Thiess Quarterly News, Volume 1, 2005

quarterlynewsVOLUME 1 I 20054 10 18Focus on continuousimprovementNew $15 million contractfor Synchrotron ProjectCaltex Project receivessafety awardTHIESSTHIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 1

The Thiess UQ Strategic Partnership provides opportunities for Thiessto set future directions for the engineering industry.Thiess UQ StrategicPartnership – fosteringexcellence in educationand developmentThe Thiess UQ StrategicLearning Partnership,established in 2000, aimsto utilise the facilities andexpertise of Thiess and theUniversity of Queenslandto develop innovativeengineering leaders througheducation and technology.UQ Professor David Radcliffesaid the partnership hasachieved many importantresults during the pastfour years includingfostering increased learningopportunities for universitystudents and providing aforum for Thiess to contributeto curriculum developmentand help set future directionsfor the engineering industry.Some of the key achievementshave included:• Jointly establishingan undergraduatesite learning programthrough which final yearengineering studentsspend a semester on sitesdoing projects for thesite while simultaneouslygaining full academiccredit for the time.(Over 90 students havecompleted this program;nearly half on Thiess Sites)• Providing opportunitiesfor graduate students towork on Thiess Projectsand Thiess Staff toparticipate both as learnersand as presenters inuniversity programs• Creating a Master inProfessional Studies inEngineering that allowsworking engineers todevelop their projectskills including integrateddesign and construction,value engineering andknowledge managementusing the principles of work– integrated learning, and• Developing variousresearch and developmentprojects with externalfunding. This has includedconducting rapid anaerobicdigestion of municipalsolid waste trials at theThiess Swanbank Landfill,measuring the costsand benefits of virtualdesign and constructiontechnology in majorprojects and completinga socio-technical studyof design managementculture in the company.“In recognition of thepartnership benefits for bothorganisations, a decision wasmade last year to re-launchand further commit to thepartnership until 2009,”David said.“During the next few years,the two key areas of focuswill be education and trainingprograms and joint researchand development projects.We will examine providingsupport to specific actualprojects that will be of benefitto Thiess. We aim to alsobroaden this concept to otheruniversities in Australia.”Thiess Technical ServicesExecutive Manager TonyCoyle said the partnership isimportant for Thiess in bothproviding a critical link withcurrent educational trendsand in enabling the companyto be involved with researchand development initiatives,which may assist in improvingfuture performance on ThiessProjects and within thebroader industry.•Client ResearchDevelopment Program– ensuring ongoing clientserviceIn a highly competitive market,Thiess understands theimportance of fostering itsrelationships with clients.The Client ResearchDevelopment Program is partof an ongoing commitmentto continuously improvingservices and responsivenessto customer needs. As acomponent of this program,Thiess has engaged externalmarket research consultantsto meet with and interview across section of Thiess’ keyclients. The interviews arecurrently being held.Findings from the surveywill assist Thiess in gaininga better understanding of:• Requirements forkey services• Customer satisfactionand performanceimprovement priorities• Challenges to servicedelivery in the years aheadand changing priorities,and• Currency and positioningof Thiess branding.The feedback received fromthis process will be presentedto the Thiess Executive,and business units, who willthen have the opportunity toincorporate key findings intocorporate strategic plansand in individual businessunit plans.Ray Wilson Thiess’Executive General ManagerInfrastructure and CorporateServices said the survey addsconsiderable value to Thiess’business planning processand will now be conductedon an ongoing basis.“The results will providethe Executive with importantinformation to guide ourfuture performance.”•Market research consultant Deborah Wilson and Thiess Director,Finance and Administration Don Argent discuss the Client ResearchProgram currently under way.THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 5

