welcome back
is already proving to be a prosperous year for SMEC Central.
Since the last edition was published there have been some significant project wins as well as some huge deliverables (and it's only February!). A huge congratulations to all of you involved in the tendering, marketing and development of those recent wins.
It looks to be a much better year this year with the recent announcement of the Sydney Structures team securing North West Rail Link Package 2 (Surface and Viaduct Civil Works - SVC). This is the biggest project Central has secured since GLRL. Our environment team is at maximum capacity also as they keep proving themselves in the Environmental Impact Statement area, recently securing the EIS for the Northern Beaches Hospital Project roadworks. Most importantly, this project was won due to our impressive delivery in other stages of the project. These projects will keep many of our skilled resources highly utilised and out of mischief.
The challenging tender for the Canberra Metro has just gone in and I'm sure all those involved are relieved that it is over! It was a huge multidisciplinary bid so fingers crossed for the ACT team that their hard work pays off and we secure another major project.
The Sydney Light Rail tender is about to kick off in partnership with John Holland. This will be a challenging tender process but will also be a great opportunity to grow our experience in Light Rail and develop further connections within JHG.
From a Corporate perspective, the new Brand Guidelines have just been released. These will help us all in keeping our documentation streamlined and of the highest quality. You will notice new CV templates (if you haven't already seen them) and the BMS has been updated to match.
Did you know?
At SMEC we generate income from experience.
And how do we sell your experience in order to win work? Through your CVs! They're a pretty big deal and it's imperative we get them right.
There is an Australia-wide initiative to have all CVs updated in to the new format, proof read, signed off and uploaded on to one central database.
To make this initiative a success we will need your assistance. When you are sent your CV for review please read it thoroughly and send it back with any amendments as soon as you can.
The database for Central is already well underway with several CVs already uploaded on to it. This process offers a more streamlined approach to tenders and marketing for the future.
What else is in the pipeline for 2014?
A working group has been put together to drive the urban renewal opportunities within the WestConnex corridor. This group comprises staff from various areas of the company whose aim is to generate work from the areas surrounding the WCX corridor, not just along the road itself. This format will be developed for use alongside other major projects.
The IT team is also extremely busy making changes to make our lives at SMEC better. Some of their projects underway are:
- Email – introducing an unlimited Cloud based email archive for all staff – never lose email again!
- Video Conferencing – connect all permanent Australian offices into the VC network.
- Lync – increased adoption and programmes around this – where the training collateral is based.
- Microsoft online training - for a range of products that we have Corporate access to.
Central will have many new staff joining it in 2014.
Firstly, we have a new Technical Principal in Water, Satinder Randhawa, who has commenced with the Sydney team reporting to Brian Butturini. He will provide the team technical expertise and offer advice and assistance. A new role for Urban, Planning and Business Development Manager will be undertaken by Michael Moulds. He will be joining Central's team working across all of our offices. The Sydney Geotech team are also gaining two Principal Engineers, Mark Green and Scott Morrison. I'm sure they will be welcome members to the family as the team is currently swamped! Scott will be the first resource in our Wollongong base, an office shared with PMP prject management.
Welcome back to another year of fun and games!
Jeni Sutton
Editor
2014