Flinders Ports awarded SMEC a fifth project, to evaluate its Townsville Bulk Storage and Handling facility.
SMEC, a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, has won three asset management contracts in Australia.
A. The Asset Management team secured a fifth project with Flinders Ports following the successful delivery of four projects. The new scope covers Mobile Plant Asset Maintenance Work Instructions and Schedules, where SMEC will evaluate the maintenance strategy of mobile assets at the client’s Townsville Bulk Storage and Handling facility.
B. The Asset Management team will also conduct a physical plant audit and optimise the integrity of plant master data at a Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company – its first contract with this firm. SMEC will improve the integrity of plant master data, and support Reliability Engineers to define work strategy scope and deploy work strategies to improve performance gaps.
C. The third contract is for High Voltage (HV) Electrical Planning with one of the world’s premier suppliers of iron ore. The Asset Management team will undertake maintenance planning and scheduling of all HV electrical work associated with non-process infrastructure utilities lineyard, at the client’s mining operations in Western Australia.
Mr Wong Heang Fine, Group CEO of Surbana Jurong with Cr Jenny Hill, Mayor of City of Townsville at the MOC signing.
Townsville, North Queensland, Australia, 7 February 2018 – Surbana Jurong Private Limited today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the City of Townsville to collaborate in various areas with the aim of developing the City into a vibrant, smart and connected Hub.
Under the MOC, Surbana Jurong will collaborate with the City on economic, community and social innovation focused initiatives, including providing consultancy on the digitisation of Townsville and growing aviation links to Singapore.
The MOC signing was followed by a luncheon hosted by Townsville Enterprise Limited and attended by Townsville government and business representatives.
Mr Wong Heang Fine, Group CEO of Surbana Jurong said, “The cooperation between Surbana Jurong and the City of Townsville is reflective of the strong relations between Australia and Singapore. Townsville is a city with immense potential. The building of defence training facilities near Townsville under the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative will provide the seed for the City’s development, from defence-support services, to logistics, transport, R&R facilities and tourism.”
Wong added, “Surbana Jurong, through its member company SMEC, has been involved in various projects in Townsville for over fifteen years. With today’s MOC, we are further committed to Townsville’s long-term growth, and are indeed very excited to partner Townsville in its journey towards a digitised, connected world-class city. We are pleased to offer our experience to support the City’s urban renewal and generate sustainable economic growth for its residents.”
Surbana Jurong is one of the largest Asia-based urban, industrial and infrastructure consulting firms, offering end-to-end full suite solutions. It takes a holistic approach to deliver long-term sustainable growth for communities. Its capabilities include urban planning, architecture, engineering and project management across various sectors such as housing, defence, healthcare, aviation and hospitality. It has over fifty years’ track record, delivering award-winning projects across the world. Through its member company SMEC, Surbana Jurong has deep local knowledge. SMEC’s experience in Townsville spans over 15 years, and boasts the delivery of major projects on the Bruce and Flinders Highways, the Northern Rail Line and Port of Townsville, and was most recently appointed as engineer for the Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project.
Cr Jenny Hill, Mayor of the City of Townsville said, “These initiatives will see our city become a hive of innovation, allowing us to attract new businesses with new jobs in growth areas. We’re looking forward to cooperating with Surbana Jurong on making it happen.”
About Surbana JurongPrivate Limited
Surbana Jurong Private Limited (SJ) is one of the largest Asia-based urban, industrial and infrastructure consulting firms. Leveraging technology and creativity, SJ provides one-stop consultancy solutions across the entire value chain of the urbanisation, industrialisation and infrastructure domains.
Headquartered in Singapore, the SJ Group has a global workforce of 13,500 employees in more than 120 offices across over 40 countries in Asia, Australia, UK, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, and an annual turnover of around S$1.5 billion.
SJ has a track record of over 50 years, and has built more than a million homes in Singapore, crafted master plans for more than 30 countries and developed over 50 industrial parks globally.
SJ’s motto ‘Building Cities, Shaping Lives’ reflects its belief that development is more than just steel and concrete. SJ creates spaces and designs infrastructure where people live, work and play, shaping cities into homes with sustainable jobs where communities and businesses can flourish.
The bridge in Darlington, Adelaide, was constructed offsite and transported down the highway and fitted into place.
