Victorian Desalination Project Community Liaison Group
Minutes from Meeting Number 22 on 25 August 2011
Date: Thursday 25 August 2011
Location:
Plant site and Community Information Centre
Present:
John Nicol (Chair)
Peter Sammut (DSE)
Meeka Bailey (DSE – Secretary)
Chris Herbert (AquaSure)
John Ridley (AquaSure)
Louisa McPhee (AquaSure)
Serena Middleton (Thiess Degrémont)
Steve Burns (Thiess Degrémont)
Karen Lee (Thiess Degrémont)
Max Tolson (Thiess Degrémont Nacap)
Graeme Tait (Thiess Degrémont Nacap)
Cr Veronica Dowman (Bass Coast Shire)
Neville Goodwin (Bass Coast Community Representative)
Ian Anderson (Cardinia Community Representative)
Sonia Rappell (City of Casey)
Apologies:
Chloe Munro (AquaSure)
Cr Geoff Ablett (City of Casey)
Cr Stuart Halligan (Cardinia Council)
Site tour attendees:
Allen Bawden (Bass Coast Shire Council)
Felicity Sist (Bass Coast Shire Council)
Peter Fitchett (City of Casey Council)
1.
Site tour
The Community Liaison Group (CLG) attended the Victorian Desalination Project plant site for a site
walk. The group met Thiess Degrémont Project Director John Barraclough at the viewing platform
and was escorted on a site tour by area safety manager Marcus Roylance. The site walk included
the roof of the reverse osmosis (RO) building which afforded a view over the seawater lift pump
station, screen and feed building, dual media pressure filters and backwash facilities on the southern
side.
The viewing gallery that will be within the bridge linking the administration building and RO
building was also pointed out. On the northern side the remineralisation buildings, power
substation and water storages were viewed. The group saw the various stages of membrane
installation and planting of the green roof on the RO building. The group then walked
through the RO building, seeing the RO racks and glass reinforced piping as well as various
mechanical and electrical components. Following the tour, the group returned to the Community
Information Centre for the CLG meeting.
2.
Welcome / Introductions / Apologies
Mr Nicol welcomed everyone to the 22nd CLG meeting and thanked AquaSure and Thiess
Degrémont for enabling the group to see the site through a walking tour. Mr Nicol welcomed
Graeme Tait, the Project Manager of the Thiess Degrémont Nacap Pipeline Joint Venture (PLJV).
Mr Nicol commented that the site tour highlighted how outstanding the project is in terms of its
civil engineering scale.
3.
Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes were adopted as drafted.
4.
DSE update
Mr Sammut updated the group on DSE activities. There has been continued work with landowners
by the DSE Property Team regarding compensation although settlements of final compensation are
expected to remain at the current level until reinstatement is completed. Mr Sammut said the
PLJV land liaison (for construction) and DSE property teams (for land acquisition and
compensation) were doing a good job of working with people, as well as together, and that this
would be important to continue during reinstatement. The standard of reinstatement is very
important to landowners and PLJV were encouraged to continue to work with landowners on this
important next step of the pipeline/power works.
Mr Sammut detailed the Independent Review and Environmental Auditor’s (IREA) findings for the
month of August. There were no non‐compliances and four areas for improvement with no
observations.
Four areas for improvement:
AquaSure EMS documentation of procedure reviews
Audit of review and approval of operational controls
Documentation of review and approval authorisation
Weather and dust monitoring station
The correspondence with one community member is included with the minutes.
5.
AquaSure/Thiess Degrémont Presentation
Mr Burns discussed the matter of electrical redundancies reported in the media this week. Mr
Burns said the desalination project is quite unique, with very unique challenges. The EBA for the
project was developed with this in mind. It was designed to allow for flexible rostering arrangements
in order to maximise productivity on the project to help get the project delivered on time. . The
project’s focus right now is mechanical and electrical installations. Thiess Degrémont recently
introduced a 4 day on, 4 day off (4x4) roster for electricians with a goal of achieving maximum
productivity. However, the 4x4 roster was not delivering improved productivity or any added
value so it is Thiess Degrémont’s intention to return to a traditional construction roster (56 hours
per week over 6 days).
As a result of that change, around 160 electricians will be made redundant from the project, some
earlier than expected. There have been suggestions by the electrical union in the media that this
action was designed to provoke strike action. Thiess Degrémont categorically rejects that claim. Mr
Burns said the electricians on the project are failing to meet the most basic productivity
standards, despite being paid very well, and Thiess Degrémont has taken the necessary action to
address that. This is about productivity and nothing more. Mr Burns said they have taken a strong
stand on this matter in the media in recent days and wanted to keep the CLG updated.
