Archived News for Industry Professionals
Asciano’s coal haulage division, Pacific National Coal, has unveiled its new train maintenance and provisioning facility at Nebo in regional Queensland.
At a joint launch with the Isaac Regional Council, Pacific National said its $180 million new Nebo Maintenance Facility will support its coal haulage operations and further increase the efficiency of its coal haulage services in the Goonyella, Blackwater and Newlands rail systems.
The five kilometre long facility will enable the provisioning and maintenance of Pacific National trains to ensure their reliable and efficient operation with a range of functions performed, including the refuelling of trains, routine train inspections and wagon and locomotive maintenance work.
"Nebo is the first facility of its design in Australia and includes some of the most innovative design and maintenance techniques seen within the rail industry today, with capacity to support up to 25 coal trains, with eight bays for locomotives and two main tracks for wagon maintenance,” said Mr Geoff Featherstone, General Manager Operations QLD, Pacific National Coal.
As the fastest growing coal haulage operator in Queensland, Pacific National Coal currently transports export coal to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, the Port of Gladstone and Port of Abbot Point under contracts with customers including Xstrata, Rio Tinto, Macarthur Coal, Anglo American, Middlemount, Bowen Central Coal and BHP Mitsui Coal (commencing on 1 January 2013).
Pacific National Coal Director, Mr David Irwin said, “The construction of the new train maintenance and provisioning facilities at Nebo is a significant milestone in Pacific National’s long term investment in Queensland’s coal haulage market to support the needs of our customers.
“With Queensland coal exports expected to grow strongly, Pacific National’s investment is critical to delivering the most efficient, effective and sustainable coal haulage services.
“Importantly, we have created 322 full time jobs, including 220 throughout the construction period, a further 65 new trainee train driver and fully qualified train driver positions and other ongoing maintenance and administrative positions. We invite anyone who is looking for a career with great prospects to come and speak to us,” he concluded.
Planning for the new train provisioning and maintenance facilities at Nebo commenced in early 2010 and included consultation with key stakeholders and community members to ensure minimisation of potential environmental, noise and land impacts. The design and construction was carried out under an alliance between Pacific National Coal and Abigroup Contractors (construction and project coordination), BG&E (design) and QR National (design and construction of track).
The facilities have also been designed to interface with QR National’s rail network and a Connection Agreement has been negotiated with QR National to ensure the efficient integration of the facility with the existing network.
Asciano Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr John Mullen, said, “The successful ramp-up of our operations in Queensland, and now the launch of our productivity enhancing Nebo Train Maintenance Facility is a testament to our Queensland workforce and management team, and reinforces our ability to deliver on our Queensland coal strategy.
“We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Isaac Regional Council, the Queensland State Government and the local community to ensure continued investment and job growth within the region and with our employees and customers to ensure we deliver on our promise of flexible, safe and innovative services.”
Port of Melbourne design contracts awarded
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SA mineral exploration hits post GFC high
The South Australian Minister for Minerals Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis has released figures that show that spending on mineral exploration in South Australia hit a post-GFC high in 2011/12.
COAG Housing Supply and Affordability Reform report released
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has released the Housing Supply and Affordability Reform (HSAR) Report.
Housing construction sector remains in doldrums
Approvals for private sector housing continue their struggle to gain momentum as Building Approvals figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed only a marginal increase.
NSW electricity industry to take on 139 apprentices
The NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher has announced that 139 new apprentices will start training next year across the NSW electricity network.
The new recruits will start work with the State’s three electricity network business – Ausgrid, Endeavour and Essential Energy as apprentice line workers, cable jointers and substation technicians.
Mr Hartcher said the three network businesses were now recruiting for the new roles which included applications, exams, and interviews to help select the brightest bunch of new trainees.
“These new recruits will learn their trade as they work, ensuring they stay safe while maintaining a reliable and efficient electricity network for the people of NSW,” Mr Hartcher said. “They will become the next generation of frontline workers, learning from some of the best and most experienced power workers in the country.
“More than half of these new apprentices will be based in regional and rural NSW, helping to support local communities and local economies.”
The apprentice class of 2013 will learn their trade in both the classroom and on the job training throughout NSW.
Mr Hartcher said that the three electricity networks expected to employ a total of 1,200 graduating apprentices over the next four years.
Oil and gas training and research the focus of CDU agreement
Charles Darwin University has signed a memorandum of understanding with Incospec and Associates Australia that will further its capacity for education, research and on-the-job training related to the needs of the oil and gas industry.
Perth gets Australia's first electric car recharge network
Perth has gained Australia's first electric car recharge network with 23 new fast-charge stations installed across the metro area in a project led by researchers from The University of Western Australia.
Interim report on Queensland TAFE
The Queensland Government’s Skills and Training Taskforce has handed its interim report to the Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek.
Queensland takes axe to Natural Resources and Mines
The Queensland Government’s overhaul of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will see the loss of 413 positions and around 360 retrenchments.
Report on energy potential in the NT
A new report by Geoscience Australia and the Northern Territory Geological Survey has identified potential uranium and geothermal energy-related resources in the southern part of the Northern Territory.
AiGroup funded to provide apprenticeship mentoring program
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) is to lead a $3.1 million support and mentoring project which aims to advise apprentices on their career choice and improve completion rates for apprentices in the manufacturing industry.
Australian shipping emissions identified
Ship engine exhaust emissions make up more than a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions generated in the Australian region according to a recently-published study by CSIRO and the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Nitrogen oxide is a non-greenhouse gas, unlike similarly named nitrous oxide.
Hunt on for NSW Trains CEOs
The NSW Government is looking to appoint Chief Executive Officers for its new agencies, NSW Trains and Sydney Trains.
Local construction industry leaders meet to discuss key issues
The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) will bring together local construction industry leaders at briefings around Australia during October to outline the key issues affecting building and construction businesses, and present the forecasts for business over the next decade.
Discussion at the ACIF Briefings will be seeded with the latest release of the ACIF Forecasts, the industry’s rolling ten year forecasts of demand across residential and non-residential building plus engineering construction. This half-yearly update of the construction industry forecasts will be presented in a new and interactive format – concise, punchy and focussed on the main drivers of change ahead of a dynamic expert panel discussion on the key issues, plus addressing questions from the floor.
NRL signs up to apprenticeship mentoring
Eleven experienced mentors will be employed by the National Rugby League (NRL) to help support Australian Apprentices complete their training in key trades, thanks to a grant of more than $2 million from the Federal Government.
Committee to vet $38 million Mining Engineering Centre
The South Australian Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Tom Koutsantonis, has announced the Parliament’s Public Works Committee has held a hearing into the proposed $38 million Mining Engineering Centre.
WA tightens petroleum regulations
The Western Australian Government has announced new petroleum environment regulations which mandate public disclosure of any chemicals introduced into a well or formation.
BHP Billiton sells Yeellrrie
BHP Billiton has announced the sale of its wholly owned Yeelrrie uranium desposit in Western Australia to Cameco Corporation for US$430 million.
Business Chamber hits out at transport plan
The NSW Business Chamber has accused the State Government’s rail transport plan of jeopodising the future prospects of a High Speed Rail network in a recently released report.
Chevron announces Shell deal
Chevron Australia has announced it has reached an agreement to exchange its holdings in the Browse development for Shell Development’s interests in the Clio and Acme fields in the Carnarvon Basin.