Project updateGeraldton set for earlyRevisions to the traffic management plan and constructionschedule means the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor(GSTC) is now due to finish by end 2005.The original completiondate for the $88 millionproject, which involves thecreation of 4.9km of newroad, 13km of rail, fourbridges, and two tunnels,was forecast for April 2006when Thiess was awardedthe contract in 2003.But a revision of the trafficmanagement plan andconstruction schedule inFebruary 2004 saw theproject leap ahead withroadwork now due forcompletion by mid 2005 andthe railway to be installedbefore the end of 2005.Fast tracking the projectConstruction ManagerPeter Hopfmueller said thescheduled early completionis a great result for thecommunity and our client.“The construction teamreviewed the original programand came up with a newconstruction sequence thatwe thought would be the bestway to minimise disruption tothe community,” he said.“This involved building theBrand Highway Interchangefirst, and with the support ofthe City of Geraldton,we have been able to followthat sequence through.“The interchange is a keyfeature of the project and hasinvolved replacing the existingBrand Highway Roundaboutto assist with the traffic flowfor vehicles entering thecentral business district.“Originally we were goingto concentrate on buildingthe Waverley Street Bridgefirst. However, building theInterchange first has causedslightly more disruption butover a shorter period of time.“More importantly, changingthe construction sequenceallowed us to maximise ourresources in the first part of2004 and get the project tothe stage that it currently is.”Thiess meets clientexpectationsAccording to Main Roads’Community RelationsRepresentative TammyMitchell, the Thiess Teamworked hard to allow theinterchange bridges to beopened to traffic beforeChristmas.“It is a pleasure to work withThiess to ensure the worksare effectively managed, andenvironmental standards notcompromised.”Future worksIn finalising the project, futureworks involve completingfinishing works at theinterchange including theeastern side of the southernramp and sealing of thepedestrian and cyclist path.Following the recent openingof the Waverly Street Bridge,Geraldton road users can alsolook forward to the openingof the Marine Terrace nearPages Beach in March 2005,which will allow traffic to travelin an east-west route again,and the Highbury StreetBridge opening in June 2005.For more information aboutthe project, please visit theproject website – http://geraldton.thiess.com.au.The first car to travel over theBrand Highway Interchange.“I would like to congratulatethe Thiess Team for its ongoingcommitment to delivering theGSTC in an environmentallysensitive manner and with theleast possible impact on theGeraldton community,”she said.WA Premier Geoff Gallop atthe launch.6THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005

finishInterchange opens to huge crowdsThe much anticipated BrandHighway Interchange, partof the Geraldton SouthernTransport Corridor (GSTC),officially opened to a crowd ofapproximately 1,000 peoplewho were keen to be thefirst to walk over the newlyconstructed bridge on21 December 2004.Thiess, Main Roads andlocal group Move MotivateMidwest, invited theGeraldton community to joinin this once-only opportunityto enjoy the panoramic views,meet the people who made ithappen and then join them forbreakfast on the bridge.This was followed at 12pm bythe very first cars travellingacross the two bridges andthe interchange with trafficflowing smoothly.According to ThiessConstruction ManagerPeter Hopfmueller thesupport shown by theGeraldton communityhas been overwhelming.“It’s very rewarding for Thiessand all the team that’s workedtogether. It’s a really goodfeeling and we are prettyhappy,” he said.“We were only expecting 200or 300 but the support hasbeen fantastic and exceededall our expectations.“It’s great for the team tosee first hand what they’vebeen working on over thepast months and to hand itover to such an enthusiasticcommunity.”The opening of the interchangemeans less traffic disruptionand improved access topedestrian and cyclist facilities.Move Motivate Midwestescorted groups of walkersfrom the Geraldton SurfLifesaving Club andMaitland Park.Committee Member for thegroup Jo Blayney said theevent was important becauseit highlighted facilities forpedestrians and cyclistsat the interchange.The opening of theinterchange on the GSTCis a significant step forwardin the overall project. Formany in the Geraldtoncommunity it will mean aneasier commute to work,less traffic disruption neartheir homes and improvedaccess to pedestrian andcyclist facilities. However thebenefits do not stop there.While the road is an integralpart of the project, the railwayto be installed before theend of 2005, will continueto deliver benefits to theGeraldton community interms of access, safety andefficiency for the transportindustry and for theGeraldton community.•Members of the GSTC Project Team.L to R: Niels Asche, Mark O’Reilly, Carolyn Nixon, Brendon Deshon,Peter Hopfmueller, Brenton Pike, Adrian Matthews and Peter Schmidt.Approximately 1000 people took the opportunity to walk on theBrand Interchange before it was officially opened.THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 7

