hit southern Queensland, multiple road sections were impacted and required urgent repairs.

Luckily, for the Ventia team of inspectors and site crew responsible for managing and inspecting a large road network in South East Queensland, they had an intelligent smart system in place to help them act quickly.

The Ventia team worked in shifts to provide support 24/7 to ensure more than 3,000 lane kilometres across the south coast road network was 16

ROADS MAY 2022

made safe for all road users.

Ventia has supported one of its major Transport clients in South East Queensland since 2013, providing asset management services, road pavement and drainage maintenance activities, as well as a significant program of road rehabilitation across Queensland’s southeast coast state and national road network. The network covers three local government areas, namely the City of Gold Coast, the City of Logan and the Scenic Rim Regional Council.

In 2020, the Ventia team was looking for innovations that would enhance its road maintenance operations. That’s when the team became aware of Asset Vision.

Andrew Spence, Ventia’s Program Manager for Queensland Transport

South Coast says the Australian platform caught his eye early in the contract.

“We came across Asset Vision, which had been adopted by the Victorian Department of Transport years ago, and more recently by Transport for NSW,” says Spence.

“Ventia differentiates through our client focus, innovation and commitment to sustainability. We always challenge ourselves to improve and deliver better outcomes and Asset Vision was aligned to this,” Spence adds.

Asset Vision’s Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, the brainchild of Co-Founder and CEO Damian Smith, was developed and launched in 2010 to help road maintenance contractors across Australia digitise their field works and move away

COVER STORY

from manual, pen and paper processes.

Asset Vision’s all-in-one intelligent asset management platform enables asset owners, maintainers and subcontractors to be connected and handle different aspects of road-related asset maintenance. This ranges from data and defect capture using Artificial Intelligence (AI), field inspections to asset inventory, work order management, resource planning and consumption, and maintaining and reporting compliance KPIs. After a demonstration phase and a successful trial of the solution, the Ventia team was keen to start using Asset Vision for one of its Queensland projects. In fact, Spence says the platform offered more than what the team had expected.

“When we met with the team at Asset Vision, the capabilities ticked all our boxes. The platform was also customisable to fit our evolving needs.”

BENEFITS FOR VENTIA One feature of Asset Vision’s platform the Ventia team found very useful was the ease with which their inspectors could now assign jobs to crews.

“The fact that inspectors could send the job directly to the crew created efficiencies allowing us to be more responsive for our clients and the local communities we serve,” says Spence.

Ventia has been able to leverage the Asset Vision platform to provide enhanced asset inspection and management services to its clients.

Asset Vision’s mobile app is used by field crews to undertake inspections, maintenance jobs and keep asset registers upto-date, even without a network connection.

“VENTIA DIFFERENTIATES THROUGH OUR CLIENT FOCUS, INNOVATION AND COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY. WE ALWAYS CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO IMPROVE AND DELIVER BETTER OUTCOMES AND ASSET VISION WAS ALIGNED TO THIS.” The ‘CoPilot’ feature in Asset Vision’s smart platform was another attractive option for Ventia. Using this tool, inspectors can complete their road inspections without having to take their hands off the wheel or stop their vehicle.

The inspector’s smartphone, which is

mounted to the dashboard, is triggered by a smart Bluetooth button attached to the steering wheel to capture photos, linking them with the defect’s precise location. The application can also listen for voice narration from the inspector for keywords to classify the defect or hazard in the system.

With teams often driving along remote regional roads, access to internet was not always guaranteed. Asset Vision’s capability to mark the location of each defect using GPS coordinates and the fact the app works completely offline was another bonus for Ventia.

“Safety is Ventia’s number one promise, so the CoPilot capability was a natural fit with our safety culture,” says Spence.

There was a suite of other seemingly small, but critical, options that led the Ventia team to adopt Asset Vision.

“The ability to load inspection routes into the platform, visualise the network using the mobile app as the inspections are being undertaken and generate inspection reports automatically has helped change the game for our inspectors out on the road,” says Spence.

“We have also since created templates to report on the day’s activities.

This has made our reporting easier roadsonline.com.au

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Asset Vision’s all-in-one intelligent asset management platform enables asset owners, maintainers and sub-contractors to be connected and handle different aspects of road-related asset maintenance.

and more user-friendly. The team at Asset Vision has proven track record of working in this space and understands our core needs. They are aligned in building cost-effective and innovative outcomes for Ventia and our clients,” adds Spence.

Ventia has been successfully rolling out the Asset Vision platform to its road projects nationwide.

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EXTENSION TO OTHER PROJECTS In September 2021, Ventia was awarded a contract to provide maintenance services for pavement and roadside assets across over 100 kilometres of a prominent Queensland airport’s landside and airside road network.

According to Spence, the three-year contract extends Ventia’s innovative approach to asset maintenance, enhanced through the Asset Vision platform.

Ventia has been able to leverage the Asset Vision platform to provide enhanced asset inspection and management services to its new client.

“A challenge for our client was large volumes of data being stored in different spots,” says Spence.

Spence says the Ventia team has already been able to combine data into relevant layers in Asset Vision, separating landside and airside data and even verifying existing drainage systems to ensure correct data is fed into the system.

“With all our projects, we take the time to verify existing data, making sure that what is imported into the system is correct. By spending time to assign the right attributes to the asset register, it makes our job of reporting on the assets more streamlined,” he says.

Since 2021, following Asset Vision’s successful establishment into Ventia’s South East Queensland contracts, Ventia has been rolling the platform out to road projects nationwide.

COVER STORY

“THE ABILITY TO LOAD INSPECTION ROUTES INTO THE PLATFORM, VISUALISE THE NETWORK USING THE MOBILE APP AS THE INSPECTIONS ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN AND GENERATE INSPECTION REPORTS AUTOMATICALLY HAS HELPED CHANGE THE GAME FOR OUR INSPECTORS OUT ON THE ROAD.” “This is testament to the platform’s capability to adapt to multiple contract scopes,” say Spence.

“With recent integration into Ventia’s SAP environment, we have an integrated asset management and financial management ‘reporting’ system,” Spence adds.

Increasingly, the scope of Ventia’s transport contracts include the maintenance of technology such as CCTV cameras, electronic school zone signage, variable message signs and vehicle detection systems.

Asset Vision is a natural fit for intelligent road infrastructure, says Damian Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Asset Vision.

“As road networks become more intelligent with sensors, cameras, smart signage and vehicle detection systems, road maintenance contractors are increasingly required to service all aspects of the road corridor. Our Asset Vision Platform is well positioned to meet and exceed these needs,” says Smith.

upcoming new feature will see the Asset Vision mobile app continuously capture images of the road inspection through the inspector’s mounted smartphone.

The images are then recorded for audit purposes, as well as analysed through Asset Vision’s newly acquired AI engine.

“We’re calling it AutoPilot, and it is something our team and clients are very excited about,” says Smith.

“On a practical level, having visual,

geotagged, time stamped evidence to prove your inspection took place is valuable in of itself, but having the photos show the visual condition of the road at a point in time is worth its weight in gold when it comes to settling claims. The AI piece to recognise potholes and cracking to help provide asset management insights is the icing on the cake” Spence says the Ventia team has already seen great improvements in the quality of reporting.

“Our clients have been impressed with the visibility they have gained across their assets. With the new AI capabilities added to Asset Vision, it’s exciting to see what more innovations the future holds for us.”

Asset Vision continues its long history of innovation in the road asset management space, and its clients are reaping the benefits.

A VISION TO THE FUTURE Asset Vision has recently taken its asset management technology to a new intelligent level, with the company completing the acquisition of an Australian-developed intelligent data capture technology that automatically detects both road defects and asset inventory through video footage and artificial intelligence.

Using this technology, vehiclemounted cameras can capture video as the inspector drives along a road.

The video is then uploaded to a cloud environment where it is analysed using AI and machine learning to detect road defects, from simple cracking to potholes. Roadside assets such as pits, wire rope barriers and signage can also be recognised, and all data can be readily shared and integrated with Asset Vision’s existing platform or other applications as needed.

Asset Vision shows no sign of slowing down when it comes to innovation. An roadsonline.com.au

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SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

Blackwoods’ safety solutions cover workplace safety, personal protective, manual handling and signage/traffic management equipment.

DELIVERING

ON SAFETY

FOR MORE THAN 140 YEARS, BLACKWOODS HAS BEEN SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES WITH INDUSTRIAL AND SAFETY SUPPLIES. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SPEAKS TO SOME OF THE COMPANY’S MANAGERS ABOUT THE LATEST IN WORKPLACE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

“T

hink safe, work safe, be safe” was the theme selected by Safe Work Australia for the National Safe Work Month in October last year.

For Darren Gallagher, National Category and Sourcing Manager – Workplace Safety, Respiratory, and Fall Protection at Blackwoods, that’s also the message the company wants to send across through its involvement in promoting industrial safety practices.

As a key supplier of industrial and safety equipment to Australian industries for the past 140 years, Blackwoods has more than 300,000 products on offer at any

given time. These include both products sourced through the company’s local and international supply partners, as well as the in-house developed products, like the PROSAFE range of safety equipment.

Particularly of interest to the civil industry, Blackwoods’ safety solutions cover such broad categories as workplace safety, personal protective, manual handling and signage/traffic management equipment.

WORKING ON SOLUTIONS With such a broad range, Gallagher says Blackwoods understands the importance

of expert guidance. As such, he says Blackwoods’ technical safety specialists and category managers are often engaging with clients to help them find not just products, but solutions for their relevant industries.

“Across every industry that we work with, we get involved with clients to produce solutions for their specific applications,” he tells Roads & Infrastructure.

“Our specialists have knowledge across the whole product range and use that to find the best options for every business.

We also work directly with our supply partners to bring their expertise to let our roadsonline.com.au

21

client know the best options that meet their requirements.”

An example of this, Gallagher notes, are initiatives undertaken by Blackwoods to spread awareness around the risk of respirable crystalline silica – otherwise known as silica dust – in the construction sector.

In 2019, the national workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica was halved from an eight-hour, time-weighted average airborne concentration of 0.1 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3) to 0.05 mg/m3. This new workplace exposure standard has been mandated across all Australian state and territory regulators since November 2020.

Gallagher says Blackwoods has been helping construction businesses comply with the hierarchy of control process for managing silica dust by providing them with suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Apart from supplying established brands and fit testing of RPE, Blackwoods experts have also been able to advise on suitable solutions for different workplaces to provide engineered solutions to reducing the amount of silica dust generated from 22

ROADS MAY 2022

work activity,” he says.

“As part of our commitment to helping industry and individuals make informed decisions about their health and safety, we have included articles on silica dust in the Blackwoods’ Safety Spotlight magazine. Our goal is to continue the discussion and encourage businesses in the construction sector to also make silicosis prevention a priority.”

MINIMISING RISK EXPOSURES This model of exposure minimisation is also delivered through other Blackwoods product categories.

In welding for example, the company offers guidelines to its clients around the five-tier hierarchy of controls methodology and supports employers with supply of welding powered air purifying respirators (PAPR). Fume extraction welding guns supplied by the company help capture and remove fumes at their source.

Blackwoods’ in-house developed PPE products such as the PROSAFE gloves and eyewear ranges offer protection to workers in different industries.

PROSAFE trifold respirators, which are available both with and without valves, are designed to comply with P2 respiratory

filter rating – meaning they can effectively protect users against dust, mist and fumes.

The PROSAFE range also includes specialty gloves and eyewear, designed to meet all the required Australian standards for personal protection.

“Our PROSAFE eyewear has been designed with the end user in mind, meaning that comfort is considered equally as important as functionality,” explains Gallagher.

“Some recent incidents have highlighted the additional risk that comes from lack of visibility,” says Gallagher.

“At Blackwoods, we have updated our products in line with the relevant Australian standards and state regulations to provide temporary traffic barriers, apparel and footwear with enhanced retroreflective properties that help increase the visibility of workers, plants, and equipment.”

INNOVATIVE WORKWEAR Leigh Eam, Blackwoods’ National Category Manager for Apparel and Footwear is directly involved with these developments around modern-day workwear.

She says Blackwoods has been broadening its range of high visibility (Hi Vis) clothing

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

the temperature of the fabric and keep the body cool.

“Some of our shirt designs have as many as 16 to 18 ventilation points to ensure good airflow on the body. Other products which Blackwoods carry, such as Sqwincher freeze pops, neck coolers, cooling vests, wide brim hats, sunscreens and cooler aids, could help manage heat,” she explains.

This flexibility in design extends to other Blackwoods workwear products as well, says Eam. “Where site crew need to carry an ultra high frequency (UHF) radio while working, we can design radio loops on their shirts to make sure it doesn’t become a catch hazard. We offer a wide range, but we can also customise our products to the industry’s needs.”

Blackwoods has broadened its range of high visibility clothing to help improve worksite safety.

with reflective tapes to help improve worksite visibility.

“Blackwoods’ offering in this space is quite substantial,” she says. “Products like Workhorse’s X-back shirts for rail and road safety, H-Tape shirts for height safety and the White Taped range for night works are just some examples,” she says.

Blackwoods also partners with KingGee and Hard Yakka, providing a biomotion range of shirts, pants and jackets, which as Eam explains, are designed to ensure workers can be easily distinguished from equipment and machinery.

“Having two lines of reflective tape on these garments makes it easier to detect the individual’s movements, so as to avoid any confusion with stationary equipment in low light environments,” she explains.

Heat stress is another risk area for workers in the construction industry.

Eam says Blackwoods can supply or help design customised workwear to assist workers combat excessive heat.

“For workers in the hotter climate, we can provide alternative fabrics or source or design ventilation systems for the garment. For instance, with KingGee, whose Hyperfreeze fabric technology harnesses the wearer’s sweat to lower

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT Another area where Blackwoods has been actively engaging with the construction industry is to provide support on mental health.

Eam says workwear brands such as Workhorse supporting the Beyond Blue Foundation and Trademutt with their ‘This is a Conversation Starter’ shirts are just some examples.

“Unfortunately, mental health is prevalent in our industry, where suicide rates are worryingly high, particularly among male workers. Blackwood offers Trademutt’s Hi Vis safety garments that act as conversation starters, encouraging workers to have a conversation with their mates and with professionals around mental health,” she says.

Supply disruptions over the past two years of the pandemic have been a concern for the construction industry. Eam says Blackwoods has been able to navigate this with proactive planning.

“Over the past two years, it’s been tough for everybody. It’s also been tough for us, but as a business we are quite proactive we’ve been able to pivot, working with our key partner suppliers, increasing our stock levels, and re-aligning our demand forecasting and demand planning to suit the unprecedented situation,” she says.

“This has allowed us to ensure continuous supply of critical products to the industry.”

