Coates Project of the Year below $100 million Award

In March 2022, CPB Contractors was awarded the contract to deliver civil, mechanical and electrical infrastructure for a 16-kilomtre tailings pipeline at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Blackwater Mine. 

The comprehensive scope covered modifications to existing infrastructure, construction of new HDPE pipelines, instrument stations, and control process systems.  

Unplanned geotechnical challenges resulted in design and scope changes, extending the project completion for early 2023 to late 2023. Despite encountering these significant changes, CPB Contractors managed schedule adjustments in collaboration with BMA to ensure continuity and capacity of the tailings storage abilities and reduced revised project costs.  

Subsequent revised work staging by the project management team allowed up to five work crews to simultaneously deliver works packages in the tight construction area to further reduce schedule impacts.  

The project achieved over 200,000 workhours Loss Time Injury free, achieved with a strong focus on personnel safety. 

Over the life of the project, CPB Contractors employed more than 200 people on the project including 32 subcontractors. More than 10,000 apprentice, upskilling and Indigenous engagement hours were undertaken on the project. The project team also prioritised significant local and Indigenous spending, including up-skilling existing local contractors.  

In 2020, Civil Mining and Construction (CMC) joined forces with Stanmore Resources to fast-track the development of a new open-cut metallurgical coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.  

Departing from a traditional procurement model, Stanmore Resources engaged CMC under an Early Involvement Contract (ECI) to progress engineering design, optioneering and costings for the new mine. 

The collaboration transformed a 1,157-hectare greenfield site into the Isaac Downs Mine, adjacent to Stanmore’s Isaac Plains Complex. Key civil works included a haul road linking to the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP), a bridge underpass beneath Peak Downs Highway, and a Q1000 flood protection levee along the river.  

Evolving from an ECI to a 32-month design and construction partnership, the project prioritised safety, efficiency, and local engagement, meeting Stanmore Resource’s expectations of a ‘capital light’ approach.  

The new mine was a project of state and regional economic significance, supported up to 250 new construction jobs and provided around $200 million in coal royalties to the state. 

Despite the challenges faced from local and global events, the project was successfully completed – a testament to the project team and the genuine partnerships they forged. 

Georgiou successfully delivered the Isle of Capri Bridge project in May 2022. The project involved demolishing a 60-year-old bridge and constructing a new 140 metre, four-lane bridge over the Nerang River. 

Georgiou participated in early engagement client workshops and the collaboration, paired with construction and management excellence, delivered a cost-effective methodology for the project that minimised community impact.  

The team successfully navigated technical complexities, such as working within a constrained space, resulting in a large portion of works performed from a temporary bridge, and from land and barge-mounted mobile and crawler cranes. 

Working on operational waters also added complexity, with Georgiou collaboration with Maritime Safety Queensland to deploy navigational aids and manage the interface with the operational river.  

Utilising innovative strategies, such as an alternative piling construction method and a unique top-down bridge deconstruction approach improved project safety and efficiency. The team’s effective communication and staging strategies ensured uninterrupted road and marine traffic, while innovative health, environment and safety initiatives resulted in the recycling of 97% of deconstructed materials.  

Georgiou achieved practical completion two months ahead of schedule, within the $45 million budget and without environmental incidents, highlighting a highly focused commitment to excellence, innovation, and marine environmental sustainability. 

Coates is Australia’s leading equipment hire provider, operating across a range of markets including engineering, mining and resources, infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and major events.

In FY21, Coates celebrated 136 years of commitment to supporting their customers who help build Australia.

With a national footprint of over 150 branches, more than one million pieces of equipment and over 1,900 highly skilled employees, Coates provides expert equipment solutions for nearly 19,000 customers.

This includes end-to-end solutions for temporary works, traffic management, water management, industrial shutdowns, maintenance, training services and events.

So give Coates a call on 13 15 52 or visit coates.com.au and let’s make it happen.