It may look like any other highway but the Darlington bridge in Australia has just gone down in history as a great achievement in civil engineering. The Darlington Upgrade Project, which forms a major part of Adelaide’s North-South Corridor, comprises the upgrade of 3.3km of Main South Road. It includes a non-stop motorway between the Southern Expressway and Tonsley Boulevard requiring grade separations at five intersections.
In November, a key milestone in the project was delivered with the move of Bridge 2 from its construction compound to its final position over the Southern Expressway entrance. Essentially, the project team manufactured a 3,200-ton, 180m-long bridge in a compound adjacent to the site, then moved it 500m into position using SPMT equipment, which are designed for transporting massive structures. This was done with relatively little disruption to what is Adelaide’s busiest motorway.
SMEC, a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, is part of the Gateway South Consortium – comprising the Design Joint Venture (SMEC, Jacobs and KBR) and Construction Joint Venture (Fulton Hogan and Laing O’Rourke) – engaged to design and construct the Darlington Upgrade Project.
Group CEO Wong Heang Fine delivering the keynote address at the dinner organised by Townsville Enterprise.
Management representatives from Surbana Jurong and SMEC recently participated in a Singapore Insights Delegation business programme for a visiting delegation from North Queensland.
The delegation comprised various town councillors and industry representatives who were in Singapore to assess business opportunities arising from the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The trip was organised by the Townsville Enterprise, a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to drive growth for the Townsville North Queensland region.
Surbana Jurong Group CEO Wong Heang Fine delivered a keynote address at the dinner. Richard Tan, MD SJ Defence Services, was a panellist at one of the conference sessions.
PDR and SMEC will combine efforts to deliver the Flying Fish Point Seawall Replacement Project in the south of Cairns
Queensland-based PDR has reached a major milestone with its first project win since it was acquired by SMEC, member of the Surbana Jurong Group, in March 2017. Under the guidance of Project Director Peter De Roma (Cairns) and Project Manager Anthony Folan (Brisbane), the team is currently delivering the Flying Fish Point Seawall Replacement project for Cassowary Coast Regional Council, in the south of Cairns.
The project will involve concept through to detailed design, regulatory approvals, procurement services, construction supervision, and Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) certification of approximately 650m of seawall reconstruction as part of the Council’s planned four-stage seawall replacement.
The seawall design will include green engineering ‘fish-friendly’ features, adding structural complexity which encourages ecological development.
The team will collaborate with James Cook University to study the long-term effects of the design on the local fish population, for potential use in other coastal regions.
Building on PDR’s marine works capability, PDR will provide local client interface, on-site inspection and construction administration, while SMEC will offer design development and technical expertise, and statutory approvals support.
The win provides a promising look into the future of the PDR and SMEC partnership.
28 June 2017 – The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Parliamentary Secretary Bronnie Taylor visited Cooma today ahead of investigative drilling commencing for Snowy 2.0.
SMEC CEO Andy Goodwin and Snowy Hydro Limited CEO Paul Broad provided a Snowy 2.0 update and showcased one of the drill rigs.
Mr Broad said the investigative drilling, which is expected to commence next month after all approvals, is a critical milestone for the Snowy 2.0 feasibility study.
“The drilling will provide us with detailed geotechnical information about the rock formations, strength and structure of the area where the tunnels between the Tantangara and Talbingo reservoirs and underground power station will be located. The core holes will be drilled in key locations so that we have a very clear picture of the geology and can better plan and cost the project.” Mr Broad said.
The geotechnical information collected through this process will be shared with research and education institutions for science and research purposes.
The Prime Minister, Deputy Premier and Parliamentary Secretary’s visit was also an opportunity for Snowy Hydro and SMEC to bring together their local project teams to celebrate the reopening of the SMEC office in Cooma.
SMEC’s CEO Andy Goodwin said the reopening of their Cooma office and work on the Snowy 2.0 feasibility study will continue to generate economic activity in the region. “It’s great to be working on such an iconic hydropower project with Snowy Hydro that reflects on our namesake and history. For SMEC this is an opportunity to bring back our local people with global experience to contribute to the legacy for the next generation.”
“The Feasibility Study will generate more than 350 jobs across professional services, construction and administrative support and if Snowy 2.0 goes ahead we expect to create about 5000 jobs over the life of the build,” Mr Goodwin said.