With Blackwoods being part of the Wesfarmers group, Eam says the company could also lean on Wesfarmers to secure continuous supply of shipping containers and minimise any freight disruptions.

SUPPORT FOR THE INDUSTRY Dariel Kolarik is the National Strategic Account Manager at Blackwoods.

She says the team has been working closely with local, state and federal governments, schools, TAFEs, hospitals, emergency services, transport, justice, universities and other such government entities to provide Blackwoods’ products to meet their safety needs.

“During the fires, and more recently the floods, Blackwoods worked side by side with the emergency services and our suppliers to get urgently needed products out to the disaster areas, with teams working and opening the warehouses on weekends so that the frontline workers had access to critical safety products,” she says.

Kolarik says the factors that set Blackwoods apart in the support of its customers are many and varied.

“First, we have the technical capability and our teams’ expert knowledge around each product category, which allows us to present all the available solutions to customers,” she says.

“Moreover, our business model allows us to provide both retail and business-to-business services to customers. Customers can purchase their requirements at a Blackwoods branch at the same negotiated terms and pricing as they would get if they sent their order through the company’ system. It’s a model that’s very rare in our industry.”

Through this support, and with a high degree of compliance with industry standards, Kolarik says Blackwoods has been able to secure supply contracts across governments and construction [companies] for their infrastructure projects as well as their dayto-day business.

“Government tenders often have very high compliancy requirements when it comes to supplier accreditation. From corporate social responsibility to customer support policy and sustainability initiatives, there are so many boxes that need to be ticked before a supplier is approved,” she says.

“The fact that Blackwoods’ product catalogue has been approved for procurement by so many government agencies and for major contractors across mega transport and infrastructure projects is testament that the industry understands the value of our services and products.” roadsonline.com.au

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SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

With patented hybrid technology, the HV2 Safety Barrier offers high containment and low deflection upon impact.

SAFETY THROUGH

INNOVATION

FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, SAFEROADS’ INNOVATIONS IN DEVELOPING ROAD AND TRAFFIC SAFETY PRODUCTS HAVE HELPED SAVE MULTIPLE LIVES IN AUSTRALIA AND BEYOND. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE LOOKS AT THE COMPANY’S JOURNEY AND HOW THE BUSINESS HAS NOT JUST SURVIVED BUT THRIVED OVER THE PERIOD.

F

rom humble beginnings in 1992 at the tyre shop of its founder Darren Hotchkin to becoming an ASX-listed company with an extensive sales network in the Australian and international road safety market, Saferoads’ journey over the past 30 years has seen both great challenges and extraordinary growth.

This year, the company celebrates its 30th year in business with a product portfolio that’s become known across the industry for being innovative, well-engineered and importantly, trusted for safety and performance. The ups and downs the company has been through over this journey to build that reputation, while bringing all of its research and development and most of its manufacturing in-house, offers

lessons in business resilience.

Saferoads began life primarily to commercialise an innovation from Hotchkin himself, which was to produce reboundable guide posts from recycled car tyres.

At the time, guide posts in Australia were made from wood, which was brittle and would fail after only a single vehicle impact.

Using recycled tyres meant Saferoads – which was called Rubber Tough Industries then – could produce guideposts that were more durable than timber, while helping divert an end-of-life product from landfill.

Over the next few years, the company used rubber from used tyres to manufacture more traffic-related products, such as speed humps. In its fourth year, Saferoads also began distributing road safety products from

a US-based firm across Australia.

By this time, the rubber side of the business became less of a focus and was superseded by the company’s expansion into road safety, barriers, crash cushions, truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) and many other new products. The Rubber Tough Industries brand was sold, and road safety became the core focus for the company – hence the name change to Saferoads.

In the years that followed, Saferoads expanded its team and established itself as a well-regarded distributor of crash barriers, traffic calming products, lighting and other road safety equipment to the Australian market. In 2003, the company was listed on the Australian stock exchange to attract outside investors, which led to roadsonline.com.au

25

further growth. A few years later, however, a mid-life crisis threatened the existence of the business.

CHALLENGING TIMES In 2008, Saferoads’ US distributor changed hands and the new owners decided to work exclusively with Saferoads’ competitor, leading to the company losing half of its product range almost overnight.

After the fall-through in relationship with its US distributor, the Saferoads team was faced with tough decisions.

Eventually, the company re-located its three-acre factory to a smaller two-acre facility in Melbourne’s south-east suburb of Pakenham, with the team now focusing more intensely on research and development to reduce reliance on foreign imports and owning the intellectual property rights for its innovations.

This shift in focus has led to noteworthy innovations from the company, with Saferoads having had a role in shaping barrier usage on worksites around Australia – and even in other countries such as New Zealand and the US. The company has also been instrumental

in the development, and adaptation by the market, of traffic control and traffic management equipment, such as variable message signs (VMS), TMA trailers, OmniStop portable bollards and more.

Four years ago, Saferoads established Road Safety Rental, a separate rental division within the business that helps the company take its products to market on a hire basis.

This division continues to expand its product range and is continually growing.

The company is also still invested in research and development and owns the only dedicated crash testing site for road barriers in Australia.

PIONEERING ACHIEVEMENTS Over the past 30 years, Saferoads has been a pioneer on many fronts, including the introduction of the first hybrid steel and concrete temporary barriers in Australia.

Casey McMaster, Saferoads’ Engineering Manager who has been with the company for almost 19 years, says the company has kept its products up to date with the latest industry requirements.

“The Ironman steel barrier was developed around 2004-2005 based on an innovation by

Darren himself, had undergone crash testing in the US and was very popular in both the Australian and the US markets. But as the industry became more mature and started to adopt more stringent safety requirements, we realised that the high deflections in the barrier were no longer appropriate for our current road situations, where construction zones are getting tighter,” says McMaster.

That’s when Hotchkin and the team came up with the idea of putting concrete blocks into the steel barriers to retrofit them and reduce the deflections. This led to the development of Ironman Hybrid barriers, which were successfully crash tested as per the Australian Standard AS3845 and launched to the market.

Last year, Saferoads re-launched the Ironman Hybrid barrier as per the 2009 American Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) standard, which was mandated in Australia from the beginning of this year. The new standard required approximately 12 per cent higher impact resistance, which was achieved with slight modifications to the barrier’s terminal connections and crash cushions.

Taking the learnings from the hybrid

The Saferoads R&D team has been working on new trailer designs for the company’s variable message signs.

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ROADS MAY 2022

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

technology, Saferoads then began working on another traffic barrier called the HV2.

This barrier uses the same concept of adding concrete ballast to hollow steel barriers but feature a different design from the Ironman Hybrid.

McMaster says using finite element analysis techniques by utilising the LS-DYNA software has helped Saferoads move its products from the prototype phase to product development more efficiently.

“We use finite element analysis substantially for all our crash tested products. It’s an amazing tool that we run in-house. When we did the HV2 barrier tests in Texas, it cost us around $300,000 to run the three tests, but thanks to the LS-DYNA work that we had done and the resulting design improvements, the barriers passed all requirements on the test day.”

The HV2 barrier was also recently approved by the Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Panel (ASBAP) and certified for traffic speeds up to 100 kilometres per hour.

TAKING ON FEEDBACK The Saferoads research and development team is constantly reviewing its products based on feedback it receives from customers, and more recently, from the state managers and product managers in its in-house rental division.

An example is the design changes the company is introducing for its VMS trailers. Having started by distributing VMS imported from overseas, Saferoads has eventually taken ownership of the design and manufacture of the trailers, as well as owning the CPU and the IP for the communication platform. These steps, McMaster says, reduce the company’s reliance on overseas support, giving better assurance of safety and reliability to Saferoads’ clients.

This year, the team has been working on modifications to the VMS trailer deign, making them more portable, cost-effective and less prone to vandalism and theft.

These design updates, McMaster says, are examples of how the company maintains its edge in the market.

“There’s no point developing a new product that’s already available in the market,” he says.

“You need to have an edge, and that comes from making products that are cheaper to manufacture, cheaper to deploy and have better performance.”

Having started out in the industry with tyre recycling, Saferoads has also come full

Saferoads’ Ironman was the first Australian hybrid barrier to combine heavy-duty steel components with concrete ballast.

circle as it is currently collaborating with the Melbourne University and Tyre Stewardship Australia on a project involving use of crumbed rubber from used tyres in T-LOK concrete barriers. The prototype barriers, which will be soon tested at Saferoads’ dedicated crash testing facility in Victoria, are expected to extend the longevity of T-LOK barriers and improve energy absorption, as McMaster explains.

“The rubber from the tyres can absorb a lot of the impact when the concrete barriers are transported from site to site, reducing the risk of breakage and cracking.

If we can extend the average service life of T-LOK barriers from approximately three to five years to, say, five to ten years, that’s a considerable saving for the industry,” he says.

PASSION FOR IMPROVEMENT Looking back at the company’s 30-year journey, Hotchkin believes a shared passion for innovation and constant improvement is what helped the company not just stay afloat through its turbulent times, but to thrive and grow to where it stands today.

“Passion for the industry, passion for the company and the desire to continually improve and innovate is something that’s in our DNA as a company,” he says. “Being a relatively small team that’s involved in research and development means we can test out new ideas, take feedback from our sales and rental teams and design products that solve the industry’s issues for road safety.”

Trent Loveless, Saferoads’ Chief

Operating Officer, agrees. “We work in an industry that continues to challenge companies like us to innovate and find ways to improve the performance of our products,” says Loveless.

“SafeRoads, by its roots, has evolved through constant innovations, bringing in new products, new concepts and finding solutions to fill the gaps in the market. Our work is not done, and our list of innovations and potential R&D continues to grow.”

Hotchkin sees it as a positive sign that the industry is becoming more mature and more stringent with safety regulations.

“I think as a company, we’ve moved with the tightening of the regulations, and we see it as a positive thing, because it removes a lot of companies that don’t want to comply with the more stringent regulations of products,” he says.

And what does the journey ahead look like for Saferoads?

“We want to continue on a similar path of bringing a couple of new innovative products to the market every year, while having a solid foundation for the business so that we can attract the right sort of people. There’s a saying, ‘your people are your best and worst assets,’ so if we can attract innovative, openminded, hardworking and passionate people to the business, we can achieve much better results,” says Hotchkin.

“The goal is to have innovative products that make the roads safer. I believe having a solid, stable business and the right culture that’s collaborative and open will help us get there.” roadsonline.com.au

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ROAD SAFETY

THE EVOLUTION OF

SAFETY SYSTEMS

WITH ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES NOW MANDATING MASH GUIDELINES FOR COMPLIANCE OF PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIERS, ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE LOOKS AT HOW THE INDUSTRY HAS ADAPTED TO THE CHANGES. Ingal Civil’s re-designed MashFlex system is 30 to 40 per cent quicker to install than its predecessor.

O

ver the past few years, the eligibility criteria for product submissions to the Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Panel (ASBAP) have been evolving.

In April 2018, ASBAP announced all new submissions were required to meet AASHTO’s Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) guidelines, or an equivalent, in line with the Australian and New Zealand Standards 3845 Parts 1 and 2.

What followed was a gradual transition of the accepted road safety barrier systems and devices within the Australasian market.

The transition began with steel rail barriers and permanent concrete barriers on 31 December 2018, then terminals on 30 June 2019 and wire rope safety barriers and crash cushions on 31 December 2019.

The final set of products to make the change were barrier transitions, temporary barriers and Part 2 products.

As of January this year, road authorities across all states and territories had mandated the MASH compliance criteria for road safety barrier systems and devices.

Australian company Ingal Civil Products is one manufacturer that has been at the forefront of this transition with the evolution of its temporary and permanent road safety barrier products.

The company’s Ezy-Guard Smart System was the first MASH compliant system to be approved in Australia. This was soon followed with the release of other MASHcompliant permanent barrier systems, such as the Ezy-Guard 4 Guardrail Crash Barrier, the ET-SS MASH Guardrail End Terminal,

QuadGuard M10 MASH Crash Cushions and Ingal’s motorcyclist protection equipment, all of which are now compliant with the MASH crash testing protocol.

Luke Gallagher, Product Manager at Ingal Civil Products, says the company has since expanded this transition to its temporary safety barrier systems with the introduction of the next generation of work zone crash cushions, the MASH TL3 ArmorBuffa.

Having successfully rolled out hundreds of kilometres of Flexfence wire rope safety barrier systems to the market for the past 25 years, Ingal Civil upgraded this product a few years ago and replaced it with a MASH complaint version called MashFlex.

The efforts to continually improve the product lines can be seen with the recent upgrade to MASH TL4. roadsonline.com.au

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ROAD SAFETY

Ingal Civil’s MashFlex wire rope safety barrier system has been tested and approved to meet MASH TL4.

THE DESIGN EVOLUTION MashFlex, as Gallagher explains, was developed to meet the new industry requirements, while also introducing design improvements that benefit installers and contractors. For this, feedback from Ingal Civil clients played a key part, he says.

“As our engineers looked at replacing the Flexfence wire rope with a MASH compliant product, they also aimed at simplifying the design to reduce installation and repair time,” he says.

“Ease of installation was a key attribute we wanted to achieve with MashFlex. Since the introduction of Flexfence nearly 25 years ago, some changes had been applied along the way to improve its performance. But as a result, the system now had too many components, which could hinder quick installation and repair.”

The result of this re-design philosophy is a wire rope system that can be installed in a much shorter time. Gallagher says installation in the field can be up to 30 to 40 per cent quicker with MashFlex.

“In this new design, we have consolidated seven or eight components into just three components. This has led to a product that exceeds the performance of the old one, but also improves installation efficiency.”

With hundreds of kilometres of Flexfence wire ropes already installed throughout the road network, Gallagher says minimising replacement costs was another decisive factor in the design.

“With MashFlex, we wanted to offer the opportunity for the road networks to upgrade their existing installed base

of barriers to MASH, without having to completely demolish the existing infrastructure,” says Gallagher. “As such, the Mashflex system has been designed so that you can replace only a few components in your existing wire rope system – mainly the post and cap – and reuse the existing cables and concrete footings. This means network operators can now have a fully compliant barrier system for a fraction of the cost of installing an entirely new one.”

EXCEEDING REQUIREMENTS MashFlex was initially designed to meet the MASH TL3 requirement, so it was crash tested with a 2270-kilogram pick-up truck travelling at 100 kilometres per hour and impacting the barrier at an angle of 25 degrees.

Following a successful approval from ASBAP and roll out to market, this year Ingal Civil also crash tested MashFlex to MASH TL4, which involves running a 10-tonne truck into the barrier at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour, and at a 15-degree angle.

