ISSUE 46 SPRING 2019

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS Local businesses powering Snowy 2.0 Apprentices – the faces of Snowy’s future New renewable deals Major regional milestones INSIDE CEO UPDATE

3 CEO UPDATE 4 70TH CELEBRATIONS CEO Paul Broad gives an update on our key activities. 6 LOCAL BUSINESSES POWERING SNOWY 2.0

8 SNOWY 2.0: PROJECT UPDATE ’m proud to lead a great company with I’d also like to thank the 100-plus local 10 APPRENTICES a long and exceptional history of vision, businesses which have provided their expertise, innovation and nation-building expertise. services and products to the project to date. 11 NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY CONTRACTS With the mighty Snowy Scheme turning 70, As always, there is plenty to do on the existing we remain inspired by the legacy of those 12 MAJOR REGIONAL MILESTONES Scheme. Underway is replacement of the Iwho came before us and dreamed big. control systems at Murray 2 after 50 years of 14 PART OF THE COMMUNITY The concept for the Snowy Scheme came reliable service, construction of an access about in the 1800s. The regions west of the bridge between the Jounama Power Station mountains were becoming vital agricultural and the Jounama and a major upgrade areas needed to feed a growing population. of the spillway gate control systems at Island During recurrent droughts, the idea to harness Bend dam. the mountains’ abundant melting snow and Red Energy, ’s retail brand, rainfall, by diverting the powerful continues to deliver award-winning customer inland, came about. service and is thrilled to have signed Thredbo Turning the idea into a reality saw 25 years Ski Resort up to a new 100% renewable energy of incredible and difficult construction and deal. By combining our contracted wind and engineering. The grit and determination of solar energy with on-demand hydro we can more than 100,000 men and women, who provide ‘firm’ reliable, renewable energy to came from many post-war nations to build commercial customers, providing an exciting the Scheme, helped shape the multicultural new growth opportunity for the business. It’s society we have today. fantastic to see this development given the turbulent times facing the energy industry. I enjoy listening to the stories told by former With the rapid changes occuring in the energy workers and their families – it’s incredibly market, our role of keeping the lights on is more special and I hope to hear more tales when we important than ever. come together as a community to celebrate the Snowy Scheme’s 70th celebrations. As I’m sure you’re aware, the east coast is still in the midst of a drought. We are keeping our Snowy 2.0, of course, is the next exciting and fingers crossed for more snow and, later in important chapter in our Snowy story. You may the spring, we also need some rain to help not know this, but when we started planning for boost inflows. With dry conditions expected Snowy 2.0 the engineers looked at the original to continue, we are strategically managing our Scheme plans. water resources to ensure our water release These plans identified a number of sites obligations are met for downstream users. suitable for hydro power which were not It’s a very busy and exciting time at Snowy and pursued at the time. Many decades later it’s I look forward to keeping you updated. incredible to be building Snowy 2.0 along one of the alignments that were identified by our predecessors. Road upgrades and site access works for Snowy 2.0 are progressing well at Lobs Hole For more information please visit our website and we are aiming to have the first tunnelling snowyhydro.com.au or follow us on Facebook. underway by the end of the year. You may have Contact us: also started seeing the Future Generation team around town. They’re the principal contractors 1800 623 776 building Snowy 2.0 on behalf of Snowy Hydro. [email protected]

2 3 In October, Snowy Hydro is celebrating 70 years of the mighty Snowy Scheme.