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Mr Nicol asked if attempts to drive productivity had met with resistance. Ms Middleton said there
had been incidents of intimidatory behaviour towards supervisors and workers staying in sheds
after breaks had finished. Mr Goodwin asked if there was any accuracy to the rumours that
the redundancies were put in place because of unproductive acts being undertaken by union
members. Mr Burns said that there had been incidents such as power disconnections. Mr Burns
commented that there are a lot of good workers in a large workforce on site doing a good job but it
was very difficult for them when there was a core of people not having the same intent. Cr Dowman
asked whether electricians were paid more if the project went on longer or if they were paid a set
amount for completing a job. Mr Burns said workers were paid hourly and therefore everyday
work goes on they get paid. Mr Sammut commented on the high quality of work being
achieved by electricians, describing what he saw with cable laying and terminations as
impeccable and impressive. Mr Burns agreed the work was first class and that the electricians
were exercising their trade professionally but the ongoing productivity issues persist.
Mr Burns provided details on plant site construction:
Over 4,300 people working on the project
Concrete poured: 63,839m3 of 76,089m3 (83.9%)
Precast concrete erected: 35,807m2 of 47,676m2 (75.1%)
Structural steel erected: 5,520t of 5,955t (92.7%)
Underground High Density Poly Ethylene pipe installed: 13,903 Lm of 17,369 lm (80.0%)
Community update
Ms Lee presented a community update. There has been a lot of community interest in the green
roof and the plants that will be in both the coastal park and on the green roof. As a result, the
Community Information Centre now features a sample of the roof system and living plant
displays. Thiess Degrémont also recently invited and hosted directors of the Bass Coast Landcare
Network on a site visit. They were shown through some of the works being carried out in the
coastal park through their partnership with Australian Ecosystems.
The Community Relations Team has hosted site visits with Suez Environnement, Chisholm
Institute of TAFE and Degrémont. Community presentations since the last CLG include Baw Baw
Garden Group, two classes from Newhaven College, two classes from Sydenham Catholic Regional
College, Safety Beach Probus and Monash University first year medical students.
Through Thiess Degrémont’s community partnership program, support has been provided to
Friends of the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine, Wonthaggi Pony Club and the You Are My Sunshine
Foundation. Recently the Wonthaggi Community Relations team also donned their Masterchef hats
and hosted a dinner for the volunteers of the State Coal Mine.
Ms Middleton advised that some plant site workers had assisted a local dancing teacher to enter
a Zumba competition with a small Zumba class held in the RO building. This is now on Facebook,
where people can vote for their favourite video.
Pipeline and power supply construction update
Mr Tolson presented an update pointing out that the statistic “100% complete” was appearing
increasingly as work progressed.
Pipe stringing complete (100%)
82.4 km pipe laying complete (98%)
Power conduit welded and trefoiled complete (100%)
Power conduit laying complete (100%)
86 km cable laid (98%)
Fibre Optic Cable: Distributed temperature sensor (DTS) ‐ 82.8km conduit installed, 61.7km cable
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installed
Fibre Optic Cable: Communications 1 (pipeline) – 56km conduit installed, 3.2km cable installed
Fibre Optic Cable: Communications 2 (power) – 90.8km conduit installed, 64.4km cable
installed
44 of 45 road crossings complete
Mr Burns said hydrotesting for the first 8km of pipeline had been successfully completed. Ms
Rappell asked which section had been completed. Mr Burns advised the section between
Talinga Court (Berwick) and Pound Road (Cardinia). Mr Sammut said a lot of work had been done
by AquaSure, Thiess Degrémont, DSE and Melbourne Water for hydrotesting and that the
operational relationships worked well.
Mr Tolson updated the group regarding road and traffic management describing the
implementation of the Traffic Management Strategy, repair of haulage roads, traffic control for
safety and the management of enquiries and complaints by the PLJV Safety Manager for safety
issues and the Land Liaison Team for concerned neighbours. The response to repairs is handled by
Project Managers and road repair crews and there is consultation through the Traffic
Management Liaison Group, involving councils and road authorities. PLJV generally logs 8‐9
road-related complaints each month. Mr Tolson said PLJV understands and empathises with the
inconvenience caused by disruption to local roads and is as keen as the community to see the
roads reinstated. Repairs are carried out in accordance with a system agreed with the road
authorities. Wet weather has presented a significant challenge.
Mr Tolson showed images to describe the range of road impacts and repair responses experienced.