“When we introduced the MashFlex wire rope safety barrier a couple of years ago, it was compliant with MASH TL3,” says Gallagher. “We were confident that the barrier system could also meet the TL4 requirements, so we conducted the test without any further design upgrades, and the barrier easily withstood the higher impact load with very good deflection results.

The MashFlex TL4 product has already been approved by ASBAP and is being specified as the barrier of choice on multiple projects.

AUSTRALIAN-MADE STEEL With full control over the manufacturing process at its Minto factory in New South Wales, Ingal Civil manufactures all of its barrier systems, from guardrails to wire rope barriers, using Australian-made steel sourced from BlueScope. For the plastic components, the company uses recycled plastic wherever possible, Gallagher says.

“From the beginning, it was very important for us to use recycled materials as much as possible. So not only are our steel products made with Australian steel, the plastic components are all recycled plastic. This is a key benefit for major projects where our clients need to account for the carbon footprint of their designs,” he says.

“Also, all of our steel products are galvanised to Australian standards to give them maximum durability in the field,” he adds.

The wire ropes were the last category of products Ingal Civil upgraded to MASH. With it, Gallagher says the company now holds one of the widest – if not the widest – range of MASH compliant safety barriers in the market.

So what’s next for the company? Gallagher says continuing to work with the industry to improve designs and to help upgrade the legacy barrier systems already in place are top priorities for the team.

“We are keen to assist the road network operators to upgrade their legacy systems.

Our designs offer the opportunity to do so with a minimal cost. Given how much faster the new MashFlex wire rope barrier systems can be installed, the motivation for upgrades is quite compelling.”

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ROADS REVIEW

FOR THE ROAD REVIEW SECTION THIS MONTH, WE ASKED THE INDUSTRY DECISION-MAKERS, ‘HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY BETTER SUPPORT WORKERS MENTALLY?’

PETER COLACINO, CHIEF OF POLICY AND RESEARCH, INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA Rates of depression, anxiety and stress within our sector exceed population norms by 40 per cent for depression, 38 per cent for anxiety and 37 per cent for stress. Physical complaints were observed to be 50 per cent higher than the normal population; and 75 per cent of respondents were suffering moderate to high levels of stress. Infrastructure Australia’s Delivering Outcomes identified the need to review the way the industry approaches People, [with a] focus on expanding ‘health and safety’ to a broader consideration of ‘health and wellbeing’. This can include reviewing and optimising work patterns to support the health, safety and wellbeing outcomes and tracking hours worked by employees to implement measures to mitigate potential to overwork.

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ROADS MAY 2022

SARAH BACHMANN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL PRECAST CONCRETE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA All good business practices emanate from the top and measure of an organisation’s mental health score is no exception. Healthy leaders are more likely to incite healthy workforces. With today’s commercial and civil construction climate setting unprecedented challenges, it is no wonder that mental health has become a focus. Unfair and fixed price contracts, subcontractors wearing disproportionate risk, non-payment, unrealistic deadlines, … the list goes on.

Mental health challenges must be tackled head on, from the top down, and inclusive of those at the top. Organisations like Mates in Construction provide valuable services. But importantly, every one of us has a role to play in fair play and treating one another with respect, which will have a positive impact on all of our mental health.

ROADS REVIEW

MARK PIORKOWSKI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR QLD/NT, AFPA A lot has changed since the pandemic, including recognition that employees require flexible, sustainable, and resilient workplaces that acknowledge and respond to mental health priorities. For an industry involved in traditionally blue-collar work this often requires a change in work practices and organisational culture. The start is to ensure organisations treat mental health as a corporate priority with executive and management accountability not just relegated to Human Resources – and this we have seen across our industry. This helps create a mental health friendly environment and reduces the stigma of reaching out for help. This isn’t a challenge, however, for industry alone; it requires collaboration and support from government to ensure resources, capacity and expertise are across the workforce and that mental health is built into every business.

ELISE MANNS, EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER – PEOPLE AND SAFETY, COATES Supporting good mental health and good leadership go hand-in-hand. Time spent on mental health benefits everyone – improving workplace productivity, employee engagement and absenteeism which in turn helps the business bottom line. It is important organisations actively play their part with positive initiatives like wellbeing programs, acknowledging difficult situations and encouraging connections between employees, training and education, flexible work arrangements, addressing poor behaviour and conducting regular employee surveys as accountability mechanisms, in addition to the traditional support via employee assistance programs. Helping leaders and employees to build resilience and create a supportive organisational culture amid the many pressures of modern life is more than just a nice to have now or a way to mitigate claims and issues; it is a key priority to contribute to organisational performance. Productive workplaces are where both performance and empathy comfortably co-exist.

LEIGH EAM, GENERAL MANAGER FOR APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR, BLACKWOODS In Australia, about 3000 people commit suicide a year. That’s about eight per day. There is no way to look at these statistics without a sense of alarm. Sadly, tradies, particularly those working in the construction industry, have one of the highest suicide rates in Australia. At Blackwoods we want to make a difference and add positive value where possible. That is why we partner with brands that contribute and assist with positive change in the mental health space with campaigns providing practical tips and information on how to spark a conversation with someone on your worksite or crew who might be doing it tough. Brands such as Workhorse supporting the Beyond Blue Foundation and Trademutt with their “This is a Conversation Starter” shirts are some examples.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2022, please get in touch with Editor, Tara Hamid: tara.hamid@primecreative.com.au roadsonline.com.au

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Australian built and designed with safety in mind, the Forward Moving Dual Control Aggregate Spreader has advanced safety features and versatility.

Capable of year-round use with flexibility to fit multiple attachments.

Winner of the Victorian 2020 AAPA Safety Initiative award, the Road Ant provides clear and uninterrupted vision of the work site and road edge, and minimises blind spots for the operator Quality Fabrication & Engineering 36 Selby Rd Woori Yallock Vic Contact 1800 979 708 Email sales@qualityfab.com.au

SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

HOW AI IS CHANGING THE GAME FOR

HEALTH & SAFETY BLINDSIGHT, AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE VISION TECHNOLOGY, IS CREATING A NEW STANDARD FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER HEAVY INDUSTRIES. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE REPORTS.

T

here are roughly 150 fatal accidents and 100,000 serious injuries in the Australian workplace each year.

Heavy industries, including construction, logistics and warehousing, agriculture and forestry, manufacturing, and mining, disproportionality contribute to these statistics, with about 65 per cent

of all fatalities. 1 Vehicle-related accidents are by far the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for about 65 per cent of all workplace fatalities.

The national-level costs of these fatalities and injuries are estimated at $61.8 billion and $17 billion for associated property damage, representing 4.1 per cent of GDP.2

Australian businesses spend more than $100 billion annually on prevention, insurance, and compensation.3 However, the real state of health and safety in the construction sector remains unknown. Current manual reporting relies on lag indicators of actual accidents rather than real-time or even lead indicators of

Blindsight is an AI vision safety system to stop accidents by alerting the operator and people around to high-risk scenarios.

roadsonline.com.au

35

near-misses and unsafe behaviours.

Near-misses and unsafe behaviours are far more common than accidents but are rarely captured by current manual, and generally paper-based, processes. This means that health and safety reporting is incomplete and there is no real understanding of true safety, the risk factors, how well interventions really work, and where attention should be focused.

From cameras to proximity measuring sensors, location-based safety systems, tags and thermal systems, there are currently several technical approaches available to improve worksite safety. But these technologies are all limited in their ability to automate accident prevention, and more importantly, to provide insight to help improve safety practices in construction sites.

The modern artificial intelligence (AI) system is helping resolve that. This system, which has only been possible in the past few years, thanks to increases in processing power, can quickly and accurately detect any object that the system has been trained on, without relying on any tags or markers, certain poses, or server connection.

WHAT IS BLINDSIGHT? Blindsight is a simple, pre-trained AI safety system for mobile plant and fixed infrastructure. It stops accidents by alerting vehicle operators to people and other specified objects in their blind spots. It also automates health and safety reporting and even includes videos for further analysis of near miss accidents.

The technology was developed by Presien, a start-up company spun off of multinational construction and engineering company Laing O’Rourke. The system is now available to customers across Australia through a supply partnership between Presien and Position Partners.

Kieran MacKenzie, one of the CoFounders of Blindsight, explains why the current human and technical approaches are not adequate when it comes to accident prevention.

“The hierarchy of controls has been very successful over decades to bring accident rates down. It looks to eliminate or substitute the task, then works through engineering and administrative controls, and finally PPE as a last resort to improve workplace safety. The problem with that is that what people do in the real-world is very different,” he tells Roads & Infrastructure.

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ROADS MAY 2022

The compact in-cab alert system features bright LED light alerts, audio beeps and vibration when an object or person is detected.

“A common approach to improving safety is passive devices, such as reversing cameras.

But as more and more screens get put into cabs, with more and more beeping noises, you can’t look out the front and look at the screens at the same time. So, what often ends up happening is the machinery operators run into something and then look at the screen, and not the other way round.”

The most common proactive technology approaches are proximity measuring devices and tag-based systems. But even with these technologies, there are limitations, MacKenzie observes.

“Most proximity devices can tell you that something is there, but not necessarily what the object is. And that becomes problematic in cluttered and congested environments, like a rail corridor for example. Also, they often detect the ground when you are going on the slopes,” he says.

“Tag systems, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) or magnetic based tags are ideal for controlled environments like warehouses. But on a construction site, they mean that unless you have a tag, you are invisible. The victims in roughly 25 per cent of construction accidents are the general public, who would never have a tag. Another 25 per cent are people who work in construction companies but are not commonly onsite.”

So, how does Blindsight’s AI system overcome those limitations?

Blindsight is an AI vision safety system to help stop accidents by alerting the operator and people around to high-risk scenarios, such as a person or vehicle in a blind spot. It

does this without requiring any special tags, markers, high-vis clothing, or movement.

But the “game-changing” feature, according to MacKenzie, is the ability to automate health and safety reporting, including video before, during, and after the detection.

“Health and safety have previously relied on accident data, which is a lag indicator.

Fortunately, accidents are relatively infrequent, but this means that there is limited data to understand what’s really happening,” he says.

“Blindsight automates reporting, including the video, so that health and safety becomes near real-time. Users can see near-misses and unsafe behaviours as they happen. This allows users to baseline the real risk profile, understand when, where, how, and why these are happening, implement interventions and critically measure change.”

Blindsight can be installed on mobile plant, fixed infrastructure, or split across both. This allows a range of different configurations to be created, depending on the requirements.

Being an edge device, Blindsight also requires no 4G or Wi-Fi to operate. This is critical, MacKenzie says, as heavy industries rarely have guaranteed connectivity due to their remote nature.

Ease of use is another key feature with Blindsight, MacKenzie points out.

“The AI is pre-trained to detect people, vehicles, and cones. There is no complex AI knowledge required by users. Blindsight allows users to easily customise their alerts, so they are optimised for their operations,” he explains. “Blindsight has over-the-air updates (when 4G is available)

SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

and is constantly improving and providing new features. In addition to health and safety reporting, Blindsight also provides commercial reporting, like machine operating hours and location data.”

POSITION PARTNERS’ ROLE As Presien looked for a partner with national expertise to support Blindsight’s sales, installation and support, they found the perfect match in Position Partners, MacKenzie says.

“Position Partners was a perfect fit. They have operations in every state and territory and already service the construction and mining segments with lasers, machine control, survey, etc. These are our target customers, so it made sense to partner,” he comments.

Josh Allan, Business Manager Construction at Position Partners, says safety within the construction industry is a key area of focus for Position Partners. This has already been demonstrated through the company’s distribution and support of systems such as Topcon machine control and its development of Tokara, a remote access service. With the ability to login and send files to machine and rover devices without visiting them in person, Tokara drastically reduces the interaction between people and plant to increase site safety.

“We see the Blindsight system as an important product for the industry and a

great value add to the other systems Position Partners provides, including slew and height limiting systems on excavators,” he says.

Allan is also excited about the opportunities the company’s partnership with Presien offers for improving the safety culture within the industry.

“We have a very close working relationship with the Presien team. We work together to educate the civil, quarry and mining markets on the benefits of being able to report on and influence safe behaviours on site with fact-based data enabling behavioural change and real-time reporting to multiple stakeholders,” he says.

“Position Partners’ role in this partnership includes [providing] education to the market, sales, installation, training, support and customer reporting. We are constantly increasing our capability with our sales, field and support teams’ knowledge, to bring the benefits of the Blindsight systems to our customers.”

THE INDUSTRY’S RESPONSE Allan says major construction companies have already successfully implemented Blindsight in their infrastructure projects, with positive feedback.

“We have had great success with the likes of BMD, Holcim, Fulton Hogan, Laing O’Rourke and V/Line. The systems are being implemented over a variety of different jobsites and applications, including rail

construction and maintenance, major road construction projects and quarries,” he says.

“The feedback has been very positive.

The system’s standalone ability, ease of installation and user-friendly configuration for operators have been noted by a number of our customers. The desktop management tool’s ability to look over and analyse the whole site or down to an individual machine or location on site has really hit a high note with the safety teams within these businesses,” he adds.

While Presien is currently focused on the construction, rail and mining sectors in Australia, MacKenzie says expansion to other markets is on the cards.

“We will be expanding into New Zealand with Position Partners shortly, and then Europe and North America,” he says. “Safety is a horizontal market, in that the risk of people and vehicle accidents occurs in almost every industry. Blindsight is creating a new standard in health and safety, but one that remains simple for users. This is just the start of what can be done with the technology.”

Sources: 1 Safe Work Australia, Work-related traumatic injury fatalities Australia 2019, released 20 November 2020.

2 Safework Australia, Cost of injury and illness statistics, May 2017.

3 Safework Australia, The cost of work-related injury and illness for Australian employers, workers, and the community, November 2015.

Blindsight’s automated reporting ensures that any encroachments are fully documented. roadsonline.com.au

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SETTING A STANDARD FOR

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCECO IS IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES TO MINIMISE RISKS AT EACH OF ITS SITES NATIONALLY. MAZEN ELFEKY, THE COMPANY’S NATIONAL MANAGER FOR HEALTH, SAFETY ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY, IS LEADING THE CHARGE.

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reventing health risks for waste recycling business such as ResourceCo is no easy task.

With employees frequently exposed to hazards such as moving vehicles, working at heights, dust and noise, ResourceCo has taken steps to ensure its workers remain injury free.

As Mazen Elfeky, the company’s National Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager says, the goal is to create a safe

Site investigations of operations and facilities are a part of health and safety checks at ResourceCo. 38

ROADS MAY 2022

working environment for all staff.

“We have a proactive approach to hazard management,” he says. “That is our philosophy and as a result, we are on a steady decline when it comes to the frequency of injuries at our sites.”