AwardsNew contract awardsGeothermal powerstation awardTWMS Schweppeson sweet dealSite works forthe DurajatUnit III Projectare under way.On 29 October 2004PT Thiess Indonesia,in consortium withKanematsu Corporation,was awarded a US$85million contract forengineering, procurementand construction of theDarajat Unit III Projectby Chevron TexacoEngineering Indonesia.Thiess is leading theconsortium and is responsiblefor managing the totalcontract while Kanematsuis responsible for design,supply and commissioningof the MHI Steam TurbineGenerator Package.Thiess Project ManagerBruce Weber said the projectincludes the development ofa 110 MW geothermal powerplant at Darajat and is the thirdstage of Chevron Texaco’sdevelopment of its DarajatGeothermal Resource.“The resource, located nearMt Kendang in West Javaapproximately 150 km southeastof Jakarta, is within avolcanic range containingcentres of relatively recentactivity and vigorous surfacedisplays of geothermal activity,”Bruce said.“This means the power stationcan produce geothermalpower by collecting naturallygenerated steam from theunderground volcanic regions,”Bruce said.“The Darajat Geothermal Fieldis a substantial high qualityresource producing dry steamat the wellhead and includessome very large wells includingone well which has 40 MWcapacity. The world-wideaverage is 5–10 MW per well.”Unit III will be installed ona common site as an extensionto Chevron Texaco’s existingDarajat Unit II GeothermalPower Station and the twounits will share commonfacilities including the steamgathering system.In addition to constructing thenew geothermal power plant,the scope of works will includeextending the existing Unit IITurbine Hall to house the Unit IIIPlant and completing steamfieldworks involving procurement,construction, testing andcommissioning of theexpanded design for theexisting geothermal steamgathering system.The project is expectedto be completed bySeptember 2006.•TWMS Environmental Consultant Nathan Radley (Left)with Cadbury Schweppes personnel during a site audit.Thiess Waste ManagementSystem (TWMS), a divisionof Thiess Services, hasnegotiated an initial12-month contract withCadbury SchweppesAustralia and CadburySchweppes New Zealandfor the implementationof an Integrated WasteManagement System.This contract, which has thepotential to be extended foran additional two years, isto increase and implementnew recycling systemsand to manage all general,hazardous and liquid wastes.Other services that may comeunder this agreement in thefuture are sanitary, bathroomand pest control services.Cadbury SchweppesAustralia has 19 sites acrossall states and the NewZealand Division has twosites, one in Auckland andone in the south in Dunedin.TWMS Sales and MarketingManager Julian Ryan saidthe expansion into NewZealand is exciting as it givesan opportunity for TWMSto cross the Tasman withits unique Integrated WasteManagement System.“Cadbury Schweppes hascorporate targets for divertingwaste from landfill andreducing overall waste costs,”he said.“TWMS is able to reducewaste volumes and costsand achieve regimentedclient set KPIs througha holistic approachof professional clientmanagement, comprehensivesite auditing, competentcontractor negotiations /management, implementationof new waste diversionoptions and, in someinstances, new processdesign.”•8 THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005

Curragh Northstrikes coalWork under way onFive Islands RoadThiess Qld/NT/Pacific’snew Curragh North MiningOperation has achieved animportant project milestonewith the first coal exposedless than two months afterwork began on the site.More than two million m 3of overburden have beenremoved from the siteexposing the first signsof quality coking coalapproximately 20mbeneath the earth’s surface.Thiess was awarded thecontract in October 2004 byclient – Wesfarmers CurraghPty. Ltd. – for the constructionof infrastructure and initialmining and pre-strip activitiesat the site.Located 20km north ofWesfarmer’s existing CurraghMine in Queensland’sBowen Basin, the CurraghNorth Project will involve theconstruction of a range of sitesupport facilities, includinga mine industrial area, watermanagement, power supply,an access road from CurraghNorth to the existing mine atCurragh and an extensivelevee bank adjacent to theMackenzie River.Initial mining activities consistmainly of the excavation of100 million m 3 of overburdenduring the four-year termof the contract, as well ashaulroad and water storagedam construction.Excavation of the firstboxcut began at the site on20 November last year, withan initial project milestoneto expose 100,000 tonnes ofcoal by 1 March 2005.After some initial challengesin getting the equipmentestablished on the site,the project is now aheadof schedule in terms ofthe amount of overburdenexcavated to date.Curragh North Mining ProjectManager Andrew Boyd saidhe is confident the teamwill achieve the first coalexposure milestone.“We have a dedicated andexperienced team working onthe site and I’m very confidentwe will achieve the firstcoal exposure target by thebeginning of March,”Andrew said.“I have been really impressedwith the way everyone inthe team has helped out ingetting the project up andrunning. We’ve had no injuriesand are ahead of schedule.“The challenge for the teamnow is to maintain this level ofperformance as we increasethe number of people andequipment on site.”•Members of the CurraghNorth Project Team.Back Row L to R:Andrew Boyd, Col Hatton,Peter Kelly, Dana Popovskiand Derek Wilson.Front Row L to R:Jacqui Sheppard,Rua Hau, Cherie Harris,Karl Telford, Nigel Dalley,Kevin Kelly andKelven Lawson.Thiess has begun work on upgrading Five Islands Road, South-Westof Newcastle, NSW.Work has commencedon the upgrading of 1.7kmof Five Islands Road onthe western side ofLake Macquarie, around15km south-west ofNewcastle in NSW. Theproject is being undertakenfor the NSW Roads andTraffic Authority.Thiess’ work involveswidening the existing singlecarriageway between theSpeers Point and BooragulRoundabouts to a dualcarriageway, constructing two176m eight-span bridges andcompleting remedial work onthe existing bridges, togetherwith the upgrade of theSpeers Point and BooragulRoundabouts to improvethe alignment.“Our team is very enthusiasticabout the project due to thevariety of activities and thefact that we’re working in anurban environment alongsidea lake,” said Project ManagerIan Currey.“While it has some uniquechallenges such as veryheavy peak traffic flows,limited access points andworking within a protectedwetland, we’re confident thatwe have the right solutionsand people for the task.”Environmental protection isa key consideration as FiveIslands Road runs alongsideLake Macquarie and throughprotected wetland areas.Additional wetlands will becreated to compensate forthe loss of wetland arearesulting from constructionof the upgrade works. Thecompensatory wetland inTulkaba Park will consist ofa network of channels wheremangroves will establish andthe wetland south west of thesouthern bridge will consistof saltmarsh vegetation.Scheduled for completionin early 2007, the FiveIslands Road Upgrade willbenefit local and regionalcommunities throughimproved accessibility,travel times and road safety.•THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 9