Minor repairs on Grantville Glen Alvie Rd and more extensive repairs on Turnbull Woolamai Rd
were shown. Mr Tolson said localised drainage problems had been an issue in a year of record
rainfall when roads would have suffered increased damage but this had been exacerbated by
heavy haulage. Crocodile cracking is a common effect that is difficult to repair. PLJV is not
responsible for clearing drains but had done so in some areas in order to limit impacts on road
edges and crocodile cracking (image from Dalyston‐Glen Forbes Rd).
Repair work on a section of Turnbull Woolamai Rd where crews attempted to pull up and
replace a damaged section of road provided an example of where repair crews were challenged by
lack of foundation to use as a base for hotmix, making it impossible to reinstate a long lasting seal.
Another repair option used was illustrated for Stewart Rd where the seal was removed to stabilise
the road surface, making it safer, allowing regrading and repairs in wet weather. Mr Tolson said
Stewart Rd would be permanently reinstated and the temporary works also provided an improved
base for the future permanent rehabilitation works.
Mr Tolson said recent improved weather has assisted with condition of roads. The number of
outstanding repairs has reduced from 48 to 30, and this would continue to fluctuate. Roads are
being progressively cleared of heavy haulage trucks and the haul roads on the easement are due to
be removed during September to November 2011. Permanent road reinstatement works are
scheduled for November to February 2012. Efforts are being made to clear roads of heavy haulage
sooner rather than later.
Mr Tolson showed the group a chart illustrating the number of road‐related complaints we have
received by PLJV over the past 12 months. Mr Tolson said the numbers of complaints directly
reported to PLJV are relatively low. The highest number of complaints received was 29 during peak
construction in March 2011. PLJV acknowledges Cr Dowman’s concerns from the last CLG about
increasing community concern about road maintenance and encouraged CLG to ask community
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members to report issues directly.
Mr Herbert reinforced that a little more than 200,000m³ of spoil, out of a total of 1,000,000m³
of haul road material, remained to be removed. Mr Tait confirmed that 240,000m³ was left to
remove and would be done in September and October just prior to reinstatement. Mr Nicol
commented that given his significant municipal experience he understood the challenges that PLJV
were facing and that PLJV’s strategy appeared to be as responsible as a local government’s
handling of such road issues, and reiterated that responses to road issues should be as quick as
possible. Cr Dowman said outstanding repairs had reduced, and that a Peacock Rd complaint has
been dealt with.
Mr Tait said PLJV has a weekly works plan. Mr Tolson said the weekly work cycle was
supported by a 24‐hour response to pot holes where safety was a concern. Cr Dowman asked if haul
road material was being removed by particular routes. Mr Tolson advised that only approved
haulage routes would be used. Mr Tait said the material is being removed to landfill.
6.
Community representatives
Mr Goodwin thanked Mr Burns and Ms Middleton for the site walk and commented on the
magnitude of the project.
Mr Goodwin raised the issue of complaints by school bus drivers about language used on open
CB radio channels. Ms Lee said that as it was an open channel it is difficult to identify those
responsible, however, it is known to be used by project sub‐contractors and the matter had been
addressed. Mr Herbert asked if another channel could be used. Ms Lee said the school bus
drivers had been very helpful with this matter and were considering going to a different channel
themselves.
Mr Goodwin said he had driven over local roads and felt they were generally in good shape with a
couple of holes on Stewart Road. Dry weather had assisted this. He raised the issue of mud
complaints, however he felt this was primarily due to farmers in paddocks feeding stock and
bringing mud onto roads. Mr Goodwin said the area had similar problems in 1996 and the issue
has returned with more substantial rain recently.
Mr Goodwin said an issue with a landowner having difficulty enabling her cows to cross the
easement had been resolved. Mr Tolson said the landowner had been in regular contact and this
recent issue had been satisfactorily resolved.
Mr Goodwin raised a further landowner issue regarding rehabilitation and horse facilities on a
particular property. Mr Goodwin tabled a number of papers relating to this. Mr Sammut said he
was also aware of this case and DSE was following the issue up also. Mr Tolson said the issues
were around the location of horse yards and was confident the matter would be closed out to the
landowner’s satisfaction.
Mr Anderson asked when Main Drain Road would reopen. Mr Tolson said he would take this on
notice and report back.
Action: Mr Tolson to report back to Mr Anderson regarding Main Drain Road.
Cr Dowman and Ms Rappell had no issues to raise.
Meeting closed 12.05pm
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7.
Next meeting
To be held on 22 September at City of Casey at 10am.