Just after midday on 30 July, the group gathered before boarding the Sargent-sponsored bus and travelled to the Tyco Wacol Manufacturing Facility in Carole Park.

A comprehensive safety briefing by Tyco’s Col Lewis and his team began the tour, along with a video outlining the process of water pipe manufacture.

It was then on to the factory floor, where each step of the process was explained and studied. From steel coil, the pipe is formed to the correct diameter and then automatically welded both internally and externally. During the tour a range of pipe sizes (most quite large) were at different stages in the plant.

From here, the joint requirements of the pipe set the path of the pipe for the next element of the process. Pipe can be prepared for welding, flanged or a rubber ring socket system. Pipe is also hydro tested to ensure the its integrity. Following this, the pipe is externally coated with fusion bonded medium density polyethylene.

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Next the tour group saw the internal concrete coating process, a first for many of them. After heading past pipe that was curing, a wide arc via the yard was taken to the building where a number of various applications were taking place. These included fabrication of joints and other varied components, along with the coating of joints. Overall, the scale of production was impressive and delegates also gained an appreciation of the role that the plant has played in providing pipe for the Queensland water grid construction over recent years.

The Tyco tour concluded with the presentation of ‘goody-bags’ that provided additional information about the company.

A quick trip down the road took the group to the WDS Ltd (formerly Ackroyd Engineering, which is now part of WDS) fabrication facility in Kingston.

Here the group was shown how key components of plant and facilities are fabricated with the high precision required. Their highly skilled team must adhere to welding prequalifications and all materials used in each item are tracked to ensure full traceability.

From the facility, the components are sent around the nation to the jobs for which they have been crafted. The fabrication process is highly important, although often less visible because it is not performed onsite and instead final components ‘appear’ when needed.

It was then back to the CBD and the APIA Brisbane Dinner at the Hilton where industry members of all ages mingled.

On day two, the YPF group departed the Jade Buddah in Brisbane at 7.45 am, most armed with coffee and McDonald’s for the 90 minute trip to Esk to witness construction on the Toowoomba Water Pipeline.

After arriving on site, a safety induction was the first order of business, followed by a brief morning tea.

Led by guides Marcus and Peter, it was on to 4WD buses, which headed up the very steep Munroes Hill to see ‘the Saddle’, the highest point on the pipeline route (265 m above sea level).

The group then headed further into the Deongwar State Forest, to Cressbrook Creek, where the pipelaying crew was in action. The next stop was the pump station at Wivenhoe Dam where foundations were being laid. The station is one of two on the project.

Having spent an action-packed two days, the group returned to Brisbane and departed for home.

As always, these tours don’t happen without a great deal of planning and effort. The YPF would like to thank Col Lewis and Angelo Semit from Tyco, Alan Murphy from WDS, and Carmen Marshall and Tegan Plant from the Toowoomba Pipeline Alliance for their pre-tour work and for organising lunch. Sargent once again provided strong support, sponsoring the buses and, along with Vermeer, providing some refreshments for the return bus trip.