This approach has proven to be effective, with the number of Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) at ResourceCo decreasing by 90 per cent since 2004.

ResourceCo has multiple sites in Australia

across recycling and waste management, tyre recycling, material solutions and energy. As a result, Elfeky says it is important to have a robust health and safety policy which could be applied across all areas of the ResourceCo business pillars.

Sanj de Silva, Director – Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at ResourceCo, says “We keep a keen eye on everything that’s happening at each of our sites. We want to make sure that our staff understand

HEALTH & SAFETY

ResouceCo ensures that staff are aware of safety strategies when working close to moving machinery.

“WE HAVE A SCORE CARD, WHERE WE RECORD EVERY MONTH HOW MANY SITE VISITS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THIS ENSURES THAT EVERYONE IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY.”

that it’s our priority to have safe working conditions at all times.”

This includes the company’s new purpose-build manufacturing plant in Erskine Park, New South Wales, which became Australia’s largest tyre recycling facility when it became operational in December last year.

IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES Although it is a national company, Elfeky says that the health and safety strategies ResourceCo has put in place can also be applied to start-up and small-scale businesses.

Communication is an aspect which he says is a simple, but effective tool.

“It is important for the whole [ResourceCo] group that we share the lessons we learn from each site. If something is working well, then it can be adopted to other sites as well,” he says.

“We have regular meetings with the management team, where strategies are often discussed.”

One such strategy which has been implemented is ‘take five’.

‘Take five’ is a small booklet, which encourages operators to evaluate the

task at hand, to make sure they can complete it safely.

“Before carrying out any task, our staff need to take five minutes to make sure that appropriate control measures are put in place,” Elfeky says.

“If somebody is not satisfied with these measures before completing the task, if they identify a risk, or if they are not aware of the control measures, they have to stop and consult a supervisor.”

SAFETY INDUCTIONS The importance of health and safety is introduced early on for all employees, with operators participating in onboarding training courses for specific machinery which may be in high-risk environments.

Site Supervisors will take employees through the safety measures of machinery, as well as conduct tours of the facility to familiarise the operators with their surroundings.

“Our induction is very comprehensive. We also do refresher trainings. Some inductions require employees to complete this training annually,” Elfeky says.

“We use a program which sends out reminders to operators who are yet to

complete the refresher course. For example, if they complete a course in January 2021, they will get a reminder in January 2022.”

SHARED PLANNING Annual audits of operations and facilities are a part of health and safety checks at ResourceCo. The company is now certified across the 45001:2018, ISO 14001 systems and ISO 9001 (occupational health and safety and quality standards).

Elfeky says planning plays a big part in this process.

“For the whole group, we recently implemented a ‘step change plan’, wherein we planned for a year and identified what the main risk exposure areas are in our worksites,” he says.

“We have a score card, where we record every month how many site visits have been completed. This ensures that everyone is being held accountable for health, safety and quality.”

Objectives also form part of the ‘step change plan’. This year, Elfeky is aiming to increase the quality of the hazard reports which are received from each site.

While safety has always been at the core of ResourceCo’s operations, de Silva says the work being completed by Elfeky and his team will shape the foundation of the business going forward.

“We are embedding a culture around safety and health. So, we are not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk,” she says. roadsonline.com.au

39

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COMPANY PROFILE

ROKON:

Rokon Managing Director Jim Thomas (left) and Executive Director Steve Traicevski (right).

THE BUILDING OF A BRAND IN JUST 23 YEARS, ROKON HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST CIVIL CONTRACTORS IN MELBOURNE, WITH AN EXTENSIVE FLEET AND A TEAM OF OVER 200 PEOPLE. DIRECTORS JIM THOMAS AND STEVE TRAICEVSKI TALK TO ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE ABOUT THE STRATEGIES BEHIND THE COMPANY’S GROWTH.

W

hat does it take to build a reputed brand in civil construction and to back it up with repeat success? For Jim Thomas, who started his career as a 17-year-old surveyor and is now the Owner and Managing Director of one of Melbourne’s largest civil construction companies, it starts and ends with ‘people.’

“I’ve always been good at understanding people, managing people and getting the best out of them,” he tells Roads & Infrastructure.

Today, Thomas says he’s proud to see that the business he helped build is supporting so many families. “Many of our team members who started out as labourers have become successful supervisors and project managers.

Seeing their growth is the best feeling.”

After joining the civil construction industry as a surveyor at a young age, Thomas says he knew he wanted to build his own company

one day. But first, he needed the experience.

“From that point on, I shifted roles across a gamut of experiences, from foreman to construction manager. But I was never worried about how much money I earned.

What I cared about most was to learn, to understand what a civil construction business needed.”

Thomas and his business partner, Ali Sekman, founded Rokon in 1999.

“We developed the business from scratch.

Rokon started out by doing small amounts of civil works and has grown to become the juggernaut that it is today,” says Thomas.

This “juggernaut” now comprises a team of approximately 230 direct employees, in addition to working with multiple subcontractors. The company is involved in residential and industrial subdivisional, civil and infrastructure works across the Melbourne metropolitan area. The business also owns a varied fleet of over 100 heavy-

duty construction plant and machinery.

Thomas says the company’s success owes in large part to its culture. “We believe in finding rock stars for every part of the business, and to keep our employees happy with dynamic and challenging work as well as employee benefits. With million-dollar projects at stake, we need the best people, and we ensure we look after them to retain them in the business,” he adds.

In 2014, Steve Traicevski, a senior civil engineer with many years of experience as a Group General Manager, joined Rokon as General Manager. While Sekman left the partnership in 2017, Thomas and Traicevski – now the company’s Executive Director – have continued to grow the business, tripling it in size over eight years.

Thomas says Traicevski’s reputation and relationships in the industry have been key drivers for growth, as have the organisational reforms and the structuring initiatives he has roadsonline.com.au

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helped introduce in the business.

“Steve has a lot of respect in the industry and good relationships with all our consultants, developers, suppliers and subcontractors. He is a chartered professional engineer – Fellow Member of Engineers Australia, and Ex-President and current board member of the Civil Contractors Federation Victoria. The two of us have worked very well together in building Rokon’s reputation within Melbourne,” says Thomas.

Rokon works with many of Victoria’s developers, both private and government entities, across both greenfield and brownfield projects. The company specialises in residential and industrial subdivisional works, earthworks, and wetland projects, working with land developers such as Lendlease, Stockland, Avid, Frasers Property, Dexus and Risland.

In a typical year, Thomas says Rokon can deliver more than 3,000 service-ready residential lots, in addition to its industrial and commercial projects.

Some of the projects Rokon has been involved with include the Burwood Brickworks retail and commercial precinct in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Burwood; the Windermere Estate residential projects in Mambourin, west of Melbourne; Aurora Estate in Melbourne’s north; and Melbourne

Business Park Wetland – a 260-hectare industrial estate in Truganina, 25 kilometres away from the Melbourne CBD. The latter is part of Stockland’s Mt Atkinson community development project where Rokon is also working on the Grandview Estate.

STAYING THE COURSE According to Traicevski, what has helped Rokon achieve its growth is investing time and money on developing the right business structure and engaging and employing the best people.

“We’ve appointed the best people to run each section of the business, from construction to finance, human resources and safety, IT, plant, and tendering. We have invested heavily on software to provide our teams remote real-time access to our IT infrastructure and be able to upload documents and send their project reports from any site they work on, provided there is access to internet,” he says. “Jim and I spend time to work out the priorities for the financial year and we then deliver on those planned pathways. This ensures the business does not deviate from its core objectives and stays on the path we have charted,” he adds.

In line with its investments in technology, Thomas says Rokon was also one of the first civil contractors to adopt the use of

Global Positioning System (GPS) on its plant and machinery.

“When the Topcon GPS technology first came to market years ago, we embraced it and implemented it for our fleet. Using this system, our operators have been able to deliver their work more accurately, with minimal wastages,” he says. “It ticks the boxes both from a safety and a productivity perspective.”

Traicevski says Rokon has also invested heavily in rock crushing equipment to minimise transport of dirt from projects to processing facilities.

“From an environmental perspective, transporting extracted rocks from our projects to a processing facility across the city would unnecessarily impact the environment. Instead, we have invested heavily to acquire rock crushing equipment, which allows us to process the raw material, store it on the project site and dispose of it in the same project,” explains Traicevski.

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST Thomas says safety is a big consideration for Rokon. As such, the company has implemented a number of safety initiatives which encompass both direct employees and the subcontractors working across its projects.

Rokon’s current team comprises approximately 230 direct employees.

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COMPANY PROFILE

“Given the scale of our business, we invest heavily to ensure that all our workers, including subcontractors, are safe on site,” he says. “Our business has been independently certified for safety for over a decade. Last year, we also received workplace health and safety accreditation from the Office of Federal Safety Commission (OFSC). This accreditation allows Rokon to work on any Federal Government projects if we ever decide to make a passage to bigger infrastructure works. This is in line with one of our key values, which states: We believe in safety first.”

Another initiative Rokon has undertaken to protect its people, Thomas says, is offering income protection and total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance to all its employees.

“All Rokon employees are automatically entitled to income protection if they have worked with us for 12 months, and for TPD insurance after three months,” he explains. “This reinforces our value of ‘Many teams and one family’. We believe these benefits provide our employees and their families peace of mind.”

Such initiatives, according to Traicevski, have helped the company maintain and grow its team.

“As a business, our people are our most valued asset. We invest a significantly on training, professional development, and career pathways for our people. Ensuring we are a business that people enjoy working

‘Many teams and one family’ is a company value at Rokon.

with and know they can grow with is important to us,” he says. “This also reinforces our value of ‘Always looking to the future,’ as our people are our future.”

The result, as Thomas observes, shows in the company’s organic growth.

“The term ‘organic growth’ is important.

We have not injected anything into the business that wasn’t earned within the business itself. Since day one, we have taken everything we’ve earned and invested it back into building our machinery fleet, building our team, and acquiring technology that helped with our productivity. You cannot deliver 3,000 lots per year without having

best practices in place,” he says. “Investing in our fleet and ensuring we have the expertise to deliver for all our clients is paramount to our success.”

And what lies ahead for the company as it enters its second quarter of a century?

“We are focused on building and maintaining good relationships with all our stakeholders, understanding, and meeting our clients’ needs and exceeding their expectations, continuing to develop a strong Rokon culture through our people and adapting to the everchanging business challenges. These are the factors that we differentiate ourselves with,” says Thomas.

Rokon is involved in major residential and industrial subdivisional, civil and infrastructure works across Melbourne’s metropolitan area.

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KOMATSU’S VISION FOR

SMART CONSTRUCTION ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE CATCHES UP WITH KOMATSU AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL PRODUCT AND SOLUTION MANAGER AARON MARSH TO DISCUSS HOW KOMATSU’S SMART CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS ARE ADDRESSING THE CIVIL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S PAIN POINTS.

W

hen Komatsu launched its new Wacol Distribution Centre in Queensland in March 2022, there was more to the project than being the largest building ever constructed by Komatsu in Australia.

While the 17,500 square metre site is impressive in scale and what it signifies for Komatsu’s customers in aftermarket support, helping the construction process run smoothly were a suite of Komatsu Smart Construction tools giving insight to project managers, engineers, surveyor teams and operators.

Smart Construction encompasses a range of smart solutions developed by Komatsu to help contractors and machine operators analyse data throughout each phase of a project, from tracking production and material movement to billing and payload reporting.

The tools in Komatsu’s Smart Construction suite are designed to connect humans, machines and materials on site with hardware and software. They cover everything from intelligent machines and semi-autonomous excavators and dozers to drone data, fleet management solutions and a range of aftermarket solutions.

While the complete package of intelligent tools is not yet available in Australia, according to Komatsu National Product and Solution Manager Aaron Marsh, the civil construction and quarry industries have already embraced the ones that are.

“The current Smart Construction portfolio includes around 15 solutions, some of which are specifically targeted at the civil construction industry,” Marsh tells Roads & Infrastructure.

“Our customers are each using elements of our Smart Construction suite on their various projects, from mass earthmoving to tailing dams and other civil construction projects.

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ROADS MAY 2022

The Smart Construction automating tools are available on Komatsu’s intelligent dozers, including the newly released D61EXi/PXi-24.

The tools adopted on each project depend on the pain points for each customer.”

ABOUT SMART CONSTRUCTION One of Komatsu’s first Smart Construction solutions launched in Australia was an intelligent machine control system known as iMC. The automating tools are available on Komatsu’s latest model “intelligent” dozers and excavators, including the newly released D61EXi/PXi-24, D65EXi/PXi-18, D71EXi/PXi-24, D85EXi/PXi-18 and D155AXi-8 dozers and the PC210LCi-11, PC290LCi-11 and PC360LCi-11 excavators.

The iMC 2.0-enabled intelligent excavators help operators automate a range of functions, from auto stop control to grading, tilting and bucket movements. The intelligent dozers feature proactive dozing control, lift layer control, tilt steering control and quick surface creation – all facilitated by intelligent data for added efficiency.

Komatsu’s Smart Construction Drone and Edge solutions were also launched in Australia in 2022. Together, the tools help conduct drone surveys up to 50 per cent faster than ground walking surveys, where Drone mapping helps with planning and Edge processing provides faster data availability.

The Smart Construction Retrofit Kit (RFK)

provides information and communication capabilities to existing hydraulic excavators.

It’s a Three-Dimensional Machine Guidance (3DMG) and Payload solution for excavators ranging from 13 tonnes through to 36 tonnes.

Data from iMC, RFK, Drone and Edge directly connect to the Smart Construction ECO System and are visualised through the Smart Construction Dashboard.

The Smart Construction Dashboard is where all construction information from the jobsite is integrated and can be visualised by either surveyors, engineers, supervisors or executives on or off site. The Dashboard also combines 3D design data with aerial mapping and intelligent machine data to confirm quantities and material moved on site.

Currently, some of the functionalities within the Smart Construction suite are ‘agnostic’, meaning they are not limited to Komatsu machinery. The philosophy behind this, Marsh says, is to allow everyone to benefit from the tools, without having to invest heavily on modernising their fleet.

“The idea is to make more and more of the Komatsu aftermarket machine tools agnostic so they can be retrofitted to existing machinery and supported through Komatsu’s experts,” he explains.

“The Smart Construction Drone and Edge

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

tools are among solutions that are currently agnostic. Similarly, the Smart Construction Fleet, which is used for tracking movement of material and fleet, can provide a pathway for customers, irrespective of the brand of their mobile earthmoving fleet, to view their payload information both on and off project,” he adds.

Soon, Marsh says, the Smart Construction RFK will also be applicable to machinery other than Komatsu.