WinThiess wins additional$15 million synchrotoncontractThiess has successfullysecured an additional$15 million of work for theSynchrotron Project aftercompleting the designand construction ofAustralia’s first dedicatedSynchrotron Facility,one month ahead of thecontractual date.The Synchrotron Project Team has worked hard to deliverthe client’s requirements.The initial contractinvolved designing andconstructing a 116mdiameter building witha height of 12.4m at itshighest point and aninternal area of more than15,000m² to accommodatethe synchrotron machineand associated equipment.Project Manager Mike Rogerssaid winning an additional$15 million contract isrecognition of the team’shard work to ensure Thiessdelivered the required projectoutcomes for the client.“We are very pleased theclient has negotiated a further$15 million worth of variationsand has appointed Thiess tothe construction managementservices for the machineinstallation,” he said.“We look forward tocontinuing to work inpartnership with MajorProjects Victoria.”The additional contractmeans Thiess will continueto contribute to one of themost exciting and significantscience infrastructureinvestments in Australiafor decades.According to Mike, Thiesshas a long and proud historyof playing a pivotal role in thedevelopment of the nation’sessential infrastructure.New contractThe scope of works for the$15 million contract willinvolve installation of the:• Electrical distribution forthe machine and magnetpower supplies• Low conductivity waterplant for cooling thebeam line• Lead shielding, and• Compressed air and airskates to the tunnel doors.To ensure these works arecompleted, key priorities forthe project team over the nextfew months include:• Completing powersupplies and lowconductivity water toenable the commissioningof the linear accelerator• Co-ordinating andsupervising theinstallation of the linearaccelerator and magnets,and• Providing facilitymanagement.The expected completiondate for the new contractis March 2006.•10THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005