even decades ago, People can move between the The events in and in October 1949, lawns, the Snowy Hydro Discovery Talbingo will bring the 70th the ceremonial first Centre and the main office celebrations to these local blast was fired at building, which will be open for communities. There will be a to mark tours during the event. rare opportunity to see inside Sthe commencement of a Talbingo’s 3 Power Station The Snowy Hydro Discovery hydro-electric construction project from the viewing gallery and enjoy Centre will be open throughout that would become known as one a barbecue lunch with proceeds the weekend. Visitors will be able of the world’s modern engineering to be donated to a local charity. to experience our brand new, marvels. In Khancoban there will be a state-of-the-art immersive theatre community picnic at the Lady This historic milestone will be and the proud history, engineering Hudson Rose Garden. recognised with events in , prowess, mateship and vision of Khancoban and Talbingo this the mighty Snowy Scheme. For information and to keep up-to- spring. The events will focus date with activities, please register A massive screen measuring 14m on celebrating the incredible at snowyhydro.com.au wide and 4m high will welcome achievements of the construction visitors and take them on a era and many decades of fly-over across the Snowy successful operations. Mountains, showcasing our past, It’s also a great opportunity for present and future – a behind-the- Snowy workers from over the scenes tour of one of the greatest decades to reconnect and share civil engineering projects the stories of their Snowy life and world has ever seen. experiences with each other and A series of ‘Snowy talks’ will be current Snowy staff. held throughout the day in the A community celebration and main office for the community main reunion event will be held and ex-workers to hear about on Saturday 19 October 2019 how Snowy Hydro is operating from 11am - 3pm in Cooma and in today’s rapidly-changing everyone is welcome to attend. energy market and the critical role the business will continue to The event will be held on the play in underpinning ’s lawns outside the Snowy Hydro renewable energy future. head office in Cooma North. The talks will also cover the The festivities on the lawn will company’s future plans with include speeches, live music Tractor maintenance men at Snowy 2.0, our new major from local performers, delicious the Three Mile barracks near pumped-hydro expansion of the food and more. Kiandra, 1950 Snowy Scheme.

TOWN DATE VENUE

Saturday 19 Community celebration event on the Snowy Hydro Cooma October 2019 office lawns Saturday 26 Khancoban Picnic at Lady Hudson Rose Garden October 2019 Sunday 10 Access to the Tumut 3 Power Station viewing gallery Talbingo November 2019 and charity barbecue.

4 5 LOCAL BUSINESSES lready tens of millions of dollars At the Adaminaby Bakehouse, where have been spent, with more than wholesale bread supplies for Cabramurra have 100 local businesses directly significantly increased and contractors have involved in Snowy 2.0 or supplying been purchasing coffees and lunches, co- POWERING goods and services across a wide owner Linda Squire says her business has been Arange of industries including professional and a lot busier. technical services, machinery and construction “We’ve had to increase machinery, purchase materials, safety equipment, hospitality and bigger machinery for Glen, our baker, for bread accommodation. SNOWY 2.0 production,” Linda said. “[Snowy 2.0] is great for The contribution of local businesses to the our town, great for our business obviously – we project has been invaluable, as well as boosting need more staff! It’s going to be great for the For Snowy Hydro, the the regional economy. whole of this area.” excitement of Snowy Andrew Downing, from Jindabyne Landscaping, Both Snowy Hydro and our principal contractor says Snowy 2.0 has been a great experience so Future Generation are committed to providing 2.0 being underway is far. “It’s enabled us to provide 6-8 jobs outside of jobs and business opportunities for locals, and our normal operations and we’ve also been able the work to date is only the beginning. matched only by the to buy new equipment to service the landscaping Future Generation, which is managing the works we’ve been doing,” Andrew said. buzz around the Snowy Snowy 2.0 workforce, is already advertising for “There’s also been a lot of spin-offs to other a number of Snowy 2.0 Exploratory Works roles Mountains communities local businesses providing us with mechanical (search ‘Snowy’ on the SEEK website), with repairs, servicing, small plant providers and job opportunities set to ramp up through the and local businesses equipment that we’ve purchased locally.” project Main Works. powering the project. Roger Withers has more than doubled his Snowy Hydro is also looking to establish Tumut-based Withers Earthmoving workforce a precast factory at Polo Flat in Cooma to in the last 12 months as a direct result of the manufacture the concrete tunnel lining Snowy 2.0 project. segments for Snowy 2.0. Subject to planning approvals, this factory would employ a mostly “Twelve months ago we only employed eight local workforce of about 125 people. people to run our quarry and our trucks. Now we’re up to 20 and within the next 12 months Snowy 2.0 is great news for local communities. we will be up to around 30, probably even 35 Anyone keen to be involved should visit the Future people, just to cater for the Snowy 2.0 project,” Generation website futuregenerationjv.com.au he said. to see what opportunities are available now and in the future. “It will be really good for Tumut I think. It will have a big flow-on effect to all the For more information on Snowy 2.0 visit businesses around town like the hotels, motels snowyhydro.com.au supermarkets and increased employment.”