“Having a machine equipped with Smart Construction RFK Payload and reporting to the Smart Construction Fleet enables customers to see the history of payloads, which helps them comply with the chain of responsibility by making sure that all trucks leaving the site are correctly loaded,” he explains.

The Smart Construction Remote application allows contractors to tap into their machines remotely to upload design files, remote control or remote view their 3D project data. It also helps operators and surveying teams troubleshoot issues without having to travel to the jobsite.

The Smart Construction suite is not limited to the applications listed above. Komatsu has other applications and products that Marsh says will gradually be introduced in Australia.

At the 2022 IQA National Conference in Newcastle, Komatsu provided industry an early look at Komatsu iSite – a fleet management tool suitable for both quarry and civil construction.

Tools such as Smart Construction Fleet, Smart Construction Rover, Smart

The Smart Construction Retrofit Kit provides information and communication capabilities to existing hydraulic excavators.

Data from high-precision drones directly connect to the Smart Construction ECO System and are visualised through the Dashboard.

Construction Simulation, Smart Construction Field and Smart Construction Office are also in the pipeline.

ADDRESSING PAIN POINTS According to Marsh, the solution package aims to address the existing “pain points” in the industry, without placing a heavy burden on contractors to renew their entire fleet.

Safety is one of these pain points addressed

by Smart Construction.

“Every day, Drone and Edge eliminate the need for surveyors to be on site in hazardous environments. The Edge processing allows for a significant improvement in survey data processing from the drones to give the users data that they can make immediate decisions,” he says.

“On some sites, we have seen up to 90 per cent improvement against other survey processing packages available in the market.”

Productivity is another typical pain point in the sector. Here, Marsh says, the Smart Construction tools come to play in different ways.

“By reducing redo works and having effective utilisation, productivity is increased. Also, factory integration of tools such as iMC help reduce downtime and maintenance time.

“The important thing, however, is not to view these solutions as siloed technologies.

Together with the customer, the Komatsu support team can deep dive into specific pinch points on their projects and help resolve them by integrating the right Smart Construction tools.”

LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD As Marsh observes, smart construction technologies create opportunities for smaller contractors to play along with

larger companies in the market.

“Our solutions help level the playing field by allowing all contractors to access to the benefits of technology and giving the adaptors a competitive advantage,” he says.

“We understand that smaller contractors don’t have the access to technologies included in the Smart Construction suite, nor do they have the IT infrastructure or the resources to support them. This is where we go on the journey with them and act as their partners.”

Another aspect of levelling the playing field, Marsh explains, is bridging the gap between subject matter experts in all positions within civil projects and novice operators.

“All Smart Construction applications reduce the need for resources tied to the office chair and multiple spreadsheets to manage a project. These solutions also address the skilled labour shortage by presenting to users the information that they need, without them having to be subject matter experts.”

Marsh says Komatsu’s Smart Construction team can provide technical support and training throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“Komatsu also has the ability to provide Technology Consultants embedded in the projects, or with customers’ day-today operations, to help onboard new technologies or provide services to these contractors and projects,” he says.

“More recently, we have opened a dedicated Smart Construction support centre at our new distribution facility in Queensland, which will service all customers in Australia and New Zealand, including our own regional teams.

Customers will never be alone when they need support.” roadsonline.com.au

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INTUITIVE MACHINERY MAINTENANCE

WITH HASTINGS DEERING HASTINGS DEERING’S HDADVANTAGE IS HELPING CUSTOMERS ANALYSE THE PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH OF THEIR CAT MACHINERY. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE LEARNS MORE FROM CORBET’S GROUP’S EXPERIENCE.

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f one were to view Hastings Deering’s values, words such as ‘care, communication and commitment’ are emphasised again, and again.

As part of its commitment to support customers, long after a sale has been made, the Caterpillar machinery supplier now has 14 workshops across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

For the Hastings Deering service team, technology plays a role in delivering their support to customers, through the HDAdvantage service and maintenance program.

HDAdvantage is a management tool, enabling customers to monitor data, which gives an insight into the overall

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health and productivity of their Cat construction machinery.

As Ross Meyer, Hastings Deering’s Manager of Business Solutions explains, the HDAdvantage tool offers the “next step” in machine maintenance.

“HDAdvantage is a complimentary service program which combines Hastings Deering’s service capabilities with the Cat technology,” he says.

HDAdvantage provides access to machine data, such as working hours, daily fuel burn, service history and machine location. It can be accessed via both the Cat platforms –the Cat App and My.Cat. Com – and the Hastings Deering online portal, allowing operators to receive

notifications for service reminders and critical machine faults.

In addition, customers will receive crucial alerts and preventive maintenance notifications recommending what needs to be done and, most importantly, putting them in contact with the Hastings Deering Service Support team to provide immediate solutions. It’s designed to reduce chances of unplanned downtime and helps to maintain the heath of the construction machine for customers.

CORBET’S GROUP’S EXPERIENCE Lee Wodetzki, Operations Manager of Corbet’s Group, has benefitted from the HDAdvantage. He says the program has

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

Corbet’s Group is using HDAdvantage as part of its works on the Bruce Highway program.

HDAdvantage enables users to track daily fuel burn and view the service history and location of Cat machinery.

“HDADVANTAGE IS A COMPLIMENTARY SERVICE PROGRAM WHICH COMBINES HASTINGS DEERING’S SERVICE CAPABILITIES WITH THE CAT TECHNOLOGY.”

provided him a greater understanding of the machinery in their fleet.

“The system encompasses most of the aspects a business requires to manage equipment from an ownership perspective,” he says.

For over 40 years, the family-owned company has offered a range of services, including heavy plant and equipment hire from its base in Gympie, Queensland.

This includes hire options for dozers, excavators, grinders, front end loaders, graders and rollers.

The company owns a fleet of around 1000 units, 100 of which are Cat machines.

Wodetzki says the HDAdvantage is actively used on each Cat model.

“The biggest benefit for us is being able to remotely track Service Meter Unit (SMU) hours and plant utilisation. Our maintenance department appreciates the remote access to fault codes and warranty information,” he says.

“The HDAdvantage program has been easy to use by all departments in our business.”

Wodetzki and his team have been actively using HDAdvantage as part of their works on the Cooroy to Curra section of the Bruce Highway Upgrade program in Queensland.

This project involves a 62-kilometre realignment and upgrade of the Bruce Highway to four lanes between Cooroy and Curra and is among Queensland’s highest priority road projects.

“All of our Cat gears on the Cooroy to Curra project are tracked with HDAdvantage.

It’s really helped in reconciling hours against client generated reports,” Wodetzki says.

CUSTOMISING THE PLATFORM Being a user-friendly platform, Meyer says HDAdvantage offers flexibility for all users.

“We allow customers access to all machine and business information both in an App and online so operators can make the most of the program, by looking at performance trends and oil sampling results,” Meyer says.

“For those more traditional operators of machinery, they need not go online and instead are sent machine and service alerts via text or email. All they need to do is respond to these messages.”

Flexibility is also offered to cater for the

size of each individual business.

“Some customers with one or two machines may just want general data, like service needs and to be notified when a fault code is critical. Those with a bigger fleet can identify trends across their fleet, including productivity or payload trends,” Meyer says.

“Customers can also pay an additional subscription fee, granting them access to additional information. As part of the subscription, they will be supported by Hastings Deering’s Condition Monitoring experts, who can help to identify issues and trends specific to their fleet, such as safety or reliability. Oil analysis is also available as part of the subscription.”

HDAdvantage is installed as standard on all new Cat certified used and Cat certified rebuild construction machines. It can also be retrofitted to older Cat machines.

The standard service is provided for up to 36 months from the date of purchase of the Cat machine. Customers are contacted prior to the expiry date, allowing them to renew the program if they desire.

“Not only does it provide data on where the machine is and its performance, it helps to identify ways in which machinery issues can be resolved,” Meyer says.

Customers can contact Hastings Deering’s field service teams, which are available 24/7, to rectify the issues HDAdvantage has identified.

“The platform is there to help customers when needed. It’s very simple to use and understand,” Meyer concludes. roadsonline.com.au

47

DUAL SPREADING CONTROL

WITH ROAD ANT QUALITY FABRICATION AND ENGINEERING HAS INTRODUCED A DUAL CONTROL FORWARD MOVING AGGREGATE SPREADER FOR AUSTRALIAN ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

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pecialising in innovative solutions for plant and equipment for Australia’s road construction, Quality Fabrication and Engineering (Q-FE) has developed a reputation as a provider of robust and high-quality products.

The company’s motto, ‘Producing innovative machinery solutions through collaboration’ reflects its success in delivering specialised designs for trucks and machinery.

Such collaboration has also led to the development of the Road Ant, a dual control forward moving aggregate spreader that can be driven from either end.

As David Lockwood, Q-FE’s Head of Sales explains, the introduction of state legislation in Victoria necessitated the creation of Road Ant. “Five years ago, the Victorian Government proposed a mandate which required all vehicles that discharge aggregate to become

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forward moving. As such, the Victorian Government brought in a five-year plan to introduce forward moving aggregate spreaders, effective from 1 July 2022,” Lockwood says.

The amendment to VicRoads Standard 408 clause 408.11 meant the industry needed to find a suitable solution for spreading aggregates that could be designed, approved, and implemented within five years.

Luckily, Q-FE General Manager and cocreator of the Road Ant Glenn Hardiman had already thought of a possible solution. He says the idea was sparked during an inconspicuous discussion with the owner of a large spray seal company.

“In 2005, I was talking with the company owner, he was a relatively new player at the time, although had extensive prior experience working with and managing other spray seal crews. We were discussing machinery in general when he expressed his concerns

about the risks of reversing while operating on site. It was here that we talked about potential solutions.

“When the mandate was mentioned, Q-FE jumped at the opportunity to develop an Australian designed and manufactured product.”

ROAD ANT’S FEATURES The Road Ant can be driven independently from both the rear and front ends of the vehicle and has been fitted to a range of cab chassis to date, including Iveco, Isuzu and Daf. With the knowledge gained in varying fit outs, Q-FE are confident they can integrate controlling a wide range of truck makes.

Additionally, it is fitted with a Trout River asphalt-compatible body and Trout River automated 10-gate chip spreader, a proven product widely used by most companies nationally according to Hardiman.

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

The Road Ant provides a dual-control forwardmoving vehicle, which can suit a range of spreading and sealing applications.

The aggregate is conveyed from the moving floor body, passing under the cabin through a custom built Trout River conveyor attachment and into the chip spreader, allowing the use of one single belt for longevity and minimal maintenance.

In sprayed sealing applications where work needs to be done in reverse, the Road Ant can be operated from the rear cabin instead of the front cabin, allowing the operator to work in forward motion, with the ability to “spot up or dust off” from the conventional cabin when heading back over freshly sealed work.

“This is a very versatile machine. Unlike other purpose-built spreaders which can only be used for one application, the Road Ant can be used for spray sealing when required

The Road Ant has been fitted to Iveco, Isuzu and Daf cab chassis.

or conventionally for transporting material or to feed an asphalt paver,” Hardiman says.

“We can also fit different attachments to the Road Ant, by simply removing the chip spreader and installing a side conveyor or shouldering attachment, the unit can be used for many different purposes.”

KEEPING SAFE Hardiman says a significant focus during the development of the Road Ant was on making the machine safe and simple for operators.

The Road Ant in action in Gippsland, Victoria.

As a result, operating cameras and monitoring screens were fitted to the Road Ant and the truck cabin.

“We have tried to address many of the concerns raised by operators by collaborating with the industry,” he says. “There has been a lot of energy and time invested communicating with the industry to understand and develop a machine which is functional, a machine that does the job with a minimum of fuss.”

The Road Ant’s new control system allows the operator to quickly monitor the spreader’s speed rate, status and cover rate at a glance, which allows the operator to focus on worksite and obstacles without distractions of complicated controls.

As the July 2022 mandate deadline approaches and with numerous sales and repeat orders already under its belt, Q-FE is currently fielding enquiries from local and national road construction operators who want to fill out their aggregate spreader fleet needs in the coming years.

“It’s an exciting time for Q-FE and we are very proud to be adding a safe, practical and flexible aggregate spreader to the industry,” Hardiman says. roadsonline.com.au

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ATLAS COPCO’S

SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING

THE NEW ATLAS COPCO H6+ LIGHT TOWER IS SUITABLE TO USE IN TOUGH ENVIRONMENTS, THANKS TO ITS UNIQUE BODY MATERIAL. KEVIN ENNIS, ATLAS CEA’S GENERAL SALES MANAGER, EXPLAINS THE STANDOUT FEATURES.

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The Atlas Copco H6+ light tower has four 350W LED floodlights.

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tlas Copco’s desire to create a flexible range of lighting towers, which also address efficiency and safety, has resulted in the development of the HiLight range.

Made for construction, mining, events, and rental applications, the HiLight range also features lighting towers which provide high sustainability outcomes, all in compact designs.

As Kevin Ennis, Atlas CEA’s General Sales Manager explains, one of the larger towers in the HiLight range, the HiLight H6+ light tower, has been particularly well received in the market.

“The H6+ light tower is a model that is built to be tough at work, but not on the environment,” Ennis says.

The H6+ light tower features Atlas Copco’s HardHat body. Made of mediumdensity polyethylene rather than metal, the HardHat body can protect the internal systems of the machine from impacts and weather elements. The body is corrosion and crack resistant and has a high tolerance for both low and high temperatures.

“Designing the H6+ light tower with a HardHat body also means the machine’s performance and appearance last longer, which helps to retain a high resale value for customers and bring down their total cost of ownership,” Ennis explains.

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

The Atlas Copco H6+ light tower can illuminate an area up to 6000 square metres.

PEACEFUL AND QUIET Ennis says the reduced noise and durability of the machine are also two standout features.

“Customers love these machines for their significant noise reduction. With a noise level of 55 decibel (dBA) at seven metres, the H6+ is one of the quietest diesel light towers available on the market,” Ennis says.

In terms of maintenance, Ennis says the H6+ light tower requires 600-hour service intervals, and needs to be refuelled every 200 hours. “After 600 hours of operation, the tower only needs a standard service, which can be carried out in 40 minutes. Service times are also extended through the use of a heavy-duty filtration system, ensuring oil flows are directed as intended.”

The HiLight H6+ features four 350W LED floodlights, which can provide light coverage to illuminate an area of up to 6000 square metres.

“This is the widest light coverage in the entire Atlas HiLight range,” Ennis says. “The LED lights have a life expectancy of 50,000 hours and are supported by an eight-metre galvanised mast.”

Each LED light within the HiLight range has been designed specifically for construction and mining applications and includes a special optic.

All lighting towers within the HiLight range have aluminium casting on tower lamps, providing heavy-duty protection, even during transportation.