New eraNQGP supportsregional NQ growthThe Moranbah Compressor Station – helping to facilitate commercial andindustrial growth in North Queensland.Completed in September2004, the North QueenslandGas Pipeline Project (NQGP)has significantly enhancedthe coal seam gas industryand launched a new era ofeconomic activity in regionalNorth Queensland.A strategic link betweenthe north Bowen BasinCoalfields and Townsville,the pipeline will delivercompetitively pricedcoal seam gas to theregion, facilitating newopportunities for new andexisting commercial andindustrial growth.The alliance team modified itsoriginal Horizontal DirectionalDrilling Technique to minimiseany potential damage to pipes.Delivered by the NQGPAlliance, consisting ofEnertrade (the owner),GHD (the engineer) and theThiess Nacap Joint Venture(constructor) - the projectinvolved the construction ofthe Moranbah CompressorStation and 392km of pipelineacross 25 major roads, railsor water bodies.Thiess Civil Manager (Qld/NT/Pacific) Peter Lyons said analliance approach was criticalto ensure the efficient deliveryof the project.“Generally with pipelineprojects, achieving timelyapprovals is a major frontendchallenge, and theNQGP Project was noexception to the rule. With 65individual landowners, majorenvironmental considerationsand a tight work schedule, anopen, robust approval systemwas needed,” Peter said.“Alliancing ensured a ‘noblame’ culture that allowedpeople to collaborate,discuss options and agree onbest-for-project solutions toprovide a focus on outcomes.“For example, as part ofthe project we needed todrill under bodies of water,which was a major challenge,and found that the originalHorizontal Directional DrillingTechnique damaged thepipes’ coating as a result ofthe cobbly strata.“As with other project issuesas they arose, the allianceapproach ensured theengineering, operations andconstruction personnel werebrought together into thevalue engineering, designdevelopment and reviewprocess, which facilitated theefficient identification andimplementation of a solutionwithout severe impact on thecritical project end date.“Alliancing was the mosteffective delivery methodfor this project as itencouraged involvement ofall people with an opinionin robust discussions, acommon focus, no claimsand ultimately, smootherand more efficient projectdelivery, which were integralfor the project’s successfulcompletion.”The project provides scopefor a future connection tocentral Queensland marketssuch as Gladstone andRockhampton.•THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 11

UpgradesOut with the old and in withthe newLane CoveTunnel –heading for fullproduction in2005Following a smooth start toconstruction last year, work onthe $1.1 billion Lane Cove TunnelProject will reach full productionearly in 2005, with tunnelling andmajor road works in full swing.Member for Lara (Right)Peter Loney inspects theinstallation of a turnout withThiess ALSTOM Joint VentureProject Manager Jason Spears.Another major milestonehas been achieved onthe Regional Fast RailProject with the successfulcompletion of two weeksof upgrade works that willmodernise infrastructureon the Geelong Rail Line.The Geelong Regional FastRail Project is the largest-everupgrade of rail infrastructureon the line, and forms part ofthe Victorian Government’sRegional Fast Rail Project,which will link the regionalcentres of Ballarat, Geelong,Latrobe Valley and Bendigoto Melbourne with faster,more frequent rail services.For a two-week period inJanuary 2005, the ThiessALSTOM Joint Ventureperformed major upgradeson five crossovers and threeturnouts, replacing the oldtimber structures with morethan 1,000 concrete bearersweighing up to three tonneseach.Construction during thisperiod also involved theupgrade of level crossingsand surface reconditioning ofnumerous roads, installation ofconcrete sleepers in selectedsections of track, crossoverand turnout installation andminor signalling works.While these upgradesrequired the total closure ofthe Geelong Rail Line, theimprovements will deliversignificant long-term benefitsproviding both rail and roadusers with smoother travellingconditions.Upgrade works completedon scheduleAn intense constructionprogram was implemented toensure works were completedon time.Thiess ALSTOM Joint VentureProject Manager JasonSpears said the team wascommitted to completingthe works on time anddid everything possible tominimise inconvenience.“We are very appreciativeof the support and patiencewe have received from localresidents and businesses,”he said.“We thank them for theirwarm reception and will seekto continue these strongrelationships throughoutthe project.”Future focusThe recent closure of theGeelong Line to passengerservices also enabled theThiess ALSTOM Joint VentureTeam to perform preparatoryworks for the installation ofthe new signalling system.The state-of-the-art signallingsystem will improve trainreliability and enhance safetymeasures at level crossingsand pedestrian cribs. Thenew signalling system willbe installed during 2005.•Timber sleepers from the oldcrossovers from the GeelongRail Line.As well as twin 3.6km roadtunnels beneath Lane Cove inSydney’s Lower North Shore, theproject also includes wideningof the Gore Hill Freeway, newramps linking the WarringahFreeway and Falcon Street atNorth Sydney, plus widening ofthe Lane Cove River Bridge andEpping Road at North Ryde.Since site establishmentcommenced in April 2004, threetunnelling work sites have beenestablished and tunnelling in themainline tunnels is underway. Agood start has also been madeon the surface, with work underway on the Pacific Highway, GoreHill Freeway and Epping Road.The Falcon Street works willcommence early in 2005.When completed, the projectwill deliver reduced traveltimes between the city andthe fast-growing north-westernsuburbs, reduced trafficcongestion on surface roadsand better facilities forpedestrians, cyclists and publictransport. The project will formpart of Sydney’s orbital networkof high-quality motorways.Design and construction ofthe project is being undertakenby the Thiess John HollandJoint Venture and is due forcompletion in 2007. By then,some 5,000 people includingproject staff, sub-contractorsand suppliers will have beeninducted into the project.THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 13

