Field trip for our new team
As the proverb states: “Men don't build on strange ground”.
Armed with this wisdom, members of Inland Rail’s Albury to Parkes team held a two-day field trip in March to deepen their understanding of the alignment between Stockinbingal to Parkes beyond the maps, drawings and photos.
The site visit was for the benefit of new project team members; Project Director, Melvyn Maylin, Technical Advisor engineer, Tom Whitely, Project Controls Lead, Jasbir Channa, Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Eleanor Falkiner, and Senior Sustainability Advisor, Brodie Akacich. The group was led by Project Delivery Engineer, Joel Moss, and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Heath Martin.
The trip began in Parkes, with a meet and greet with Parkes Maintenance Depot’s new manager, Shaun Wilson and his colleague, Barry Reeves. This relationship is essential in delivering the best solutions, as the depot maintains the rail line between Narromine and Stockinbingal and will inherit the project once operational.
The tour then took in Forbes Station, Wyndham Avenue bridge, the Lachlan River bridge, plus visits to Red Bend, Wirrinya, Caragabal, Quandialla, Bribbaree and Milvale.
“Maps and drawings can only reveal so much and they provide a limited understanding,” Joel Moss said. “It’s different to get out on site and see the layout in front of you.”
Brodie Akacich said the field trip was useful, especially as a new member of the team.
“For me personally, the most important aspect of sustainability is collaboration with others. Being onsite and discussing the potential opportunities gives all involved a unique opportunity to collaborate while sharing invaluable knowledge.”