Some examples of local business involvement so far include:

6,000 hours 5,000 hours of 2,300 hours of 16,500 star pickets of traffic surveying services feasibility study to line the project’s management to mark out the surveying services exclusion zones services Exploratory Works 100s of items of high- 19,000 hours of project area More than vis workwear and boots geotechnical 10,000 nights 3,800 hours of for project staff investigation in local earthmoving and drilling 160 hand-held radios accommodation bridge works at for the workforce and meals eaten Lobs Hole in towns 20,000 tonnes of 10 new light vehicles quarried products for and aftermarket the new roads and accessories haulage to site

6 7 SNOWY 2.0: PROJECT UPDATE

Snowy 2.0 Exploratory Works are progressing well and it’s great to see the project really coming to life.

Community consultation session at Polo Flat

Tunnel boring machines There will be three TBMs used A TBM not only removes for Snowy 2.0, each with a 10.9m excavated material but can install Tunnel boring machines (TBM) have diameter cutter head and 14 pre-fabricated concrete segments a circular cutter head and are used engines producing 5,000 kilowatts to line the new tunnel. For Snowy to excavate tunnels through rock oads contractor Leed Construction of the first workers’ and the Polo Flat precast factory. of power. It takes 25 people to 2.0, each concrete segment will and soil. They provide a faster and Engineering and accommodation camp is due The events were well-attended, run each TBM including support weigh 6.5 tonnes and there are more efficient method of excavation Construction has forged to start in coming months and with more than 400 people taking facilities at the tunnel portal. nine segments in each ring. With than traditional drill and blast. ahead with upgrades should be finished early next year. the opportunity to ask questions, 27km of waterway tunnels, Snowy to Lobs Hole Ravine Initially, during the Exploratory learn more about the projects and 2.0 will use more than 130,000 RRoad, despite some periods of Works phase, the accommodation speak directly to the project team. concrete segments! wild winter weather, and these units will be home to around 150 The most common topics are due to be completed by the people. Each single bedroom unit raised by the local community end of the year. A temporary will contain an ensuite, bed, desk, included local jobs and business pedestrian bridge is also being television, small refrigerator and opportunities, traffic and noise installed across Wallace Creek to reverse-cycle air conditioner. The impacts, road safety and road enable our principal contractor Exploratory Camp will also have a upgrades. Future Generation access to the gym, recreational facilities, dining exploratory tunnel portal site. area and kitchen. Future Generation is busy establishing a presence in the When access is completed, the Given the project’s location in the first tunnel construction will get , all of these local community, with team underway with drill and blast buildings are built to withstand up members already moving into methodology. to three metres of snow! the old SMEC offices in Cooma. This will soon become the Future This exploratory tunnel will allow Snowy Hydro hosted its latest round Generation headquarters for the further geological investigations to of community consultations in July project and will house 80-100 be carried out at the underground and August, with staff from Future staff, generating further economic cavern location, with horizontal Generation also attending. These activity for the area. SMEC staff core hole drilling conducted in- sessions in Cooma, Adaminaby, working on the project have situ. This work is very important Tumut, Talbingo, moved into the Snowy Hydro as it provides us with information and were focused office in Cooma in their role as the needed to finalise the technical on providing information to owners’ engineers. design of the power station the community as part of the cavern, which will be located Environmental Impact Statement A typical tunnel boring machine about 700 metres below ground. process for Snowy 2.0 Main Works