The Snowy 2.0 Feasibility Study will be completed by the end of this year. Snowy Hydro is proud to provide secure, stable and reliable renewable energy to households and businesses. If built, Snowy 2.0 would increase the generation capacity by up to 50 per cent, making up to 2000 megawatts available to the National Electricity Market.
The Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) is a storm drainage and road structure located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 11 km long 13 m diameter tunnel diverts flood waters away and the middle 3 km section is a double deck motorway.
Dr Richard Kelly
Chief Technical Principal Geotechnics, ANZ
Richard is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with more than 20 years of experience as a geotechnical engineer, academic and structural engineer. Richard has extensive experience delivering large and complex civil infrastructure projects, including undertaking the role of Geotechnical Manager working within design teams integrated with the Client and Contractor. Richard has also been an Alliance Management Team member on the Ballina Bypass Alliance and Hamilton Bypass Alliance Tender.
Richard has extensive expertise in site characterisation, soft soil engineering, ground improvement, materials use, earthworks and foundation design. He has created the National Soft Soil Field Testing Facility in Ballina for the University of Newcastle which aims to improve the construction of infrastructure on soft soils.
Richard is responsible for the application of expert level technical expertise to generate innovative, economical and practical engineering solutions resulting in excellent project implementation and delivery. He is also responsible for research and development and assisting with business development in the geotechnical space.
Alexandre Gomes
Chief Technical Principal Tunnels and Underground, ANZ
Alexandre is a civil engineer with over 25 years’ international experience in the design and construction of multidisciplinary tunnel and underground projects, and geotechnical and geomechanical engineering.
Alexandre has been engaged on major projects in Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Americas, from feasibility through to design and construction. His experience spans an array of underground infrastructure projects including metro, railway, roads, utility, mining and hydropower. He has extensive experience in a broad range of ground conditions ranging from very soft ground to hard rock tunnelling and various construction methods, such as mechanised EPB/TBM, conventional tunnelling (SEM/NATM), and cut-and-cover techniques, among others.
Alexandre has published more than 50 technical papers and articles and regularly provides high-level advice to contractors, consultants and clients on technical, forensic and contractual matters. He has been an Adjunct Professor for Tunnelling at the University of Chile and has been involved in worldwide training activities for engineering professionals. He is currently serving as a Vice President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES) and is a member of the Austrian Society for Geomechanics, ISRM, Australasian Tunnelling Society and CTES-Chile.
Alexandre is responsible for overseeing and providing high-level and expert advice to generate cost-efficient and innovative engineering solutions to clients in projects which include tunnelling and underground works. His responsibilities also include research and development and business development in the sector of underground space development.
Q1. To date, what is the most interesting project you have worked on at SMEC?
Dr Richard Kelly (RK): The most interesting projects are those where I learn something new. One example is a project in Western Sydney where embankments constructed on solid ground have settled more than expected despite apparently being constructed in accordance with the specification. A forensic assessment suggested that the local earthworks materials deteriorated over time which was a behaviour unknown to practitioners at that time. In the next few years, an enormous amount of infrastructure is planned in Western Sydney, in similar ground conditions. Lessons learnt from the previous projects should be applied so that the local materials can be used for cost effective construction while achieving performance requirements.
Alexandre Gomes (AG): Since I have recently joined SMEC, I will refer to my overall professional career. For engineers, many projects become a little like our babies, making it difficult to rank them or choose between them. But, if I had to choose only one project, I would pick one of my earliest ones in Metro Santiago, where I was the resident engineer and we had to excavate a large tunnel cross section directly underneath the foundations of a heritage, sensitive bridge. Before the tunnel was sequentially excavated with side drifts, the bridge foundation was underpinned with piles from within a pilot tunnel, with hydraulic jacks encased in these piles. During construction, the jacks were activated under my guidance at each tunnel excavation round to counterbalance the effects of ground relaxation. This section was successfully excavated with minor bridge deformation and within the acceptable limits.
Q2. What opportunities are you excited about for SJ Group within your function?
RK: My aim is for the Geotechnical team to be industry leading. Every project is an exciting opportunity to deliver great outcomes to our clients. The major projects in Australia will help many of our people grow as will acquisitions that open new markets. Employee exchanges and information sharing with SJ will help our people develop value engineering solutions to apply on their projects.