The LED lamps also have a high Colour Rendering Index score of around 85 out of 100. This index is used to measure the ability of a light source to reveal the colours of objects, compared to standard light.

SUSTAINABILITY OUTCOMES Low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions are other benefits with the H6+ light tower, according to Ennis.

“The H6+ light tower comes with a dimming function, allowing operators to adjust the radiance of the machine, depending on their lighting needs,” he says.

“This function can provide up to 40 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as extend the fuel economy by over 300 hours, when set at a minimal level. All functions can be controlled from the lighting tower’s exterior control panel, which is easy to access and use.”

When compared to metal halide light towers, each unit in the HiLight range can save 1500 litres of fuel and 4800 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year.

The sustainability benefits of the H6+

light tower join other machines within Atlas Copco’s range which use renewable energy sources.

Atlas Copco’s HiLight S2+ LED light tower, for example, uses solar radiation as an energy source and reduces CO2 emissions by up to six tonnes compared with traditional technologies.

Ennis says with all Atlas Copco light towers, there is also flexibility for customisation.

“We can put custom decals on the machines if required. As an optional extra customers can also get diffusers to reduce the brightness by 25 per cent. Diffusers are available in white or yellow,” Ennis says.

To move the H6+ light tower, operators have three choices. It has an integrated lifting point, four forklift spots or three different tow bars to select from. The tow bars are adjustable, allowing easy towing with vans, trucks and more.

For any maintenance requirements, Ennis says customers are supported by Atlas Copco’s network of branches in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Each branch has a service centre and parts warehouse.

“Atlas CEA can also tailor products to individual customers’ requirements, with custom manufacturing and fabrication available.” roadsonline.com.au

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AN INNOVATIVE PILOT FOR

WA EMPLOYERS

HOW WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S NEW APPROACH TO CIVIL CONSTRUCTION TRAINING HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO NEW SKILLED WORKERS AND MORE FUNDING FOR EMPLOYERS.

apprenticeships. The apprenticeship model will provide a longer period of training, a formal trade certificate on completion, and a more robust career pathway into the sector.

To help make this happen, new funding has been made available through the Construction Training Fund (CTF), one of the industry organisations coordinating the pilot program. CTF is providing $5.996 million to support employers hiring these new apprentices.

With funding support, industry enthusiasm and a large pool of WA talent, the outlook for CCPP is promising.

Desiring more skilled and job-ready workers, the industry sought a change in training and qualification of those entering the sector. As a result, training in specific civil construction qualifications changed in September last year.

Nine existing traineeship streams have transitioned to apprenticeships, resulting in WA’s first cohort of civil construction apprentices. Once they have completed their training, the apprentices will have attained a Certificate III in either plant operations, trenchless technology or civil construction and a trade certificate.

The longer period of training and handson learning provided with apprenticeships will boost the number of skilled workers in the sector.

However, this higher qualification also means that training has extended from two years for a traineeship, to three years for an apprenticeship.

What are the implications of this for current trainees, new apprentices and their employers? Rob Berryman, CTF’s Director of Skills Development, explains.

“The extra training year will improve and cement the skills of the new apprentices and ensure employers have experienced, jobready workers,” he says. “There are financial implications of this change. But CTF’s wage subsidies and grants will eliminate or reduce any wage impact to the apprentice and the employer.”

As well as providing financial support, CTF will also facilitate a mandatory induction session for new apprentices. CTF will contact all eligible employers and apprentices to arrange this.

IMPROVING THE CAPABILITY OF NEW CIVIL CONSTRUCTION WORKERS The CCPP is a four-year program developed to address the needs of WA’s civil construction industry.

WAGE GAP SUBSIDIES FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS The award rate for a junior apprentice is lower than the award rate for a trainee, potentially deterring current trainees from transitioning

The Civil Construction Pilot Program is a four-year program developed to address the needs of WA’s civil construction industry.

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estern Australia’s civil construction industry is on the rise. Over the next four years, $13 billion will be poured into major civil infrastructure projects across the state.

But to deliver on this huge pipeline of work, the industry needs to recruit and retain a skilled workforce.

So, what’s being done to make sure this happens? It’s called the Civil Construction Pilot Program (CCPP).

Endorsed by Western Australia’s Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery in September 2021, the CCPP aims to increase the number and capabilities of new workers entering WA’s civil construction industry.

Previously only civil construction traineeships were offered. Now with CCPP, the door has opened to new workers with the introduction of civil construction 52

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EMPLOYMENT

Rob Berryman, CTF’s Director of Skills Development.

to the new qualification.

But CTF’s wage gap funding will offset the difference. New apprentices, including those transitioning from a traineeship, will be paid at the higher (trainee) rate without the employer bearing the additional wage cost.

Two CTF wage gap subsidies will fund the difference between the junior apprentice award rate and the civil construction trainee award rate. These are the Junior Wage Gap Subsidy and the MATURE AGE WAGE GAP SUBSIDY “Up to $14,000 of wage-gap subsidies per apprentice are available to employers,” says Berryman. “Also, there is no restriction on the number of civil construction apprentices an employer can take on.”

There are eligibility criteria that need to be met, including: • For the Junior Wage Gap Subsidy, the apprentice must be under 21 years of age; • The individual must have commenced or transitioned to an eligible apprenticeship on or after 3 September 2021; • Have an employer paying at, or above, award rates; • For the Mature Age Wage Gap Subsidy, the apprentice must be over 21 years of age and be accepted onto MAWG pilot.

Trainees who commenced their training contract before 3 September 2021 can continue with their traineeship if they wish and do not have to transition to the apprenticeship.

new civil construction apprentices.

“It’s an exciting prospect for the sector, as it ensures a pipeline of qualified apprentices ready to deliver on road, rail and other major civil infrastructure projects across our state,” explains Berryman.

“We want employers and apprentices involved in the pilot program to reap the benefits of the training. That’s why CTF has increased the amount of grant funding to CCPP employers.”

The existing base grant offered to employers who hire an apprentice has been increased for those involved in the pilot program.

This Employer Support Grant has been upped to $10,000 (from $8,000) and aims to subsidise employer costs incurred during the term of the training contract. This funding is in addition to the wage subsidies.

While focusing on new workers in the industry, the importance of encouraging under-represented groups to consider civil construction as a career has not been lost to CTF. CTF offers employer grants for businesses that employ trainees or apprentices that are female, mature age, regionally based, and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

What does this mean in real terms? As an example, if an employer employs a 26-year old female Indigenous civil construction apprentice and is based in a regional area,

they could be eligible for up to $5,200 in employer grants, plus the $10,000 Employer Support Grant and the Mature Age Wage Gap Subsidy (if accepted on the program) over the life of the apprenticeship.

Payments to Group Training Organisations or employers of trainees converting to an apprenticeship may be adjusted depending on previous funding received.

POWERING AHEAD WITH THE PILOT PROGRAM The new civil construction apprenticeships and funding model are a win-win for apprentices, their employers and the industry. By extending the duration of civil construction training, the CCPP will ensure a supply of junior and mature age qualified apprentices.

So, what happens when the pilot finishes in late 2025? Berryman is hopeful it will be a resounding success that will see civil construction apprenticeships continue in WA. “Regardless, one thing’s for sure. WA will have 1,280 savvy and skilled new civil construction workers,” he says.

For more information about the ‘Civil Construction Pilot Program,’ including CTF’s Employer Funding Calculator, the wage gap subsidies available to employers and the eligibility criteria, visit: www.ctf.wa.gov.au.

The apprenticeships provide a longer period of training and hands-on learning.

ADDITIONAL GRANTS TO SUBSIDISE EMPLOYMENT COSTS The pilot program will run until October 2025. By this time, WA will likely have 1,280 roadsonline.com.au

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Infrastructure Sustainability Council

PORTRAIT OF A

THRIVING NATION A REPORT JOINTLY DEVELOPED BY THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL AND UBRIS ANALYSES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THRIVING NATIONS AND WORLD-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE.

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hat is a thriving nation, and how do we know if we are surviving, striving or thriving?

What will accelerate our success, and can world-class infrastructure unlock its transformational potential?

These are the three questions that form the basis of a recent report developed by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC), in partnership with Urbis – an organisation dedicated to shaping cities and communities for a better future.

The “Advance our nations, fair – world-class infrastructure for thriving nation,” report explores the relationship between thriving nations and world-class infrastructure, considering how we can maximise the long-term benefits enabled by infrastructure investment and what might hold us back. The report also shares real54

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world examples of how other nations are moving in this direction.

Launching the paper at the ISC ReConnect Conference in Sydney, Urbis Future State Director Kate Meyrick challenged the audience to remember infrastructure’s purpose.

“Infrastructure is about solving problems and enabling opportunities. If we want to be a better ancestor for future generations then we need to take a more restorative approach and make far bolder decisions today,” Ms Meyrick said.

She noted that it’s not easy to find a mutually agreed upon global definition of a ‘thriving nation,’ despite the “profound and complex interplay between worldclass infrastructure and a thriving nation.”

The report, therefore, begins by offering a definition.

“A thriving nation is one that is built by people, for people. A nation that’s fair, both spatially and intergenerationally.

One where hopeful solution to local and global challenges is possible, one in which we respect our natural systems and where there is equal access to opportunity,” Ms Meyrick said.

The Thriving Nation pyramid proposed in the paper builds on the foundations of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and provides complementary attributes. It proposes a hierarchical framework for determining the extent to which a nation is continuing to make progress and recognises that not all nations will succeed equally against each dimension or attribute – at the same rate.

“Using the attributes of the Thriving Nation pyramid to compare success, we can

see that every nation is on its own journey and experiencing success in different ways.

But this is not a competition. As long as we’re on the pathway that’s showing that we’re making progress, that’s a positive thing,” Ms Meyrick said.

“Understanding how we are tracking, maintaining our progress and reporting back, not to our Boards but to our people, is critical to maintaining a positive direction of travel. We have to be held accountable to a higher purpose.”

SHORT-TERM SUCCESS VERSUS LONGTERM TRANSFORMATION Ms Meyrick then brought attention to the importance of far-sighted and purposeful investment in infrastructure to create intergenerational value.

“Surely, the kinds of infrastructure that we prioritise reflects the kind of nation that we want to be,” she said. “Worldclass infrastructure has foresight, and it has impact. It’s resilient. It creates the widest possible future legacies and measurable intergenerational values for all stakeholders.”

She noted that to achieve this, we need to view infrastructure as a fully integrated system, rather than as a series of discrete silos.

“It’s so easy to keep kicking the can down the road, convincing ourselves the picture is somehow somebody else’s responsibility and it’s going to happen or start tomorrow because we’ve got enough problems that we are dealing with today. But with half the infrastructure portfolio that’s needed to meet global needs in 2050 already procured, under construction or commissioned, we’ve got to get on with it today. We cannot rely on a business-as-usual solution to create the transformational change that our nation is going to need to thrive,” she said.

“And so, the time has come to ask ourselves a tough question: Does our established thinking about meeting today’s needs, without compromising the ability to meet future needs, go far enough? Do we need a new touchdown, a new universal truth to connect to an infrastructure renaissance, to ensure all decisions made today actually create a stronger legacy for the communities of tomorrow?”

The United Nations confirms that infrastructure is responsible for 70 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions and 88 per cent of all adaptation costs. The

Urbis Future State Director Kate Meyrick (left) and Infrastructure Sustainability Council Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Simpson (right) at the ReConnect Conference in Sydney.

“WE HAVE THIS ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION OPPORTUNITY, WITH BILLIONS BEING INVESTED, IN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND MULTIPLE OTHER COUNTRIES. IT’S TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF HOW WE MAXIMISE THE TOTAL DIVIDEND THAT INVESTMENT WILL DELIVER, CULTURALLY, SOCIALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY.” OECD suggests that in the countdown to 2030, an additional $US1,000 per year for every person on the planet will be needed to meet sustainable development goals and climate targets: this is in addition to the planned infrastructure expenditure needed globally to sustain current levels of population growth.

In this context, Ms Meyrick said a “seismic shifts in thinking” would be required to ensure the return on investment being made on infrastructure globally was commensurate with the magnitude of the spend.

“Today’s infrastructure choices will determine tomorrow’s carbon performance,” she said. “We need to make two seismic shifts in thinking: Firstly, that climate change and social inequality, not the market, are the real competition here. We are the collaborators, and in this scenario, we can measure our success both locally and through global impact.

“Secondly, that the business-as-usual approach, however well-established, is just not going to lead us to the promised land. We need to eliminate the leakage of opportunity and amplify the value that can be created when we reject this siloed approach and go to something that’s more

like a network or a lattice. Whilst the former is going to keep society in survival mode, only the latter is going to help us thrive.”

Ms Ainsley Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Sustainability Council, said the Council would take onboard the recommendations put forward by the report by forming a member coalition to move forward the report’s agenda.

“We have this once-in-a-generation opportunity, with billions being invested, in Australia, New Zealand and multiple other countries. It’s time to take stock of how we maximise the total dividend that investment will deliver, culturally, socially, environmentally, and economically,” she said.

“We have crossed the chasm, and sustainability is no longer peripheral and localised; now it is becoming democratised and globalised. It is becoming competitive advantage, core business, and unlocking new markets. Sustainability, ESG, is yet to fully unleash as a catalyst for market transformation. As this happens, our sector will find its purpose; enabling people, places, and planet to thrive. How? By delivering infrastructure for people, by people.” roadsonline.com.au

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HARMONISING A NATIONAL APPROACH

TO SAFETY

THE AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AFPA) IS CONSOLIDATING ITS APPROACH TO SAFETY AND RISK REDUCTION FOR THE FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT INDUSTRY NATIONALLY. MARK PIORKOWSKI, AFPA’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR QUEENSLAND AND NORTHERN TERRITORY, EXPLAINS.

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or more than 50 years, the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) has been an advocate for safety within the flexible pavement industry.

As part of this advocacy, the association has been responsible for the development of training courses, delivering industry events and technical advice to industry. AfPA has also been pursuing a set of national safety priorities, through the actions of its National Health & Safety Committee (NHSC).

As the convenor of the NHSC, Mark Piorkowski, AfPA’s Executive Director for Queensland and Northern Territory, says these priorities reflect areas where industry could better meet shared safety challenges.

A key part of that effort is adopting a consistent approach to engaging with key stakeholders and advocating for improved roadworker safety.

“We really want to focus on who’s the most vulnerable and that is our people

working on roadwork sites,” he says.

With these priorities comes a focus on establishing a national attitude to health and safety. Piorkowski says that achieving a “harmonious” approach is the main goal.

He says that operators who work across multiple states and territories currently face different rules and regulations around workplace safety and working standards.