8 9 APPRENTICES NEW The faces of Snowy’s future RENEWABLE By the numbers YEARS YEAR ENERGY 25 54 21 4-6 4 of the Snowy Snowy current apprentices program Hydro Hydro- apprentices per intake apprenticeship trained CONTRACTS program apprentices in the last 10 years

very day, across the All apprentices rotate through id you know Snowy built under long-term offtake Snowy Scheme and regional operation areas and have Hydro’s retailer Red contracts from Snowy Hydro’s throughout the Snowy the opportunity to gain permanent Energy is now powering successful 2018 Renewable Hydro business, there positions at Snowy at the end all of Thredbo’s major Energy Procurement Program are skilled tradespeople of their apprenticeships. Some resort operations with (REP-P). Eworking to maintain and fine-tune go on to train in a second trade, Dclean, renewable energy? The REP-P secured 888 our generation assets to help keep providing the business with extra, This is just one of several landmark megawatts of wind and solar your lights on at times of peak hugely valuable skills. contracts Snowy Hydro has signed projects across energy demand. with commercial customers to and with offtake contracts All of these mechanical fitters, DID YOU KNOW supply reliable, round-the-clock of up to 15 years. This new energy electricians, machine fabricators, THE 2018 energy from 100% renewable allows Snowy Hydro to offer very maintenance technicians and site AUSTRALIAN sources like wind, solar and hydro. competitive, firm, renewable supervisors started their careers APPRENTICE OF energy prices to customers. To provide energy on-demand, as apprentices, many of them at THE YEAR WAS when a customer needs it, Snowy The Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro Snowy Hydro. SNOWY HYDRO’S uses its hydro power station assets project will further strengthen MICK EDWARDS? We are proud of our apprenticeship in combination with intermittent Snowy’s existing ability to firm vast program and appreciate the A qualified motor mechanic wind and solar to create ‘firm’ amounts of renewable energy. incredible value that apprentices and mature-aged tradesman, reliable energy. Snowy Hydro can release water to bring to the business. The program Mick took on a second This firmed, on-demand generate at times of peak demand develops and nurtures the abilities apprenticeship as an electrician renewable energy is vital for and use excess energy for of local young people through high and was so successful he won the rapidly-changing National pumping to top up water supplies quality trades training, along with the national award. Electricity Market to meet current - for example, when the sun is support and mentoring from the Mick’s commitment to and future energy demands at the shining in the middle of the day apprenticeship management team. apprentices, their training lowest cost. producing solar energy at a time Our apprentices are critical to our and mentoring is second-to- when energy demand across the This new offering from our suite of future and deliver the pipeline of none. He is the company’s system is relatively low. firming products is a fast-growing skills we will always need. They Apprentice Coordinator and is part of Snowy Hydro’s business and Aside from Thredbo Ski Resort, become the vital tradespeople passionate about producing one which holds significant promise Snowy has also signed long-term providing the hands-on skills excellent tradespeople and given our unique fast-start hydro contracts with the University of that keep our turbines spinning, well-rounded individuals. assets and integrated portfolio of Newcastle and Dexus, a large electrical systems safe and plant renewable energy sources. property investment group. maintenance on-track. The next application With more customers seeking These large customers all have Apprentices bring ideas, period for a Snowy renewable energy to power their a commitment to environmental innovation and enthusiasm for new Hydro apprenticeship operations, there is significant sustainability, along with a desire projects and future upgrades. The will open in mid-2020. interest in Snowy’s energy for long-term price certainty, contribution of tradespeople to our So if you or your high school-aged products. which aligns well with the product business is never underestimated. Snowy Hydro and Red Energy is son or daughter is keen to kick New contracts signed with Snowy Hydro accepts apprentices able to offer. start their career with a trade and is commercial and industrial across the mechanical and electrical interested in science, technology, customers will be underpinned by trades each year, and looks to hire engineering and maths, they renewable energy produced from people as much as possible from the should start preparing now! the eight wind and solar projects Top to bottom: Jack Cooper, Eden Snowy Mountains region. Mulquiney, Luke Jackson, Grant 11 Hardwick and Fraser Stout MAJOR REGIONAL OUR PEOPLE MILESTONES MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme is the most complex, multi-purpose, multi- hydro scheme in the world with 16 large , 80km of aqueducts, 145km of tunnels and nine power stations, two of which are underground, and one Justin Gumela and Tom Condon