AG: Overall it is a very exciting time for the Group with the prospects of growth in terms of capabilities, market-share and geographic footprint. As part of this strategy, the SJ Group aims to position itself as a leading player in the expanding field of underground engineering. It is a privilege, and at the same time a great responsibility, to be in a key role for the implementation of this strategic plan. There cannot be something more exciting than that.
Q3.What makes you tick? (Professionally, of course)
RK: Partly helping our clients make the best decisions for their projects by understanding their needs and risk profile. The intellectual challenge of finding new or clever solutions to difficult or risky problems and the reward of seeing our people grow professionally and personally.
AG: I enjoy learning new things and deepening my technical and managerial experience. It is also very gratifying when you realise that your actions and contributions make a difference and are having a positive impact either on individuals, my team, the overall company, the project development, the clients and the industry.
The combined footprint of SMEC and PDR in northern Australia establishes a strong regional network of offices in Cairns, Townsville, and Darwin, and also enhances the Group’s engineering capabilities in the region.
On 27 March 2017, SMEC, a member of Surbana Jurong (SJ) Group, made its milestone acquisition of PDR Engineers (PDR) since joining SJ in August 2016. The combined footprint of SMEC and PDR in northern Australia establishes a strong regional network of offices in Cairns, Townsville, and Darwin, and also enhances the Group’s engineering capabilities in the region.
PDR is a professional consultancy firm, based in Cairns, Queensland, that provides structural, civil, geotechnical and mining engineering services to government and corporate clients. PDR has broad experience across a number of sectors including resources engineering, public infrastructure, community structures, water, sewage, roads, drainage and other municipal infrastructure.
Established in 1999, PDR has a strong reputation for delivering technically challenging projects. Having been at the forefront of guiding major infrastructure decisions in the Torres Strait for the last 15 years, PDR currently manages the Major Infrastructure Programme for the region. Similarly, in the resources sector, PDR regularly provides input to major capital projects, assisting in mine technical services and conducting technical reviews.
Said Hari Poologasundram, Chief Operating Officer for SMEC’s Australia and New Zealand Division, “PDR aligns with our strategy to increase our market share in North Queensland. PDR has good synergies with SMEC and provides an excellent platform to strengthen and develop local capability to achieve a step change in growth in North Queensland.” PDR’s current Directors, Peter De Roma and Terry Medhurst will continue to provide management of PDR’s client base and will form an integral part of the SMEC management team.
Congratulations to SMEC for this milestone acquisition, and a big welcome to PDR!
About SMEC
SMEC is a professional services company providing high-quality consultancy services on major physical and social infrastructure projects. SMEC provides consultancy services for the lifecycle of a project, ranging from feasibility studies and detailed design, through to construction supervision and commissioning. SMEC services a broad range of industry sectors, ranging from transport and energy, to water and built environment.
SJ acquired Australian-based, SMEC Holdings Limited in August 2016 to be one of Asia’s largest consultancy powerhouses in urban & infrastructure development.
SMEC has been engaged by VicRoads to prepare Concept and Detailed Engineering Design for the Streamlining Hoddle Street Project.
The Project is the first stage of the Victorian Government’s planned transformation of Hoddle Street, which aims to improve the journey along and across Hoddle Street for all road users and introduce innovative intelligent transport systems and urban design initiatives along one of Melbourne’s busiest arterial roads.
Singapore-based Surbana Jurong is acquiring Australia-based infrastructure consultancy firm SMEC, a company it has collaborated – and competed – with in the past. Click here to read more.
In August 2016, Surbana Jurong Group acquired SMEC Group for its complementary engineering strengths, expertise, talent pool and long-standing history of projects both in Australia and internationally. During the acquisition process, SMEC’s management advised Surbana Jurong Group that an investigation was underway into allegations of suspected instances of misconduct dating back to 2000, and provided Surbana Jurong Group with material relating to these allegations and to SMEC’s own independent investigation which Surbana Jurong Group and its external advisers carefully considered and evaluated. Surbana Jurong Group management considered that similarities of its corporate values and culture and SMEC’s, supported by SMEC’s consistent focus on improving its corporate governance framework, created a solid and transparent platform for a successful partnership.