Project updateMorwell River Diversion nears completionProject scope of worksThe scope of worksfor the Morwell RiverDiversion has included:• Placing approximately12.5 million m 3 ofengineered fill to forma 3.5km river diversionembankment acrossthe existing mine pit• Constructing fourtunnels under theriver diversion, with acombined length ofapproximately 1.3kmfor the conveyors totransport coal fromthe existing andnew coalfields• Completingassociated workssuch as roadconstruction,installation ofdrainage systems,instrumentation andother miscellaneouscivil work, and• Relocating services.The project, being undertaken by the Roche ThiessLinfox Joint Venture, under an Alliance contract withYallourn Energy, is designed to extend the life ofYallourn’s Mine to 2032 and ensure a sustainablecoal supply for the long-term operation of theYallourn W Power Station, which provides20% of Victoria’s power needs.Project Manager LauriceTemple said the teamhas built the 3.5km riverdiversion embankment,which will raise the river60m above the floor ofthe mine, and is workinghard to complete all finalaspects of the project.“Throughout the project,the team has remainedcommitted to deliveringto our client’s needs andexpectations,” Laurice said.“This has included beingproactive in developing aCompletion Action Plan inSeptember 2004.“This plan has provided acentral point of focus for allparties involved to regularlymonitor progress and ensurethe project remains on track.”As part of these finalarrangements, in the past fewmonths, the team has beenbusy completing:• Bulk earthworks• Relocation of all servicesincluding fire, ash andsewer mains• Topsoiling and vegetationof the embankments andwetlands (40,000 plants),and• Construction of the LowFlow Channel.The Morwell River Diversion Vehicle Crossing.When completed, the Diversion will extend the lifeof Yallourn’s Mine to 2032.Laurice said she is veryproud of everyone who hasworked on the job for theirachievements and dedicationin delivering such a highqualityproduct within thestipulated timeframeand budget.•14THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005

Roof raiseDarwin LNG Project raises the roofImagine lifting the roof of theworld’s largest LNG StorageTank with air.Internal workings on the Darwin LNG Storage Tank after the recentroof raising.Recently the tank roof thatmeasures 92m in diameterand weighs approximately1200 tonnes was raisedusing four fans. The liftwas undertaken in aperiod of 10 hours.The domed roof for theLNG Storage Tank wasconstructed at groundlevel concurrently with theconstruction of the steellined concrete secondarycontainment walls. A flexibleseal was then installedbetween the steel lining andthe roof to maintain pressureduring the roof raising.To ensure the roof wasmaintained level duringthe roof raising, a systemof cables was installed tobalance the structure.Maintaining the roof levelwas essential to ensure theseals between the wall linerand the roof remained incontact to minimise air lossat this interface. The fansused for the raising operationwere kept running untilsufficient welding betweenthe roof and the adjacentwalls was completed forstructural adequacy.Thiess Construction MangerPeter Halpin said reachingthe roof raise milestonewas integral to the project’stimely delivery.“The roof lift had to becompleted before thewet season began. Withunpredictable and severestorms heading our way, wewill now be able to constructthe inner 9% nickel alloyproduct containment tankunder the roof without anyinterruption from the weather.”The 47m high tank isexpected to be completedby January 2006. The tankstores 188,000m 3 of LiquefiedNatural Gas at a temperatureof -167 degrees celsius. TheLNG shall be exported to endusers in Japan.•THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 15