pumping station. At Snowy, our people are our most important assets. The diversity s you can imagine, some of the electrical equipment The Eucumbene-Snowy tunnel This year we completed a major of our business means we have a Scheme of this scale fundamental to the operation of takes water into Lake Eucumbene upgrade of the spillway gate so many talented, skilled and has a lot of moving the plant is reaching the end of its for long-term storage while the control systems. The new controls experienced people in a wide parts, with many large life and is no longer able to meet Snowy-Geehi tunnel moves water utilise modern electronic control range of roles. pieces of infrastructure the demands of today’s electrical into , where it makes technology, and in some cases At each of our power stations we Astrategically connected together. generation network. its way westward via Murray 1 they are now duplicated to ensure have Maintenance Technicians The longevity of the infrastructure and Murray 2 Power Stations and that the gates will respond under The control system replacement who operate, maintain and not only highlights the original eventually into the . the most adverse of conditions. is planned for the next 18 months assist the Snowy Mountains design and construction of the They can now be operated and will be followed by mechanical Flows down the Snowy River can Control Centre to keep the assets, but also the expertise of automatically without human overhauls and turbine upgrades change quite dramatically. In the assets operational and available Snowy Hydro maintenance staff, intervention, either remotely from that, together, will see the plant last 10 years, there have been two for service. Tom Condon, a past and present. the Snowy Mountains Control renewed to continue its reliable significant rain events resulting mechanical fitter and Justin Centre or locally from the site. This year we are celebrating 70 operation for decades to come. in the level rising nearly nine Gumela, an electrical fitter, are our years since the first ceremonial metres per hour, resulting in flows Kosciuszko region Maintenance The two-unit Jindabyne Pumping blast in Adaminaby to signal the in excess of 500 cubic metres Technicians based in Jindabyne. Station also began operations start of construction of the mighty per second going over the Island in 1969 and forms an important Tom and Justin have their hands Snowy Scheme. In addition to these Bend spillway. part of the Snowy-Murray full! They work together to keep major celebrations there are other Development portion of the The four spillway gates need to , Jindabyne milestones to recognise in 2019, Scheme. The Jindabyne Pumping respond quickly to the changing Pumping Station, four dams, a specifically on the Snowy-Murray Station pumps water from Lake water levels and automatically small hydro and other outlying Development side of the Scheme. Jindabyne (normally at off peak open to protect the integrity of the and auxiliary plant operational. Construction of the Murray 2 times such as nights and on dam. That’s why it is imperative Tom and Justin are both Power Station was completed 50 weekends) into Geehi Reservoir. that upgrades take place from committed to safety and work years ago in 1969. Located near time to time to ensure the ongoing Another of the Snowy-Murray well together due to their different Khancoban, water flows westward reliability of the dam and its Development storages, Island trades and backgrounds. from the central storage area of spillway. Bend Dam, is 54 years young this Lake Eucumbene and other smaller “The best thing about working in year. Constructed between 1962 dams, through Murray 1 Power the Kosciuszko region is we have a and 1965, its purpose is to divert Station, on to Murray 2 and out solid team that enables us to work water from the Snowy River, into the Murray River for irrigation together effectively and are always below Guthega Power Station, and environmental releases. looking out for each other,” Tom said. into two trans-mountain tunnels. Four generating units at Murray 2 “It is awesome working in the provide a total of 550MW. Kosciuszko region, the team This year a significant welcomes anyone new into the replacement of the control and area, inviting them out to after- electrical systems is underway at hours activities such as mountain Murray 2. After 50 years of service, biking, skiing and other social events.” Justin said.

