Thiess News, Volume 1, 2000

Latrobe Valley
at the coal face
VIC/SA/TAS/NZ Business Unit
Thiess has a long history in the Latrobe Valley,
dating back to 1978 when the company was
awarded the first of the earthworks contracts
on the massive Loy Yang Power Station project.
In 1992 Thiess formed an association with Roche
Bros. and Linfox to create the joint venture
operation RTL. With the move of Government
utilities towards corporatisation, RTL was awarded
the first of the major outsourcing contracts by the
State Electricity Commission of Victoria.
This contract was to provide mobile plant and
earthmoving services for the Yallourn, Hazelwood
and Loy Yang open cut brown coal mines.
The process of corporatisation and privatisation
continued and now the three coal-fired power
stations that are such a landmark in the Latrobe
Valley are privately owned and operated by
Yallourn Energy, Hazelwood Power and
Loy Yang Power.
Many things have changed in the Valley over
the past decade, but one of the consistent players
throughout this period has been RTL. Over this
period activities have expanded to include
specialised heavy haulage with the launch of
RTL Transport in August last year. To date RTL
has carried out work to the value of $170 million
in the Valley.
There are some exciting opportunities emerging for
RTL in the Latrobe Valley this year. Both Yallourn
Energy and Hazelwood Power will be embarking
shortly on major infrastructure development work
to secure their future coal supplies. Yallourn Energy
plans to develop its Maryvale Coal Field, which
involves a 6km diversion of the Morwell River and
the removal by contract of some 30 million cubic
metres of overburden. Hazelwood Power continues
to work with RTL on mobile plant, overburden
removal programs and future planning. Loy Yang
Power has also recently extended its contract with
RTL for a further four years.
With this level of infrastructure and earthmoving
works pending, RTL is keen to continue and
further develop its strong relationship with the
three power companies in the Latrobe Valley.
RTL is a very proud and capable operation with an
enviable occupational health and safety record and
continues to consolidate its sound reputation.
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Thiess News Volume 1 2000