OpportunityWilpinjong Coal Project – new coalresource opportunityLocated 40kmnorth-west of Mudgee andapproximately 110km west ofMuswellbrook, the WilpinjongProject represents a majoropportunity to develop anew coal resource ona greenfield site in thewestern coal field of NSW.In early 2003 Thiess madea strategic decision toalign with Excel CoalLimited, who had studiedthe site for several yearsand now own 90% of theland. Excel’s explorationlicence covers some 4,222hectares and the site hasan in situ resource ofsome 523 million tonnesof thermal coal. Its largereserves have a very lowstrip ratio compared withtypical Hunter Valley minesand the overall project hasa potential life of morethan 20 years.Thiess’ expertise will beused to deliver thedevelopment, infrastructureand operational phasesof the project. The mineinfrastructure will includea rail loop, access roads,workshop, offices and bathhouse facilities. Designand construction of a CoalHandling Plant for raw coalcrushing, stockpiling andassociated train loadingfacilities are also part ofThiess’ contract.A 50:50 Joint Venturebetween Thiess Servicesand Sedgman will undertakethe design and constructionof the coal handling, crushing,washing and rail loadingfacilities.Final exploration drilling of thesite to fine-tune the geologicalmodel is virtually completeand Excel is currentlyfinalising EIS documentationtogether with a DevelopmentApplication for submission inearly 2005.Community consultationis continuing while Thiessmoves into the projectdefinition phase for the mineinfrastructure and establishesrelationships with localservice providers. ScottWinter from the South WalkerCreek Project in Queenslandhas been appointed asProject Manager and hasrecently established apermanent site office.The target is to commenceconstruction in late 2005 andmining in mid-2006.•16 THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005

ConsolidatedSTCJV and Silcar form one cohesiveorganisationSiemens Thiess CommunicationsJoint Venture (STCJV) and Silcar, twoseparate unincorporated joint venturesformed by Siemens and ThiessServices, have combined forces underone management structure with a planto form what will eventually bean incorporated business.Head of Silcar Network Assets Division Allan Bradford (left)with General Manager STCJV Michael Wright.By integrating the two jointventures, Siemens andThiess Services are ableto take advantage of thesynergies that exist in thecurrent activities of partsof both joint ventures.What will be the benefits?With combined revenue ofapproximately $300 million,the opportunities availableto the larger organisationof STCJV and Silcar will besignificantly enhanced thanksto the increased diversity ofoperations and the potentialto leverage both jointventure’s resources, marketsand expertise.CEO of Silcar Bernie Cooper,who has assumed overallleadership and responsibilityfor the new organisation, saidbringing the resources andcapabilities of the two jointventures into one organisationwill also positively addressa number of legal andcommercial issues andprovide a stronger vehiclefor further growth.“Under the integration,STCJV and Silcar have beenconsolidated into a singlemanagement reporting toa single board. This willassist both joint ventures toimprove their businesses bymaximising their potentialsynergies and simplifyingthe management process,”he said.Previously, both STCJV andSilcar operated as separatejoint venture entities, eachreporting to two separateBoards made up of membersfrom both companies. Underthe integrated structure, thetwo joint ventures have beenconsolidated, with one singlemanagement team reportingto one single Board.While STCJV and Silcarwill continue reportingindependently until furthernotice, the initial changes,which became effective from1 December 2004, included:• Replacing the two Boardswith one single Board• Announcing BoardMembers• CEO of Silcar,Bernie Cooper assumingoverall leadership andresponsibility for alloperations, and• STCJV newly appointedGeneral Manager MichaelWright reporting to theSilcar Networks AssetsDivision, alongsideTelepower and HighVoltage and ElectricalServices, headed up byAllan Bradford.STCJV commenced inJune 2000 with a businessfocus on pursuing futuretelecommunications workin Australia and nearbyregions. STCJV has extensiveexperience in the planning,design, constructionand ongoing operationsand maintenance ofcommunications networksand has delivered qualityresults by consistently meetingtargets for cost, quality andtimely delivery.Silcar was establishedin 1993 to providemaintenance servicesfor power industry clients inthe Latrobe Valley. Sincethen the business hasexpanded into assetmanagement andmaintenance servicesfor technically complexassets. This includes thermalpower generation, pulp andpaper, steel manufacturing,telecommunication energysystems and the miningand mineral processingindustries.•THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 17