A national approach helps to ensure that safety requirements, innovations and improvements are utilised across the board.

“Ultimately the end game is to create the safest work environment regardless of the jurisdiction,” he says.

Safety incidents on road worksites are a major concern, which is why a national approach is a priority.

“Trying to raise the standard of health and safety across the board is the main objective, through training and programs, as well as policy and advocacy,” he says.

PRIORITY AREAS AfPA’s national priorities cover four main areas: separation of people and plant, safety through the tender box, separation of people and traffic, and keeping communities safe through road management.

The first focus area involves ensuring people are trained before they enter a worksite. Piorkowski says that knowing the risks and being prepared for them is critical for work with hot bitumen, large plant and equipment while dealing with moving traffic.

“It’s about getting the states and territories to increase their commitment to staff training and ensuring they are confident that their contractors are also adequately resourced for safety,” he says.

“Initiatives like the AfPA Flexible Pavements Industry Skills Card provides them with a recognised skills set that are embedded into a traineeship or Apprenticeship qualification, ensuring consistency in the delivery of bituminous materials nationally.”

AfPA is advocating for a national approach to reduce safety incidents occurring on roadwork sites.

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The AfPA Industry Skills Card introduces the recognition of competency-based units delivered under a registered training organisation framework, in conjunction with industry.

If packaged correctly, the qualification offers an outcome similar to those completed for trades such as trades such as the plumbing and carpentry industries.

This also provides a career pathway in an industry that has lacked this for operational employees.

The skillsets are transferable between employers, state and territory boundaries and recognised nationally.

AfPA has already implemented its ‘Be Bitumen Safe’ online industry course in Western Australia, which is a pre-requisite for any units falling under the Certificate III Bituminous Surfacing qualification.

It provides instruction on safety for all personnel who work within 15 meters of hot bituminous and asphalt materials at any time.

PROCUREMENT AND TRAFFIC The focus on achieving safety through the tender box focuses on safety throughout procurement. AfPA is proposing that state road authorities and local governments reframe major transport procurement, to separate investments in traffic management and safety from other bid costs, to ensure safety items are included in their own schedule of rates.

“Prices drive tenders and contracts, which sometimes means that safety is pushed to the back. We’re saying, ‘separate these costs’, so the value of safety is more transparent,” Piorkowski says.

“If safety was separated within the tender documents, there would be more transparency on how it was being achieved.

Clients would have a better understanding of how safety was being managed, not only for contractors but also for motorists”.

The priorities also include the separation of people and traffic to reduce the dangers presented by live traffic – firstly by using technology, such as speed cameras, to deter dangerous driving near worksites.

“If a vehicle exceeds the speed limit in a construction zone at present it is difficult to enforce and there is often no consequence for those breaking the law,” Piorkowski says.

“AfPA is working closely with state road authorities to address this issue, recognising that roadwork sites feature a high number of vulnerable road users and at times, difficult locations to deploy speed cameras.”

New technologies and techniques are currently being explored through joint research and testing which would boost speed enforcement.

These cameras will be able to track all units moving through the area, providing valuable data and statistics, as well as vision of nonspeed related traffic incidents in roadworks.

“Last year, two traffic controllers tragically lost their lives just doing their jobs. There aren’t many work environments where people work as close to cars travelling 100km an hour. Our workers have a right to be safe,” Piorkowski says.

Piorkowski says that data could help to identify key areas which need attention, on both a state-by-state and national level. This data would also be used to provide information on the risk exposure of roadwork sites and provide support evidence-based decisions.

AfPA is advocating for the state road authorities to collect statistics nationally from road incidents at roadworks sites, to provide data on this risk exposure to road workers.

“If everyone is on the same page, collecting the same data, you get a clearer picture,” he says.

A similar approach will be used collectively with other organisations, helping to evaluate traffic control measures around roadwork sites.

Such work is being carried out in Queensland, with the National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE) project undertaken by the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) already making progress in assessing these measures and technologies for worksites. AfPA will look to apply the learnings from these works nationally.

“We will continue to work towards the harmonisation of traffic control measures and technologies at roadwork sites nationally, referencing the current work being undertaken in Queensland through the NACOE project by ARRB,” Piorkowski says.

TAKING SAFETY ON THE ROAD AfPA’s national approach also highlights the importance of maintaining roads in rural and regional areas.

It encourages both state and federal governments to address the funding shortfall in road maintenance, improvements and upgrades. This would aim to address dangerous and poorly maintained roads.

“It’s about making sure that funding is getting to the roads in these regions where

AfPA Executive Director for Queensland and Northern Territory Mark Piorkowski.

communities are forced to travel along treacherous roads,” Piorkowski says. “The large funding commitments made by the Federal Government in the lead up to the 2022 election are testament to the importance of this investment.”

As part of the proposed national approach, in 2022 AfPA has planned to take safety on the road with its ‘National Safety Series Event’ in October and November.

The event will focus on safety training, products and processes. AfPA will also look to incorporate mental health into the event’s agenda.

The event is the first of its kind for AfPA, with national events being taken to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

At each city, attendees can expect to see modern and future industry innovations in training, products and processes within the safety space.

The events will also include national and international exhibitors, product demonstrations, leading practice presentations, onsite training for mobile plant, as well as plant site setup and movement.

The event series will also support the Industry Card initiative, which AfPA will be seeking to develop in each state/territory to help improve staff safety performance.

To learn more about AfPA’s safety initiatives, visit: www.afpa.asn.au roadsonline.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Sponsorship Opportunities 2022 Industry Awards National Award Series

National & State Dinners/Lunch

Graduate /Cadet

$ 18,000

$ 2,500

Tasmania

Flexible Pavements Field Worker Emerging Leader

$ 18,000 $ 18,000

$ 2,500

Northern Territory

Male Industry Leadership

$ 18,000

Sold to Altus

Victoria

Sold to SAMI

Sold to TCI

Queensland

Supported by SRA’s

Sold to Viva

South Australia

Sold to PUMA

Sold to Tyre Stewardship

Western Australia

Sold to Protech

Sold to State Asphalt

National/New South Wales

Innovation Safety Initiative Outstanding Project Female Industry Leadership

Entitlements:

Entitlements:

• Announce & present sponsored award

• Initial welcome

• Recognition before, during & after for

• Recognition before, during & after for

event marketing

event marketing

• Logo & Name on the award

• Promotional material on each table

• 1 x Banner at the event

• 1 x Banner at the event

• Tickets for 2 seats per state dinner

• SA, QLD, WA, VIC & National/NSW

• Tickets for 2 seats at National dinner

sponsors - Table of 10 for state dinner • TAS & NT sponsors - Tickets for 4 seats at state dinner

Contact Tanja Conners for more infomation tanja.conners@afpa.asn.au

AfPA

MEMBER PROFILE

TRENT GREENSHIELDS, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COMPANY ACTIVE ASPHALT, SHARES SOME INSIGHTS FROM HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE PAVEMENT INDUSTRY WITH ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE.

“I REALLY ENJOY THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITYIES TO LEARN FROM OTHERS. EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT, IT’S GREAT CATCHING UP WITH CLIENTS TO DISCUSS THE INDUSTRY AND HAVE A GENERAL CHIT CHAT. THE FLEXIBILITY THIS ROLE OFFERS IS GREAT FOR MY FAMILY AND I TRY TO JUGGLE THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE.” My current role is General Manager. I do estimating, operations and invoicing.

I also look after both the paver and handwork crews, along with handling the day-to-day interactions with subcontractors and the general running of the business.

Trent Greenshields, General Manager, Active Asphalt.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU/YOUR COMPANY BEEN AN AFPA MEMBER AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME ONE? We have been AfPA members for approximately three years. We will continue our membership in the years to come.

HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER IN THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? I started my career at Active Asphalt in 2006 as a 16-year old general labourer keen to learn as much as possible about what the industry had to offer. I have learnt so much already and I always strive to lean more about the industry and the people involved in it.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE? I really enjoy the challenges and opportunityies to learn from others.

Every day is different, it’s great catching up with clients to discuss the industry and have a general chit chat. The flexibility this role offers is great for my family and I try to juggle the work-life balance.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY? One that stands out for me is having the opportunity to become the manager of Active Asphalt after 12-13 years of laying asphalt with the crew. My other highlights include: making the shortlist for Trainee of the Year at the Civil Contractors Federation SA Earth Awards, completing certificate III in Bituminous Surfacing and being involved in many large projects with various clients.

Delivering the Bridgestone Reserve running track in Adelaide for Davison Earthmovers and Polytan is one of the best projects we have been involved in as a company.

WHAT IS A RECENT CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW ARE YOU/THE COMPANY PREPARED FOR THAT? I think one of the biggest changes of late would be the volume of work in the industry. We are moving with the high demand of work and currently have a fulltime paver crew, a second paver crew and a handwork patch crew running three to four days a week.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? The most interesting thing for me personally is the ability to keep learning.

There is so much to learn about this industry and it can be for anyone.

HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF AFPA BENEFITTED YOU IN THE INDUSTRY? The knowledge on offer and meeting new people in the industry is always fun.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? My future goal is to continue the growth of Active Asphalt where I can continue to learn, take on many challenges and additional responsibilities in the highest role possible. I will always continue to contribute as much value as possible to the Active Asphalt team, in any position that may be. roadsonline.com.au

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The 2021 Women in Industry Awards highlighted exceptional work being done by females in the industrials sector.

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

THE WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS HAVE RECOGNISED AND HONOURED OUTSTANDING WOMEN FROM THE INDUSTRIALS SECTOR.

E

xceptional females working in mining, road transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management and rail and infrastructure were honoured on Thursday 7 April, at the 2021 Women in Industry Awards in Melbourne.

The awards sought to recognise women achieving great success in their chosen industry, many of which are maledominated industries.

Presented by Prime Creative Media, the 2021 Women in Industry Awards saw eleven awards presented throughout the night, with key figures in infrastructure, engineering and transport being celebrated.

Among the winners was Engineers Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr

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ROADS MAY 2022

Bronwyn Evans, who was presented with the top honour of the night, the Woman of the Year award. She was also presented with the Sponsored by ifm, the Woman of the Year award winner was selected from all finalists in all categories.

Dr Evans has been acknowledged as a true pioneer in the industry, being the first woman to graduate from Electrical Engineering at Wollongong University. She is also the first female CEO at Engineers Australia. Last year Dr Evans was also appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for her service to engineering.

Dr Evans said that while celebratory nights were significant, there was still more work to be done across the industrials sector.

“Nights like tonight are important so we

can celebrate our successes. However, we still need to have difficult conversations about education, bias, assumptions and missed opportunities for women in industry,” she said.

“We know we will have succeeded when women are represented 50 per cent top to bottom. I urge all of us here tonight to use our profiles and our influence to be role models and to be champions for the amazing women who are joining our industries and professions.”

Evans also received the Excellence in Engineering Award, sponsored by BAE Systems Australia – one of the largest employers of engineers nationally.

Nominees for the Excellence in Engineering award included Amelinda Ilardi, Project Manager, ANCA; Ashleigh Fulcher, Mechanical Engineer, Viva Energy

EVENTS

Australia; Narelle Dobson, Director Special Projects, Department of Transport and Main Roads, QLD and Rachel Barrett, Senior Verification and Validation Engineer, Bosch Australia.

A TRANSPORT TRAILBLAZER Catherine Baxter – Chief Operating Officer, Metro Trains Melbourne was also among the winners, being presented with the Excellence in Transport award.

Baxter has over 30 years of experience in rail, having previously held executive roles in large national ASX listed businesses including Aurizon, UGL, and Boral. She is also a member Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chartered Institute Transport and Logistics.

Under Baxter’s stewardship, the Metro network has seen female employment within the network operations area increase by 65 per cent (51 women to 84), authorised officers by 40 per cent (from 89 to 125) and in-train driving women increased by a further 22 per cent (317 to 387).

As Baxter has previously told National Women in Transport, the sector has come a long way.

“When I joined rail there were no

Catherine Baxter, Chief Operating Officer, Metro Trains (left), received the Excellence in Transport award.

women in senior management. The most senior woman I knew was one level above me when I joined. There was no one to look up to. Now there are lots of women in various levels of rail and transport,” she said.

Fellow nominees for the Excellence in Transport Award included Heather Jones, Director, Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls; Kirstyn Glass, Rail Operations Consultant, Trapeze Group Asia Pacific; Merry Manton, Board Member, Transport Women Australia Limited and Penny Ford, Executive Director Transport Planning Services, Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland.

THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS: Social Leader of the Year – Jo Withford, Senior Project Engineer, Transport for NSW Mentor of the Year – Larissa Rose, Director Consultant, GG Enviro Industry Advocacy Award – Megan McCracken, Chair, NAWO Excellence in Engineering – Bronwyn Evans, CEO, Engineers Australia Excellence in Manufacturing – Shay Chalmers, Director, Strategic Engineering Australia

The Woman of the Year award winner was selected from finalists in all categories.

Safety Advocacy Award – Stephanie O’Dwyer, Manager Health, Wellbeing and Innovation, BlueScope Steel Excellence in Mining – Christine Morris, Director Strategy and Performance, Komatsu Mining Excellence in Transport – Catherine Baxter, Chief Operating Officer, Metro Trains Business Development Success of the Year – Lacey Webb, Founder and Director, Resource Hub Rising Star of the Year – Monique Yap, Graduate Engineer, Weir Minerals Woman of the Year – Bronwyn Evans, CEO, Engineers Australia.

Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans (left) was presented with the Woman of the Year Award.

roadsonline.com.au

61

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FINAL STANDS REMAINING SECURE YOUR STAND NOW One of the first trade expos post-COVID, MEGATRANS is the critical event for the freight and logistics supply chain to get your brand in front of customers again.

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EVENTS

THE ROAD TRANSPORT’S BIG

TRADE SHOW RETURNS THE NATIONAL ROADS & TRAFFIC EXPO 2022 WILL BE HELD ON MAY 18-19 AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE IN SYDNEY. HERE’S A LOOK AT WHAT TO EXPECT.

I

n light of recent news from Infrastructure Australia calling for a more productive, innovative and sustainable infrastructure sector to change the way projects are planned and delivered, now is an opportune time for the National Roads & Traffic Expo to take place.

With infrastructure investments at record levels across Australia, demonstrated by the Australian Government’s historic $120 billion infrastructure commitment, the National Roads & Traffic Expo presents one of the biggest opportunities in the country.

The free trade show and seminar sessions unite road agencies, operators, industry leaders and innovators, providing these key organisations a platform to meet, network and engage.

Market leaders and experts from across the country will attend to do business and get up-to-speed with the latest developments in infrastructure, traffic management, smart mobility, parking, safety and active transport.

