The completion of the pipeline by the end of 2006 will allow over ten coal mines to move forward in developing their mines with a huge impact on Australia’s economy through increased export of coal.

The pipelaying activities of the rubber ring jointed 800 mm diameter MSCL pipe have peaked at a daily production rate of 3 km with average lay rate of over 1.5 km per day. The use of cross country pipeline techniques for constructing a trafficable RoW and continuous stringing and stockpiling of sand bedding and padding have allowed the three pipelaying crews of eco civil to achieve the productions to date.

The construction of a 600 megalitre storage dam, balance tanks and pump stations are all progressing to schedule with MACDOW civils managing this part of the project.

The project team, lead by Leon Richards as Project Manager, includes the traditional pipeliners of Jim Gibb as Superintendent; Derek Prentice, Gordon Slattery, Peter Marshall and Brian Gervasoni as Supervisors; and, Rolf Wasserman, John MacKellar and John Windus in the project office. New pipeliners include Construction Manager Jim Campbell; Supervisors Paul Bott and Paul Spindler; and, Project Engineers Daniel Turcinovich, Shaun McArthy and George Thomas. The environmental management is being handled by Dan Morgan.

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Leon and his team are making a huge effort to ensure the health and safety of all the project employees and subcontractors through the implementation of a Behavioural Safety Program which focuses on empowering all involved on the project with the fundamental requirements to understand the risks involved in the day to day activities, especially in relation to driving both on and off the RoW.

The experience gained in the construction of one of Australia’s longest large diameter water pipelines has allowed MACDOW to secure other major water infrastructure projects including the $600 million South Regional Water Project Alliance in Brisbane, a critical part of Brisbane’s drought proofing strategy, and with several other major water projects targeted in Queensland, Victoria and West Australia.

The pipelaying activities of the rubber ring jointed 800 mm diameter MSCL pipe have peaked at a daily production rate of 3 km with average lay rate of over 1.5 km per day.