Welcome to the first edition of our e-newsletter. Our intention is to provide a regular newsletter that provides up to date information on what's happening at Underground Services and in the industry. For this first edition, it gives me pleasure to provide an extract from a recent Chevron Gorgon Project Update Newsletter regarding the project we undertook on Barrow Island. In my mind, this project epitomises win-win project delivery through planning and teamwork. I trust you'll find the following an interesting read!
RegardsPeter RowlesManaging Director
USA Delivers Environmental Bonus on Barrow Island (180K)
One of the singular issues that faces the civil construction industry is the impact of the Workchoices legislation that was introduced some time ago. The looming Federal election outcome has also weighed in with the future of AWA's up in the air.Not only do employers have to ensure their AWA's meet Code Compliance requirements (for federally funded projects), but they now have the Fairness Test provisions to meet, which were recently handed out without warning from the Federal Government.In the main, employers in this industry look after their employees as far as wages and conditions go; and the skills shortage has also brought out some longer-term thinking in regards to Attract, Train and Retain strategies. The challenge in the months ahead will be to choose the right strategy and make-up of AWA's that can cope with either a change from a Liberal to Labor government or maintain the status quo if there is no change.One consolation is that our industry is not alone with this issue…
Underground Services' new 60t Trencor trencher is cutting its teeth (literally) on the Geraldton to Northampton pipeline. This project has been undertaken by the Water Corporation to deliver a stable and reliable water supply to the town of Northampton.
USA is once again in a working partnership with PPS to deliver the project. We have also adopted a policy of using local services and labour wherever possible.
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Underground Serviceswere awarded the contract to install six (6) 132 kV cables for the new substation Western Power are constructing next to Curtin University. There will be 2 circuits comprising 3 cables each.
We'd like to introduce USA's General Manager, Thomas Andres. Thomas was recruited to our company as commercial manager and has recently taken up the newly created position of General Manager. Thomas comes to us with a wealth of experience within the construction industry and has proved to be a much valued asset.
Underground Services have completed two (2) projects with the PPS Partnership (PPS), a JV between Transfield and SKM. We are currently undertaking a third project which is the subject of 'Project Focus' elsewhere in this newsletter. PPS are a project managing contractor for the Water Corporation, and are USA's Client.
The SUPP projects are in various stages of completion. The Nedlands SUPP is all but finished with just 2 interface connections left. Highgate should be completed around the end of August, minus the interface work. Wembley is cruising along with a scheduled completion date of December 2007. The Fremantle SUPP team has moved into Cells 5 and 6. Work in these cells requires extra planning and consultation as the City of Fremantle regard the area as CBD due to the high commercial presence. This project is still on schedule for completion by October 2007.