Art prizeThiess Art Prize2004December 1 2004 markedthe official opening of thethird annual Thiess Art Prize.Thiess is proud to continue itsassociation with the Griffith University- Queensland College of Art (QCA)through the prize, which encouragesand rewards artistic excellence.The entries this year were diverse andranged from sculpture to painting andmetal work, with the winning workdestined to be proudly displayedon Level 10 of the Thiess Centreat South Bank.This piece will join the growingcollection of winning art in the ThiessCentre, on display as a result of theThiess Art Prize.The prize is gaining popularity everyyear, both with art lovers and amongQCA art students as an opportunityto showcase their artistic talentand achievements.Over 2000 people visited theexhibition this year, making it anexcellent opportunity not just forThiess to demonstrate its support andcommitment to the Arts, but for staffto be part of a great community event.Special thanks to our ChairmanMartin Albrecht who judged theentrants this year alongside PhilipBacon AM and the Director ofthe QCA Mostyn Bramley-Moore.Congratulations to this year’s winners– Shena Collins, Karla Marchesi, andSuzanne Danaher.The exhibition at the Dell GallerySouth Bank was open to the publicthroughout December and January.•Caltex Project receivessafety awardOn November 30 2004, Thiess Managing Director Roger Trundlemade an important award presentation to the Caltex ProjectTeam in Indonesia in recognition of the team’s achievementsfor working more than 200 days Lost Time Injury free.In his presentation, Rogercongratulated ConstructionSupervisor Tanda Harapanand his team on theiroutstanding safety efforts andpresented each of the teamRoger Trundle congratulatesConstruction Supervisor Tanda Harapanon the safety achievement.members with a momentoof their achievement.The team is still continuing toperform well and has recentlyworked more than 300 daysLTI free.The Caltex Project Team.In addition to the Caltex sitetour, during his recent visitto Indonesia Roger alsovisited the Suban II ProjectSTOP PRESSMitcham Frankston Project Office openedin Sumatra and the Darajat IIISite in Java.•The crowd gathering on the opening night ofthe Thiess Art Prize Exhibition.The Thiess John Holland Mitcham Frankston Project Office was officiallyopened by Premier of Victoria The Hon. Steve Bracks MP on 16 February 2005.Site establishment works for the project are currently under way.18THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005

HealthA step in theright directionThiess Qld/NT/Pacific (QNP) is triallinga new employee health program aimedat improving employees’ health throughencouraging regular exercise.Finance and Administration Manager QNP Ken Kerr has his bloodpressure checked as part of the Step Change Program.More than half of QNP’shead office – basedemployees areparticipating in theprogram, known as StepChange, which involvestwo comprehensive healthassessments held at thestart and conclusion ofthe three-month longexercise program.The health assessmentsconsist of a five-point healthcheck specifically lookingat cholesterol levels, bodycomposition (such as BodyMass Index and Waist to HipRatio), cardiovascular fitness,blood pressure andgoal setting.is based on research thatindicates taking 10,000 stepseach day improves the healthand well-being of the generalpopulation. Following theirinitial assessment, employeesform teams and are issuedwith a pedometer to recordthe number of steps takeneach day. During a threemonthperiod a team of sixparticipants, each completing10,000 steps per day, will walkthe equivalent of Brisbaneto Darwin via the region’sproject sites. Positive peerpressure generated by theteam approach will be a keymotivator, with teams able totrack their progress on a mapand compare their performanceA second assessment is thenconducted with each individualat the end of the three-monthperiod to measure anyimprovements made since theinitial check up.There is likely to be somerecognition offered along theway for teams that reach thenominated milestones (projectlocations) first, but the majorprize will go to the team thatcollectively achieves thegreatest health improvements.Thiess Workers Compensationand Rehabilitation ManagerQNP, Gavin Milich saidthe program reflected thecompany’s strong focus onemployee health and safety.of a healthy workforceand we want to encourageour employees to look afterthemselves and incorporateregular exercise intotheir lifestyles.“Although the Healthy HeartProgram showed we are arelatively healthy group, wewanted to develop a programthat got employees activelyinvolved in understandingtheir health and provide somemotivation for regular exercise,”Gavin said.Step Change’s successwill be evaluated at theconclusion of the QNP trial,with the possibility of acompany wide roll-out of theThe Step Change philosophyto other teams.“We recognise the importanceprogram in the future.•David McAdam.DavidMcAdamdrives QNPcommercialfocusDavid McAdam hasrecently been appointedCommercial ManagerThiess Qld/NT/Pacific(QNP).In his role David will leadthe team responsible for theRegion’s commercial supportfunctions, covering suchareas as Legal and Contracts,Estimating, Finance,Administration and IT.David has held seniormanagement positions atengineering and constructionorganisations in both Australiaand South East Asia and isa member of the AustralianInstitute of CompanyDirectors. David has a degreein Chemical Engineering,and is currently completingpostgraduate studiesin business.David said he is lookingforward to developing Thiess’commercial systems, witha particular focus on theimplementation of disciplinedgovernance processes.“Our long term goal is toequip QNP with efficientsystem practices andcompetencies that will take usto the next level commerciallyand ultimately make us morecompetitive in the market.“Through strengthening oursupport systems we canimprove the company’s abilityto deliver quality service toour clients,” David said.•THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 1 l 2005 19

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