12 13 PART OF THE PCYC PROGRAM HELPING YOUTH BECOME FIT FOR WORK

nowy Hydro is a founding Certificate 1 in Retail, as well as corporate partner of the undertaking a work experience COMMUNITY Police Citizens Youth placement. Clubs NSW (PCYC) Snowy Hydro is currently and is committed working with police officers Sto supporting the NSW Police in the and Tumut Commissioner’s RISEUP youth areas showcasing potential employment program, which WORK EXPERIENCE FOR CLONTARF STUDENTS career pathways to the young provides employment pathways people who are enrolled in for disadvantaged and disengaged Fit for Work. As part of the young people. program, Guy Boardman, Area PCYC Fit for Work graduation Fit for Work is a 10-week RISEUP Manager for the Lower Tumut ceremony in Tumut program that helps prepare region, met with the group and students for the workforce and talked to them about career equips them with the necessary opportunities at Snowy. skills to find employment. The In early July, a group of young program teaches students many people in Tumut successfully important life skills, focusing on completed the PCYC Fit for finance, community, personal Work program. The graduation health and the importance of ceremony was a great way to physical activity. Students work recognise the dedication and towards their First Aid Certificate, achievement of the youth who Construction White Card and graduated from the program.

Jackson Hamson and Blair Tracey in front Blair Tracey and Nick Holloway standing with a of a mural at Tumut 2 Power Station new dry-type transformer after it was fitted into place in readiness for electrical connection to Tumut 2 Unit 5 Generator NATIONS OF ORIGIN A BIG SUCCESS

n July, Snowy Hydro hosted eye of the Snowy team on the By tapping into the boys’ love a small group of Clontarf inspection and repair of large and passion for sport, the Foundation students for work hydro-electric generators located Clontarf Foundation is able to experience in the Upper at Tumut 2 Power Station. improve their future employment Tumut region. prospects by encouraging school Nick worked with the Snowy I attendance up to completion. The students, Nick Holloway, electricians to help remove one Jackson Hamson and Blair of the original oil-filled auxiliary In doing so, the boys also form Tracey, all Year 12 students, transformers and install a new the foundations that support came from across NSW and environmentally-friendly dry-type healthy choices, leading to more Victoria to get a taste of what auxiliary transformer. Nick found purposeful, meaningful lives Young people at the recent Nations of Origin event life as a Snowy apprentice is like. this work incredibly interesting and which enriches the communities rewarding knowing the transformer in which they live. It was fantastic to have Josh he PCYC Nations of of the Nations of Origin. The football 5’s, basketball and will continue to operate over many Cameron and Mitch Murray, For us at Snowy, it’s a privilege Origin is an annual event focuses on reconciliation, netball. It was great to see the decades to come. former Clontarf students and to be able to connect with sports tournament, education, cultural identity and increased engagement and now Snowy apprentices, Snowy Hydro is a proud sponsor and help young Indigenous held during NAIDOC sport and encourages school participation of Indigenous and on-hand to help show them of the Clontarf Foundation, an Australians to reach their full week, that aims to attendance by requiring all non-Indigenous youth! Tempower and motivate youth participants attain a minimum the ropes. Josh and Mitch are organisation that assists young potential and to support young As a business we continue and celebrates Australia’s school attendance rate of 80%. both wonderful examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people into employment. to look for ways to increase diverse Indigenous culture and how work experience can lead Islander men across Australia Over the past six years, the Nations our engagement with its deep impact on our history to a career with Snowy. in education, life skills and self- of Origin has been a huge success. Indigenous people and provide esteem, ultimately preparing the and stories. Blair and Jackson were both This year approximately 1,200 employment opportunities to boys for life beyond school. keen on a mechanical trade so Red Energy and Snowy players represented more than 20 help bridge the gap. they worked under the watchful Hydro are proud sponsors Aboriginal nations in rugby league 7’s,

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