The show’s main mission is to future-proof infrastructure, link rural and urban areas, ease traffic congestion and improve road safety and efficiency. In turn, this will facilitate business opportunities, create jobs, and enable connected and autonomous vehicles.

EXPO HIGHLIGHTS With more than 200 exhibitors lined up, the event features 10,000 square metres of exhibition space for new product launches and live demonstrations. Attendees can walk the Expo floor and explore the latest products, services and technologies from

companies such as Here Technologies, Innov8 Equipment, Intelematics, SenSen Networks, Anditi, Asset Vision, Hyperion Technology, Komatsu, Nozomi, Smarter City Solutions, TomTom Global Content, Quality Fabrication & Engineering and TMA, Ouster, Staffd, Metromap, Redfleet, Ingal Civil Products, Invision, OPT Traffix, Ramset, Park Agility and Saferoads.

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS Hear from over 100 experts in leading institutions discussing topics such as: 1. E nabling shared streets: Lessons from DPIE programs – Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Executive Director Public Spaces and Bec Mouy, Senior Manager Public Spaces, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment 2. The path “towards zero”: Can technology get us there? – Bernard Carlon, Executive Director, Centre for Road Safety, Transport for NSW 3. GIS analytics to enhance and support active transport planning – Sandeep Mathur, Transport for NSW 4. Urban design approach to creation of high quality roads and successful places – Gareth Collins, Director Centre for Urban Design (roads and waterways), Transport for NSW 5. R egional growth’s affect on infrastructure – Jane Laverty, Regional Manager, Business NSW 6. The future Australian transport and mobility environment – Dr Charles Karl, Chief Technology leader, Australian Road Research Board 7. D iversity in the roads construction industry – David Castledine, CEO, Civil Contractors Federation; Katriina Tahka, CoChief Executive Officer, A Human Agency and Lise Sperling, Executive Director NSW/ACT, Australian Flexible Pavement Association 8. Western Sydney International Airport: Australia’s new digitally enabled

global gateway – Tom McCormack, Chief Technology Officer, Western Sydney Airport 9. I nfrastructure Victoria’s 30-year Infrastructure Strategy – Dr. Jonathan Spear, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Victoria 10. P roposed Blue Mountains Tunnel – David Levinson, Professor of Transport Engineering, University of Sydney and Ian Mond, Leader – Heavy Vehicle Networks, Department of Transport Victoria 11. A crucial time for the roads sector – Paul Robinson, General Manager, Roadmarking Industry Association of Australia 12. Australia’s new national road safety strategy in the context of the global plan of action – Ingrid Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Australasian College of Road Safety 13. A BAB: Improved Productivity and Asset Outcomes through BIM – Richard Choy, Executive Committee Member, Australasian BIM Advisory Board ABAB 14. Infrastructure investment and capacity constraints – Catherine Birch, Senior Economist, ANZ Research 15. Construction of the future – Andrew T Harris, Director, Technical Futures and Engineering Excellence Group, Laing O’Rourke 16. D elivering seamless customer journeys with On Demand transport and MaaS – Joanne Murray, Head of New Mobility, Keolis Downer.

WANT TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL ROADS & TRAFFIC EXPO? Don’t miss this opportunity to access the free educational seminars running over two days and your chance to see live demos of technology and equipment. Registration to attend is free.

To register, visit: https://www.terrapinn. com/exhibition/road-traffic-expo roadsonline.com.au

63

CONTRACTS IN BRIEF

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE MAJOR CONTRACTS AND TENDERS AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR IN 2020.

CONTRACTS IN BRIEF

xx xx

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE CONTRACTS AND TENDERS RECENTLY AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR. VICTORIA SRL East’s tunnelling packages go to market The Victorian Government’s Suburban Rail Loop Authority has put two major tunnelling packages for the Suburban Rail Loop East (SRL East) project in Melbourne out to market, following the completion of pre-qualification on March 25.

Work packages C and D, two of the total of seven work packages constituting the SRL East project, comprise a fullytunnelled 26-kilometre metro corridor between Cheltenham and Box Hill in Melbourne’s east.

The line will include six stations, including new interchanges with existing heavy rail stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley and Box Hill, with new stations at Monash and Burwood.

The first tunnelling package – Package C – will be the longest in Victoria’s history, delivering around 16 kilometres of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. The bidders will compete for Package C, with a contract expected to be awarded by the end of 2023.

The remaining two unsuccessful bidders for Package C will then compete for Package D, with that contract expected to be awarded in the third quarter of 2024.

Alliance awarded South Geelong rail works contract Djilang Alliance, comprising McConnell Dowell, Downer, Arup and WSP Australia, has been appointed as the preferred contractor to deliver the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project.

The project will enable more services and improved reliability on the Geelong Line.

It includes duplicating approximately eight kilometres of track and signalling

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ROADS MAY NOVEMBER 2022 2021

upgrades between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds to deliver additional services from Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations.

Early works on the project will soon commence – including the relocation of the Barwon Water pipeline, which will allow key sections of track to be duplicated between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.

Major construction will start later in 2022 – with the project targeted for completion in late 2024.

The Australian and Victorian governments are investing more than $1 billion in rail upgrades between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, as part of an investment of more than $4 billion in the Regional Rail Revival program.

Contract awarded for Next Generation Trams Bombardier Transportation Australia has been awarded a framework contract to design, build, and maintain 100 new and accessible trams as part of the Victorian Government’s $1.85 billion Next Generation Trams Project.

The Next Generation Trams will be the largest investment in locally made trams in Australia’s history, supporting 1900 jobs and improving access to Melbourne’s tram network.

The project will support local jobs in manufacturing, the supply chain, and the construction of a new purpose-built depot and maintenance facility.

Bombardier Transportation Australia (recently acquired by Alstom) will undertake 15 years of maintenance as part of the approximately $1.2 billion contract.

The first vehicles are anticipated to be in service from 2025.

NEW SOUTH WALES Tenderers called for New Dubbo Bridge Tenders have been called for the lead construction contractor to build the $220 million Federal and New South Wales Government-funded New Dubbo Bridge – part of the Newell Highway Upgrade project.

The 660-metre bridge will connect the western side of the Macquarie River to River Street, travelling over the flood plain west of the river.

The $220 million project will include new and upgraded intersections at Thompson Street, Whylandra Street, and the Newell Highway. Intersections at Bourke Street and River Street will also be upgraded.

Tenders were invited on 28 April 2022 and will be open for eight weeks. The successful head contractor for the main construction contract is expected to be announced by the end of 2022, with work set to start at the beginning of 2023.

A program of early works to support the main road and bridge construction are also scheduled to begin this year.

Joint venture awarded ‘Easing Sydney’s Congestion’ contract GHD and Arcadis, in a joint venture, have been awarded a project delivery partner contract with Transport for NSW to deliver the next phase of the Easing Sydney’s Congestion (ESC) program.

The program will deliver targeted improvements across Sydney’s Road network, with a focus on reducing congestion through intersection improvements, smart technology, and assisting program delivery across Sydney.

Key initiatives under the ESC program include the delivery of the M4 Smart

CONTRACTS & TENDERS

Motorway, the Parramatta Congestion Improvement Program and accelerated Pinch Point and Clearways Programs.

Each of these projects will reduce congestion and traffic delays in local governments areas.

As part of the Parramatta Congestion Improvement Program, the NSW Government has committed $30 million to reduce congestion around the local government area by upgrading key intersections that access the Parramatta CBD. Over the next five years, the joint venture will provide design and technical services to address some of Sydney’s biggest traffic issues.

Asset management contract awarded for Sydney Tunnels The NSW Government has signed a longterm contract with Ventia for the asset management, operations and maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and future Western Harbour Tunnel.

The 15-year contract, worth $450 million, includes two further 10-year options at the discretion of the NSW Government.

The contract will commence in early April 2022.

For the Western Harbour Tunnel, Ventia will provide a range of services including whole of life design review, lifecycle cost modelling, and recommendations on reliability, availability, maintainability and supportability of the asset.

Ventia will commence asset management, operations and maintenance services on the Western Harbour Tunnel following its completion.

QUEENSLAND Major contract finalised for Gold Coast Light Rail Construction on the Gold Coast Light Rail project Stage three – from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads – is set to get underway soon, with the contract finalised between the Queensland Government and John Holland for the major works package.

The estimated $1 billion stage three project will deliver a 6.7 kilometres extension south of the existing Gold

Coast tram network, linking Helensvale to Burleigh Heads and providing eight additional stations. This will expand the tram network to 27 kilometres from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads.

John Holland was selected by GoldlinQ as design and construction partner on the project back in September 2020 following a competitive tender process.

The project will complement other ongoing works in the region, as Queensland continues preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is expected to create 760 jobs for locals.

Second contact finalised for Brisbane’s ‘Green Bridges Program’ The new $37 million Breakfast Creek Green Bridge pedestrian and cyclist bridge in Brisbane has moved to the next step with the award of the construction contract to a Georgiou Group and Brady Marine and Civil joint venture.

The Breakfast Creek Green Bridge project will deliver a new two-way on-road cycle path from the bridge landing at Newstead Park, along Breakfast Creek Road and Newstead Avenue, through to Newstead Terrace at Halford Street.

The project involves construction a 110-metre single span bridge structure, as well as extension of the existing Lores Bonney Riverwalk by 175 metres and dedicated pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

Brisbane City Council is building new green bridges across Brisbane for pedestrians and cyclists to provide more travel options, in response to the city’s growing population.

The Council’s Green Bridges Program includes four new green bridges, that will connect Kangaroo Point to the CBD, Toowong to West End, St Lucia to West End, as well as a new crossing at Breakfast Creek.

The first of the four bridges moved to construction phase in June 2021, when the Council awarded a contract to Connect Brisbane, led by BESIX Watpac, to design and construct the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. Construction started in late 2021, with expected completion by late 2023.

Construction for the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge, which will see 140 personnel employed at peak, will start in mid-2022, with the bridge expected to open in early 2024.

NORTHERN TERRITORY NT Government to seal remainder of Plenty Highway The Northern Territory Government has awarded a $21 million tender to local Territory business Exact Contracting to seal the remaining of the Plenty Highway, a part of the Outback Way stretching from Western Queensland to Alice Springs. This package of works will support more than 50 jobs.

The Plenty Highway is being progressively sealed with projects recently completed and other works underway. The majority of the unsealed section of the road is below natural surface level which results in road closures and vehicle restrictions after heavy rains.

The main objective of this project is to continue the dual lane seal to improve overall road safety and riding quality, improve flood immunity, minimise vehicle weight and type restrictions, and support both current and future growth for mining, cattle and tourism.

Planning begins for Weddell Freeway The Northern Territory Government is undertaking a planning study for the potential development of the Weddell Freeway, which would connect Tiger Brennan Drive near Palmerston, to the Stuart Highway south of Darwin near Noonamah.

Commencing from Tiger Brennan Drive, the proposed corridor would run adjacent to the railway line west of the Palmerston Town Centre, travel through to the area of Weddell before connecting to the Stuart Highway near Cox Peninsula Road.

Consultancy firm SMEC Australia has been awarded the contract to undertake the planning study and develop a concept design of the proposed freeway, in consultation with key stakeholders.

The draft concept design is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

roadsonline.com.au

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SHAPING OUR TRANSPORT FUTURE

NETRISK2: THE FUTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE RISK ASSESSMENT ARRB’S WEB-BASED ROAD SAFETY TOOL, NETRISK2, IS A GAME-CHANGER FOR ROAD MANAGERS AND ASSET OWNERS, EMILY MCLEAN WRITES.

E

very year, nearly 1,200 people die and 36,000 are seriously injured on Australian roads as a result of crashes.

This results in devastating impacts, not only for those involved in the crash, but for their families and friends. It is also estimated crashes cost the community almost $30 billion each year.

The Safe System approach, which has been adopted in Australia since 2005, recognises that, as humans, we all make mistakes. But a mistake on the road shouldn’t result in a death, or serious life-changing injuries. This approach recognises that all elements must work together for a safe road system. These elements include vehicles, road users and roads (infrastructure and speed).

One of the most effective mechanisms for governments to improve road safety is through investment in infrastructure and appropriate setting of speed limits. These contribute to a safer road system by reducing the risk of a crash, and if a crash does occur, reducing the severity.

We are seeing record investment in road safety each year. The billions of dollars being invested is welcome news and sets us on the right path to achieve a target of zero deaths

and serious injuries by 2050 that Australian governments have committed to. But how can we ensure that the right projects are being targeted and that investment is having a real impact?

Infrastructure risk assessments can be used to support and guide investment decisions by identifying the highest risk sections across the network to target investment.

These assessments provide asset owners with an overview of safety across their network. They have been in use in Australia for over 20 years, starting with NetRisk and evolving to the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) and the Australian National Risk Assessment Model (ANRAM).

Infrastructure risk assessments are being used to set targets for minimum levels of safety, including the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 and state, territory and local government road safety strategies.

Increasingly, the Federal Government is seeking an AusRAP or ANRAM assessment to support funding applications.

After consultation with its road agency members, ARRB identified a need for an improved and streamlined process. This led to the development of NetRisk2 to

Emily McLean, Portfolio Leader – Infrastructure Safety Management at ARRB.

improve the user interface and applications to help practitioners make informed investment decisions for the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics in the Northern Territory. NetRisk2 is a web-based tool that, for the first time, combines both AusRAP and ANRAM risk assessments into the one platform.

NetRisk2 allows practitioners to: • identify high risk locations on their network; • develop treatment programs; • gain real-time insights into how these treatments impact risk across the network This enables the development of targeted and cost-effective works programs, using a data driven and evidence-based approach, ensuring a real impact on minimising road fatalities and serious injuries.

To learn more about infrastructure risk assessments or NetRisk2, contact Emily McLean from ARRB on 0466 753 1732 or at emily.mclean@arrb.com.au.

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ROADS MAY 2022

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With two generators in one platform, the QAC 1450 TwinPower™ provides the flexibility you need to run at 100% power load or low power loads in the most efficient way. What’s more, every feature you need comes as standard.

LIKE TO KNOW MORE? SPEAK TO OUR TEAM TODAY PH: 1800 733 782 www.atlascea.com.au

Dynapac is a leading supplier of high tech soil and asphalt rollers, pavers and light compaction equipment exclusively sold and supported by Dynapac CEA within Australia. Dynapac CEA is committed to supporting you in achieving greater productivity, profitability and onsite safety by offering new and innovative solutions for your paving and compaction requirements.

Dynapac CEA is with you every step of the journey from application consultancy through to personalised product training and aftersales support ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity when it counts. Like to know more?

Contact your local Dynapac CEA branch today.

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dynapaccea.com.au 1300 788 757

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